Extra Classic (facebook) are an anachronism. Hailing from California but sounding like a band from Jamaica, this six piece are a far cry away from the reggae of the 1960s and 1970s, however they offer a refreshing splice of soulful reggae set to warm your ears on these fast approaching winter days. As with any good reggae album, it’s packed full of politics, rhythmical thrusts and harmonies galore. For Extra Classic to gain such a vintage sound they went one step further than pressing a button on a tech deck; they recorded the whole of June’s Your Light Like White Lightning, Your Light Like A Laser Beam on 8 track tape with recording equipment from the 60s and 70s.
The album isn’t a one trick pony of old reggae rhythms and sounds, there is a definite depth to it. Congo Rebel is the album opener, which provides a melodic, hard-hitting track dealing with troubles in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that have been especially newsworthy in recent years. Angel Eyes gives the album a more tender aspect offering the listener a hauntingly beautiful number. The whole album is definitely as dub as you can get in 2011 with tracks, such as Demon Hit and You Can’t Bring Me Down sounding like a modern version of Police and Thieves.
It’s refreshing to hear a band that has completely immersed themselves into a genre of music that has been so significant to musical history. Extra Classic grasps hold of the passion and anger that reggae encapsulated back in the 60s and 70s and brings it to a modern day level. Reggae credentials with a modern day edge make this album a must listen.
[Pre-order] Extra Classic – Your Light Like White Lightning, Your Light Like A Laser Beam
http://soundcloud.com/yourstrulysf/extra-classic-give-me-your
Extra Classic – Give Me Your Love
Congo Rebel by Extra Classic
You Can’t Bring Me Down (Nopal Records 45 single) by Extra Classic