Fermin Muguruza
's first solo album is even more incendiary than his previous blast of rock en Basque with the group
Dut
-- or perhaps, ska, dub, reggae, rock, and some electronica might be a more apt description. If anything, he's widened his political scope to a more global view than the Basque focus of his debut, and along the way he brings in plenty of guests, including fellow traveler
Manu Chao
, who provides the melody and the programmed ringtones to "Maputxe," England's
Mad Professor
, who provides a dub mix of the opening "Urrun," and
Angelo Moore
from
Fishbone
, who's in his ska element on "Newroz," a song about the Kurdish New Year. But they're only part of the party -- L.A.'s
Aztlan Underground
contribute to the house-heavy "Nazio Ibiltaria Naiz," while
Todos Tus Muertos
let loose on a cover of
Toots Hibbert
's reggae anthem to prison, "54-46." The vision, however, is entirely
Muguruza
's -- he sings lead, plays a lot of the guitar, and wears his political heart pinned brightly to his sleeve. He's essentially the grandson of
the Clash
, with the same passion for reggae and ska beats, and the son of global punks
Mano Negra
. There's a fire in his belly, and plenty to say about the state of the world, even beyond his own borders, pulling in the global musical styles to fit his needs and make his points about the downtrodden everywhere. Pure, true punk for the new millennium, as well as real world music. ~ Chris Nickson