Jeff Spevak

@jeffspevak1

The feel-good, reggae syncopated beat never goes away. But Steady could almost be Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad’s rhythm and blues album.

The Rochester quintet celebrates the release this week of Steady with a Saturday concert at Zeppa Auditorium at the German House Theatre, 315 Gregory St. The show is the final one of the band’s 19-date tour, which took it down the East Coast and out West, before returning to western New York.

Elements of R&B have long been a part of reggae. Jamaicans eagerly absorbed the sound into the stew of jazz, calypso, ska and other elements that became the island’s signature music. And GPGDS has been adept at taking it even further. But the R&B feels particularly evident here. Perhaps effective is the better word. Steady, The band’s fourth studio album also maintains the Grateful Dead vibe of a 13-year history of reggae accented with jam-band guitar solos, psychedelia, electronica and Americana, which the band showcased on its 2012 release Country. Giant Panda is following up on that Americana side of its personality with a similar release next year.

With with Giant Panda, there’s almost a need to label the sound, like Picasso’s Blue Period.

Three original band members — guitarist-singer Dylan Savage, drummer Chris O’Brian and bassist-singer James Searl — are joined on Steady by a third lead singer and multi-instrumentalist, Dan Keller, and keyboardist Aaron Lipp, who’s since left the group; he’s been replaced by Tony Gallicchio, who does appear on two of the tracks

The all-original material is mostly new. The call-for-peace “Solution” and the streetwise tough guy of “.45” have been a part of the band’s live show for a while. As has the understandable crowd pleaser, “Mr. Cop,” and its plea for understanding: “They’re calling up the cops ’cause it smells like ganja, they’re breaking up the party ’cause it smells like ganja.” See, they’ve been working all day, so cut ’em a break and let the guys smoke some herb. What could be more reggae than that?

The doors open at 7 p.m. with a free beer tasting for 21-and-over attendees by Rochester’s Three Heads Brewing. GPGDS plays two sets, starting with an 8 p.m. Americana show. Mosaic Foundation and quickly quietly follow, before Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad finishes the night with an electric show. Tickets are $15 advance, $20 the day of the show, are available at eventbrite.com.

JSPEVAK@DemocratandChronicle.com

Twitter.com/JeffSpevak1