Reviews
TwoManTing Album: The Lightning Feather
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.twomanting.co.uk/
They describe this as an Afro-roots release blending West African rhythms, acoustic songwriting, and reggae. Tan Y Bwlch named for a Snowdon Railway station is a ringing acoustic guitar instrumental backed up by a stomp box and tambourine to give it a danceable punch.
Timap Gidigbh is a chiming West African beat with a spoken word verse and sung chorus. If you can sit still to this then check your pulse. And that's the theme of much of the album. The Clash's Revolution Rock adds an African feel to the reggae of the original song, while stripping it back to its essential rhythm and words. Gbangbaode adds an English folk thread to the music.
From there the album blends the African, and the English through each song. Arrangei Miracles is yet another song that you need to dance to, as is the instrumental Rock Am Soul with its Cowbell and bass driven rhythm.
Can't Blame the Youth is most roots reggae song, hardly surprising given its origins with Peter Tosh. It's also one of the best performances here, with a guitar solo and dub section. Byo Baby is a blend of guitar styles, African meeting Appalachian.
Tune for Kev is another instrumental and feels from its wistful jazzy structure like a lament for someone lost. The descending riff of Pathfinder closes the album with another chance to dance.
TwoManTing have produced something unique, an album which effectively mixes a wide range of styles but never sounds like anything but themselves. If you're thinking "I'm not a fan of world music" then this is album to change that opinion. This is an album which everyone who wants to find the joy in listening to music needs to hear.
Tim Martin
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