Warrior Status by Ras Attitude

"Warrior Status" by Ras Attitude [Boondox Records & Partii Animalz Entertainment - 2020]

Today, if all goes according to plan (and it won't), we're attempting to begin the loooooooong road of covering some of the more interesting releases that we've missed during our absence and we're starting with an always compelling subject. Ras Attitude is someone who I have always felt has had such a large amount of potential and it is something which he had demonstrated throughout the years during his development as an artist. From his nascence, making music alongside the venerable Ras Batch (who we'll also be looking at pretty soon hopefully) and Sound V.I.Zion Records, the St. Croix chanter has, for me, proven himself to be not only amongst the most gifted artists from out of the Virgin Islands, but in all of Reggae music when at his absolute strongest.

He'd also, thankfully, enjoyed a fine stretch of activity. Following the release of his first album, 2000's "Happiness" (which was once very difficult to find, but is now readily available digitally), Attitude would go on to push seven albums in just a dozen years or so. By virtually any comparisons not named Vaughn Benjamin (who could do that in a healthy couple of years), averaging better than an album every other year works just fine. Probably his most well known set, "Trodding Home", arrived in 2007. While his finest effort, in my opinion, remains "I-Meditation", from a couple of years later. There would also be "Hold The Vibes", which has kind of gone forgotten (not surprising, because in its day it was also kind of hard to find, as was a Lutan Fyah album from the same label, released at the same time, I believe) (and that album, "Truly", was special. It was absolutely fantastic) (and Chezidek actually had a release called "Freedom Fighters" from the same imprint, which you just aren't likely to recall) (and that one was probably the most well known of the trio if I recall correctly). But.... that was 2012. It would take a perplexingly protracted EIGHT YEARS before Ras Attitude would arrive with album #8, "Warrior Status". This project, presumably, finds him taking matters in his own hands as it comes via Boondox Records, which I am certain is his own label, in association with Partii Animalz Entertainment. I thank them both for materializing this one late last year, but I would have taken it from anyone by that point. So was it any good? Let's see.

{Note: Told myself this intro would be short..... I have issues}

1. 'Don't U Dare'

The very first thing that I want to say about the album's opener, 'Don't U Dare', is about its very own opening. Whether done intentionally or as something which arrived organically, the kind of 'checking' which is the start of this song and thus, the entire album, is just a very nice touch. Ras Attitude makes sure we're all ready to go and we begin.

As for the actual song, it is a definite highlight here as well. Somewhat of a more complex praising piece is 'Don't U Dare', as Attitude warns all never to go against the teachings and the will of His Majesty. I call it "complex" not because of some strange type of sound or deviation of any type, musically, but if you REALLY join in on this one fully, Attitude REALLY takes you to some very interesting locations, lyrically.

"Now they become fools and characters
Psychopathical monsters and zombies, not to mention vampires
Trying to suck out wi energy
But the powers that guide I and protect me -
Keepeth those evil vibes from around me"

"Jah powers manifest to be strongah
Then any witchcraft or poisonous potions from the sorcerah
They could never conquer The Conquerah
King of Kings: The Higher Power
You know not the minute and know not the hour
Inna yah owna judgment you get devoured
And get caught inna di rapture
Inna bad vibes you don't get captured, don't get captured"

2. 'Green Gold Rush'

'Green Gold Rush' came through with a very familiar vibes and when I looked it up, I traced it to the Kif Kif Riddim, from West Coast Studios (more on them in a minute), a few years back. It was just an excellent, EXCELLENT composition and though it didn't carry so many pieces, it did support solid ones from the likes of Perfect, Arkaingelle, Ras Indio and others. For his part, Attitude put the Kif Kif to work behind the first of a trio of strong ganja tunes on "Warrior Status". This one, in particular, focuses almost entirely on the remedying and natural purposes of the herb. It is extremely well written as well and while this may be the type of track which attracts an amount of attention because of its subject, it is downright sagacious at times at very clever.

"They assume when doctor give dem pills, its gonna better for dem health
They are only being dishonest  to themself
TAKE A LOOK, LIKKLE MORE, DEM SI DEM INSIDES AH MELT
Cuz dem strung out pon pharmaceutical help
Natural thing, in through my lungs, then to my brain
No doubt about this indica strain
Di herbs yah keep I sane
And di herbs grandpa draw fi, when him feel pain"

3. 'The Rain'

Just like the song preceding it here, 'The Rain' is a production of West Coast Studios from out of Morocco. I was well familiar with this one, I'm certain we covered it at some point and, if I'm remembering accurately, it did quite well for Ras Attitude, it was very popular in its time. Take a listen to it and it is no mystery as to why it found an audience. For their portion, WCS once again delivers a golden riddim. There is a very nice old school spice to this one which gives it this LARGE vibe but not one which is overbearing at any point. It is golden to my ears and the chanter doesn't allow it to spoil. Instead, he spreads love to any and every where he can reach. And the the approach is also nice. Ras Attitude can SING. He can't 'for the type of music he makes' or some other type of genre-limiting phrase. The man can just sing! He could sing, Gospel, R&B or whatever you need (probably got it from his Mother). When he chooses to use it and push it just a bit, it is wonderful, 'The Rain' is about as sterling of an example of that.

4. 'Please Mr. Police'

New World Sounds takes the credit for production on 'Please Mr. Police', the second of the aforementioned trinity of ganja songs on 'Warrior Status' and another song which touched me as a bit familiar when I initially heard it on this set. Where 'Green Gold Rush' dealt more with the herb's medicinal purpose and structure, this tune goes more on looking at the stigma attached to it and the plight ones often go through in pursuing it. Again, it has a very nice, horn-heavy (LOVE horns, always have, whether I realized it or not) old school colour to it and Attitude ultimately plays right into it lyrically in a very nice touch later on during the selection.

5. 'Current Situation'

And then there is the BOOM! To my opinion it is the Rally Up Music vibed immaculate social commentary, 'Current Situation', which provides "Warrior Status" with its crowning moment. When I first listened to it on the album I found myself singing the chorus, it was well known to my ears and it made me smile because it'd definitely been awhile from the last time I'd heard it. What I was missing out on was a MASSIVE and stinging set which this album reignited for me.

"Dem cancerous to di children of Afrika
No weapons that they form shall prospah
You corporate monsters, wall Street slave masters
This is our current situation-
All I know, all I know
This is our current situation"

6. 'Quidamawi' featuring Qshan Deya'

This release comes armed with a very strong pair of combinations as well with a duo which make fine appearances - which is exactly what you'd expect from two singers of their calibers, respectively. The first is the 'Volcano Trumpet', big voiced Vincentian Qshan Deya who thrills on 'Quidamawi' alongside Attitude. We're always happy to see Deya on any project (and he has a new single out this year, 'Smile', which is, reportedly, the first from his own forthcoming album. BOOM!) but had you told me, in any instance, that Qshan Deya and Ras Attitude were making music together, I'd be something more than interested. They do not disappoint (they couldn't if they tried) (they could link up and make a Calypso song and it would work, somehow, someway). 'Quidamawi' actually quite reminded me of another Ras Attitude combination, that one featuring the wonderful Malika Madremana, 'Jah Lives'. And just like that track, here we find another fittingly giant amount of praise poured in the direction of His Imperial Majesty. I also want to mention briefly (can I do anything "briefly"? Anything at all???) as another testament to Ras Attitude's vocals: Qshan Deya can sing anything. His POWERFUL and CLEAR voice is one of the finest in modern Roots Reggae music and Attitude is not lost or drowned out here. He more than holds his own and together, the two produce magic.

7. 'Read Up Ur Bible'

I'm sure I've heard lyrics like those found on 'Read Up Ur Bible' in other songs in Reggae music and probably other genres as well. Taking it in broadly, it's about the importance and value of education, particularly that of younger people. But, specifically, I do not know that I've heard an entire tune about on the topic.

"Read up your bible youthman
Stay out of trouble and be humble, know Jah Jah plan
From the Old Testament to the New one
It's easy, we can make reading fun"

The artist goes on to deliver parts of the Bible in a way that would be attractive and entertaining to younger people, lyrically. Again, it isn't something that is out of place in this genre, AT ALL, but the way in which it is structured is very refreshing as he combines themes of education, as I said, as well as a more natural type of maturation and foresight (he did a similar thing on an exquisite track called 'Shedrach, Meshach, Abednego' many years ago, as far as telling a story and teaching).

8. 'Warrior Status'

It almost seems as if when he recorded it, that Ras Attitude had it in his mind that he was going to try to make an entire album named after 'Warrior Status'. From the very first second that it makes any type of sound at all, it demands your attention and it holds you throughout its duration. This one, as you suspected, is a MIGHTY call to action, as well as a call of PRIDE and finding value in one's heritage.

"Red, Gold and Green man ah fly
Tell di wicked man dem step outside

Mi si wah dem do, hear wah dem do but dem caan come try that with I & I"

But the biggest star on this tune, as I said (or at least tried to), is just the general PASSION which flows from the title track (I hear a really cool Capleton-esque lyrical twist late on in this one). If you just listen to this album straight through, it may be THE song you walk away with stuck in your head because of its REACH and that's a good thing.

9. 'African Walk'

I believe that 'African Walk' is the latest single from "Warrior Status". It's also the clear changeup here. I hear Hip-Hop, I hear.... I think you call that Drum & Bass and just a variety of different musical flavours, which is a well-welcomed addition to the vibes here. I've come to expect songs like this which really help on an album, in my opinion. Even if they don't stick as personal favourites for you, what they do is show a definite versatility and, as clear as day, Attitude can rank highly in quite a few different styles. Lyrically, 'African Walk' actually chases the title track nicely as both as just effuse pride and LOVE in Africa and Africans.

10. 'Jah Jah Love' featuring Army

DAMN! Along with linking up with the not extremely active Qshan Deya on 'Quidamawi', 'Jah Jah Love' finds Ras Attitude alongside the downright musically reclusive Army. The world instantly becomes a better place the SECOND Army makes a new song and you just as immediately become a better human being (or a better house plant, cat, dog, snail, whatever you may be). Although he never gives us quite enough, the vocalist ALWAYS makes the most of his output and this combination is no different. The two veterans produce exactly what you knew they would as this gorgeous praising piece glows from beginning to end and registers amongst the very best songs to be found here (and here is where I would ask for more from Army, but it won't work so I'm not going to do that) (or did I just do that????).

"The Most High Love is great
Cause offa ya shoulda The Emperor lift alla di weight
And up a Zion Gates, love is the order of the day!
Oh mighty Jah, You keep me strong, and on and on, I put my trust in You
No matta what they say, no matta what they do, no matta what they try-
RASTA PROTECTED BY THE MOST HIGH
The heathen-"

"Caught up in the game of waiting
With time fading fast
With  governments demonstrating -
They would never last
Think they woulda always linger?
Sit around and point the finger?
No way, no way, no way, NO WAY"

11. 'Paradise'

Wayyyyyy back in 2010 we reviewed an album by an artist named Naptali, called "Long Journey" which was produced by the soon-to-be sizzlingly reliable Oneness Records from out of Germany. It would go on to be our album of the year for that year and is still amongst the very best albums I have ever heard from anyone, EVER. I love that album. I mention it here because Ras Attitude's 'Paradise', straight away, had me sailing back eleven years to a tune from that wonderful album, "Seven Miles", which featured Luciano.

"Marcus Garvey, a Black Man, prophesized to the nation when he asked:
Where is the Black man's government?"

It gave me a push to go and have a listen throughout the total album and it had been an unfortunately long time since I had heard some of those songs ('REDEEMER'! DAMN!). The riddim itself was such a nice and serene vibes so for it to play background for a tune called 'Paradise' is very apropos.

Attitude's idea of finding his paradise comes in the form of doing things which are pleasing to His Majesty and enjoying the blessings he receives. I was so happy that this song sounded as it did because it kind of makes a grander PRESENTATION of the idea. So many times I get stuck on grinding down lyrics (and I will continue to do that, I enjoy it) (I'm not complaining), but on a piece like this, which has a very free vibes, you really get the feel that the notion was, along with making a song, to really demonstrate the message: Live an upful life and feel like this (and I wouldn't be at all surprised if 'Paradise' was a kind of natural development and had very little pre-planning. It has a  very free type of sound which makes it seem more spontaneous, at least in my opinion).

12. 'Cross the River'

Ras Attitude almost seems to channel the great Joseph Hill vocally on the outstanding 'Cross the River' late on this album. The chorus on this track might just be the finest and most hypnotic of its type that you'll find altogether here:

"Cross the river
I see Ethiopia
Cross the river
I see Mama Afrika
Cross the river
I see Dada Selassie
Cross the river
I'm not imagining things
Cross the river
I see Black people there
Cross the river
Oh yes, my family's there
Cross the river
Everyone is there!
Cross the river
Across the river"

And the balance of it is just as strong. I guess I could say that it sort of snuck up on me. I was, for whatever reason, not expecting 'Cross the River' to be what it turned out to be. It is MAMMOTH on both lyrical and musical levels which link and..... ultimately had me rethinking my selection of the best song on "Warrior Status". I love the final bits which turn up the musical intensity and you really get a SWEET big vibes. And, like I alluded to, it sounds like something you'd find in Culture's catalogue where it would also sit as a highlight even in that legendary vault.

13. 'Most High Protect I'

I was well acquainted with 'Most High Protect I' by the time we arrived here as it was a previous single of Attitude's (thinking about it now: It probably was a single, specifically, for this album) and it well fits the vibes here. As its title suggests, 'Most High Protect I' is a praising composition and it GLOWS! There is just such a vivid and colourful feeling about this one which, despite the fact that if you're reading this much of a review you've probably heard hundreds of songs like it (literally), gives is a volume and substance which will make it stay with you. It also helps that the chanter is as fine of form as he is at any point on "Warrior Status". And pay a special attention to the second verse (one of the strongest on the entire release in my opinion) where Attitude applies a nearly wholly tangible perspective to this most special form of protection. MASSIVE!

14. 'Willow Tree'

If you should still hold some form of reservations regarding Ras Attitude's singing voice (shame on you for having bad taste), those will all likely be eradicated (or they probably won't considering the fact that you've held on to them for this long) with his acoustic cover of 'Willow Tree'. I believe the tune was originally sang by the late and great Alton Ellis and Attitude more than does it justice on an offering which just might bring a tear to your eyes if you REALLY tune it in.

15. 'Marijuana [We Ah Bun]'

And finally is the third of the 'ganja trinity' of "Warrior Status", the very entertaining and old school licked 'Marijuana [We Ah Bun]'. Once again you hear healthy doses and doses of legendary Culture frontman, Joseph Hill on a tune which is just so lovely CHILLED and equal parts poignant and FREE. It doesn't sound like much was planned with this one and, as I think I said on a previous song - it really has a very ORGANIC vibes to it which is an excellent note to end things on.

I think the only real criticism I can lay on Ras Attitude's "Warrior Status" is that it seems as if the album probably spent a bit more time than expected in the gestation period. While it released in November of 2020, it would seem that its 'prime' may've been.... maybe late 2016/early 2017-ish? I'd remembered  covering 'The Rain' prior to our long break and that song actually dates back to 2013 originally and some of the other selections here were heavily promoted as well (several of them had videos produced as well), so I would just guess that, perhaps, this album realized later than expected and anticipated.

With that being said, however, just judging it musically, "Warrior Status" actually stacks up quite favourably and does even when compared to Attitude's prior output. Doing something like this presents a wonderful opportunity to go back and REALLY dig into some of his prior work and, really, the only album that I think clearly outpaces this one is the "I-Mediation" set which remains my favourite from the artist. Apart from that, "Warrior Status" is as good as we've seen from Ras Attitude to date, which is saying a great deal. It stands as a project bathed in what should be regarded as one of the most PROFICIENT of talents in modern Roots Reggae. At the zenith of his powers, that is what this artist is, this latest release being a mighty example of that.

I also just wanted to kind of place his entire career in focus, now that we've had a look back (the album review is over, I just felt like adding this little bit). Ras Attitude has been making ALBUMS for TWENTY YEARS. He has probably been making music and singing, in some form or another, since he could speak - but he has making full blown albums for twenty years now. That is absolutely remarkable when you think about it and it is my belief that he has had a significant impact, if on nothing or no one else but myself. I thoroughly enjoyed writing this, even if it took me too long (I'm old and crazy now, please forgive me), because it cracked open what has to be one of the healthiest VAULTS in my own personal history as a listener of music. If you've missed anything along the way, virtually all of his music is readily available digitally. You should take a listen. You will not be sorry that you did.