For 'Timeless Bond', Italian outfit De Strangers joined forces with Galas Mbengue - a Senegalese-Italian vocalist based in Turin - and dub producer Buriman from Venice's Moa Anbessa crew.
By Jah Rebel
With their second full-length release, Elia Pozzi (vocals/drums) and Emiliano Vegro (keyboards) had a clear mission in mind: ” We wanted to create an album that wasn’t just a tribute to reggae culture, but a full musical experience, capable of immersing the listener in the genre’s various facets, from classic to more modern and experimental sounds. The band played with rhythms and harmonies, offering a rich and complex overview of reggae’s diverse nuances, all held together by the unifying presence of Galas. His voice and lyrical style, blending reflections on the present, echoes of the past, and a strong critique of power structures, give the project a cohesive and deeply narrative dimension.”
The track list of this showcase-style release, featuring five vocal cuts and five matching dubs, spans everything from rootsy tracks like ‘Liberation Song’ and ‘Tea Bubbling’ (featuring Mellow Mood bassist Jules I and a smooth trombone solo by Didier Yon) to a hard-hitting UK stepper such as ‘What’s Wrong’ (a fiery protest against war, inequality, and greed, in which Galas pointedly asks: “What’s wrong with the world? What’s wrong with humanity?”).
Buriman’s excellent dub versions are the icing on the cake of this finely crafted set.
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.
November 2, 2025