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Feelin’ all right: Reggae act returns to its roots

Feelin’ all right: Reggae act returns to its roots
Photo by Tobin Voggesser

The night before April 20 is a celebration all on its own.

The American reggae band John Brown’s Body will take the stage for Brooklyn Bowl’s “Countdown to 4/20” show on the eve of the infamous stoner holiday — and they will kick off the season of high spirits by showcasing their soon-to-be-released album of progressive melodies.

“It’s really exciting putting a new record out,” said drummer Tommy Benedetti. “I think it’s our best work up to now.”

The drummer said the band will certainly play old tunes as well as new ones when it takes to a Brooklyn stage for the first time in over a year. And with the show coming only three days after the April 16 release of “Kings and Queens,” the concert is a chance for fans to see the band’s evolution.

“The way the recording process went down and the vibes we had going, I mean, the band’s been playing so much together and the tunes Elliot [Martin] wrote for this record, they’re some of the strongest tunes we’ve put together in many years,” said Benedetti.

According to him, the new album will feel nostalgic to older fans, while maintaining the band’s mix of traditional reggae tunes with a forward vision — which is what makes singer and song writer Elliot Martin and his group one of the foremost all-American reggae acts.

“[The album] has a wide range of grooves, and it’s kind of a return to our roots from earlier records,” said Benedetti. “But Elliot has a progressive view to music, there a wide range and texture of sounds.”

‘Catch John Brown’s Body at Brooklyn Bowl [61 Wythe Ave. between N. 11th and N. 12th streets in Williamsburg, (718) 963–3369, www.brooklynbowl.com]. April, 19, 8 pm. $15

Reach reporter Colin Mixson at cmixson@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4514.