Who would have thought that a Canadian reggae band with a cowboy schtick could turn out to be anything more than a one-shot novelty act? And yet, over the course of ten years and three albums, the Toronto-based
Reggae Cowboys have managed to do just that, gradually building an impressive catalogue of unconventional reggae recordings and an enviable reputation as a live act.
Stone Ranger (which is also the stage name of the band's lead singer and chief songwriter) does a nice job of blending disparate musical elements without sounding silly or awkward; the prominent steel guitar on "Buckin' Bronco" fits seamlessly within the song's twin-guitar lead lines and loping reggae groove; "Maria" is a charming Latin-tinged ska raveup; and "Jed," the album's best track, combines rootsy organ, tight vocal harmonies, and a churning one-drop beat to very fine effect. We could have done with just one version of "Samedi Soir," and
Bob Marley's "Concrete Jungle" didn't need the amped-up treatment it gets here. Worst is the band's completely unnecessary cover of
Peter Tosh's cover of
Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode." But overall, this album is a solid winner.