Toko Tasi

Spiritual Life

Skunk Records

(Toko Tasi MySpace)

Well I kept putting off writing this review because I was waiting to get the hard copy version of Toko Tasi’s debut album, Spiritual Life, in my hands (currently only available through iTunes). The reason being, in one listen you can tell this guy is backed by enormously talented musicians and I wanted to be in a position where I could give credit where credit was due across the whole album. However, I can’t hold off forever, as this album is too good to keep quiet about any longer.

Mixing traditional reggae with hip hop influences Toko Tasi has crafted an album that is instantly likeable and effortlessly timeless. Getting back to who is supporting him here and using the artists identified on his tracks on the Skunk 2007 Sampler (some of which songs are also featured here) there is no wondering how Toko hit this out of the park.

Produced by Sublime mastermind Miquel, the album features Slightly Stoopid on the acoustic driven Foolish Wins. Sublime and Long Beach Dub All Star members Eric Wilson and Marshall Goodman at least play on the track Babymilk and look for Hepcat/Dubcat members on songs like the funky Gone Far.

Impressive list hey? Well the guests just keep on coming, Half Pint provides his soothing voice on the sweet Need a Girl, I-Man and Philienao add their raps effectively where required and Bradley Nowell from Sublime returns from the other side, as sampled on album highlight Love to Share, with backing music from Sublime’s Get Ready.

So I guess the big question is does Toko Tasi just have the right connections to the ultimate support team or does he have something to offer himself? Fortunately he has developed his own unique vocal delivery that equally matches the talents of the others featured here. Just take a listen to the drifting Pasquales and the sweet Then it is Cool and try to tell me he doesn’t.

Completely unexpected, Toko Tasi may still remain a little of a mystery, but one thing known for sure he has comes close to delivering the reggae album of the year.

Reviewed by Pilipo