| iLa Mawana's self-titled EP is a mixture of old school dub/roots reggae with a
modern twist. Think Israel Vibrations meets Lee Scratch Perry and Matisyahu on a
stage somewhere in the ska-filled 90's. At its core, Boston-based iLa Mawana is
solidly reggae, but by mixing dub, roots and Afro-beat, they add dimension to
their sound, taking them from quintessential to alluring.
The EP's first track, "Heaven's Beach," is a happy, go-lucky song. Complete
with catchy offbeats and an accompanying, robust horn section, it serves as an
introduction to the band's reggae influence. In "Dub Electa," iLa Mawana
maintains a fine balance between poppy and dub reggae. Backing instruments
highlight the band's rhythmic cadence, while Gian Paolo Blower's vocals
punctuate the song's ebb and flow. "Karmaland" and "Karma Dub" are darker, more
dub-focused songs with lulling tempos that give ILa Mawana a decisive edge over
other contemporary reggae bands.
Steadily touring the Northeast for the past couple of years has served them
well. Sharing the stage with the likes of Burning Spear, the Original Wailers
and Toubab Krewe has given iLa Mawana a birds-eye-view of what it takes to have
longevity. They have created a record that showcases their proficiency as
musicians and energy as entertainers. With each song, the instruments, vocals
and beats are clearly defined and have direction. This is a band with a vision.
(self-released)
http://www.myspace.com/ilamawana | 
