Modern Classics Vol. XLIV: Jah Grid by Akae Beka

We've spoken quite a bit in the past about the shift that I experienced in regards to the music of Vaughn Benjamin and Midnite. When I was much younger, the sound wasn't something that I was capable of appreciating. It wasn't very catchy. It often seemed like he did not care much at all for melodies or even if he was in-tune with the riddim behind him. It was not (and often still is not) the type of music that immediately draws you in and that's fine. While I don't think that there is an age requirement for enjoying the music of Akae Beka, I do think there may be a life experience requirement. Benjamin's music, at least in my opinion, is best served as a tool for PROVOKING THOUGHT and the depth of your thoughts surely increases with the amount of life that you've lived... with the amount of things that you have gone through, personally. 

Today I want to take a look at an album which is a personal landmark for me because, if I recall correctly, it was one of the ones which directly opened the door for me to Benjamin's work. I can remember buying "Jah Grid". I was still in university, it was probably a week or two old and I bought it just to buy it (and it wasn't my first Midnite album either. I THINK that distinction belongs to "Ainshant Maps" and I'm still working on that one as well)! A trait that I inherited from my wonderful Mother (and her wonderful Mother, both of whom are healthily and happily still with us) forces me to occasionally buy things just because I like buying stuff (a problem for a habitually broke college student at the time). I'd listened to Midnite's music before and, as I said, I didn't particularly care for it and I bought "Jah Grid" presuming that I wouldn't care for it either and, at least initially, I was correct. "Jah Grid" was... skeletal. The music was just fine but for someone who Dancehall would have been what I was listening to most at the time (and I was definitely listening to Roots music as well but it would have been... Sizzla, Capleton, Anthony B... kind of Dancehallish Roots music) Midnite's music was a bridge I had yet to even attempt to cross. But I paid my money for it, it was mine and, every so often, I'd come back and listen to "Jah Grid" and somewhere along the line, the shift began. Prior to that, however, I had begun to listen to the works of the likes of NiyoRah, Yahadanai, Army & Aincent King whose work came via a label that also would stick with me, I Grade Records, which also helped. I want to say that it didn't take THAT long for an album released in 2006 but I can remember a point when "Jah Grid" ceased to have any semblance of a presupposed (on my part and my part, alone) 'barrier' to it and what stood in its place was the start of a WONDERFUL journey of comprehension that continues to this day and will only end for me at my grave. 

In the latest addition to our Modern Classics series, we take a look at an album which helped to open a very large door for me, personally: "Jah Grid" by Akae Beka.

1. 'Enter'

I've spoken about this one previously. 'Enter' is one of the greatest songs I've ever heard... from like anyone and it so PERFECTLY exemplifies the process that I've gone through with this music. 

"If you plan fi live good, open Jah door and enter"

I don't know if this is the case but I'd like to think that someone specifically decided that it was so powerfully positioned at the beginning of the album because it sets the stage for what is to come not only musically but, specifically, by what Vaughn Benjamin says. ESSENTIALLY, he is saying that if you are willing to continue down this road, something immensely powerful awaits you. I should also mention just how damn THICK this song is, musically. The riddim sounds like something that grew out of the ground (oooooold, fertile ground) - a credit to the extremely gifted players of instruments behind it.

2. 'In Tent'

'In Tent' is a song where Benjamin actually does make an honest attempt at being melodic and I can actually remember a point, before this album fully opened up for me, where it may've actually been my favourite song here. These days while it may not rank as high, comparatively, I'm even more fond of it because I hear things in 2026 that simply did not exist for me in 2006. 'In Tent' is a very FULL experience and it exists for me as a social/life commentary (with a spiritual helm, of course) as Benjamin covers a variety of different topics and that's what stands out so brightly for me in this time. It's almost as if he jumps in and tackles one thing; jumps out, jumps back in and goes on something else. Take them all in a fractured state and you have something very solid (which I would have actually been capable of appreciating twenty years ago. Kind of viewing this tune as an impressive string of one liners), however, if you are capable of finding a common ground for them all and thus, receiving them all at once - well, then you have something special. 'In Tent' was special.

3. 'My Joy'

Grrrr. Despite its title, 'My Joy' came in with a bit of fury and is a more than welcomed deviation in its delivery. 'My Joy' does actually stay true to its name but in an expectedly very spiraling manner (a signature of Vaughn Benjamin's). The song was, essentially, him gardening. He was cleansing away the impurities and strengthening the soil so something would grow and he was mowing the lawn clear of overgrowth.

"Situation of the dream: Well nightmare haunt

ANYWHERE DEM KILL SEED, DIMENSION PLANT"

If you do these things well, what stands will deliver goodness for YEARS and, all of this time later, I am still enjoying the ripe fruits from 'My Joy'. 

4. 'Kin Dread'

One of the undeniable signatures from "Jah Grid", 'Kin Dread', finds the chanter (in a very SMOOTH way, particularly when compared to 'My Joy' just ahead of it)... just.... obliterating and annihilating everything, EVERYWHERE! Seriously, what the hell is this:

"New methodology, dem have it inna dem ghetto, mi seet

Dem new ghetto: Di chatroom

You don't have di password

You can't afford di software

You don't fit in yahso

Dem have it set up so dem deh alone can be pon di cutting-edge of di scientific community

Anything dem waan fi sociology do-

Anything dem waan fi economically do, dem can just do it"

"Whole heap a critic-

Dem just labba, run off dem mouth ah talk seh-

'Wi shoulda dun gone Addis Ababa'

'Wi shoulda dung deh a Shashamane'

Here a small story, mi ah tell you short story about a farmer

Plant up di most itiful garden, but di youths dem only want softdrinks and Babylon flavour

But hear yah now

Dem ya a mi kin dread

Dem a mi kin dread

Dem a mi kin dread

Di harvest is ripe and di labourers are few

Selfishly, dem waan fi depart when dem know seh that dem deh pocketbook can take care of dem deh just dem few"

At its core, 'Kin Dread' is a unity piece. It's about bringing us all together, warts and flaws and all but the journey to get there may take us AGES (and I ain't complaining about it). I would suppose that the majority of this song was a vibe. I've actually seen video of Vaughn Benjamin actually writing lyrics and while I would guess (and do so acknowledging that I could be completely wrong) that it was his preferred method of writing songs, I wouldn't think that he wrote much of 'Kin Dread' at all before he started it. It has a very LOOSE feel to it which isn't a frequent occurrence in his work (his delivery often comes off as unrehearsed but the man seems to know PRECISELY what he wants to say most times) and was one of several reasons that 'Kin Dread' left its mark.

5. 'Under Management'

Along with maybe one or two others, 'Under Management' is a song that has experienced as much of a SHIFT that I can think of. I can recall a point where I listened through "Jah Grid" and came upon 'Under Management' and... literally, had NO CLUE what I was listening to. It might as well have been recorded in Japanese or Latin - not because I couldn't understand what was being said but because I would have had just as much of an opportunity of digging sustenance out of it in those days had I been totally walled-off to what was being said. On top of that, can you find a melody here? Benjamin didn't give a damn about it and what little of it there was was very difficult to get to. 'Under Management' was just a tough song to listen to and remained so, even after much of the album had begun to develop for me.

Today? There is a group of my absolute favourite songs on "Jah Grid"; there're three of them. I just told you about one of them and the other, 'Enter', started us off. Outside of those... I cannot definitively say that there is a better song than 'Under Management' on this album (one might be pretty close). There are a few others that I will, depending on the day (and maybe even the time of day), rank higher, but if you were to come back and ask me what I think a few minutes later, I'd probably change my mind. 'Under Management' is GOLDEN as Vaughn Benjamin puts on a display of the spoken word for the ages. He says SO much on this one and covers SO much ground that you can stop it TRULY anywhere and hear something powerful. For example:

"Multiple psychology experiment on tv look like entertainment"

And it allows you an entry point into such a powerful track of thought. And there is a melody! The riddim also ranks as one of the finest compositions on the whole of "Jah Grid" for, as minimal as it may be (and it is), if you REALLY listen to it closely, there is a certain intensity behind this song that does not leap out at you but is definitely there. 

"I've seen it recently"

6. 'Spin Doctor'

The word that comes to mind today in reference to 'Spin Doctor' is "dilution". The term 'spin doctor' is used to describe a mouthpiece of a person who will often change and DILUTE a thought or a message to make it receivable amongst whoever it is being presented to. It is often used in the political sense.

"Teams of people who've been hired just to do this thing, believe it or not

They get on the news and in the room 

Sit around and decide how the outcome must come down, smooth-

And shape it in the news"

Certain messages require no "mouthpiece", however, and certain 'Candidates' are beyond the "spin". In order to illuminate this point, Benjamin takes a route which  goes through physics, looking at the nature of spin doctors on a molecular level. For its unusual sound (and it is strange, with a kind of a Jazzy vibes to it), 'Spin Doctor' is a HEALTHY point of discussion and one of the finest written songs on "Jah Grid".

7. 'Royal Habits'

I've alluded to 'Royal Habits' here already: When I was talking about 'Under Management', I mentioned that I have a group of three all-conquering favourites on this album but outside of those maybe only one more tune could lay claim to being better than 'Under Management'. That song was 'Royal Habits' and it is a flawless example of what a song that would not have done a damn thing for me when I first came across it but now does the world for me. This song is messy, it's scattered and it's pretty consistently off-key.

It's also beautiful. It's brilliant and it's poignantly POWERFUL. 'Royal Habits' also stands as one of the few tunes on which Benjamin had a little 'over-fun' with on the vocals. You'll know exactly what I mean if you're familiar with it but for the balance of the tune, it's what you're thinking that it is. We all need to do a bit better because we know a bit better. That's the source behind this song which, though it may take awhile, will reveal its true power only if given the opportunity.

"If you have it, exhibit royal habits"

8. 'The Bringers'

Though its music threatens to steal the show, 'The Bringers' does turn out to be a wonderful tune. First of all we do have to talk about that riddim: Silky, syrupy SMOOOOTH it is. Sounding like something directly halfway between Reggae and Jazz, the composition for 'The Bringers' features the handiwork of the venerable likes of Tippy I, the incomparable Tuff Lion (who DESTROYS on this song) and others. Just as a piece of music, it's winning but now we get to add in the works of Vaughn Benjamin. For his part, the chanter seems intent to match the fluidity of the players of instruments and while we can debate on how well he does on that end, what he does do (as he always does) is excel with his words. Here, he puts on a LOVELY display that I took in tribute and honour to our "bringers" [DUH!], meaning our parents, our forebears and ancestors who have done so much in bringing us to where we now are.

"Enough praise, I cannot give

Enough thanks, I cannot give"

Benjamin levels 'The Bringers' up when he goes EVEN HIGHER at one point when he asks one question:

"Should I not give all these things and more unto Jah?"

And I won't get into it... YES I WILL! 

"His Majesty unified all these minds into one place

Wrote the law on their hearts in one place

Solidified by distance

3,000 miles away"

HE who set bloodlines and lineage into motion is THE BRINGER. THE is The Bringer who brought 'the bringers'. I listen to these songs and I wonder if its my overactive brain that piles on ideas here or if I'm really on to something but songs like this one mean so much me now.

9. 'YHWH'

I'll come back and explain it, in closing, fully, later but 'YHWH' sits as sort of the GLUE of "Jah Grid". It is the source code behind it all as far as my experience with the album has gone. However, until then, there's this. 

"Choose before a place where no choices be

HIM, Haile Selassie spoke to these issues in specificity

Before the escalate happened early, happened early

Humbling to livity

Now it's not for triviality

Rastaman elevate the wisdom tree-

For souls to live in joy

Resonating, marinating in beauty

Let the positive rhetoric and economics interlock and purify I & I wholly

Haile. Holy"

"This" is one of the single finest written tracks on this album and I say that, again (kind of), without giving its true strength here but 'YHWH', along with 'Enter' has positioned my line of thinking in regards to this sound so perfectly and here we are There isn't a chorus to this song; such a thing would have only held it back and yet it is still quite pleasing to listen  to. More on this one in a second. 

10. 'Before I Lose My Strength'

I say "TEARS" when I want to let the reader know that whatever song I'm talking about makes me kind of emotional; it gets me "in my feels", as the kids like to say. I'm not going to say that about 'Before I Lose My Strength'; instead, I'll say this: THIS SONG MAKES ME CRY. It does and has been doing that for the last.... seventeen or eighteen years probably, but especially nowadays. The third of the trio of mountainous songs on "Jah Grid", 'Before I Lose My Strength' hits me heavily and I'll tell you why. For me, this song is about making the absolute most out of life that you possibly can - WHATEVER that may mean for you. It's about contributing and doing your part to improve life on this planet during the time you have on it. 

"Before I lose my strength

ALL OF THE DAYS OF SINGING

All my days of strength

ALL OF I DAYS HAVE VIBES"

Now, let's specify a little bit about whom we are discussing. Vaughn Benjamin left us, physically, in late 2019. 

"Before I lose my strength

ALL.

OF.

THE.

DAYS.

OF.

MY SINGING."

"ALL OF I DAYS HAVE VIBES"

Now I don't want to exaggerate or embellish or over-dramatize the moment but this man stated a mission... I don't even know if I want to use that word, "mission"... he stated a natural urge, an "instinct" (something implanted him by The Most High) - something he had to do [!] before the end of his days. Why???

"To maintain internal heights"

It made him feel good. It was something his biology required of him and he did it BEAUTIFULLY. Also, I wouldn't be doing a good job if I didn't talk about the music here. 'Before I Lose My Strength' is another kind of crawling sounding tune and it is gorgeous (THAT THING IS CRISP!). It'll take you a bit to arrive at that point (I'm an example of that) but this song, in particular, is the type of music that changes people's lives in my opinion. It is of THAT ilk. This man never lost his strength. He wrote HUNDREDS of wills and left it to the world.

11. 'Third Eye' by Jah Rubal

Let's talk a little about Jah Rubal. I'd like to think that -- both indirectly and directly -- Akae Beka did a great deal of work in terms of bringing along others and introducing them to the masses. I would think that we're already enjoying a generation of Rootsmen and women who have, in one way or another, been inspired by Vaughn Benjamin's work (I've always thought that about someone like Reemah) (and you see what she's gone on to do. That woman is a genius) but he's also brought some of them along for the ride. He's produced full albums for some of his peers (like Ancient King) and then there's Jah Rubal. I think most people first became acquainted with Rubal's work via his appearing on several Midnite projects and now he's a fully decorated and esteemed veteran with at least three full albums of his own off the top of my head (I should probably review one of them one of these days... think I might start researching that after this). EASILY, one of his most memorable features was on 'Third Eye' from "Jah Grid" - it also ranks, at least in my opinion, as one of his single strongest tunes to date. 

Rubal's style is a little messy but simple (and I mean both of those in good ways) and he's aided here by Benjamin, himself, who provides 'Third Eye' with a bit of background singing and harmonies. At times, such as this one, he also doesn't give a damn about melodies or song arrangement and things like such. He has something on his mind to get off and that's what Jah Rubal does, for the most part (he has a very unusual way of... doing unexpected choruses. They just kind of pop up when you are not expecting them). Although 'Third Eye' definitely does summit in its first verse, the entire thing -- after a nice long period of working on it -- does not head back down to the nadir and, again, at least for me 'Third Eye' sits as one of the finest pieces of output that Rubal has done to date as he suggests that we all take a closer, and perhaps more unconventional, look at the world around us. 

12. 'High Place'

"I have seen the high place"

TEARS! 'High Place', at least for me, has become this kind of lumbering... hard working giant of a song. It has something to do and somewhere to go but it isn't in the slightest hurry to get it done or to get there. It's going to take its slow ass time and you're going to sit there and let it. As it does progress, however, what you end up with is a tune which is wholly STUNNING at times.

"I have seen the high place

Inna likkle youth with the strangest question:

'How come they don't have lions?

How come they don't have mane?'

I say, 'hey, well ask ya daddy'

But it's the high place CURIOSITY"

The song is about non underestimating people and being able to appreciate BEAUTY and POWER everywhere you find it - even in the simplest, most innocuous of things. There is a joy here that I was incapable of appreciating AT ALL, initially and, even today, I can hear why I was lost. Now? Vaughn Benjamin says that he has seen the "high place".

I've seen it as well: On an album that I once left for dead.

13. 'On'

Courtesy of 'On', "Jah Grid" literally CRAWLS over the finish line. There was a point where I would have actually said that I disliked 'On' and if you're there as of now, I probably shouldn't fault you for it... but I am. 'On' is one the best songs on this album to my ears nowadays. Take its rather odd pacing and 'delicacy' out of play for a minute (we'll come back to it in a second) and just HEAR it for what it is.

"Let the vibes of reciprocation flow on and on

Those who have been the recepient of good and have done wrong

Remember, in your day, in your time when you can make a difference with your mind

With your deeds

Remembering the day, the people who have made your way"

The song is one about progression and progressing! Benjamin takes a good look at the good and the bad (and he almost had to in a song like this but it circles around so PERFECTLY and SUCCINCTLY. 

"Let the vibes of Jah flow on and on"

That is a signature of the man's work. I'm not going to say no one else CAN do it, but no one else DOES do it (at least not in the consistent sense). It is one of a kind. It belongs to him. Now, about the way that 'On' sounds - it GROWS! First of all is that riddim which is a five minute chunk of divinity within its simpleness. And the delivery on it, this kind of singing/chanting which sits around a more straightforward talk, works so well for it. He has something to get off his mind and he's acknowledging the moment:

"A caring thought

A considerate remembrance"

And, as it turns out, 'On' goes on to be one of the more sonically pleasing selections on the whole of this grid. 

Synopsis

"IT'S GONNA TAKE OVERSTANDING AND MATURITY"

I mentioned that I consider 'YHWH' to be the "glue" of Jah Grid. It's what holds my experience with the album all together and it's because Benjamin says things like this. I hear blips of so much of what I've gone through on this journey (and am still going through, DELIGHTFULLY) in this record.

"THINGS ARE COMING CLEAR, TRUE

IT TAKE A PAINFUL, A LOT OF ERA

A LOT OF MISCUE"

That final word there, "miscue", means so much to me here. I'm sure he didn't have it in mind when he wrote it but it was going to help open up my ears (and maybe, HOPEFULLY, many other pairs as well. It's okay to make mistakes in here and it's also okay if you don't comprehend what you're hearing. I remember seeing an interview of Tippy I and he, himself, who's produced so much of Vaughn Benjamin's work said that he'd constantly ask questions when he couldn't follow along. If he heard something and couldn't figure out the intention, he'd ask Benjamin what he meant and he'd tell him. I'm almost jealous of such an opportunity on one hand, but on the other I am SO DAMN grateful for the opportunity to work my own way through this work and to draw my own conclusions. 

"Destiny is subject to the decisions I & I make"

But I had to grow up mature and live life in order to earn the opportunity to draw my own conclusions and make my own decisions. However, with that being said, all of the time that I spent thinking that this music just wasn't for me also wasn't exactly bereft of value. I've had so many conversations with readers about how it just doesn't work for them and because of all the work I've done, I'm able to point them in a certain direction and make suggestions and... who knows, maybe it still doesn't resonate but PERHAPS they hear their own 'YHWH'. Maybe it comes via more 'accessible' material like "Beauty For Ashes" or "Kings Bell" or "Better World Rasta" or maybe they find it in small pieces through HEAVIER work like "Be Strong" but the fact that I've done it, myself, makes it such a satisfying experience any time I can maybe pass along a vibe or steer someone in this direction because what comes after is... unspeakable. It's a lifelong journey. For me that trek began to make an actual progress through work such as that which is found on "Jah Grid", a bona fide Modern Reggae Classic!

{Note: Also credit goes to the presentation of this album. Artiste Marcus Wilson did the cover which has thirteen stones (including the center), mirroring the number of songs on the album and then the actual CD has the songs title also circling around on the perimeter of the disc}

What I'm Listening To: SUMMA COME!

'Against It All' by Reemah [Rymshot Music - 2026]

First up this week is the latest from a longtime favourite of ours who is hopefully set to spend more time in the studio this year as the brilliant Reemah sets out her brand new tune, the equally sagacious 'Against It All'. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is STARVING for a new album from the Cruzan word champion and each and every time she sets out with a new release (as infrequent as it may be) she does nothing but add fuel to that fire. 'Against It All' does not become an exception as Reemah BLAZES as usual, this time along with Rymshot Music and the great Dean Pond.

"Ever bless and a respect overall

Wrong over right weh dem reject overall

It's just a vibe weh awaken overall

Cuz nuff a wolf inna sheep clothing overall"

"Ganja Farmer" by Marlon Asher [VAS Productions - 2026]

Someone who certainly hasn't been a stranger in the studio has been Trini burner, Marlon Asher, who just issued his most recent full length set, "Safe", last year. Well, the famed Ganja Farmer is back with a new EP release..... "Ganja Farmer", in celebration of the 20th anniversary of what remains his most popular song to date (I say all the time how fast it seems time flies; in this case it definitely does seem like it's been twenty years since 'Ganja Farmer' dropped. I'm almost surprised it hasn't been longer, actually). The seven track set features contributions from the likes of Masicka, Prince Swanny and Major Seven and it also carries a remastered version of its legendary namesake - and the general theme of all of the selections revolve around the same thing. I also HAVE to mention what I believe to be the single from "Ganja Farmer", 'Ganja Man', on which Marlon Asher taps the Ganjaville Riddim from our old friends at Oneness Records. That song is EXCELLENT! 

"Winner" by Norris Man [Home And Away Music]

Many many moons ago, the great Norris Man released an album by the name of "Hey Woman". It was largely built on love songs and.... well.... well it was kinda terrible. It wasn't a good album. Earlier this year (on Valentine's Day), Norris Man thought he'd take another swipe at it with "Winner" and.... well.... I can't (I could) necessarily call it TERRIBLE but "Winner" is not a good album. One or two selections here (namely 'Doors Are Open' and maybe 'That Someone') prevent this one from being a complete lost but "Winner" isn't anything that you need to hear if you haven't already. I wasn't DYING for a new album from Norris Man and he's damn sure earned the right to do whatever he wants musically (and "Winner" is released on his own Home And Away label) but, again, "Winner" is no good. 

Ziggi Recado

It seems as if I actually went quiet, for the most part, on the extraordinarily gifted Ziggi Recado. He'd turned in a few tunes that I wasn't particularly thrilled with and I didn't keep up with his output as well as I had in previous years. However, 2026 has seen a striking return to form and he's dropped a number of big tunes in its first half, alone. Arguably the biggest of them all is his WICKED latest (to my knowledge), 'One Step Forward' which I knew had the handiwork of the geniuses at Oneness Records even prior to my knowing that it was their production (I'[d recognize those horns ANYWHERE). 'One Step Forward' is brilliant and it's easily one of the finest tunes that I've heard from anyone so far this year. Ahead of that, Oneness also released the infectious 'Boom Meditation' which is another big tune (that riddim on that song is MAD!)... and you know where my mind is headed (keep making singles together...). A big new album from Recado would look LOVELY in the year's second half but until/unless then, we're all going to benefit from one of the genre's biggest talents seemingly on a course this year to destroy everything, everywhere with that quality.

Ziggi's also released a couple of songs via Nayamari Music (pretty sure that's his label), 'Same Realness' & 'Trod Straight'; both are solid but the latter, especially, is top notch. 

The I:Rob Riddim [Mizik Muzik + Billionaire Bootcamp]

And this one kinda fits both in the current and past senses as it DELIGHTFULLY popped back up on my radars a month or so ago courtesy of a new compilation album release (and I was so DAMN happy about it that I nearly slapped a review on it). You'll have to go back two decades to when a tune by the name of 'Talk' by the talented Mr. Peppa became a sizable hit (and it's probably still his biggest hit right now). The tune was produced by Ward 21 and came atop their high-tech I:Rob Riddim. Who would have known that, in early 2026, the riddim would have a remastered compilation. That's exactly what I stumbled upon and have been KILLING ever since I noticed it. I'll give top honours to Peppa here but he most certainly was not alone in scoring on the I:Rob. Bounty Killer, Spragga Benz (whose trademark 'The Pusher' is excellent), the Ward themselves who take two shots at their riddim, Vybz Kartel and even Anthony B all turn in solid offerings (as does, to a lesser degree, Mad Cobra whose 'Red Eye' is just... very strange at times) on the I:Rob Riddim.

Signatures Vol XV: Destra

My Father loves music. Outside of a very select group of people (and maybe an animal or two), he probably doesn't love anything else more than music. My Father's also from Trinidad and I grew up listening to a variety of different sounds with Calypso/Soca amongst them. I didn't particularly like it though which may be hard to believe if you've spent any time around here. What changed?? Maybe when I was in my... let's say very early 20's, I stumbled across the amazing Destra. Sure, she was easy on the eyes, and if I'm being completely honest, that likely had something to do with it - but you cannot listen to LOOKS. What you can listen to is what remains some of the most damn near NAUSEATINGLY INFECTIOUS music that I have ever heard from someone who would not only make me a fan of hers but a fan of an entire genre. Here's a long overdue homage to she who wears the crown. Signatures: Destra 

1. 'Bacchanal'

They call me Bacchanal. I wouldn't go as far as to call it a "rebirth" (suggesting that she needed such a thing) (she did not) but 'Bacchanal' could definitely be seen as a rebranding for Destra. Thereafter (and still) she would adopt the Queen Of Bacchanal moniker and it was, at least presumably, partially due to the strength and success of 'Bacchanal'. The tune was exactly what its title suggested. It was the heights of ridiculousness and chaos and it was BEAUTIFUL! Belonging to a very small group of tunes that can lay claim to being the single greatest Destra has ever done, 'Bacchanal' was absolutely masterful and over fifteen years later, it has not lost a single thing.

"It's in my blood

It's in my veins

Can't wash it off, I'm forever stained"

2. 'Carnival' featuring Machel Montano

So special. Destra has worked well with a number of different artists throughout the years but perhaps no one to greater effect than the incomparable Machel Montano. For some reason their styles have always clicked and the results have been spectacular. Arguably none have been greater than 'Carnival', which I THINK was also their first combination. The nearly quarter-century old tune has long reached legendary status (right along its creators) as it paired together, undeniably, two of the greatests to ever do it in a devastating form -  both of them. What is here is hypnotic and virtually impossible to shake as on a list of addictive musical substances THIS is the most hooking of them all.

3. 'Welcome Back'

Anything goes. You know, I don't rightly remember what was going on prior to the release of 'Welcome Back'. Can't remember if she took it easy for a season and this tune was marking her return (and I don't feel like looking it up) or if it was just an idea she had for a song. Regardless of its origins, however, from the second I initially heard it, 'Welcome Back' became an instant favourite of mine from Destra and has remained so, fifteen years on. This is so despite the fact that there's nothing really unusual about it. It, ostensibly, doesn't separate itself from the proverbial pack much at all. The magic here is in the MEAT of the tune. When really dig into 'Welcome Back' it GLOWS. From its energy to its very subtle level of cleverness, not only was it not lacking on any front but it excels on ALL of them. Quietly (not really but you get what I mean) one of the strongest songs she's ever done, without question (and personally, the beginning of 'Welcome Back' is downright ICONIC for me. IT IS SPECIAL!).

4. 'Up In D Air'

Can't beat we yet. Much like the next entry on this list, 'Up In D Air' was very clever, whether we realized it or not (we definitely did see it in the next tune, one of her most celebrated and deservingly so) in its day. It was also as cool as it could possibly be. 'Up In D Air' was downright FROSTY! It just has such a sweet vibe to it and that goes on top of what is, again, a rather sagacious piece of writing from the QOB. Resting comfortably somewhere between Power and Groovy, the tune had all of the "jump & wave" styling that you would expect but that came in a way that wasn't... a bludgeoning. 

"Cause when it comes to fete

They can't beat we yet

So put your hand in the air, rag in the air"

5. 'I Dare You'

I dare you. I DARE YOU! Easily one of the biggest hits of Destra's entire career, 'I Dare You' was and remains an absolute DIAMOND of a song. It literally had EVERYTHING! It touched every vibe and hit ever nerve in the listener, making for an undeniably all-encompassing track. Another feather in its cap was the fact that it sits (without question for me) as one of the finest WRITTEN songs that Destra has ever done as well. For what it was, 'I Dare You' was pretty much fucking PERFECT and it's no wonder at all that it reached the heights that heights that it did, looking back.

6. 'Fly'

Up in the sky. 'Fly' and maybe two or three others on this list are DIFFICULT songs for me. These days it's fully DRIPPING nostalgia for me as another one of the first Soca songs from anyone that really got me. She would have to do more work to KEEP me (here's a list full of that work) but to put it simply: 'Fly' and songs like it made me a fan of a Destra in the first place and, by extension, the entire genre of Soca music. TEARS! 

7. 'Lucy'

I loose! Similar to the first song here, 'Lucy' marked another kind of rebranding of Destra as she took on what would become another popular nickname (and if you REALLY think about it, such things are pretty damn common in Soca). The song behind it, aside from the new name, was as hooking as it could possibly be. On a post FLOWING OVER with such selections, 'Lucy' is even catchier than most of them. Again, this is another song that benefitted from a multi-paced sound. There is SO much going on in here. It, literally, sounds like you're hearing the most melodic thunderstorm that you've ever encountered. Furthermore, if you listen to what she's actually saying, you'll get something out of it as well as Destra kind of paints Carnival and Soca music as this great revelation in her life which saw her go from growing up "as a real good girl" who was "always home" and "didn't go nowhere" to Lucy and to The Queen Of Bacchanal.

"THIS CARNIVAL HAVE ME SO DAMN LOOSE!"

8. 'Bonnie & Clyde'

I'm Your Queen! From beginning to end, 'Bonnie & Clyde' was frenetic.... ridiculous, wholesome goodness. More than twenty years on, it has not lost a single thing and it's even aged quite well and gathered quite a bit of international attention all of these years later. Absolutely gorgeous from the moment it released, 'Bonnie & Clyde' is simply one of the finest songs the entire genre has ever produced and it also does a mighty fine job in demonstrating what sets Soca apart from every other genre of music. You do not get pageantry and festivity like THIS anywhere else. It just does not exist anywhere else and it never will.

9. 'Mash Up'

We ready! I'm almost embarrassed (not really) that it took me a minute to come up with the name of this one because what I had in my head was what turned out to be the intro and then:

"WE READY!

WE READY!

WE READY!

WE READY!

WE READY!

WE READY!

To MASH UP everything!"

'Mash Up' was absurdity and ridiculousness of the absolute highest caliber. The reaction to it was fierce as well as the tune proved to be a nice sized hit in its day and, as you can tell, it remains EXCELLENT a dozen years later. 

10. 'Savage'

LOSE. ALL. MY. CONTROL. 'Savage' was the crowning jewel from Destra's debut album release, "Red, White, Black" back in 2003 (an album which included the aforementioned 'Carnival') and, like 'Fly', it would have been amongst the very first Soca songs that really drew me in and kept my attention for awhile. These days, it's also brimming with nostalgia for me as it may not have been such a giant hit so I don't run into 'Savage' unless I'm looking for it, typically. You won't find it on many mixes and it won't be in the background of virtually anything but make no mistake about it: 'Savage' is EASILY one of the finest songs Destra has ever done. 

11. 'Max It Up'

Reach the top! 'Max It Up' is another lovely knockout punch from Destra of a song. It peaks pretty much INSTANTLY and spends the next three and half minutes or so at the same place or relatively close to it. Although at times it threatens to be fully overwhelming, 'Max It Up' never overdoes it (well... okay it kind of does overdo it but in a good way) (in a PERFECT way) and finds such a wonderful balance. ALSO [!] if you listen to what's going on here -- as hard as it is to do -- Destra rewards you with an eye looking forward for herself and the whole of Soca music.

"Oh Father, finally, you set di Soca free

Wi own category inside of di Grammy

And now you blessing wi internationally 

So when you watching wi feel proud a wi

On MTV & BET and di Grammy, it's alla wi

Support di Soca music, it's yuh identity"

12. 'Jumpin'

Defying gravity. The now twenty years old 'Jumpin' is another tune on this list that has a claim to being my absolute favourite Destra has ever done. Perhaps if you are a corpse you could pull this off but for my living readers, I'd challenge you (even in the wickedest of moods you may be in at the moment) to listen to this one and NOT smile. Something in here is sure to spark some sort of happiness in you. The mixture on 'Jumpin' is as impressive as ever. There's an undeniable melody here but in order to hear it, Destra kinda had to punch you in the face... DEAL! 

13. 'Link Up'

Step aside. For some reason, 'Link Up' has always reminded me somewhat of the next song that I'm going to tell you about and I've made a personal 'link' between the two over the years. For its part, I hear 'Link Up' these days and a couple of things stand out. The first is that entirely EPIC beginning. Maybe [probably] I'm the only one who feels this way but how that electric drumming ascends into:

"EVERYBODY GET WILD"

Has carved out a very comfortable and lasting place in my memory and it isn't going anywhere. The other thing which I hear more these days from 'Link Up' is just how damn crazy it is. So many of these songs -- and Destra at her best, in general -- combine elements of Power Soca with Groovy and though 'Link Up' is the same (it even has a little old school textures to my ears) but when it pinnacles, 'Link Up' is a TRUCK of a tune, rolling right over any and every one in its way. 

14. 'We Own It'

It's wi property. In retrospect, one of the most compelling assets of 'We Own It' was the fact that it kind of put its feet into two very different categories. On one hand, there's a very old schoolish, almost Calypso, sort of vibes to it while on the other, it will... 'We Own It' has no problem at all punching you in the face (and making you love it). Both of those work for me which is probably why the Jus Now steered track makes this list. This madness had a certain maturity and refinement to it.

"I feel to wine on a policeman

I ain't fraid incarceration"

Skinny Fabulous says there is ONE VINCY

Not always jump & wave all the time 

For Those Of Us: A review of Medhane Alem by Mikey General

Shine. Maybe even in a 'perfect' world, this wonderful music that we cover wouldn't receive the absolute highest level of attention that the artform has to offer. Perhaps it would still, in some respects, be regarded as regional or niche to some degree and in spite of its immense progression and that's just fine. You love it. I do too and it isn't going anywhere. With that being said, however, there do exist certain individuals in and around the music that I do so badly wish would get more in the way of consideration and observation even amongst more traditional Reggae fans. Here is typically where I would start listing a long line of overdeserving names before drawing a comparison to my prime star in this instance but, this time, I just have one on my mind (well two but... one is a comparison from the other side); Queen Omega. I don't think, strictly based on skill alone, that Reggae music should offer a level of spotlight that Queen Omega should not have CONSTANT access to. She should LIVE amongst the likes of Sizzla, Capleton, Buju Banton (thinking of an older generation, of course, closer to her own) and also Luciano because that is where her talent places her, in my opinion. It should also be said that she makes a brand of music that is very transferable so while I may have similar thoughts of someone like.... Dezarie; if a more casual listener to the genre tells me that they struggle to get into Dezarie's music, I'll understand. Of course I stress Luciano's name (he's my "comparison from the other side") because of the very close relationship he has with the venerable Mikey General. It takes more than talent alone, CLEARLY, and maybe there's a bit of luck involved but it almost bothers me that I have a very difficult time writing a review for a Mikey General album without mentioning Luciano's name but would have absolutely no problem at all writing a Luciano review without bringing up the General (even beyond my typical LOVE of comparisons) even once. One of the biggest points of discourse (arguably THE biggest, actually), for most fans, will likely always be his connection with The Messenjah. That's really too bad because if you do take the time to really get into Mikey General's work and all that he has done throughout the years, you quickly come to know that he has created a very strong legacy of his own. 

I've found Mikey General's music to be pretty straightforward for the most part and though I don't consider that to be a bad thing (obviously), perhaps it hasn't endeared him to the widest of audiences. In fact, across the many years that I've been writing these things and 'covering' the music, in general, I don't... I don't think I've EVER come across a truly passionate fan of Mikey General's. That is insane because I can tell you about having conversations with extremely intense people about the likes of Tiwony and Sael despite the fact that they have very little clue as to what either says in their music due to there being a language barrier. I've also ran into similarly loyal fans of the likes of Lyricson, Jah Hem, Mada Nile, Prince Malachi and others who don't necessarily leap out at you from that list of tags on the other side of this page but I don't think that's been the case for Mikey General... which definitely makes it all the more important that I tell you about what he's been up to lately. 

2022

Back in 2022, Mikey General released his until now most recent body of work, "Hold A Heights". I definitely enjoyed that album at the time and right now, having not heard it in quite some time, IT IS EXCELLENT. It has aged incredibly well and should probably be regarded as one of the best albums the General has done altogether at this point. Most DELIGHTFULLY, recent years have seen the singer be very consistent in his activity and, along with "Hold A Heights", he's also done the albums "Tewahedo" and "We The People" within the last eight years. Three albums in eight years is just fine by my count but FOUR albums in eight is even better and Mikey General now hits that mark with his brand new album for 2026, "Medhane Alem". I'll tell you, I do consider myself to be at least somewhat diligent when it comes to searching for new and up and coming releases and I had no idea whatsoever that this set was in the offering and only ran into it after it had already released. That's fine (it's greater later) but I do wonder how much early publicity was out ahead of it because I can recall there being just a bit more (many ANY. ANY would be more than none) in the case of "Hold A Heights". With a musical history dating back to nearly half a century now, as you might imagine, the British born General has recorded with an endless number of producers and released albums via several as well. In recent times, he's also continued to spread the wealth, with the aforementioned "Hold A Heights" being done in association with Reality Shock, while "Tewahedo" came via our good friend James "Dr. Seuss" Lord & co. at Irie Sounds International. That trend persists on "Medhane Alem" with the work of a variety of different producers and studios being represented with Mikey General, himself, also taking lead in production, along with young Yared Taylor (the General was born Michael Taylor and I do not believe that he is a relative of Yared's, although I could be wrong). Like much of his work, however, "Medhane Alem" is umbrella-ed beneath General's own Qabalah First Music and comes to us, digitally, via our ooooold friends at Zojak Worldwide. The last review I wrote (like three days ago now) was for Akae Beka's new album, "World Tap In", and I stressed in that case how exciting such a release was for me not only to sit and listen to but to be able to review as well and this case may be different in the routing, the end result is the same: I was REALLY looking forward to hearing what "Medhane Alem" had to offer and what does end up happening here, to the surprise of absolutely no one at all, is yet another solid release from a singer whose history says that he is nearly incapable of doing anything else.

"Medhane Alem" translates into "Saviour Of The World", signaling that you will find no great deviation or change of pace from Mikey General here. If you've become a fan of his via what he's done up to this point, it is very likely that you will like this one as well. As I've mentioned in the past (and much like Akae Beka, coincidentally), I've become more and more of a fan of General's as I've gotten older and it's gotten to the point where, as you can see, I'll happily drop whatever I'm working on at the time to get to work on a review of whatever he's up to (Signatures: Destra coming soon). As I started to get into the actual songs on the album, I would come to see that I had some type of familiarity with a couple of them but, for the most part, "Medhane Alem" is an album of twelve new and fresh songs from Mikey General for me, BOOM! Matters get started with what is easily one of the biggest moments here, 'Solace'. A couple of very interesting things happened on my way through this one: First of all is that I kind of recognized it... well, maybe not exactly. Research shows that it was released as a single in January but I'd never heard it; instead, I had heard a tune by the name of 'Time Is The Master' by Deshanty Plus, which shares a riddim with 'Solace' and both come via Marlon Muzic.The other interesting thing that caught me here was that, while listening to it just casually, in a curious way and not at all frustratingly so, I found myself wondering if it were ever going to end. The song checks in at a very healthy five minutes in length (making it the album's second longest) and they make the best of every single second. 'Solace' is delightful! It is such a lovely vibe to hear within a rather clever praise and I may come back and change my mind but, at least for now, I'm calling it my favourite song on "Medhane Alem" altogether and I would imagine that it would be a fine tune to see him perform some day as well. It has THAT type of energy, down to the very last note. 'Road Of Life' doesn't miss a beat, literally. If 'Solace' had you bobbing your head; it will continue right along here. You SIMPLY cannot get more SIMPLE than 'Road Of Life'. It is very straightforward and direct in dealing with negativity. What I took from it was the General telling us all to STOP WHINING AND COMPLAINING SO DAMN MUCH (he wouldn't say it like that, of course) and to stop looking for things that bother you and stress you out ["cause this world ain't so bad as how they make it how to be"]. Our title track stands up next and if you were expecting something super spiritually charged, you would be correct (I don't want to talk about what you are if you were thinking this would be something else).

"I come to tell you about the saviour

One who can change your behaviour

Our strength and redeemer

Maker of our souls

And if you should hear His voice, harden not your heart

Repent, repent, repent and serve the lord

Medhane Alem

That's your only friend

Medhane Alem

I tell you once again"

If you find yourself struggling and you're down on your luck, the General is offering you a way out and a way UP. 'Medhane Alem' is a sublime track with an equally top notch riddim. Speaking of riddims - 'Prayer' almost sounds like it taps a streamlined cut of the Queen of The Minstrel Riddim (which I knew immediately because as soon as it comes in, I start singing Sizzla's 'Guide Over Us' in my head). It also is a song that can lay claim to being one of the best vocal performances on "Medhane Alem" and the General uses those vocals to delivery something very strong, in my opinion. It's okay to make mistakes and do wrong and do bad things (if you don't, you aren't trying hard enough. Failure is as much a part of life as oxygen) but, again, when you find too many things going wrong and not in your favour, perhaps there exist a way for you to positively turn things around. I LOVE songs like this where every thing isn't perfect and rosy and ideal. To paint that picture for people is unreal and unnatural and just awful. Even when you do what exactly what you're supposed to do, sometimes you will make a mistake and it is not the end of the world despite how it may feel at the time. 

I alluded to the length of 'Solace' and there being one song that is even longer and that piece is the nearly six and a half minute long 'Never Alone'. It does have some things going for it (lyrics and Mikey General probably maxing out his BEAUTIFUL voice once or twice) but I don't like this song. I've never been one for Gospel and 'Never Alone' is either pure Gospel or close enough to it to send me away and that's just fine. I also wasn't fond of 'Rose Anne' (nothing personal to anyone reading this who may be named Roseanne) initially but it has grown on me just a little. Going on another classic track, Mikey General tells the story of a woman with eyes for really bad people and things ["I'm so sorry for you, Rose Anne. Cah you no chat to no man who nah fire dem gun"]. At first, I think it may've hit me as this kind of stale and formulaic type of vibe but I was wrong about this one in the short and long terms. It's much better than I gave it at first and it is STILL growing on me while I'm writing this right now (to the point where I now have to go and change the transition to the next song). 'Pay The Man', on the other hand, is experiencing no such growth because I was convinced that I was goin to enjoy it even before I laid my ears on it. 

"Look how hard the bredrin ah work

Sweat til him wet in him pants and him shirt

And still you want to dish him dirt

Don't want to give what him worth

Well he's the professional

You want to treat him like a criminal

TAKE THE  CAPITAL AND THE PRINCIPAL  AND LEAVE HIM WITH THE MINIMAL!"

Give a man his due! Whether it's money or credit or love or whatever it may be - GIVE IT TO HIM! This is extremely basic yet HIGH LEVEL common sense at work and you so rarely hear it in a song. You'll hear about oppression and negativity mainly but I was really impressed how the General specified it but, in doing so, the idea remains very broad and slightly open to interpretation and relatable because I think we've all either been in that situation where we've felt undervalued (and we're also all probably guilty of making someone else feel like that). The painfully short 'Pain' may not do a great deal in KEEPING your attention for too long -- being the only song on "Medhane Alem" south of three minutes in length -- but it does a decent job in its brief time. This song is just about the terrible way we sometimes treat one another and fail to show sympathy and empathy for other people, and maybe even going as far as to take advantage of them. The song is just fine but, in unfortunate reference to its size, 'Pain' just.... sort of stops. It ends rather abruptly and does so at a time when whoever is playing the guitar on the riddim is making their case. A big credit goes to that individual and everyone playing on that lovely riddim.

The other song featured on "Medhane Alem" that I was familiar with (without realizing it) is 'Breath Of Life'. Earlier this year, Mikey General released a tune with Dutch Alison Hinds doppelganger, Miriam Simone, which I had heard but I had forgotten the title and, of course, whoever put together the tracklist for this album neglected to give Simone a direct credit (you will find her name in the liners but not on the song title) so I had never even considered that this was that tune. Thankfully it is and the critique I may've had about there not being something of a changeup present on "Medhane Alem" is thrown right away. This is a song about giving thanks for the sake of giving thanks. Whatever you have or whatever you don't - you have LIFE and, for that, you should give some level of thanks. With that being said, HOWEVER, overwhelming and outpacing the message of 'Breath Of Life' is how DAMN SWEET it is. This very nice oldschool riddim comes via Dreddarecords (biggup Joggo) and it SHINES! With or without vocals, that things glistens and brings such a golden sound to one of the album's finest offerings. I remember seeing it and thinking/hoping it would mean that an album from Simone was forthcoming. Who knows, maybe we can get albums from Mikey General AND Miriam Simone in 2026.... wouldn't that be SO nice! More life is forthcoming on "Medhane Alem" in the form of the very healthy 'Life'. As another selection bubbling around the five-minute mark, 'Life' goes in quite a few different directions with the centralizing theme being the experiences that we all go through and accumulate in life and how we need to at least try to make the most of it. The General gets to this point by referencing several things such as the importance of leaning on wisdom and listening to your elders and a variety of things. The sonic appeal on 'life' isn't quite as high as some of the other tunes here but it's still a very nice vibes and a well poignant track. The all sorts of fun 'Humble Calf' begins to wind us down and does so in an unforgettable way. As soon as this one comes in, the intensity turns up, you probably get a smile on your face and you definitely feel like a good time is on its way and you would be correct in that. The song is about overlooking and underestimating people that you meet along your way, outwardly, and I imagine that Mikey General, personally, would have encountered many people who treated him in such a way to becoming who he is. FORTUNATELY, it hasn't depressed him at all and what you get is this upful and vibrant piece and CONFIDENT offering, seemingly written by someone with the security of knowing that, should they feel the need to, they're more than capable of shutting up a naysayer or two. And the album reaches its end with another standout, the anti-procrastination and anti-nosey anthem, 'Handle Your Business'. 

"Jah bless the man with the diligent hand

Jah gonna help him execute his plan

Jah gonna take him to his destination, even though the journey might be long

I know it is crazy to feed someone who's lazy

You got two hands, two eyes, two feet and still nah look food fi eat

You better handle your business

And leave people business

Cause the best kinda business is to mind your own business"

The riddim sounds VERY familiar to me (almost sounds like an old Xterminator track and the General is a product of the great label) but I'm almost certain it's actually new to my ears. Whatever it's origins, it is outstanding and, just like the full song, one of the finest to be found on this release.

I do want to mention, quickly, a nice little quality about "Medhane Alem" and it is one that I find myself giving relatively frequently - and I do love when I come across it. I'll spare you the numbers but, my (probably inaccurate) calculations say that the album averages a chunk over four minutes per song. VERY NICE. Particularly in Roots music where you tend to have more instrumentation like this, it gives your sound more time to grow on the listener and you get displays such as what you hear on 'Solace', especially.

Overall, if you are the slightest bit of familiar with the work of Mikey General then I can assure you that "Medhane Alem" is more of what precisely what you are familiar with and that's a good thing from where I'm sitting (in the kitchen). I directed this review in a certain direction, talking about the General not being as appreciated as I'd like to see him be or as much as others around him but that isn't going anywhere. I can't do anything about it with this review and, one would think, if were going to happen, it already would have for the 62 year old singer. HOWEVER, what I can do is to assure the people who're listening and have been for years that the new album is more of what made a fan out of you, originally. While I won't call it his absolute best work, "Medhane Alem" is another clear winner from an artist in Mikey General who, although he'll likely never be THE most popular, has spent his career REWARDING everyone who has taken a moment to listen to his wonderful work. 

Rated 4.10/5

Qabalah First Music

2026