The Salmon

This is a Franco-Jamaican reggae compilation, spiced up with shots of blues, country and soul. The Salmon’s members each boast impressive and long-standing credentials: Kiddus I is a Jamaican reggae singer who appeared in cult ’78 reggae film Rockers, French pianist and singer-songwriter Bazbaz has nine albums to his name and guitarist Jérôme ‘Tchiky’ Perez has been playing with rap group De La Soul for some years. It’s an easy-going collection of tunes; nicely produced but, ultimately, disappointingly bland. The metaphor of a salmon fighting its way upstream is expressed throughout the album with wise messages such as being positive and living for the moment. Nothing to disagree with there, but the music itself lacks a spark that makes you want to listen again. Maybe The Salmon need to hit open seas and tackle stronger waves…