Soldiers Of Jah Army - Amid The Noise And Haste (ATO Records)

That being said, yours truly has to admit being slightly less impressed with this album than with their previous release, 'Strength To Survive'. For 'Amid The Noise And Haste' SOJA collaborated with Jamaican producer Supa Dups, who gave the album a more poppy vibe. 'Treading Water', a song supported by a string arrangement, is probably the most originally sounding track on the album. Hellman Escorcia and Rafael Rodriguez, the brass section of the band, once again get a lot room to improvise, with the very Latin sounding 'Signature' as an absolute highlight. The most infectious song on 'Amid The Noise And The Haste' is 'Easier' for which SOJA are joined by J Boog, a Californian singer of Samoan descent and Hawaiian vocalist Anuhea. The cover design of 'Amid The Noise And Haste' is a true gem and in fact a real handmade woodcarving by British artist Steven Wilson.