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 02/2008

    DENGUE FEVER
    Venus On Earth

  • reviewed 04/2014

    PALO!
    Live

  • reviewed 07/2006

    LENINE
    Lenine

  • reviewed 12/1969

    Tiny Tim with Brave Combo
    Girl

  • reviewed 02/2007

    OJOS DE BRUJO
    Techarí

  • reviewed 11/2010

    EASY STAR ALL-STARS
    DUBBER SIDE OF THE MOON

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.