Modern Classics Vol. 7: Never Give Up by Jah Mason

Jah Mason - Never Give Up (On The Corner, 2003)

In this series so far, this now becomes my most controversial installment for sure. Jah Mason has had several albums which many people will claim to be his greatest to date and really with the strong material he has had, it becomes easier and easier to see how one project or another has so hugely affected someone that they will call it his greatest work to date. For me, however, that title clearly belongs to a single album of unusual origins recorded and released back in 2003. Never Give Up was a pretty DARK and MURKY sounding album put together by an Israeli producer, Danny Piloni Kark (who also, RIDICULOUSLY, was the lead producer on the HORRIBLE Notorious album from Turbulence in 2006), and was at least partially recorded in Kark’s homeland. It was so great that it left a probably never ending state of ‘keeping an eye out’ for the producer also but, more importantly, at least for me, it put Jah Mason on a level where he simply could not be questioned from a skill level. You may say that other albums, like Wheat & Tears or Most Royal were better but when analyzed to the FINEST of details, I’d place Never Give Up CLEARLY atop the heap. Yes. It was that good.

#1. Gideon Start

By name, definitely the most fitting of the tunes for the opening effort and perhaps by direction also was Gideon Start. This song very much so makes use of what I like to refer to as Jah Mason’s ‘emotional range’ as he is, without a doubt the most MOODY artist in the current landscape of Roots Reggae (and Reggae in general Reggae). The song itself took listeners on a downright magical journey which was equally bleak as it was inspiring as he declared that even though the war has obviously begun, there were more than enough fit and willing warriours to fight against corruption. (wooly) MAMMOTH!

Line of the song: “Rastafari, still ahgo show dem love from my heart. Keep this inna yuh head like a thought”

#2. Mount Zion High

Another very crazily paced tune which well showed off that aforementioned emotional range of the Mason. The riddim itself is kind of a loopy and fairly standard techno/digital beat but Mason uses it to back his downright serene (and addictive) chorus before diving into the craziness (even before the chorus actually ends). Again, the tune itself was backed in brilliance and that, as you’ll find on most of Jah Mason’s best work, is a combination which often leads to outstanding results. Mount Zion High was DEFINITELY no exception.

Line of the song: “Tell dem crime fi stop, man fi stop die. Caw nuff ah fly low, dem coulda fly high”

#3. They Don’t Luv We

I’ll spare you the even more extreme set up of They Don’t Luv We in terms of the pacing of the tune (because I’m tired of writing about it) and instead tell you that it was probably one of the best displays of Jah Mason’s talents as an artist in his entire career. With the changes he goes through in his music, what typically fits Mason’s style best is a rather ‘flexible’ riddim to (at least attempt to) contain him. There was nothing of that hear, with the riddim being nothing but a base acoustic guitar. Mason simply goes off with a SCATHING social commentary, the ripples of which can still be felt clear after track # 15.

Line of the song: (in the intro) “Some people really left earth and gone a space gone live star. Wah dem a create? A space war?”

#4. Never Give Up

No! I know you want to because you know the tune Most High better but you can’t claim, “RECYCLED LYRICS” in the case of Never Give Up, it was, after all released before that album/tune (which means nothing but I’m going to assume those lyrics were written for this tune first and isn’t that amazing - Using a single punch line and not only getting two tunes out of it but two title tunes no less). This was one just HYPE BRILLIANCE allowing the high stepping and downright ANGRY at times version of the Mason to crush down corruption wherever it hid in a single swipe.

Line of the song: “I never give up, no matter the pain, no matter the stress, mi hail Haile I the highest”

#5. Danger Zone

A nice way to slow things down but, of course, with the Mason they never slow ALL THE WAY down and he doesn’t even approach a complete stop on Danger Zone, arguably the most impressive tune on Never Give Up from a lyrical standpoint. The song just has a very nice vibes at its core with that addictive one-drop and Jah Mason doesn’t draw an inch with the wording on this one, seemingly every word chosen after a day’s worth of deliberations especially at the moving conclusion, drawn in the powerful image of His Imperial Majesty.

Line of the song: “Dem a talk bout dem a shizzle, dem go ‘shizzle my nizzle’. Jah protect me from the snare and the gunman nozzle”

#6. See Them Crying featuring IQUALAH

The best and simply most powerful tune I hear on Never Give Up and one which has stayed with me for what at least seems like such a LONG time. Veteran singer IQULAH made a fan out of me with his co-starring effort on See Them Crying (even more so than on his own solid projects) which so wonderfully aided the Mason in building the vibes. Those said constructed vibes were one which aimed straight towards the ghetto and suffering and, in my opinion, by extension, just general suffering around the world and in the minds and hearts of the masses. Of course, Jah Mason is always prepared to fight it but it was the acknowledgement of its existence which was so powerful here - Even five years later.

Line of the song: “Open up di city, dem a tell mi she dem lock it. Dem haffi run out of town, like money out of pocket”

#7. Kibuts Livication

Apparently inspired by the moment and perhaps his situations, Jah Mason delivered the very odd paced Kibuts Livication which was (apparently) kind of loosely for the natural farming community of Israel (of which maybe Piloni was a member???) which is so often compared to Rasta in terms of the path they walk in life. While the tune has very little, if anything at all, to do with the tune itself outside of the opening, right? The connection is a very indirect one which, instead of going in the tangible sense, Jah Mason makes by uplifting all youths of the world walking the righteous path. Of course, the Kibuts (Kibbutz) would qualify in that order.

Line of the song: “What you thinking when you drinking the beer from them mug? Di youths dem want a change from dem life called thug”

#8. Mother

Jah Mason kind of takes the obligatory ‘Mama’ tune on Never Give Up, Mother, in a different direction of sorts. The song is one of a rare variety in that I would probably go as far as to call it SAD. The song is for (and maybe Mason’s own Mother qualifies as such) (I doubt it though) the downtrodden and horribly forgotten and mistreated Mothers of the world. The song is without a doubt one meant to uplift them but as someone who isn’t a Mother myself (DUH) the very thought of treating my mother like that is sickening, even more sickening, however, is that a song like this was necessary and it definitely was and still is.

Line of the song: “Although you’re far away from me, I’m writing you this letter. Although you’re far away from me, I’m praying things get better”

#9. Caan Lef Mi Woman

Not the first tune like such that he recorded, earlier in his career (and arguably still to this day) Mason was the pre-eminent advocate of being a man of your word and not leaving and mistreating and cheat on your woman. Of course, my strains to fight alleged lyrics recycling wouldn’t work so wrong here but this tune is DIVINE! It pushes some well needed shame in the faces of those men who can’t seem to know a good thing when they find it and likewise, the women too!

Line of the song: “Nah act so greedy, dem nah act so craven. Dem nah go flex like crow, nah live like no raven”

#10. Righteousness

Definitely the clear choice as the second best tune on Never Give Up was the GLORIOUS Righteousness, one of my favourite lesser known tunes of Jah Mason’s entire career. This one was the tune here which REALLY made it a point of give thanks and EPIC praise to His Imperial Majesty. It served no other purpose than that. Giving thanks for the instilling of righteousness into oneself and into one’s community . Can’t (and won’t) argue with that. 3:33 of HUGE vibes.

Line of the song: “Give Jah my all and all, from the depths of my heart! My blessing keeps on growing, coulda neva get cut off!”

#11. Love’s The Way

This one is probably best known because, on first look, it has a very NICE sound but one which isn’t very rare (save for Dean Fraser’s virtually peerless saxophone). Neither rare is the title and general subject matter? Then what made it so good? Of course it was the presentation and if Jah Mason has never made his presentation of an idea then you have no idea in what direction in which he’ll take it. With his own personal ‘self-dexterity’ Jah Mason pushes the tune which initially stacked up as being one of the most ‘shallow’ and ‘boring’ on the album, to being one of the deepest.

Line of the song: “. . .precious like the ornament, dearer than your garment, without no love you TORMENT!”

#12. Life So Joyfull

Nyah drum, sweet ass Nyah drum! Not too different, in terms of the approach from the previous tune but definitely quite a bit sweeter was Life So Joyfull (their misspell not mine) and one of the best tunes on the album actually. This one was literally all over the places with bases being touched in the tangible and emotional senses to the point where you simply could not ignore the tune which built so wonderfully in its intensity throughout. Very appropriate for the Mason.

Line of the song: “Yow so get dis officially, put yourself on no trolley. Jah gave I life Itally”

#13. Dem Gone

When the intro on this one came on you almost knew Jah Mason was going to dust off the DJ chops and climb all over the intense riddim and that’s EXACTLY what he does roughly 20 seconds in. Such a song, because of his style, is never very far from Mason’s natural course of things but every once in a while its VERY entertaining to see that he can go about as wild as the baddest bad boys in the Dancehall if need be. Meet Exhibit A of that.

Line of the song: “EVERY LION WANTS A LIONESS. EVERY LIONESS WANT A LION. NO FREAK! NO GOAT CAN COME HOLD MY HAND! CAAN HIDE CORRUPTION UNDA JACKET AND TIE AND - TALKING TO THOSE WHO HAVE NO ROOM IN ZION”

#14. Watch!

That exclamation mark (both on the CD cover and programmed on the disc) would probably lead you to expect something very much in the nature of the tune which immediately precedes Watch! The tune itself when it gets started also gives you that feel that an ERUPTION is all but inevitable but it never quite gets there and that’s a good thing. The tune which was kind of a ‘tease’ in terms of pacing, had its real strength in the words as the Mason takes thing back to a lyrical degree. Here he warns the masses to simply be careful and observe (WATCH) the things you do as well as others also. Failure to do so can lead to grave situations (and Jah Mason making one cool ass Drum & Bass sounding tune).

Line of the song: “Tru mi divineness well dem know seh dat me skillful. Mi show dem love, mi bun dem grudge mi dweet willful. Well I a lion, some a behave like a pit-bull, mi a ask dem why mankind so neglectful. Mi a ask dem why mankind so rejectful”

#15. Rise And Shine

The closer here kind of sounded how you imagined that it might - Very nice and slow and serene. And you really can’t take an umbrage with that. . . Especially not when Jah Mason dives in on the tune with this big and URGENT voice, almost as if he were trying to SCARE THE HELL OUT OF YOU (literally). Then he dips back into the chorus only to EXPLODE back again for the verses. The son can definitely get overwhelming at times but if you continue to walk pass righteousness and walk past the fact that Never Give Up was the best album of his career, then your ass needs to be yelled at!

Line of the song: “SELASSIE I LOVE AND CARE AND KEEP AND SHARE AND HERE AND THERE! Hey. This ya love ya never smear”

Synopsis:

“Signs of the times. War and rumours of war. Revelation. Fulfillment of prophecy. Aluta Continua. The ancient foundation of Rastafarian life has endured and served its people in their efforts to overcome the forces that would enslave and ultimately destroy the hearts and minds of love. The global climate of war and terrorism, hunger and disease, fear and confusion, needs dire attention if we are to survive the come Armageddon. Jah Mason is a voice in the wilderness whose time has arrived. His message of hope and determination, spiritual and mental upliftment and strength, echo and indeed support the effort of those who came before. Set to rots Reggae with a distinctly fresh world flavour, these dangerous tracks will be igniting and blazing fire all over the musical world”

That appears, on a page of its own, in the liner notes of Jah Mason’s album Never Give Up. What it does is kind of tangibly gives the listener something he/she already knows having heard the entire album (or at least something he/she should know), which is the overall purpose of the album. That much is not in question: Never Give Up is an album striking out against corruption and the powers that be, particularly those who promote and establish largely unnecessary war. That, in my opinion is pretty easy to understand factually unarguable. However, what is in question is the direction or the ‘method’ Jah Mason and company are suggesting we use to tear down war and corruption. I think its very easy to look and listen and just say that Mason wants us to literally go and fight the system, stick and stones style but I think that’s so far missing the overall point. Should you limit your listening of the album to a slightly more superficial level, however, I can see how you can arrive at that point (and that’s not to diss anyone, I probably had the same impression of Never Give Up before I scrutinized it for the sake of this piece) but I don’t think that’s what he says and the reason why is as simple as the cover itself. I’ve always felt (for the past six years or so since its release) that the cover of Never Give Up had more than a “cool” appeal to it. If you really look at it (and it is visible on the one I have here) really closely, you’ll see various Rastafarian faces in the bush surrounding Mason (of the ones I can identify, I believe I see Bob Marley and Prince Emmanuel). To that point, of course, these are not people who support war. On top of that, take in the cover as a whole. Notice, whether by coincidence or by planning, Jah Mason is conveniently out of the way of the light coming up over the trees to the point where the top half of the cover is completely light. Then actually READ the cover as it is ‘written’.

“JAH MASON”

“Hey!”

“never give up”

Again, who knows why but Mason is wearing a shirt which is simply the word Hey! As if trying to get someone’s attention (it got my wife‘s attention as she declared Mason a single man at the time of the picture because “no woman would have let him wear that wrinkly ass shirt on an album cover“). To tell them what? Never Give Up. Now go and listen to the title track: “Never give up, no matter the pain, no matter the stress, we hail Haile I di Highest!”. A man of war doesn’t “hail Haile I di Highest”. Furthermore, Mason COMPLETELY explains who he feels does create war as I pointed out he says prior to singing They Don’t Luv We, “Some people really left earth and gone a space gone live star. Wah dem a create? A space war?”. A SPACE WAR. This (and the way he says it) suggest that Mason believes, and rightly so, that you have those who are actually promoting war, taking war to the proverbial ‘next level’. How can you possibly fight against such an enemy with sticks and stones? With those faces standing behind you, supporting you.

The answer is, of course, that you can’t. Luckily, that’s not even what Jah Mason is suggesting though is it.

“HEY” (YOU)

“never give up”

The fight is definitely one to be fought but the battleground is not a tangible one. It is CLEARLY a mental one. Self improvement, self recognizing, self affirmation are the missiles and bombs in this war from Jah Mason. Even on Dem Gone, the most aggressive tune on the album, he makes sure to mention things like man and woman and the likes. Why? Would having a woman make you more proficient on the battlefield? Probably not but it would give a DEFINITE better chance at improving yourself and at walking a path of righteousness and that is, finally, the war Jah Mason wants you to Never Give Up in ‘fighting’. Of course if you continue to look over this one then you might not know that one. You also wouldn’t know that it is a BONAFIDE MODERN REGGAE CLASSIC!