Arts&Entertainment
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II Saxsemilla
If WHERE: The Royal
Cornhusker Highway
WHEN: Tonight at 9 p.m.
COST: $15
THE SKINNY: Reggae
master joins saxophone
| for jam session._El' '■ ■■, luff's.,,';'.ffrl!i”:
Saxsemilla puts light touch on reggae classics, originals
By Emily Pyeatt
Staff writer
The sounds of the steel drum and
the lyrics of the rasta establish a sort of
light mood that allows listeners to feel
and vibe with reggae music.
The saxophone duo Saxsemilla’s
debut album, “Kingston Sessions,” is
packed with diverse reggae tunes.
Reggae music lyrics are generally
poetic pleas for awareness of injustices
and hypocrisies. Without lyrics, listen
ers are forced to feel the same pleas
completely through the music. Steel
drums and saxophones interestingly
suffice for a full-bodied sound.
“Deadly” Headly Bennett and
Richie Prafder blend their blues and
reggae music on “Kingston Sessions”
for a sound that is complemented only
by lyrics.
Surprisingly, their horns can also
stand alone without leaning toward an
easy-listening Kenny G style.
“Kingston Sessions” tries to prove that
instrumental reggae music possesses
equal intensity to reggae music with
lyrics.
Saxsemilla’s album covers classic
reggae melodies, traditional rock music
and original songs with equal convic
tion.
“Kingston Sessions” opens with the
classic “Pass the Kutchie” with a rhyth
mic and instrumental manner that orig
inated before Musical Youth’s version.
Saxsemilla also offers a lighter
interpretation of Bob Marley’s “I Shot
the Sheriff” and a version of the
Crosby, Stills and Nash classic “Teach
your Children.” Both songs carr^ a sort
of “No Problem, Mon” philosophy that
resonates loudly.
Joseph Hill of Culture lends his
leading vocals for some songs, such as
“Wings of the Dove” and “Campyard.”
ingston
essions
ARTIST: Saxsemilla
GRADE: B
FIVE WORDS: Sax adds
spice to reggae.
Together, the blending of various
reggae styles, songs, instruments and
lyrics forces “Kingston Sessions” to be
a convincing and impressive debut for
Saxsemilla.