Over the years I have accumulated through my own means, what I have bought and what so many others have given me, a VERY nice collection of Reggae music albums and singles alike. I have so much material that I almost routinely run into things in my own possession which I not only have never heard before, brand new CD’s and LP’s in their original sealing plastics and details, but things which I have not even HEARD OF before. Likewise, were I to take such pieces even to radio stations throughout the Caribbean and Jamaica directly, there’s a pretty good chance that music directors of those stations haven’t heard of these artists either. Of my more recent finds (in my own collection, mind you), perhaps the most impressive remains the SPARKLING Mykal Somer from out of St. Kitts. His album, Element of Surprise, I found in its original seal and dug into to what turned out to be one of the most Reggae debuts that I’ve heard in the past half-decade or so and we’re definitely looking forward to hearing more from the singer in the future. There’s also someone like Guyanese chanter Ras Mac Bean whose debut album, Pack Up & Leave STILL manages to find its way into my players every so often. RMB actually has since managed to maintain a nice name for himself as he has found a home with Frenchie label Irie Ites (who also put out the album), releasing singles for virtually all of their very nice riddims and hopefully we can finally see a full length sophomore album from Bean at some point this year (more on him in a bit). There’s also one name Heart Ah Joy from UNUSUALLY TALENTED Sabbattical Ahdah from out of St. Croix who I have heard bits and pieces from through the years (including a combination with Anthony B), but never matching the BRILLIANCE shown on the album. Sometimes, these things work out even better and I’ll get something from someone seemingly on the highway to success. Such was the case when I got two albums from one of Ras Mac Bean’s countrymen, Natural Black, named Spiritual Food and World War. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then you know about Natural Black’s successes since, as he has made himself into a CONSISTENT force in Roots Reggae music over the past few years (and recently, they released Spiritual Food digitally, World War is still quite hard to find, however). Other pieces still, such as the very hard still hard to find debut albums from Nadine Sutherland and Chevelle Franklyn (Nadine and Joy, respectively) as well as very hard to find albums from the likes of Norris Man (including Unity, a combination with Determine), Queen Omega (one of my greatest finds) and, of course Sizzla Kalonji. Simply put: I have some gems!
Mind you, if you impress me ONCE, I’m VERY HARD to let down. I say that to mention roughly a span of a month or so back in what was probably either 2004 or 2005 where I received three VERY good albums from three VERY unknown singers to me at the time while living in the states. One of the three was the aforementioned Pack Up & Leave from Ras Mac Bean from out of Guyana, for Irie Ites which, as I mentioned is still up and going and is very strong these days. The second was from another artist who would definitely fit into this category, the very talented singer Mark Wonder, named Break The Ice for UK based label (I THINK) Redbridge) . Since then, Wonder has remained prominent and become even more so with the release of another album, Victory: The Mystery Unfolds and recent word of yet another album coming in 2009, produced by the very reputed production crew Al.Ta.Fa.An, definitely looking forward to that. The third in the bunch was apparently a very good friend of Wonder’s, Prince Theo, who was a COMPLETE unknown to me. Prince Theo put out his own debut album (and only to date so far), the very impressive Set The Captives Free on Trinity Records throughout Europe via one Jahmaik, also the lead producer on the album (alongside Prince Theo himself). What attracted to me to Prince Theo was that he came well into the same style of singing as several of my favourites, Bushman, Natty King and, of course, Luciano, as being a baritone voiced Roots singer. That, in contrast to Mark Wonder CRYSTAL CLEAR high vocals, and Ras Mac Bean’s varied singing (although VERY IMPRESSIVE at times, in his case) and chanting style, just stood out and, of course, in my opinion it was a bit of a proven formula as far as getting my attentions. Prince Theo’s sticking points didn’t stop there exactly as he also had a connection (which is probably why ANYONE might know his name if they didn’t pick up on this album and hadn’t heard of him since) with Reggae super group Morgan Heritage and he had appeared on the group’s Family & Friends compilations, both volumes one and two (I think there may have been a part three as well) with tunes which appear on Set The Captives Free. This album would have been one of the final ones which I actually PURCHASED completely without hearing a word of (this was back in the day online when they just didn’t have sound clips and you’d still be fairly hard pressed to find audio clips of this album somewhere online) and I was WONDERFULLY surprised with the results. Although Set The Captives Free was his first official debut studio album, the St. Thomas native Prince Theo did have a previous release with the aforementioned Mark Wonder (which I’m still looking for) which was a live set in Switzerland, where both are apparently VERY popular (and Jahmaik is Swiss also apparently), starred by Wonder, where Wonder was apparently the star but was opening the door for Theo who is apparently now a star in the northern European country as well (like Cali P now as well, big artist). Set The Captive Free remained on my players for approximately a year or so and, just like I do still do today, I told just about any and every one who would listen about the singer. The album has since become one of my absolute favourite pieces to draw for occasionally, making it truly a diamond in the rough of modern Reggae music albums.
The first thing you’re certain to notice about Prince Theo is his excellent voice. Again, much in the same style as Luciano or Bushman or Natty King or Prince Malachi, Prince Theo has a very full and rich baritone voice. To my opinion I would say that, of those singers, the one which Theo most closely resembles vocally is probably Luciano (his tone tends to change more than the others). Vocally getting things started out on his debut and to date only studio album is Prince Theo with the very SOLID and SMOOTH Jah Never Leave Us. This song has one SWEET SWEET vibes behind it which really go to make the overall tune sound stronger. When Theo does reach the riddim, he introduces himself as a very strong singer and songwriter who, with this tune, delivers a very inspirational and uplifting sound for the masses. The tune is a sleeper on the album and may be one of the best here altogether. The word ‘may’ isn’t necessary for the next tune up, the title track, which proves to DEFINITELY be amongst the class of the album named after it. This tune is just so well done and was the one I would most often point to in championing the ‘cause’ that was Prince Theo. The tune peaks near the beginning of it when the Prince just starts naming off certain pivotal figures in the history of the Afrikan Diaspora, in and out of Jamaica and the Caribbean by extension. Such a powerful tune is Set The Captives Free that, even just sitting here today, I wonder what it might be able to do RIGHT NOW, given the proper promotion behind it. Of course, I’ll never know the answer to that, but what I do know is that is a big tune here. Finishing things off for the beginning of Prince Theo’s debut album is another CLEAN (just the prevailing feel to the vibe on this one CLEAN and REFRESHING, despite the familiar style) sounding tune, the newly freshened tune, The Music. This one comes in sounding downright SPECTACULAR at the beginning and it turns into a tune sounding like something directly out of Luciano’s catalogue, spiritual and highly meditative. The tune is basically an ode to the music and the vibe and it’s force is one which would surely make ‘the music’ quite proud. You have to see why I like this after this outstanding opening.
The two tunes on the album that Morgan Heritage are definitely amongst the CLASS of Set The Captives Free. The first. Giving You All, rolls through on the Buss Barriers riddim (Mass Media from Capleton also on the riddim) and is another tune sounding like Luciano is behind the mic. It is one of the (not THE) best lover’s style tunes on the album and definitely check that one. It is topped, however, by what is, in my opinion, the album’s finest tune altogether, Can’t Forget The Times which comes on the Morgans’ HUGE Liberation riddim (Capleton’s MAMMOTH Jah Jah City on the riddim). This tune is a repatriation and general suffering anthem, at its core, which finds the typically SOAPY Prince Theo getting a bit GRIMY with the nature of the tune. It definitely carries a bit of a different vibes than most of the other tunes and, truth be told, maybe it’s the riddim that just does it for me, but I LOVE this tune, always have, always will. WONDERFUL vibes! The only other tune here not produced by Jahmaik or the Morgans is the WICKED Show Some Love, credited to one Lincoln Thompson (who I’m guessing is the same as the late Prince Lincoln Thompson of the Royal Rasses, even though he would have passed before it‘s voicing) and features two unnamed guests (they are credited by name, N. Clarke and C. Stephenson but not as artists). The tune is just ROCKING over a nice up-tempo riddim with an addictive and consistent nyah drum hidden in the back. I don’t know who the friends are, again, but the first of them is very impressive with a very strong (but short) verse before the next guest (who maybe a female) takes their shot as well. Show Some Love is a big unifying vibes, not to be missed here. Another special guest, who also goes unnamed chimes in later on the tune Children Beware, but this one, Mark Wonder himself, is far more familiar to my ears. Children Beware is another very powerful tune as the duo reminds the ‘children’ (meaning EVERYONE) to be conscious of their surroundings and to be observant and obedient of The Almighty. Another highlight I would point to going back would be a song like Love Has Got Me which is easily the best of the lover’s tunes on Set The Captives Free, which, at the risk of sounding too repetitive, sounds EXACTLY like something Luciano would sing and is actually singing on the tune here. It’s just a sweet tune definitely the ladies will appreciate. Jah Rules is another SMOOTH Roots anthem definitely worth checking as well. Getting into the second half again, Chant A Bingi Song HAS TO be regarded as one of the best on the album as well. This tune comes in with a high stepping type of vibes built around that ironclad one-drop which doesn’t waiver even for a second. The tune is a praising vibes for His Majesty and I’d stand behind it. Big song! Born To Be A Lion is kind of one which is polarizing because what I’ve found in playing it for people is either they absolutely love it or it’s the worst tune on the album for them! Incidentally its also polarizing for me, sometimes I find it kind of corny and at others I’m loving the vibes. Right now? Loving it! Give Love A Chance is another one vibed like Show Some Love (in terms of message, he actually says “show some love” in the hook”). Although it doesn’t reach those heights on that wicked song, its not that far behind and as far as a BASIC Roots track, its about as strong as it gets of a straight forward nature on Set The Captives Free. And ending things on the album, Prince Theo gives us the long awaited changeup with African Dreams. This one is definitely something different! I’m assuming it’s the same poet from Show Some Love (although neither N. Clarke nor C. Stephenson are credited in the liners for the tune) and, as a whole, I’d rate African Dreams a stronger tune between the two. The tune is vibed like an Indian/West African stringy arrangement over which the Prince and the mystery poet deliver a DIVINE piece of history and knowledge of AFRIKA! Seriously, if you happen to be a person of Afrikan descent (and I am) the piece will pull such a heavy vibes with you I’m sure. Excellent way to end things with what is undoubtedly one of the album’s finest offerings in full (and I LOVE when that heavy drum picks up at around 2:20 into the tune).
Overall, do yourself a favour, be you a fan of modern and maybe even old school era Roots Reggae music and track down Set The Captives Free by Prince Theo. I always keep an eye out to see what he has doing and he has kept quite busy, particularly in Switzerland, although no new album has jumped out and I haven’t heard anything about one forthcoming, although he would seem to have enough material to support it. I would love to see Prince Theo involved in the future project with Mark Wonder and if/when he does put out something else, I’d also like to see him do a combination with Natty King who would be his neighbour in ’the East’ (as they both say) and perhaps even Swiss based recent Gwada standout, Cali P in the future. The possibilities with someone who is so CLEARLY talented as Prince Theo are literally endless. However, just as I said, most of the even hardcore Reggae heads, even here in the Caribbean have virtually no idea who he is. Do you? If you don’t Set The Captives Free is an excellent place to start. One of the most ‘worth it’ hard to finds you’ll ever hear. Very impressive!
Mind you, if you impress me ONCE, I’m VERY HARD to let down. I say that to mention roughly a span of a month or so back in what was probably either 2004 or 2005 where I received three VERY good albums from three VERY unknown singers to me at the time while living in the states. One of the three was the aforementioned Pack Up & Leave from Ras Mac Bean from out of Guyana, for Irie Ites which, as I mentioned is still up and going and is very strong these days. The second was from another artist who would definitely fit into this category, the very talented singer Mark Wonder, named Break The Ice for UK based label (I THINK) Redbridge) . Since then, Wonder has remained prominent and become even more so with the release of another album, Victory: The Mystery Unfolds and recent word of yet another album coming in 2009, produced by the very reputed production crew Al.Ta.Fa.An, definitely looking forward to that. The third in the bunch was apparently a very good friend of Wonder’s, Prince Theo, who was a COMPLETE unknown to me. Prince Theo put out his own debut album (and only to date so far), the very impressive Set The Captives Free on Trinity Records throughout Europe via one Jahmaik, also the lead producer on the album (alongside Prince Theo himself). What attracted to me to Prince Theo was that he came well into the same style of singing as several of my favourites, Bushman, Natty King and, of course, Luciano, as being a baritone voiced Roots singer. That, in contrast to Mark Wonder CRYSTAL CLEAR high vocals, and Ras Mac Bean’s varied singing (although VERY IMPRESSIVE at times, in his case) and chanting style, just stood out and, of course, in my opinion it was a bit of a proven formula as far as getting my attentions. Prince Theo’s sticking points didn’t stop there exactly as he also had a connection (which is probably why ANYONE might know his name if they didn’t pick up on this album and hadn’t heard of him since) with Reggae super group Morgan Heritage and he had appeared on the group’s Family & Friends compilations, both volumes one and two (I think there may have been a part three as well) with tunes which appear on Set The Captives Free. This album would have been one of the final ones which I actually PURCHASED completely without hearing a word of (this was back in the day online when they just didn’t have sound clips and you’d still be fairly hard pressed to find audio clips of this album somewhere online) and I was WONDERFULLY surprised with the results. Although Set The Captives Free was his first official debut studio album, the St. Thomas native Prince Theo did have a previous release with the aforementioned Mark Wonder (which I’m still looking for) which was a live set in Switzerland, where both are apparently VERY popular (and Jahmaik is Swiss also apparently), starred by Wonder, where Wonder was apparently the star but was opening the door for Theo who is apparently now a star in the northern European country as well (like Cali P now as well, big artist). Set The Captive Free remained on my players for approximately a year or so and, just like I do still do today, I told just about any and every one who would listen about the singer. The album has since become one of my absolute favourite pieces to draw for occasionally, making it truly a diamond in the rough of modern Reggae music albums.
The first thing you’re certain to notice about Prince Theo is his excellent voice. Again, much in the same style as Luciano or Bushman or Natty King or Prince Malachi, Prince Theo has a very full and rich baritone voice. To my opinion I would say that, of those singers, the one which Theo most closely resembles vocally is probably Luciano (his tone tends to change more than the others). Vocally getting things started out on his debut and to date only studio album is Prince Theo with the very SOLID and SMOOTH Jah Never Leave Us. This song has one SWEET SWEET vibes behind it which really go to make the overall tune sound stronger. When Theo does reach the riddim, he introduces himself as a very strong singer and songwriter who, with this tune, delivers a very inspirational and uplifting sound for the masses. The tune is a sleeper on the album and may be one of the best here altogether. The word ‘may’ isn’t necessary for the next tune up, the title track, which proves to DEFINITELY be amongst the class of the album named after it. This tune is just so well done and was the one I would most often point to in championing the ‘cause’ that was Prince Theo. The tune peaks near the beginning of it when the Prince just starts naming off certain pivotal figures in the history of the Afrikan Diaspora, in and out of Jamaica and the Caribbean by extension. Such a powerful tune is Set The Captives Free that, even just sitting here today, I wonder what it might be able to do RIGHT NOW, given the proper promotion behind it. Of course, I’ll never know the answer to that, but what I do know is that is a big tune here. Finishing things off for the beginning of Prince Theo’s debut album is another CLEAN (just the prevailing feel to the vibe on this one CLEAN and REFRESHING, despite the familiar style) sounding tune, the newly freshened tune, The Music. This one comes in sounding downright SPECTACULAR at the beginning and it turns into a tune sounding like something directly out of Luciano’s catalogue, spiritual and highly meditative. The tune is basically an ode to the music and the vibe and it’s force is one which would surely make ‘the music’ quite proud. You have to see why I like this after this outstanding opening.
The two tunes on the album that Morgan Heritage are definitely amongst the CLASS of Set The Captives Free. The first. Giving You All, rolls through on the Buss Barriers riddim (Mass Media from Capleton also on the riddim) and is another tune sounding like Luciano is behind the mic. It is one of the (not THE) best lover’s style tunes on the album and definitely check that one. It is topped, however, by what is, in my opinion, the album’s finest tune altogether, Can’t Forget The Times which comes on the Morgans’ HUGE Liberation riddim (Capleton’s MAMMOTH Jah Jah City on the riddim). This tune is a repatriation and general suffering anthem, at its core, which finds the typically SOAPY Prince Theo getting a bit GRIMY with the nature of the tune. It definitely carries a bit of a different vibes than most of the other tunes and, truth be told, maybe it’s the riddim that just does it for me, but I LOVE this tune, always have, always will. WONDERFUL vibes! The only other tune here not produced by Jahmaik or the Morgans is the WICKED Show Some Love, credited to one Lincoln Thompson (who I’m guessing is the same as the late Prince Lincoln Thompson of the Royal Rasses, even though he would have passed before it‘s voicing) and features two unnamed guests (they are credited by name, N. Clarke and C. Stephenson but not as artists). The tune is just ROCKING over a nice up-tempo riddim with an addictive and consistent nyah drum hidden in the back. I don’t know who the friends are, again, but the first of them is very impressive with a very strong (but short) verse before the next guest (who maybe a female) takes their shot as well. Show Some Love is a big unifying vibes, not to be missed here. Another special guest, who also goes unnamed chimes in later on the tune Children Beware, but this one, Mark Wonder himself, is far more familiar to my ears. Children Beware is another very powerful tune as the duo reminds the ‘children’ (meaning EVERYONE) to be conscious of their surroundings and to be observant and obedient of The Almighty. Another highlight I would point to going back would be a song like Love Has Got Me which is easily the best of the lover’s tunes on Set The Captives Free, which, at the risk of sounding too repetitive, sounds EXACTLY like something Luciano would sing and is actually singing on the tune here. It’s just a sweet tune definitely the ladies will appreciate. Jah Rules is another SMOOTH Roots anthem definitely worth checking as well. Getting into the second half again, Chant A Bingi Song HAS TO be regarded as one of the best on the album as well. This tune comes in with a high stepping type of vibes built around that ironclad one-drop which doesn’t waiver even for a second. The tune is a praising vibes for His Majesty and I’d stand behind it. Big song! Born To Be A Lion is kind of one which is polarizing because what I’ve found in playing it for people is either they absolutely love it or it’s the worst tune on the album for them! Incidentally its also polarizing for me, sometimes I find it kind of corny and at others I’m loving the vibes. Right now? Loving it! Give Love A Chance is another one vibed like Show Some Love (in terms of message, he actually says “show some love” in the hook”). Although it doesn’t reach those heights on that wicked song, its not that far behind and as far as a BASIC Roots track, its about as strong as it gets of a straight forward nature on Set The Captives Free. And ending things on the album, Prince Theo gives us the long awaited changeup with African Dreams. This one is definitely something different! I’m assuming it’s the same poet from Show Some Love (although neither N. Clarke nor C. Stephenson are credited in the liners for the tune) and, as a whole, I’d rate African Dreams a stronger tune between the two. The tune is vibed like an Indian/West African stringy arrangement over which the Prince and the mystery poet deliver a DIVINE piece of history and knowledge of AFRIKA! Seriously, if you happen to be a person of Afrikan descent (and I am) the piece will pull such a heavy vibes with you I’m sure. Excellent way to end things with what is undoubtedly one of the album’s finest offerings in full (and I LOVE when that heavy drum picks up at around 2:20 into the tune).
Overall, do yourself a favour, be you a fan of modern and maybe even old school era Roots Reggae music and track down Set The Captives Free by Prince Theo. I always keep an eye out to see what he has doing and he has kept quite busy, particularly in Switzerland, although no new album has jumped out and I haven’t heard anything about one forthcoming, although he would seem to have enough material to support it. I would love to see Prince Theo involved in the future project with Mark Wonder and if/when he does put out something else, I’d also like to see him do a combination with Natty King who would be his neighbour in ’the East’ (as they both say) and perhaps even Swiss based recent Gwada standout, Cali P in the future. The possibilities with someone who is so CLEARLY talented as Prince Theo are literally endless. However, just as I said, most of the even hardcore Reggae heads, even here in the Caribbean have virtually no idea who he is. Do you? If you don’t Set The Captives Free is an excellent place to start. One of the most ‘worth it’ hard to finds you’ll ever hear. Very impressive!
Rated 4.75/5 stars
Trinity Records
2004
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