Reggae Boots

"The idea for Country Goes Reggae came on a trip to Negril, Jamaica in 2019, when producers The Berman Brothers were sitting at sunset at a beach bar listening to Reggae classics as a car passed by blasting U.S. country songs. they knew the two worlds, with the blend of different styles and cultures, would work perfectly together."

(Laurie Hollabaugh / musicrow.com, July 8, 2022)

Christian and Frank Berman originate from Germany, but internationally they have long made themselves known as The Berman Brothers. Their list of superstar clients ranging from Sting to Coldplay is at least as long as their number of accolades they have received for their work over the years. On their  homepage they state: "Our mission is to create unique, original musical content in collaboration with iconic local musicians in places like Cuba, Brazil, Jamaica, India and Africa."

On July 22nd, 2022, in the midst of the summer, they released their latest project titled "Country goes Reggae". A clear indication what it is about: fuse country songs with a reggae style. Which is an idea that's not all new, since Willie Nelson has released a reggae album by the title of "Countryman" way back in 2005. On it he sang songs of his own, as well as original reggae songs, all to a reggae beat. His chilled manners and his liking of Marihuana seemed like the perfect fit. Unfortunately both the commercial as well as artistical results were rather modest.

Way more successful were the trips, that Kenny Chesney made down the world of reggae on some of his albums. Efforts that resulted in a cooperation with Bob Marleys original band the Wailers, after all. Among them his 2008 single 'Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven' from his album "Lucky Old Sun" which even reached the number-1 on the Billboard Hot Country Song Charts. And on his 2013 project "Life On A Rock" one can find the excellent deep cut 'Spread The Love', co-written by Kenny Chesney and recorded again with the Wailers.

For the current project, the Berman Brothers stayed true to their motto and had local musicians from Jamaica lay the musical foundation, before Nashville studios added some country touch. The country hit songs used for the mashup originate from all over the past few decades.

The oldest song is contributed by Dolly Parton with her 'Two Doors Down' from the year 1978. The title cut from Alabamas album "Pass It On Down"-with its more current than ever theme about the environment- comes from 1990. On the opposite end of the time scale, one of the biggest hits of last year can be found: 'Things A Man Oughta Know' by Lainey Wilson.

But despite of the enthusiasm of everyone involved, the results still cannot quite fulfil expectations. After all most country songs were not written for a reggae flow. However, one big suprise can be found on the project:  'Boots On'with the growling voice of Randy Houser shimmers and grooves with the best of them reggae songs ...