Rebelution, a band known for their California-style soft rock-reggae music, released their first album, Courage To Grow, in 2007 and it peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Reggae charts. Their second, Bright Side OF Life, went to No. 1 on the same chart and in 2012, Peace Of Mind debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
Since then they have steadily built a supportive fan base akin to their version of conscious reggae music. Their last album The Dub Collection 2020 debuted at No. 8 on the Reggae albums chart. They are among the most successful reggae bands in the world.
In The Moment is the group’s seventh album and in theory, this album comes off as perfect having the number one position on the iTunes chart on day one of release. Beneath the surface, however, the album lacks the cultural panache. Reggae music is about the feeling.
It subverts as a lighter, safer version of roots rock reggae. Albeit, nothing new.
Satisfied starts off the album with a welcoming tone. Asserting dominance as they slide through their moral suasion with potent, somewhat aggressive lyrics. “We got a plot liberate your thoughts(thots)”.
That’s the unique quality of reggae made outside of Jamaica, it’s less threatening. A horns section would have added to the pantomime of the song.
Old-school Feeling is not as believable as it should be. This privileged attempt to recapture old-school rub a dub style reggae is more like a copy of the old-school feeling. The production overwhelms the vocals and as Bob Marley famously said, “You can copy but anuh copy do it”. If the group wanted to bring back the old school then maybe they should have collaborated with an old school act.
Heavy As Lead is a rock-reggae song. This will resonate with their fans but worth skipping if you are streaming for reggae. The key and tone are difficult on the ears. Along with the elementary production on “To Be Younger” those moments sound like a Disney TV show theme song from the 1990s.
Initials, is the vacation song every summer album needs. This bass-heavy moment holds up the album. The out-of-place adlibs and screams of “Woahhh” seem forced and take away from what could have been the best song on the album.
2020 Vision features Kabaka Pyramid who seems to be the go-to featured artist on everyone’s reggae project. His appearance added diversity but it is a one-play moment.
All Or Nothing is an upbeat California classic that all but saved the album from being low register lost art. Busy Signal is a master vocalist capable of turning melancholy into melody.
“From the streets of California to Amsterdam come mek we chant and give Jah praises like a Rasta man”. The only song on the album worth playing twice. The “boom bap slap” riddim is a great choice for the feature. Busy understands dancehall-reggae lingua and gives the album some authenticity.
The album dips into a stupor again with You And I. Then back to high hat slapping reggae on ‘Adapt And Survive’.
The melodies and patterns on That Zone highlight the potential of the band to make reggae music with soul.
Am I satisfied? No. The album has too many skippable moments. I give it 2.5 out of 5. The winner is the cover designer; an hourglass with the sun and river on one side and the moon and seashore on the other. Flirting with time the band has perfected making late-night campfire music.
