Most Wanted 2013

Well, that was it. In less than three weeks or so, 2012 will have ended, so it presents a wonderful time to start looking back and looking ahead… again. Today we take, for the third time, a glance ahead at all of the nice people we'd like to hear from on an album in the next year. In some cases, it just seems like the right time, while in others the 'right time' may not even exist, so why not just do it. In others still, you have artists seemingly coming into the height of their powers and an album seems to be the next likeliest step. Whatever the individual case, here're ten people who could make 2013 a much happier twelve months with their presences. Most Wanted 2013

{Note: See last year's list}

{Note 2: Artists on last year's list and artists with currently scheduled (or semi-scheduled} albums were excluded}

#10. Lady Sweety

Champion! If I thought that there were any way in any thing that this would happen, surely Lady Sweety , the reigning Queen of 'coming soon' would be much higher near the top of this list - but I don't. Having not had an album in more than half a decade now kind of dims those prospects but, as you can see, at least one person is still waiting for the full on return of one of the absolute most damaging talents in the Dancehall. 2013 would be an excellent year for a new album, but so would have 2010, '11 and '12. If it does actually materialize, expect a huge project and one which may be full special because at her best, Sweety is one fascinating artist and an extremely powerful lyricist. Lady Sweety… meet Don's Music!  

#9. Ras Muhamad

Blow them away. From out of Indonesia, Ras Muhamad seems well poised to continue to impress in a major way, which has seen him, steadily, rack up a very impressive line of singles for a variety of different producers, headlined by some of our favourites at Oneness Records. At the very least, a compiling of these singles with some new material thrown in seems in order at this point, but should he hand in another year in 2013 like '12, I guess it will make the wait more tolerable. HOWEVER, because of is fantastic consistency, the point is rapidly approaching where it just doesn't make any sense for Muhamad not to have a full record out because his skill would just be too large not to have someone make one with him. Personally, I think he's already at that point, which is why he makes this list. Whenever it happens, it will be MASSIVE! 

#8. Naptali

Journey back. Speaking of MASSIVE (and Oneness), it would also be so great if we heard from the star of the single best album that I heard two years ago, Naptali. While he hasn't been the most active of artists over the course of the past couple of years, 2013 may provide the dazzling singing chanter with a similar landscape that he had in 2010, when he would strike with "Long Journey", which remains one of the top fifty or so best albums that I have ever heard. While he has the lost the ability to come from 'out of nowhere' and the element of surprise (at least with me), I don't think there're a huge number of fans expecting Naptali to do something amazing in 2013 (they weren't expecting it in 2010 either) and perhaps he strives under such conditions. And he could turn in an album farrrrrrrrr worst than his previous one and still manage to impress greatly.  

#7. Tuff Lion

11 Strings. Whether you actually know it or not is another matter, but if you listen to enough music and particularly enough of it coming from out of the Virgin Islands, chances are great (they're guaranteed actually) that you've heard quite a bit of Tuff Lion's music in 2012 as, perhaps more so than any other single person in VI Reggae music, his 'reach' as a musician/producer/everything is IMMENSE. Of course you remember his last album, 2008's incredible "Ten Strings" (if you don't recall it, I want you to know that I find you disgusting), which was a project made up of Tuff Lion playing his guitar as a 'singer' across a fine group of riddims provided by I Grade Records. So! If you haven't noticed, I Grade has been amongst the most active and successful labels in the time since and particularly over the past two or three years now - so they've WELL had the opportunity to 'replenish' the vault with new tracks over which the Lion can display his mastery. ALSO, almost every album which comes down from the label these days has work from the Zion I Kings as well. Whatever they have coming for the new year is going to be BIG, but a ZIK album for the Tuff Lion seems almost impossible to top in terms of quality.  

#6. Kalash

KABOOM! Kalash has already gone on to becoming one of the most popular artists on the FWI scene these days and, seemingly, figures to continue his angry march to the top in 2013, which would make for a wonderful a new album, which would be the DJ's first in three years at that point (although his 2010 self-titled album was re-releases, in a "Collector's Edition" last year). Kalash is the PERFECT example of when an up and comer makes good and becomes a full fledged champion in the arena as he has fulfilled on every drop of potential he showed earlier in his career and not only has his popularity ascended so greatly in the past couple of years, his skill has also advanced in my opinion. And he was already well talented, yet raw, the first time anyone had really heard him. He's still untreated in some respects, but that's a great thing and now he has the experience to make and take advantage of his abilities even greater. With Admiral T having fired in 2012, Kalash (and hopefully Saïk) should be amongst the most high profile FWI talents doing big albums in 2013 and I actually expect this one to happen (in both cases).  

#5. Sara Lugo

Things will work out right. You know, I've spent SO much time looking back at the "What About Love" album, and deservedly so, it was and remains fantastic (and you are a horrible, HORRIBLE person if you don't have a copy) (become good and buy one), but maybe it's time to start looking ahead again. At some point in the first half of 2013 we will pass a point where that album hits two years of age and it's star, the always wonderful Sara Lugo, hasn't slowed down a bit in any way and seems perfectly set up for a strong 2013, with or without the release of a full album. The main point of interest here is that, like Kalash before her, I think that even though what we've already heard has been so powerful and so interesting, what is to come from Sara Lugo will be, like her talents, very special and even more impressive (and I cannot wait to, again, look at the rest of you and say "I TOLD YOU SO!"). 2013 may not bring the next album, yet if she doesn't have an one in the year and regardless of the actions of the next four artists you're going to read about (with the exception of #2 probably) it's hard to envision a set of circumstances under which a 2014 edition of this list exists without Lugo's name being four spots higher.  

#4. Baby Cham

Another story. Not that activity has ever been a strength of his (because it certainly has not), but one would think that the soon to be seven years since Baby Cham's last album, which was a huge success, would be more than long enough for the DJ and superpower producer Dave Kelly to have waited for the proper time to line up another winner and I think they will. Recently, Cham dropped a very well received EP ("#Team Cham", in stores now), which was the culmination of quite a bit (for him) of activity in recent times. I'm going to take that as a 'warning shot' of sorts for the full thing which would look spectacular coming in the second half of the year. Also, if you haven't noticed, Dancehall albums from the biggest of names are completely scarce and Cham along with one or two others (maybe like a Lady Saw and hopefully Agent Sasco) would hit shelves with not a bit of competition in sight. 

#3. Kabaka Pyramid

It's building. Not too many artists, and maybe no one at all, had such a continuously impressive 2012 in Roots Reggae music without releasing an album than did the burgeoning Kabaka Pyramid. The chanter has added his name to a list (and maybe even at the head of it) of up and coming talents in the genre and he now seems set to turn 2013 into an incredible display of his music. Hopefully at the pinnacle of it all is his debut album and, presumably, he would have one of the longer queues full of producers and labels lining up for him. His popularity and prolificacy has also matched the quality of his music and now not very much time goes by at all without hearing a new single, mixtape or even EP from the artist and he has suddenly become very widely celebrated and with good reason. As are the conditions of this list, I don't know what he has coming in the new year, but if it does include an album, I have a VERY, VERY good feeling about it. 

#2. Stevy Mahy

Take another trip. While I haven't heard a great deal of new music from the smoldering (in sooooooo many ways) Gwada songstress, Stevy Mahy, she remained quite visible and active in performances (and still is apparently), but I don't think that her studio time was so great in 2012. Combine that with the fact that she has also, seemingly, shifted her attention forward after promoting her debut, the divine magic joyness that was "The Beautiful Side of A Kreyol Folk Trip", as hard as she possibly could have (that album had fourteen songs on it, two of them were interludes. So it had twelve actual songs. She did videos for six of them!) and you begin to think that it may be time for her musical comeback (she also has a jewelry line now apparently, so check out Moun' by Stevy Mahy). I don't know what to expect or if to expect it in the next twelve months, but whenever she does arrive with a new set, like its predecessor, it will be beautiful…. Beautiful! 

#1. Damian Marley

Something for you. Between working alongside Nas for a full album, whatever Super Heavy was (am I the only one who just didn't comprehend what was happening with that???) and Skillrex, it may not seem like it, but should September 2013 roll around sans such a creation, it would do so making it truly ODD eight years from last Damian Marley released a full solo album. This is the case despite a genuine raise in profile in that same time (if that's even possible), so one would think that when he does return, whenever it happens, he would bring with him, arguably, the largest fan base in Reggae music. On top of that, if you haven't paid attention to him (shame on you), Damian Marley is amongst the most talented artists that the genre has to offer and all of those traits, at least to me, make for an album which could well bring up words such as "landmark". Something tells me that it won't mark this year (and instead we'll be hearing from his brother, Stephen, again) (which is fine), but there doesn't exist someone that I can think of with such a unique set of circumstances: In terms of BIG projects in Reggae music, seemingly all roads lead to Damian Marley's next album and hopefully they all link up sometime in the latter stages of 2012. 

Check It #45.5: LOVE!

The Worldwide Love Riddim [Flash Hit Records] 

Something didn't make the list yesterday, but definitely deserves to be mentioned (so it gets its own post and you’ll see why in a second), is the brand new creation via Flash Hit Records, the Worldwide Love Riddim. I think we first had a listen to the French based label just a few months back when they dropped the fine Make It Gwan Riddim (which had the cover where artists were drawn on and, as I've said in the past, anytime you get down to drawing people, you have my complete attention) and apparently they weren't content to ride out the year and, like seemingly everyone else, is trying to grab a look for riddim album of the year very late in 2012. 

The Make It Gwan Riddim [In stores now]

Good for them. 

Besides being gorgeous, the WwL Riddim has a roster of artists which is… almost entirely too good. The scalding Kabaka Pyramid (more on him tomorrow or… whenever I finish writing that thing) opens up a set which also includes Pressure Busspipe (might hear from him tomorrow too), Maikal X (maybe him too!) (but not likely), Million Stylez, JAH MARNYAH [!], Skarra Mucci, Raphael, YT and others. Oh and there's also a song on the WwL (what a fantastic abbreviation!) called 'Smile of A Child' which is by someone we may or may not have mentioned once or twice along the way, it's the Familiar Stranger, SARA LUGO! WHAT!

All of that means that I should probably go ahead and review this one (biggup Bredz) and I probably will, But don't wait for me, pick up the Worldwide Love Riddim from Flash Hit Records today. As a matter of fact, just do it right now. Stop reading this and buy it. Go on. 

In stores right now

Digital 

Check It #45: More!

"World Cry" by Jah Cure [SoBe Entertainment]

First up is an album which, hopefully, is unique to me in the sense I'm about to describe, but is still a very big deal nonetheless. It's the latest album from Reggae star and the possessor of the greatest voice of all time, Jah Cure, "World Cry". The album comes via SoBe Entertainment, who we haven't heard from in a minute, but are still apparently hard at work. The thing about "World Cry", at least for me, is that the proverbial 'moment' has kind of passed me by. This album was expected a year ago (at least) and I'm nowhere near as excited for it as I once was and I have not… but I kind of feel like I've already heard it to some degree. Looking at the tracks on the album, that's no great mystery as much of the album has been released already in the past couple of years and reportedly the album is set to be a digital-only piece. Still, as I said, while my anticipations have been dampened, it doesn't appear to be the prevailing feeling here of most and, actually, like all of his work, the completed project should be very strong and we'll get and I will definitely be listening (I just really wish they had done it last year). Mavado, Jazmine Sullivan and Phyllisia guest. 

Digital

The Queens of Queens Riddim [Larger Than Life Records]

The Queens of Queens Riddim comes to us via Larger Than Life Records in association with Delly Ranx (more on him in a second) and Pure Music Production and this old school inspired set is the latest in what is turning out to be a stellar latter stage of the year for big riddim albums. This thing is GORGEOUS! A riddim of this quality is well deserved of some top notch talent in the way of vocalists and, thankfully, that is exactly what LTL has provided it. Checking in is a wicked lineup featuring the likes of Sizzla Kalonji, Lutan Fyah (MAD!), Pressure Busspipe, Gappy Ranks, Perfect Giddimani, the aforementioned Delly Ranx and others (including Bobby Hustle, whose 'Real Ganja Man' tune is excellent) (oddly there isn't a single female on the riddim, which… might lead you to think of a sequel coming at some point). Big, big riddim and an almost guaranteed hit. 

Digital  

"Street Shots Vol. 4: Christmas Edition" [21st Hapilos]

In next is the latest installment of "Street Shots", the Dancehall geared series from the… Dancehall geared 21st Hapilos (far away in the back of mind, I see someone doing for Soca what they do for Dancehall and it makes me happy) (very happy). Edition 4 is called the "Christmas Edition" and I suppose it might make for a good gift for someone who may not have been paying a great deal of attention to the music lately, but if you have it's pretty much more of the 'usual suspects'. Bounty Killer & I-Octane, Mavado, Ele, Jr. Gong & Bonafide, Aidonia & Deablo, Kartel, Konshens, Baby Cham and, of course, Tommy Lee all make appearances. 

Digital

"Don's Collector" [Don's Music]

It hasn't been the most active of years for the dominant FWI Dancehall label of the day, Don's Music, but I was so happy to see that they updated their running Dancehall/Soca-fied series, "Don's Collector" for this year, which makes it the first time that this series has expanded in four or five years now. If you don't know (and you might not), these compilations pretty much have no bounds, they typically include such a wide variety of sounds and artists and, much like "Street Shots", we also get the fourth installment of this series in 2012 as well. Nothing has changed. One album - featuring Bunji Garlin, Machel Montano, Admiral T, Saïk, Paille, Kalash, Methi'S, Nando Griffiths and even Mongstar. DM is careful to include most of their artists and the mix with that and on top of that absolutely dazzling and largely uptempo. Recommended. 

CD + Digital 

"Tuff Vibes" Vols. 1 & 2 [Jobes Hill Music]

Next up is a pair of compilations from Jobes Hill Records, which are vols. one and two of  "Tuff Vibes". Nothing too special here, but a pretty solid pair of albums which carry a whole heap of big names. Vol. 1 is actually a riddim album for the old Much Clearer Riddim and includes Beres Hammond on the title track and others such as Mikey General, Jahmali, Lloyd Brown, Limey Murray and Perfect Giddimani. Meanwhile , vol. 2 is a compilation with different tracks behind the tunes but, again, it features a great deal of nice names. Luciano headlines this one (twice) along with the likes of Mark Wonder, Limey Murray again, Milton Blake and more. Some of these tunes may actually reach a decade old or so, but really there isn't much here which wouldn't have aged well and if you haven't heard them, there're some really outstanding songs here and I'm happy Jobes Hill decided to push their vaults in this way.

Digital & Digital

'Mi Crazy' by Delly Ranx [Madd Spider Productions]

And finally is 'Mi Crazy', which was Delly Ranx' cut of the WICKED GSUM Riddim from Madd Spider for a month or two ago. I wasn't too 'crazy' about the actual riddim album, which is why I'm pretty sure we never mentioned it, but the riddim itself was a BOOM and the currently blazing Delly had one of the better tracks there, so check it out.

Digital

Coming Soon

"Free Indeed" by Midnite [Higher Bound Productions]

I wanted to quickly go back and mention this one, the forthcoming album from Midnite through Higher Bound Productions, "Free Indeed", because while we didn't have much information the first time around (and still actually don't), we do have a release date - tomorrow. 

Releases in a few hours

CD + Digital [I THINK]

"Ethiopie" by Ancient King [Higher Bound Productions] 

Even more interesting than that last one (because Midnite has a billion albums), is the fact that also on tap from Higher Bound Productions is a new album from fire breathing Virgin Islands chanter, Ancient King. "Ethiopie" would become his third and his first in nearly five years, following 2008's "Judgement". The King is no stranger to the label either as he appeared on no less than five songs out of the thirteen on Higher Bound's well received "New Name" compilation, also from 2008. Ancient King can be very good, I wasn't too overwhelmed by the "Judgement" album, but his first, 2005's "Conquering Sound" via I Grade was very good. So hopefully it's a return to that one, but in his normal style even, the chanter is very, very talented and extremely explosive as well and his having a new album is a big deal in my opinion. 

Releases in December

CD + Digital [I THINK]

"Di Captain" by Freddie McGregor [VP Records]

Another big deal is set to come through -- or more like an expansion of one -- as the latest album from the legendary Freddie McGregor, the fittingly titled "Di Captain", is set to go international. A few months ago, as is once again becoming the trend, the album reached Japanese shelves and now VP Records is turning the album over to the rest of the world. Apparently all of the same tracks are included (all sixteen of them), but the order has been shuffled a bit. I have heard this album and, although you don't need me to tell you this, it's very good, with an obvious and SWEET lean to the old-school style which is still McGregor's major quality in a career set to reach year #50! Etana and Gappy Ranks guest on a wonderful project. 

Releases in January 

CD + Digital 

'Bun Up' by Chuck Fenda [John John]

And lastly, coming soon today is official releasing of what has to be one of my favourite songs of 2012 altogether, 'Bun Up', by Chuck Fenda. I first heard the John John produced song maybe a month or so ago. I used the word 'explosive', and suitably so, when referring to Ancient King - it also well applies to Chuck Fenda at his best and this tune was a MIGHTY demonstration of that as Fenda lights it up for some of the nastiest living individuals in the world whose attentions are miserably focused in the wrongest of directions. BOOM! 

Releases on December 18

Digital  

'The General!': A review of "African Story African Glory" by Mikey General

And another one. 2012 has been and should go down in history as being one of the finest in recent memory in terms of Reggae album releases. Both quality and quantity have been extremely impressive and I cannot think of a year which has had such a potent mix of both of those cases, making this one, truly, one of the most impressive and one which hopefully has brought many new eyes and ears to the genre, because we have had such fine music. This has been the case from 'top to bottom', so on one hand you have very huge and popular sets from the likes of Busy Signal, Sizzla Kalonji and I-Octane, while on the other we've seen just as strong efforts coming from lesser known, but extremely capable talents such as Sahra Indio, Denham Smith and our new favourite, Reemah. There have also been projects from artists on every step in between those and, even as we still have another three weeks or so of the month, there're still fine releases coming down (biggup Jah Cure). Now, with all of that being said, I look back at the year and I'm so pleased to see a healthy amount of albums having come from artists who, personally, have had such a great impact on me and continue to, even though they may not be THE most well known, they are great favourites and mine and, thinking back, they've all managed to turn in stellar releases. Of course the two most obvious here would be Ras Batch and Mark Wonder who, respectively, turned in great albums and two of three perfect records I've heard this year in "Know Thyself" and "Working Wonders". While the entire Reggae listening world may not have gone crazy in anticipation or even in actually hearing these albums, if you read my work to any degree, you know very well that I have and have done so even before their release dates (and names) were set. Batch and Wonder are HUGE artists for me and neither one of them would disappoint. I might also include someone like Rebellion The Recaller from earlier in the year with "In This Time". That album may have garnered more attention than either of the other two, but still RtR isn't such a household name in the genre and I, personally, very much looked forward to and appreciated his next effort and still do right now. But like I said, we aren't finished. In an almost embarrassingly fantastic turn someone else who the genre may not be pausing for at this very moment has jumped up with a new release and he has grabbed almost ALL of my musical attention in just a few days' time.  

Mikey General

Mr. Mikey General, over the past few years, has definitely become one of my favourite artists. And much like in the cases of people like Yami Bolo and even Glen Washington to an extent (and I guess you'd also add Lloyd Brown to that lot), I've become a fan at such an advanced stage of his career, but it… just took me awhile to mature to the point where that was possible. These days, pretty much anything the singer does is going to get at least a little look from me (and definitely a mention) and while 2012 had been a nice one for him (big single, 'King Selassie I Alone' for ReggaeLand and you know about 'Work' with Uwe Banton, on his new album, "Mental War"), I had no idea what he was working on for December - one of the most beautiful surprises of 2012.

Also from Qabalah First Music

Why not do a new album??? From the moment Bredz (biggup Bredz), told me of its existence I've been all over it (even though it took him another whole day to send it) (WHAT!). "IT", of course, is the brand new album from Mikey General, "African Story, African Glory", which becomes his very first in a couple of years - from 2010's fine "Born To Rule" set. Like that album, at least partially, "African Glory, African Story" comes via the General's own Qabalah First Music imprint (which makes one Michael Taylor [bka Mikey General] the executive producer, along with Lloyd Stewart) (incidentally, the co-executive producer on the last album was a Jepther McClymont [bka Luciano]) and this time in conjunction with Unique Star Sounds. Throughout there have been several of Mikey General's albums done on Qabalah, including the very strong "Spiritual Revolution", the aforementioned 'Born To Rule" and others. The label, just like its creators (and if I recall correctly, QFM is actually owned by both the General and "spiritual brother", Luciano) has exercised much in the way of quality-control in its existence and although they aren't the most active (obviously), whenever they do bring something, it is going to be at least very good and probably better. For me, I guess I would say one of the main things which reach me in listening to Mikey General's music is how powerful and easily transferable his conviction in his words are. There're so many artists around today and throughout history who are very accomplished at conveying passion for their topics and you know many of them, but not too many at all sing songs in the way which would tell you that their music, so directly, is an extension of the way that they actually live their lives. Obviously this is a trait which is always well present and prevalent in the music of the aforementioned Luciano and I suppose that is one thing out of many which the two have in common and why, in so many ways, their careers and music have been so intertwined with one another's. Today, however, we specifically look at Mikey General (I was somewhat surprised to see Luciano not amongst the guests, but the General does link some top notch talents here more on that in second). It isn't that he needed the help either, by its end, "African Story, African Glory" proves itself to be amongst the artist's finest releases to date and a wonderful present (TO ME!) to help wrap up what has been an incredible year. Let's get to it!

I don't think that such an album is forthcoming, but if it is, this isn't the one. You won't find anything in the way of a grand deviation (or much of a deviation at all, actually) in what you've come to expect from the singer from over the years. The music here is his typically brilliantly uplifting, spiritually conscious and observant and excellent modern Roots Reggae music, with an ear towards the old school as well. "African Story, African Glory", is an album largely comprised of both previously released tunes, from many different sources as well as new songs (at least to me) and getting us started, following an intro, is a tune which is new to my ears on this album, but one which I am unlikely to forget anytime soon (if ever), my favourite song on the album, the STUNNING 'Unbelievable'. 

"It's unbelievable!

The blessings Jah Jah send us everyday

And it's inconceivable!

That Jah love us even though sometime we stray

I can't count the times - 

Must be a billion and ninety-nine

When I've been out of line

But when I look behind, I know I'm sure to find

Jah love so warm and kind

In our human capacity, we fall short of the glory

But Jah in HIS divinity, looks past our inequity

And I give thanks that Jah is not like man

Or else not a single soul would stand! 

And it's unbelievable!

The blessings Jah Jah send us everyday

And it's inconceivable!

That Jah love us even though sometime we stray

It is HE who has made us

We owe it to ourselves to be like the tree that is planted, oh yes

When all else will fail, Jah mercy will prevail!

One love, perfect dimension, oh yeah!" 

This song… this song did things to me! I've said it many times in the past and I'll say it again today: There is a definite quality in making music which not entertains and educates, but just makes someone FEEL GOOD and smile and 'Unbelievable' does all of those, as the General stands in awe (biggup Midnite) at the Glory of His Imperial Majesty. While I didn't recognize the album's opening song, the next is very familiar to my ears and hopefully yours as well. The ganja song, 'I Blaze', appeared earlier this year on the stirring "Where I Lead" album from Achis Reggae favourite, Toussaint. It was a big tune there and it remains so, a few months on, but I have to say that I was so happy to see it present on "ASAG". The thought of more 'traditional' fans of the genre (who are the vast majority of the people likely to encounter this album) being turned on to the music of the unconventional Toussaint is a big deal, so biggup Mikey General and company for including it on the new album (and like I said, it is a big tune). Next we have the clever 'Myspace'. 

"You can never know what I've been through  until you're standing in my place, my place

I don't advertise all my troubles and I don't put it on Myspace, Myspace

You can never see what I see unless you're looking through my view, my view

And if you think my life is easy, walk a mile inna my shoe, my shoe

They see me trodding, they think it is sweet

But I'm ah working hard to make ends meet

So everyday I've gotta hit those streets

To make sure my family got some food to eat

I got my dignity, I got my pride

And my emotions, I keep inside

And even though I'm swimming against the tide -

I take it all in stride" 

I took this song very broadly and not personal or restricted to Mikey General, himself. Because what I think that the main message here is to not overlook people, in general and not to think that your road has been harder or 'better' than someone else's because of how they may appear to you. Which is very profound message and one unlike any other on this album. Excellent song. 

Of the songs on "African Story, African Glory" with which I was already familiar, probably the standout (along with 'I Blaze') was the sublime 'Guide Me', which I think reached just earlier this year. The tune is a praising track across a Blessed B relick of a classic track. this one Is just wonderfully SIMPLE and straight-forward and a perfect example of what I meant when I spoke of the General's conviction of what he says. This is just him singing for The Almighty, You and I are just incidentally listening and good for us, but this is a song from a man to his creator. The mighty 'Innocent Blood' was another one I (kind of) knew of. This tune utilizes a riddim from last year, called the Sunrise Boulevard, via NCF Productions. When I heard it, I started singing a piece of a Turbulence song in my head and I eventually narrowed it down to where I knew the song from. Perhaps I should have paid more attention to Mikey General's selection because it easily ranks amongst the very best that track had to offer (the same piece featured good cuts from Exco Levi, Kananga, Jah Vinci and others). You're thinking of it as an anti-violence song because of the title and you're correct, but this tune specifically looks at those who have already gone the course of eschewing the gun becoming involved through no choice of their own. This is a highlight here because it carried a heavy message and it also sounds amazing, sonically. Big riddim. The album's clear changeup 'Not Impossible' was also on a riddim which caught my ear, the Project X (the new one) from Camelbak Records, from not very long ago at all. I distinctly remembered this piece because Mikey General had a song on it and it was not, at all, the type of composition he normally deals with. This riddim was electric and almost Soca-fied, but it was pretty nice, just out of the field of what you would envision him on. Still, it wasn't a failure and it was an inspirational song and one which I'm sure the vocalist took with the thought of making a fun song with a great message and if he did - success. Ifa-Tunde [Aworeni] features on a decent single from last year which I know very little about, but enjoyed still, the social commentary and socially conscious 'All Over The World'. This song, although very much a 'flaring' type of composition, does take a few spins to really grab onto in my opinion, so don't pass a judgment, bad or good, from the very first spin because you'll probably change your mind at some point. I like it though. 

The album also contains a healthy amount of tunes which are new (at least to me) and which make up a great deal of the real class of "African Story, African Glory". A couple of them do leap off the tracklist to your eyes and definitely the first of these is title track (basically), 'African Story'. BOOM!

"Teach di youth dem an Afrikan story 

Tell dem bout dem Afrikan glory

Mek dem know they are Kings & Queens

Build up their self-esteem

Yow you better teach di youth dem an Afrikan story

Tell dem bout dem Afrikan glory

Let dem know they are Kings & Queens

And build up their self-esteem

Nah teach dem bout, Christopher Columbus

Oh, that guy deh only rob us

Don't teach dem bout, Marco Polo

Cause we don't wanna know

Because they distort our history 

Tried to make it inna mystery

But, we are from an ancient sea

Billions of years BC

Teach dem bout The Pyramids, that were built on the banks of the Nile

And about their ancestors who brought civilization thousands of miles

We developed agriculture -

Teach the world how to till the soil

If you don't believe what I say, then you check  the files"

Having been listening to quite a bit of Ras Batch these days, I can confidently say that this is the type of song Batch would LOVE (I think he'd love the entire album, actually) and I'm right with him there. Following that big tune is another one (which actually precedes 'Guide Me' in the finest trio on the whole of "ASAG") in 'One Bright Day' which is also exceptional. This is just a song where, again, the General marvels at the might of His Majesty and openly hopes that when it his own time that he will be prepared and FIT to meet HIM. I take this song broader (because that's just what I do) and connect it to the artist saying to the masses to try to live as well as we possibly can, because we too want to be prepared for our own "bright day". I went off course there, but the other song here which you'll want to hear immediately is certainly 'Yene Mar' which… just so happens to feature someone else who has done big works and a big album in 2012 ("Truly", big album), another favourite of ours, Lutan Fyah. If you're one of our more [semi] regular readers then you can imagine how my face might've looked when I saw a combination existed featuring Lutan Fyah alongside the General (and if you aren't and you can't, then just grab up a mirror, mine probably looked a lot like yours does now). The two do not disappoint and deliver an outstanding song for the beautiful women of the world. The tune just before, 'Empress', is another like-minded set which may not get much attention on this album, but YOU don't be one of those people who ignore it. It's very good. 

Rounding out "African Story, African Glory" is another nice strong three selections, one of which is absolutely golden. 'Take Me Away' [aka 'absolutely golden'], is a MAMMOTH repatriation tune which I wasn't really expecting here for some reason. 

"Won't you take me away to my homeland

Won't you take me away, right away

Won't you take me to sweet Mama Afrika

I don't want to stay another day

Won't you take me away to my homeland

Won't you take me away, far away

Won't you take me away from the plantation

I don't want to stay another day

Fore-parents wept, when they say the beautiful life they left

Take dem from di east and carry dem to di west

And take dem from di peace and put dem inna mess

Oh what a stress!

Fore-people vex, when they see their children living in stress 

Working for more and receiving less

Millions and millions were put to death

So wi haffi left" 

TEARS! If you wanted to make an argument that 'Take Me Away' was the finest effort on this album (you'd have a strong one), I couldn't disagree with you very much. This one is that good and a mighty addition here. Also check the sweetly vibed 'Don't Stress Yourself' which is (apparently a former single, but I didn't know this one prior to it being on this album) (dominating saxophone on this song) a very fascinating song, On it, Mikey General essentially says that life comes with enough stress of its own day-to-day course and you don't need to be adding anything additional to that. It is more in-depth than that (and it sounds much better than I just told it) (thankfully), but what I'm left taking from it is this kind of 'life-commentary' type of composition which, as I said, is very interesting and on top of that, the riddim is intoxicating and it features some of the best vocals on the whole of the album. Lastly, is another interesting piece, 'Pep In Your Step'. This song is less than two minutes long and probably was thought of as some type of a 'bonus track’ and it's a very strong one of those. It's a nice song in any case, as the General says to get up and do whatever it is that you're going to do ["you are the one who create yah happiness"] and definitely maintain yourself in your life.

Overall, in case I didn't make this clear (I did), "African Story, African Glory", as you expected, is a big winner. After going through it, I definitely want more, but I have the feeling that this one is the type which does 'develop' a bit and maybe even a couple of weeks from now, even before the end of the year, I'm likely to have bigger and different thoughts on songs and you know I'm well looking forward to that experience. Even before that, however, what we have here is an unexpected, but expected, wonderful album. I didn't mention this, but Mikey General has had a career which has seen him amongst the very most CONSISTENT names in the genre, so the quality of what he brings is almost never in question. It's just a matter of HOW good it is, not IF it is good. "African Story, African Glory" is the in the 'room' with some of his best to date and a joy to listen to for some of his biggest fans - like me. Very well done! 

Rated: 4.45/5

Qabalah First Music

2012

CD + Digital

Review #406

Rewind!: "Know Thyself" by Ras Batch

"Know Thyself" by Ras Batch [I Grade Records - 2012]

As the year comes to a close and does so with even more good things awaiting going into the second half of December, today we take a look back at an album which very much has become one of my own personal signature moments of the year (and hopefully yours as well). This project is one of only three to have received a 5/5 rating from us over the past two years and it came from a very much expected source. Besides being a favourite of mine , Ras Batch is someone who has seemingly pushed himself so far in the music, in terms of his quality, that delivering something great became not only predictable from him, but mandatory. Here's someone who 'simply' does not (and is likely incapable of) make poor and substandard music. Never does the Virgin Islands musical genius fail to entertain and CHALLENGE his audience and in 2012, you could make the argument that he did both like he had never before. The record would also find him linking with another source from whom quality is a guarantee in I Grade Records, as well as a whole heap of outstanding players of instruments. Today we take a look and listen back to one of the year's finest and REWIND! "Know Thyself" by Ras Batch.  

#1. 'Jah Children'

Listening back to this tune now and one thing stands out so much for it now and that is the fact that it sounds so wonderfully placed at the head of this album. When it first drops in, you can almost tell that what is to move in across the next four minutes or so is going to be something really special and this is the case despite its slowness. 'Jah Children' isn't this great and overpowering type of sound, but it delivers itself in such a beautiful package and one which is perfect for a first song, especially at the head of such a great album. Oh and there's also this:

"From the top of the mountain Rastaman dem itinually chanting

Fyah gonna bun you when pon babylon it is you wanting

Rum dem ah drink when herb Rastaman dem itinually planting

Deep inna di teachings of His Majesty, I & I stay standing" 

#2. 'Give Jah Thanks for Life'

I'm slowly coming around to thinking of the single greatest song that I have heard in all of 2012 and certainly one of those in the mix is a tune which shares the same riddim as 'Give Jah Thanks for Life', which, of course, is 'Crown I Got' by Toussaint and I don't know if I'll ever be able to hear this track and be successfully able to separate it from this track (I won't). Still, it's very nice that Batch's effort on that composition, 'Give Jah Thanks for Life', has found a nice place in my memory because it now jumps out at me from the first sound of his voice. This song, ostensibly, is one like dozens and probably hundreds that you've heard before, but I've come to appreciate such a fineness of details in how this song is arranged and written which keeps it from being some lame and clichéd type of piece. That initial bit of strength in it is that Ras Batch pretty much answers the next question after the title - "give Jah thanks for life" … 'why?'.

"With Jah we survive"

#3. 'Stay Fit'

Maybe a brisk run or at least a few push-ups are in your future after hearing 'Stay Fit' and that's fine (that should be in your future anyway), but the type of fitness and strength on this tune is more of a mental and spiritual one (although one could well argue, and I probably would, that attaining mental and spiritual strength is considerably easier when your physical body is healthy). Although this wasn't the most dynamic Roots piece that you're likely to have ever heard - there was one nice melody on this song which I think is exactly the type which would go overlooked on an album like this, but definitely spin a few more spins on this one and what you'll hear is a powerhouse of a tune and one of the album's finest.

#4. 'Dem Against Jah Rules'

Two songs prior to it was a tune which I really feel is quite 'related' to 'Dem Against Jah Rules', 'Give Jah Thanks for Life' and I now look at this one as, essentially, a continuation of that one. Here, Batch directly addresses certain poor things he feels are going on in society, particularly amongst individuals and institutions which he feels aren't necessarily giving thanks for what they have and aren't necessarily grateful in his eyes.

#5. 'Love Always'

"From hatred inna yuh heart -

Can fool man, can't fool Jah 

Want to enter Mt. Zion, still wicked so you can't 

From inside it ah tear you apart

Cah from yah judgment you can't depart

Confused and don't know where to start

Didn't recognize Jah is the spark

Still ah move like a weak heart

I will love always, while babylon fade away

I will love always, no matter what the weak heart say

I will love always, every night, every day

I will love always, His Majesty

Cheat and try to win

Cah they don't have no joy within

Hatred's gonna die, love's gonna win

All inna must babylon face dem sin -

And come to dem ruin

Nuff adversary inna di Rastafari discipline

Through the thick or thin

SO MAKE DI JUDGMENT BEGIN, BECAUSE A JAH LOVE MAKE THE EARTH SPIN!

I will love always, while babylon fade away

I will love always, no matter what the weak heart say"

TEARS! Writing this becomes significantly more tedious and time-consuming as I reach this tune because there're about six or seven spins before I actually feel comfortable in moving on, like I've been satiated by it… at least for the moment.

#6. 'Guns on the Street'

I now think that 'Guns on the Street' is a better tune than I would have given it for being originally because, again, I've heard so many songs like this one, but it has something extra which sets it apart. Ras Batch paints one bleak picture for the present and the future and directly draws it back to violence the presence of guns in society, but as you'd always expect, he finds this great way, early in the song's second half, to not make a spiritual detour, but a spiritual higher ground.

#7. 'Together'

If you don't know much of Batch and about his wonderful music and I were to present to you a song like 'Together', you might not comprehend that the song is somewhat of a step outside (or 'around') or what the chanter normally does. Not in terms of its subjectry or what is said, but for its pacing and how it sounds, with very few exceptions, he rarely gets this type of glaring and immediately catching song. The songs which are like that, such as maybe 'Wi Nah Lose' from the "Vizionary" album don't begin like that, they build. So, in retrospect, when I then tell you that this song was the first single from "Know Thyself", it probably makes even more sense. And, definitely not to be lost in the beauty of the song is its message which, as is always the case when it comes to Batch was a sweet one. Here, he dealt with the PROCESS of uniting and all of its many benefits.

"Righteous knowledge seeks progress

COLLECTIVE SECURITY, FOR I & I INVEST

Must haffi make it somehow

Must haffi make it someway 

Inna sound vizion Rastaman sight how babylon ah fade away

Wi fighting on the battlefield and do our best

Nuff struggle and trial and agony, throughout the test

Life bring nuff circumstances, still I & I stay blessed

It's a time for unification, the Rastaman suggest" 

#8. 'Live Pray'

I'm going to ignore the elephant [or tiger] in the room and instead, what I will say about 'Love Pray' is that it too follows in the row of songs preceding it like 'Give Jah Thanks for Life' and others where we find Batch giving a TANGIBLE thanks and praise. It's less so in this case (which, given its title is clearly by design), but this is still a very real and substantial song and one which becomes even more so, in both cases, on every listen. One of my favourite songs on this album and off this album - looking at all of Batch's music.

#9. 'Roots Tradition'

Even from before I decided to actually begin writing this feature (I knew I was going to write it as soon as I finished listening to the album for the first time), I'd been listening to 'Roots Tradition' quite a bit. That's largely because it is absolutely CROWDED with discussable points and moments for myself and maybe I'll look at one or two of them right here. First of all, when I listen to this song what I immediately take away from it is that Batch is saying to his audience to become educated on your personal and ancestral history. If you do not do that step and are not willing then the song is useless to you and that's something which he actually seems to acknowledge at one point, with a Garvey-esque idiom:

"If a nuh root, the tree won't stand" 

On top of that, what Batch also seems to be saying, not necessarily directly to his audience (but maybe) is that once a person has educated him/herself on who they are and where they have come from - this is not a person who you think low of. You do not underestimate this person, who is now able to take pride and TAKE LOVE in things which others may not even know existed. It's an extra trait, but again, in order to follow along, it is an indispensable one. And also, to build on that last point, the song is very much one preaching PRIDE. Batch loves to make songs like this and you can look back at years and years of like-minded material in his catalog, such as the aforementioned 'We Nah Lose', 'Melanin', 'Africa We From' and others (big tunes, all of them), and see that it is part of who he is as an artist and as a person - being so important to him and rightfully so. A brilliant song!

#10. 'Trees' featuring NiyoRah

Speaking of things that Batch likes to sing about and are important to him… 'Trees' has gone on to become a signature moment from the "Know Thyself" project and for more than just the fact that it was a single and that it featured the wonderful NiyoRah (who is probably one of the top five or so most talented artists in Reggae music today. Period). There was just so much to enjoy with this one and the smallest one wasn't that with such songs, Batch shines. And he wasn't done shining on this album either. 

"Burn it in tabernacle

Burn it inna di club

Wi burn a spliff and burn babylon dung!" 

#11. 'Dem Wrong'

'Dem Wrong' is a great song. And I would and have said that about many/most of the songs on this album, so maybe I should say that 'Dem Wrong' is a "greater" song because it's better than almost all of them. Originally I compared this song to an earlier one, 'Dem Against Jah Rules' and I do still see that, but this song and that one do also have their share of differences because the first is not as direct as this one. Also, while Batch certainly is passionate on 'Dem Against Jah Rules' - maybe it's just me but he seems PISSED OFF at times on this one. He seems angry and hurt and frustrated and all of those play so well into the full-on presentation of this song because if you were talking about some of the things he mentions on this song, you'd (hopefully) be angry too. 

#12. 'Mama Daisy'

There hasn't been much in the way of change in this song for me and there probably never will be. 'Mama Daisy' is a tribute song Batch sang for his Mother. It's a great song, very personal and I'm sure I'm not the only one who listens to it and immediately wants to just talk to their own Mother. 

#13. 'Know Thyself'

The title track for this album, somewhat like the opener, has this musical 'glow' surrounding it. What the song is actually about isn't too far, at least in my opinion, from what another song, 'Roots Tradition', had going, but in a slightly different way. In this particular case, it's almost a furthering of that lesson. On 'Roots Tradition', you were given a CHOICE, if you didn't want to hear it, you could move on (do so WHOLLY with fault and nastiness, but move on still), on 'Know Thyself', however, your interest, your passion and your own education up to this point is already assumed and it becomes this excellent broadening of the education. And, fittingly so, it's a challenging song. This isn't a song which is going to come to completely the first time you listen to it and it shouldn't. But for really heavy fans (like You and I), this is an amazing song and the journey to comprehension is at least part of (if not completely) what really makes this tune what it is (and the entire album named after it, for that matter). This song also, beautifully, bears the signature handiwork of the most masterful Tuff Lion. 

"Ancient mysteries, represent Ethiopia and Kemet

With an Afrikan spirituality giving us guidance to reflect

And I see, how Haile Selassie First reconnect -

With the Afrikan inna di West to I original self"

#14. 'Most High' featuring Ima

If we read correctly, Ima, who guests on 'Most High' and is Ras Batch's Wife may actually have an album forthcoming of her own. She's been on songs, here and there, and has always impressed and I will be extremely interested in hearing such an album when/if it materializes. As for this song, which I loved from the first moment I heard it, it's another which finds Batch, and now Ima, giving thanks for what they have. This song is striking for several reasons and not just for its prevailing quality (which is great). What I really focus on now is 'basic' it is and I mean that in a good way and it's obviously intentional. When you give thanks for waking up, for shelter, for rain water, for EVERYTHING, what it does (at least in a song), is to really send a message to your audience of not only how grateful you are, but how many GREAT reasons exist for everyone to be grateful for. Whatever you have, whatever you have going for you - you give thanks for it. 

#15. 'Never Forget'

I'm not going to quite call it 'Lesson 3', following the title track and 'Roots Tradition', but 'Never Forget' is very much related. Batch's music - ALL OF THE TIME - is edifying of the Afrikan experience, presently, in the future and historically. He covers it all and it is a passion of his which is so great that he has developed as an artist from his beginnings (his debut album was called "WHO YOU ARE") to be able to make songs like these and make them so well. I can name you dozens of his peers of whom you might say the same thing, but I don't know if I can say any of them go to the lengths of being so technically erudite as he is (I just thought of one actually) (his name is Vaughn). Certainly you'll find people who will lock in and give you their opinions (and you'll love them, just as I do), but Batch really packs in the knowledge in his music to the point where songs come off as mini classes and 'Never Forget' was probably one of his most demanding and FULFILLING. 

"How they beat I ancestors, down, down

And taken to the bottom of the belly of the beast, down, down

With a lifetime of work with chain and shackle pon feet

With no release

Robbed right of dignity

From the day they were born, until this earth they leave

Afrikan sacrifice - 

To the world you remember this" 

#16. 'Sacramental Herb'

Still shining and still teaching. 'Sacramental Herb', following 'Trees', was the second song of its kind on "Know Thyself" and although the first is going to and has received the greater share of attention (and that's fine), 'Sacramental Herb' is a HUGE song (acknowledging the herb as a GIFT from The Almighty). It's also one, if you really listen to it and as we've been talking about recently which is just so intelligent and so smart. There's one thing to lift up certain ways of phraseology to make a point here (with the most obvious in this case being, in Reggae music, "bun it!" or "blaze it!") but it's another of an entirely different and more lasting kind when you say something like: 

"From the mountain call Rastaman -

Wid a staff and a chalice in him hand

Many months him did ah work up di land

Inna reason, inna meditation

Fi bring a good, good vibration

And spread it amongst the nation

Hold dung all di frustration

And build up communication

Why do they fight the cannabis?

Waan mash up di foundation

When the earth need cultivation

Agriculture, occupation

Inna natural habitation

Waan keep di herb inna limitation 

When it's the healing of the nation"

#17. 'Repatriation'

Lastly on "Know Thyself" was the song which was initially and remains my favourite song on the album, the completely HALTING 'Repatriation'. Because I listened to this song so many times before I ever wrote about it, I don't know that I have some new and groundbreaking thing to say or opinion of it - I don't. What I will say, however, is akin to what I said for the opener being so good where it was placed on the album. 'Repatriation' comes in a scintillating and… just PROPER closer. I've given you what I felt you needed to have for the journey literally; I educated you and showing you how to survive ["with Jah"]; I told you what to bring on songs like 'Trees' and 'Sacramental Herb' and tell you what not to bring on 'Guns on the Street'; I've instilled in you pride and told you to give thanks and to whom to give it - there's nothing left for us to do. Let's go home.

Taken as a whole, again, there is one major thing which now strikes me in regards to the quality of this album. This is something that I've said this In the recent past when referring to someone like Perfect Giddimani for his last couple of albums or so and now I‘m going to say it of Ras Batch for this one - while I do not know if I can call this is his greatest album, I can say that he has never made an album which has more shown what he is capable of as an artist. I don't know that he has an album amongst his other six (all of which were at least very good) which has found him so clearly at the height of his abilities and talents. And while I say that, I have to acknowledge the genius which was the "Jah Guidance" album, which I proclaimed a Modern Classic and somewhere between those two, in my opinion, is Batch's greatest work. You, however, can't even begin to entertain such a thought or a choice until you've picked up an album which is at least the second best album this artist has ever done and, as of this writing, at least the second best album of 2012. "Know Thyself" by Ras Batch.

See original review

{Nicholas Walters - Stand Up!}