The second album by the Italian reggae band De Strangers, released by La Tempesta Dub, is a project that explores the many shades of reggae and dub, while also delving into deeper emotions and reflections through meticulous writing and production. Timeless Bond, born from the intense collaboration between the Italian group, artist Galas, and dubmaster Buriman, is a timeless sonic journey. An album that celebrates the synergy among three artists and their shared vision of uniting forces to create music that transcends borders, stirs emotions, and speaks to listeners with a message that knows neither time nor place.
According to Elia Pozzi (vocals, drums) and Emiliano Vegro (keyboards), the band’s main goal in creating Timeless Bond was clear: “We wanted to create an album that wasn’t just a tribute to reggae culture, but a full musical experience, capable of immersing the listener in the genre’s various facets, from classic to more modern and experimental sounds. The band played with rhythms and harmonies, offering a rich and complex overview of reggae’s diverse nuances, all held together by the unifying presence of Galas. His voice and lyrical style, blending reflections on the present, echoes of the past, and a strong critique of power structures, give the project a cohesive and deeply narrative dimension.”
The entire album, which also features arrangements by Nicolas Biscione (guitar) and Alessandro Luppi (saxophone), was recorded and mixed at Studio La Sabbia, the De Strangers’ headquarters in Milan. Tracks like Sweet Memories and Lift Up Your Head offer moments of introspection, rooted in themes of awareness and contemplation of the modern world. Meanwhile, songs such as What’s Wrong, while maintaining strong social critique, explore more digital sounds with synth basslines and a stepper reggae rhythm. Another standout feature of Timeless Bond is the collaboration with Jules I, bassist of the internationally acclaimed reggae band Mellow Mood. On the track Tea Bubbling, he adds his personal touch. The song presents itself as a roots-infused stepper, with lyrics by both singers that play on the meeting of their voices, trading lines and alternating in the choruses.
To complete the project, De Strangers enlisted Buriman, a renowned dubmaster in the international reggae scene, to bring the album to its final form—true to reggae-dub culture. His meticulous and precise production approach transformed the work, creating a perfect balance between the band’s original reggae music and his distinctive dub interpretation. Each of the five vocal tracks is paired with a dub version, offering a dual listening experience.
Timeless Bond is more than just a music project, it’s a meeting of artistic and personal visions, united by the desire to create something lasting and meaningful. A project that not only celebrates reggae and dub culture, but also invites listeners to reflect and immerse themselves in a rich world of emotion and experimentation.
Timeless Bond is available on vinyl and digital platforms.
