Long legs. If you watch the replay of a sporting event, no matter how amazing it may've been originally, it loses a bit of its attraction. When you can ask Google who won and for a play-by-play, even the greatest of spectacles lose a bit of drama and lustre. Similarly, when you watch a great movie, the first time is, far and away, the greatest. It is the only time you'll see it and not know what's going on and be subject to all of its twists and turns. You may love it. It may hit you in emotions that no other movie approaches but after that initial viewing, it will NEVER be that good again. For the sake of comparison, think of your favourite song (or your ten favourite songs, even). Unless you've recently changed your mind, you probably cannot recall the very first time that you heard it. It holds no distinction directly or indirectly -- because you probably can't even tell me what you felt the first time you heard it -- because WHATEVER it is that you love about it is potentially replicated each and every time that you listen to it. Music is one of the very few types of entertainment that our species engage in that is immune to time. Sure, you can have certain things at work such as quality and technology may go a far way in dealing with such things (with how much producers of music love to remaster things) (and I'm not complaining. I recently heard what I believe to be a remaster of the title track of the album I'm currently reviewing) but even certain things in recordings that aren't necessarily perfect can be looked upon as adding to one's appreciation and affection of a particular song. You hear it today and you love it.... nearly thirty years from now you may still love it and for the very same reasons, regardless of where you may be in your life at the time (and how ridiculously different it may be from where you were the first time you heard it). We deal with Reggae around here, so while I never spend too much time speaking about a guy named Bob, I do think that it is worth mentioning that though Bob has physically been gone for nearly forty-five years, his greatest hits album, "Legend", continues to dominate the genre in sales as Billboard recently announced it was the best selling Reggae album in 2025... its SIXTH consecutive time taking top honours. Fifty years from now, I'm not surprised if the case is the same, as his music continues to find new audiences (if such a thing is even possible at this point) while maintaining the interest of his older ones despite the fact that the songs are the same. When you make genuinely high quality music, it hits like absolutely nothing else and it can, potentially, hit FOREVER.
If you do not like this song, leave and never come back
So does that will explain while I'm slapping a full review on a relatively random and obscure nearly thirty year old album from someone who definitely does not register amongst the biggest stars of Reggae music? Yep. It does. A few months ago, I stumbled upon a song from 1997 by the name of 'Rocky Foundation'. It was produced by the mighty Kariang and it CAUGHT ME. For some reason I cannot describe, this very random tune has remained on my players for the better part of the final quarter of 2025 or so. Ostensibly, there's very little remarkable about it; it is just A BEAUTIFUL SONG. The song was done a singer by the name of Daweh Congo who I have talked a bit about in the past but, as I look over to the tags on this page, he doesn't have one and because he was in the process of DESTROYING me with 'Rocky Foundation', I decided it was time to do something about it and it just so happened that Congo had an album at around the same time 'Rocky Foundation' was about and, listening to it these days, that album had also aged incredibly well.
"Militancy" was an album which received a decent bit of attention in its day (1997) and the years around it, if I recall correctly. Though somewhat obscure, it had secured a fairly decent following for Congo and these days is kind of regarded as more of an underappreciated gem of a set (did all I could to avoid using the word "underground" in there). It was, in fact, the debut album of the Kingston born Daweh Congo who, as the son of 70's Reggae singer, the late Leo Graham, would have had a bit of natural attention on him in the early stages of his career. The album came via the all kinds of interesting RUNNetherlands imprint who had a pretty decent run in their time as, along with "Militancy", they also worked with the likes of Tanya Stephens, Macka B, Prezident Brown, Panache Culture and others (like ET Webster) and really made a very nice contribution to Reggae music throughout the 1990's. "Militancy" remains perhaps their most well known release but RUNN did a more than respectable tour of duty in their day. The album was guided by the venerable Barry O'Hare and really went to establish a borderline (or a 'floor') level of quality for Daweh Congo which persists to this day (he has a tune coming in a few weeks by the name of 'Amharic Verse' which is EXCELLENT) ["Sing Amharic verse now. Hail Selassie First now"]. This man does not make bad music. He never has. Though he doesn't receive the attention in 2025 that he may've in... 2000 or so, that isn't his fault at all. Over the years, Congo has done some considerable work whether you realize it or not. Back in 2008, he released what I consider to be his greatest piece of work to date still in "Ghetto Skyline" (featuring the wholly damaging 'Blue Moon') (DO NOT -- I REPEAT, DO NOT -- LISTEN TO THAT SONG) (do so and you will never know peace again) but listening to "Militancy" these days... it isn't lagging very far behind at all and for those who did catch on in its earlier years, I can clearly see (hear) what would have been the attraction. When this album is at its pinnacle, there's a very BIG and inviting presence that it has. It isn't in the same way that I would say about the last album that I reviewed, "Andromeda: Sign of The Times" by Sydney Salmon & The Imperial Majestic Band but there is definitely something inherently attractive and damn near special about the way in which this album comes through to the listener AND I should also note (in this entirely too long sentence) that "Militancy" doesn't have any era. Though approaching its twenty-ninth birthday, it sounds modern, old school and everywhere in between. Let's get into it.
Daweh Congo's voice has always been somewhat similar to Burning Spear's to my opinion and I've heard others say that as well. When you place that in a more modern context (and I don't necessarily mean that in terms of time. I'm saying "modern" in respect to activity as you don't associate The Spear with jumping on someone's riddim), the results can be downright hypnotic (there was once a tune called 'Blue Mo.... nevermind. You don't need to know that) and in an unusual way. Congo's style can be therapeutic and challenging at the same time but it works to the tune of a largely undeniably high level of consistency. The first part of "Militancy" is somewhere in the stars and the very first part of the first part, 'Travel East', may just be the best part of all the parts (that's a lot of parts).
"From the old captured land, backra plantation
Lionheart hold a meditation
CHANTING FOR COUNTLESS REPARATION
From the wicked, from the wicked system
Inna far away land, I remembered Zion
INNA DESOLATE PLACE, JAH SHOWED ME HIS FACE"
Checking in HEALTHY, nearing five and a half minutes, 'Travel East' affords Congo all the time he needs to settle down and get comfortable on that SWEET riddim and what you end up with is such an impressive vibes and one which well puts you in the mind to hear what is to come after it. His voice, inherently, may not be the most emotive but you hear everything in this one. I hear Daweh Congo completely losing himself in singing this tune and it comes roaring through on this MAMMOTH opener. Charged with and up to the task of following 'Travel East' is the album's obligatory ganja tune, the downright stunning 'Coconut Chalice'. In a very basic level of quality - you just don't make ganja songs that sound THIS good to any type of frequency. 'Coconut Chalice' is SPECTACULAR as Daweh Congo approaches the 'topic' in a very broad way, covering virtually every single conceivable aspect in a gorgeous way. Next up is Congo's cut of Bob's Heathen Riddim, 'No Peace'. Congo finds his comfort and his harmony at home ["No peace is in foreign. My sistren, dem ah send greeting but no peace is foreign"]. Again, portions of this one, particularly the ending, are rapturous in a hypnotic type of way. He so much appears to lose himself in the vibes and, for the astute and curious listener, it is such a damn attractive quality to the work of Daweh Congo. 'Study Garvey' has probably gone on to become the most recognizable track on the whole of "Militancy" and it also ranks highly in its quality. I mentioned that I compare Congo's vocals to those of the legendary Winston Rodney and 'Study Garvey' is definitely something that you would find in the bag of the Burning Spear who idolized and celebrated the great Marcus Garvey like no other. Congo is up to the task as well.
"I man would like to reflect on the message that Marcus left
Cause if you look around, some no know self-reliance yet, not yet
So gather your thoughts and come along
Children, this is a chance for your freedom
If you're willing to be free - free from slavery
Come follow dem yah teachings of Marcus Garvey
Mek wi study Garvey, come mek wi study Garvey
Know yuh history and wi destiny
Mek wi study Garvey, come mek wi study Garvey
Know your history, further wi destiny
So why they teach about Columbus?
They don't teach Mosiah Garvey in school, in school
A propaganda dem spreading!
I wonder who dem tink dem ah fool, dem ah fool
Black man, I know something is wrong
You see, wi have been down for very long
But there's upful livity in strength & unity
Cause such is the teaching of old Mosiah Garvey"
The song is both exalting and tangible (as you would think Garvey, himself, would prefer) (he'd probably prefer 100% tangible, actually) - there is MUCH substance in this one. So, while you enjoy that beautiful sound (courtesy of the legendary Kette Drum Riddim) be sure to give ample attention to the words that you're hearing as well; failure to do so is failing to FULLY appreciate 'Study Garvey', at least in my opinion. I think that the vocals get a little too loose, at times (the chorus), on 'In America' but not enough to spoil the tune altogether. A social commentary about.... America, this one touches on things such as violence and governmental malfeasance. I'm damn curious as to what drove Congo (or whoever it was) to write this tune. It does have its moments but it, ultimately, does come off as somewhat awkward; and, given its length (it is the only other song besides the opener that is north of five minutes on "Militancy"), although not BAD, 'In America' is probably my least favourite tune on this album. If the ship needed righting (and it didn't), the semi-jovial 'Together Thing' takes care of that. This multi-faceted celebration (he literally celebrates EVERYTHING that comes to his mind) certainly isn't a GREAT song but it holds the place it has on "Militancy" as a positive addition to the vibes. Particularly, it shines musically. You can appreciate/enjoy this one on a very easy level and the message supporting it (albeit likely spread too thin) carries weight as well. I also feel inclined to mention the album's love song here, 'Love Is Real'. It isn't great but it isn't hindering either. It's just a kind of bouncing love song which is surely cursory but, to its credit, as 'Love Is Real' progresses, it does develop and, by its end, at least musically speaking, it's a fine bit of instrumentation.
The second half of "Militancy" begins in the same way that the first did with a very big tune, 'Jah Call Them' (again, biggup Burning Spear), which reaches atop the Drum Song Riddim ["Just mek dem secure!"]. Daweh Congo is prepared to answer HIS call and he suggests that the rest of us do as well when the time comes ["I CALL JAH UPON MY BLOOD CELL PHONE!"] because no such protection and guidance exists anywhere else. 'Jah Call Them' is just gorgeous and I have to say something about this... kind of subtle but entertaining amount of spontaneity that you get in the latter stages of it. It isn't the only time (or the first time) on the album but just listen to the ending of this tune and how much FUN it sounds like Congo is having while bringing it altogether. That's something that definitely adds to the listening experience for the listener - knowing how much it meant to the artist (or maybe that's just me being a nerd). Without question, 'Let Them Fight It' ranks as one of the project's finest offerings and it just may be its single best written piece.
"How many empty buckets broke in Standpipe?
How many homeless people?
How many sleepless nights?
When will those who have nothing pay the price for services the system never provide?
Politics is a trick, so systematic
A no poor no benefit, only rich get rich!
I can see the economical frigidness
Oh my advice is this: Don't put your life at risk"
"Some should go to trial and get a sentence
They are the ones who provoke the youths to violence
And then again, youth, you better watch yourself
No more politically motivated offense
Politics is a trick, so systematic
And in your jailhouse stint, there is no justice
When they give you firestick, do not accept
Oh my advice is this: Dem a terrorist!"
Congo dazzles during portions (pretty much all of it, actually) of 'Let Them Fight It' with his words and when you add in the fact that song also SOUNDS so damn good, you have a substantial piece of music on your hands from this album and the whole of his catalogue also. Congo pays a thick homage to the wonderful music that he and his peers make on 'Rythm Track'. You hear songs like this one and maybe you don't pay them much mind because you think they're just kind of... THERE and have no significance but that isn't the case with 'Rhythm Track' to my opinion (and, just generally speaking, I enjoy songs from this perspective). Congo deals with the power of the vibes and how they make people feel ["If you're happy and you love it, I say shout 'Forward!'"] and their importance in the world, while dealing with the behind the scenes matters as well. The Swing Easy Riddim plays the backdrop for another of the more recognizable tracks from "Militancy", 'Golden Text'. Find a book and get to work is the sentiment behind 'Golden Text'. You could take this one in a more educational direction, perhaps, but Congo's focus, unsurprisingly, is on text of a spiritual kind ["Study the golden text. Meditate now and retrospect"]. Between this song, however, and 'Study Garvey', you can see that such things are very important to Daweh Congo throughout "Militancy" - awareness, education, humility. And 'Golden Text' is just a nice vibe as well. It's very pleasing to listen to. Lastly, we FINALLY get to the title track where Congo is looking for a few fit and capable soldiers on behalf of His Majesty. It isn't a full-on physical war that he's recruiting for (although that may be involved at some points) it's more of a mental and spiritual group of warriors that he's searching for and doing so with a recruitment anthem that is divine. 'Militancy' is a very curious choice for this album's title in my opinion but the actual tune is FLAWLESS. It is such a beautiful vibe and it stands out on prominently on the album named after it. You could sorta/kinda call it a praising piece although that might not capture it entirely but that is surely a part of it. What I ultimately took from the closer is that Daweh Congo, again, is trying to put a bit of pride in the masses, while also challenging us to live more upful lives. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, SIR.
Two things stood out for me that I want to circle back to briefly before I put a bow on this review: The first is something I alluded to more than once and told myself, intentionally, that I would stop mentioning; and that is just how many of these songs PICK UP as they go along. It came back to mind as I was listening to 'Militancy', because when you get three-ish minutes into it, there's a quick point where the music gets to BREATHE a little (it's closer to 3:16 if you're looking for it) and it seems to intensify (at least for me and maybe only me) after that. It is such a subtly powerful moment and it really just adds to the quality here and it makes me want to listen to this album more. The other thing I wanted to mention is completely ridiculous. I just wanted to take another opportunity to say just HOW DAMN GOOD 'TRAVEL EAST IS'.
"IN A DESOLATE PLACE, JAH SHOWED ME HIS FACE"
I WAS LOST! I WAS ON MY LAST LEGS AND HAD NOTHING GOING FOR ME AND HIS MAJESTY SHOWED ME THAT HE WAS STILL WITH ME! WHAT A SONG! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SONG!
Overall, yes, I will continue to drool all over 'Travel East' and a few others here and you should join me. We often look at Roots music as being of a certain type of sound, where it is built on all of these certain themes and ideas and while that is certainly true and "Militancy" is no different, it's also VERY ENTERTAINING. I don't know if newer fans will appreciate it in the same way that more familiar heads DEFINITELY will... but I'm of the opinion that even if this is your very first interaction with the genre, that you can enjoy the MUSIC that you will hear on this album. It is of such a quality level that I think it can cross that bridge to some extent. For me, however, it's golden. "Militancy" is an impressive early career collection from an artist in Daweh Congo who, although he may have not (he hasn't) gone onto reach a level of superstardom in Reggae music, has established himself as a tremendously capable and consistent vocalist. If you need an example, check "Militancy" (and pretty much anything else he's made since): A random, nearly three decade old album that I just decided to review one day.
Long legs. If you watch the replay of a sporting event, no matter how amazing it may've been originally, it loses a bit of its attraction. When you can ask Google who won and for a play-by-play, even the greatest of spectacles lose a bit of drama and lustre. Similarly, when you watch a great movie, the first time is, far and away, the greatest. It is the only time you'll see it and not know what's going on and be subject to all of its twists and turns. You may love it. It may hit you in emotions that no other movie approaches but after that initial viewing, it will NEVER be that good again. For the sake of comparison, think of your favourite song (or your ten favourite songs, even). Unless you've recently changed your mind, you probably cannot recall the very first time that you heard it. It holds no distinction directly or indirectly -- because you probably can't even tell me what you felt the first time you heard it -- because WHATEVER it is that you love about it is potentially replicated each and every time that you listen to it. Music is one of the very few types of entertainment that our species engage in that is immune to time. Sure, you can have certain things at work such as quality and technology may go a far way in dealing with such things (with how much producers of music love to remaster things) (and I'm not complaining. I recently heard what I believe to be a remaster of the title track of the album I'm currently reviewing) but even certain things in recordings that aren't necessarily perfect can be looked upon as adding to one's appreciation and affection of a particular song. You hear it today and you love it.... nearly thirty years from now you may still love it and for the very same reasons, regardless of where you may be in your life at the time (and how ridiculously different it may be from where you were the first time you heard it). We deal with Reggae around here, so while I never spend too much time speaking about a guy named Bob, I do think that it is worth mentioning that though Bob has physically been gone for nearly forty-five years, his greatest hits album, "Legend", continues to dominate the genre in sales as Billboard recently announced it was the best selling Reggae album in 2025... its SIXTH consecutive time taking top honours. Fifty years from now, I'm not surprised if the case is the same, as his music continues to find new audiences (if such a thing is even possible at this point) while maintaining the interest of his older ones despite the fact that the songs are the same. When you make genuinely high quality music, it hits like absolutely nothing else and it can, potentially, hit FOREVER.
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