10 Ft. Ganja Plant: New York Dubs

I do really want to care about modern, American reggae groups, but sometimes they just make it excruciatingly difficult to do so. Supporting new and independent groups should be a given, but in these troubled times, throwing down ten bucks for a new record – or a show – isn’t always the wisest thing to do unless one’s dedication to whatever group exceeds the norm. That having been said, John Brown’s Body, for a time at least, was probably one of the best live bands in the country. And not to diminish its body or work or to minimize the struggles that members – past and present - have endured, but at this late date, there doesn’t seem like anything else for the band to do.

Group members of John Brown’s Body may have already known that back in 2000 when they began releasing dubs under the guise of 10 Ft. Ganja Plant. During the ensuing decade, the band comprised of some mystic assemblage of the JBB guys and various guests (although no one’s ever specifically mentioned in the liner notes) have released five albums as a sort of side project. Perhaps the draw to JBB’s live shows at this point isn’t as strong as it had been in the past, but 10 Ft. Ganja Plant was even slated to tour a bit with Snoop Dogg of all people – it was probably a smokey couple of days.

Anyway, releasing the group’s newest disc is New York punk and reggae stalwart ROIR. And it should be said that the release schedule of that imprint is generally nothing short of miraculous – diggin’ up untold gems for dispersal through out the world. Bush Rock, while still a concerted effort to purport music’s past, comes off as simply what it is: a stoned, reggae party with deep echoes and not too much else to hold on to. The band, who may have anticipated that critique, enlisted a few vocalists as in the past. This time, fortunately or not, 10 Ft. Ganja Plant tapped Slightly Stoopid singer Kyle McDonald for inclusion here.

As problematic or ridiculous as that might seem, it actually works to a certain degree with McDonald altering his voice a few different times to augment and fit the specific track that he’s working with. The obviously titled “10 Ft. Ganja Plant & Weed” doesn’t begin in any sort auspicious manner with some of the production and keyboards coming in with an overt ‘80s style – none too pleasing. But McDonald’s vocals, which seem to echo former JBB singer and composer Kevin Kinsella, wind up supporting the track pretty well. The performance won’t recreate the singer’s public persona, but it serves to enliven a dub track that may have otherwise wound up being nothing more than a nuisance.

This new 10 Ft. Ganja Plant disc surely isn’t a required listening for reggae and dub fans, but it is a fitting addition to a catalog of music that JBB and its satellite players have crafted over the better part of 13 years.