It took a year for the Canadian public to pick up on Kingston, Ontario-based reggae/rock fusion band Bedouin Soundclash’s second album — but only a week for them to connect with its third. Summer 2005 radio hit “When the Night Feels My Song” introduced Canadian buyers to the band’s previous album, 2004’s “Sounding a Mosaic” (Stomp Records), which peaked at No. 36 on the Canadian Recording Industry Assn. chart.
The new “Street Gospels” — which was released August 21 in North America — entered the Canadian charts August 26 at No. 2 on sales of slightly more than 8,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The band is with Dine Alone Records/Universal in Canada; U.K./U.S. releases were through Hollywood-based indie SideOneDummy Records.
“Street Gospels” offers a more sophisticated-sounding version of the trio’s unique take on reggae mixed with punk, dub and soul accents. Despite the band’s chart status, Bedouin Soundclash singer/guitarist Jay Malinowski said that “success for us goes beyond first-week sales — it’s about where the band is creatively.”
“When the Night Feels My Song” was also a top 30 hit in the United Kingdom, and once Bedouin Soundclash wraps current North American tour dates in October, it will hit British shores for 11 November shows.