The 20 Best Reggae Albums Of 2014!

Today we place the bow around the gift that was a wonderful year for Reggae albums, 2014. Featuring such a wide and beautiful variety of stars and producers alike and the right mix of the spectacular and the solid, it was one of the best years in recent memory and, perhaps, even beyond. So thoroughly pleasing was it, in fact, that even stretching a list like this to thirty or so would have been no problem at all. But, narrowing it down is always the fun part. Thus, we submit for your approval (or disapproval, I don't care), The Twenty Best Reggae Albums of 2014!

{Note: No compilations, live albums or re-releases}

{Note 2: Dancehall, yes. Soca, no}

{Honourable Mentions: Many, but especially "Mission Incomplete" by Tydal, "Roots Rebel" by Tiwony and "Roots & Lovers" by Harry Mo}

#20. “Born A King” by Sizzla Kalonji [Muti Music]

The birthright. While not having what may have been looked upon as a ‘vintage’ year in 2014, the legendary Sizzla Kalonji certainly did draw some comparisons to years in which he most vividly exhibited his most devastating of talents and did so largely because of activity. Within the span of… oh about seventeen minutes or so, Kalonji released three studio albums for three different labels - going back to an era in which such surges of prolificacy were not only not rare, but were expected. None of these albums, including “Nuh Worry Unu Self” and “Radical” were amazing, but to my opinion the best of them was definitely “Born A King” which makes this list. The project came via the very interesting Mista Savona and Muti Music from out of Australia who took the route of making projects out of projects, in regards to singles, prior to the release of the full album. That definitely added to the anticipations here and the album which followed didn’t really disappoint. “Born A King”, for as varied as it most certainly was, is best remembered as an album which CLEARLY showed quite a bit of care taken by its creators. Tunes such as ‘I’m Living’ and ‘Big Man Ting’ headlined a set which is STILL, being pushed heavily by the label and (with a recent instrumental release) with good reason.

Review

#19. “Get Rid A Di Wicked” by Lutan Fyah [Bread Back Productions]

Love replacement. After dealing with the aforementioned Sizzla Kalonji in 2013 for his conquering “The Messiah” album, the wonderful people at Bread Back Productions turned their collective attentions to Lutan Fyah for their big release of 2014, “Get Rid A Di Wicked”. What resulted was a very compelling, interesting and somewhat unexpected project and one which did quite well in terms of attracting attention. The “unexpected” lot came in the form of a whole heap of love songs on an album called “Get Rid A Di Wicked”. What would have been expected to be, at least on paper, a very heavy Roots Reggae drop, was something quite a bit different. Still, some of the love songs, like ‘This Love’ featuring veteran Lady G and ‘Jamaican Girl’, were pretty good and the Roots material at its best, such as the title track, ‘More Love’ and the topping ‘Jail Wall’, were even better.

Review

#18. “LB50” by Lloyd Brown [Riddim Works Productions]

Mr. Lloyd Brown. Following a very prominent ‘shift’ in 2013 which resulted in what was probably his most high-profile release in a very long time, “Rootical” for Zion High Productions and The Zion I Kings (more on them later) (more than once), another of our favourites, UK pillar Mr. Lloyd Brown, returned to the very familiar settings of his own Riddim Works imprint to, once again, produce another stellar batch of songs, this time in celebration of his fiftieth year of life, “LB50”. As expected, the album featured Brown’s winning style which constantly and consistently features SENSIBLE and MATURE ideology delivered across sublime tracks with an ever present ear towards the old school. I’ve actually grown quite a bit in my appreciation of this album as songs like ‘My Sound’, ‘There You Are’ and especially ‘Hurt No More’ have remained relatively close to my players over the months and, in retrospect, “LB50” stands, for me at least, as one of the best Lloyd Brown albums in the current stage of his remarkable career. However, unfortunately (though expectedly), the album does seem to have faded a bit and went largely unnoticed, a fate which both it and a pair of its immediate predecessors, “30” and “New Veteran”, were just too damn good for. 

Review

#17. “We I Open” by Jahmali [ReggaeLand Productions]

Long time, no see. In 2014 veteran singer Jahmali proved that his was a talent which was virtually impervious to the wear and tear of time with his first album in nearly a decade and a half, “We I Open” for Spain’s ReggaeLand. It doesn’t seem like it but it was already two (now three) years from the label’s explosion and they continued their winning form with this sublime project. Jahmali, of course, like Anthony Que, Chantelle Ernandez and others before him, did his part and utilized his GOLDEN voice. There were several fine moments on “We I Open”, but leading the way was ‘No Weapon’, a song which, 100% of the time, makes me cry when I hear it. BOOM! 

Review

#16. “Good Prevails” by Alpheus [Liquidator Music]

Unbroken. Sometimes change can be good and sometimes it’s just…stupid! Alpheus certainly weighed in within the latter state as he brought us a fantastic new album in 2014, “Good Prevails” which reunited the sweet singing UK veteran with the same ace producer, Roberto Sanchez, who helped to deliver its downright HALTING predecessor, “From Creation”, three years ahead. Unsurprisingly, singer and maestro again lined up a near classic set with “Good Prevails”, which was about as perfect a next album as Alpheus fans could have hoped for. It was also an album, looking back, which also carried some of the most interesting popularity of the project ahead of it. I was so happy to see the early response to this one and, since then, it has largely continued. As a piece of music, “Good Prevails” was the same distinctly older sounding gem that we’ve come to expect from the vocalist and really hit its stride on moments such as ‘Stand Up’, the all kinds of interesting ‘Look In The Mirror’, ‘Open Your Eyes’, the title track and several more.

Review

#15. “Better Off Dread” by Perfect Giddimani [Jah Youth Productions & Giddimani Records]

Boom for me. We have to pay a massive amount of respect to the one Jah Youth Productions for having what turned out to be a downright special year in 2014 and, even with all of the great things that they did (one of which ranks extremely high on this list), their most high profile release came from the always incredibly interesting and enigmatic Perfect Giddimani who teamed up with the label for “Better Off Dread”. Perfect has had better albums in his career and the master of unpredictability in Reggae music has had others which would qualify as (slightly) more strange than this one, but “Better Off Dread” was one of his best within either spectrum. It was free-flowing and it produced some FANTASTIC moments. ‘Better Than Liquor’, ‘For My Mama’ (much better song than anyone gave it credit for being), ‘Baby Boom’, ‘Trim To Rass’, ‘Awake’, ‘Revolution Come’ alongside Lutan Fyah & Jahdan Blakkamoore, ‘BMW [Black Man Wagon]’ and more still… like ‘Once Upon A Time’ made this an excellent release which, as a whole, probably wasn’t appreciated as much as it should have been. A fantastic album!

Review

#14. “Inlightment” by Ras Mc Bean [Union World Music]

Back into the light. When you go a full decade without making an album after your first and then  come back to the form, you better have something special to give to the people who waited, ANXIOUSLY, for the release and that is exactly what outstanding Guyana born vocalist, Ras Mc Bean did in 2014 with his, again, decade-in-the-making sophomore set, “Inlightment”. Way back in 2004 RMB had given fans a sizable display of his capabilities with his dazzling debut, “Pack Up & Leave” for Irie Ites. It made a fan out of me and I was definitely interested in its follow-up. That was when I was twenty-three… I was thirty-three when “Inlightment” reached. Was it worth the wait? Of course not. NOTHING could have been, but this was a fabulous release. Leading the way on the Union World Music release was a MAMMOTH piece titled ‘Run, Run, Run’ and it was backed by more stellar efforts as well such as the album’s first single, ‘Rise Up and Fight’, ‘Nature’, ‘Hocus Pocus’ and more. And after this, if I’m FORTY-FOUR the next time we’re talking about a new album from Ras Mc Bean. That would be AWFUL!

Review

#13. “Still Disturbed” by Ward 21 [Germaica Digital]

Fuck it! Despite the participation of big names such as Sean Paul, Lady Saw, Wayne Marshall and Vybz Kartel (I’m just assuming that Kartel released an album this year, whatever it was I don’t remember the name of it) 2014 wasn’t the greatest of years when it comes to Dancehall albums. And while UK standout, Mr. Williamz did make a big play with his LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG anticipated debut, “Set The Standard”, the only Dancehall album you’ll find on this list comes from one of the most dependable sets in recent memory, the always fun Ward 21 who linked up with Germaica for the wholly ridiculous “Still Disturbed”. Ward 21 is powerful, they’re skillful and they also bring a lack of care and seriousness to the music which, over the years, has just become downright NECESSARY for me and it saturated “Still Disturbed”. The album may always be best remembered for having carried one of the group’s most noteworthy tracks EVER, ‘Spot The J’ and that’s fine. But ‘u shouldn’t’ overlook tunes like ‘U Shouldn’t’, ‘Out’ alongside Konshens, ‘War Start’ and ‘Ben U Back’ with the aforementioned Sean Paul. It was also a unique blend of Ward 21’s ultra-modern style with Germaica’s ever-present ode to the old school and, on both surfaces, a hard-hitting and AUTHENTIC Dancehall powerhouse of an album.

Review

#12. “Therapeutic” by Ziggi Recado [Zion High Productions]

Keep the focus. The fourth studio album from the consistently impressive Ziggi Recado, “Therapeutic”, arrived in 2014 and it did so while seeing its star follow the very impressive line of artists who have released projects with The Zion I Kings collective. Even on paper such a thing is appetizing and what resulted was an expectedly masterful piece of work. Specifically, Zion High Productions put this one together and did so with a fully loaded arsenal of material, some of which has to be considered amongst the Dutch star’s finest to date. For example??? I don’t care what you say, ‘Masquerade’ is one of the best damn songs from ANYONE in 2014 and it also ranks very highly in regards to the work Recado has done throughout his career. Personally, when I think of some of my favourites, it is every bit as good as ‘Shackles & Chains’, ‘Cry Murdah’, ‘Joka Smoka’, ‘New Day’ and some of the GEMS he has blessed us with over the years. It is an amazing song and this was the album carrying it. Fortunately, Ziggi Recado and ZHP also provided ‘Masquerade’ with a strong supporting cast on “Therapeutic” which was highlighted by ‘Guide Ova’ with Lutan Fyah, ‘Guide Ova’ (had been a minute from the last time I had heard that song and it won’t be another before I hear it again) and ‘I’m Blaak’.

Review
Rewind

#11. “Hit Me With Music” by Sara Lugo [Oneness Records]

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And that’s alright. The hybrid. Genre-fusing specialist and Achis Reggae favourite, The Familiar Stranger - Sara Lugo, made EVERYONE (including YOU!) very happy last year when she reached with her scintillating and sensational second studio album, “Hit Me With Music”. Way back in 2011, the German singer introduced us all to her one-of-a-kind blend of Reggae and traditional Jazz music in the form of a stellar debut album, “What About Love” and she reinforced one of the most infectious styles in Reggae today in 2014 with the new album. Once again linking with both Oneness Records and famed producer Umberto Echo, Lugo took several leaps on “Hit Me With Music”, not the smallest of which being that she, herself, seemingly took more of an involved role beyond vocalist as she, along with Echo, serve as executive producers of the project. As for the actual music, on “Hit Me With Music” Sara Lugo dug even further and what she came up with was more of a mix of styles. Selections along the likes of ‘I Wish’ (a song which I suddenly find myself incapable of cutting off), especially ‘Soldiers of Love’ and the title track are fairly difficult to line up and categorize within a single genre of music but, wonderfully, nothing at all was sacrificed in doing that. Lugo’s style is one which isn’t forced but instead is wholly organic and album#2 once again demonstrated that. In the midst of the brilliant musical kaleidoscope that was “Hit Me With Music” was also an excellent Reggae album as was evident on the ever popular ‘High & Windy’ with Kabaka Pyramid, the album’s finest effort ‘Play With Fire’, ‘Learn To Grow’ with Ras Muhamad (more on him later) and others, including current single 'Really Like You' with Protoje. I’ve listened to this album SOOOOOOOOOOO much in a few months and its already proven to be the type which continues to offer the listener surprises on every spin through (such as ‘I Wish’ which… DAMN!).

Review
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#10. “Ride Tru” by Midnite [I Grade Records]

The wonders of proximity. What do we do with “Ride Tru”??? That was probably the most complex question I had in my mind when I began writing this list. It is an album which definitely stands out, as not only do you loosely compare to it each and every other album on this list (and a few that weren’t), but you compare it DIRECTLY to one in particular. “Ride Tru” was the third Midnite release of 2014 and it was a big deal. Anytime you get a Midnite album – that’s significant, but as I’ve said in the past, when they come from I Grade Records (Achis Reggae’s reigning label of the year) and with The Zion I Kings, they come with a bit more anticipation. We got that TWICE last year and the first time, perhaps, to a bona fide classic level. And then there was “Ride Tru” whose arrival came as a surprise but whose quality came as a full expectation - but we’re still working on that. Having previously been too quick to qualify its most immediate IGR produced forebear, I’m still kind of stuck on this one! I can say that it wasn’t as good as the other… album… or can I? There are bits and pieces of “Ride Tru” which lead me back to the same feeling that I had way back in February: Maybe I’m hearing something TRULY special here.

Review

#9. “Love Situation” by Tarrus Riley [… I just don’t feel like it typing all of those things right now]

A certain situation. Reggae superstar, Tarrus Riley (and the eight-hundred different labels that helped him) (Zojak Worldwide was one of them, so were Cannon and Jukeboxx) put together another mighty album in 2014 with the very ‘specific’ “Love Situation”. This Rocksteady era inspired set put on full display Riley’s ability to not only attempt but to ADVANCE in just about anything he does these does. Of course you’ll recall prior to “Love Situation” was 2012’s MAMMOTH “Mecoustic” album which featured Riley taking an acoustic spin on some of his (and the genre’s in recent times) biggest hits. Now looking back, what most stands out to me from “Love Situation” isn’t just how much attention was paid to it or how well regarded that it was (and it was both to a very high degree), but I immediately think back to just how FUN of a release that it was. When it comes to paying attention and respect and honouring past generations, Reggae music does a pretty good job, but it rarely comes off as good as it did on “Love Situation”. Also, despite its sound, it was also a very fresh and unique sound which is kind of strange thinking back to it. Tarrus Riley can do absolutely anything he wants and fans like you and me are almost certain to respond positively – not because it’s just what we do, but because it’s “almost certain” to be great.

Review

#8. “Salam” by Ras Muhamad [Oneness Records]

Blow them away. If you needed evidence on the full globalization of Reggae music (beyond this list, which already features artists from Jamaica, the UK, Guyana, Germany, The Netherlands and the Virgin Islands), the roaring Ras Muhamad gave you all you needed with his MASSIVE unifying release, “Salam” with Oneness Records. Muhamad came all the way from Indonesia with a sound which was not only intense and passionate but SKILLED! For all of its attractions which came from outside of the studio, musically speaking “Salam” was about as PERFECT of a set of tunes that were put together in 2014 and Muhamad and Oneness made the most of the moment. Along with ‘simply’ making a big album, they also took notice of the circumstances and “Salam” features Ras Muhamad freely moving between English and his native language as well as involving and introducing fans to other Indonesian stars in the genre such as Conrad Good Vibration (I still love that name), Kunokini and the Mighty Che. If that weren’t enough the line of guest artists also includes familiar names like Kabaka Pyramid, Uwe Kaa, Naptali The Great and someone named Sara Lugo (BOOM!). Highlights were in abundance on the sixteen track release but these days I’m most often drawn to the opener and title track which set the tone for an album whose uniqueness makes it one for the ages.

Review
Rewind

#7. “In My Father’s House” by Addis Pablo [JahSolidRock]

Unlocked. “In My Father’s House” was the STUNNING debut album of Addis Pablo, the son of the legendary Augustus Pablo, to whom his offspring has not only paid a giant tribute, but whose work the younger Pablo has also continued in his own career, bringing it to another generation of Reggae fans. In 2014 Addis took the next logical step and, along with the most dependable people at Dutch label JahSolidRock, did an entire album which was very well received. Largely instrumental, “In My Father’s House” was a MUSICAL EXPERIENCE of a production and, again, though it lacked a lyrical substance, it was one of the deepest releases on this list which is saying a great deal. Credit for that, at least partially, does well go to the label who, particularly in their glorious work with Chezidek (who appears on this album as well) has set the tone in their way of providing listeners with an all-encompassing musical journey. With that being said, however, they hadn’t done anything like what was to be found “In My Father’s House” and… no one else really has either. AMAZING!

Review
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#6. “Anointed” by Bugle [Daseca Productions]

Finally fit. It took three – maybe four – or five hundred years to get here but surely one of the greatest gifts that 2014 had to offer Reggae fans FINALLY was the long, LONG, anticipated debut album of Jamaican veteran, Bugle. “Anointed” became the first shot from the longtime staple of Daseca Productions which, along with the miracle workers at Zojak Worldwide, brought the album to both a digital and physical actuality. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! We had kind of given up hope on a Bugle album (biggup Aidonia), but when it finally did come, “Anointed” made us all happy that we hadn’t stopped paying attention – and really you couldn’t. Over the years Bugle had become one of the genre’s most gifted writers, combining a high level of common sense with a very unique and somewhat gloomy approach to his music and to hear that throughout nearly an hour here was something which will not be forgotten as the highest ranking debut on this list. Alaine, Popcaan, Tarrus Riley, Julian Marley, Lady Saw as well as the star of our #4 here [‘Pain & Suffering’, a flawless tune] all contributed to an album which was a very long time in the making and sounded like it.

Review

#5. “Indigenous” by Rob Symeonn  [Jah Youth Productions/Goldheart Music]

A monkey wrench. When it comes to the top five of this list, there is only one REAL surprise entrant. If, at the end of 2013, you would have told me that my top four would be what it turned out to be and if you would have mentioned Bugle at #6 (I would have probably hurt my neck smiling so hard), it also wouldn’t have been a great shock. HOWEVER, news that a much deserved #5 spot would belong to veteran Rob Symeonn would have, and did, turn out to be amongst the biggest and best shocks of the year! “Indigenous” was the third album from Symeonn and though he certainly had done powerful works ahead of it, at least to my opinion, there was nothing behind him to suggest that he would, suddenly, jump in with one of the best albums that I have EVER heard. Coming from Goldheart Music and the also shocking Jah Youth Productions, “Indigenous”, with pieces such as ‘Ithiopia’, ‘Live Upright’, ‘Forgive Them’, ‘Jah Only’, the infectious and unforgettable ‘Night On The Town’ and my favourite, ‘Life Is Precious’, had a very difficult to describe, nostalgic feeling to it and I mean that in a good way (obviously). There was something so prevailingly familiar to the album that, though shocking as I said, kind of made you feel like you had been there before and even if you hadn’t, you were not likely to be in any type of hurry to leave.

Review
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#4. “My Journey” by I-Octane [Tad’s Records]

Time has come. Though it did release way back in early March and, because of what was to come, it may have gotten overlooked in the latter stages of the year, there can be no mistaking the fact that “My Journey”, the second offering from the constantly blazing I-Octane was a MAGICAL album and easily one of the year’s best. Octane is someone who, basically solely on the strength of his music, manages to stay in the general rotation of the music and, at least in my opinion, figures to remain in such a standing for the foreseeable future and with works like these, he’ll still be here even further! It may not be (it isn’t) a quality which pervades the majority of I-Octane’s output but when I think of the material on this DJ Frass produced release, what most stands out now is just how BRIGHT of an album it was. This journey was an inspirational one without a direct rival that comes to mind on this level in recent times and, going back, you almost forget just how powerful of a statement “My Journey” truly was. I’m drawn to selections like ‘Lighters Up’ with Alaine and ‘It’s Alright’ alongside German head, Gentleman which kind of leap off the track list at the listener but when you begin to dig beyond those immediate standouts, “My Journey” develops and develops and DEVELOPS! Leading the entire pack was the MAMMOTH ‘Million Miles’, but tunes like ‘Jah Jah Warrior’, ‘Time Will Come’, ‘Blood Ago Run’, ‘My Story’, ‘Burn It’ and more of them still were not terribly far behind. “My Journey” should be a landmark moment in the career of a still relatively young artist, but I really do not think it will stand as I-Octane’s greatest piece of work for very long as his talent seems likely to produce one of the greatest EVER and do it shortly. Until then, “My Journey” was damn close.

Review

#3. “I Rise” by Etana [VP Records]

The chapel. The feminine face and voice of modern Reggae music continued her reign through 2014 with her DOMINANT fourth studio effort, “I Rise”. The album, once again, found Etana linking with VP Records, but this time she also took to business with the esteemed Clive Hunt and, together, the two produced yet another unforgettable stop which already, at least in my opinion, has seen her deliver a pair of AOTY releases (four albums, two #1’s, a #2 and now a #3) [WHAT!] [BOOM!]. “I Rise” definitely took to the same levels reached by its predecessors and, perhaps, even stepped beyond them in one way. ‘Achis like what???! I don’t know if Etana (or anyone else) has made an album in recent memory (outside of Jah Cure, of course) where the vocals sound THIS good. If you listen back to “I Rise”, what you notice is that the biggest riser is definitely the sonic appeal of the project. She sounds AMAZING and she almost always does, but it is heightened throughout here. And it wasn’t merely a matter of flash and no substance, “I Rise” was ample there as well. Check ‘Trigger’, ‘Jamaican Woman’, ‘How Long’, the remake of out ‘Stepping Out Of Babylon’, ‘On My Way’, ‘Richest Girl’, the title track, ‘Ward 21… and everything else on “I Rise”. But you absolutely must pay a special amount of attention to the album opener ‘Selassie Is The Chapel’, which may just feature THE best vocals on a song that Etana has ever done in my opinion. It’s almost unfortunate to an extent, but I’ve come to expect Etana to be able to do this every time she releases an album and I have no doubt that 2016 or whenever her next album arrives, we’ll be singing a very similar song.

Review

#2. “Beauty For Ashes” by Midnite [I Grade Records]

Magnificent edifice. I got really, REALLY close to giving our top spot (and I’m still thinking about doing it right now) to “Beauty For Ashes”, which is the previously alluded to first 2014 collaboration between Vaughn Benjamin & Midnite with I Grade Records ahead of December’s “Ride Tru”. This is the case that we have LONG had an entrenched #1 album (which, at least for the moment, has won out). But, the solution that I ultimately came up with is that #2 is the PERFECT position for an album like “Beauty For Ashes” because it affords it the opportunity to continue to do what it has done from the very first second anyone heard it: GROW! Consistently, each and every time I hear this album I find several new things about it to love with one thing being ever present. We can argue about overall quality – given their most passionate nature, you surely have Midnite fans who have forgotten ten times more than I will ever know on the subject – but to me there can be very little debate on the substance of this album. Vaughn Benjamin is one of the greatest and most prolific writers in the history of Reggae music and probably all music and “Beauty For Ashes”, CLEARLY is amongst his very best lyrical efforts, if not THE best. What so wonderfully stands out now and has for months now is how every song on the album, in their own unique ways, center around one subject. “Beauty For Ashes”, in a sense, was a ‘concept’ album. It was all about unity and unification and Benjamin grinded them down to a powder and reassembled them into thirteen GEMS and distributed them to the masses. From obvious choices such as ‘Same Boat We’, ‘Same I Ah One’ and ‘A Healing’ to spots which required more such as the giant opener, ‘A Reminder’, [“AS SOUTH INDIA CONNECTED THE DOTS, AS THE NAMES TELL THE STORY OF US”], Benjamin set forth on a course which brought everyone together from our source throughout all of history and blaring into the future on an album which is one of the greatest lyrical efforts Reggae music has ever seen!

Review
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#1. “The Sound” by Pressure [I Grade Records]

Resounding! Even in theory – you knew that if ever and whenever there was a link between the Virgin Islands’ most popular Reggae artist and its most decorated and accomplished label, you’d have something special on your hands. Throughout the years the area has developed into an absolute powerhouse for the genre and, at one point just a few years ago, it seemed as if nary a month passed by before we were introduced to yet another supremely skilled star. These days, while the ‘assembly line’ seems to have slowed just a bit (although one of the last big names to jump up, Reemah, is HOPEFULLY someone who sticks around) what has taken its place is a set of very large but routinely met expectations and, as you can see, a whole heap of those fall in the direction of I Grade Records who, along with The Zion I Kings, gave 2014 its two biggest album releases in my opinion.

I am very happy to say that taking the top spot for 2014 is “The Sound” from Pressure Busspipe, which was the very first album of his produced by IGR. As I said, even on paper such a combination is a powerful thing but in actuality it was so mighty that it soared to the top of what was an incredible year for the music. WHY???! “The Sound” was an album whose title actually spoke volumes of what was behind it (as did its wonderful cover art penned by the brilliant Sil Cunningham) in the form of this MODERN CLASSIC [WHAT!] sound which was found at every point during the album. For his part, the ‘only’ thing that Pressure did was the same thing that he has been doing throughout his career, which has made him one of the most capable artists in the world. His was an effortless genius here and it had an effect. How can an album fourteen tracks and nearly an hour in length go so fast?

It was exciting and dramatic and infectious. Those aren’t often descriptors used in reference to Roots Reggae music but they all applied in regards to “The Sound”. From destructive combinations featuring the likes of Lutan Fyah, Volcano, Ras Batch & NiyoRah and Vaughn Benjamin, to a song in ‘Virgin Islands Nice’ which, retrospectively, so wonderfully captures the crucial nature of an album like this. Big VI artist and its biggest label SHOULD be making music which celebrate life so vivid like this tune did and watching it reach far as it would was one of the most interesting stories of the year. You also has a title track, ‘The Rain’, ‘Run Away’, ‘Rise Today’ and… ‘Show Love’ [TEARS!] which tune in a different side of things and emotions, showing the genuine range of this sound. “The Sound” won on every level, was a potentially landmark release and THE BEST REGGAE ALBUM OF 2014!

Review
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