Amid the Noise and Haste

by SOJA

Overview

Formed in 1997, the American reggae band SOJA have long connected the rock-reggae dots between rockier acts like Rebelution and modern roots bands like Midnite, so don't automatically lump them in with the flip-flop-wearing jam band crowd. There's something more authentic in their music, especially on their 2014 album, Amid the Noise and Haste, which benefits from the natural, comfortable flow a veteran band can offer, coupled with a more mature songwriting style that has now grown and now reaches new roots reggae heights. Slow, downtrodden numbers aren't often good album openers, but "Tear It Down" is an example of growth that deserves to be up-front, offering the direct "Total destruction is on the horizon, if you're on the outside lookin' in/And our Congress and President never even mention it, can't even figure out gay marriage," and none of that murky and vague revolution stuff. That wordy wonder is equaled by the Michael Franti feature "I Believe," which is bright, horn-driven, and filled with a complicated mix of uplift and moral cautions; then there's "Treading Water," which deals with personal politics and heartbreak but finds there are no easy answers or actions. These weighty highlights are tempered by more celebratory tracks like the easy and free "Your Song," with Damian Marley, or the sweet and lovely "She Still Loves Me" with Collie Buddz. Put together, this is a high point for the band and an easy introduction to one of richer and more rewarding acts the American reggae scene has ever offered. ~ David Jeffries

Product Details

Release Date:	08/12/2014
Label:	Ato
UPC:	0880882204921

Tracks

1. Tear It Down
2. Your Song
3. I Believe
4. Easier
5. Shadow
6. Once Upon a Time
7. Promises and Pills
8. Signature
9. She Still Loves Me
10. Wait
11. Better
12. Treading Water
13. Lucid Dreams

Album Credits

Performance Credits

SOJA   Primary Artist
Bobby Lee   Primary Artist,Primary Artist,Featured Artist
J Boog   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Trevor Young   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocal Harmony,Featured Artist
Mala Rodriguez   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Damian Marley   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Anuhea   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Michael Franti   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Collie Buddz   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Alfred the MC   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Nahko   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Alfred MC   Featured Artist,Guest Artist
Bob "Bobby Lee" Jefferson   Bass
Hellman Escorcia   Saxophone
Ryan Berty   Drums
Luis Samo   Guest Artist
Bernard Harvey   Guest Artist
Jacob Hemphill   Guitar,Vocals,Vocal Harmony
Maria "La Mala Rodriguez" Rodriguez   Guest Artist
Rafael Rodriguez   Trumpet
Patrick O'Shea   Keyboards
Kenneth Brownell   Percussion
Marcus Urani   Guest Artist
Murs   Guest Artist
Andres Cruz   Guest Artist
Go-Go Mickey   Guest Artist
Mitchum Chin   Guest Artist

Technical Credits

Mike Gaydusek   Engineer
Robert Connelly   Engineer
Joseph States   Engineer
Mahko   Composer
David Bell   Composer
SOJA   Arranger
J. Bowman   Engineer
J Boog   Composer
Trevor Young   Composer
Jim Fox   Engineer
Charles Wakeman   Engineer
Jr. Blender   Producer
Jacob Hemphill   Composer,Engineer,Producer,Layout Design
Angelo Caputo   Engineer
Mike Caplan   Engineer
Alfred MC   Composer
Jerry "J Boog" Afemata   Engineer
Nahko   Composer
Elliott Harrington   Producer
Jon Kaplan   Producer
Supa Dups   Producer
Michael Franti   Composer
Damian Marley   Composer
Eric Ryan Anderson   Band Photo
Steven Wilson   Artwork