BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH SET TUE, JUNE 7 AS THE PHYSICAL U.S. RELEASE DATE FOR ‘LIGHT THE HORIZON’

Juno Award-winning trio BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH–known for their innovative fusion of reggae, rock, punk and soul–has set the U.S. physical release date for their latest album LIGHT THE HORIZON as Tuesday, June 7. Recorded via the band’s own label Pirates Blend Records, the new album, which was released digitally in October 2010, is available in the United States through Nat Geo Music.

LIGHT THE HORIZON, the band’s fourth studio album, has received critical acclaim both in their native Canada as well as in the U.S. Kate Harper from Chartattack.com called this “their strongest album to date” and added, “Light the Horizon is the sound of a reinvigorated band finding a new creative grip…[and] brilliantly showcases a newfound musical maturity” (9-28-10). Lynn Saxberg from The Vancouver Sun also praised the album stating, “There’s a new soulfulness apparent in the band’s reggae hybrid. The songs pulsate with a resilient energy, low-key and unhurried, topped by the reedy soul of Malinowski’s unadorned vocals” (9-28-10). Kathleen Dixon from The San Francisco Chronicle said, “The group forges a musical path that embodies the diverse musical preferences of its members: lead singer Jay Malinowski’s soulful and hypnotic rhythmic guitar grooves and Eon Sinclair’s deep dubbing bass” (12-5-10).

Elsewhere, Ezra Caraeff from the Portland Mercury noted, “Light the Horizon finally finds Bedouin Soundclash at their best, firmly entrenched in a tranquil mix of loose groove reggae and masterfully structured rock and roll” (12-2-10). And according to Buffalo, NY’s Artvoice, Bedouin Soundclash “create some of the most innovative reggae songs of recent memory. Light the Horizon further pushes their musical envelope not only combining their earlier elements of Canadian alt-rock and Jamaican reggae, but also adding elements of calypso, country, and Police-esque 1980s pop…the newest album only deepens Bedouin Soundclash’s repertoire of songs, as they show the bands maturation while holding on to the band’s energy, which is vital to their style of reggae” (11-3-10). See below for additional critical soundbites.

The Toronto-based trio–founding members Jay Malinowski (vocals, guitar) and Eon Sinclair (bass) along with new addition Sekou Lumumba (drums)–recorded LIGHT THE HORIZON in Philadelphia with famed DJ/producer King Britt, a member of the groundbreaking alt ‘90s hip-hop act Digable Planets who has worked with Macy Gray and Santigold and remixed tracks by everyone from Miles Davis to Everything But the Girl. The producer and City of Brotherly Love inspired the band to dig into their soul/R&B roots to evolve their sound and create something a little more urban. Of the recording process, King Britt has said, “Working with Bedouin Soundclash has been a breath of fresh air in our crazy music business. They are a killer band, who actually play their instruments, know their history and respect the architects!”

On tracks such as “A Chance of Rain” and the album’s first single “Mountain Top,” longtime fans will hear the expected syncopated island beat but this time supplemented by that seductively lazy delivery and some gorgeously brash, brassy horns for added soul. There’s the anthemic, yet melodically grounded “Elongo” and the monumental “Brutal Hearts,” a devastatingly gorgeous duet between Malinowski and 20-year-old soul chanteuse Beatrice Martin (aka Coeur de pirate) with string arrangements by the legendary friend to Philadelphia soul Larry Gold (see full track listing below).

In 2010, BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH performed all over the world including Shanghai, China, Perth & Melbourne, Australia, Bombay, India, and the United Kingdom as well as their native Canada and the United States. To support the album’s physical release, the band will return to the U.S. in June for a select run of headlining dates anchored by shows in New York City and Los Angeles. Stay tuned for dates to be announced soon.

Critical Soundbites for LIGHT THE HORIZON:

“Still owing an influence to The Police and The Clash, the group’s new record is nevertheless both deeper and richer than their earlier work, and features not only more harmonizing and brass instruments, but also an experimental use of arrangements and beats.”

“…there are ample instances of growth and departure, notably in hauntingly spare moments such as ‘No One Moves, No One Gets Hurt’ and ‘Brutal Hearts,’ a duet between Malinowski and Coeur de Pirate’s Beatrice Martin.”

“…Malinowski settles in with reverb-sweetened rhythm guitar lines and loping, lover’s-rock vocals. Too, [producer King] Britt has encouraged the band to embrace that more R&B-influenced sound…it pays off dividends, as with the lovely ‘Brutal Hearts’ (a duet with a young singer named Beatrice Martin) and the album’s string-drenched ballad ‘Elongo.’”

“[Bedouin Soundclash] create some of the most innovative reggae songs of recent memory…Since then they have captured international attention playing in places as far away as China at the Shanghai World Expo. Their latest album, Light the Horizon, further pushes their musical envelope not only combining their earlier elements of Canadian alt-rock and Jamaican reggae, but also adding elements of calypso, country, and Police-esque 1980s pop. To keep their sound fresh, the band also adds French Canadian pop singer Coeur de Pirate on the song ‘Brutal Hearts’ to add a female punch to their already diverse style. Already holding on to their strong catalog of songs, the newest album only deepens Bedouin Soundclash’s repertoire of songs, as they show the bands maturation while holding on to the band’s energy, which is vital to their style of reggae…their live show expects to be nothing short of reggae filled dancehall ecstasy.”

“Bedouin Soundclash was named Canada’s Best New Artist in the Juno Awards a few years back, and it’s easy to hear why-the trio…creates you-must-get-up-and-dance music drawn from reggae, rock, punk and soul. They’re easy on the ears and good for the soul.”

LIGHT THE HORIZON track Listing:

1)      Mountain Top
2)      Fools Tattoo
3)      May You Be the Road
4)      Brutal Hearts
5)      Elongo
6)      No One Moves, No One Gets Hurt
7)      The Quick & The Dead
8)      Rolling Stone
9)      A Chance of Rain
10)  Follow the Sun

About Bedouin Soundclash: