Fireflies (LP)

Since 1996, John Brown’s Body has been at the forefront of the American reggae scene, blazing paths with its patented Future Roots sound. This year the band celebrates 20 years by releasing its eleventh full-length release Fireflies, out on Easy Star Records.

With its current lineup arguably its strongest to date, JBB’s founding members Elliot Martin(lead vocals) and Tommy Benedetti(drums) are now joined by Jay Spaker (guitar / vocals), Jon Petronzio (keys), Dan Africano (bass), Sam Dechenne (trumpet), TJ Shaper (trombone), and Mike Vitale (tenor saxophone). The current group continues to push boundaries in the studio, this time with long time JBB collaborator Craig “Dubfader” Welsch (10 Ft. Ganja Plant) at his Rear Window Studio (Boston, MA). Welsch’s approach brings out classic elements of the JBB sound, including Martin’s other­worldly harmonies and a super tight horn section, while the rhythm section has moved into a super deep, tight phase that echoes the Roots Radics in their prime.

New to the band is the songwriting collaboration between longtime front man Martin and relative newcomer Spaker. Spaker’s positivity and genuine zest for life brings a new angle that complements Martin’s lyrical complexity and social commentary on the current state of affairs. Which isn’t to say that Martin doesn’t also enjoy himself, as evidenced by first single “New Fashion,” which manages to be both nostalgic and forward-looking, while name dropping a number of classic dancehall moves. Three new songs on the album were written and sung by Spaker (“High Grade,” “Like A Queen,” “Pure Fire”); songs such as “Badman” & “Mystery” were written together; and Martin also contributed several that will be fresh to the live set (“Hard Man Fe Dead,” “Fireflies,” “Who Paid Them Off,”“Mash Them Down”).