Now here's a multi-national concern that everyone can approve of. Firebug was formed by two Brazilians -- Felipe Machado and Rodrigo Cerqueira (a former Seattleite and member of the Easy Big Fellas), and an American mainstay of the N.Y.C. ska/reggae scene, Victor Rice. It was this lineup that released Firebug's eponymous, debut album. A trio of new Brazilian recruits enlisted soon after, while a fourth guests on this, their sophomore set, along with a quartet of Big Apple ska heroes. Now with On the Move, Firebug ignites an even bigger pyre to Jamaica's past, showcasing all the island's traditional styles. Ska, rocksteady, early reggae, the stop-start rhythms that swept across scene in the early '70s, roots reggae, the Far East style of Augustus Pablo, and dub are all are showcased within, while the influences are so myriad and diverse they would require a review of their own. Suffice to say that the band has carefully followed all of Jamaica's early trends and biggest artists, and pays tribute to all of the former and many of the latter across this wonderful set, with many of their versions of classic Jamaican numbers or at least inspired by them. Even better, no favoritism is shown, a bouncy early reggae instrumental like the title track is delivered as perfectly and with as much enthusiasm as the ska-fired Finding My Way or the dubby, roots reggae of The Quest. And even as trad as the sound is, there's still that wonderful, undefinable Third Wave feel to the set, along with a pop tinge to the vocals, that gives On the Move a fabulous freshness to it all. Bar the heavy-hitting Injustica, all the lyrics are in English, and sweep from the personal to the political, the romantic to the alienated. There isn't a dud song within, virtually everyone is a standout, so it's best left to personal taste to find favorites. With something for every taste here, On the Move is a superb tribute to Jamaica's past and future. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, Rovi

1		On The Move
2		The Quest
3		What They Say
4		In Gold We Trust
5		Finding My Way
6		We Are Not The Same
7		Anxiety
8		Keep The Rhythm
9		Your Guy
10		Bad Trip
11		Injustiça

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