Hailing from Morgantown, West Virginia (and proud of it!) Rasta Rafiki 
throws down a blend of roots reggae and rock-codified blues changes with a 
light echo of oldtime mountain music-although I may be the only one 
to hear that- on their third album "Stream of Consciousness" (Blue 
Duck).  Obvious influences include Grateful Dead and early Wailers, but 
the double-Rs have moved into their own sound over the years (their first 
album came out "way back" in 1992) and on the title track sound like West 
Virginia's answer to Third World. Although this set of all originals may 
be a little less reggae-rooted than earlier works, Jah vibe is still the 
thread that ties it all together.  Three minute and 58 second "Changes 
Calling" is timed for radio play, but for most of the rest of the set the 
band does what it does best- gets into a groove and goes with it for 
eight or 10 minutes.  My favorite is the seven minute and 21 second 
"Congregation", which tags out hypnotic and experimental, like Burning 
Spear with a whammy bar. [Blue Duck Records, 2020 Smallman St., Twin 
Plaza Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222; (412-261-4414] The Beat Vol. 14 
#5, 1995