Published on Aug 12, 1998
Why do I get the feeling that Inner Circle wants to not be
remembered for the theme music from
Cops?
The Jamaican reggae group has never really broken ground in
America except for their contribution to the antithesis of Jerry
Springer (unlike that crap,
Cops is reality). For what it’s worth, reggae has had a
difficult time since the 1981 death of its de facto leader Bob
Marley.
This all could change thanks to Inner Circle’s latest release
Speak My Language, an album that features the natural
progression of reggae that I think Marley would have followed had
he lived. One part pop, one part rock and with enough of the spice
that makes reggae sound so unique, Ian Lewis and crew have created
some very entertaining music.
Lead vocalist Kris Bentley leads the band with smoothly
delivered vocals (though I honestly can’t tell if he is also the
one delivering the DJ raps in the songs). More often than not, the
core of the band (bassist Ian Lewis, rhythm guitarist Roger Lewis,
keyboardist/backing vocalist Touter Harvey and drummer Lancelot
Hall) seem to break out of the traditional chugga-chugga sound that
is the trademark of reggae music, substituting more pop-oriented
rhythms in its place.
This is a surprise to me, though it really shouldn’t be. You
see, prior to Marley’s death, he seemed to be experimenting with
slightly different rhythms that went more towards rock (“Could You
Be Loved”) or even acoustic ballad (“Redemption Songs”). So, what
Inner Circle really is doing is carrying on in the spirit of where
Marley was taking the music – and in the end, it turns out to be a
welcome change for reggae. (I should also have remembered that
groups like Wailin’ Souls were trying to put a new spin on reggae a
few years ago.)
Songs like the title track (featuring ex-Arrested Development
member Speech), “Party’s Just Begun” and “I Love Girls” are all
entertaining songs that you’ll find yourself humming softly in the
elevator on your way to the office. You can break out of the
stereotype that reggae only sings the glory of Jah and marajuana;
this type of reggae, while still having a bit of social commentary
in it, is more feel-good music (though I’d stop short of calling it
party music).
One track, “Da Bomb,” gets two different treatments on
Speak My Language. The original version which opens the
album is a wonder to behold, while the dancehall mix is a throwback
to the sound of artists like Mutabaruka, and doesn’t really win
over the listener. In a strange sort of way, the progression of the
music hurts Inner Circle when they try to return to their
roots.
Some of the tracks on
Speak My Language are a bit forgettable, such as “We A
Rockers” and “Not About Romance,” but for the most part the music
contained on this disc could be the lift Inner Circle needs to
break out of the one-song-known mentality of some listeners. Quite
possibly, this could be the first true breakthrough that Inner
Circle has been looking and waiting for.
Speak My Language is one of the better reggae albums I’ve
heard in a long time, and is one that can be and should be enjoyed
by fans of many different musical genres, proving that music is
indeed a universal language.