Diggingroots

First Nations duo DiggingRoots deserve credit for not following any stereotypical indigenous music path. This is shown by their recruiting of genre-bending peer Kinnie Starr to co-produce (she also adds vocals, synth and drum programming), while equally innovative throat singer Tanya Tagaq and Shuffle Demons drummer Stich Wynston are amongst the numerous guest players. Elements of hip-hop, reggae, blues and R&B merge seamlessly, and the alternating lead vocals of ShoShona Kish and guitarist Raven Kanatakta add to the variety. On the opening title track they declare: "we are a revolution, a solution to all this confusion," and the lyrical thrust is generally an uplifting and empowering one. "Let The Sun," for instance, has a Ben Harper feel, while the haunting "Holes" makes for a melancholy counterpoint. Call theirs a soul revolution, as a soulful and rhythmic vibe permeates most of this material. Synths and programmed drums are used a bit excessively and the album is a little on the short side at 33 minutes. Still, it's a strong release that deserves to boost DiggingRoots' international following.