Video: Don Chani feeds Denton’s insatiable appetite for roots reggae

by Sarah Crisman

The earthy crowd has been spoiled by the Boiler Room of late, with roots reggae acts now playing through town on a regular basis.

Reggae has a rather impressive (though unsurprising) draw within the Denton earth scene, egged on by the Boiler Room's keen booking over the past few months. This week drew in Don Chani, lead singer; and principal songwriter, Mark Shaddock, who spent time in Jamaica as a teenager and it's served his music well. His voice is exactly what reggae should sound like -- but it is the Latin-influenced drumming of Jacob Benenate (Dr. Dubbist) and powerful groove of bassist Nico Sanchez juxtaposed against three guitars (Erick Bohorquez, Oney, and Mike Franklin), Matt Jacobs on keys, Jason Frey on horns, and Chris Nerren backing the vocals that completes the sound. Don Chani captures the "warm, organic sound" of '60s-'70s reggae-- with an added Latin punch that makes it rather danceable. The band recently released its first album From the Hilltops and a corresponding dub album, Dub the Hilltops. I imagine we'll be seeing them again in town soon.

Learn more about Don Chani and further goings-on at the Boiler Room.