Mining the great New Zealand love and tradition of reggae music, Maori progressive roots reggae outfit Katchafire hit paydirt with their Bob Marley influenced debut Revival, making the band a household name in New Zealand through numerous videos and radio singles, plus considerable hard work and extensive touring.
The new album Slow-Burning finds this eight-piece outfit continuing to mine their reggae influences, although with considerable newfound confidence and originality. Principle songwriters, Logan Bell and Jamey Ferguson, have really found their own songwriting footing (all songs on this album are written by the band). The blend of "pop" and reggae is now almost seamless, while the use of horns (courtesy of French-based reggae act Mr. Gang) and harmonica on tracks such as Roots Music, I And I, Frisk Me Down and Call Right Up add real color and swing to proceedings, resulting in an album that is overall more cohesive and infinitely tighter sonically. Rude Girl, a big radio hit in NZ, brings a new, more contemporary dance-hall flavor to the bands sound and the album is already well past platinum at home!
This skanking pop delight should find favor with many in Hawaii, who will recognize the songs from their numerous live gigs, and it is a genuine pleasure to announce that Katchafire have now delivered an album to match their considerable "live" reputation.