When north and south unite, you gotta love it.
That’s the idea behind Skanks Roots Project, the side group of Tribal Seeds frontman E.N. Young and Central Valley toaster DJ Skanks.
The pair corralled a crew of homies from both ends of the Golden State and blended it into SRP, which performs Friday night at Casa Sorrento. Also on the bill are Janelle Phillips, Aloha Radio and Wakane.
As the name suggests, there’s a whole lot of skankin’ going on. The groove is straightforward, head-nodding island vibes. No exceptions.
The twist is DJ Skanks leisurely, quasi-throwback flow. It moves at a lowrider’s pace and threatens to maneuver off-beat at any moment.
Skanks acknowledges that it’s almost “spoken word” on “Positive Minds,” the opening track to 2014’s Gearthy. The flow translates surprisingly well to the stage, where Skanks’ pregnant pauses lend to the band’s steady-handed soul.
On “Life Undefined,” Skanks is contemplative. “My life is just a little bit undefined/ and because of the grind/ I’m drinking finer wine,” he rationalizes.
“State of Trees” is your standard ode to sweet-sweet sensimillia. They don’t want no more wicked Babylon, which is totally relatable. Skanks’ delivery enters Tone Loc territory, deliberate and deep-bassed.
“Music Saved My Life” is as aggressive as they get. Here, the horns punctuate the drops, and the guitar licks have a more serious tone. Vocalist Eddie Blunt grabs the mic to deliver his love letter to the groove.
It’s proof that no matter where you are on the map – east, west, north or south – easy skankin’ is accessible, and Babylon can kick rocks.
SRP, JANELLE PHILLIPS, ALOHA RADIO and WAKANE 9pm Friday, Oct. 30. Casa Sorrento Pizzeria, 393 Salinas St. Salinas. $8 advance. 757-2720.