Review: Samsara
Samsara are possibly one of the best reggae acts in the UK at the moment. This six headed creature from Brighton bring good times wherever they go, and their visit to Mr Wolfs on 25th November was no exception. Their older, more intricate style is a welcome change from the bass heavy digitised reggae that has been coming out recently, bringing a more laid back Wailers-style sound that is laid back and exhilarating at the same time.
They are also a band who know how to perform, bringing a fantastic atmosphere and some excellent musicianship wherever they go. Songs like ‘Thief in the Night’ and ‘The Treadmill’ are instantly danceable, whether it’s the first or hundredth time you’ve heard them. With an extensive catalogue of songs draw upon, and a cover of ‘Mr Bobby’ (originally by Manu Chao) thrown into the mix, this really is a fantastic performance. For some reason they were without their lead guitarist, and this did reduce their impact, but it was still extremely enjoyable.
The problem with this gig, however, was the crowd. The majority of the audience seemed to have turned up at Mr Wolfs to drink rather than for the music, so the endless shouting and the constant stream of intoxicated people elbowing their way clumsily to and from the bar did affect the overall enjoyment of the evening. It is definitely a strange experience coming out of a great performance having not enjoyed the experience that much.
Still, the band are one of the best active reggae bands in the UK at the moment, and anyone who values a good skank should definitely get down to a show. Just beware of Friday nights in Mr Wolfs…
Will Tiley
Samsara played Mr Wolf’s 25 November, check out some of their tunes here: http://www.myspace.com/samsara5
