Christos DC & The Ligerians – Live Right – Review

February 23, 2025

Christos DC & The Ligerians Live Right Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com.

The second single from the forthcoming album by Christos DC and the Ligerians is a change of the expected from the first track that was released – but shows the versatility of the matching of these artists.

Live Right, released via Soul Nurse Records and Honest Music Production, is a departure from their previous release Shadow of Perception – an evocative, brooding, and somewhat unsettling track. Here, we’re treated to something gentler but albeit with the same powerful elements.

Once again, Christos DC and the Ligerians have delivered a rich and intricate sound. Here, the main key is major – albeit cleverly using variations off the root (notably the seventh, like old skool Dancehall) to make the track sound like something is building. However, the use of a minor key on the bridges is effective.

Then, the instrumentation is arranged around traditional Roots devices. Keys run a bubble rhythm that has pleasing variation at the end of some bars. The bass runs a drop-beat rhythm, often skipping the three but also being absent for several beats at points – creating a real sense of breathing space. Drums run a one drop, with the kick focusing on the ups as the snare and hit hats tinker – while additional rolls on the cymbals add atmospherics.

Guitars are also central to Live Right – as one skanks, while another runs occasional riffs with some pleasing bending and also keen attention to detail in terms of notation. There’s great use of an electric organ, filled with vibrato and employing some soulful riffs then chords. The use of extra percussion like a washboard works very well – while pattering bongos finish off the arrangement perfectly.

It’s also the engineering which make Live Right so good. There are flashes of reverb at just the right level to give the feeling of Dub. This is compounded by some great synths and samples – while the overall arrangement plays into this with some very pronounced and almost otherworldly breaks. The synth horn works well, too: it’s shrill and rasping, performing rapid-fire runs and seemingly improvised riffs – bringing some traditional Roots flavour but with a modern twist.

Christos DC is on point with his vocal. Across the track, he delivers a light and airy performance – perfectly matching the equally light and airy arrangement – where at points he is almost breathless in his delivery; like he is gently whispering to the listener to compel them to action. He works well around the upper end of his vocal range – on occasion tipping up into a falsetto – but it never sounds forced. He has made good use of melodies, while delivering gently-swaying rhythms which play into the lilting arrangement.

Lyrically, Christos DC has also provided us with a veritable sermon on how to live a righteous, honest, and faith-centred existence – while avoiding the trappings Babylon would have us fall into. The narrative ties the bow of all the other elements, finishing off proceedings perfectly.

Overall, Live Right is a strong offering as a second release from Christos DC and the Ligerians – and again, bodes well for the full album.