JESSICA BURKS

Hollywood Sign EP

2009-05-11

Sometimes shorter is better, at least when the results are this tantalizing. In this four-track EP consisting of two songs and a version of each, Indie artist Jessica Burks brings a fresh approach to reggae arrangements with her raw and yearning voice that sounds as if it had been plucked from the middle of the Ozarks. “Hollywood Sign” (#1) creates faux-Old Testament proverbs from a combination of trenchant physical observations and movie biz clichés. “Ride All Night” (#2) cruises Burks’ half-seductive, half-weary voice through a nice romantic metaphor. The power of the taut reggae arrangements comes front and center in the dub versions of these tracks and showcase the encyclopedic smarts of Jamaican music expert and columnist for The Beat magazine Chuck Foster. He recorded, mixed, and mastered this invigorating appetizer and co-wrote the tracks with Burks. Here’s hoping a full platter will soon come.

More reviews tagged #World

  • reviewed 04/2006

    Lila Downs
    La Cantina

  • reviewed 06/2016

    On Dead Waves
    On Dead Waves

  • reviewed 01/2007

    TARTIT
    Abacabok

  • reviewed 03/2005

    Reza
    Ray of the Wine

  • reviewed 08/2007

    SUPHALA
    Blueprint

  • reviewed 12/2007

    TABU LEY ROCHEREAU
    The Voice of Lightness

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.