LAL are actually two people, vocalist Rosina Kazi and her flat mate Nick Murray. Rosina describes LAL’s music as “the new Canadian sound represented by a first generation of immigrants, heavily influenced by European and North American culture.”
The fact that LAL are not part of the well-off and respected Canadian (white) society is certainly one of the reasons why LAL are addressing environmental issues and problems of social justice in their songs. They also have dedicated the two releases Brown Eyed Warrior and Dancing The Same to activists for social, environmental and human rights justice and Dancing The Same is explicitly dedicated to Digna Ochoa, a leading Mexican human rights lawyer.
Musically LAL reminds me of 3 Generations Walking or obscure Guidance releases that mixed house, electro, dub, lounge and soul to good effect.
The original version of Brown Eyed Warrior is a good example, it’s a slow dub influenced groove that emphasises Rosina’s message. Personally I prefer the original but if you’re looking for a version that’s a little faster then the Moonstar Remix may suit you. The Murr Long-Edit somehow loses me with its hip hop/Funky Drummer beats.
Dancing The Same is LAL’s ode to individuality. Fellow Canadian Abacus does a very good job with his remix, transforming the song into a soulful house winner. Nu Era and Somitik take the song into electro/off beat territories while the original version of Dancing The Same again shows that Rosina and Nick know how to blend various musical styles into their own sound.
Both songs are available on 12″ and were taken from LAL’s album Warm Belly High Power.

Tracklisting of Brown Eyed Warrior: 1. B.E.W. Epilogue (Murr Long-Edit)/ 2. Brown Eyed Warrior (Original)/ 3. Brown Eyed Warrior (Moonstar Remix)
Tracklisting of Dancing The Same: 1. Dancing The Same (Abacus 12″ Vocal Mix)/ 2. Dancing The Same (Nu Era vs Somtik Mix)/ 3. Dancing The Same (Original) | released 2005 by Public Transit Recordings

For more infos visit ptrmusic.com and lalforest.com.

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