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REVIEWS
“[Andru Branch & Halfway Tree have been] in the business for so long and released such an amount of good reggae music...A whole lot of talent here who have joined forces for ten novel tracks, resulting in a rewarding listening experience…Weather The Storm implores us to hold on to love despite all the raging tempest around us.” ~ Reggaeville
“Andru Branch & Halfway Tree make internationally recognized reggae music of the highest order.” ~ Halifax Jazz Festival
"Canadian reggae pioneer Andru Branch has collected a quarter century of his finest recordings into a stunning new album called The Singles. Among the millions who have responded to the call of Jamaica's influential music, few have made of their obsession art as fine as this. With frequent trips to the island itself, collaborating with some of the key musicians in Kingston's studios, Branch has amassed a body of work that stands with the best of them. Positive and constructive, harmonic and infectious, it's the perfect soundtrack for these troubled times."
~ Roger Steffens, Bob Marley lecturer, author and reggae historian
“… some of the rootsiest, bottom heavy music ever to come out of the Great White North. The Only Constant, Branch’s second outing, is nothing less than stunning. Branch’s understated singing sweetens the sound and leaves plenty of room for top ranking instrumental goodness… “ ~ Exclaim! Magazine
“This band rocks, and would go down a storm on the European festival circuit, which is where they definitely belong.” ~ John Masouri, Echoes UK Magazine
"The six-piece roots collective pack an authentic punch, an earthy sensibility and an ear for hypnotic dub grooves. They show clear influence from the Wailers, Burning Spear and Lee "Scratch" Perry on tracks like "Dub Is the Word", "Best Friend Dub" and the title track. Lush joints like "Gonna Be Dub" and "Faithful Dub" particularly stand out as vivid, vibrant takes on a genre offshoot that can never go out of style. Branch and crew nail the technical, spiritual and music elements of an instrumental sound that both entrances and inspires." ~ Exclaim! Magazine
“This is indeed real reggae music…an excellent work through and through.” ~ Tom Orr, World Music Central
“The Only Constant is a classic roots LP that has the potential to put Halifax on the international reggae radar." ~ The Coast
"Branch’s plaintive writing and forthright delivery is possessed of such honesty that it peers into your soul and demands that you listen with your ears and your heart...this is an essential collection for anyone interested in pure and worthy reggae."
~ Dr. Jason Wilson, reggae historian and author of King Alpha’s Song in a Strange Land
“Branch is one of the country’s finest reggae artists.” ~ The Daily News, Halifax
“One of the best reggae artists in the country…Branch has obviously mastered the sound.” ~ The Coast
“…the music they deliver is undoubtedly a continuum of the same spirit of the muse that moved Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Culture and others of the foundation reggae mould… Andru’s ability to evoke a primordial spirit that links him with the roots element of his music makes you sit up and take notice of his laid back, sensi-inspired riddims…someone whose respect and affinity for the best in reggae are propelling him into the limelight of a growing circle of fans…” ~ Uprising International
“One of the most outstanding performances at last month’s renewal of Reggae Sunsplash came from a young Canadian out of the Kingston Muzik camp…Performing on the dancehall night stage to resounding applause it was obvious that Branch was well received by the audience… Branch’s music is nothing like the new crossover/hip hop style of reggae. It sounds more like the Marley inspired tunes all the world has come to know and love...” ~ The Sunday Herald - Kingston, Jamaica
“You can hear it when he sings and read it in his lyrics, songs of peace and unity in the spirit of the late Bob Marley…Halfway Tree sings the kind of songs that are missing in today’s mass market…” ~ The Town Crier, Toronto
"Branch is an internationally recognized reggae artist with deep connections to the Jamaican music scene." ~ El Independiente