At first I was going to write about the Buffalo City School system and how backwards it is, but then I decided to put on some music and realized that not enough people know about this band. The bands name is Black Dub and if you just want to chill out and relax I highly suggest trying them out.
This is their website.
Want some background on them? I'd be happy to give some. The band consists of Daryl Johnson (bass), Trixie Whitley (vocals), Brian Blade (drums), and Daniel Lanois (piano, guitar). Trixie has a voice that will BLOW YOU AWAY. The first time I heard her voice I was expecting an old jazz or blues singer. Turns out she is a small young little thing whose father was Chris Whitley, a great blues singer/songwriter/guitarist. The only other person I honestly kinda knew by name was Daniel Lanois, who is a record producer who has worked with the likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Peter Gabriel, Willie Nelson, and U2. He worked with U2 on their album The Joshua Tree.
The album begins with a track titled "Love Lives" and almost gives off a Steely Dan vibe to it in the first 30 seconds or so. Then the magic happens when Trixie comes in with her incredible voice. Her voice is haunting, often I find myself getting goosebumps just listening to her. After hearing her voice for the first time I had to look up a picture of her and couldn't understand how such a voice came out of a small girl like that. The bass lines and guitars are perfectly consistent throughout the album and shows the amount of experience and talent that this collaboration has. Their first single is next - "I Believe In You" - a wonderful ballad that once again flaunts Ms. Whitleys' voice. Number 3, "Ring The Alarm" is an upbeat song that helps the transition to their next song "Last Time" that was written by all of the members of the band, whilst the rest of them were written and composed by Lanois. "Surely" is next, another slow ballad that tugs at the heartstrings of anyone who has a lost love. "Nomad" is a wonderful song that once again makes you feel that a seasoned blues singer fronts this band. The first of two instrumentals is up next, named "Slow Baby", and shows off Daniels guitar skills. My personal favorite is next. "Silverado" always seems to put an image of the band sitting around a campfire jamming in my head. It is very simple, yet put together so well that I believe they really should release it as a single. "Canaan" is the next song, and features Lanois singing which turns out to work very well with the flow of the album. The last track that has vocals is up next - "Sing" - another upbeat track that features Trixie and Lanois sharing time on vocals. "Sirens" is the last song, an instrumental that helps round out the album, yet seems to leave you wanting more. I honestly do not skip over any of the tracks when I put on this album - and that tends to be rare with me.
The group has a series of videos on YouTube, and I thought I'd post one for you.
So, once again, go buy this album.
