'Still Flying': A review of The Rub A Dub Market Riddim

Build it. Music, probably by definition, is an arena virtually founded on inconsistency. Of course, ultimately, it is a matter of opinion, and opinions, themselves, are also very inconsistent, but if you've followed pretty much anything musically for long enough, surely you've come into the recognition and acceptance of the fact that no matter how much you enjoy someone or something, they're never going to be able to please you all of the time. Most of them, furthermore, won't even be able to do it most times. So, when you stumble upon someone or something that you find does consistently put out music that you enjoy or does so in far greater quantities than material that you do not like, it is very important, as a fan in my opinion, that you are not only focused on appreciating the moment (because, as we've already established, it could end IMMEDIATELY), but also are sure to support them/it. Now, when it comes to labels (which is what we're doing today), fortunately I can say that over the past couple of years or so, we've had some really strong ones who have not only shown great consistency in terms of the prevailing quality of their releases, but have also shown it in their quantity. Presumably, it's much easier to consistently do good work when… only do work once or twice a year. If you read my work to any level of constancy, you know that here I bring two of my absolute favourite labels, I Grade Records and Oneness Records. They've both, in completely different ways, have established themselves, CURRENTLY (and that's saying a lot, particularly about I Grade because they go back a few years also), as individuals making GREAT Reggae music. I'd also add a few others to that list such as Maximum Sound and Necessary Mayhem and today we're definitely going to take a look and a listen to another imprint who has been pushing excellent results for awhile now, the Austrian based IrieVibrations Records. Quietly (not really), the label has been making music which has made them exceedingly difficult to ignore over the course of the past few years or so and, in doing so, have also definitely become and confirmed their status as one of the most dependable stops from anywhere in the world. On top of that, while I may not talk about them as often as I should and would like to, personally they've also become a favourite of mine and pretty much anything that they do at this point is going to get my attention in some way.  

"Freedom Fighter" by Anthony B [2012]

Now how, exactly, have they managed to do all of that? It's all really simple (not it isn't). When you, in the course of less than a year, manage to release the best album from star chanter, Anthony B, in a really loooooooong time and do one of the finest projects of the entire legendary career of Luciano - I'm over-paying you attention and that's what IrieVibrations did with "Freedom Fighter" and "Rub A Dub Market", respectively. And it wasn't like they started there either. Throughout the years they've also done projects which have shone the light in their direction, but definitely 2001-2012 has been one of the brightest of spots in history for the label. 

also from IrieVibrations Records

So why not keep it going? Who knows what else is to come (I think I remember hearing a rumour about them doing an album from Konshens last year or the year before), but right now we get to take a look and listen to their latest release, the Rub A Dub Market Riddim. Obviously (hopefully you've been paying attention and I haven't lost you that quickly) (we're just getting started!), the riddim is so named after the title track for the aforementioned WICKED 2011 album of Luciano (which we voted the second best Reggae album of that year and may just be a top five release in the album catalog of 'The Messenjah') and it probably wasn't much of a surprise that IrieVibrations chose to expand It in this way. Just a few months back, the also did the Jungle Skunk Riddim, which took the riddim from another big tune on that album and spread it around as well. Also, while albums from Luciano, Anthony B, Konshens & Delus and Perfect Giddimani before them will stand out further, this IVR does have a solid history of doing nice riddim albums. Along with the Jungle Skunk, they've also done up nice pieces for their most interesting Roll Out Riddim, as well as the Sweet Baby (which was sublime), Peace and Caribbean Riddims respectively. And I'll also mention a stellar compilation from a few years back that they did by the name of "Still One Drop" (more on that later). Out of all of those, I may say that the Sweet Baby was my favourite (biggup Mischu Laikah), but as an album, I think the Rub A Dub Market has just soared to the front of the pack as IVR's finest riddim album to date. It certainly aides one in making a good riddim album when you have a strong riddim and the RADM is pretty special in my opinion. The composition here is a very straight forward, but very LIVELY Roots piece which made for an excellent backing track for the huge tune for which it is most well known. As always, another aspect of the riddim album (any of them), which is most interesting is who is voicing it and joining Luciano is a most colourful lot of artists which is damn impressive. One in particular I found really surprising and although there're only ten tracks on the Rub A Dub Market Riddim album, to my opinion, Irie Vibrations have made strong choices in who voiced the track and, by its end, as I said, they manage to pull together their finest riddim project to date. Let's take a closer look. 

"Rub-A-Dub Market" by Luciano [2011]

Besides being the lively piece of which I spoke, this piece, alone just really makes you feel good. As I've constantly said in the past, that's a full quality for a song and a riddim and thus, my only solid critique here - I'll tell you now - is the fact that an instrumental version of the track isn't on the album. What is, however, present on the Rub A Dub Market Riddim album from IrieVibrations is the already much discussed and celebrated riddim title track from Luciano. 

"Some artist nowadays look like ah gaze dem ah gaze

They're making music to gain some fame, but it's all in vain

But when Messenjah and him crew touch down -

A strictly worries in town

We lick dem wid word, power and sound

Roots and culture wear di crown

Some a dem ah push bad vibes and dem nah hold no rem

Dem ah gwan lak dem a di roots, but dem ah di branch and stem!

Dem shoulda know wi ruling so from way back when!

Dem know dat Papa Luci is a living legend!

Dem caan tek di fyah weh Jah Messenjah send!

Seh nuff a dem come ya and deceive Jah children!

Dem ah gwan lak dem a mi friend, but dem a bag a heathen!

Mi bun dem and scorch dem again!

[Scorch!] Well then-

Carry mi music over rub a dub market

And a di music sell off!

Carry mi music over rub a dub market

Even di producer haffi laugh [Ha ha ha ha]"

BOOM! The tune was MAMMOTH, it's the finest on the riddim named after it, it was the finest on the album named after it and it also produced the single most memorable verse I heard in all of 2011. Fantastic piece all around. Carrying the very large responsibility of keeping the vibes high on the riddim is an artist in Raphael who is obviously becoming a favourite at IVR, with the very strong 'If Jah Is With You'. This song is kind of a praising track, but it is one with its 'feet' planted firmly in the ground, which makes it some type of spiritually steered social commentary. It's also very bright and uplifting and I'm telling you right now to keep an eye and an ear on Raphael in the future. He's very talented. Someone else IrieVibrations is very fond of these days (as is pretty much everyone else who gets to hear his work), is the exceedingly prolific and impressive Kabaka Pyramid, who goes full praising tune on a definitive highlight on the RADM Riddim, 'Lead The Way'. 

"Rastaman original -

No badda call mi no criminal 

Di one yah lick dem subliminal 

Rastaman original -

Livity so metaphysical

From Bobo Hill straight to Pinnacle

Rastaman him different -

Through wi hail The Omnipotent

Selassie I protect di innocent

Rastaman him different -

And di woman dem so brilliant

Babylon fall is imminent"

To my opinion, the artist has EVERYTHING one would need to be a big star on the Roots side and he continues to dazzle here with what has to be one of his strongest efforts to date (missing, however, is the singing divinity that is Pyramid's musical partner, the brilliant Sara Lugo). I'm expecting huge things from him in the future and you should be also. 

One name appearing on the Rub A Dub Market Riddim really stuck out from the pack when I first saw and that was, of course, Virgin Islands star and Achis Reggae favourite, NiyoRah, who delivers the musical kick in the ass with 'Workday'. The selection is aimed at the loafers and procrastinators of the world who have a difficult time getting things done. It's definitely more specific than that but occasionally you need someone to tell you what Niyo does on this track which is so cleverly arranged and I won't spoil it for you here, but missing this would be a really, really stupid to thing to do. While I was so much looking forward to hearing NiyoRah on the track, he wasn't the only one remaining. Also present is another staple of IrieVibrations Records, Perfect Giddimani who, in typical Perfect form, gets the job done in a most unique way with the oft-thunderous 'Realize'. Loooooong after this tune has ran its course, you'll still be singing its chorus and I'll be singing it along with you ["MI REALIZE!"], but also tune in to the lyrics as the chanter continues displaying one of the most volcanic of primes in the history of Reggae music. Later on, an emerging favourite of mine, Ras Muhamad, gets heads moving and thoughts flowing with the scintillating 'Taking Over'. 

"We taking over now!

Over now!

And si di badness and di slackness haffi dun

We're taking over now!

Over now!

And mek di shotta dem put down dem gun

We're taking over now!

Over now!

When bigga judgment and di fyah ahgo bun

We're taking over now!

Over now!

Ya know di table haffi turn

Mek di future secure, for a brighter tomorrow

And open up di door -

Leave your pain and your sorrow

Trials and crosses, dem haffi cease

Youths of today, I & I haffi reach

Wake up and live

Stay positive

Come wake up and live"

I think I've said this before, but we're getting REALLY close to the point where an new album from Muhamad is a necessity as probably there're only just a few artists in the genre, anywhere in the world, making music as good as he is these days. Big tune. There is another very interesting tune here, 'Love Don't Love Me', which actually features Ward 21 alongside Tifa. Now, this is the tune, as I alluded to (or at least I think I did), which actually appeared on IVR's "Still One Drop" compilation that originated back in 2009 (may be time for a sequel to that one now). That would have probably been the first time anyone the RADM Riddim (before it even had a name, obviously) and although this tune had faded from my memory by the time, I did remember it now and I’m glad it is present here. It's a cool song. 

Wrapping up things here is a very nice trio of artists in [AKA] Koxx, Martei Korley and Trixstar, who all do well. For his part, Koxx scores very big with his music praising piece 'Good Vibration', which is one of the best songs present here to my ears. Martei is someone who I certainly need to learn more about because his 'Rub A Dub Soldier' definitely warrants it and, like Koxx, he also give thanks to the music and goes through how it has so greatly affected his life and brought him to where he is today. It's somewhat autobiographical and I always enjoy tunes like this which kind of show how an artist has been drawn to make what you're hearing. And lastly is Trixstar, the second female voice we here hear (which this riddim simply NEEDED to have), with 'Love Shine', which isn't a 'love song', but is a piece of mighty social commentary and a winning tune from the artist. 

Overall, I guess the other complaint I'd have is that this one didn't have more songs (which is kind of an expansion on my first critique actually) because it is very good and I'm greedy. I'd like some more. The artists that did reach, however, all did very well and that isn't a quality which I can say on too many pieces which carry more than five or six tunes or so. There isn't one song which I'd call without value on the Rub A Dub Market Riddim and I'd say IrieVibrations made a very good decision in building it for an album. They've made a ton of great decisions lately and, like I said, have become one of the more dependable labels in all of Reggae music. The Rub A Dub Market Riddim album is yet another reason why. Well done. 

Rated: 4.2/5

IrieVibrations Records

2012

Digital 

Review #401

'The Boost!': A review of "Freedom Fighter" by Anthony B

If you stick around, doing anything, for a long enough period of time, eventually you'll find yourself in need of a boost of sorts to help you keep going. It is the general nature of human beings perhaps - we get bored easily and have low attention spans - and sometimes there comes a very stale and mechanical feeling in doing whatever it is that one does. Musically speaking this is doubled because not only can it come on the part of the artist/producer heading into the studio daily or writing songs continuously, you can also find that in fans like You and I who, whether fairly on completely unfairly (we don't care), can all of a sudden and totally without warning just kind of numb up to a particular artist until/unless they do something to draw us back. And in a genre such as Reggae music in which success is, for so many artists, at least partially predicated upon ACTIVITY, that can be a really tricky thing. Of course for examples of this we look to more active names in the music and when you speak of prolificacy in Reggae, you ultimately end up at the same couple of names: Vaughn Benjamin/Midnite & Sizzla Kalonji. Having recorded somewhere in the neighbourhood of a few billion tunes or so each, both are prime examples as their activity levels have, essentially, given them careers which are much 'older' than their actual time spans and in those times they've gone through ups and downs (despite what the former's most ardent of fans would have you think) (potentially big album from Midnite, "Children of Jah", coming soon). More fittingly for today's purposes, however, is the fact that last year, Midnite and Sizzla released "Kings Bell" and "The Scriptures", respectively, both of which would really go a great ways in re-enthusing the general image of both in the eyes of many and both just happened to be two of the best albums of 2011 as well. So, today we look at someone attempting (and succeeding) to do the same thing as another Reggae star takes the same route - Anthony B. Though I'm sure he has been here before, I can't actually recall a time when Anthony B would have experienced something similar to what many people see/think he's going through at the moment, but through his many years making music, he's also proven to be one of Reggae's most durable sons, so it's no surprise that he manages to return to form and do so in style.  

"Rasta Love" [2011]

It's been nearly three and a half years from the last time Anthony B released a good album. That album, "Rise Up", came from a most comfortable source for the chanter, Maximum Sound, with whom he's worked extensively throughout the years. The one album in between then and now, last year's widely panned "Rasta Love", for his own Born Fire imprint, may just be the LEAST regarded non-major label Reggae release from a star artist of recent memory. I've had albums which I have loved and no one or not many people agreed with me and there have been other albums which everyone else seemed to love and I . . . just couldn't get it, but I cannot remember one where just about no one thought was any good, particularly from someone with such a proven skill. Although not without precedence (see, or rather, don't see (or hear) "Untouchable" and/nor "Justice Fight"), in retrospect, that was just a WEIRD situation, but a year later the correction has arrived.  

Its name is "Freedom Fighter". No, Anthony B didn't return to Maximum Sound (although I would like to hear that), but what he did do was to go in a very fruitful direction and to a next flourishing European label, the Austrian based IrieVibrations. Just last year that label delivered a set which was just as lauded as "Rasta Love" was slammed, "Rub-A-Dub Market" from the legendary Luciano. That album made it on and near the top of many 'best of the year' lists (including mine) and was probably one of the finest albums ever of the storied career of 'The Messenjah'. Over the years they've also done big projects for a variety of different names and have been involved with others as well. The European scene has been flaming in the last four or five years or so and IrieVibrations has been one of the reasons why in my opinion. So certainly they'd make a very nice choice if you were looking to make a big album and they once again prove their worth on this set. I think I first heard of this album maybe back in either late 2010 or early last year when the rumour was that IrieVibrations had releases planned for Luciano, Konshens and Anthony B over that next year. The second of those (if I am correct in my memory) has yet to materialize (although the label did do "Modern Revolution", an album featuring Konshens (more on him later) and brother, Delus, a few years back and Konshens did, of course, do his own album earlier this year in "Mental Maintenance") but we now bookend the trio and, in full, for a single label (not named VP Records) (incidentally, VP is the distributor here) to have legitimate new studio albums from Luciano and then Anthony B in less than a year is EXTREMELY impressive. It's even more remarkable is that their both good and they aren't, essentially, the same exact vibes with the star changed out. While maybe not the most spectacular album you're going to hear from the artist, "Freedom Fighter" is solid throughout and a very nice 'kick' for Anthony B. Besides an album which wasn't well received he's just kind of seemed to have plateaued a bit musically (he actually did that years ago as a developing artist, but he 'plateaued' at AMAZING) as of late and, as I said, here's the remedy. 

I actually have to admit that I was wrong for having a bit of a bad feeling about this album. Certainly that had at least something to do with the quality of its most immediate predecessor, but there was also something about a description that I'd read about it. However, upon reading it again, it was only the final part of it which said something about this album "mixing different vibes" (or something like that) - it was only a single tune instead. My lowered expectations are quickly dispelled as Anthony B drops in on his brand new album, "Freedom Fighter" with its biggest moment and title track to get things started. Sometimes these things must seem really easy - naming an album. 'Freedom Fighter' is somewhat of an odd title perhaps (but this is Reggae music), but the song really jumps out at the listener and quickly takes the honours of being the single best tune on the album named after it. It is absolutely STERLING! 

“Now wi nah back down

Forever man ah fight

Till everyone inna di dark world si di light

Seh everyone is equal in The Most High sight

It no matta if you Black, yah Pink, Purple or White

Come mek wi unite and go bun parasite

Upliftment to a higher height

Hail Emmanuel who are di Black Christ

Emperor Selassie I give life!

So Rastaman neva siddung, neva beg, cah wi neva want

Freedom song: Well a dat wi chant

Anytime wi need food, di earth wi plant

Nah have no time fi gallivant” 

“From you believe inna bondage

Wi no stop chant ‘FYAH!’

Hail to The Most High, give thanks higher

Every morning mi rise, mi haffi seh a prayer

Get fit till mi perspire

Hail Rastafari!

Cause HIM a di Life Giver

WHO shall tell dem seh di Longest Liver

No dash weh di stick weh yah use cross di river

You no know when you might need each other!” 

The song is going rank highly for me throughout the rest of the year, I'm sure, and while I've heard a few Anthony B albums which, at this point, I'd call better than "Freedom Fighter", this tune would have been a highlight on ANY of them. Next in is another fine selection, the curiously titled 'No One Knows Tomorrow'. This tune, with its great, big vibes is equal  parts social commentary and inspiration/motivation as well. On one hand the chanter talks about making the most of today, while on the other he speaks of people exhibiting outrageous behaviour - ultimately leaving the listener with the message of 'do what want to do, but BE CAREFUL'. This one has so much to like about it as well and while it isn't as MASSIVE as the opener, at least not to me, it definitely isn't extremely far behind and it should be a favourite for many fans. And wrapping up the start to the album is 'Send the Rain Away'. A pretty decent, complex, love vibe, this effort just has a wonderful sonic appeal to it. It's nice and easy, but it also demands a nice amount of attention as well. 

'Beat Dem Bad' w/Konshens

Like I said, while this may not be the single most EXCITING Roots Reggae album that you're going to hear, "Freedom Fighter" definitely does have its stand out moments and in between those flashier times is just largely THOROUGH material. Clearly the most ostentatious effort here is also the only combination to be found, 'Beat Dem Bad', which features the aforementioned Konshens joining Anthony B. I've warmed up quite a bit to this tune, although I'm not going to call it one of my favourites, it is obviously the type of song aimed at drawing people in and I'm pretty sure that's what IrieVibrations had in mind with former digital single (and it will probably work). But maybe that doesn't work in your case - for you I'd suggest a tune which is very flashy, but in a very different way. The very . . . Strange (but I mean that in a good way), 'Hail Jah', Anthony B's cut of IrieVibrations' Roll Out Riddim from a couple of years back. I think I had forgotten all about that riddim which is SO plain that it's unique and my ears were well warmed to this tune even before I'd made the connection with it being what it actually was. All of that is yet another testament to the top notch work that this label has been doing lately. If you still need convincing, you might want to take the also familiar 'Defend My Own' for a few spins. This song features the GORGEOUS Jungle Skunk Riddim (which you should know from Luciano's 'Hard Road') and pulls in a heavy spiritual message, yet tangible at the same time. THIS is one of the best songs on the album to my ears and hopefully it'll receive an opportunity to shine because I can very much see this one getting buried on this album. The lovely SweetBaby Riddim from awhile ago (which featured Mischu Laikah) underpins the firm 'Jah Bless Me'. I don't think this is a great song by any degree, but it's just a sweet and poignant vibes on a track which once had a very nice place on my players and looks to return there again as part of this album. And the same can also be said for the excellent social commentary, 'Cry Blood', which may be the oldest tune on the album as it is featured across the Lovebird Riddim (which ran back in 2005-2006) (same riddim features the MASSIVE 'Mother Nature' by Elijah Prophet). This piece is kind of desolate actually and although it does change, lyrically, at times, that is the prevailing feeling on this track, but it doesn't, at all, detract from its quality. Sometimes you just have to get gloomy to make your point. 

“Yuh ever stop for awhile and observe -

How babylon pressure ghetto youths fi likkle herb?

Nuh fraid when dem ah raid, dem will shot you like a bird

A higher authority nah seh a word

A poor man pickney alone get kick up

Inna war zone a dem alone unuh pick up 

Seet deh anotha Black youth you go stick up 

Dutty babylon you sick mi stomach!” 

The songs which may be completely new to you (as they were/are to me) also offer a great deal of some of the best material to be found on "Freedom Fighter". A glaring example of this would definitely be the SWEET 'Where To Turn'! MAD! The track is one speaking about what can you do when the ones that you put your trust into aren't there for you when you need them and it being a frustrating situation, Anthony B has that in his delivery, but the vibe is compressed (biggup my ancient, workhorse of a computer) and built in such a sweet piece of serenity that the result is easily one of the most appealing moments on the album. Oh and there's also this, one of the most moving verses here: 

“But how can you know when someone really love?

Know [!], when someone really care?

Even when you take yah marriage vow and swear - 

Yuh still ah wonder if someone will be there

Imagine if the person weh you love never love you back 

Mama talk and you neva did ah listen dat 

Spend yah lifetime work and try double dat 

Now you find out seh a trouble dat!” 

Although it took awhile before I got there, I also enjoyed the tune which precedes 'Where To Turn' on the album, the somewhat Bluesy 'Light of Mine'. It is another tune which tries to blend the tangible with the spiritual and, at times, the artist actually seems to be attempting to make the point that his genuine "light" is his music and you can go down different roads from that, but at the heart of it is a message of perseverance and determination and a nearly brilliant one to my opinion. 'Same Boat' is a HEAVY selection which seems like I've heard it before but I couldn't at all tell you from where. Regardless of my experience with it, however, it's a big unity song not to be missed ["to how mi colours deh, mi a Nubian, but wi no haffi treat each other like alien!"]. And I have to say that 'Stronger' is probably the only song on board which I just didn't take in too much, but I'm not going to call it a bad song just yet (but I knew from its intro that I wouldn't like it). With that being said though, there're two more songs here which REALLY got my attention in the form of 'Born to Be Free' and 'Too Hard'. The first is pretty much an extension of the title track, both in terms of its subjectry and sound as well. It has a very captivating sound and a big message awaits those able to sift through it. 'Too Hard', on the other hand, is just a HUGE social commentary which speaks specifically on the troubles and mistreatment people face at the hands of those, presumably, charged with upholding the law and, in typical Anthony B fashion, he exhibits that he simply has yet to and likely never will learn how to hold back. 

“Imagine the land of Reggae music seh no dance can’t keep

As the sound turn on, dem get raid from police

Don’t lock it - dem waan kick out yah teeth

So what happened to freedom of speech?

I thought police was here to protect and serve

But it seems dem come fi ride off di poor people nerve

Poor man alone no got di rights fi say a word

Cause if him talk, him marrow fly like birds

Worst if dem buck you up a road inna emergency

Pop it off and full you up now inna urgency

Dem a cops yah weh wi got round yah bloodthirsty 

Warn Bruce like how mi warn Percy!” 

SCATHING! 

Okay and the digital version of "Freedom Fighter" (I guess it doesn't matter where you get it) also features a pair of 'bonus tracks', 'Caribbean Girl' and 'Throw It Pon Dem'. Both tunes are previously released tunes from IrieVibrations. I think I actually favour the latter, with a bit more of a BITE to it, but both are pretty nice tracks and I think a nice touch for digital customers.

Anthony B

Overall, this album is impressive and, in scrutinizing it for the sake of this review, it's probably just a bit better than I originally would have given it credit for being. Still, I'm going to give it a slightly conditional recommendation because I think that it's going to be an album more accessible to a more experienced type of fan (particularly those of us who had to deal with the "Rasta Love" album and subsequent frustration - for THOSE people, this is GOLD!). Like I said, it's not the most dynamic set and even if you feel that it is more so, I don't think you're going to think that it is one of the more 'vigourous' album performances in Anthony B's huge catalog. It may, however, be one of better carried out pieces and well arranged and when you combine the talents of this artist with the credentials of a label such as IrieVibrations, that's not to anyone's surprise. So, I can't imagine that such a thing was discussed, but if one of the goals of "Freedom Fighter" was to show Anthony B as the extremely talented and bonafide Reggae star that he is - someone who we haven't heard from on an album in quite some time - then they did well. Mission accomplished. 

Rated: 4.25/5

IrieVibrations Records

2012

CD + Digital + Vinyl [I THINK]

Review #362 

'The Trinity': A Review of "Rub-A-Dub Market" by Luciano

And another one. As I've said in the past, I feel that in most walks of life and especially when it comes to entertainment, we look at certain individuals and groups of individuals to consistently perform at the highest levels because it is what they’ve shown themselves capable of doing. These are the 'leaders of the pack' and while they've certainly earned the label, it is one which also requires a bit of maintenance (unless, of course, if you are deceased). In Reggae, things are the same, but when you look at the entire landscape of the music, it's so fractured that we don’t tend to categorically place artists together as closely as one might think and, therefore, you tend to deal with a ridiculously wide array of both "leaders" and "packs". Fortunately, however (because I have absolutely nothing better to do with my time), I have managed to cross serious journalistic boundaries and come up with a fairly dependable list of performers who're currently delivering top notch music consistently, regardless of which type of group you may put them in. Chances are pretty good that if you've had pretty good luck in terms of what you’ve been listening to in Reggae over the course of the past eighteen months or so that you've probably dealt with copious amounts of tunes from the likes of Chezidek, Pressure Busspipe, Ziggi, Mark Wonder and a few others. If you take a look (and a listen) to that group you have a very diverse lineup . . . But not really. They all focus, primarily, on Roots Reggae, but we could look at Pressure and Ziggi as examples of artists who may just be hitting their primes, as opposed to Chezidek and Mark Wonder who're either just peaking in a very advanced stage of their careers, or finally just beginning to get the proper notice for consistently delivering excellence over a long period of time (remember that). And we could also look at the likes of Tarrus Riley, Etana, Duane Stephenson, Queen Ifrica etc. but, as usual, I'm looking for the not so obvious routes.

Such as arguably the most consistent Roots Reggae artist . . . Ever (?). I wonder where can probably place someone like Luciano who has, apparently, managed to go a bit 'under the radar' over the past ~ year, but what he has done has created one of the greatest stretches of his legendary career. All of this follows a damn odd controversy which somewhat stalled the singer (and his visa), but only 'helped' to add to the flame which was just about to burn.

"United States of Africa" & "Write My Name" - 2010

Luciano released the very well received "United States of Africa" in early August of last year, for Frenchie & Maximum Sound in the UK and it become one of the LEAST polarizing albums that I can remember. Luciano is very popular and you can find a solid amount of press on that album and although not everyone may have LOVED it or deemed it the greatest album, I don't know if I've yet to find anyone who didn't thoroughly enjoy it and can express exactly why. Just a few months down the line, the famed 'Messenjah' quickly returned with a next release in "Write My Name", for a US based label, Footprintz Music Group and while this one may have had a bit more in the way of 'movement' in regards to opinion, I actually liked it better. Retrospectively thinking, it took more chances in its course than did its immediate predecessor, but the results proved it to be worth it. Regardless of how they rank in comparison to one another, in my opinion they both ranked as two of the best Reggae albums of 2010 and they still do. So that's it, right? The next time we get an album from Luci it'll be in 2012-2013 for VP Records and it'll be produced by whoever or two or three whoevers. Right? Wrong. The very resourceful performer has quickly returned and done so, once again, through a European producer, this time the fine Austrian based IrieVibrations Records. Previously, the same label was best known for an album in "Born Dead With Life", from eccentric chanter (from St. Ann!), Perfect, from a few years back which was heavily lauded by pretty much everyone (excluding yours truly) (Perfect's greatest creation, in my eyes, remains the masterclass that was "Giddimani" and gave them their signature international moment. Well, I suppose (but I’m probably wrong), that that’s a distinction likely to change as also planned for the not too distant future from IrieVibrations, is also albums from both Anthony B and Konshens . . . But of course that’s all after what we find ourselves dealing with now, as Luciano attempts to continue his wonderful streak by releasing the WONDERFULLY titled "Rub-A-Dub Market" which quickly and comfortably proves to be a very ‘entertaining’ and complete Roots Reggae set. While not falling too far at all outside of the scope of Luciano’s standards or typical style, this album is one which I feel that is going to draw quite a bit of attention based 'simply' on the strength that it sounds good as artist and riddim, for the most part, meld extremely well throughout this fifteen track set. The results of that is an album which, while it certainly won't have any type of 'mainstream' aspirations or appeal (it is a Luciano album, after all) probably will bring in and then satisfy more than traditional fans of the Manchester native. It is a very nice sounding album. On top of that is the fact that the material that he brings is also, of course, top notch and emblematic of the vibes Luciano has brought over the course of the past year. All of that goes to make for one very impressive project by album's end and perhaps even one which won't be too difficult to remember when giving honours come December. Why? Let’s see.

Album Megamix

For years, Luciano's role in Reggae music has been very much that of a conscience of sorts. It was he who at least attempted to steer the music back to a conscious state when some of his perhaps wayward peers took it in what he deemed to be an unnecessary and unuseful (not a word) direction. There's the lasting image of him on a Rebel Salute stage one year, essentially admonishing both Sizzla and Capleton (if memory serves me correctly) for having made the show into a slack one and he's been indirectly doing that same thing for a great deal of his career. I mention that because such is the premise for the title track for his brand new album, "Rub-A-Dub Market" -- the biggest tune on this album and one of the biggest I've heard from anyone in the first half of the year.

“Some a dem ah push bad vibes and dem nah hold no rem
Dem ah gwan lak dem a di roots, but dem ah di branch and stem!
Dem shoulda know wi ruling so from way back when!
Dem know dat Papa Luci is a living legend!
Dem caan tek di fyah weh Jah Messenjah send!
Seh nuff a dem come ya and deceive Jah children!
Dem ah gwan lak dem a mi friend, but dem a bag a heathen!
Mi bun dem and scorch dem again!
Well then-

Carry mi music over rub a dub market
And a di music sell off!
Carry mi music over rub a dub market
Even di producer haffi laugh [Ha ha ha ha]”

BOOM!

Luciano turns on the deejay chops for that rousing stretch of this MASSIVE tune which is the essential piece here marrying good common sense with such an undeniably appealing tune and the results, in this case, may be timeless as he fully embraces his 'role' as the (STILL) spiritual anchor for Roots Reggae (although he surely has more help these days than he did a few years back) (biggup Chezidek, Etana, Queen Ifrica, Tarrus Riley . . .).

Making of 'Hard Road'

That big tune begins the album and is followed by a string of impressive sets, the first of which is the familiarly vibed 'Hard Road'. I'm pretty sure I know this tune from somewhere (outside of the "life is a hard road to travel and a mighty long to go" lyric) but I don't quite know where. That’s fine, on its own merits, it far more than adequately adds a great deal to the album. Very nice tune. Next is the first of a few love songs, 'Truly Love Someone'. This one isn't the type of get close and personal type of track; instead it's a very broad one and one which speaks more on the idea of love as a continuing process and display, rather than an achieved state and the enjoying of it. But, curiously enough, it does sound more quaint and comfortable, so it presents this dual-leveled type of song . . . At least for over thinkers like yours truly. It should also be mentioned that the tune featured on IrieVibrations’ new SweetBaby Riddim which is also currently available for your digital consumption.

There're so many songs on "Rub-A-Dub Market" (there has got to be some type of an abbreviation to make that easier to type) which just SOUND NICE, that I almost got to thinking of what type of success the album might have if it were turned to a more casual group of Reggae fans and Im inclined to think that it would do very well. I wonder how such a group of people would respond to the vibrant 'Only You Jah', which is clearly amongst the highlights on the album. Luciano has basically perfected this type of anthem-like praising song (as we'll see shortly) and although this particular effort is VERY STRONG, it’s not at all rare for him (he even betters it later on this same album). I'm also very curious as to what they might think of a tune such as my choice as the album’s second biggest moment, the stirring 'Voice of A Trumpet'.

“If I could heal this world with music

And I could save mankind then I would do it

But even though I try -

They just keep on drifting”

The song finds Luciano, very INTERESTINGLY, openly thinking about the impact that his music has on the world and how he might envision it being more and more effective and accepted and it’s a damn fascinating situation which I’ve often talked about - Just how much of an effect is this amazing music having? By the end of the tune you fully see that Luci has come to the conclusion that it is well worth it to continue singing to find out (!) and I definitely agree. Another tune which has vast potential to win over new fans due largely to its sonics (even though I’m not terribly fond of it) is 'Feeling For Love'. This one isn’t awful (no song here is), but what it is, is almost TOO upful. It almost seems like the type of a song which was made to fit a purpose (to be happy) and then it was slightly overdone, but again, it’s a very nice song to listen to, even if there isn’t a whole lot going on with it. Things turn back to the BRILLIANTLY VIVID when we reach another of my favourites here, the nearly massive 'Praise Jah Anytime'. I'm tempted to deem this one the possessor of the finest chorus in this market and while that may be in question, its clear beauty is not (at all)! This is even big for someone who does these types of large praising tracks very often, like Luciano does - I'd have to say that it is one of his best of this type in some time. Later we get one of the tunes which drew a direct line to one of the greatest albums I've ever heard, "King of Kings" by Elijah Prophet, 'Always Around'. This tune appears on the same riddim (whatever it’s called) which backed the Prophet’s HUGE herbalist track, 'Piece of Ganja' ("officer nuh badda lock me up fi smoke one piece of ganja!") and Luciano uses it for a song which very much quintessential of his work. The song speaks on the ever-present and unwavering properties of His Majesty and it is another big big tune which is also very easy on the ears. And there’s also 'Bun Dem' which interestingly comes through across the same riddim (“ “) as Gentleman’s tune 'The Reason' from the "Diversity" album. In my opinion Luciano works it out even more than the German superstar and he brings in some very clever aggression (not to I Wayne-like levels, but on that same course) so well pay attention to the lyrics on this big offering.

The remaining selections on "Market" (found one!) are by no means dead songs and some of them, for various reasons could even fit in well with the more dynamic few I just mentioned. However, their existences definitely give the album a very full sound altogether. Check the more docile 'Mek It Over' which is somewhat of an un-Luciano type of a song. It's a fairly straight forward social commentary with only the slightest of spiritual overtones at the chorus and Luciano, typically, just doesn’t do that, but this one is a real winner.

“Their biological plan

To deceive the nation

With their infiltration

Through virus injection

And they don’t give a damn

For the suffering man

All the struggling people, working hard as they can

Cause they don’t even care

If we live on welfare

While they’re spending their billions and billions on warfare

And they don’t turning an eye on those who suffering high

And they don’t even hear when we cry!”

'Living My Life' is a song which brought a tear or two from my eye, initially, because it rides the same Lovebird Riddim as Elijah Prophet's sterling 'Mother Nature'. Later, I saw (heard) that the tune around that riddim, while not (yet) the modern classic I recall from the Prophet, may just be approaching those hallowed levels. 'Love or Leave Me' is one superbly mixed tune and it’s a fairly 'standard' (potentially) jilted lover's piece which is almost completely saved on its smooth sonic appeal. Continuing with that line (not really) is the HUGE 'Where Is The Love'. This is more of the type of social commentary you'll generally hear Luciano sing. It’s very much rooted in spirituality and it NEVER reaches a point where the tangible world is either taking precedence over or even going on outside of the watchful eye of His Majesty. This is a song which, although a little slower than some of the others, I feel has a great opportunity to do damage amongst the masses if truly given the opportunity - And it just may be someday. Big tune. 'Love Paradise' is the final love track on "Market" and it comes in as a kind of a bluesy track, but once it gets going it is a song which is going to make endless people around this wonderful world smile big smiles because it is a lovely lovely song! Finally is 'Positive Vibration' which is a *bonus track* I believe. This song is pretty smooth and nice and you should already be well familiarized because it was featured prominently on IrieVibrations' "Modern Revolution" release from the aforementioned Konshens and Delus. The song really is just one which is just uplifting the music and it is a fine idea of a way to end this album to my opinion.

Making of 'Praise Jah Anytime'

Two things quickly: First of all, if our research is correct, then sometime later in 2011 the album will be released outside of Europe and be done so by VP Records (apparently after having now taken on the latest Gentleman album and that of Ziggi Recado, VP has caught on to all of these wonderful European produced releases) ("United States of Africa" would also apply now wouldn't it). Secondly, I suppose I'm well spoiled at this point by the likes of Not Easy At All and JahSolidRock, but I would have LOVED to have heard some instrumentals and dubs in the midst of this album. There are some amazing vibes here.

Luciano

Overall, what we have here, yet again, is a stellar release from an artist to whom we look to provide such releases, but one who has clearly exceeded our expectations as of late and that's DAMN impressive coming from someone who is a legend in Reggae, without question. I told myself that I wouldn't even attempt to rank this one in comparison to its two most immediate predecessors, but what I will say is that, altogether, it's probably a more dynamic release than either "United States of Africa" or "Write My Name", which is definitely saying something, particularly in the case of the latter. "Rub-A-Dub Market" is also, very much, a statement making album. While "Born Dead With Life" was largely heralded as this amazing 'concept album', I think this may be one also as Luciano seems intent in living up to the title and the title track in re-solidifying his place as BACKBONE of Roots Reggae music (as if he needed to do that) and by album's end, it's exactly what he does. Having just served up his third top notch album in ten months, there can be no question that Luci, after alllllll of these years, is still on top of his game. One of the best of the year.

Rated: 4.65/5
IrieVibrations Records/Groove Attack
2011
CD + Digital