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Bedouin Soundclash: Sounding a Mosaic

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An excerpt of "When the Night Feels My Song" by Bedouin Soundclash

Taking Canada by storm is this Toronto-based trio who has earned regular comparisons to a certain 1980s, arena-filling, new-wave-meets-reggae threesome. Don’t call them the new Police so fast, however. Bedouin’s heavy leanings toward trad reggae, dub and rocksteady meshed with rock, along with rousing songs pushing a unique passion and punch, put them closer in league with the mighty Clash. Jay Malinowski’s vocals bear the realness and zeal of the most hardcore Rastas, which is impressive for a white boy. Eon Sinclair’s thumping bass line drives “Criminal,” while drummer Pat Pengelly steadily holds down the groove. Appropriately, the US version of the album includes a dub version of the infectious “Rude Boy Don’t Cry.” If they need even a shred more cred, it’s notable that production duties for Sounding a Mosaic were handled by legendary Bad Brains bassist Darryl Jennifer, someone who knows a thing or two about inflecting reggae vibrations into rock.

Bedouin Soundclash make their long-awaited debut Buffalo debut on Tuesday (April 18) at Mohawk Place with State Radio and Zox. 47 E. Mohawk St. (855-3931).