Review of Aswad vs. The Rhythm Riders by Aswad
Artist: Aswad
Album title: Aswad vs. The Rhythm Riders
Release year: 2006
Label: Paras Group International / Liaison Music / Liaison Records Dist.
Genre: Reggae
Rating: 8 out of 10

Track listing:
Rudeboy
City Lock
Dubbit
This Sound
Give Me a Sign
Under Palm Trees
Monotic
Come with the Love
African Children '06
Keep It Raw
Natural Progression
Survive

Review: For more than three decades now, Aswad have persisted as one of England's most popular and consistent reggae acts. To a significant degree, the group's staying power can be attributed to its principled flexibility: without ever losing touch with its reggae roots, the band has effectively incorporated dancehall, techno, pop, and R&B elements into its sound, gradually creating a smart and complex hybrid sound that appeals to a wide variety of listeners. This album, on which Aswad collaborate with British techno duo the Rhythm Riders (Danny Briottet and Tim Bran), is a classic example of Aswad's approach. Everywhere is fusion and experimentation -- the zippy and slightly jungly Come with the Love, a sort of soca-house update of the band's early classic African Children, the dreamy, almost ambient Under Palm Trees -- but nowhere does this sound like anything other than an Aswad album. What the Rhythm Riders bring is a particular warmth and funkiness, along with an electro edge that nicely complements Aswad's natural tendency toward slick modern roots reggae. Guests include DJs Brother Culture, Soloman (who delivers a fine speed rap on Come with the Love), and Sweetie Irie. Very, very nice.