New Artist of The Month: Meet Spyrow!

Spyrow

Meet Spyrow! If you've at all been paying attention to my blog and my reviews in general, you've undoubtedly noticed that I keep a steady eye on French Reggae and often times those artists who comprise the very top levels of the French Reggae scene are from France, itself, or more likely, from the very Reggae rich French Caribbean. Particularly Martinique and Guadeloupe run that scene and serve as a virtual 'distribution center' for French Reggae artists to France and worldwide. However, with artists like the late and great Lucky Dube, of course the ever-present certified genius that is Alpha Blondy and, more recently Tiken Jah Fakoly, the continent of Afrika itself also serves as a vast resource of French Reggae. Thus, when bonafide potential superstars like Lyricson and Takana Zion emerge, you shouldn't at all be surprised. Nor should you with the newest potential Afrikan Reggae superstar from out of Côte d'Ivoire, Spyrow. First impressions can go quite a far way with me so when the VERY FIRST thing I hear from you is a WICKED tune across one of my favourite riddims of recent years, the Purple Ting, you've just scored a goal in my opinion. Such was the case with very first tune I heard from Spyrow, Millions 2 Militants:

The song was the definitive highlight of Spyrow's recently released debut album (as far as I know), Jahmo Jahmo. Jahmo also is apparently the name of his band and the name of his label also.

The album also other very familiar sounding tunes including a very nice piece in English by the name of Everyday which utilizes Don Corleon's TIMELESS Drop Leaf riddim. Although the albums is only ten tunes, it features a few nice songs as, aside from those previously mentioned, other standouts include, the BIG Positif (which Reggae heads will also recognize), Sans Abris, N'abandonne Pas and pretty much every tune on it is a winner to some degree. Spyrow, to my opinion, fits in quite well with other modern French chanters such as Tiwony, in terms of style. He also shows a very 'rough around the edges' type of quality which is very nice and transferable in his music, giving it a very 'earthly' feel to his vibes. And apparently his stage show is pretty good also:

So, keep an eye and two ears out for Spyrow and Jahmo and check out the album (available on pretty much all major digital retailers). Potentially the next big thing coming from out of Afrikan Reggae. AND!!! As a bonus, check out the new video for Yekloyehoun [Love Each Other] which apparently just dropped a couple of days ago. Big tune.

Spyrow @ Myspace