Big Sugar, one of Canada's best known bands, latest release "ALKaline: Extra Long Life" is both classic Big Sugar and a departure for the band. Since their debut with 1992's Big Sugar, the band, headed up by Gordie Johnson, have delivered heavy, hard-hitting blues-rock albums. Although the band has always been influenced by dub and reggae, it has never been so blatantly obvious.

"ALKaline" has taken ten classic Big Sugar tracks and two new ones, and remixes them in a dub style, many of them are played before Big Sugar concerts. The result is an album that is smoother and more mellow than what you would normally expect. The sound is hazy, layered and somewhat gritty, with heavy beats making it perfect music to chill to. Big Sugar has stretched themselves artistically and has created an album that is spiritually powerful.

The album is unique for several reasons. Firstly, it is very rare that bassist Garry Lowe takes over lead vocals. It is also the first of their albums that is primarily instrumental. Also the first time that reggae is so prominent. It's not as classic as a Bob Marley album, but it's reggae nonetheless. It is probably one of their best albums for both its artistic departure and its flowing, refreshing sound. All in all, satisfying for both fans of reggae and fans of Big Sugar