Coming Soon: "My Time" by Norris Man

"My Time" by Norris Man [Blaqk Sheep Music & Loud Disturbance]

1. Interlude

2. 'Give Praise'

3. 'Chances'

4. 'I Pray' featuring Busy Signal

5. 'Music'

6. 'Moved On' featuring Saine

7. 'My Time'

8. 'Giver Of Life'

9. 'Others'

10. 'Badmind'

11. 'Revolution'

Veteran singing chanter, Norris Man, continues his completely sudden and surprising level of prolificacy by now pushing his sixth album in the past twenty-five months or so and his debut for 2014, the seemingly appropriately titled, "My Time". The album, most recently, follows December's "Mystical Journey", but is also the latest in what has to be regarded as one of the most surprising stretches in recent Reggae history as Norris Man continues his run. "My Time" finds the artist collaborating with a different producer for the fifth time in the six albums (both "Mystical Journey" and "Modern Roots" were done by Nordic Steel), this time linking with both Blaqk Sheep Music and Loud Disturbance.

"Mystical Journey" [2012]

During this latest stretch, while I cannot call him completely consistent (Norris Man just does very different things sometimes) (see the "Modern Roots" album), remarkably Norris Man has, generally, been in a fine form. To my opinion, his career has definitely been 'streaky' and it works well now that with this abrupt burst, he has been in a fine form. And, as I have said in the past, when he nears his absolute best, Norris Man's is one of the greatest talents currently to be found in Reggae music. 

Early clips of "My Time" sound promising on tunes such as 'Giver Of Life', 'Badmind' and 'Others', but I'm particularly looking forward to hearing the very familiar sounding 'Give Praise' (which is not the song of the same title on the "Mystical Journey" album… and probably a few other songs he's had of the same name), which should be exceptional. We'll all find out on May 27, when Norris Man's latest brand new album, "My Time" reaches digital stores.

'Sowing Seeds': A review of "Good Prevails" by Alpheus

Growing. We do often speak about development in terms of artist's coming of age and entering new stages within their careers as it can be an extremely interesting thing to follow. If you can, off the top of your head, just begin to trace back some of the things that some of your favourite musicians have gone through over the years, and how they have managed (if they did manage) to maintain and you can get a very brief 'clip' of just how compelling these situations can be and almost always are. And this certainly isn't a phenomenon which is only reserved for younger and up and coming names, as you'll find people who have likely been around longer than you have who are continuing to progress and go through various musical changes in their careers. You can mention someone like a Glen Washington who is currently, still, enjoying a renaissance within his career which is now being presented to… who knows how many generations of entirely loyal fans. And Washington's case, in particular, will always be fascinating to me because it was never as if he changed his style or something like that and there was never anything to really 'mark' the occasion -- fans just seem to, one day, begin to give his music its due and, a few years later, we haven't stopped -- and he can deliver that new album whenever he's ready! And when you begin to look at people of that same class of Washington's, some of  them have also achieved a lasting amount of success very deep into their careers, but nothing has been as abrupt when it comes to the successes enjoyed by individuals such as Beres Hammond and Freddie McGregor. But I think that someone who would make a very interesting comparison would be an individual who we first covered just a few years back and someone whose re-rise to prominence has also been very sudden, yet far more explainable than Washington's - the wonderful Alpheus. Though I wouldn't necessarily call him a 'household name' in Reggae circles (although, at this pace, you might be able to argue with that fairly soon), the UK veteran has had a very good career and, in 2011, he put himself on a map which, obviously, is going to take him a lot longer to get off of than three years. What he managed to do, for what it was, is probably one of the most remarkable surges in Reggae music's recent past. 

WHAT HAPPENED?! I'm referring to Alpheus' last album (which, I think, was his third), the MASSIVE "From Creation". The circumstances surrounding that album may've been one of a kind as word of how fantastic it was preceded its release date by a month or two [!] and when it finally did arrive, it was one of the most discussed Reggae albums of its time. Fortunately when we got to listen to it, fans were thrilled by the results and surely Alpheus made a whole heap of new fans based, solely, on the strength of "From Creation" and I was one of them. The album was a delightful old-school charged set which placed the former Studio One singer in his element and allowed him to shine brightest, fulfilling on everything that we had heard about it prior to its release and providing fans with a bit extra. The stars had aligned just perfectly and Alpheus took full advantage of the moment and dazzled!  

"From Creation" [2011]

So maybe they can realign? Hopefully that is exactly what is at work because Alpheus now brings forth his first album since "From Creation", the also much anticipated "Good Prevails". If you were going to try to maintain your best form, you might not want to change much and Alpheus hasn't as the new album finds him, once again, teaming up with the increasingly well respected Spanish producer, Roberto Sanchez and his A-Lone Productions imprint. This time, also at work is Liquidator Music and, thus far, all involved have done another stellar job in getting the word out as, once again, Alpheus releases an album which is promoted exquisitely well. I was very happy when I learned that Sanchez was producing "Good Prevails". As I said, when you go back and look at an artist's history, it's interesting to see them progress through the various stages and, though we can't see what happens in the future, perhaps years from now we'll add heat to an already flaming project and designate "From Creation" as not only a great album but one which began a very fruitful relationship between artist and producer. The fact that the two sit down to even do the second album (regardless of its results) shows that the moment wasn't lost on them and they also appreciated the work that they had done together and wanted to see if they could do it again. And I wanted to see as well! Personally - Alpheus is been someone who has been making full albums from when I was a kid and I'd always meant to listen to some of his work extensively, but I didn't get around to it until "From Creation" and that album was so good that you wanted to hear more of it and "Good Prevails" presents that opportunity. It is a condition you think of more in regards to 'mainstream' projects where an artist can explode internationally and then you wonder if any of those new fans that they made will come back for the next project or the next one after that, but I also think that Alpheus is experiencing that with this album and, seemingly, entering another stage of a very progressed career. So, with all of that being said, this album had no room for error. It had to be damn good and I didn't get very far into it at all before becoming aware that they had done it again! Let's examine.

Just like with its predecessor, on "Good Prevails" Sanchez provides Alpheus with old school and old school vibed tracks which play so wonderfully to his strengths throughout the album. Speaking of strengths, at the head of the album is a tune which is one of its brightest lights, 'Our Strength'. This song leads me into a major point that I want to make about this album. This is the type of album in which you can fully immerse yourself in the music and the vibes and if you do that, that's great - have fun. But be sure not to get so deep into that aspect of it that you lose sight of the lyrics which, at least in my opinion, are just as crucial as the music they feature across. On 'Our Strength', in particular, Alpheus delivers a message about taking pride in who you are and standing up for yourself when you have to. Most memorable are the first lines uttered on the entire album, "As long as there is life in we, we nah go let them treat we like dirt". 'Open Your Eyes' is another winner with a great riddim behind it. There is a wildly infectious DUSTY type of feeling absolutely engulfing this tune which is hard to describe (and I just gave it my best shot, hope that you appreciated it), which dominates for me, but if you dig deeper, and you should, you'll also find a very nice track about self-awareness and learning everything you can from your life experiences. And also infectious is the bounce of 'The Right One' which is a love song. I love that an album which sounds like this isn't brimming with selections like this, but you NEED a few of them and if they're of the quality of 'The Right One' they can actually be standouts and it is in this case.

Of a similar class to "The Right One' are the other love songs on "Good Prevails", the big sounding 'Secret Rendezvous' and the GORGEOUS and damn clever 'Pass The Test'. The former has a very unique quality to it. It's a love song but it kind of sounds suspenseful (and that may be the first time I have ever used that term in describing a song), which does play into the direction of the song. 'Pass The Test' is a fantastic song and NOTHING like what I expected from the title as Alpheus speaks about bettering himself and making improvements in his life so he won't lose someone very special in his life. The song may be one of the most unique love songs that I've heard in a really long time and I always appreciate originality when I least expect it and I didn't expect it AT ALL in this case. Big tune. That may have come as a surprise but something which certainly did not was the title track which takes top honours on the album named after it. 'Good Prevails' is a very interesting piece because it is just as much of a musical display that it is an actual song. There is a heavy focus on the musicianship and although it isn't the THICKEST song that I've ever heard (more on that in a minute), it is saturated in a star quality which is inescapable.

"At the end of  the day -

Good will prevail

The words of truth could never fail

Live good today and always

Live good today

Evil believes they've won the day

But time will tell through good leads the way

Live good today and always

Live good today"

Book-ending the title track are a pair of also outstanding efforts, 'Look In The Mirror' and 'Rudie No More'. In this case, the former is my second favourite song on this album, but the latter is also strong as it also combines big lyrics with a sterling composition. 'Rudie No More' is a song about someone attempting to fix up themselves and lead a better existence and, taking it further, I think that Alpheus presents a song like this to say that it is possible and if you are someone in that situation, you don't have to be like that for the rest of your life - you can make changes. It does not have that kind of a BRIGHT feeling that you typically hear on a song like that, but that's a good thing as Alpheus takes a serious method of delivering a serious theme. However, if you are actually looking for brightness, you can just 'Look In The Mirror' for a very intense light and another extremely clever offering. This is a song about self-esteem and liking the person who you are. I take a song like this on so many different levels (because I’m an over-thinker and can't help it) and while you can take it to a deeper step and deal with the mental side of the song, I like the immediate aspect also.

"Look in the mirror

Love what you see

Believe in the image

Never delete

Respect the reflection

For its yours to keep"

You could make the case that he is dealing with subjects like body image and people not being happy with themselves physically and not enjoying their appearance. In that case, I think that it is an even more crucial song because that is a subject RARELY explored in Reggae music.

The final third of vocal selections on "Good Prevails" continues to serve up delicious material including 'Reach For The Top'. This one is a full JOY to listen to. It has a very vibrant feel to it and it features Alpheus saying to just be the best you can be and enjoy your life as much as you can. It is kind of 'loose', but that is a nice feature on a song like this. Being too rigid here would have been… very strange. The tune which follows 'Reach For The Top' reaches even higher in my opinion. 'Show Some Love' is a similarly directed piece to the tune ahead of it and it, WONDERFULLY, has Alpheus, essentially, identifying love as a contagious element in the world. Saying that if someone shows some love to someone else, then maybe someone else will pick up the momentum and carry it for themselves (and even if they don't, you do it for yourself!). 'Stand Up' may feature the biggest bite on "Good Prevails". You need a song that has a little anger on it and though you could also feel that in the opener, on 'Stand Up' it is even stronger. 

"Now that we've pushed the past behind -

A STRICTLY UPWARD WE CLIMB

We ahgo stand up!

Nah go give up!

Now everyday is a struggle

But we nah go decline

We ahgo stand up!

Nah go give up! 

Sometime it's not an easy ride

And we slip and ah slide

But we nah go fall down, down, down"

And finally (not really), "Good Prevails" ends with the excellent 'Liberty'. This song is a fairly straightforward one with the emphasis being, obviously, more of a social nature, but Alpheus seems to deal with it on big levels [in terms of, literally, not being able to be free] and small ones [as in people pushing themselves into areas of your life where they do not belong] which is a nice touch. Another nice touch (two of them) are the pair of instrumentals which really do complete this album. 'The Shadow' is the same suspenseful and enthralling [WHAT!] piece backing 'Secret Rendezvous' which seems to have added a melodica to the display which is a great one. And there's also 'Soul Food' the riddim from 'Soul Food' (although every time I hear it, I immediately begin to sing, "I'm still in love with youuuuuuuuu"), which also heavily incorporates some melodica and is another very nice idea. 

So what don't I like about this album??? As you can see (hopefully), I really like it and I enjoy it so much that I wish that there was more of it! An album like this one which is of a type where the music is as much of the 'story' as the lyrics, should have more weight to it. I want to hear long extended instrumentals after the vocals on songs and while you do get stretches of that, eleven of the fourteen tracks are less than three minutes in length for a total playing time south of forty minutes (and because I know you're curious, "From Creation" was more than ten minutes longer). I'm a nerd, and I know it, but on some of these songs, you could have let them play and play and play and I would have LOVED it. 

Alpheus

Overall, I did love the album and, thinking about it for in respect to what it is for me, I'm glad I came back! Along with being just a great album, "From Creation" was kind a landmark release for Alpheus which well saw his profile increase and a lot of people like me took notice and on "Good Prevails" he begins the work of reinforcing his newly found fan base and pleasing his more longtime fans as well. I can't imagine that any from either group will be disappointed by what they find here, If you are a more established Alpheus fan then you (probably just wasted your time reading this) know what to expect and you know you're going to love it, but for those people like me, "Good Prevails", is not a large deviation from the previous album, but it is enough of a unique piece that you don't feel like these are just the next fourteen songs from "From Creation". I do have to, once again, mention the link here as well. I don't know what they're future plans are, but it would be awful if Alpheus and Roberto Sanchez never made another album together. It is so clear that the two have generated so much functioning musical chemistry with one another that should do another of these every two or three years. "Good Prevails" is both a big followup to a future classic and a strong album on its own merits which, again, finds Alpheus turning in a major performance when everyone is watching. Well done. 

Rated: 4.35/5

Liquidator Music

2014

CD + Digital

Review #510

'No Worries': A review of "Therapeutic" by Ziggi Recado

High. When you listen to enough music and sit and wait on enough albums, you're guaranteed to have dealt with more than a comfortable amount of emotion. I've always maintained that even listening to music, if you're doing it properly, should be an emotional experience, but anticipation is one of them which can be most problematic. In the more immediate sense, and the one which we deal with today, there is the eagerness in looking forward to something that is forthcoming like a performance you are going to enjoy… or an album or something like that. For some of my absolute favourite artists, I do not always not what to expect in terms of quality when it comes to an album. At the head of that list is Sizzla Kalonji and though, occasionally, you will get to a release which is a lock to be very good (like "The Messiah" album), you often go into listening to some of his work and not really know, at all, what to expect (and I'm not complaining about that. In Sizzla's particular case, it may even be part of the draw because he's had a thousand albums). An even more glaring example would be someone like Turbulence or Norris Man. Though the latter has seemingly found a winning form in the past couple of years, in either case you almost have to find out in what type of form both are before knowing whether or not the release will be any good. At their respective bests, either is capable of turning in a truly CLASSIC release, but at another level, either is just as capable of pushing something which far below average (especially in the cases of those big talents). And although he's been stellar and as consistent as ever in recent times, Perfect Giddimani is someone else who would fall into that category but, in his particular instance, you never know what to expect from him so it has become routine to expect the unexpected. With all of that being said I do have to give credit now to a very small group who, win in comes to albums specifically, though my anticipations are always high, I don't have to worry how good the results will be in even the slightest amount. The leader of this pack would be Etana who, amongst her three albums (in my opinion) has two classics and two albums which were the best in the genre during their respective years. But also included in those ranks would be the likes of Tarrus Riley, Ras Batch, Pressure Busspipe and… not too many others. There is someone else who could release an album on a day like today, for example, and though I would really look forward to hearing it, I wouldn't have to hear it to know that it was exceptional. I'd just know it.  

"In Transit" & "Ziggi Recado" [2008 & 2011]

Ziggi Recado. In recent years, Ziggi has shown himself to be amongst the most consistent names in Reggae music and that has definitely translated onto his albums. Most recently, back in 2011, the Statian star released his eponymously titled third studio album which was one of the finest releases from that year. The hit 'Mary' would appear on that album and, in general, it was an outstanding release. Ahead of that, Ziggi gave us "In Transit" which was, in retrospect, one of the best albums I've ever heard and has been deemed a classic on these pages. And Ziggi has a star quality about him which is shown in just how popular he's become throughout the years and, as I've said in the past, in the future when we look back at Reggae from this era, I think his is a name likely to be one of the most crucial in defining the music from this time period. 

So if someone like that were going to release a new album, surely I'd be interested and you would be as well and it probably wouldn't even matter who produced it. HOWEVER, if you were to ask me my opinion on who I would like to have helm such a project, I wouldn't get too deep into my list at all before I'd mention the name Zion High Productions. The flaming US based imprint, along with the Zion I Kings collective, has been no stranger to consistency themselves as well. Even earlier this year ZHP gave us one of the finer compilations of 2014 so far, the Jah Warriah Riddim, and that came on the heels of a glowing 2013 which brought to fruition big records from veterans Lloyd Brown ["Rootical"], Cornell Campbell ["New Scroll"] and General Jah Mikey ["Original Yard Food"]. If, under some ridiculously healthy set of circumstances, you could link Ziggi Recado and Zion High Productions that would be… a very nice thing for you to do and I would thank you. Thank you! "Therapeutic" is the brand new and fourth album from Ziggi Recado and it comes courtesy of ZHP and the ZIK. Following the aforementioned "Ziggi Recado" set, the artist split with his longtime homebase label, Rock N Vibes, and "Therapeutic" becomes the first full album that he has done with a different producer (although in between the two was a wicked pair of EP's, volumes one and two of "Liberation" for Dredda Records). Ziggi has also worked extensively for such esteemed labels as Necessary Mayhem and Special Delivery and after the news of the split I assumed that one of them (or maybe he would even produce it himself) or another of the labels he works with frequently would do his next album. Also, unless I'm overlooking something (and I usually am), the very first time Ziggi worked with either ZHP or the ZIK was on the Jah Warriah Riddim from earlier this year. So it did come as a surprise that artist and label were working together on a full release but apparently they both have very good taste. As you knew it was going to, "Therapeutic" quickly proves to be a fantastic release from beginning to end and one of the best albums from the first half of 2014. 

One of the first things that I noticed about this album was how closely its sound resembled its title. The "Ziggi Recado" album was quite varied and the brilliant "In Transit" was downright electric at times ["Shackles and chain caan stop the fyah wi ah blaze! Babylon you must get erased"] [BOOM!] but this album, for the most part, is far more laidback and it is a quality which brought another very compelling aspect to the project. The pace for Ziggi Recado's new album, "Therapeutic" from Zion High Productions is set by the sublime opener, 'Masquerade'. This tune is about as clever of a social commentary that I've heard recently (it is to social observations what 'Mary' was to ganja songs).

"Babylon ah recruit for the circus

Dem ah juggle, my youth keep the focus

This is a masquerade

Babylon ah recruit for the circus

And di puppets ah fulfill dem purpose

This is a  masquerade

The circus is in town

Everybody waan si di puppets and clowns

Perform dem act then di masses bow down

Dem applaud and make a joyful sound

Si dem pon di ass galloping through di ring

Acrobats mek yah head spin when dem swing

Seats sold out, so money generating

MIND CONTROL IT IS A SERIOUS THING

Juggle dem ah juggle and ah balance your life

Pon di tightrope and a something real nice

And here comes the circus troupe

DI EDUCATED MONKEY AH JUMP THROUGH DI HOOP

The commissioner's inna trance -

Well hypnotized by the circus dance

Si di ringleader wid di devious plans

Everything set, nothing happen by chance

Round of applause, this is the greatest show

THE DIRECTOR'S A NATIONAL HERO

There's a big show dated tomorrow:

Limited inna di front row

Dem ah patrol - 

Seeking mind, body and soul 

Intention fi fatten up dem billfold

Hey, nuff a dem a fight fi control of di greatest show dem behold"

The LUSH track underpinning 'Masquerade' is amongst the very best compositions on this album and, to my opinion, the song is the heights of "Therapeutic" and definitely one of the best songs that I've ever heard from Ziggi. It shows an incredibly high level of skill and, again, while it may come to no surprise that he is capable of such a tune, THIS is the type of song I wanted to hear on this album. Drawing the misfortune of following such a 'show' is a tune well up for the task, the BEAUTIFUL 'Got It Right Here'. The song is a love song and a wonderful one. So easy and organic (and you listen to how that riddim develops -- it picks up a keyboard and it just works so well), 'Got It Right Here' comes off perfectly with perfect blend of passion and proficiency. 'Miss Outta Road' is a tune from the same mould as I Wayne's 'One Man Can't Satisfy Her' (biggup I Wayne) and it also works well. It stands greatest, for me, as a tremendous display of skill by both vocalist and producer. The track here is excellent and Ziggi, as he does throughout this session, shines. I'll also definitely mention here the swinging 'Talk About', a big tune about people who have great difficulty minding their own business. 

"Dem quick fi report and spread nuff news pon di cornah

When it check it deeply, nuff a dem a no friend, but informah

What goes around comes right back around, dem nuh hear bout karma

Mi no watch no face, cause I know their spreading rumours!" 

I really hope that this song gets an opportunity to do some damage, because along with being very impressive from a lyrical standpoint, 'Talk About' is a very nice song to listen to even on the surface. It has a very nice vibes and I'd be surprised if people really got to here and it didn't become some type of a hit from this album. 

Speaking of potential hits, I think that any of the album's three combinations have that quality as well. It is becoming the signature of all albums from the ZIK to have big guests as, aside from I Grade Records' selections, you should also recall that the previously mentioned "Rootical" featured HUGE names such as Jahdan Blakkamoore, Pressure Busspipe and Queen Omega tuning in alongside Lloyd Brown. And once again ZHP have tapped some excellent featuring talents. The most obvious is also the first as Midnite's Vaughn Benjamin makes an appearance on the golden 'Earthstrong'. Earlier this year Benjamin had his own giant album for the ZIK and IGR, "Beauty For Ashes", and he's also shown up on the Jah Warriah Riddim and Pressure's "The Sound" release as well. To my ears at least, 'Earthstrong' is this very bright and vibrant composition and mixing Benjamin into such a composition made for a very unique sound and, obviously, one I very much appreciated as the two put on one of the best displays on this album dealing with the circle of life. And I think I hear something interesting with a background singer on this song, so big her up, whoever she may be. The praising piece, 'Jah Mercy', is another very strong selection, this one featuring both the esteemed Earl 16 and Taranchyla. I believe this may be the first link between Ziggi and the former, while the latter also appeared on volume one of "Liberation". 

"The depths of Jah mercy is endless

Forever and infinity - it has no end, yes

Mercy fi di ignorant and the thoughtless

Mercy fi di wicked, mercy fi di heartless

Yes, I & I seh progress!

Educate and stimulate self-awareness

Conscious livity a so it be [no stress]

Ever-faithful, ever-bless

I know Jah mercy, Jah mercy -

Endureth forever more"

Everyone here does very well, but I have to give a special credit towards Earl 16 whose wholly timeless voice sounds as impeccable as ever on this big tune. 'Guide Ova', the final combination on "Therapeutic", features Lutan Fyah who, like Vaughn Benjamin, has also appeared on every ZIK album from 2014 thus far (and the rumour was that he'd also have an album for IGR this year, so definitely stay tuned) and I could not wait to hear this song and it did not disappoint as two of the greatest lyricists of this generation do exactly what you'd expect on a GIANT tune giving thanks to The Almighty.

"Parasite dem waan tek a bite

Outta my soul, but dem caan out mi light

Cause The Almighty guide over, guide over

When King Selassie and His mighty horse trodding

It's like a army full of love with The Most High God within

No flesh, no ghost wi no mix up inna sin

Tell dem touch not the Lord's anointed

Coulda, coulda, coulda, coulda pagan or crab

Yet still they'll be forgiven 

HOW GREAT IS THE MERCY OF SELASSIE THE KING, HIM!

Some fall short and lose the essence and the meaning 

MAN BLESS THEM WITH HIGH-VOLTAGE REASONING"

"I & I tired of living in exile

Living inna babylon yard

Deh so weh di living too hard

Inna exile, make sure you nuh draw no bad card

Living inna babylon yard"

"Stress dem out and lef dem inna frustration

Dem cold like a ice, dem inna refrigeration

And di Nyabinghi lef dem inna paralyzation

Dem nuh know di real situation"

BOOM! Ziggi, in general, has always had a good reputation as far as working with other artists (he's worked alongside some of the best in the genre) and it is enhanced even further with the material on this album.

The remaining songs on "Therapeutic" are doing well for him also. At the head of them in my opinion is a pair of HUGE tunes which actually come in sequential order on the album, 'I'm Blaak' and 'Don't Disturb'. The former is  a downright glowing piece dealing with being proud of who you are and your heritage. The tune comes off more of a display than just a straightforward song. It almost seems like Ziggi is just saying what comes to his mind more than he is singing a song at times and the instrumentation here is also heavily featured. The song seems like just 'what happened' as opposed to being the purpose and I think that is an excellent touch. As for 'Don't Disturb', the album's obligatory ganja song, it holds the course of quality from songs like 'Mary' and others ["Joka smoka!"]. A more relaxed and confident vibes dominates the track before things explode in its latter stages on one of the more memorable musical moments from the album. Another song that I very much enjoyed was definitely the cavity-causing 'Luv Injection' which, based on its title, was a song I was very much looking forward to hearing. If there were a title track for "Therapeutic", this would be it as Ziggi deals with. A song destined to get heads nodding, 'Luv Injection' also brings the lyrical edge as well and, for what it is, it may be one of the better written tracks you'll find here and that's not something you typically say about a love song… and you may actually be able to say it twice. 'Ras Got Love' may actually an even stronger exhibition of the spoken word than 'Luv Injection'. 

"So naturally, immaculate and pure

So spiritual, she's the original cure

There to the end, you and I will endure

I'm gonna give you each and everything you ask for

Every time I see you, I want you more and more

Me and you together is the perfect score

Open your heart, baby don't close that door

I love yuh décor

Rasta got love for you

Rasta got love for you

I've got everything that you need

Rasta got love for you

Rasta got love for you

All you gotta do is receive"

The song has such a powerful vibes to it (with a KNOCK which is not to be missed) that while you may not feel it, initially, you'll soon see just how much of an impact it makes you when you can't get it out of your head (more on that in a minute). The also sweetly vibed 'Delete My Numba' deals with the other side of love and I did not like this song the first time that I heard it, but after a few listens it grew on me a lot, so give it a real chance before passing judgment. Finally, This therapy session concludes with an unusual song and another one which comes off as being very free, 'Nah Know Bout U'. I wouldn't be surprised if this tune, or at least pieces of it, were very spontaneous but Ziggi does tie it all together under this umbrella idea of self-awareness saying that he's taken care of his end, but now its time for the rest of us to do the same. 

Ziggi Recado

Overall, I just alluded to it, but I want make it crystallized here: "Therapeutic" is the type of album that gets considerably better the more you listen to it. And that's saying something large because I think that you could give it a cursory and casual listen and like it and probably like it significantly, but what is to be found after a few more spins through is an album which is even stronger and that's something that I found in even dealing with it for the sake of this review. It lines up as the type of record that, five years from now, you'll still be finding new aspects of to enjoy and I'm looking forward to it! As it stands in the present, however, it's also looking fantastic! "Therapeutic" is a laidback, seamless GEM of an album and one which fits finely into the increasingly impressive catalogue of Ziggi Recado, Zion High Productions and the Zion I Kings… but you didn't need me to tell you all of that, you knew it already, One of the year's finest. 

Rated: 4.65/5

Zion High Productions

Digital

2014

Review #509