We have to admit, we had no idea that The Dynamics, the French outfit from Lyon that made waves in 2007 with their reggae take on '7 Nation Army' by The White Stripes, were still active, making 'Dragn' Fly' an even more pleasant surprise!
By Jah Rebel
On the menu: some excellent covers, including ‘Low Rider’ (War), ‘The Joker’ (Steve Miller Band), James Brown’s ‘It’s A Man’s Man’s World’ (given a soulful twist by Dynamics vocalist Sandra ‘Mounam’ Mandengué), J.J. Cale’s ‘Cocaine’ (likely more familiar in Eric Clapton’s version, and here given a reggae makeover with a nod to Dillinger’s ‘Cokane In My Brain’), and Peter Gabriel’s ‘Sledgehammer’.
The real gems, however, are ‘You’ve Got To Have Freedom’, originally an instrumental jazz piece by American saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, but transformed here into a dub-heavy vocal rendition, and ‘After Laughter Comes Tears’, a stunning reggae adaptation of Wendy Rene’s somewhat obscure 1964 soul classic.
The album concludes with ‘Rubba Sub’, an original track built on a Sleng Teng-inspired riddim. The album cover is, of course, a nod to ‘Super Fly’, the 1972 blaxploitation classic, accompanied by Curtis Mayfield’s legendary soundtrack.
If reggae covers are what you seek, The Dynamics’ style is smooth and sleek!
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.
December 31, 2024