Aswad vs. the Rhythm Riders

• Artist: Aswad
• Rating:
• Release Date: July 18, 2006
• Genre: Reggae

Review

For more than three decades now, Aswad have persisted as one of England's most popular and consistent reggae acts. To a significant degree, the group's staying power can be attributed to its principled flexibility: without ever losing touch with its reggae roots, the band has effectively incorporated dancehall, techno, pop, and R&B elements into its sound, gradually creating a smart and complex hybrid sound that appeals to a wide variety of listeners. This album, on which Aswad collaborate with British techno duo the Rhythm Riders (Danny Briottet and Tim Bran), is a classic example of Aswad's approach. Everywhere is fusion and experimentation -- the zippy and slightly jungly "Come with the Love," a sort of soca-house update of the band's early classic "African Children," the dreamy, almost ambient "Under Palm Trees" -- but nowhere does this sound like anything other than an Aswad album. What the Rhythm Riders bring is a particular warmth and funkiness, along with an electro edge that nicely complements Aswad's natural tendency toward slick modern roots reggae. Guests include DJs Brother Culture, Soloman (who delivers a fine speed rap on "Come with the Love"), and Sweetie Irie. Very, very nice. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Rudeboy	Gary Benson, Livingstone Brown, Angus Gaye, Dennis Robinson, Danny Briottet, Sonna Rele, Sweetie Irie	Aswad, The Rhythm Riders	(4:12)
City Lock	Danny Briottet, Sweetie Irie, Tony Gad	Aswad, Crispy Horns, The Rhythm Riders	(4:02)
Dubbit	Tim Bran, Danny Briottet, Tony Gad	Aswad, Brother Culture, The Rhythm Riders	(5:18)
This Sound	Tim Bran, Danny Briottet, Tony Gad	Aswad, Brother Culture, The Rhythm Riders	(5:08)
Give Me a Sign	Tim Bran, Danny Briottet, Tony Gad	Aswad, Brother Culture, The Rhythm Riders	(4:48)
Under Palm Trees	Tim Bran, Danny Briottet, Tony Gad	Aswad, The Rhythm Riders	(5:04)
Monotic	Angus Gaye, Dennis Robinson, Danny Briottet	Aswad, The Rhythm Riders	(5:34)
Come with the Love	Tim Bran, Danny Briottet, Tony Gad	Aswad, The Rhythm Riders	(5:07)
African Children '06	Richie Dan, Tony Gad	Aswad, Crispy Horns, The Rhythm Riders	(6:22)
Keep It Raw	Danny Briottet, Tony Gad	Aswad, The Rhythm Riders	(3:36)
Natural Progression (Lyrics)	Tony Gad	Aswad, Danny Briottet, The Rhythm Riders	(5:09)
Survive	Tim Bran, Danny Briottet, Sweetie Irie, Tony Gad	Aswad, Svetlana, The Rhythm Riders	(5:27)

Credits

Jim Snowden (Executive Producer), Tim Bran (Producer), Brother Culture (Performer), Danny Briottet (Producer), John Petter (Sax (Tenor)), The Rhythm Riders (Performer), The Rhythm Riders (Producer), Aswad (Producer), Chris Petter (Trombone), Michael Page (Art Direction)