Record Label: S/R
Genre: Folk
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com

When I love something that no one else has ever heard of, I begin to question my musical tastes and even MY VERY OWN SANITY! Case in point – Brent Berry. I have no idea who he is, where he’s from, what these tracks are B-Sides of, and why I’m the only one who’s ever heard of him. But I do know that his reggae albums are astonishing. They’re packed with excellent, soulful songs that feature Berry’s classically rocksteady vocals and African and Indian-style percussion. Most impressively, Berry plays all instruments.

On B-Sides, the reggae is gone but I wouldn’t say missed. This album is unabashed folk music, delivered with banjo, harmonica, and twangy, countrified vocals. But it’s still trademark Brent Berry by virtue of the smart songwriting, talented musicianship, and wonderful, wonderful percussion. Berry’s sweet and earnest vocals coupled with the world music percussion reminds me of Rhythm of the Saints and Graceland-era Paul Simon, if those albums were sparser but incorporated bluegrass.

Berry has accomplished with folk what he’s already done with reggae – put a huge, heartwarming grin on my face. So why am I the only person who’s heard of him?

Bottom Line:
Notable Tracks: Northhampton Rain, In Time, Northland Summer
Overall Rating: