The Movement - Not just Another White Reggae Band

From Matisyahu to Slightly Stoopid and any number of touring bands, reggae has inspired a movement of blue-eyed imitators. Some do it better than others. The Movement has managed to do something different, entertaining.

“Set Sail” is groove-heavy, and the sound is more bombastic and smoother than the band’s infectious debut, “On Your Feet. ” Even though lyrical cadences and pronunciations have become more “irie” tinged, The Movement hasn’t fully indulged in the rootsy reggae sound.

“I’ve always thought of it as what I like to call alternative reggae,” Swain said of the band’s music. “We don’t feel really roots reggae. We’re not rasta. It comes out a little more hip-hop, a little more rock.”

Produced by Chris Dibeneditto, who has worked with G. Love and Slightly Stoopid, “Set Sail” took so long to make — more than two years — that rumors circulated the band had broken up. DJ Riggles did leave, but Miller and Swain just took their time recording in Philadelphia.

After two years of touring, they needed time to reflect.

“You got time to live your life and then when you’re done, you get some inspiration from it,” Miller said.
“Set Sail” sounds familiar, with clever wordplay and soothing wah-pedal guitars. But there are a lot of pleasant surprises.

Keyboards flourish near the end of “Impression, ” and “Green Girl” is a rumbling and snarky metaphor for decadent imbibing. Drenched in reverb, “Habit” is an exceptional song about the various forms of getting lifted. It separates itself from other blue-eyed reggae with its hunkering bass notes and rattling drums.

The bass and drums, courtesy of new band members Jay Schmidt and Gary Jackson, respectively, add a funky confidence.

“It’s definitely a more mature sound,” Miller said. “It’s our response to everything we’ve done thus far.”


The Reggae News Agency

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