NYC REGGAE COLLECTIVE: alieNation

Nyc Reggae Collective

alieNation

© 2004 Louie Fleck (783707737027)

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Is it a concept album or a message from a distant planet? This Reggatistical CD features the cream of the crop from NYC's Reggae scene. Vocalists: Original Smurph, Marcia Davis, Simone Gordon, Keith Johnston, Milo, Charmaine DaCosta, Maggie Roche, others

notes

Yo! Exclusive FREE DOWNLOADS at www.NYC-REGGAE.com.

The CD is composed mostly of original songs by Louie Fleck that deal loosely and directly with the idea of alienation in the psychological sense and also with some science fiction ramifications! Of course, the music is heavily Reggae influenced, but it crosses over many stylistic boundaries and operates on several levels. Just like New York, there are numerous surprises lurking in every corner of this CD, but you have to hear it to understand!

Some of the best New York based musicians and performers are appearing on the CD such as: Original Smurph, Marcia Davis (Outro), Brian "Milo" Lowe (The MOT!VES, Shaka Milo), Ronnie Butler (Israel Vibrations, Eek, Meditations), Charmaine DaCosta (Wirl-A-Girl), Maggie Roche (The Roches), Simone Gordon (Outro), Kalvin Kristi, Keith Johnston (Lisa-Lisa & Cult Jam), Papa Linley, Bela Fleck (banjo), Pamelia Kurstin (theremin), Laury Webb (Meditations, Eek) Pam Fleming (trumpet), Dan Levine (trombone), Jenny Hill (sax), and many others.

For over 5 years, our weekly Reggae jam has brought together a diverse group of people who love to make Reggae music in all of it's permutations. Everyone who performs on this CD has been part of that experience. Now it's time for you to join us! Get a copy of this CD, you really don't want to miss this one, seen!

reviews

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  • Not sayin' this'll happen to you.
    author: Partyin' MF

    I had this CD on crankin' "Nuclear War" with the window open last Saturday and the two girls in the apartment across from me started flashin' their boobs. Not sayin' that'll happen to you when you play it. Just sayin'.

  • The sound from one track to another engages and coheres...
    author: Ted Boothroyd (www.jahworks.org)

    I hope you can afford the commitment that "alieNation" requires, because it will keep you busy. First there’s the music, 70:30 worth; or 73:30 if you count the three minutes of silence before the last hidden track. Then you’ll want to play the whole album again, and yet again, so already we’re at over three and a half hours of your valuable time. For some perverse reason, the small-print lyrics face north, south, east and west, so all that turning and reading take time too. Contemplating the strange and beautiful ugliness of the inner-fold art isn’t an instantaneous thing either, especially when you try to link it (and the front and back cover illustrations) to the lyrics, an unavoidable temptation. Still with me? Next, you’ll want to get on the Web to find out more about the creative people involved, and when you do you’ll discover various permutations and combinations of them and their projects (including New York City’s critically acclaimed THE MOT!VES), all of which involves the old time factor. Your Google search on “theremin” will take several minutes to explore satisfactorily, but you gotta do what you gotta do. So by now it’s bedtime, and you’ll have to save your fourth listen until tomorrow, which is a shame. As a few people will now realize, given the above band reference, the amazing talents of Louie Fleck come to the fore in this album. He did most of the song writing, then produced, arranged and engineered to boot. Nevertheless, NYC Reggae Collective is a nicely unified band: the sound from one track to another engages and coheres, despite the variety of lead singers involved—seven, if I counted right. The musicianship is impeccable; if you decide to have a banjo player as a guest, for example, who better to choose than Béla Fleck? From track one’s plaintive lead vocal, optimistic lyrics, and warm warbley wahwah instrumentation, through to the danceable and dance-themed eight minutes of the hidden track 16, it’s a multi-faceted and enchanting journey. A major commitment on your part, sure, but I can’t think of many more enjoyable uses of your precious time than becoming thoroughly aleiNated with this album.

  • If you like reggae with rock in it - this is the best example to date.
    author: Small Axe Reggae Website

    Rock Reggae as been around since the early seventies. The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, The Police, 10 CC, Led Zep. All tried to bring rock and reggae together. It didn't work - reggae is built around the bass and drum - even when you add things to it - it always comes back to that basic DNA. Still you can't blame a man for trying, and Louie Fleck's production work stands alongside that of all of the above. And his heart is in the right place on this project. And on the Mot!ves Project - which was the first chapter in this work. He's trying something new? - a step backward possibly to go forward - and if you like reggae with rock in it - this is the best example to date. Very interesting artwork as well!!!

  • Modern templates complement with traditional roots reggae
    author: Adam Mico

    ::Embarrassingly Poor Jamaican Accent On:: “Let’s spice tings up a beet at Spunout Central, mahn. How about a little reggae to get ya goin’? :: Embarrassingly Poor Jamaican Accent Off:: Commercial reggae has been intolerable since Shabba Ranks (publicized as the Jamaican Bobby Brown) hit American radio stations in 1990. A complete bastardization of the musical form progressively harassed the public with the successes of the irrelevant Shaggy and obnoxious Sean Paul. When Bob Marley lit up reggae, it became a culture; these artists reduced it to a style impotently sewn with sex-laden content. Back on 12/10/03, AlieNation was collected. Procrastinating, the release intended for 2004, collected dust in my prospective review vault. The NYC Reggae Collective groups 7 lead vocalist on 15 tracks. This compilation introduces many different sub-genre sounds and vocalists or toasters and is so cohesive (based primarily on Louie Fleck’s broad yet cohesive vision) . Most impressively, modern templates complement with traditional roots reggae’s island bounce, which balances sincerity, sarcasm and barely restrained anger. Simone Gordon’s velvety vocals and Original Smurph [Bob Marley clone (with a silkier croon)] share the podium as the NYC Reggae Collective’s consistently best performers; both artists front appear on three separate tracks and appear on others. Fleck's production and arrangements expertly promote the above-referenced sonic hybrid of technological enhancements with a backbone that righteously pivots to the past. Grade: A-

  • Festive jangly reggae lit up with electronic sounds and a funky vibe.
    author: www.Neo-Zine.com/

    NYC Reggae Collective “Alie Nation” Festive jangly reggae lit up with electronic sounds and a funky vibe. The album enlists multiple vocalists, all with plenty of statements to make. Every song could inspire the dance floor to flood. Great for parties where you want a sunny island feel to go along with the salsa dip and Doritos. Easy on the ears. You can get this at www.amazon.com or www.CDBaby.com .

  • The Sgt. Pepper of Reggae
    author: D. Parker

    I would have to say that this is a pretty amazing CD. While it clearly acknowledges the traditions of Reggae, it also stretches the boundries without being overbearingly eclectic. Even the fact that there are numerous singers strangely serves to unify this CD. The songwriting is consistant and strong. The lyrics are included, which is nice The cover painting is very provocative and the donkey and alien imagery makes sense after a few listens! It appears to be a concept album, but I'm not really sure. While most Reggae has become predictable and boring this music becomes more interesting after multiple listenings just like Sgt Pepper! A+

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