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"Grand Masters" is the Stubborn All-Stars' first attempt at an early dancehall sound, and no surprise, it's a stunner. A loping, bass-heavy riddim supplies the groove to make you move, while the sparse, tasty horns give the tune a gritty, urban feel that's as suitable for the streets of New York City as it is for Trenchtown. In my mind's eye, I can see the heat rising off the pavement of a crowded, dirty city street while this track plays in the background. Bamboo flute, melodica, and a well-placed, easy skankin' guitar line add perfect accents, but the song's centerpiece is King Django's rub-a-dubby vocal performance -- his commanding presence won't settle for anything less than your full attention. Wrapping up with a wholly appropriate rewind, "Grand Masters" is further evidence that there's no aspect of Jamaican roots music these boys can't handle. |
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Julio Diaz |
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Julio Diaz is the Editor-In-Chief for Ink 19, the largest music magazine in the Southeast US, and the third largest regional magazine in the country. He is the former Webmaster of The Florida Ska Web Page! and the former Vice President of A&R and Marketing for Citrus Records. His work has also been published in Focus magazine and translated into French for Dig It! magazine.
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