Reggae group Easy Star All-Stars embrace the cosmic sonics on their reimagined track, Moonage Daydream pulled from David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars.
Reimagining a classic is difficult to say the least — especially if its one of the greats, like David Bowie. It requires a deft touch not to replicate, a unique perspective on the track, and natural ability to bring their own flair to the reimagining. With the case of Moonage Daydream, the new single from Reggae group Easy Star All-Stars, they did just that (and then some). Pulled from their forthcoming album Ziggy Stardub, a collection of reggae songs reimagined from David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars, out April 21.
The track is equal parts captivating and sensual, melding together Easy Star All-Stars’ knack for bringing their own reggae infusion paired together with lush vocals by Naomi Cowan, only to conclude with an atmospheric cosmic guitar solo by Alex Lifeson of Rush. “David Bowie is an artist that set many trends for artists of today, musically and energetically–so it was an honour to be approached for this project,” explains Cowan. “His journey reminds us that we’re all limitless beings who can be free to be ourselves.” For Michael Goldwasser, who is the producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist of Easy Star All-Stars, it’s a song that reminds him of his own coming-of-age story. “This has been my favourite tune on the Bowie album since I first started listening as a teenager,” states Goldwasser. “In light of that, it’s interesting that it’s the song that I changed most radically by simplifying the chord progression and peddling on one bass line for the entire track, which gives it somewhat of a hypnotic effect and roots it in reggae tradition.”
As fans anticipate the release of their next album, Easy Star All-Stars will be seen on stages across the UK — like Cropredy Festival, Beautiful Days Festival and Camper Calling.
Moonage Daydream is out now.
