The earliest incarnation of reggae music, known as rocksteady, evolved from ska music in the mid- 60s. It was popularized by Jamaican vocal groups, such as The Ethiopians and The Techniques, before morphing into the roots reggae music that Bob Marley would eventually help spread to every corner of the globe.
Jr. Thomas and the Volcanos have created a rocksteady masterpiece with their song “Brian Wilson.”
Surprisingly, this song was recorded as a B-side to their 2017 single, “What a Shame,” which, ironically itself was a “leftover” track from a 2015 recording session. Fortunately for all fans of the rocksteady sound, this musical gem made it out from the vault.
Few artists in the American reggae scene today can so adeptly recreate the sound of this slice of Jamaican music history. Make no mistake, bands such as The Aggrolites and The Slackers have been prolifically making top shelf rocksteady music for years, but their recording techniques create a subtly more modern sound.
On the other hand, when listening to “Brian Wilson,” if I didn’t know any better, I’d swear I was listening to a track recorded at Studio One in the late 60s.
Not only does the song bring me back in time to a dusty Kingston street corner, but Jr. Thomas’ vocal style is virtually indistinguishable from some of the earliest Marley recordings – songs like“Judge Not” and “One More Cup of Coffee.”
Jr. Thomas
In regards to the message of the song, Jr. Thomas says, “I wanted to write a song that describes the healing aspect of music. I’ve never been a religious person but I feel that there’s a spiritual experience that happens when our minds are captivated by the joy of song.”
As one who essentially looks to music for spiritual fulfillment, these lyrics really hit me deeply:
God Is In The Music
So We Never Feel Alone
Darkness Into Sunshine
Warm Me From The Cold
Oh You’ll Feel It On The Inside
Into The Unknown
Wondering If I’m Dreaming
With Just A Simple Song I Know That’ll Bring Me Joy
I get chills.
Given that we just recently published an interview with Michael Franti about his Do It For The Love charity, which seeks to give musical experiences to those that need healing, this song coming across our radar this past week seems like Jah work in full effect.
Pick up a copy of Jr. Thomas and the Volcanos’ “Brian Wilson” digitally or on 45 from Colemine Records.
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Over the years, he has interviewed many personalities throughout the reggae world including Ziggy Marley, Burning Spear, Lucky Dube, Bradley Nowell and many artists in the progressive roots scene.
Dave has also written and published a novel, “The Cosmic Burrito,” a tale of two friends who drive across the USA in search of the ultimate burrito. He plays ice hockey weekly for a recreational team he founded and manages, Team Rasta.
Reggae music has filled his life with a richness for which he will forever be grateful, and he gives thanks to musicians far and wide, past and present, whether they perform roots, dub, dancehall, skinhead, rocksteady or ska, whether their tools are analog or digital, as well as the producers, promoters, soundsystems, selectors and the reggae massive at large who comprise the international reggae community.
You can follow Dave on Instagram at @rootsdude and Twitter at @ElCosmicBurrito.