I Just Don't Get It: A Review of Escape From Babylon by Alborosie

Maybe its by some grand design, perhaps to keep me from getting too big headed that the fact that you need not AT ALL gain my approval to make it in Reggae music is reinforced to me. Almost as often that I find an artist who I feel has such a GREAT future in store for them, I find a next artist who either leaves me COMPLETELY befuddled as to how they’ve attained such a status and such a following that they have or one whom I simply DISLIKE as an artist. And while I definitely enjoy spend more time talking about the those who impress and continue to impress me to some degree, every once in awhile there comes an artist of whom I’m by no means the biggest fan who rises to such a level that he/she/they become downright IMPOSSIBLE to ignore. The prime example and the one I most often draw for in such a discussion is Morgan Heritage. Although I find myself these days liking the Morgans more and more (due in no small part to the fact that most of them are currently pursuing solo careers and so far, I’ve liked what I’ve heard), historically speaking for the better part of the last decade or so, I just haven’t been able to appreciate their vibes and I’m almost completely at a lost as to why. I think it may have something to do with the my perception of them making somewhat of a ‘poppish’ blend of Reggae (think UB40 to some degree) but that doesn’t actually make great sense, I just do not know why the Morgan Heritage camp has constantly stayed off my radars despite being CLEARLY prominent and one of the (if not THE) most popular Reggae group in the entire world and their obvious skill level. Another artist in that same mold would be young Gyptian. I had kind of been on the fence in terms of him exactly because I did actually like some of the earlier material that he brought but in retrospect, he NEVER remained an artist who I had a great feeling for consistently and now that, although still being somewhat in the developmental stage, he is what he is and I don’t ever visualize a moment where Gyptian will be anywhere near relatively close to being one of my favourites and of course, he’s not the only one (Anthony Cruz). In the Dancehall, things are even more crowded with names who I just don’t get or just don’t like (as artists). I could go on and on with names like BLING DAWG, Chino, Danny English, Alozade and who knows who else (Hollow Point, Jagwa)? Some of them are decent, they really are, some of them I’m just neutral on and some of them still, are just AWFUL (in my opinion) and in any case, I just don’t get the attraction.

However, sometimes I do get it to a small degree because, of course, musicians and artists are people and thus, come with extra ‘baggage’ even before making it into the studio. Such would be the case of the subject here, Alborosie, whose background and story is about as interesting as anyone currently on the Reggae landscape. The Sicily born Alborosie has been one of the most popular European acts over the course of the past half decade or so and in doing so has even managed to attract TANGIBLE attention on the other side of the pond. That is thanks in no small degree that, for the most part, he literally picked up his base of operations and moved to Jamaica in order to further his career and open himself up to more and more opportunities. This move led to him dropping some pretty BIG tunes such as Kingston Town, Herbalist and Rastafari Anthem. Someone who stands out as easily as Albo does definitely attracts attention quite quickly in Jamaica, figuratively and literally, and soon it was to the point that his popularity had risen to such a degree that the record labels came calling for the possibility of an album. Now what reportedly happened with his situation is quite remarkable as UK Reggae giant label Greensleeves, apparently thinking that striking a deal with the Sicilian Reggae star was imminent (either that or they SERIOUSLY wanted to impress him), released a tune of his, the aforementioned Rastafari Anthem, on their Biggest One-Drop Reggae Anthems 2007 album (he was also on the previous year’s edition) as well as featured him on the accompanying DVD. And when negotiations reportedly fell apart, it seemed as if Greensleeves had just done someone else a HUGE favour by introducing the artist to the masses. They actually ended up doing Albo himself the favour as he would go to release his own debut album, Soul Pirate, last year on his own Forward Recordings imprint and it was quite commercially successful throughout Europe. But, with Greensleeves having been sold to VP Records last year, the link was made again and, unsurprisingly, completed as it was announced earlier this year that VP had signed the artist to Greensleeves and planned to release his sophomore album this year. Well, if you were waiting for it, that time has come as Alborosie releases his album Escape From Babylon through GS. The album features some familiar tunes and some which I haven’t heard at all (and I, admittedly, haven’t been paying such great attention to Albo’s output) and in general to be honest its very well put together and you really wouldn’t expect anything less from VP/Greensleeves. But something, for me, just isn’t right! I’ve never really been too impressed with Alborosie’s music and, much like in the case of Morgan Heritage (although I think even would agree that to a lesser degree), I definitely recognize that there is a talent there and I believe Albo is into his 30’s already, thus, I wouldn’t expect a big change of vibes to come from him at some point, he too is what he is at this point (and even more so than Gyptian), but I don’t like it very much. However, with the links he has made and the status that he has attained for himself in his time, particularly in Europe and definitely in the Caribbean as well, Escape From Babylon becomes one of the more anticipated Reggae albums of the year by the masses. As for me, just going into it, I could really take it or leave it but lets see how he does, shall we.

So, with his back story and history definitely interesting, what about Alborosie’s music may not vibe with me too well? Well, first of all, unlike several other European artists and general non Caribbean people who take up the music, Albo didn’t do so with the usual style. Instead, for the most part, his music resembles Roots Reggae done in the 1970’s, so it isn’t as transferable immediately. Case and point would DEFINITELY be the opener of Alborosie‘s new album Escape , America which, to me at least, just isn’t very striking for better or for worse. Another thing which QUICKLY develops in my mind when listening to this tune in particular is that lyrically, Albo just isn’t very impressive. I think DELIVERY is definitely left up to interpretation but lyrically speaking, he kind of vibes and writes in kind of a clichéd method. That being said, however, the vibe generated by the SWEET riddim on America is well worth checking. And I’m going to say EXACTLY the same thing about the tune next up, No Cocaine. The delivery here is a bit more natural (although it takes a minute to get a hold of) (for both listener and Alborosie) and pretty much on every level No Cocaine is a ‘better’ tune than America, however, its still nothing too special and if you listen to Reggae with almost any type of frequency, you’ve probably heard a few dozen tunes (at least) on a similar vibes. That being said, I’m still calling the somewhat catchy ganja anthem one of the better tunes on Escape From Babylon. The final tune of the opening three, Mama She Don’t Like You is CLEARLY the best of that bunch and, by extension, one of the better on the album. At times it kind of funny and it definitely has a strange sound (I guess you might be able to call it Ska) and it happens to feature someone who actually has caught my attentions, young I Eye. The singer is a protégé of Alborosie’s partner and co-producer of the album, longtime veteran producer Clinton ‘Specialist’ Dillon and she well adds a nice forceful yet feminine direction to the tune which blends nicely with Albo’s normal. . . Stuff. All in all its an okay start and I probably was expecting less.

I found myself kind of drifting through Escape From Babylon trying to find something which caught my attentions and naturally I started on the two other combinations. The first features none other than the late and great Crown Prince of Reggae, Dennis Emmanuel Brown and is a take on one of his tunes, Can’t Stand It and I just don’t like this tune. Of course, I appreciate the effort and the actual attention to detail to make such a thing happen but Albo dominates the balance of the tune and there just isn’t much special in his bit. As I mentioned, I have definitely grown an appetite for the Morgans as solo artists and one of them chimes in on Escape From Babylon, Gramps, on the tune One Sound, which is clearly one of the best songs on the album to my opinion. This one just has a very nice sound and I love the chorus where Gramps shines and Albo does well also and although some of his lyrics are, again, kind of clichéd Reggae, I think the tune, Gramps and himself sonically both overcome that. It wasn’t until I headed back towards the head of the album when I found my choice as the album’s best tune and lo and behold, it happens with Alborosie all on his own. Global War probably lacks a clear direction (as do most tunes on Escape From Babylon) but it’s one of the tunes here (like One Sound) which sounds so good that it makes me not even care! (Sounding like Gregory Isaacs at times) The tune seems to kind of relate quite a bit of Alborosie’s own personal journey to where he is now and who he has become (and it sounds VERY familiar) and in its own little way it does accomplish that and it does sounding so nice! Big tune without question. The next solo tune which caught me as being quite nice was Dung A Babylon. This one is kind of corny and I’m almost surprise I kind of liked it but WHO CARES! Again, from a purely sonic standpoint the tune is well catchy (especially the chorus) and although Albo does struggle with the lyrics to my ears (more on that in a second) I think the overall vibes of the tune makes up for it. Now, I do have to mention a tune which has been getting quite a bit of attention and even before the album released, I Rusalem. This tune has to be one of my LEAST favourite on the album and it all boils down to the lyrics (musically it, as well as 100% of Escape From Babylon to my opinion is on point) as it just DOESN’T DO ANYTHING! The song says very little in the way of tangible (or even implied) solidity, “Give thanks and praise to The Most High Jah”, “Don’t lose yourself”, “Money the root of all evil”, just BUILT on the carcasses of well worn clichés that any Reggae head is likely to be tired of to the point of actually criticizing when such a thing is done and done with virtually no bright spots. As Alborosie’s Escape From Babylon winds down he manages to avoid any such missteps as I Rusalem but he also manages to avoid a BIG tune and most of the final five tunes are very AVERAGE. The music on Humbleness is DIVINE! But Albo just doesn’t do much with it outside of clichés; Promised Land is a LITTLE better than Humbleness but strictly from a sound standpoint (the delivery is amongst the best on the album) but that isn’t saying much to me here; Mr. President is VERY close to being BAD and Operation Uppsala, while definitely one of the best of the final few isn’t very strong either. The closer is exactly what you would have guessed it to be if you’ve been following Roots Reggae albums recently, a Nyah drum piece name Likkle Afrika. And I’ll sum it up like this altogether: For what it is, Likkle Afrika is probably either average or slightly below average but its STILL one of the best tunes I heard on Escape From Babylon. Take from that, what you will.

Overall, I hoped to either do one of two things in scrutinizing Alborosie’s Escape From Babylon for the sake of this review: I either wanted to see what the fuss was about and see why so many people had become a fan of Albo’s or I wanted to know EXACTLY why I’m not such a fan of his and I failed MISERABLY on the former but I fully understand the latter now. The reason I feel that I’m just not feeling Alborosie’s music is because it seems like he’s just trying too hard. As I mentioned several times, his lyrical ability isn’t to where you might think it would be if you’ve never heard his music and only heard how many people react positively to him - a great deal of it deals with really REALLY tired subjects and metaphors that make their way around mediocre average everyday run of the mill Reggae singers and CERTAINLY not ones who have VP contracts. When you take that and compare it to someone like Gentleman, Ziggy or even the late Natasja as ‘outsiders’ and particularly Europeans and they all had more of a natural feel for their own particular styles (ESPECIALLY Gentleman to whom Alborosie is most often compared) and it didn’t have that kind of a stale and MECHANICAL sound at times to it, its more dynamic and moving. I will say, however, for Alborosie’s fans, that Escape From Babylon isn’t WORSE than what I’ve previously heard from him and as I’ve said I wasn’t a fan then either. So you will probably like it just as much and definitely I wish you well with it. As for me, and you reading this whose tastes usually are somewhat like mine, I just can’t get too far into Alborosie. Great musical choices and productions but I kind of wish someone else was doing the singing.

Rated 2/5 stars

Greensleeves Records

2009

CD + Digital