Reggae Hit L.A.

The Aggrolites’ third release, Reggae Hit L.A., continues the relatively young L.A. band’s deft interpretation of classic reggae sounds. Hit L.A. was issued shortly after the release of Tim Armstrong’s A Poet’s Life, on which the Aggrolites appeared as Armstrong’s back-up band. Any reggae fan — both of ‘60s classic roots reggae and everything following — should have the Aggrolites in their collection. Hit L.A. is full of pure, expertly played music that is part homage and part celebration of reggae and its history; influences such as Lee “Scratch” Perry and his Upsetters, Toots & The Maytals, the Melodians and other classic Trojan Records artists come through loud and clear, but in a way that allows the Aggrolites’ own collective voice to shine. Full of rumbling bass lines, chirping horns, and gurgling organs, there are accents of blues, soul and ska throughout. Would-be critics will find it difficult to dismiss the infectious, footwork-inducing title track, the vintage soaked “You Got 5,” the fantastic surf-guitar inflected “Rhyme & Light,” or the sitar-peppered “Baldhead Rooster.” The ska-tinged “Faster Bullet” and “We Came to Score” are pure joy.