Taxi Records
2005
The Rhythm Remains The Same
About This Album
Someone once inquired if reggae artists were ever influenced by arena rock. Jackie Mittoo's version of "Whiter Shade of Pale" suggested they were at least paying some attention, but beyond that, well, it's a good question. Those inclined to dig deeper for the answer might direct their attention to this disc, as Sly & Robbie have jumped onto the classic rock bandwagon with the arena-thrilling Rhythm Remains the Same: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin, possibly the most stunning cover album ever unleashed. Just check out the title track: it's not just a tribute to Zeppelin, but an homage to both Moby and Fatboy Slim, twisting through spy-themed surf, world music, and techno. "Moby Dick," too, undergoes a similar electro-transformation that takes this whale of an instrumental straight into clubland. "Rain Song," in contrast, is drenched with the kind of lavish strings that defined British-styled reggae productions circa the early '70s. Elsewhere, "D'Yer Maker," featuring a sweet-singing Mark Ice, pays tribute to the mid-'70s reggae sound. All the Jamaican producers from that age must now be gnashing their teeth in frustration that they never thought to reggae-fy this song back then, for in Sly & Robbie's hands it screams chart-topper.
Track List (try tracks 1,3,4,8,9,10,11 and 12)

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