Ska "T" (Scott "Goldfinger" Shisler), RAW #26

"The much-traveled and hard-working roots/twang ensemble Reggae Cowboys caused a stampede on the dance floor at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, transforming an "arty" crowd into one drop high steppers with roots, reality and excellent musicianship on a work night.

Those with a longtime appreciation of Jamaican music are familiar with the fascination "a 'Yard" of aspects of American country, much like our own Soul Beat (ground trodden by Stax Records, Solomon Burke and Ray Charles). Nicky Thomas' Rocksteady rendering of "Don't Touch Me" (as Tammy Wynette never interpreted), Eek-A-Mouse's heist from Marty Robbins' "Big Iron" that became "Gunshot A Cry" (and remember Black Cowboy), and the crowd reaction to the film War Wagon in Perry Henzell's Harder They Come make it obvious that there has always been a place where country and roots combine.

So it is with this Toronto-based band that gravitated to an area where the plains open and the musical mindset, as well. Knowing full well that "the truth has never been told" about the influence of transplanted Africans in the building of the west, Reggae Cowboys brand the reality with foot-moving drum-and-bass riddim, guitar-band tradition, and clever, well-twined vocal harmony. Frontman "Click Masta Sync" (aka "Sync-ie") forwards the message with fine voice and motivates the massive, "Stone Ranger" rides the rhythm with slide and bite of the six-string, bouyed by bassie Westney and "Hitman's" rootical propulsion. The combination of selections of original material from both Tell The Truth, Rock Steady Rodeo and time-honored favorites (particularly Jacob Miller's "We A Rockers") moved the khaki-clad into a rub-a-dub dust-up. Undoubtedly, the message hit its mark, but caused no pain, in a way most unexpected.

Massive RASpect to Reggae Cowboys for the variation on the theme and lifestyle, as well as their expert marksmanship as singers and players