Within less than six days’ time we will see the latest release from Dancehall superstar Sean Paul, Imperial Blaze, which will be one of the most high profile and successful Reggae release of 2009, unquestionably. The former Dutty Cup Crew standout has established himself as an artist the world over and Imperial Blaze should definitely do nothing but add to his popularity and, by extension, Reggae in general. However, there are other artist, on far more familiar scales, who have also aided themselves, in Reggae in general, by raising the bar of their profiles, respectively, in 2009 as well. Probably the first to come to mind would be Jah Cure who, back in April, released what is definitely his most high profile release to date, the very well played The Universal Cure. The album came via SoBe Entertainment (a link which, in theory, would have found the Cure bumping shoulders with a list of artists ranging from Junior Reid, with whom he recorded, all the way to BROOKE HOGAN, of all people), which is a big deal and, despite the fact that the controversial singer had released no less than three albums with Reggae & Caribbean music industry leader VP Records, The Universal Cure now reigns as his most well promoted, albeit not best, release to date. Speaking of VP Records, they definitively raise the profiles and publicly perceived statuses of certain artists just about each and every time they release an album. So far in 2009, to my opinion, the greatest beneficiary of VP’s Reggae unmatchable ‘pull’ has been the ULTRA-TALENTED Queen Ifrica, whose debut on the label, the OUTSTANDING Montego Bay, has taken her from being an artist who previously was only known to the hardest of Reggae hardcore fans, to now being at least somewhat familiar in the minds of the genre’s most casual of observers. The same label also, most recently, worked the tricked in a ‘profile raising process’ which has seemingly been dedicated to Tarrus Riley. Over the course of the last couple of years or so VP has made Riley into pretty much a household name in the scope of Reggae (or even the ever elusive ‘world’ music category) (whatever the hell that means) music and their latest venture with the SMOOTH artist, Contagious is undoubtedly destined to be just as big a highlight as any for him and the music in general. There have also been the cases of people like Ziggy & Julian Marley, both of whom have released albums in 2009 (Family Time & Awake, respectively) and anytime they do anything, given their lineage, its certain to do big things for them also (Ziggy in specific this year as Family Time was almost strictly for the youths). Also, strictly from the standpoint of distribution, I’d also mention Mad Cobra whose SCATHING 2009 album Helta Skelta now enjoys a level or popularity and distribution not seen by a Cobra album in nearly a decade. Big name artists all taken their names to the next levels and with them, the music itself.
But sometimes these things happen on an even smaller level. Probably the PRIME example of this in 2009 has been the Canadian based Culture Brown who dropped a DOUBLE CD release earlier in the year by the name of Poor. Ultimately, although I didn’t think it was the best idea or the best album for that matter, Brown is to be applauded strenuously for taken such an ambitious step and almost certainly there will be a great deal more fans who will know his name at the end of the year than did at the beginning of it. But not everyone has to follow in those type of lines of (overly) ambitious attempts to get their name out their to the masses even more than before Take Mark Wonder or instance who in 2009 now releases what is (by my count) his fifth studio release to date (there was also a live piece in there with WICKED singer Prince Theo, the compilation styled True Stories Of Mark Wonder & Friends, via the INFINITELY SOLID Al.Ta.Fa.An camp. Apparently Mark Wonder has been one of the (if not THE) favourite artists around the Al.Ta.Fa.An station as they seemingly looked up one day and noticed that they not only had an abundance of tunes from the singer but, even more so, an abundance of tunes with the Kingston native alongside other artists. Now this is VERY interesting and I’m sure such a thing may have existed before but I can’t quite put my finger on whom or when but the very fact that one particular artist, already well established in his own right (to the tune of four albums no less) and as a solo artist to just kind of ‘randomly’ record with one label and do so almost exclusively as an artist in combination with other artists. And those said “other artists” aren’t just Jah _______, Ras _______ and _______ Ranks but some really big time and big name vocalists, again, VERY established in their own right (even more popular than our star in most cases). Its also quite interesting that with Minor 7, Flat 5 seemingly out of the way or at least on a hiatus (thankfully in either case at this point), who worked closely with Al.Ta.Fa.An in the past and would have probably released this project on their imprint, Boris Silvera, Anthony Senior and company have footed the bill and released True Stories on their own (with BFM handling the digital side), which is a very nice thing. Al.Ta.Fa.An’s brand of STRICTLY Roots music has always blended well with Mark Wonder’s just as strictly Roots brand of Reggae music. Wonder also, oddly enough, has one of the most soulful voices in contemporary Reggae (I believe I read an interview where he credited some of his earliest of influences as people like Al Green and Marvin Gaye) and it is that quality, in specific, in my opinion (alongside the fact that, at his best, he is WICKED) which so easily and nicely lends him to being a very good singer to compliment (BEAUTIFULLY) another artist (chanters, DJ’s, singers, whoever). Looking down the line of the artists that appear on True Stories is almost endlessly interesting and impressive and , of course, it doesn’t hurt that Mark Wonder, himself, is in fine form making for one top notch project certain to push the name of Wonder and his ‘unknown’ friends.
Of course, if you (like me) buy just about anything that comes across your radar with the word Reggae attached to it in any way, shape or form, there’ll be a few tunes on True Stories of Mark Wonder & Friends which will be quite familiar to you but I’m confident that, for the most part, the lion’s share of the album will be new to most fans (and even if it isn’t, its very good stuff) who are likely to tune in for the attraction of the ‘guests‘. Like Guest #1. Joining Mark Wonder on the STIRRING opener of True Stories of Mark Wonder & Friends is the incomparable Luciano who adds his bit to the album in the form of one of the best efforts here, So Long. When I first saw the name of the song my eyes got wide I’m sire because the prospects of Mark Wonder and Luciano doing a version of the Rastafari spiritual in a tune were downright mouth watering. That wasn’t it but what they do actually push turns out to be SO NICE and a wonderfully serene tune about the travels of the children of Afrika. I can REALLY see this tune doing big things for me personally, it definitely has that type of vibes that I generally find myself being affected by over the long haul to the point where in a few months time I may even regard it as the best effort here. As of now, however, its still right up there. Excellent start, they sound amazing together. Up next and definitely holding the quality up is Fantan Mojah on the Rastafarian affirming tune, Rasta. I knew this song in its original form across Al.Ta.Fa.An’s very nice Immigration riddim (for which they also released an album earlier this year) but Mojah’s presence was a very welcome surprise to me. The chanter ALWAYS gives a big effort and, in this case, he had a little pressure on him because the tune was already top notch without him, with his input, however, it soars even higher to my ears (love that punch line, “I don’t see how they see. . . They say ‘you’, I say ‘we’, I & I a Rasta”). Another big one. Completing the opening is my (EXTREMELY partial) choice as True Stories’ biggest tune altogether, the SUBLIME Still Deh Deh alongside Lutan Fyah. I’ve loved this tune from ever since the first time I heard it on Fyah’s MAMMOTH shot, Phantom War and it sounds here just as good as it did back then. The song is OUTSTANDING and shines brightest here on an album full of stars. Opening = success.
Mark Wonder takes on, and achieves, that well respected ‘trinity’ of superstar Roots chanters/DJ’s of Sizzla, Capleton and Anthony B during the course of True Stories also which is a big addition to the piece. Up first is Capleton who joins in on a remixed version of Wonder’s POWERFUL Signs Ain’t Clear across the lovely Tsahai riddim (aka Receive riddim) now named Where Do We Go From Here. Again, the original was so nice and Capleton does nothing but add to the vibes in a big way (his second verse, I think it is, is MIGHTY) on the big social commentary. Sizzla is next but he comes with a twist as the tune he features on, Don’t Worry, ALSO features German superstar Gentleman alongside Mark Wonder! This tune is EPIC and as far as new(er) tunes is probably the best of the bunch. It’s Gentleman’s second go with Wonder as he also featured on Spiritual Warriours on the Break The Ice album. That tune was EXCELLENT, Don’t Worry is even better! And Anthony B appears on a tune I KNEW would be here, the very nice Don’t Cry which also featured on his excellent album, My Hope from M7F5 back in 2005. And there isn’t much of a let down after them in terms of names! Veteran Everton Blender (of all people) co-stars with Mark Wonder on the cool Ray Of Hope. The tune actually has a very necessary message of not selling out oneself in order to reach your goals but that sound is just so nice that you have to appreciate it from a more superficial level as well. The well traveled Only The Strong which features the aforementioned Lutan Fyah as well as Chezidek also appears. This tune has featured on Chezidek’s album Mash Dem Down and more recently on the ‘curious’ Herbalist and it’s still very good actually so if you haven’t heard it (shame on you) you should definitely check it here. Everyone’s favourite Dutchie Ziggi also joins in for the BIG herbalist tune Ganjah Station. The tune I remember spinning from last year and was impressed (although I don’t think I REALLY listened until I got it here) definitely. The premise of the tune is kind of comedic as Ziggi travels the world searching for the BEST crop of herb and, of course, Mark Wonder has an idea where he might be able to find such a crop! LARGE tune. Daddy Rings begins the final stretch of tunes on the album, as he joins Mark Wonder on the very LUSH sounding Thank You Jah across Al.Ta.Fa.An’s Senior riddim. The first time these two linked, tune name We Shall Overcome (Break The Ice album), proved to actually be a nice hit for both and they definitely give another great effort on the tune giving big thanks and praise to His Majesty, Thank You Jah. I don’t know if I’ve EVER heard Don’t Say No which features big time veteran Junior Kelly and, as I find myself saying quite a bit these days, I’m impressed. Still, you have to expect such results with such a pairing and I even think they could do a little better actually. And speaking of veterans Jah Mali joins in on the closer for True Stories of Mark Wonder & Friends, the romantically vibed When I See You Smile. By the narrowest of margins the tune just misses being corny as hell and drifts into almost undeniable niceness and really - Who in the hell would have thought of putting two singers like Mark Wonder and Jah Mali on a riddim? The planning on the tune, like on most of the album itself, is downright AMAZING and a big way to end matters here.
Overall, look at that list of artists! Seriously! - Sizzla, Luciano, Capleton, Anthony B, Lutan Fyah (twice) Ziggi, Chezidek, Fantan Mojah, Gentleman, Daddy Rings, Everton Blender, JUNIOR KELLY, Jah Mali and even Spectacular’s loud ass (on a nice and inspirational tune name Just Strive alongside Wonder, Mikey Melody and some guy name Satalite)! I mean, even as a general compilation that’s good stuff, much less in a situation where there is one common thread. Of course that thread, Mark Wonder, himself is a fantastic artist and throughout True Stories of Mark Wonder & Friends he is near or completely AT top form. And getting back to the pervading thought of this review, with those lost of artists hear, that WELL ups Mark Wonder’s profile because people who don’t know his name will take a look at it on the strengths of some of their names, alone. When they do that, what they’ll find is an artist who, although he may not be as well known as some of them, isn’t starring the show by some accident or coincidence. He actually has the talents and the skills to back it up.
Rated 4.25/5 stars
Al.Ta.Fa.An
2009
No comments:
Post a Comment