The Big Boom is presented by Fort Knox Recordings, Capitol Hemp, and TVD, Sunday, July 3rd (9pm – 3am) at U Street Music Hall. Come celebrate your freedom with us and See-I!
In an interview last month, Archie “Zeebo” Steele from See-I told me that reggae has evolved. He ascertained that “reggae [sound has become] a part of the world…in general.”
See-I’s self-titled debut album is a constituent of the genre that’s just as widely embraced as rock and hip-hop. With street-wise guitar licks and horns that fire like gatlings, See-I has found a niche in late night party music. Reggae is not just about the underclass anymore; it can be life of the party. In this album, the band makes a formidable entry in the thriving Caribbean-funk music scene here in DC.
The album doesn’t lie. There are lots of musical influences in See-I. Pay attention to the band’s genre-bending effects.
The album starts off with a hip-gyrating prelude called “Dangerous.” See-I then shifts gears to dub with “Haterz 24/7” and “Dub Revolution.” Zeebo and brother Arthur “Rootz” Steele experiment with their church-choir harmonies and Jamaican “toasting” with “Soul Hit Man” and “Talkin’ About the Peace.” And then “Homegrown 2011” proves itself to be a full-throttle block party anthem.
Zeebo and Rootz are bandleaders par excellence. Growing up, their music teacher mentored Dizzy Gillespie. They have a gift for shifting the mood, taking you back to the olden days of progressive reggae. Joining them on this album are local powerhouses Imaniel Steele and Candice Mills. Steele lends his vocals to “How Do We,” a quiet storm groove that segues into a sexy instrumental jam called “The Inside Move.” Mills whispers sweet nothings in “Reign in 2 Light,” a smoky, trip hop-laced session that appropriately rings down the curtain. See-I’s band, featuring members of Thievery Corporation, Fort Knox Five and Thunderball, elevates the album’s sound with with curvy sax chords and underhand bass riffs.
The brothers have a tremendous amount of talent. Their range fluctuates between R&B, funk and reggae like a guitarist’s finger stroking a bottleneck. The Steeles work auspiciously. Under the musical leadership at Eighteenth Street Lounge—where they perform every Wednesday night—they can’t be misguided. They’re very particular about sound; Zeebo and Rootz prefer to bring the entire band to the studio to record.
See-I | Talkin’ About the Peace
See-I, defined, is a reggae jam band. The album, released by Fort Knox Recordings, is available today, June 28. It’s undoubtedly fun. See-I is a perfect “icebreaker” album for the season. Add it to your summer mix. Take it with you on a road trip. Entertain your houseguests with it. This is the band that I’d book for the ultimate summer pool party.
Win the new See-I debut release along with vinyl from other Fort Knox Recordings artists in The Ultimate Fort Knox Recordings BIG BOOM Vinyl Giveaway.
