Jasper Dan-Mama Voodoo
Reviewed by Duzzy Clayton
Jasper Dan is a band that needs no introduction, The band has played on some of the biggest stages in South Africa and has panted its roots within the industry.
Having a few lineup changes along the way, vocalist Jamie Hendry and Jasper Dan seem to have settled in as a strong unit, before I go on with this review and talk about their latest offering, I must mention I interviewed the band for my podcast (Listen HERE), and what I took away from that interview that this band is a real brotherhood of a band. It was even joked about in the interview that they get together to hang out and they happen to be in a band together and get to play music, and you can feel the love and brotherhood among the members. Now having said that I think a band that has a connection, the brotherhood is strong and they not just get together to play a few songs but instead can feel what each other is thinking is very important in being in a band I feel it shows in the music they create together when you have that kind electricity in a band, it shows itself in the music and that is what I would like to point out in their latest song Mamma Voodoo
Mama Voodoo is Some of Jasper Dan’s best work, I feel Jamie’s vocals seem to be on point and the lyrics to this song sound amazing. One thing I like about a song is that it has meaning or a story behind the music, and I was quite intrigued and interested in the story behind this song.
Jamie Hendry (vocals) shares that “Mama Voodoo’ grew quickly from a single riff, which remained the main musical thread throughout the song. It was almost as if the song chose its lyrical content, as themes of traditional practices seemed to be the only thoughts I had while listening to the music. From palm reading to tarot cards, and crystal balls to ayahuasca ceremonies, the song tells a story of a spiritual journey of enlightenment through various paths people have chosen over the years. The mayhem of the journey ends in tranquillity and peace, evoking the feeling of being immersed in the gentle rolling of a river’s water. These themes fascinate me, as they divide so many people … some fear such practices, while others rely on them to find peace and positive influence in their lives. The song is more about the latter audience. “
Mama Voodoo should be in every rocker’s playlist and whenever I hear Jasper Dan’s music, I can always picture myself driving down Route 66 Highway in the USA and having Jasper Dan’s music blaring in the background and I have the same kind of energy if I think about this song.
If I were to compare this band and song to other bands out there, Pearl Jam comes to mind, maybe it’s the similar vocal ranges or just the grundy guitar sounds but I do see some of those influences creeping in, having said that Jasper Dan are trendsetters themselves and can create their path within the music industry.
Apart From Jamie Hendry’s great Eddie Vedder-like vocals, the rest of the band Barrett Cawood (guitar), Jason Eedes (drums), and Mark Kenyon (bass), all played their parts to perfection, The track has a catchy riff and intro and the chorus just seems to get in your head and like me you will also found yourself singing this song at random parts during your day.
Apart from having great band members who I must say played and did their parts to perfection, the band also had another special secret weapon in the name of Robin Walsh, who tracked, mixed, and mastered the track, this isn’t the first time the band has used his expertise, as it is the fourth single he has worked on and it seems like once he works his magic and he helps get an awesome track to sound amazing which I think is an important part to a band’s music.
Mama Voodoo still has the great elements that we all come to love from Jasper Dan and I feel this song will appeal to the die-hard fans, but I also feel with this single the band might just pick up some new fans along the way, I think it is a pretty sweet spot for the band to be in and I hope they carry on riding this wave they find themself in because the future looks bright.
I would like to congratulate everyone who worked on this track, It is a great masterpiece and I am for one very excited about Jasper Dan.
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Listen To An Interview With The Band On The Anything Goes Podcast HERE
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CLEAN LYRICS
Read a palm, a tarot card
Drink a pill down, look inside me
Peyote, I’m gone today
Father Shaman, guide me gently
Roll down river’s gentle water
Wash away your mortal sin
Roll down river’s gentle water
Roll away, you gotta roll away
And roll river roll, roll
Roll river roll, roll
You gotta let it roll
Chrystal ball, to see it all
Ayahuasca, look inside me
Hypnotised, another look inside
Mama Voodoo hold me kindly
Roll down river’s gentle water
Wash away your mortal sin
Roll down river’s gentle water
Roll away, you gotta roll away
Now roll river roll, roll
Roll river roll, roll