Album Review

Jimmy Screech – Wood For The Trees

• 16th Dec 2008

Reggae has always been one of the most versatile forms of music in existence-simultaneously able to bring a smile to your face and make you dance in a Jimmy Cliff kind of way but also able to be scathing in its attack on-as Marley could show-politics, justice and social inequalities. Jimmy Screech clearly listened to all these interpretations and brought them into his own lexicon, in a very successful mix.

Nothing is more fascinating, certainly within music than someone with a healthily interest and respect in their past, and on ‘Wood for the trees’ Jimmy exhibits this and a whole lot more.
Taking those early influences, Jimmy has sewn in the hip-hop cool and look of current pioneers like Jay-Z and to some degree Wyclef Jean and Lauren Hill and created just a perfect composite.
He will undoubtedly be welcomed into the British scene and it’s entirely possible to see him be accepted universally, such is the beauty of his street rhythm style.

Essentially a love song ‘Wood for the trees’ is effortless, it could be played anywhere and enjoyed by all-that’s an impressive achievement and speaks volumes about the source material, but even more about Mr Screech.