:: Bomba - Learn To Breathe

Bomba

Melbourne’s Bomba hase created an eclectic mix of funkae tunes on the debut LP ‘Learn To Breathe.’ I say ‘funkae’ because one couldn’t call the the album a pure reggae album. Indeed Learn To Breathe is funk-fused reggae with pop-style hooks to keep the listener guessing. The opening track, ‘Spaced Out’ is pure funk. It is followed by the slightly melancholy title track which has a more reggae feel. Audiences will make comparison with Melbourne’s other funksters The Cat Empire, but Bomba sound more Caribbean than Latino and their sound isn’t quite so big band. Other highlight tracks include the bass and brass number ‘Going Solo,’ and the softshoe shuffle of ‘Running to Stand Still.’ The most interesting track though is ‘Into The Blue’, which is like the love child of Marley and Zappa. You’ll have to listen to see what I mean, and you still won’t necessarily agree. Little Death is another thoughtful track. The only criticism of ‘Learn To Breathe’ is that at sixteen tracks it is perhaps a little indulgent. There are several tracks on here (eg: ‘One Fine Day’) that are either musical or lyrical clichés. Nevertheless, for the most part, this is an enjoyable album that asks you to have your fun, but with a pinch of conscience.