Stone Ranger

Performer: Reggae Cowboys
Engineer: L. Stu Young
Producer: David Seitz; Bird Bellony
Distributor: City Hall

Notes: Reggae Cowboys: Stone Ranmger (vocals, guitar, piano, bass); Click Masta Sync (vocals, guitar); Hitman I. Green (whistle, drums, background vocals); Mrshall Evanson (bass). Recorded at Metalworks Studio, Toronto, Canada. Personnel: Madeleine Smith (vocals, guitar, piano); Clinck Masta Sync (vocals); Rod Phillips (organ); Henderson King (keyboards); Hitman I-Green (drums, background vocals); Quammie Williams (percussion). Audio Mixers: David Seitz; Bird Bellony. Recording information: Metalworks Studios, Toronto (Mississauga), Canada. Photographer: Pete Gaffney. Who would have thought that a Canadian reggae band with a cowboy schtick could turn out to be anything more than a one-shot novelty act? And yet, over the course of ten years and three albums, the Toronto-based Reggae Cowboys have managed to do just that, gradually building an impressive catalogue of unconventional reggae recordings and an enviable reputation as a live act. Stone Ranger (which is also the stage name of the band's lead singer and chief songwriter) does a nice job of blending disparate musical elements without sounding silly or awkward; the prominent steel guitar on "Buckin' Bronco" fits seamlessly within the song's twin-guitar lead lines and loping reggae groove; "Maria" is a charming Latin-tinged ska raveup; and "Jed," the album's best track, combines rootsy organ, tight vocal harmonies, and a churning one-drop beat to very fine effect. We could have done with just one version of "Samedi Soir," and Bob Marley's "Concrete Jungle" didn't need the amped-up treatment it gets here. Worst is the band's completely unnecessary cover of Peter Tosh's cover of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode." But overall, this album is a solid winner. ~ Rick Anderson

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