This is the debut album of
Djosos Krost, a Danish production duo equally committed to tweaky, bleepy electronica and warm, analog-based roots reggae. Those two influences may seem like opposite ends of a spectrum, but even so,
Djosos Krost manage to blend them in a way that is consistently fresh and enjoyable. Bringing in guest singers and chatters was a great idea as well, though listeners could have done with a bit more Tuco (whose "Straight Upfront" is one of the album's highlights) and a lot less Jah Bobby (who is featured on four tracks and displays a marked tendency to intone portentous lyrics in a self-important manner rather than riding the rhythm or doing anything otherwise musically interesting). The real stars of this album are the rhythms, which are mostly excellent; top marks go to the minor-key "Earthball," which makes fine use of heavily treated dubwise vocals, and the jittery backing track to Little Tasha's seductive "Cover Me." Less inspiring is the utilitarian one-chord vamp that supports Jah Bobby's tendentious "Chapter One," but hey -- at least they put the album's two weakest elements on a single track. Skip past that one and you've got a great listen. ~ Rick Anderson