4**** De Standaard
“…Jamaican Jazz Orchestra gaat waar geen Jamaicaans orkest hen is voorgegaan…”
Ernest Ranglin
“…Lovely album, lovely tunes and some real fine musicianship…”
Reggae Vibes – quoted 95%
“Jamaican Jazz Orchestra’s hybrid album will make you discover that Jazz and Jamaica were never so close.”
With their authentic formula – jazz musicians in a Jamaican context – this Belgian orchestra comes up with a second full album.
The combination of serious musicianship, ingenious compositions, 100% analog recording – just as in Jamaica of the 60s – and an iconic album cover, suggest the timeless character of this record.
Frontman/guitarist Wouter Rosseel (Pura Vida, Kenji Minogue, Lee Scratch Perry, The Congos) and producer Tom Callens (Lester’s Blues, Lady Linn, Tiny Legs Tim, Little Dots) teamed up and created an album that sounds gentle, dynamic and tangible and is dominated by an overall feeling of goodness.
It is no surprise that the album title ‘Rain Walk’ refers to the positive message that even when it rains – in your mind or literally – you can always defy it, simply by moving on.
The sole vocal track on the album entitled ‘Morning Girl’ features female singer Helena Casella (BR/BE). Her voice gives a young and innocent, even urban and poppy feel to the track that was previously released as a single. The lyrics are provided by Helena’s uncle Pablo Casella (Sarah Ferri, Little Dots).
On stage Jamaican Jazz Orchestra is known for their party-in-style, able to amuse any crowd.