For those of you who know Bambu Station you don’t need me to tell you how impressive their previous release, ‘One Day’ was. This time around it's clear that the band have grown and developed their style further. ‘Break The Soil’ is eclectic, experimental, spiritual and simply outstanding.

The album opens with a bright, up-lifting classic roots vibe entitled ‘Brotherhood’, which instantly makes you sit up and listen with more than simple interest. ‘Beloved People’ follows and opens with a haunting flute solo, which proclaims an experimental direction for Bambu Station and their music, which is further highlighted in the next track ‘I Rememba’. This is a jazz influenced number, which is cheerful and positive, with wonderful piano and brass playing. A commanding track follows entitled ‘Sense Enemy’, down-beat, sparse yet potent, utilizing spoken-word to send a powerful message. The glorious voice of empress Reemah leads the track ‘Chance to Grow’, a beautifully crafted song with perceptive lyrics, I especially like the line ‘every situation is a chance to grow; every sunrise is a chance to sow’.

Skipping ahead a few tracks to one of my favourites. ‘Sing Upright’ is a call to arms to all singers and players of instruments to act responsibly and chant down the badness and bling culture that surrounds much of black music. This is a down-tempo cut with lyrics fired out across a heavy riddim - simply outstanding.

‘Break The Soil’ is proof that modern roots music is alive and very well indeed. The music is rich and beautifully layered. The lyrics are attentive and the overall quality doesn’t drop from the top ‘till the very last drop! Highly recommended.

Review by JumpUp

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