Signatures Vol. XIV: Bushman

Today I want to take a look at another person who, like a few of the names we've covered thus far, has very much gone through his career with the tags of being underrated and underappreciated; but I'm not entirely sure that it's the case. Of course, you could say that others (like similarly vibed Luciano, in particular) have gone onto enjoy a level of success that he has not and will not but for people who truly know the music of Bushman, I don't think he's suffering in the category of ratings and appreciation. Over the course of the past three decades +, the BEAUTIFUL voice of the St. Thomas (Jamaica) born singer has delighted fans around the world and, hopefully, he will continue to do so for the next three decades. Today we take a look at someone who, whether you've realized it or not, has firmly cemented his place amongst some of the greatest of his era. Signatures: Bushman

#1. 'Sanctuary'

I praise HIM everyday! 'Sanctuary', most likely, is my absolute favourite Bushman song ever. There's one more tune in the question but if I had to pick between the two, here's my choice. I can almost remember hearing this thing for the first time as it sits atop the "Signs" set and, literally, being BLOWN THE FUCK AWAY. What am I listening to?! What is this??? Let's start at the riddim, first of all. That entire album was billed as being a "live" album; not LIVE in the sense of it was recorded in a concert/live performance but in the sense that there was an actual band playing a riddim behind an actual singer at all times. It wasn't a track playing behind someone in a booth with headphones on. There were players of instruments (including Sly & Robbie and Chinna Smith) backing singers (like Pam Hall) an engineer (Fatta Pottinger) and all of that good stuff so from a purely sonic perspective, 'Sanctuary' was divine. Oh! The riddim! The actual music here had such a powerful vibes to it. It was emotional but not overdone and it was chilled but not frosty. 

"I'm singing songs of redemption

Repatriation

THE BLACK MONARCHY MUST STAND

You're sitting down in babylon

It is a strange land

Ethiopia awaits with open hands

WHILE IN MY SANCTUARY

I PRAISE JAH EVERYDAY!"

What Bushman would do with it is to put on a praise for The Almighty for the ages. What really stands out in his case for me is how much of himself he puts into 'Sanctuary'. It's one of the best usages of his awesome vocals that I've heard and it almost seems that the Bushman... loses himself in this one. Particularly as it progresses, he finds his 'happy place' and is THRILLED at the prospects of giving thanks to His Majesty. Like I said, most likely this is the best song I've ever heard from Bushman and it's also one of the best that I've ever heard, PERIOD. BOOM!

#2. 'Mr. Gunis'

Gun chemist. The time Bushman spent singing for the legendary King Jammy's would open him up to a variety of different sounds and you'd have an establishing ROOTS singer taking on some of the heaviest Dancehall tracks of the time. The scathing 'Mr. Gunis' was an example of this as the Bushman sat his foot all over the Ward's Da Joint Riddim. This tune, like a later one I'm going to tell you about at least partially stands out because of how COMPLETE it is. The song is kind of a social commentary but also an anti-violence piece where Bushman tells the story of someone chose the wrong path in life. He tells why such a choice might be attractive to people and how much respect and fear this man may get but then he tears it down. He deals with the negative effects on the individual and others and does it in a way that you only generally hear on much heavier traditional Roots records. 'Mr. Gunis' was DARK and it was HEAVY and, again, still fit so damn perfectly in the Dancehall. 

#3. 'Fire Pon A Deadas'

Haffi live clean. Turbulence once had a decent sized hit on his hands with a tune called 'Run Away' (that man LOVED singing that song in live performance and the audience loved hearing him do it). It was about animals, literally, running away from people who were coming to eat them. It was a serious topic, basically, but it was also put together in an almost funny way. I bring 'Run Away' up because I've always gotten a similar, though less enthused for obvious reasons, feeling about Bushman's 'Fire Pon A Deadas'. Just listen to it casually and you get what he's saying and it's all good. You can enjoy it and have a nice time, finding a nice level of respect for what goes on in here. Yet, when you really dig into 'Fire Pon A Deadas'.... something kinda funny happens. 

"I & I ah bun all bone-sucker

Wi go against 'tucky and dung a King Burger"

Bushman shines, lyrically, on the track if you gave him the opportunity to and though it is as simple as it could be, the sonics here were SUPER SWEET. We also remember 'Fire Pon A Deadas' as being somewhat of a response to another Bushman tune that I'll tell you about right now. 

#4. 'Fire Bun A Weak Heart'

Coulda never get me down. One of the Bushman's biggest hits (arguably his single biggest, actually) remains the nearly three decades old 'Fire Bun A Weak Heart' for King Jammy's. CONFIDENCE is what I take from 'Fire Bun A Weak Heart'. He goes through several different instances and situations but only seems to do so to say, ".... but I don't have time for all of that shit"; and he does this with what has to be one of the finest written tracks that Bushman has ever turned in. 

"You and yuh crew can go to hell

Cause after wi no under yuh colonial spell

And all those false doctrine that you compel

HEY!

And all those books you stole away 

All those kids you ld astray

Wait on yuh judgment day"

He is more than solid on this one, with the remaining sentiment (at least for me) being the idea that though all of these things do exist, you don't have to pay them any mind. They can be inconsequential if you make them... and they are WEAK. 

#5. 'Call The Hearse'

No easy. Bushman's well respected anti-violence piece, 'Call The Hearse', has always been a favourite of mine and a lock for this list. Some of that credit goes to Steely & Clevie who lent the singer their funky Skettel Riddim and to them he returned, arguably, the track's single biggest moment and a somewhat unlikely nice-sized hit for its time. The tune has also aged quite well and remains one of Bushman's more popular efforts. Something else that I've always appreciated about 'Call The Hearse' is just how DARK it is. It's ghoulish at times:

"Somebody call the hearse 

Cause a body's getting stink

It needs to leave the turf

Make it quick because it's getting rather worse"

But despite this quality, it remains fairly open and ACCESSIBLE as well; it's still pleasing to hear. Bushman also personalizes it and places himself in the same context of being a potential gunman and walking that route in life but saying that he also put the gun down (or never decided to actually pick it up), which could sit in the heads of others faced with a similar choice to make. 'Call The Hearse' is essential Bushman. One of the very few pieces here that I think is without question. 

#6. 'Send Dem Come' featuring I Lue

Slew dem. Chances are fairly decent that if you are a fan of the semi-reclusive I Lue, you are such because of the work he's done alongside Bushman over the years. While they've done a number of tunes together, my personal favourite has always been 'Send Dem Come', their cut of the Bada Bada Riddim for King Jammy's (via vintage Ward 21) (damn, it used to be so much fun back then). 'Send Dem Come' is a fairly AGGRESSIVE praising tune.

"Send dem come

Mi seh one-by-one

Selassie I ahgo slew dem wid di sceptre inna him hand"

It never gets to the point of offense (as if painting The Almighty as.... a hunter, for example) but 'Send Dem Come' was a warning that if you're not living right and you're doing dirty deeds, there will come a point when you will face a foe against Whom -- no matter how bad you are -- your chance of victory simply does not exist.

#7. 'Yadd Away Home'

That's where I belong. Along with 'Sanctuary', STUNNING repatriation anthem 'Yadd Away' is one of the two finest pieces I have ever heard from the Bushman. The tune, which topped his opus "Higher Ground", is wholly flawless. It is without a hint of blemish as it goes about its way in such a cool manner. There is a definite emotion behind it and it comes through but, around it, is such a SWEET laidback and serene type of vibes. This tune sounds like Bushman is laying around his yard and just singing what's on his mind but, at the same time, it's well produced and refined. 'Yadd Away Home' is a tremendous display of a talent so delightfully natural that it cannot be ignored! When the world gets too crazy for you and you need moments to yourself, know that you always have a refuge and a place of piece but physically and mentally. 

#8. 'Robbery Aggravation'

Only one solution.

"Robbery with aggravation

Shooting with intent

The ghetto youths are not comfortable cause the dollars don't worth a cent

Inflation in the economy is making my people paranoid

AND THERE'S ONLY ONE SOLUTION: TO BE GOVERNED BY RASTAFARI"

By far one of the most COMPREHENSIVE and COMPLETE social commentaries that I have ever come across, 'Robbery Aggravation' was one of MANY highlights from an album of highlights, "Higher Ground". The song finds the singer breaking down concerns of the masses to a fine, powder-like substance and then grinding it down even further for the sake of delivering one mighty moment.

"The people are tired of working from nine to five and still find it hard to find food

And the only survival is parchment paper with dead bones lying around

And police and soldiers, from the queen they  take orders, to shoot the people down

BABYLON SYSTEM IS JUST ONE BIG CIRCUS THAT'S SEARCHING FOR SOME CLOWNS"

Furthermore, this thing is PRISTINE! It sounds damn glorious and you end up with a song which is highly proficient while simultaneously being one of the sweetest vibes on this list altogether.

#9. 'Creatures of The Night'

Parasites. Like 'Sanctuary, the downright GLORIOUS 'Creatures of The Night' was a product of the exquisite "Signs" album, and it has also remained with me from the very first time I heard it and if you pressed play on the video, you know precisely why that is. 'Creatures of The Night' is EASILY one of the best songs that Bushman has ever done and if it were to have come from the catalogues of Natty King, even Luciano or anyone else people claim he sounds like, it would still be the case (biggup Prince Theo). This song was ENTERTAINING modern Roots music. There was a beautiful and significant message, the sound behind it was lovely and Bushman, himself, even adopted a very interesting delivery which found him almost deejaying at times and doing so masterfully. What resulted was as fine of a display of his capabilities that I have ever heard. 

"Every morning as mi rise, mi haffi greet flesh

Man a vegetarian and a wi no eat flesh

HAIL SELASSIE I BECAUSE HIM A DI SWEETEST"

#10. 'Arms of A Woman'

You are on my mind. When the most unfortunately late Calibud got his hands on the riddim for Gregory Isaacs' Tune In, it became the Slow Down The Pace Riddim and both he and the vocalists (most of them, anyway) did a fine job in honouring the classic. The new track would spawn a couple of nice sized hits in the way of 'Mr. Nine' & 'Keep Your Joy' from Buju Banton & Jah Mason, respectively. You also got solid sets from the likes of Junior Kelly, Capleton, George Nooks, Glen Washington and others. FORTUNATELY, Calibud also placed a call to Bushman as he would go on to bless the riddim with the SUGARY SWEET lover's set, 'Arms of A Woman'. Here's all (most of) you need to know: 'Arms of A Woman' is one of the best love songs I've ever heard. I'm not a connoisseur on the subgenre but, just like you, I've probably heard literally thousands of love songs and here is, EASILY, a top ten entrant of them all. Furthermore, I should also say that 'Arms of A Woman' has been "on my mind" from the first time that I heard it - which would be over twenty years at this point. I was much younger back then and such songs didn't really catch my attention. Here was a GLARING exception.

#11. 'Herb Field'

Where I wanna be. I had to make sure I included this loooooooong forgotten gem from nearly thirty years ago, the Mac Dada produced (truly HORRID name but they did some really good work in their time. BEAUTIFUL tune called 'Mountain Song' by Norris Man being amongst the standouts) 'Herb Field'. You look at the title and you can come away thinking one thing about this song and you wouldn't be incorrect in presuming that 'HERB FIELD' is kind of an herb song. It is. HOWEVER, in general, Bushman deals with establishing a more natural and peaceful existence and seeking refuge there from the crazy world around him. You'll find another, far more popular, similarly themed track in these ranks and it's always seemed to be something that the singer has focused on prominently throughout his career. He mined gold when he set out with 'Herb Field'... even if no one remembers it.

{Note: There're two versions of this song that I know of. I THINK this is the older one and it is my favourite}

#12. 'Hear Wah Mi Ah Seh'

It haffi seh. Finally is the most recent entry on this list as, a few years ago, the Bushman teamed up with another great of production, Don Corleon to give us the BRILLIANT 'Hear Wah Mi Ah Seh'. The tune, which I enjoyed from the first time I heard it, has grown CONSIDERABLY on me over the past few years to the point where it not only makes this list but I'd probably put it in the top half of songs on it as well. The tune found a very opinionated Bushman with somethings on his mind that he had to get off and work out and, fortunately, he chose us all to be his audience... whether you like it or not (....and you do. You do like it).

"I bun social media

Pure follower and a very few leader

Likkle juvenile, dem ah box dung teacher

And the granny posting her personal life everyday"

"It's a disgrace-

The Black race ah bleach dem face

And di juvenile dem nah keep dem pants pon dem waist"

"Seh weh mi ah seh because mi haffi seh weh mi ah seh 

But nuff no waan fi hear wah mi ah seh"

And that comes on top of a damn CRYSTAL of a riddim. Swinging, euphoric and just GOLDEN is Don's track... making you wish that these two had teamed up earlier than they did (like when Corleon was burning everything in sight with Reggae riddim after riddim... Seasons, Drop Leaf, Heavenly). To some degree, I suppose, you could use the route of this one to sum up the entire list (or Bushman's entire career, even) as he has spent his time getting certain things off of his chest and, when at his best, the results have been unforgettable.

Signatures Vol. XIII: Vybz Kartel

 

I think I have a unique perspective on this one. Considering the fact that I, effectively, ceased being a fan of Vybz Kartel... maybe some FIFTEEN YEARS ago, the idea of doing a Signatures feature on him represents a classic run and, I'm predicting, A LOT of fun. When Kartel rose to prominence surely no one could have predicted either of the two main things that would follow him: The seemingly endless line of controversies and the heights that he would reach. To my opinion, those heights were made possible because of the tremendous level of SKILL he displayed so early on during his career; the likes of which (in one person), the Dancehall probably had not seen up until then. Today we celebrate a so very, VERY rare talent. Signatures: Vybz Kartel.

1.'Send On'

Heavenly & Celestial. While it is virtually impossible to remember the work Lenky has done in the music, in general (and still is), highlighted by the immortal Diwali Riddim; what immediately followed that track has remained in my mind as well. In 2003, the ace producer would set forth the Time Travel which would give birth to at least solid tunes from the likes of Ele, General Degree, Bounty Killer, Determine and Assassin [Agent Sasco]. The riddim was a damn joy as it changed and changed again into variations for several of the vocalists. With all of that being said, however, the sitting Monarch of the Time Travel Riddim was Vybz Kartel who blessed it with its MASSIVE herb tune, 'Send On'. TECHNICALLY 'Send On' was fairly straightforward in what it was but when you actually dug into it, there was nothing "simple" going on here. 'Send On' was kinda ridiculous. It was high-tech. It was out in the stars somewhere as Kartel sent on a brilliant torrent of words for the ages. It stands as EASILY one of the best he's ever done, having few in the way of peers. This was polished, refined and streamlined Vybz Kartel at his hypnotic best across one of the finest compositions that he ever touched. 

2.'Robbery'

This ain't serious. Vybz Kartel would have some rare, good-natured fun with some of his peers on this oft-hilarious track from the "Up 2 Di Time" album, 'Robbery'. This tune was the heights of creativity as Kartel took on both foe and friend as NO ONE, not even BERES HAMMOND (who was "first pon di list"), was safe from his bout of kleptomania. The true joy of this song was how he made his way through calling up well known phrases/songs/facts about his prey in the process. Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Buju, Ele, Sizzla Kalonji, Don Corleon (who produces the song), Wayne Marshall... and so many others were forced to be careful where they sat their valuables as Kartel was out for EVERYONE. He saved, in my opinion, his funniest run for Roundhead (always did like Roundhead, very underrated, in my opinion:

"Rob Roundhead widout a gun

Tek him chain and run

HOW A 400lb MAN FI TRY RUN MI DUNG?"

3. 'Badda Dan Dem'

Mi no care. There was a backstory to 'Badda Dan Dem'... kinda. When Kartel came to prominence, he did so, largely, alongside Assassin (now Agent Sasco). They weren't friends (at least not as far as I know) or enemies but they came up together so, like Beenie & Bounty and Busy & Aidonia, they almost continuously drew comparisons to one another. 'Sassin dropped a tune by the name of 'We a Bad From' and, here came Kartel with a song called 'Badda Dan Dem' whose punchline was:

"MI NO CARE WHERE YOU BAD FROM"

So, CLEARLY, it was a response to Assassin's song, right?? I don't think that question was ever answered officially by Kartel but everyone took it as a direct reaction; to the point where Spragga Benz, Sasco's mentor, took offense and reacted with his own tune/s aimed at Kartel (some of which was VERY good) in defense of his protégé (I don't think Sasco, himself, ever responded). Not to pick sides (a hundred years later) but Kartel's first reaction/non-reaction, 'Badda Dan Dem' was fantastic. Gifted with the downright STRANGE (in a good way) Kasablanca Riddim, Kartel PLAYED. It isn't here just because of its covering a significant occurrence in his career but it's also... MAYBE top five here as well.

4. 'Slow Motion'

Put a smile pon mi face. The undeniable changeup here, 'Slow Motion', whether it was realized or not (and it wasn't) was special. Listen to this song maybe two times and you don't really need to play it after that because it becomes GLUED into your memory. The great Tony Kelly supplied his Street Bullies Riddim to Kartel (courtesy of Shaggy's Big Yard) and returned to him was an infectious DIAMOND of a tune. Its course was pretty different than most of the tunes that you're going to see here: No one was killed, no one is smoking anything (...well, they are but that isn't really the point here) and nothing X-rated is going on and 'Slow Motion' was still a major winner. 

5. 'Kill Dem All'

And dun. While the origins/inspiration behind 'Badda Dan Dem' may or may not be in question, there was no mystery at all as to who the intended victim of 'Kill Dem All' was. This tune was probably the best of the back-and-forth Kartel enjoyed with Mavado many years ago (which I now remember quite fondly. It was fun!). Many times, such interactions don't really produce THAT good of material (see Sizzla v Khago) but 'Kill Dem All' was scintillating. It was ridiculously aggressive. It was a damn movie scene of a song (it was the part where there's the crazy chase with everyone shooting at each other) captured nearly PERFECTLY by TJ on his epic Beauty and The Beast Riddim. Though he'd hit a point where he'd kind of swear them off completely (because anytime he made one, even one that was super generic, it would give birth to ten different counteractions from people who would not otherwise get that type of attention) Kartel's gun songs, for what they were, were mightily inventive. Whether specific or broad he almost always hit his mark and 'Kill Dem All' was not an exception. 

6. 'Nah Climb' featuring Ward 21

Rise up. While I'm not finished compiling this list just yet (I think this is tune #8 and I have two more already set, going to add another three or four), chances are fairly decent that 'Nah Climb' is probably going to be the only combination that it features. When I first had this idea, 'Nah Climb' was a definite for it as I can claim it to be, arguably, THE funnest tune Kartel has ever made. Joined by the loonies at Ward 21, and nestled SNUGGLY into Jam 2's GORGEOUS Amharic Riddim, 'Nah Climb' is one of the songs on this list at least in the discussion of being my favourite Vybz Kartel song, period and that is largely due to just how exciting and BEAUTIFUL it's been. I was hooked the very first time I heard it and, all of these years later, my addiction remains as strong as ever.

7. 'Up To The Sky'

Don't drink & drive.

"Dung inna Waterford

A that's where the ganja load

A cellblock ah press it til it flat like a board

Di next episode: Pon di plane on it fi load

Di pilot and di flight attendant dun know di code

And then, never hitch, lock off di x-ray switch

Dog nah waste fi sniff, cause a di plane time fi lift

And if mi hundred-thousand pound about a million spliff

Money high like di cliff

Man haffi shot di sheriff- 

Inna di sky

Don't drink & drive

Smoke weed & fly"

While 'Up To Di Sky' has largely gone forgotten, and that hasn't been unexpected, anyone who came across it during its day will surely attest to its prowess. Like several of the tunes you'll find here today, this one so wonderfully exemplifies what Vybz Kartel did at the height of his powers. He could be so PRECISE but it was done in a... GRIMY kind of way. It was polished and it was refined but it wasn't like he learned how to do it, it's just something that he came up with. 'Up To Di Sky' was almost messy in some respects but DAMN what a performance it was at the same time. 

8. 'Proper English'

Is it? SURELY a large chunk of my affections for 'Proper English' and why it appears on this list goes to John John who supplied Kartel with his blistering Nookie Riddim, over which the deejay would deliver this X-rated masterpiece. I listen to songs like this and hear lines such as:

"I'm poor but when I fuck pussy, I feel rich"

And I wonder/hope if/that people can appreciate the creativity (they can) that it demonstrates. It makes you chuckle when you hear it. It makes you smile and, if you really tuned it in, what you heard in 'Proper English' was next level material. Dirty as all hell? Yeah, sure; but also something that stuck with me.... twenty years on. 

9. 'Solomonic Chronic'

Big & iconic. 'Solomonic Chronic' found Kartel making his play for most dramatic weed song of ALL TIME. Something was wrong with this one... I mean seriously fucked up. You're not supposed to have weed songs that, literally, sound like they could be playing behind an action sequence in a movie. They just aren't supposed to be like that but that was EXACTLY what happened with this one. Essentially lost to time by only being found on an obscure 2008 album by the name of "The Teacher's Back" that was only released in Japan (and never went), 'Solomonic Chronic' has likely not been heard by many of his current fans and that's a damn shame because, within its TRULY ridiculousness, this song was had MAMMOTH chunks of genius. 

10. 'Murderer'

Hot coffee. If no one was harmed on 'Slow Motion' and took a moment to cease the violence and put the guns down, that time is over now. Pick up your gun and aim it at absolute anything in your sights and fire at will. Songs such as 'Murderer' have an outlook which is, of course, hellaciously violent; then you look (and listen) into it further and you arrive at realizing JUST HOW FUCKING BRILLIANT IT IS.

"Mi have gun weh work wid pin-number like Nokia chip

Shot contagious like disease, try don't catch it

Head buss like bicycle wheel, try don't patch it

Mi gun dem land plane and turn over ship"

What the hell is that?! Somewhere in this song, which came across the French Vanilla Riddim, is a word-perfect display that... maybe three or four artists in the history of the Dancehall (literally talking about Kartel, Papa San & Aidonia), ever, could have delivered in the way you hear it done here. 

11. 'So Me A Say'

Like Calypso. The wordplay, alone, on 'So Me A Say' is FLAWLESS. This tune, which featured on his opus, "JMT", and was produced by the great Don Corleon came with a downright ADORABLE riddim which sounded like something out of the 1980's, Beverly Hills Cop-style and was brilliantly crafted into Dancehall by one of its greatest maestros ever. For his part, Kartel did not miss a beat and the song, although kind of RIGID (and I mean that in a good way. It's almost he's following a pattern in his head. It isn't the craziness, you'll hear on... something like 'Murderer', for example), that kind of attention to detail almost helped to take it to another level in my opinion. 

"Don, how you wicked so?

You get props from DJ Wayne, Colin Hinds and Liquid so

How the gun pon yuh hip big so?

It make boy haffi jump and prance like Calypso"

"Perfect" is a word to be careful with (though I've found myself using it more than couple of times now today) (I like how I say "today", as if it didn't take me week or two to write this thing) but the lyrical display you find on 'So Me A Say' was wholly without blemish. It was perfect and it may just be my favourite song that he's ever made.

12. 'Kartel Reveal It'

Knock dem out like Riddick. From the very second 'Kartel Reveal It' jumps in, you just KNOW that you're about to hear something TRULY special and it does not disappoint. The KNOCKING composition behind it, nurtured to perfection by Jam 2, provides an enthusiastic backdrop over which Kartel aims at enemies far and wide and does so brilliantly. 

"Dem ahgo dead this minute

Sink dem like Titanic"

There was always something SINISTER about 'Kartel Reveal It' as well. You're likely to find other gun tunes on this list (one in particular I've already chosen) but they have an element to them where... the entertainment aspect is stressed. 'Kartel Reveal It' has that as well at its minimum but it also just seemed like Kartel was kinda pissed off! 

13. 'Wosen'

Girls like mine. I wouldn't think that you'd find this almost obscure now tune on many lists such as this one but there is just something about 'Wosen' that has stuck with me over the years. Maybe it's the very odd Diesel Riddim that it goes on? The Diesel was, just as its name suggests, kind of obese. It was CHUNKY! It didn't get around very much and, off the top of my head, I'm struggling to come up with anyone else who even remotely did damage on it (and now, after having looked it up.... no. No one else did). It doesn't get around very much and it would take someone TRULY gifted to produce magic on it (and that isn't to say that it is necessarily a bad riddim but it comes across as very difficult to ride in my opinion). Fortunately, they (I think Galaxy P made this riddim) enlisted the help of one Vybz Kartel who would BLESS the track with 'Wosen'. This song was everything that it should not have been. It MOVED. It was agile and it was so not in an uncomfortable way (if you do want to hear uncomfortable gal tunes on the Diesel (and you do not), check Galaxy P's own offering, 'Tickle Her Fancy' which is awful). 'Wosen' is not in the upper echelon of songs on this list and there're tunes MUCH better than it in his catalogue that I cut off of this list ( like 'Weed Partner') (and 'War Naah Talk Over') (and 'Ride In') but, given the circumstances, it ranks as one of Kartel's finest performances altogether... but no one knows it.

14. 'Badman Nah'

1. 2. 3. 4. And finally, if this list is meant to be a celebration of SKILL and TALENT (and it is) then it would be incomplete without the infamous 'Badman Nah'; one of the absolute FILTHIEST displays of ability that I have ever heard in the Dancehall.

Off Topic: A review of Marijuana Prayer by Chezidek

Tenet. If you really think about it, there is a very finite number of things that capture our attention as human beings. As diverse as we most certainly are... our selection of entertainment, en masse, isn't quite as varied as one might think. Sure, you'll have your moments where you can find a supreme level of joy in something as simple as watching an ant go about his business, when it comes to what you're willing to actually pay for or spend more time doing, things are damn simple. For example, you've probably seen enough movies in your life to have a decent shot at predicting the ending of some confusing film that is currently in production, right now. You can pick up enough clues, here and there, to get relatively close to what its conclusion - and you may not even need to see the entire thing to get there (the next superhero movie that's made... I think the 'good guy' will win at the end) (just my thought). The musical side of this is... well, I was about to say that it's slightly "more complicated" but it really isn't. There's a Dancehall song, what is about? There're the '3 Gs' of Dancehall music: Girls, Guns and Ganja. The exception to this would be a dancing song, which're far less prevalent these days but, for the most part, most Dancehall songs you come across will be about one of the three. This isn't, at all, a critique from me. If it ain't broke, don't fix it and, as someone who LOVES Dancehall (and who is fighting the urge to say something negative about the current state of the genre...), the extent of creativity to which some of these artists can go within that narrow frame of thought can be downright astounding. One of those G's, in a truly major way, is prevalent throughout the entire genre of Reggae music and is so to the point where the argument could be made that the music, itself, has proven to be one of its greatest pieces of advertisements ever. If ganja has a theme song (and it just might), it is a Reggae tune. If it has a spokesperson or a celebrity endorsement... he/she makes Reggae music.

And there would be a nice handful of candidates for that position. Historically, SURELY the great Peter Tosh would have been up for the role but the modern era has also produced a number of healthy, potential candidates. Take, for example, the most honourable Burnhard Spliffington [bka Perfect Giddimani] who has done more than his part in populating the topic with big tunes ["DON'T WORRY OR PANIIIIIIIIIC! Cause my chronic is organic, so take a draw from it!"]. The same could be said for Lutan Fyah ["A just a little bag of herbs fi mi officer. I nah sleep a jail fi no ganja"] or, if you wanted to take a bit more 'mystical', you could even tap Ras Batch ["The root, the stem and the flowers - bring down therapeutic showers. Magnificent medicinal powers"]. That man's dedication to promoting the herb is second to none. If you wanted to grab a spotlight you could go to the likes of Collie Buddz & Marlon Asher who've both score international hits in the field and even personal favourite of mine, the Ganja Baby (although I've heard that sometimes her friends call her Ganja Lady), Queen Omega; or any number of others ensuring that songs about marijuana remain nearly as tied close to Roots music as do songs praising His Majesty.

2010

Another prime choice MIGHT be... oh I don't know.... maybe Chezidek?? It's weird thinking about it now because back when I first began to listen to his music, I don't think that I ever would have expected Chezidek to go this route. No. I am not at all surprised that he has gone on to have a tremendous career; making some of the finest music of his era and becoming a personal favourite of mine but the fact that he has gone on to demonstrate such an incredibly high penchant for making songs about ganja, in particular and in retrospect, was definitely not expected a quarter of a century or so when I first took major note of the St. Ann native. His early works such as the GORGEOUS Xterminator produced debut, "Harvest Time" ["Inna dem mind!"] was devoid of any tunes on the subject if memory serves me well (and it might not), as was its unearthly strange followup from three years on, 2005's "Rising Sun". In fact, Chezi had probably been in the process of making a name for himself for the better part of a decade -- going back to his REALLY early work -- (look up a WICKED tune called 'Congregation' from the late 90's for a taste of that and in a different style) before he made a significant drop out in the herb yard. Since he did plant that seed, however, the proverbial flood gates have been opened and, he has been one of the most delightfully unavoidable proponents of marijuana in all of Reggae music. Because of that and because why not the venerable Tad's Records have put together a specifically loosely themed set and... it isn't the first time. The brand new "Marijuana Prayer" actually follows 2010's "Herbalist" from the same label. That should really tell us something about not only Chezidek's music, in general, but the perception of of those who actually make and put the music together (industry folk!): He now has TWO albums from the same source centered around marijuana. Furthermore, if you take that aspect out of play, the man has just been making some EXCELLENT music and been doing so with Tad's. Along with the aforementioned "Herbalist" was another album Chezidek did with Tad's, back in 2020, by the name of "Hello Africa" which was absolutely fantastic and since then, there was also "Never Stop" for Irie Ites (also fantastic). Chezidek has been on a roll and I'm wondering if that run continues into 2026, with the new release. 

Of course it does [DUH!]. Despite the way I built this review and the title and central theme around "Marijuana Prayer", I don't want to make it seem as if that's all that's going on here - it most certainly is not. This is a... Chezidek album. It's full of the various ideologies that he typically covers in his music (many of which permeate Roots music, in general, just as much as ganja and if not, more) which is just fine by me. Also, there is a compilation effect here as you very well should be quite familiar with some of these songs. The opener for "Marijuana Prayer", 'Ganja Business', however, is new to my ears and eyes. Tackling a classic track whose name I don't feel like looking up, Chezi uses a rather FRAIL chorus to deliver what I'm going to consider a VIBE. I don't think there was a lot going into the planning station of 'Ganja Business' and developed almost entirely organically. That's not a critique at all. For what it is and, specifically, where it's placed on the album -- to kind of set the stage for what is to come -- I have no problem with 'Ganja Business' but better material is to come. I'm even more confident in the freshness of 'Caah Believe' as I'm almost certain it is the first single for "Marijuana Prayer". I can remember when it popped up on my radar initially, maybe a month or so before the album's release and I was damn curious to hear it (because it was a new Chezidek song... had no idea at the time that an album was forthcoming behind it). This tune deals with the persecution and prosecution of this plant and the ridiculous way in which is occurs. If not for the presence of something truly special later on, 'Caah Believe' would be my favourite song on this album. It is FANTASTIC. It's one of the better written efforts Chezidek has turned in as of late and if you want to talk about making a point, that DEFINITELY goes down here and in such a HUGE way!

"A how you run come and demonize, after you say you decriminalize?

Now mi seet clear wid my eyes: You only waan wi buy kush from di big guys

Look how hard di small farmers toil-

Inna di sun, put him suckers in di soil

And dem likkle dream you come spoil

Just to mek di big guys smile

You dun know, he ain't gotta dime

Yet you want come charge him a fine

If him no got it, you waan fi lock him down fi a long, long time

Him neva know, him neva know THERE WAS A LIMIT TO WHAT HIM COULD GROW

From di time that him hear seh ganja free, pure seed him ah sow

Inna di hills and him neva come a road

Mi caah believe, caah believe

Dem still ah lock up farmers fi ganja

Mi caah believe, caah believe

Dem still ah lock up people fi weed

Traditional ganja, farmers inna Jam

It look like dem no waan wi have nothin fi nyam

Dem buy froreign weed from up a Uncle Sam

And wi fi ah plant pure cabbage and yam

Seh dem decriminalize but you si it was a sham

Dem neva legalize and dem neva did ah plan

But food deh haffi eat for each and everyone

Di foreign investors and di natives of di land

Sacramental ganja fi di Rastaman

Medicinal marijuana fi di hospital

Recreation ganja, recreational 

Free Jamaican ganja, international"

CLEARLY Chezidek and Tad's knew that they had something serious on their hands when they wrapped up 'Caah Believe' and they were right; making it an obvious choice for a single for this album. Charged with tailing 'Caah Believe' is the excellent title track which comes pretty close to equaling the levels set by the song just ahead of it. 'Marijuana Prayer' is a lot of FUN and you don't typically use such a term to describe such a tune but that's the one that first came to my mind and stayed there (clearly it's still in there). This one features Chezidek doing exactly what you think he's doing in lifting up the positives of ganja but it's done in a variety of different ways. He sings and he does that wonderful chanting style that I wish he would employ more often and then the song is just afforded a minute (half a minute) to go on its own as the singer takes a step back for a wonderful stretch and a great touch in my opinion.  Previous single, the now... classic [?] 'Leave The Trees' is also on board "Marijuana Prayer", just as it was on the aforementioned "Herbalist" release (and it also appeared on his 2007 album, "Inna Di Road"). This song MIGHT have been the first indication of Chezidek's prowess in this spectrum as the tune, produced by Our Promotion, was a significant and remains one of his most popular to date. 'Leave The Trees', as its title suggests, is more than just a song about ganja ["It's not just about smoking. It's my medicine, my food and my clothing"]; it's also a GREEN song. It stands up for the proper care of the environment, in general, and it definitely made an impact with the masses (and this does appear to be just a remastered version of the original, not a re-recording) (but I could be wrong). 'Let's Stay Together' probably made its first rounds four or five years ago at this point and its appearance on this set comes as no surprise. I've never been crazy about this song (it's almost... kinda country-ish and doesn't have the greatest of direction) but, for whatever it's worth, it does feature an impressive more typical vocal delivery from Chezidek. He just sings the song as straight-forward as you're likely to get out of him and it is pleasant to listen to. Similarly vibed but substantially stronger is the next track in, 'Got To Go Home'. What separates the two, for me, is how well the latter is written. It's a repatriation song but there's something kind of SPICY about 'Got To Go Home'. You listen to its tone and you get one thing from it but if you actually listen to what Chezidek is saying... you can tell that he's a little pissed off!

"Nah build yuhself up like no skyscraper-

Or babylon will crush yuh like paper

The likkle money nuh mek yuh no greater

Yuh laugh now but yuh gonna cry later

Dem got yuh constrained, propaganda campaign

Yuh think yuh escape but dem got yuh contained

Yuh religion nor yuh higher education 

Politics nuh mek yuh more safer

Got dem secret organization 

DI WHOLE SYSTEM AH RUN BY SATAN 

Dem drop di slavetrade but dem still have yuh brain

DEM CONTROL YUH WATER AND YUH FOODCHAIN

Full yuh up a drugs anytime you feel pain

Lock you inna prison if you try-

Wi got to home!"

I call it a song about repatriation and it is but very loosely. Chezidek isn't necessarily saying that we need pack up and go to Africa (although that is an option) but we just need to get the hell outta here. WHEREVER our destination may be, so be it, but the current way things are going is simply unacceptable. 'Got To Go Home' is EASILY a highlight here and the same can be said for the song just behind it, 'One Life'. This one was interesting even before I'd heard it because Chezi has a much older tune by the same name which is downright glorious. It's, seriously, probably one of the best fifty or songs that he's ever done and this version appears to be same one (or very similar to it), just on a different riddim. This riddim is the Party Time (I looked that up, it's the same riddim that backs Cocoa Tea's Good Life, I was about to call it the Good Life before I checked) which goes to make for a more quaint experience. I do still prefer the former but this tune is excellent and, again, another fine example of writing on "Marijuana Prayer" as the singer warns us all to just be a bit more careful in our day-to-day lives ["Mighty men can die from just one mosquito bite"] because we only get to do this once. 

The second half of the album makes a VERY familiar turn (and I ain't complaining about it)  during its second half but its also serves up three more unexpected lights as well. The first of these is also its very first tune altogether, 'Give Me Your Love'. I know what you're thinking and I was thinking the exact same thing: Yes. That title is absolutely abysmal. It's terrible and it, seemingly, portends something... sappy as hell to come. However, while the song bearing that name most certainly isn't amongst the finest that "Marijuana Prayer" has to offer, it also any the bottom of the barrel that you might've been expecting (...you were). It is a lukewarm love song. For something reaching far higher, check 'Memba Good' and the equally delightful closer, 'Stand Up'. The former is just expressing the totality of a ton of acquired life-experience ["It's a learning, learning journey and you're never too old to learn"] and it's fairly broad. Such songs don't typically appeal to me as much as this one does, however; and I'd probably owe that to 'Memba Good' just being incredibly well put together. 'Stand Up, for its part, is even better (my opinion just changed on that within the last ten minutes. I would have rated 'Memba Good' slightly ahead prior to that). It is STERLING Roots Reggae atop a cut of a classic riddim (it's the Invasion Riddim. Who knows what the original name of that thing is). The idea here is fairly simple: You know right from right -- we all do -- and you/we should be willing to put our foot down, take a risk and stand up for what we know is right. You can take this in a billion different ways (and I think that's the intent) but the unifying thought here is damn strong and leads to an outstanding effort. NOW! I mentioned the "Hello Africa" album and the remaining four offerings, in a kinda/sorta typa way belong to that album. The most identifiable is 'Inna Dem Eye' and I alluded to this one previously. 'Inna Dem Eye' is the best song on this album. It's one of the finest songs he's ever done (it's one of the finest that anyone has ever done) but, had you looked through the tracklist, you already knew that. The other three songs do not appear on the standard release of "Hello Africa", instead they featured on its "Vinyl Cut". 'Deliver Me', 'Fool & His Money' and 'Money Move' represented the difference between versions of "Hello Africa". I thought their inclusion here was a very interesting one because OBVIOUSLY they're here to thicken out things, which is fine but there's also a bit of... 'in case you missed it' aspect going on as well. In any case surrounding the thought behind their collective presence, just as was the case for "Hello Africa", their being here makes "Marijuana Prayer" a better album. It's nearly twelve minutes of added outstanding music and that can only be a plus. Despite, if I recall correctly, 'Fool & His Money' and 'Money Move' being singles and more popular ('Money Move' is all kinds of addictive), the best of the trio remains 'Deliver Me' by the slightest of margins. When that song hits a certain level and plateaus, what we get is nearly euphoric work (you can leave that song on for ages and just enjoy over and over again). 

2021

Overall, take a second and remove the centralizing 'reason' as to why we're all here and just take a look at this one for what it is: "Marijuana Prayer" is a solid compilation of music from someone who has been on a roll for the last few years in my opinion. Chezidek is amongst the very few people making some of THE best Roots music currently and virtually any collection of his work is going to get my attention and impress and this is not the exception. Now, when you do add the specific element into things it definitely provides a bit of an extra attraction to things and while what happens isn't a 'ganja album' necessarily, it is, as I said, quite good. A "quite good" album from Chezidek works for me, regardless of how deep this "Marijuana Prayer" may go. 

Rated: 4/5

Tad's Records

2026

Signatures Vol. XII: Reggae Random

Okay so, I was working on a few ideas for what would be next on the Signature series (it is EASILY one of the most enjoyable things that I write as it, primarily, involves me going through a lot of old music that I really, REALLY love) and I had some good ones. While I'll tell you about a couple of the others in the notes for this (right down there ↓ in small print) the one I'm going on today is probably the most fun and less stressful to write. Today we get random: HERE ARE FIFTEEN RANDOM SONGS THAT I ABSOLUTELY LOVE. Signatures: Reggae Random

{Note: The only rule is that no one artist would be repeated}

{Note 2: If it works out right, there'll also be Dancehall & Soca versions}

{Coming soon: Bushman, Vybz Kartel & Destra}

[BOOM!}

1. 'King Selassie H.I.M.' by Tarrus Riley

Never before. I spend a great deal of time talking about people like Norris Man, Chezidek and others: UNCONVENTIONAL TALENTS. These are individuals who offer a very different style but one which is largely effective and downright stunning when at its best. However, with that being said, there is definitely room for.... refinement. "Refinement" would be someone like Tarrus Riley. If someone had a sound signifying that they had no greater purpose on this planet than to sing this music, it would be Riley and, arguably, the single greatest demonstration of this  EN skill would be in one of the best songs I have ever heard, 'King Selassie H.I.M.'. TEAR! You're likely to find similarly organized songs throughout this list (I know at least one because I've already written it) but you'll have a damn near impossible task in locating one -- on or off this list -- which was as PRISTINE & FLAWLESS as this diamond of a praise. 

2. 'I Have My Goals' by Anthem

Wicked ahgo fall. You remember this song??? Chances may be fairly high that, if you ever were familiar with a band (which may or may not still exist) by the name of Anthem from out of who knows where, you probably do remember 'I Have My Goals' over everything else they've done. I don't know if they still exist and, if they do, under what form. I don't recall where they were from (I want to say Connecticut, US for some reason) but full credit goes to the band for blessing us all with this SWEET uplifting and inspirational piece from many years ago now. Take a listen. 

3. 'Health & Strength' by Warrior King

My Father's work. My Father's work. TEARS! I can safely say at this point that I missed on Warrior King. He's made some fine music  but, to be honest, I expected him to enter a level of the music that he has not and, almost surely at this point, never will. A lot of those very high expectations were built upon the work that would go into his 2002 debut album, "Virtuous Woman" (I have a signed copy of that album around here somewhere and the second one too). While the title track there remains his biggest hit to date (unless I'm REALLY forgetting about something) what his actual BEST SONG has been is of even less question (and, in retrospect, that album had some SERIOUS songs on it alongside 'Virtuous Woman'. 'Never Go Where Pagans Go', 'Breath Of Fresh Air' ["ANYWHERE THERE'S LIFE, YOU KNOW MY PEOPLE WILL BE THERE!"], 'Love Jah and Live', 'Empress So Divine', 'JAH IS ALWAYS THERE'.... and I could go on and on) ('Rough Road', 'It's Been Awhile'). Song #14 on "Virtuous Woman" is the mighty 'Health & Strength' and that song, for me at least, puts "virtually" everything that Warrior King does well at its optimum. It is melodic and beautiful to hear and it also carries a high level of substance to it as well; this time combining the enjoyment of the lovely things the world has to offer with a sense of hard work and accomplishment. I don't find myself looking up much of WK's output these days which is too bad and that's too bad because of the skyscraper of talent this man has as is crystal clear by a song like 'Health & Strength'. 

4. 'Before I Lose My Strength' by Akae Beka

All for The Most High, Jah. Here's an interesting one. On the very first edition of this series, we featured Akae Beka and there were several REALLY difficult choices in tunes that I cut off from the final list (to the point where I may, someday, make a vol. 2 for Akae Beka, specifically, and it wouldn't be difficult filling with another 12-15 songs). One selection was DEFINITELY 'Before I Lose My Strength' from the "Jah Grid" album. I can distinctly recall hearing this song (and most of that album) at a stage in my life where the music of Akae Beka (then Midnite) was almost entirely lost on me and the contrast of what I hear these days is absolutely ridiculous. "Jah Grid" is a borderline Modern Classic in my opinion and its finest offering, 'Enter' was on the aforementioned Signatures: Akae Beka post. Its second best?? That honour is up for debate but it settles at the glorious 'Before I Lose My Strength'. Something that I think is unintentionally beautiful about this song has stuck with me: It is delivered in a way (that may, actually, make it one of the best SANG songs that Vaughn Benjamin has ever done. That was never a specialty of his) that directly coincides with its direction. Benjamin sounds... kind of tired, doesn't it? He sounds like a man who has given almost every last drop of effort that he has in his body and before that final spill has been exhausted -- before he is at THE end of his line -- he has something to say. 

"Before I lose my strength-

All of my breath, OH JAH

A joyful song, I sing

Today & tomorrow"

5. 'On My Way To Zion' by Turbulence

Seeking The Conquering Lion. I definitely considered doing a full Signatures feature on Turbulence but the slightest bit if you want to know the signatures of Turbulence's career,  just dig up the "Rising" album and you'll probably be about 80-85% of the way there. One of the exceptions is, arguably, the single greatest tune he's ever done in my opinion, the absolutely STUNNING 'On My Way To Zion'. If ever you've had the fortune of seeing him perform this tune live (and I have) you'll know just how much you can actually FEEL this song but even the studio version of it does a fine job in capturing its presence. I've definitely had my issues with Turbulence's output over the.... best of the last decade and a half or so (and probably longer than that) but, here, he put on a downright ROYAL performance; one befitting The King.

6. 'Black Coffee' by Anthony B

No sugar. No cream. The perhaps surprising standout from the self-prouduced 2001 VP released "That's Life" set, 'Black Coffee' was an absolutely GORGEOUS and SMOOTH tune giving praise and honour to the beautiful Black women of the planet ["Here's my token of appreciation"] from the great Anthony B. For as popular as he is (for good reason), coming across compilations of Anthony B's work isn't the most difficult thing but you probably won't find this true gem of a tune that has largely gone forgotten. That is most unfortunate because it easily ranks amongst the finest love songs of his storied career.

"BLACK COFFEE, NO SUGAR, NO CREAM!

BLACK WOMAN MI A DI KING, YOU A DI QUEEN!"

7. 'Ganja Farmer' by Marlon Asher

Stinkin rocket launcher. Undeniably one of the finest ganja tunes in the history of the music, Marlon Asher left an impact on Reggae music over twenty years ago when he dropped 'Ganja Farmer' which can still be felt to this very day (typically I say it doesn't seem THAT long ago, 'Ganja Farmer' does seem twenty years old at this point). A strong case could also be made that it is the single biggest tune Trinidad Reggae has ever produced (and there're a few strong candidates but it is definitely in the conversation) and that has an even greater reach; it probably helped a number of Asher's peers get their foot in the proverbial door and who knows who we're listening to TODAY that we may not have been exposed to were it not for this tune. And as for this tune... 'Ganja Farmer', as effortlessly as possible, burned a giant hole in the minds of anyone lucky enough to get a taste of it, courtesy of a rocket launcher. 

8. 'Rub-A-Dub Market' by Luciano

Living legend. You come to expect certain things from certain people and when they kind of break that level of expectation and confidence, the results typically aren't very good...  but that isn't always the case. When 'Jah Messenjah', the great Luciano, broke the norm with the title track from his remarkable 2011 album for Irievibrations it was wholly unexpected but NOT AT ALL unwarranted. The man has (and had even fifteen years ago) attained a level of respect and accomplishment in Reggae music that is beyond reproach. We all knew that at the time but he'd never really expressed that, musically, until 'Rub-A-Dub Market'. 

"THEM KNOW THAT PAPA LUCI IS A LIVING LEGEND"

His place already secured, Luciano would even take a next step and criticize some of his less storied peers who are not willing to work but full want to reign.

"DEM AH GWAN LIKE DEM A DI ROOT BUT DEM A DI BRANCH AND STEM"

The tune was spicy, out of the norm and a gorgeous highlight within Luciano's LOADED catalogue.

9. 'Upper Room' featuring Empress Cherisse by Anchants

No need to wonder. I don't remember much these days about Empress Cherisse and the band Anchants. I THINK she was from Trinidad but I don't remember where they were based out of by the time they sent out their 2003 project, "Merkaba". I may've lost the stories of their origins but I do know that, barring some type of dementia, I'm not going to forget their actual work because one of the songs carried by "Merkaba", 'Upper Room', has been a personal favourite of mine from the very second that I laid ears on it. 'Upper Room' is... hypnotic. It is a.... CAREFUL EUPHORIA almost reminiscent of something you get from an ultra-tuned in Dezarie and I have gleefully lost myself in it. The biblically armed track is one with at least one foot on terra firma as, in a very relatable way, Cherisse tells us that there're many things that are questionable -- literally an endless line of them -- but there is something or SOMEONE who is above it and there is no need AT ALL to wonder about HIM. 

10. 'God Bless' by Junior Kelly

Anointed & Appointed. Buried on a long forgotten (but SPICY) album from nearly a quarter-century ago by the name of "Conscious Voice" is simply one of the single greatest songs I have ever heard from anyone, Junior Kelly's DAZZLING 'God Bless'. For anyone who has this kind of rigid archetype of what Roots music is, I'd point you in the direction of this most malleable giant. 'God Bless' had its purpose and it served it. Before we get lost in the stars, the track also deserves a giant lyrical credit as well:

"Yeah, though I walk through the Valley of Death, I man will never fret

Cause Jah is by my side and HIM ah guide mi footstep

Stood firm inna mi faith

Cause Jah is very great

So why you choose to fight man and don't appreciate?-

The vibes a weh mi fling, uplift mi race and thing

BADMINDED PEOPLE DEM DON'T WORTH A THING CUZ-

They would like to see you wear a frown everyday

They would like you throw your dreams all away!

But I'm anointed and appointed by Jah

Dem ahgo fi si mi face on ya!"

With that covered... LISTEN TO THIS THING! 'God Bless' sounds GORGEOUS. It's never failed to put a smile on my face in the last twenty-three years and, apparently, Kelly knew precisely what he had on his hands because he literally observes the moment:

"CAUSE A WI GOT THE GIFT FI MAKE HEADS ROCK AND SHIFT"

Yes, sir. Yes, you do. 

11. 'Volume Of The Book' by Ras Shiloh

The whole earth shook. Veteran vocalist Ras Shiloh is probably best known for two things: The first is his massive hit, 'Are You Satisfied', while the second is the similarity of his voice to the legendary Garnet Silk and that's just fine. I would argue that the single best song that he's ever made (even over 'Are You Satisfied'), is the literally inch-perfect 'Volume Of The Book', which appeared on his 2007 Bobby Digital produced set, "Coming Home", for VP Records. I'll put it to you like this: Shiloh is known, as I said, for being very similar, vocally, to Garnet Silk - if 'Volume Of The Book' were placed somewhere in the catalogue of Silk, it would still rank very highly in my opinion. There're songs that I like more than 'Volume Of The Book' in which I will acknowledge the existence of certain flaws which may even add to their appeal but that isn't the case here. If such a thing is possible: 'Volume Of The Book' was PERFECT. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with it. 

12. 'I Wanna Go Home' by Alborosie

Island in the sun. I am not a fan of Alborosie's. I never have been and I almost certainly will never be. For some reason, his brand of music has just never appealed to me and though, once upon a time, I definitely did give it a shot I can honestly say that I haven't listened to much of his work, period. Something new coming from Alborosie will likely not get much of my attention. HOWEVER, with that being said there is one exception to all of this within Albo's catalogue, the complete and utter JEWEL that was 'I Wanna Go Home'. The song was just so easy and it was one of those magical times when the vibes of the tune so perfectly match the actual nature and focus of what is going on, lyrically. I wouldn't be surprised if I never found another Alborosie tune that I even kind of like but a big for 'I Wanna Go Home', he has earned and will always have my respect.

13. '50 Push Up' by Spectacular

Hundred skip. I'm probably more open on the heels of his wicked latest release, "Stay Up", from last year but that album didn't represent the first stroke of genius made by the scathing Spectacular. Way back in 2005, the Kingston native served up his debut set, "Find Yourself" and the lasting track from it maintains its STRENGTH to this very day. '50 Push Up' was a song stressing HEALTH & FITNESS of the highest caliber. You're well familiar with Roots music singing about the importance of keeping one's soul and mind in-shape by focusing on the proper things and, of course, praising His Majesty. You'll also hear the occasional offering talking about things such as living a more natural life and putting healthy things into your body. All the more rare is what '50 Push Up' does (as its title DIRECTLY suggests).... it's still necessary for you to break a sweat sometimes to keep your body in shape and to build muscle. There's a certain simplicity to this one, beneath everything, that really helps it along and made it a favourite of mine. Time to get off your ass and do some work!

14. 'From The Beginning' by Lyricson

The powers to sing. Though I may've (I did) beat up on Lyricson's most recent album, "African Dream", I actually did so because I've been witness to the mountain of talent on which he rests his head when at his best (and he's had an EP since then called "Zodiak Vol. 2", I didn't love that one either). Demonstrated amongst his earlier work on albums such as "Keep The Faith", "Born 2 Go High" and "Messages", the incredibly gifted Guinea born vocalist's  talent can be amongst some of the very best in the entire genre when steered properly and WITHOUT A DOUBT the best example of this would come on that "Messages" set from 2012, 'From The Beginning'. WITHOUT QUESTION, 'From The Beginning' is the single best piece of music that I have EVER heard from Lyricson (there exists a chance that he's made something that I haven't heard that I would rank higher but I HIGHLY doubt it) and you could drop it into the catalogue of a handful of others with more storied careers and that would still be the case. 'From The Beginning' was FLAWLESS. 

15. 'Manifess Joy' by Arkaingelle

JOOOOOOOOOY! I may have bad news for you, if this song does not bring a smile to your face. I regret to inform you that your ability to smile is GONE! It's found something else to do with its time and it's spending most of its time at someone else's house. For the rest of us, however, the Arkaingelle THRILLED! I've spent nearly twenty years singing the praises of the SWEET 'Manifess Joy' and with good reason: It's simply one of the best songs that I have ever heard... with no qualification at all (not one of the best from Arkaingelle, from Guyana or during a certain time period. IT IS ONE OF THE BEST SONGS THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD!). I should also do something that I'm not sure that I've ever done and give credit to a beautiful background singer who almost serves as a duet partner as much as a backing vocalist (...and may just be Malika Madremana).