"The Chant" by Sizzla Kalonji

"The Chant" by Sizzla Kalonji [AfroJam Music]

1. Chanting Rastaman

2. Jah Made It Possible

3. How Come featuring Jah Seed

4. Put Away The Weapons

5. Zimbabwe

6. Hungry Children

7. System Crash

8. Look What's Happening

9. Smoke Marijuana featuring Wippa Demus & Halloway

10. Love Selassie I More

11. A She Mi Love

12. Something Special

13. Chant

The already LOADED first quarter of 2012 just made itself even more attractive by adding what has to be, at least in my opinion (although Midnite fans . . . yeah), its crowning jewel as set to release studio album #3,653 is the incomparable Sizzla Kalonji with "The Chant". The album comes via the international label, AfroJam Music from out of Germany (with Groove Attack also on the distribution), but has its roots in an entirely more familiar source, Caveman with Everton 'Dr. Cave' Moore. The same structure which helped originally give the world what has become one its most powerful musical gifts EVER, returns to also deliver one of Sizzla's increasingly most anticipated sets in a very long time.

"Caveman Culture Sound Vol. 1"

A couple of ago, the label pushed "Caveman Culture Sound Vol. 1" which was a compilation set featuring recordings from Sizzla, Lutan Fyah, Norris Man, Natural Black and the likes and both of Sizzla's offerings from that set, 'Hungry Children' & 'Zimbabwe' are also featured on "The Chant" (as well as one or two other familiar pieces). Also and even more importantly, fans can look forward to music which, at least presumably, will show hints of that original and vintage, classic Kalonji style. If this does happen, if you even approach it, well then what we have here will be special - without a doubt. It is that very possiblity which makes this one an album not to missed. Reportedly the physical release will also include lyrics to each tune and a word from esteemed writer, John Massouri as well.

I have a VERY good feeling about this one and I'm well looking forward to getting my hands on it. Exercise good common sense and do the same if you're still on the planet on February 17 when Sizzla Kalonji's new album,"The Chant", reaches stores.

{Note: We've also seen February 21 as a release date and I usually go with the latest date}

{Note 2: Bredz . . . MADNESS!}

Rewind!: A Second Look & Listen to "Black Gold" by Toussaint

"Black Gold" by Toussaint [I Grade Records]

Today we take a look back to what was definitely one of the most interesting (and perhaps THE most) and best releases of 2010 and an album which I hadn't picked up in a minute until quite recently. This was an album which, wonderfully, got quite a bit of attention and, looking back, in terms of being what it was and when it was released, it was probably one of the most gripping albums of its time and it also figures to have a nice 'charge' to it as well as we'll still occasionally get messages from readers not only interested in the music, but still VERY passionate for it, nearly a year and a half on. "Black Gold" by Toussaint.

Toussaint The Liberator

1. 'Nobody Knows'

Still the best. While it was surely well received, I don't know that I ever read anything from anyone who appreciated this song as much as I did. For me, it is the 'title track'! If you come here looking "GOLD", you'll find it as soon as you start listening to this album in the form of this absolutely DAMAGING opener, 'Nobody Knows'. All this time later - what really sticks out now is the kind of 'broadly personal' nature of the tune. It now comes off as a presentation of thoughts more so than a written out and performed tune (which is what is actually is). Of course, there's a spiritual element to it, but that side is even active primarily in the mind. Very, very UNIQUE song.

"Nobody knows what I did today

Only me and The Most High"

2. 'This Song'

And from that conversation with "The Most High" was born -'This Song'. Here's another one which I recall immediately enjoying from the very first spin through. This tune is just full of discussable points and moments, not the least of which is the examination of the actual subject of the song, 'this song'. The "song" can be called a few different things in my mind. It's a song, it's an idea, it's a memory, it's a theme - So many different words fit into it and allow the song to still make perfect sense and I think what is at the song's core is INSPIRATION. It's a song very much about seeking inspiration and acting upon it as well.

3. 'Roots In A Modern Time'

In terms of the music on the album, I think that 'Roots In A Modern Time' so wonderfully expresses the situation of the album (and I believe it was the original title of the project also) in terms of how an album which sounds like this comes to be in the spectrum of Roots Reggae music (more on that later). But in digging deeper (because that's just what we do around here), the most fascinating word here is "Roots" because when you listen to the tune, it's clear that it's a synonym here for LIFE. The song isn't an examination of the world in reference to the music (or is it?) - but it's making a musical link between those Roots and to life and that is a MIGHTY notion.

4. 'Be You'

'Be You' has gone onto become the signature tune from this album and it's no surprise why. It was the first single from the album and there was a video (which should be in here somewhere) and it was just a very nice and vibrant song. Past the obvious, it also brought in concepts of inspiration and ORIGINALITY and, at least for me, it was a celebration of uniqueness and you could take that in so many different directions, but the one I go to is the idea of beauty and how wonderfully fucking beautiful the world is because everyone is at least a little different from everyone else.

5. 'Sunshine In Morning'

'Sunshine In Morning' is a song which will make a quick impact on the listener because it's a GLOWING tune. On a superficial level, it's easily one of the most sonically pleasing tunes on the whole of "Black Gold" (and that riddim is SPECTACULAR!). When you're able to get passed that, however (if you're able to), the message here is just as vivid as the 'aesthetics' of the tune. Be patient!

6. 'Hello My Beautiful'

We can call this one a "love song" because that's what we do with this kind of tune, but it's so much more. For me, I don't know that I ever paid as much attention to the sound of 'Hello My Beautiful' - it's . . . very odd and I mean that in a good way. It sounds worn and kind of rough at times, but in there somewhere is a polished and repolished tune which almost sounds like something out of some kind of movie. It's very BIG and dramatic and one of the most shocking moments on the album.

7. 'Black Gold'

The album's title track, now, is one which I find just almost over-filled with a sense of pride. The premise of the song and the title of the song are both concepts which are built on it.

"The faces I see starring at me-

In Grandma's collection of pictures

A treasure-trove to behold, nuggets of gold

And there lies the reason for my existence"

Toussaint will mention bad things and situations ["I come from mental anguish, malnutrition"], but they're COMPLETELY overthrown by this pride which is inborn and a birthright! This song is amazing and if it were set sans music at all (even though I do like the music), it would still be - it's a very message-driven beauty in this case.

8. 'Look Up'

I haven't gotten much further on 'Look Up' because I . . . pretty much overthought my way through it the first few times I heard it. It's a song for the Afrikan Woman and I'm still so very much interested in the way the tune is constructed and arranged. It's almost like Toussaint is apologising to the Woman (who has done her part) on behalf of the man who hasn't handled his responsibility and he's doing it without condition. But it is his hope and belief that this will be corrected and soon which ultimately gives the song a very positive bend.

9. 'Conquering Cocaine'

Here we have a song which I definitely liked when I heard it, but I don't know that it's ever been as strong in my mind than it is these days. 'Conquering Cocaine' is very personal (despite the very 'free' nature of it - when you think of such a tune, I think the vision is of someone sitting in a room playing a guitar, singing and crying about their problems, but that isn't what happens here at all), very unique in the spectrum of Reggae and a song which has become a late highlight from the album for me.

10. 'Rise & Fall' featuring Jahdan Blakkamoore

Jahdan Blakkamoore wasn't far away from delivering his own set which would be nice for a "Rewind!" someday, "Babylon Nightmare", when he, expectedly, popped up on the only combination on "Black Gold", 'Rise & Fall'. What I'm focused on now is one of the verses in the song from Toussaint where he speaks on Haiti and a reawakening of Haiti which is something somewhat unexpected, but when you frame it into the balance of the tune, it's well situated. Between the two, Jahdan goes more on a broad level where Toussaint dives into specifics and between both sides is a HUGE track.

11. 'Marching'

Next we go 'Marching' with Toussaint. This song is interesting because I can remember not liking it all that much and while I still wouldn't rank it amongst my favourites here, slowly it's starting to pick up a little steam to me. If you take the premise of the song - this call to action and call to movement - the style of the song, which is what I didn't like, makes more sense. If you want to get someone up to do something and take an action, you're probably not going to be easy about it. There'll likely be a great deal of urgency in your voice and that's exactly what you hear on this one . . . and I'm still working on it!

12. 'Patient'

TEARS! 'Patient' is and always was the second best tune on "Black Gold" to my opinion. It was absolutely GORGEOUS! And the tunes punchline:

"Please be patient with me

I am not through with me yet"

Resonates with me so much that it's such an identifiable tune with me, personally. As someone who's done a TON of really stupid stuff in they're life, I listen to this track and I wish I would've had the words in my head in . . . so many different situations that I found myself in, in my life. Particularly gripping is "Can't worry bout the apathy, though it's CRIPPLING" - DAMN! It's like the man wrote the song with me in mind. But that's wayyyyyyyy too much of my business. Excellent tune!

13. 'Unforgettable'

Toussaint goes all Nat King Cole on the people (not really) with the second single from "Black Gold", 'Unforgettable' which, again, is much better than I think I originally gave it credit for being. It's pretty much an R&B song and one which is just so beautiful that I'm wondering if it ever got an opportunity to be appreciated in those circles because I think that it would have done very well.

14. 'Changing'

Although somewhat buried on the album and pretty laid-back I've paid a great deal of attention to 'Changing' and while it isn't really hard to follow along and it's low on metaphors and is very straight forward, I think that I'm getting to a point where I can better appreciate this one. The main thing which interests me, much like in the case of 'Marching', is this wonderful marriage between vibes and messages and how it now sounds like an old school Jazz tune but . . . ask me again in a year.

15. 'Rain Again'

FINALLY (although it really hasn't taken a long time to write this one - maybe 60-70 minutes of actual work) (combined with about four hours of downright masterful procrastination) is 'Rain Again' and after all of this time - I like it. I was wrong, it's much better than I gave it credit for. Youssoupha Sidibe produces the tune which is very stringy and kind of hard to really grab or do anything with. BUT somewhere in the middle of listening to it, it lit up. I now hear a melody and a musical direction and it's not there yet, but I see the intent and in terms of a single tune, I can't actually think of more of a change that I've had than here. Beautiful and growing.

Okay, here's what's sticking with me from "Black Gold", in full, today. The album was pushed on the concept of how Toussaint brought together Reggae and more traditional Soul and Jazz and R&B for a genre which was called "Soul Roots". I wrote about it, pretty much everyone else did as well and that was a big point surrounding interest on the album as many people from the Reggae side just hadn't heard of Toussaint very much. Now? I don't even care about it slightly. That aspect of the album has relented a lot for me and while I won't go in the direction of saying that genre doesn't matter to me at all (clearly it does, I LOVE categories, they make things really convenient), I really like how this album has 'progressed' from being this project which was, to a large degree, interesting because of the background of the artist, to being just as interesting and arguably even more because of the music. Going forth that's what is most easily accessible. You'll have to do research to learn/remember the story of Toussaint and the background story of the album, but all you need to do to realize just how special "Black Gold" is - is push Play.

'Room For Him!': A Review of "Higher Heights Revolution" by Everton Blender

We've been waiting. There are certain artists who, when their names pop up on a release schedule or a bill, just make me excited and not for the typical reason. If you haven't noticed - I often get extremely emotionally involved and attached to a great deal of this music and it is definitely refreshing when I can just take a small piece of that out and really just enjoy the music for the music itself. The obvious direction here is Zouk which certainly does steer me in a course which requires far less of a mental connection for me to enjoy because, at its best, it's just this kind of crystallized and GLOWING art form which can be appreciated for its beauty on a very easy level. And because of that I list some of the finest Zouk singers such as Kénédy, Tiny Ly and Goldee But there're other times when I experience this in regards to Reggae music with, as I said, this very small group of names. These are artists whose quality is essentially guaranteed. There is absolutely no question what you’re dealing with and although their names may or may not be listed amongst my immediate my favourites if you were to ask me, they are sometimes far more consistent and dependable than the names you would surely hear. The two most instantaneous names that come into play here are veteran singers Mikey General and Yami Bolo. Over the course of the past few years or so, I've grown to appreciate both of their music so much more than I previously did and, attempting to explain why, I think a large part of that has to do with the quiet amount of quality control they exercise. General and Bolo have been around for very long times and they've done so much work that you're going to find material in their catalogs which isn't top notch, but you're also probably going to find dozens or so which are for every one that is not. They'll never get the top amount attention of some of their more famous peers, but when I see either 'approaching', I know that something at least above average is on the way. Also in this category would be someone like Mark Wonder and a bit of a 'wildcard' with Etana. These are artists, predominately singers, who just don't make a great deal of 'questionable' music and if you enjoy the genre of Reggae (and you do), making a case for not also enjoying their music, specifically, is pretty impossible.

Now, also in that group and near its head - if there exists such a thing - would be . . . One of the greatest Reggae singers EVER, Everton Blender. The Blender has made a legend out of himself by singing some of the most UPLIFTING tunes in a form of music which prides itself on inspiring the masses. He is a King here and, along with Luciano, his had been one of two voices to really rise to the top in terms of Roots Reggae singers in an era which was one probably one of the most crucial for the advancement of the music in its entire history. And apparently he's still ready to continue advancing it in 2011.

"It's My Time" - 2005

Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that I hadn't heard much from Everton Blender in recent times, but I can remember being SO excited and happy when I first heard the news that he had something new coming and even though it's taken me awhile to get to it, I was definitely going to get to it. "Higher Heights Revolution" becomes the very first album from the Clarendon born singer in more than SIX years. His last, "It's My Time" from 2005, was very very good and has since gone largely forgotten by many fans which is really unfortunate, but I'm assuming that a similar fate isn't awaiting this latest release. As far as the music here, it goes without saying (and I'm going to say it, anyway) that Blender hasn't lost his way. If you've been a fan at any step along his wonderful journey, this isn't the album that will shake you from that and, instead, it is a piece which is likely to find a large audience amongst many of the very same people who have supported him thus far. However, what is very interesting about the actual vibe of the album is that it is more straight forward than I may've thought. Not that Blender makes music like . . . Vaughn Benjamin or someone like that (is there really anyone else "like that"?), but I think that the focus on this project was to really turn up and tune up on the message and go about pushing that directly, musically. The result is an album largely of the 'no frills' variety, but one which still manages to take advantage of the considerable prowess of its star (more on that in just a minute) and when you take its title into consideration, maybe it makes even more sense as a whole. "Higher Heights Revolution" comes via the US based Island Splash Entertainment and, I believe, it becomes their first official release and it seems as if they've done fairly well with promoting it, although with a name as big as the Blender's I don't know that something which is actually realistic (in the world of Reggae where pretty much everything is under-promoted all of the time) is going to enough promotion in his case - but they've done good. That’s all of the parts 'behind the scenes'. In front? Even if I hadn't made the premise of this review what I did, it wouldn't be too hard to catch on. While not his finest release to date, "Higher Heights Revolution" is full of positively delightful vibes and tunes which once again go to reaffirm so many encouraging things about Everton Blender's music - even at this state of his career. I'm really looking forward to seeing if, in a few years or so, this is the type of album which kind of grows 'legs'. Everton Blender's music, because of his style, is easily appreciated by a wide variety of people, but this piece in particular struck me as the type which just may, wholly or partially, begin to pick up steam as it ages. That doesn’t mean at all that we can't appreciate it and talk about it today, however, so let's have a listen to the latest from one of Reggae's greatest.

'Hold On In Deh'

The Blender, himself, is the executive producer of the album which is no surprise. In some of the press for the album I can recall him saying something along the lines of having to wait a really long time to put this one out before ultimately deciding to take it in his own direction. Presumably that means that he had absolute control here and everything was nearly exactly how he wanted it. If that is actually true then it's no surprise at all how Everton Blender begins his new album, "Higher Heights Revolution" with the semi-self-titled/autobiographical 'Bubaru'. SWEET! The tune really goes through and covers some of the highlights of the Blender's career, as well as some of his motivations, inspirations and what he's gone through to become who he’s known for being today. This track is an excellent one and although I won't go as far as to proclaim it a 'hit' (even though you know I want to), in terms of just the pure sonic appeal, it has nary a peer on this album . The next tune up, however, is an even stronger song. 'Hold On In Deh', I believe, was the first single for this album and from the way it blends a very powerful message with a vibe which is nearly golden, it's not very difficult to hear why it was chosen for the first promoted track from the album. As Blender does at his best, the song inspires and unites and really places a bright, but not unrealistic picture on what can be a very harsh situation. Rounding out the first group of tracks from the album is the common-sense anthem 'When You Wrong'. When you listen to tunes like this (or when I do), I always just want to say it's a matter of stating the obvious, but how many people do you know, no matter the situation, just have an extremely difficult time admitting when they're wrong [LIKE MY W . . . What??? I didn't say anything]?

“You vexed - with your Sister

You don’t want I to talk to her, no

You vexed - with your Brother

You don’t want I to talk to him, no

Don’t vex with your Sister without a cause

Don’t vex with your Brother without a cause

And when you wrong, you’re wrong!

And when you right, you’re right

Don’t you know you are my bredrin?

Now you gonna mek our bredrinship end”

On the highest end of "Higher Heights Revolution" are tunes which are nearly exceptional in spots and just, again, really emblematic of the work of Evertons Blender's career and someone of his accomplishments. To my ears, the 'tallest' of them all, by the slightest of margins, is probably 'Conference Table'. This song so wonderfully illustrates a strong combining of the tangible and spiritual realms, and does so directly, and because that's something that I always speak on, it definitely caught my attention as the Blender says that you can get nowhere in your talks until you give His Majesty a spot in the negotiations! The tune, obviously, makes references in other directions as well, but at its core - it is such a MIGHTY and INTELLIGENT song and not to be missed! Ranking not too far behind that stellar selection is my second favourite track on the album, the repatriation anthem, 'Calling Us Home'. This track is kind of disguised as a love song of sorts and that's kind of what it is, but instead of professing his love for an individual, the Blender speaks on the splendour of Afrikan soil and how important it is to someday return to HER. Also on that level is a tune which figures to create a nice amount of buzz, the HUGE praising tune, 'Lion Crown'. Not only is the actual SOUND of this tune fairly spectacular, but it also features Isha Blender . . . Everton Blender's own daughter. While the younger Blender doesn't receive the full spotlight and sings (an infectious) backing instead, this wonderful tune surely puts her in more of a point of interest and hopefully more people will hear what I hear on this big tune (and she's done nice material in the past as well). I know the song 'Ali Ali Ho' and I know it pretty well. The song, another very good one, comes through on the relicked Jah Jah Give Us Life Riddim from a couple of years back (Glen Washington had a nice song on it as well). Somewhere in the middle of this tune, when Blender goes biblical, it reaches another level altogether with the looming 'spectre' of the vocals returning strong in there! When they do it's heads rocking, it's LIFTING UP HEADS and really just enjoying such a wonderful vibe (really reconsidering my choice of the album's best tune now)! And also check the vibrant 'Free Up Yourself', another of the several standouts on "Higher Heights Revolution".

'Ali Ali Ho'

As for the remaining tracks on the album, there're also good things to be found in some of them as well. The best of that lot is likely 'The Greatest Thing Is To Know', with 'No Bargain, No Deal' being not far behind. The latter may just have the single best chorus on the album and built around it, is a solid track also. The former is only faintly behind the album's best.

“In this ya great tribulation

Money mek man go through nuff frustration

You better head di right direction

So many youth - incarceration

Facing some long, long conviction

Youthman, mi seh you betta be wise

A youth man, seh you betta be cool”

It's really just a social commentary of sorts and one which is really, as I alluded to before, very casually straight forward, which makes it very easy to follow, despite its somewhat urgent vibes. And speaking of being "straight forward", I don't know that you can get more of that on a title than 'Love All These Girls'. Not one of the best moments on the album, but I found it kind of funny at times, which isn't a bad thing. Of a similar nature, but much better, is 'It's All About You'. This song kind of feels like it's due for an EXPLOSION or just a giant moment which never materializes ultimately, but it's a pretty nice lover's set. And a step ahead of that even would be both 'Tonight' and 'We Need Love' - two tunes which may sound like love songs, but are more along the lines of social commentaries and somewhat spiritually vibed tunes. I really like 'Tonight' and that one is one which might enjoy some sweeping success if given the opportunity. Finally, "Higher Heights Revolution"wraps up the only changeup, 'Conserve'. This one is different only in terms of sound, it's pretty much a Dancehall song, but it sounds like Everton Blender singing a Dancehall track - the upful messages are still intact. Also, the tune features the Blender alongside his label mate, the ULTRA agitated Engee Dadon. Dadon is well talented and he makes very exciting a tune which is about 'conserving' the world's most precious resource - the youths - and monitoring some of the more negative influences they may encounter, particularly within listening to the music.

Everton Blender

Overall, that not holding this one back very much, this is a very solid addition to the exquisite catalog of Everton Blender. As I said, he's very much the type of singer who I just look forward to hearing from, first of all, and on top of that, he’s such a well accomplished and well esteemed artist that it makes his output a big deal. EVERTON BLENDER HAS A NEW ALBUM! That's a big deal for people like You and I and it's made 2011 just a bit more interesting and colourful as well. It also helps that the album is very good and just another reason why we should be celebrating such a valuable person to our music like Everton Blender more and more often. Hopefully it's not another six years until he gives us this type of an opportunity again because "Higher Heights Revolution" shows that he hasn’t lost a thing and is still capable of churning out top flight vibes - but we already knew that.

Rated: 4/5
Island Splash Entertainment
2011
CD + Digital

Review #343