Barefoot Poets - One House Music

Reviewed by Steve Serpiente

The story goes that while the group of friends known as the Barefoot Poets were toasting reggae grooves in the basement, lead singer Marie Thomas was in the kitchen baking up the lyrics.

"We would be down there messing with a rhythm while Marie would be upstairs in the kitchen cooking something and checking us out," said bassist David Reichley, who is married to Marie. "And before you know it, she would come down with a whole song - she could never do it if she was down there with us. She would just yell down the stairs, 'Play that again!'"

Indeed, the New York City based group's debut CD, One House Music, is a hearty reggae stew blended from choice international ingredients. A talented troupe comprised of Thomas, guitarists Linford Carby and Doug Williams, drummer Karl Wright, percussionist Delroy Golding (all of whom are Jamaican) and Reichley (the lone American), the Barefoot Poets draw from the roots tradition in both form and content to serve up this nutritious platter of contemporary reggae music.

Starting in a spiritual vein, Thomas' rich vocals grace the ears and soothe the soul on the first song, "Wade in the Water," setting the CD's tone with her pensive lyrics and the band's tight musicianship. Reichley's hard driving bass further propels the uplifting vibe on "Jah Praises."

Dipping into the well of the legend himself, the group offers an inspired 7 minute 31 second reworking of Bob Marley's "Caution." "Solitude," a moving story of the outer and inner struggles of a young woman in island society, employs a loping bassline reminiscient of the bassline in Marley's "Trenchtown Rock."  On its self defining "Barefoot Poet," the band has brewed another original riddim with a classic feel - the guitar riff reminds this writer of Horace Andy's "Every Tongue Shall Tell."

Other standouts include "Peya" (a playful number featuring backing vocals by band members' children); "Madness" (a bubbling tune contemplating the havoc which the heart can wreak upon the mind); "Dont Need No Lies" (the mind conquers the heart in this one); and "Teeny Weeny" (which is immediately followed by its mind bending dub companion).

This release, which should be available soon through the band's website (check http://www.barefootpoets.com/sys-tmpl/door/), should satisfy the appetites of both U.S. and international reggae audiences. The group also hopes to play some live dates in the near future.

Contact reggae addict Steve Serpiete at serpiente97@yahoo.com

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