MadCity Music owner Dave Benton has signed some of the best Madison musicians to his Boat Records label over the years. Recently, the label has been overachieving, thanks to artists like Squarewave and now the Blackstone Reggae AllStars. The AllStars are Madison guitarists Michael Stone and C.J. Summerfield, joined by three internationally known reggae artists: Pablo Black, "Horsemouth" Wallace and "Bagga" Walker. The result is a smooth-as-silk recording that's high on originality.
What's most notable about The King Sound Legacy are the variations on the reggae theme. Jazz influences color the opening track, "Wild Road." The electric guitar on "Coal Frets" is a blues jam. "Six Foot Six" is reggae meets psychedelic rock.
The King Sound Legacy is an unusually accomplished album that's sure to be a local favorite of 2007.