San Diego based band Tribal Seeds has long been a powerhouse in the American reggae scene, yet their breakthrough in Europe has remained elusive. In 2018, Baco Records made an attempt with the reissue of the 'Roots Party' EP (expanded into a sort of 'Best Of' compilation for the European release), and now, with 'Ancient Blood', the band, led by brothers Steven Rene Jacobo (lyrics, vocals and guitar) and Tony-Ray Jacobo (keyboards, producer), finally presents a new full-length album.
By Jah Rebel
‘Ancient Blood’ could just as easily have been titled ‘Tribal Seeds And Friends’, as the band invited one or more guest vocalists for 12 out of the 17 tracks.
An excellent example is opener ‘Bondage’, elevated to a top-tier level by Norman Grant from Twinkle Brothers. Boom tune!
Another standout track, ‘Wicked And Riled’, features indigenous American actor and political activist Floyd Red Crow Westerman declaiming: “We were told we would see America come and go. In a sense, America is dying from within, because they forgot the instructions on how to live on earth!”, followed by Hempress Sativa, doing her thing over a revamp of the Mr. Bassie riddim. Wheel up, come again!
Taking a well-deserved third place is ‘Nice Up’, a collaboration with “lyrics deity” Kabaka Pyramid.
But ‘Ancient Blood’ isn’t all about reggae, as showcased in ‘Tokyo’, where lead vocalist Steve I reflects on his experiences in Japan, taking us up-tempo into ska territory, and ‘Time To Time’, a rocksteady-infused track featuring Hollie Cook.
The band’s Latin American roots are also explored on ‘Ancient Blood’. ‘Aya’, an ode to the South American hallucinogenic drink ayahuasca, is a duet with Mexican artist Pat Boy (Jesús Pat Chablé), who astonishingly raps in Yucatec Maya (!). And for the excellent title track ‘Ancient Blood’, a collaboration with Boogaloo Assassins vocalist Eddie ‘Chiquis’ Lozoya and the American-Mexican cumbia band Chucho Ponce & Los Daddy’s de Chinantla, we journey to the Andes. The album closes with ‘In Love’, featuring Argentinean Natalia Doco, who now resides in France, keeping us immersed in Latin American vibes once more.
First-class American production that beautifully showcases the Latin American side of the band!
Founder alongside Jah Shakespear who transitioned to this role in late 2014. Previously worked as critic and reporter, balancing passions for music and Haile Selassie spirituality.
April 1, 2024