Easy Star All-Stars @ Cabaret Mile End

Midway through their opening song, vocalist Menny More of the reggae collective Easy Star All-Stars, interrupted the music: “Don’t be shy. Bring yourselves closer, so we can party rightly.” There was no hesitation at all; the no man’s land between the stage and crowd was instantly filled with revellers itching to groove to the sweet bass work of Ras I Ray.

The Easy Star All-Stars, bringing along Cas Haley, rolled into Montreal’s Cabaret Mile End for their first ever show in the city. The collective, best known for their awesome Pink Floyd, The Beatles and Radiohead album covers, were wrapping up a tour to promote their original album First Light.

The mood was happy and friendly from the outset. Would you expect any other vibes from a kick-ass reggae group? Weed wafting in the air, bodies moving to the beat all around, and the relentless bass undercurrent all provided the expected atmosphere. Menny More was his usual, entertaining self, working the crowd and providing countless tidbits of reggae wisdom in between tracks. The horn section, courtesy of Jenny Hill and Buford O’Sullivan, the excellent vocals by Kirsty Rock, and guitarist/singer Shelton Garner Jr. rounded out the very talented musicians making up this genre-bending group.

Many of those in attendance were there to hear the covers that put Easy Star All-Stars on the map. Selected tracks from Dub Side of the Moon, Radiodread, and Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band drew the loudest reactions from the crowd. The cover of The Beatles' "A Day in the Life" was masterfully dub-ified, eliciting the most audible crowd sing-a-long. "Karma Police," "When I’m Sixty-Four," and "Breathe (In The Air)" were other tracks that brought the audience to a frenzy of dub-satisfaction. The original works, mainly drawn from the recently released First Light, were also well received. The tracks incorporated the kaleidoscope of sounds and voices that make this band so special. The complementary vocals of More and Rock, the sublime horn section, the mind-bending keyboard effects of Elenna Canlas, and the guitar and drum work are all excellently mixed together.

All those who were lucky enough to see the Easy Star All-Stars live in action in Montreal went home with smiles on their faces and perhaps a little more. Many stuck around after the final song had ended and the lights brightened to chat and snap photos with the reggae stars that were kind enough to emerge from backstage and appreciate their fans.

-Joel S co-hosts The Sports Injection on Wednesdays from 2-4pm