Dave Hillyard & The Rocksteady – Friends & Enemies (CD)

1        I Can See Clearly Now
2        Blast Off
3        Assaw Fofor
4        In A Mellow Tone
5        Evil
6        Uphill
7        Friends And Enemies
8        Whistling
9        If You Want Me To Stay
 

As it is well known, DH & The Rocksteady 7 is the jazz incarnation of David Hillyard, saxophonist of The Slackers. Making instrumental music accessible through fusing ska and reggae with the US jazz tradition is the the hallmark of the band. In Friends & Enemies the influence of Blues is more recognizable than ever approching styles like Jump-Blues and classic R&B.

 Reggae-Blues, Ska-Blues, Reggae-Afro-Funk.... are just some trivial definitions that could be applied to this selection of themes that solidly works from the first note. Dave's sax assumes the role of vocalist in these new 9 tracks recorded live in the studio, without overdubs or tricks. This time the selected cover is "If You Want Me To Stay" by Sly & The Family Stone.