A couple of years back, Reggae industry leader, VP Records, delivered one of several pieces of news which had so many fans looking forward to the results, two of which REALLY stuck out for the sake of this review: The first was that, once again, the label had resumed ties with Dancehall legend and superstar Bounty Killer, and were/are in the process of producing what would be the ‘Warlord’s’ first album since his last deal with the label which produced the double project that was Ghetto Dictionary (The Mystery & The Art Of War), way back in 2002. The other relevant piece of news also included Bounty Killer as it was to release the very first of albums for his crew, The Alliance. Of course, Bounty Killer is big news but I have to be honest, the prospects of an Alliance album, which at that point would have included the likes of Vybz Kartel, Busy Signal, Mavado, Elephant Man, Aidonia and, of course, Bounty himself, amongst others (including the WICKED Einstein and Flexx), was downright salivating and even though that pack has taken a bit of a hit since then (no Kartel, no ’Donia), it still is actually. While the question of when (or if) either of those projects will reach the market is still up in the air, the simple propositioning of the Alliance album would have been quite interesting. In the past, we’ve seen albums from established and semi-established crews who kind of operated as solo artists also. Both Monster Shack and the Bounty Killer ‘sponsored’ Scare Dem crews had albums (Monster Party from 1998 and Scared From The Crypt from the following year, respectively). However, with Ward 21 and T.O.K notwithstanding, things just haven't been very populous on the group side as far as albums.
But that isn’t say that the prospects of such a project are entirely dashed if we don’t ever get that Alliance album (and I do think it will be released at some point considering that the most famous members of the group, including Bounty, are all signed to VP also). Of course, the next logical step would be the aforementioned Vybz Kartel’s Portmore Empire camp (and wouldn’t he just LOVE it if that group produced any type of worthwhile album BEFORE The Alliance) and that is a definite possibility (especially considering they drop a mixtape for someone in the camp almost every other day). Also, you could take yourself out of the realm of merely thinking about Dancehall. Sizzla’s Judgment Yard camp would also be a nice bit, boasting talents like Congo Judah, Zoom Raggidy, Joseph Shepherd and even Junie Platinum these days. Now, of course, as has been the finer part of the past decade or so, you can’t bring up the name Sizzla without bringing up the name Capleton for some comparison sake and if/when there ever is a FULL FLEDGED August Camp album, Sizzla would have been ‘outdone’ in that respect by his elder peer, King Shango, as quietly as it may have been, its something he has already explored and quite awhile ago actually and with pretty nice results. Capleton has always linked himself with a WELL hidden bunch who although they DEFINITELY had quite a few solid names here and there (‘solid’ in the sense of talent, most fans probably wouldn’t know their actual names as artists I don’t think) but they haven’t REALLY received the type of popularity one would think being consistently associated with such a powerful figure as himself. The collective, known as David House, has, however, had a hand in producing some BIG members, most notably was Jah Mason who spent quite a bit of his early days at David House and also Fantan Mojah, who did the same (Jah Cure as well). There was also, more recently, potential superstar Munga Honourable, who remains, at least in part with David House (and other part, with Don Corleon). However, those who are more FULLY engrossed in the mission of David House have been names like Jah Thunder, the HEAVY talented Military Man, Capleton’s own brother Lil Capes at times and crazy voiced singer Moses I (and biggup Jah Malo as well). It was those core group of members that Capleton seemingly wanted to feature a great deal on the groups album back in 2001, the now incredibly difficult to find, Kings & Warriors: Capleton’ School album. Although the album had an apparent flaw (which reveals itself only nine tracks deep), to me, this is just BIG material, even in theory before scrutinizing it musically. And one can only help but wonder exactly how a such thing would sound if it were afforded a sequel in this day and age and exactly WHO would be featured as the ranks of David House, much like those of The Alliance, haven’t always necessarily been the most publicized, as far as up and coming artists for the most part. A revisit to Capleton School would DEFINITELY be a big thing and, even if it didn’t introduce any substantial new names, it would definitely reintroduce a few that should, at this point, be far more familiar to the casual Reggae fan. However, if it never is readdressed (and it probably won’t be, although I wouldn’t be surprised in either case) the album proves that with proper planning and, even more important, proper TALENT such a project can be very very interesting and just downright GOOD.
Just as much as Kings & Warriors: Capleton School was a showcase for Capleton and David House, it was also a showcase for Reggae veteran Lincoln ‘Style’ Scott who does the production on the album under his Lion & Roots imprint (distributed by Naïve). Essentially what you have here are various members of the DH camp (and one good friend) (more on him in just a second) taking their respective turns on top of Scott’s riddims. Getting things started on the album (DUH!!!) is the same person who you thought would take opening honours when you saw the cover alone, as Capleton himself gets the opportunity to deliver on the riddim which is the most populous on Kings & Warriors, the Time, with the riddim’s title track. Despite the few standouts on the riddim which jump in after the next tune, Capleton still definitely gets the greatest shine on the peace and not surprisingly so. Many people might know the tune as it was later featured on a BIG Dub Syndicate (with whom Style Scott is a member) double CD project, Rasta Far I. The tune, inherently (meaning the riddim mostly) doesn’t have that big, stereotypical and anthem-like sound for which Capleton is so famous, however, he creates that same vibe almost completely on his own and its typical TOP LEVEL material for Capleton and a nice start. Capleton, however, like everyone else on the album is outdone by the only artist on Kings & Warriors who I know is not a member of David House but definitely a good friend, Luciano, whose offering, the MAMMOTH One In A Billion, literally shows up David House on their own album! This song is so damn NICE that its literally worth the price of admission on its own (luckily, it too appeared on the Rasta Far I album from Dub Syndicate, so you can find it readily available SOMEWHERE) and its standard Luciano far - giving a MIGHTY praise to His Majesty as only he can. EPIC shot and the best tune you’ll find on Kings & Warriors. Completing the opening to the album is (surprisingly) the only artist on the album to be featured on two tunes (two solos no less), David House veteran Moses I, with Ready For This World, the stronger of his two efforts. I remember seeing Moses in person for the first time and he is this TALL and royal looking brethren and never would you expect him to sing like that. He has definitely used those Martian styled vocals to his full advantage in his career and the inspirationally vibed Ready For This World is definitely one of his better efforts ever and a nice way to punctuate an excellent start.
By far the most interesting aspect of Kings & Warriors, and presumably, any album like such is the showcasing of the young talents. Of course it doesn’t hurt that, in this case, the album is almost a decade old so we’re now more fully up on the ‘young talents’ because they’re not so young anymore! By far the one which sticks out the most glaringly is Jah Mason who returns to the Time riddim (Moses I takes on another composition which reappears later on K&W) with his BIG and knowledge filled tune, Rise & Survive. The Mason’s voice sounds half an octave higher on the tune (to my ears) but it’s the same old agitated ass Jah Mason with a big message that its time for the youths (Rasta youth in particular) (although Mason is known for saying that EVERYONE is a Rasta) to take over and RISE. Big tune lyrically and overall. The wickedly talented veteran of David House, Military Man also checks in with his own piece across the Time riddim, Fire Light. Military Man is always interesting to me for several reasons. Not the least of which is his undeniably high talent level but also he kind of has this very easy appeal to him. When at his best, he almost naturally slows things down on such an album and gives a very earthy and kind of ‘everyday guy’ type of vibes. He doesn’t have the flare of the Mason or Capleton and he simply hasn’t had that type of career at this point and nor does he capture you with his voice like Luciano or Moses but his vibes are ALWAYS top notch and Fire Light, which expectedly takes a minute or two to really grab but a big tune still. I BARELY recall the name Gideon, a rather fragile voiced chanter but he does quite a BIG tune alongside former DH member, Prince Pankhi (spelled both ‘Ponkeye’ and ‘Pank Hi’ on Kings & Warriors) on their combination Nuff Nuh Dub on of the best tunes on the album definitely. Another curiously voiced member of DH, Jah Marcus, checks in next with Chant Wi Chanting. I’ve heard quite a bit of Marcus over the years and I probably have yet to hear a single tune which I didn’t too much like and this one is no different. I do have to say that his voice ESPECIALLY takes a bit of getting used to but its definitely appreciable and I like it! And lastly are two members of David House who I don’t know of AT ALL, Joseph I (who sounds very familiar) and singer Jah Bless (who doesn’t). Even this tune, Mountains of Blessing, although clearly not one of my favourite on the album, has its nice points. Joseph, who pretty much runs the tune, would have quite a bit of work to do on his skills but its something about the combination that strengthens his weak spots and makes the tune more than just okay.
Now, that’s it! Nine vocal tunes. The final four songs are dubs, which certainly isn’t a problem and would be right within Style Scott’s area of expertise with Dub Syndicate and all but I do wish that there were more tunes here (especially considering there aren’t ANY tunes from Jah Thunder who may not have been with the camp at that point, however). The tunes dubbed out are One In A Billion, Ready For This World, Fire Light and Nuff Nuh Love (all samples of each of the album’s four riddims) and, unsurprisingly, just as with the vocals, the best tune is still One In A Billion.
Overall, should you, somehow, someway be able to track down Kings & Warriors (and you won’t) its definitely worth spinning. Back in the days when I would order from almost any body online, I don’t recall seeing it with any of them and it was only within the past two years or so that I came across it. However, I’m sure there are copies laying around for sale somewhere as anything OFFICIAL wearing the name Capleton, even eight years ago would have been well printed, although clearly not as well circulated. The album gives a very nice insight as to how something from The Alliance or The Empire or Judgment Yard might end up being. For what it is, if those camps are able to produce anything like what David House did with Kings & Warriors (only longer), well then the anticipation for any of them, would be well worth the results.
Rated 4.25/5 stars
Naïve
2001
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