KING TIDE – ROOTS POP REGGAE

King Tide have crystallized their niche in the music world, starting out as a collective jam band and progressing to a fully-fledged, slickly-packaged reggae powerhouse that are taking the festival circuits by storm. What could uncreatively be described as “Byron Bay music” is a potent and vibed-out blend of Marley-esque sunny ska, 70’s soul and a very Australian melodic pop sensibility. Despite a lot of samey-ness, this album showcases what they’re capable of well. Tony Hughes’ squeezed, husky vocals are the centrepiece of the ensemble, his flambouyant posturing and socially attuned lyrics speak to us like the voice of a weedy pastor, revelling in the immense gospel sounds created by the band. This being their fourth album, it’s a detailed and glossy affair – produced by the three mainmen Hughes, Paul Snatch and Ross Fotheringham themselves, they seem happy in the kaledoscopic blend they’ve concocted. The catchy-as-hell Life Boat swings, and sure-fire crowd pleaser Rockers Style sways. There’s even a touch of Marvin Gaye in the lilting Wake Up. These guys know they’re onto a good thing, and their buzzing fanbase should keep them afloat for a long time, continually wooed by their overtly positive mantras;  “we got everything we need in the palm of our hands, we just got to keep on lovin’.”

***1/2