Rough Edge Quartet – Debut

Reviewed by: Dean Marcel

I was recently sent this CD from the band after they read my interview with Wayne McArthur last month. They had recently supported Wayne during his UK Tour on a few gigs and I was glad they contacted me.

Rough Edge Quartet bring a special blend of original Rocksteady Reggae'n'Ska, Jazz-tipped Funk, and Afro-beat Grooves directly to the dancefloor to get you moving with the positive vibes.

A range of influences across a global spectrum provides a fresh and rootsy sound for the modern listener. The positive mix of genres creates soulful riffs and addictive rhythms. Rocksteady drums and bass lay the foundation for the skanking guitar, international keys, and four piece vocals.

The CD has 13 tracks and is similar in sounding to UKRG favourite’s Pama International. Track 1 is just an intro inna Latino style, but don’t let this fool you, it is only a taster of the quality of musicianship involved.

Tracks 2 and 3 roam in the rocksteady ska field but then 4 “What’s The Problem” goes into an old school riddim and changes the course of the album (for the better). After this is “Captain Cally’s Canoe”, a two-step affair and a right summer evening on the beach job.

The rest of the album pretty much follows the same feeling, upbeat choons for a summer’s evening BBQ. This is a good album and intro to the band and it will get plenty of spins while we still have some sort of summer but I’m not sure if it will last on my playlist much longer.

More info: www.myspace.com/roughedgequartet