Worldwize Part 1: North & South

Having started out as a busking duo in the idyllic surfing town of Byron Bay, Australian roots band Blue King Brown have gone on to become one of the country's most in-demand live acts. Fronted by the petite and feisty Natalie Pa'apa'a, whose bloodline is an exotic mix of Samoan, Basque, Native American and Mexican heritage, the group's energetic live show has been the cornerstone of their popularity. And while their debut 2006 album Stand Up was a good introduction to the band's reggae-infused repertoire, its studio aesthetic didn't really capture their powerful stage presence. Worldwize rectifies that situation considerably, delivering a solid roots-heavy set that pleases both the head and feet. Now based in Melbourne, Pa'apa'a and co¬founder/producer/bassist Carlo Santone recorded both there and in Jamaica to bring this ambitious double-CD project to fruition. There are guest spots from Kingston rhythm masters Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare on ‘Mo Truth’, wordsmiths Jah Mason on ‘The March’ and Queen Ifrica on ‘Women's Revolution’, but it's Pa'apa'a's own impassioned vocals that provide the album with its sonic consistency. The ‘North’ CD features the songs, while the companion ‘South’ provides the dub remixes.

If there's a criticism it's that their repeated ‘conscious-solidarity-and-resistance’ theme can get a bit tiresome. ‘Our Word is Our Weapon’ even includes soundbites from Mexico’s Zapatista Revolutionary Army. But if you’re looking for a rebellious good time, Worldwize places Blue King Brown directly on the frontline.