The Elovaters latest CD release Castles shows the Boston based-band moving through many reggae grooves and island vibes. Yet, this band does reggae its own way, employing a varied take on instrumentation and vocals to give their genre a new shine.
Opening track “Be All Right” is a breezy, wavy piece, a mid-tempo reggae beat pushing it through its mellow lyrical images. Guitar riffs and drum fills make space for a spacey lead guitar line that feels other worldly in a similar breeze to the traditional instrumentation.
“Shots Fired” continues the mellow vibe. This time vocal coos and synthesized whistling create a mysterious feeling. This, in turn, makes room for Jackson Wetherbee’s mellow lead vocal, a soothing voice that ushers one along, especially through the teasing chorus.
Featuring Luke Mitrani, “Bright Side” has a touch of singer-songwriter flair, a folksy beat and acoustic guitar jaunt make this feel like a singalong. Dancers in a Jamaican dance hall could certainly move their feet to this bouncy beat and amicable vocal pace.
“Margaritas” features Orange Grove who augments this tune with his large, smooth vocal sweep. Sweet acoustic guitar notes brighten this tune as it skips along its merry path, a pleasant trip within the space between the percussion and guitar. Hip vocals move at a brisk clip near the end, making this wavy music as urgent as rap.
Waltzing in with an alluring percussion track, “The Squeeze,” featuring G. Love & Special Sauce, combines a rapper with a reggae downtempo beat. There’s a rich street quality going on here, coos travel like people are singing down an alley. It’s about bustling groove and it works.
Featuring G. Love & Special Sauce along with Brother Ali, “DeLorean” grooves mellow. A lead vocal emits just enough breezy voice per meter, enough to keep one guessing what lyrical images will come next. The chill vibe on this one pulls the listener into a trance world as the singer and a rapper cruise through.
The most likely hit single, “Criminal,” has a sexiness in its chorus, a lift, a loftiness that arises from the lead vocal work of Whetherbee. There is also an easy going groove that lets listeners move their feet slowly, grooving in place, a willow in the wind feeling that widens beautifully when a lead guitar phrases brightly expresses the main theme.
“Moon” combines a reggae beat with a synthesized whistle. Light groove and pretty electric melody open plenty of space for a measured response from the lead vocal. The title “Moon” might express the feeling that one can leap four feet high while still walking forward. A lead guitar phrases sweets its up by following the wide lift of this pieces free form groove.
Hip guitar riffing over a tender acoustic six string make “Lonely Mountain” a perfect mood piece. This instrumental quietly layers on other gentle instrumentation to great but brief effect. Segue into “Down The Road” and the band are back to their reggae groove style. An echoey, rangy lead vocal carries well over a soundscape of riffs and fills. A second vocal beautifies things further, leading into a section of interesting sound effects.
“My Friend,” featuring The Movement and Keznamdi, combines reggae and rap, a tasteful blend of spoken word and mellow island groove. Instrumentalists add nice touches along the way, organ flights, pleasant stick work, all spicing up this meaningful pondering of a special relationship. A lead guitar phrase soothes the soul, too, as the singer and the rapper work this into a three dimensional allure.
“Gardenia,” featuring Stick Figure, grooves with a snap. Quick smacking drums, bubbly keyboard notes, and colorful vocals make this an interesting hit of joyfulness. Hip motions keep this one motivational, making it impossible not to bob the head or tap the toes to its beat.
“Return” pleases with its sweet electric guitar phrasing, a light melodic interval that guides one through this like a lantern bearing guide. A compressed lead vocal contrasts with a wider vocal, a technique, among others here, that create a different soundscape one usually finds in reggae, offering intriguing sounds and an interesting use of the instruments.
“Upside Down” offers spicy guitar work, a light high guitar and an assertive rhythm guitar. The sweet guitar tones color this tune pleasantly as lead vocalist Wetherbee sings a smooth rich line that finds a perfect home among the instrumentation. He enlarges the song when reaches for his higher notes, and that makes everything feel so bright and positive.
“How High” feels as mellow as a summer cloud drifting by. It is large and gentle at once. Sweet high harmonies and palpable drums and percussion work carry it all well. When the synthesized notes are perceptible, it’s like something special has been sprinkled onto your ice cream. There are a lot of small but sweet ingredients added as this piece passes through the sonic landscape.
Close out track “Cool River” makes its mark as an acoustic guitar driven piece. While there is a touch of island joy in the lead vocal coos, this one feels only slightly tethered to reggae. Spacey keyboards, graceful skin smacks, and a pretty electric guitar melody make enticing appearances.
The Elovaters make a fine musical statement on this Castles album. They take their knowledge of reggae and island grooves and stretch the genre and its idioms with innovative use of guitars, keyboards, and vocals. It is familiar enough for the reggae crowd to enjoy. It’s different enough to tug on many other ears.
