One of the most consistent underground instrumental combos, 10 Ft. Ganja Plant has released a dozen full-length albums since 1999. An outgrowth of reggae outfit John Brown's Body, its only permanent member seems to be inconspicuous Boston-bound musician Craig Welsch, an experienced engineer with pristine studio skills.
An enthusiastic and unwavering reggae stylist, Welsch's reverence for rootsy dub music has its auspices in early pioneers such as the Meditations, Pablo Moses, African Head Charge, Burning Spear and Prince Far-I. On 10 Ft. Ganja Plant's latest offering, 10 Deadly Shots, Vol. III, the final installment in a series of fine discs, Welsch's lineup of similarly-minded instrumentalists combine to make some of the freshest and most reverent dub soundscapes.
Perfect for mellow pot parties, headphone grazing or just background music, 10 Ft. Ganja Plant's concise arrangements, clear-toned vibrancy and solid audio treatments are not only emblematic of Jamaican reggae culture, but also of the world-beat movement.
Welsch and company stay invested in the same high-caliber charge that ignited the first two Deadly Shots albums. While Vol. II sojourned through jazz-informed Hammond B-3 organ a la Jimmy Smith, Vol. III varies the streamlined mood a bit more.
A snazzy rock-steady beat not far removed from Desmond Dekker or Jimmy Cliff underscores the skank guitar and chilly organ percolation of "Mala Mujar" (listen below). In a similar vein, voodoo-spelled "Western Water Hemlock" adds prickly six-string figures to the downbeat groove. Clipped guitars rise above a reggae-fried beat on "Bladderwort," the most upbeat tune besides perky closer, "Giant Pitcher" (listen above).
In general though, it's the calming mid-tempo groove that wins out, courtesy of resonant chain-linked mantra, "Angel Trumpet," and lucid horn-punctuated "Castor Bean." Sitar-like Eastern mysticism informs "Oleander," an espionage-like thriller perfectly suited for an adventure film score.
Somewhat mind-numbing when taken as a whole (since the mood, tempo, tone and atmosphere vary only slightly), 10 Deadly Shots, Vol. III delivers another tasteful, well-purposed dub reggae chill-out session for those who inhale.
Purchase 10 Ft. Ganja Plant - 10 Deadly Shots Vol. III
