Chilling with a Reggae Vibe
Band Review: 10ft Ganja Plant
NEIRAD enilno edition
Besides having one of the most innovative names, 10ft Ganja Plant also seems to capture the sprit of 70s reggae music. They are shrouded in a sort of mystery. The band is rarely promoted and it is not usually announced where they are going to play next. Some sources say they are from Hawaii, but more reputable sources claim they hail from upstate New York. It’s said that some of the members of the band are even shared with another reggae band called John Brown’s body. This lack of information makes them even more appealing.
Yet, all the intrigue isn’t most interesting thing about this band. What matters is how well 10ft Ganja Plant seems to reproduce the reggae music of the 70’s. Basically most of their songs are a mix between this reggae of the 70’s and the current dub movement. The combining of the two musical modes creates a pleasant mellow vibe that is quite relaxing. You will find yourself humming in the hallways to many of their songs.
They have four different albums as of now, Hillside Airstrip, Midnight Landing, Bass Chalice, and 10ft Ganja Plant Presents. One of their especially successful albums is Hillside Airstrip. This album includes many songs that have this unique combination of 70’s reggae and dub music. Some of the better songs are "Jah Will Go On" which has an African head charge feel, and "Soul Love" which has a steady rock/ reggae sound. The best track though, has to be "Walkey Walk Tall," which has the most relaxing vibe. The song like many of their other tunes has such a simple beat and is just so simplistic that is pleasing to tired ears. Most of their songs are spare on with the lyrics and can thus tend to be a bit repetitive, but this just somehow creates a unique feel. In the song “Walkey Walk Tall” the main lyrics consist of “Walkey walk tall up the ganja stock” and then it just repeats and repeats and repeats. You get the idea.
The first few times I listened to 10ft Ganja Plant I didn’t really like them. So if you really trust my opinion you should listen to their songs a few times before you make a final judgment. I assure you though if you love reggae and especially if you love classic reggae you will love 10ft Ganja Plant.
