Album Review:
Passage at Noon
- Release Date: 1999
- Genre: Electronica
- Label: Baraka Foundation
- Artist: Qaballah Steppers
- Rating:
- Styles: Jungle/Drum'n'bass, Dub
Review
This band has the most promising name of all time. Why? Because it intimates both serious-minded beat chemistry and exotic melodicism through the juxtaposition of Islamic and reggae terminology. Does it live up to the promise of its name? Yes, for the most part. Skip over the droning nothingness of "Black Star," the album's lead track, and jump right into the very heavy "North 8th at Noon (Obermix)," which floats breathy Middle Eastern flute over a slow hip-hop beat; that track segues into a live drum & bass workout titled "Brew," which in turn eventually slides into the old-schoolish rap of "A Thirsty Fish." On "No Room for Mine," a tabla-driven excursion in Rastafarian illbience, the band is joined by downtown guitar hero Marc Ribot, of all people. "Brooklyn Rumba" pits Dr. Israel's bouncy Rasta chat against hip-hop drums and eerie, shimmery chord washes. There's lots to hear on this album, and almost all of it is fun to listen to. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music GuideTracks
| Track Title | iTunes | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Black Star | Qaballah Steppers | (4:43) | ||
| North 7th at Noon [Obermix] | Qaballah Steppers | (3:13) | ||
| Brew [Live] | Qaballah Steppers | (2:28) | ||
| A Thirsty Fish | Qaballah Steppers | (2:50) | ||
| Lost of Civilization | Qaballah Steppers | (4:16) | ||
| Speechless | Qaballah Steppers | (2:13) | ||
| No Room for Mine | Qaballah Steppers | (4:22) | ||
| Quarrel of Toys | Qaballah Steppers | (5:51) | ||
| Perpetual White Moss | Qaballah Steppers | (3:56) | ||
| Green Ears in Between Stories (Interlude) | Qaballah Steppers | (1:43) | ||
| Brooklyn Rumba | Qaballah Steppers | (4:36) | ||
| Midway | Qaballah Steppers | (2:45) | ||
| Interrupted Data | Qaballah Steppers | (3:26) | ||
| Out Road [Live at Brooklyn Brewery] | Qaballah Steppers | (3:19) | ||
| To Become | Qaballah Steppers | (4:02) |
