Naturally Speaking :A Review of Naturally Black by Natural Black

Maybe its due to my own severely flawed memory or maybe I wasn’t paying a very good deal of attention (highly unlikely) but the Reggae albums from 2008, in terms of quantity, were very thin compared to previous years. I take this strange account (if I am actually correct) to be due to two different set of circumstances, both of which definitely contributed to the lack of albums as a whole and probably contributed to the fact that, at least in general, 2008 wasn’t a nice year in terms of expansion for Reggae music (and in retrospect the little bit last late last year and the little bit in the short 2009 has probably been more than most of 2008 altogether). The first of these reasons, in my opinion, was the fact that several things which were supposed to jump last year just never materialized as the year progressed. The most notable of these for the hardcore Reggae heads was probably the extremely elusive Bounty Killer & Alliance Crew albums as VP Records had previously signed up Bounty and his famous crew (as they already have Alliance members Mavado, Busy Signal and Elephant Man (with Bad Boy) under solo deals alongside the Killer) for album releases. That now seems in peril as two of the most talented and popular members of the group, Vybz Kartel and Aidonia, have since been formally ousted. Also in that same boat of no-showing was Bounty’s longtime rival Beenie Man whose departure from major label Virgin seemed to clear the way for his return to PURE Dancehall in album form, also for VP. Capleton (now wayyyyyyy overdue), Junior Kelly, TOK and even a delay in Anthony B’s subsequent release (Rise Up) were also absent from the schedule of 2008. The other major factor contributing to not so heavy Reggae shelves last year was the fact that the typically OVER active lights seemed to essentially take the year off. Case and point: Between two hallmarks of the practice of over-saturation, Sizzla Kalonji and Turbulence, there was ONE lone new studio release (not counting that pirated garbage put out by Jetstar/Charm/Rude Boy Records every year) in the form of Sizzla’s nearly awful Addicted from Drop Di Bass, while Turbulence, for the very first time in his career, didn’t release a single new album. Want more? Anthony B, Jah Mason and Luciano, all of whom are typically good for at least two a year were simply one and done (although in the cases of Anthony B and Luciano, the results of the ‘one’ were nearly spectacular). While we did receive nice bits from the likes of Richie Spice, of course Etana, Messenjah Selah and Fantan Mojah later in the year for roots and very welcome surprises from Vybz Kartel and Munga Honourable in the Dancehall, things just didn’t seem to be status-quo in 2008 in terms of releases. Maybe it was the economy?


And tiptoeing behind the scenes were a couple of very popular artists who definitely kept things hot for the MOST hardcore of Reggae heads. Besides Midnite (meaning Vaughn Benjamin) going full on with their/his ridiculous amount of albums there was also Lutan Fyah who struck one of the biggest chords late in the year with MASSIVE double album, Africa, arguably the single best Reggae album of 2008 which followed his first Live release, Lutan Fyah: Live In San Francisco (both for 2B1 Records). And, for the most determined, they also found a release from Natural Black. I pretty much assumed that, following a couple of breakout years which saw his very first and second release in successive years for Reggae major label Greensleeves, that Natural Black would probably be taking the year off in terms of releases (he did have some very nice single releases throughout the year as is his norm) especially considering what the lion’s share of his peers did. Also, eventually one of these days it would be quite nice if VP Records themselves might take a ‘chance’ on the Guyana born chanter and maybe even a return to his own home base label, Vizion Sounds, as a followup to 2007’s Cool Nuh Black, both of which may be possible (although doubtful and HIGHLY so in the case of a VP album) in 2009. Regardless, while we wait for one of the more accessible labels to wake up, Natural Black chimed in with the VERY solid and equally VERY hard to track down, Naturally Black for Rad’s (which I also get confused with Tad’s) out of the UK. I can honestly say that this album was a COMPLETE shock to me in coming forth as, is the case with approximately 95% of albums which turn out to be true and WORTH A DAMN, there was no promo copy, I don’t even know if they even made a promo and my experience with the label in particular is quite limiting having previously only known of it releasing rather obscure greatest hits compilations. However shady their methods of promotion may be I, and quite a few Reggae heads I imagine do owe quite a big thank you to Rad’s for ensuring that we wouldn’t have to wait an entire year with out a form compilation of Natural Black’s work. The result of their labours is Naturally Black (an album with a title which is downright ASTONISHING that Black hasn’t already used previously) which, as quiet as it was, was still one of the most all-around SOLID Reggae albums to be found in 2008 altogether. The album features Natural Black’s work from a variety of producers, in a compilation style basically and it definitely does a fine job in doing that. It also just happens to link one of my absolute favourite Natural Black tunes of recent times, which I just KNEW would go outside of the spotlight of potential labels and producers to make it on an album giving it the wider exposure which it deserves. The thing about Natural Black’s albums and with his music in general is that he, along with a VERY select few, exercises quite a bit of ‘quality control’ which is why I feel his music maintains itself as some of the most consistent in the game. CONSISTENT being the word of the day here because in the case of Naturally Black, it may not be as BIG as some of his others but it may be his most satisfying set from beginning to end to date.


As I always say about Natural Black, his most impressive and unique quality is his ability to so wonderfully convey his PERSONALITY through his music. He may actually do kind of the stereotypical roots tracks which he has been criticized for in the past (and not by me, I don’t feel that way) but his vibes are truly HIS own, no one in the game could make Natural Black’s diverse music sound as good as Natural Black, a quality not ALL of his peers share, definitely. Getting the quality started on the quality brimming Naturally Black from Natural Black (by my count his seventh studio album to date) is the somewhat cryptic lover’s tune (not really) Special Loving, his cut of the WICKED Pure & Clean riddim. The tune is on the surface merely a lover’s tune where Black and his special woman are facing obstacles in the way of others not thinking their love is true and/or appropriate but it also has somewhat of a socially conscious air about it which is really either of my own creation or is downright intoxicating. In either case, wonderful opening with one of the album’s finest tunes altogether. Next up is the BIG sounding and not very cryptic at all, Free. This one is even better than the opening! To my ears it’s a repatriation anthem as Black says to become from the “shackles and chains, fortunes and fames” of Babylon and we all know the only way to do such a thing is to return HOME. Regardless of what he meant, the very fact that it is written in the way that it is written and allows for someone like myself to make such a connection and not sound TOO stupid, is a credit to the lyricist for pulling such a big vibes on the tune definitely. Why Can’t We is charged with closing this wonderful opening doesn’t disappoint AT ALL. Coming across Al.Ta.Fa.An’s ULTRA familiar Senior riddim (probably the second best tune on the riddim after Chezidek’s LARGE Leggo Dutty Babylon Ways) Natural Black weaves a very nice message about the world just really dropping all the negativity and NASTINESS in the world and just incorporate more LOVE in the nature of things. Really things would be much better definitely. As for the opening of this album, I can’t imagine it being much better on the whole.


As I mentioned before the real highlight of Naturally Black comes in the form of a tune which I figured to be all but damned but is definitely one of my favourites from the chanter in the last couple of years, the WICKED Nubian Business. The tune comes across the well bouncing Africa riddim and is just SO SMART that it alone here really goes to show both Black’s overall power and value as an artist as it is a VERY CLEVER tune about simply minding one’s own affairs and staying focused on the task at hand; an unfortunately NECESSARY message today. EPIC tune, the album’s finest. Nicely set, the second best tune follows conveniently with Gideon (Move). Playing brilliantly over Super Sonic’s saxophone heavy Devil’s Angel riddim the tune fills the large shoes of its predecessor quite well with a tune which is just so lovely and so powerful at the same time making it quite easily one of the best on the stacked album. Keeping things high, the very lovely tune which follows the album’s best two tracks, Wanna Tell You I Love, is also quite the attention grabber as it just happens to come across the Rub-A-Dub riddim, my choice for the single best riddim of 2008, period, from Kemar McGregor. BIG BIG lover’s tune there, seriously no tricks and twists like Special Loving, just straight forward lover’s rock genius. If the tune Free weren’t actually meant to be a repatriation tune, then the role is taken more clearly by Africa We All Ah Reach, which just so happens to be a stronger tune as well. It has a much more of a quietly forceful feel to it over a SENSATIONAL riddim. Skipping ahead a bit (and I will go back) check the MASSIVE repatriation tune Continent For An Island. That’s WICKED! That’s the type of tune EXACTLY which I say that only Natural Black can voice like that, there isn’t a tune like this if he doesn’t sing it although it seems straight forward enough, its literally soaking in his personality and all of his little spins which simply don’t appear outside of brilliance and may never have existed actually. One of a kind definitely. Going back (told you I would) check Mother Nature across Mario C’s beautiful Adam & Eve riddim which for me went quite unnoticed when it did reach on that riddim and I’m very thankful that it reappears here, where its one of the best tunes on Naturally Black. Looking back to the lyrically deep is Every Time I Hear The News which is downright odd and, at the same time, stereotypical and quintessential Natural Black. The bouncily addictive vibe is an anti-violence track speaking more directly to the powers that be and the youths of course. You spin that one a few times and that chorus will stick to your brain like glue. Guaranteed! You Don’t Wah Hear is a tune to the hardest of ears who have too much pride or stubborn faith to take a minute to just settle and listen to the wise. And besides that, the tune has DIVINE remake of some old school R&B riddim which blows up into a LUSH Dancehall one-drop which is one of the best backings on Naturally Black. Preserve Yourself is such an unusual but TRUE message which comes across an old school Dancehall vibes. The tune speaks to the MAN to preserve himself (absolutely no daggering sir) for his princess. I can’t be hypocritical and say that I followed such a thing but in this day and time it would definitely cut back on so many negative things. Preserve yourself! Listen To The Voice is another classically vibed tune across the Deep Love riddim (which I’m almost sure is a remake of some older piece I FRUSTRATINGLY cant quite recall). The tune is another one to those who have a difficult time listening but this time a far different and more powerful voice, the one from inside. Given the tunes before it I can’t at all complain about the closer, Burn Out, being a straight forward hardcore Dancehall track AND, its not a bad one. I appreciate the changeup definitely in this situation, Naturally Black needed something to spice things up and give it an edge. Mission accomplished with Burn Out to send us on our way tuned up and ready for action.


Overall, yeah, you’ll definitely find ’BETTER’ Natural Black albums, most notably Far From Reality, but will you find one COMPLETELY better done. I don’t necessarily think so and a very strong case could be made that Naturally Black is the finest album he has done to date. Regardless of where you fall on that side of the fence (due to the overall star power of Far From Reality, I’m on that side, at least for the moment) you have to admit that Naturally Black is just a FUN roots album, which is rare quite honestly. Natural Black’s ability to REALLY give his listener the feeling that he himself is having a good time making the music and he really BELIEVES in what he says, pushes his music across the border in my opinion. Every time you get the opportunity to listen to him at his prime, roots Reggae fans should jump on it and Naturally Black is no exception. One of the best Reggae albums of 2008. Naturally.

Rated 4/5stars
Rad's Records
2008