Wizard. Roots Reggae music, more so than any other we deal with here, is an artform very much based on the message. It is about an artist who has constructed an opinion and a point of view coming up with a way to express that idea and then presenting it to the masses for our digestion. At its best, it provokes thought and action and really just challenges the listener to do more than just sit and enjoy what they are hearing (although you can do that as well). These messages... you know them very well if it is your intent to read a review such as this one, are staples of the genre. They occur so frequently in the music that people like me often use the term 'obligatory' in describing particular songs because there is a virtual 'checklist' of requirements in terms of certain foundational ideas of Roots Reggae music. And it is still music, which means that there is an inherent 'show' or entertainment aspect to it (it has to sound good, at the very least), but the messages behind that music can be so strong that... well I don't even have to explain it. You can go through the archives of these pages and see just how appealing and moving some of this material can be and I have not even scratched the surface of tiny percentage of what has existed during our time. On top of just how plentiful and popular the music can be, it does have a ROOT and a purpose. Though we may tend to overlook it or maybe people like You and I have listened to so much of it that it takes something truly extraordinary to get our attention on a higher level, it is still present and the very fact that the music is so populated may just be the greatest piece of evidence that a great deal of work remains to be done. Now when you get into that next aspect of individuals who at least seem to take that next step and actually apply it to something further than making a song (and we don't know them, we don't live in their houses and we cannot say what they do behind closed doors or what is going on in their thoughts), I think that the list of those type of artists becomes much less populated. SURELY one of the individuals who carries the mantle of not only making a certain type of HEAVY Roots Reggae music and, again, at least seemingly, living it as part of his everyday life is St. Croix veteran, Ras Batch. Batch is someone whose presence I have so wonderfully grown to appreciate as I've gotten older and while I would not say that in my youth his work was unattainable or incomprehensible, I would have been absolutely SHOCKED had you come to me... a decade and half or so ago and told me that I'd wake up one day and he would, rather easily, be amongst my favourite artists. I surely appreciated his work and was coming around more and more to know about everything he had his hand in at the time (more on that in a second), but I never would have imagined that I'd wake up one day in 2021 EXCITED about writing a review for a four year old Batch album.So what changed? What clicked? I wish that I could tell you about one specific thing or moment, but I think that I may be able to come close to doing that if my memory is correct. in 2005 Batch had an album by the name of "Jah Guidance". I heard it, I thought it decent and I put it down and moved on from it. Fortunately I hung on to that set (which wasn't always the case and I have passed on some GEMS in my day, but fortunately I still own the physical disc for that album) and, somewhere down the line I gave it another listen. I could force my memory to attempt to be able to explain what the shift was or I can just tell you that an album that I had once set down and marked as "decent" had grown to the point where you will now find it listed as a Modern Classic on these pages which as distinct an 'honour' that we give to full studio releases. "Jah Guidance" is one of the finest albums that I have ever heard. It just is and, what is most remarkable, is that he's managed to top himself since then, with an even stronger project.
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| 2005 & 2012 |
In 2012, Ras Batch would FINALLY link up with the Virgin Islands' dominant label for Roots Reggae, Achis Reggae favourite I Grade Records and the Zion I Kings collective. That union would birth the downright STUNNING "Know Thyself", another modern classic (probably time we got around to doing a few more of those), and really take Batch's career to another level in terms of notoriety. Prior to that, Batch's career is one of someone who has had to GRIND. The man has seemingly been one of Reggae's hardest working soldiers of his era. Starting out on his own Sound V.I.Zion Records imprint, Batch did virtually everything there was to do with his music and for that of other artists as well. He played instruments, he wrote, produced and put it out (PAID FOR) on his own label. He was also very instrumental in bringing to the world, fully, one of the most naturally gifted artists we have ever seen as the first two albums from the great Ras Attitude, "Happiness" and "Love Life" were Sound V.I.Zion productions as well (they also took a credit for the "Trodding Home" release as well) AND, were that enough (and it was), the label also released an album called "Ah We Deh Ya" in 2012 by an artist named Ima, who is Ras Batch's wife. As I said, it has been a grind and he has been someone who has CLEARLY embraced it and doing the work required. So, following the step up that was "Know Thyself", I was damn interested in seeing what the next move would be for Batch and it took half a decade, but in 2017, the chanter returned with his eighth studio release to date, the most fittingly titled "Rootz And Kulcha". The set would mark Batch's first album released through Sound V.I.Zion Records since 2007's "To The Root" (which was excellent. It was so good!). And, like "To The Root" and "Keep The Faith" and "Who You Are" before it, "Rootz And Kulcha" was a project steered by Batch himself. I heard him say in an interview that there was about ten people, totally, involved in the work of the album, including his own son. That's the type of thing that you're going to get from someone TRULY dedicated to doing this work and getting the message out to the masses (in the very same interview, he would go on to say that he had, years previously, come to the conclusion that the work he was doing would not bring him economical success, but he felt it still so very important to do the work. He felt like he HAD to do it). There's no one over his shoulder, telling him what he has to do or about a deadline or anyone talking about a performance or anything like that. It all comes from Batch, himself, and when you look at exactly what he's managed to accomplish in his career, given that he has had to be self-motivated and, for the most part, self-sustaining, it makes it even more striking. Strictly on the music side, Batch's style has remained so wonderfully simple and direct, that I have made the case in the past that he may be someone who has actually ahead of his time. That, years from now, someone will come up heavily influenced by Batch and doing their own fantastic work. Until then, however, we're in a position to APPRECIATE the artist for what he has become.
Which is very strong. These days, I don't worry about Batch's music very much (and it's been a minute since I have, actually), in terms of the quality or the actual sound, for the most part. The formula he has used throughout the years is well proven and he knows it. He is well aware of his strengths and weaknesses and you know precisely what you're getting into when you listen to his work. I don't know when his next album is coming (hopefully it is in the works, it's been four years now since this one), but I can tell you already how it sounds and that it's going to be some type of excellent. Reasons supporting that prediction can be found throughout "Rootz And Kulcha", the most recent album from VI Roots Reggae wizard, Ras Batch. The title track and, I think, the second official single gets us up and going. If you were going to name Batch's entire career -- like a greatest hits album -- 'Rootz And Kulcha' might be apropos. The way this one is written almost has a double meaning if you take it just a bit deeper. Along with the 'roots and culture' being a clear identifier of the style of the vibes you're listening to, Batch also takes the tune to African shores and uses it to say that he will always be observant, respectful and prideful of his origins ["No tree can live without roots. How can it stand? How will it bear fruit?"]. When you combine the two, and the general structure here, you end up with one SWEET offering and one of the finest on the album it titles. Another highlight, 'Bless Up', is second and it definitely keeps the levels high as, following an electric beginning, it ascends into this sparkling Roots set which is geared towards reminding us all to take a moment and appreciate the things that we do have in life No, everything isn't perfect (it never will be perfect and if it were, it would probably drive you crazy), but you do you have something good in your life and something to be thankful for. I also really like how Batch specifically directs this one to his own community and neighbouring areas in the Virgin Islands, which is something that I don't recall hearing very much, although it is not at all surprising coming from him. Though "Rootz And Kulcha" gets off to a fine start with its initial pair of selections, its third, 'Rastafarian Chant', is even stronger. Beginning with a traditional chant, the song goes on to SOAR!
"With the drum beating, from deep in the wilderness
A royal gathering-
To see the Rasta kinship and the Rasta Empress
Everyone feeling the best
Fragrance from the frankincense and he myrrh incense
Headstrong come deh and kette ah beat
Judgment, hotta fyah fi tun up di heat
Crushing devil unda feet
When Rastafarian ah chant!"
In my opinion, 'Rastafarian Chant' has no equal on "Rootz And Kulcha". It reigns supreme here as one giant piece of praising tune and, from someone who is EXCELLENT on the subject (he had a tune on the "To The Root" album called 'Hail The King': TEARS!) (had another one that I'll you about in a minute as well), it still ranks very highly in his catalogue. 'Burdened' with following that giant effort is 'Truth and Redemption' and it actually does just that quite well. The vibes of 'Truth and Redemption' are a bit difficult to describe maybe. Something about, the pace or something, is very unique at least to my ears, but in a very subtle way (probably doing a horrible job of describing something that no one else has ever felt about it). Whatever it is, Batch uses it to deliver a social commentary with its feet, very much, on spiritual grounds. The point here being made is that when we turn to a Higher Source, many of the problems we have in the world will be corrected. We definitely have to be aware and to carry our load and do our part, but an absence of His Majesty will leaving us wanting more. It is a very interesting lyrical composition as well and one which I have, wonderfully, spent quite a bit of time on working through and you know I will continue. And definitely make sure you take it in its entirety as, later on, Batch dazzles. 'Chant Down Babylon' is a bit more straight-forward, but it also kept me quite busy and I've well enjoyed it. You can take this one in a few different ways (two in particular) and it will work out for you. The first would be that Ras Batch is telling us all just how important to call out and point out nastiness and injustice ["Them think forever dem injustice gonna last. Jah judgment ah come down fast"] wherever you may encounter it and. And you could also, specifically, apply it to the artist, himself. He's talking about how much it means to him, to personally be in a position to make this type of sound and put a flame to those who mistreat the world. As I said, either course (or both simultaneously) will lead you to a fruitful destination... so yeah, you may want to try both.
Though you'll find my single favourite selection on it in its first third, the next 'batch' of songs on "Rootz And Kulcha" is, arguably, even better in many ways. The biggest attraction here (literally) is the downright EPIC 'Only Truth'. Checking in at a delicious six seconds just south of six minutes, 'Only Truth' is absolutely EVERYTHING you need it to be and probably a bit more. The basis of this one is education. The more you know and the more you are you aware of what is going, the more capable you will be in identifying negative things and negative actions against you. That's the foundation; and Batch begins methodically building on it with a message which reaches out to subjects regarding religion, slavery, history and others. It is a fantastic tune and which now has me questioning my favourite song present here. I also should mention the vibes. 'Only Truth' CRAWLS! It comes through on a divinely slow-paced HEAVY Roots track which is also amongst the album's very best. Surrounding 'Only Truth', right in the middle of the project, are four more stellar efforts. Check the unity-driven 'Live as One', where Batch chants down infighting and disharmony amongst oppressed people, while THE ACTUAL OPPRESSOR walks away unscarred (kind of reminds you of a piece he did with Achis Reggae favourite, Messenjah Selah, from "I-Ver Strong", called 'Us Against Us') (big tune ["Cah di ignorance and folly deh ah gwann fi too long. Waan cut each other throat and still can't get along"]. I loved the background singer on this one as, whoever she may be, she really does a nice job in enhancing the URGENCY of the topic and as it progresses, Batch does the same thing as well. The background singers found on 'Word, Sound, Power' also do very well in helping set the tone of things. They come in with a gorgeous African chant.
"Just can't keep I down
Rastaman word, power and sound
Jah lifted I face off the ground
HIGHER ELEVATION BOUND"
From a strictly sonic point of view, this one may just be the best listen on this entire release (and that's saying quite a lot, especially considering some of the later ones). What I ultimately took away from it was that Batch was attempting to infuse some PRIDE in his listeners and to be proud and HONOURED of our heritage and what we come from. Again, the method he uses to make this point is a GOLDEN one. It is so nice! And, taken as a whole, you have another highlight from an album which is proving to be better than the rating I had in mind for it (which is part of the reason why I write the way I do, when you scrutinize EVERYTHING, you get so much more detail as a listener). There're also two more 'colourful' tracks in the mid portions of the album, the scathing 'Hue Man Race' and 'Red, Gold and Green'. The former actually deals with race relations to a degree in the world an, clearly, it is a topic for which Batch carries a whole heap of passion.
"Is it because of my broad lips, I dark complexion-
I am targeted, fit description and di colour for detention
Still remember slavery, mass genocide
Ethnic-cleansing families, conquer and them divide
Like we don't know eugenics, immunization and abortion dem a whoa
While we stay drunk-
Pharmaceutical vaccination pon di people dem ah dump
To control conception of specific people
Marginalizing, discriminating get I and I people"
Batch makes the comparison of the race in the song to an actual race ["The race is on, all bets are in. And a time fi start, so let's begin"] and it is such a wonderfully detailed expression of his ideas, that it comes off as if Batch was standing there not just singing a song, but also teaching some type of class (biggup Reemah) and your fee is free. 'Red, Gold and Green' is another strong piece about being proud of who you are and where you come from and it is outstanding. I won't rank it (even though I really want to, I'm not because I'm going to start working on the last few tunes and then hear something that will make me have to come back and rewrite this), but there is not a single thing on this album that is considerably better than it and if you were someone to say it is THE best, that would be fine as well. It has this very large sound at times, which mixes with a more laidback sound which Batch and co. utilize to near perfection ["For so long, wi ah wave this yah banner, for so long. From father to son"].
Along with the title track, there was one piece on "Rootz And Kulcha" which caught my eye from just looking at the titles and that was definitely, 'Healing of The Nation'. What was so special about this one? It, sort of, shares a title with a previous Batch song from the aforementioned "Jah Guidance" album (which is officially called 'Healing', but you listen to the song and they share a punchline) -- and he's done that before, having one song on two different albums, as the towering 'Zion Kingdom Come' from "Jah Guidance" was originally "Zion King Come" from "Keep The Faith" ["IT'S A PRIVILEGE FI SEEK OF ZION KINGDOM! AND IF YOU SEEK HIM, THEN YOU KNOW WILL LIVE LONG"] (WHAT!) (BOOM!) -- but while similar, these two are different. I won't compare them directly, but I will say while both are strong on both fronts, one is stronger lyrically and one has a finer sound, in my opinion. Of course, they share a subject and that is one of Batch's favourites as he LOVES singing about the medicinal and remedying effects of the herb. Batch's ganja songs have always been big and 'textured' (my favourite probably is 'Green Gold' from) and you can really tell his love of the plant (I've also heard him on an interview talking about the topic and saying how much better the world might be if everyone indulged). So for something, CLEARLY, so important to the man, he gives it the quality it deserves and he always has. If 'Hue Man Race' was Ras Batch teaching a class, 'Teach Dem' is a full honours course. Batch takes this one in a variety of different ways, with the prevailing theme being one of Africa being an ancestor for not only people, but for knowledge and education, in general.
"It is a long time dem ah tell lie pon wi
Talking about some kinda supremacy
When every nation come from wi
Melanin Mama, and di child di belly
Longtime dem plagiarize history
Ah still ah try to hide di truth from wi
Remember culture, our story
Di African science, math and philosophy
Come fi teach dem
Come fi teach dem
Recognize di brainwash inna di system"
The roots in this one go REALLY deep and, as it progresses, 'Teach Dem' wonderfully begins to acknowledge legendary African intellects and others. This is the type of song that you KNOW he did his research for, he refreshed some ideas and placed them together in such a gorgeous package. There's also 'War Fighting' which doesn't have the sound that you would think its title would dictate. It isn't at all aggressive and, instead, its actually more of an anti-violence set and not the kind of commentary that I envisioned (which was probably just a mistake on my part). Regardless, it is solid and one which I would suggest you spend a bit of time on. 'Still Have Love', on the other hand, is pretty much precisely what one would expect in terms of sound. It's course, however, is something different. I was thinking it would be a love song, but it's actually about perseverance. I THOROUGHLY enjoyed the direction of this one which, if you replace certain aspects of it (and what I mean is that 'love' can be a very specific thing, but if you 'broaden' it and make it just general 'positivity' -- meaning, though I have been through so many things, I still have a positive outlook on things, I do not think the world is ending and the sky is falling) it GLOWS! And, I think it's actually quite unique. As I said way back at the beginning of this review, there're certain messages which are foundational to Roots Reggae music, but this isn't one of them. Occasionally things can seem a bit bleak and desolate, but a song like this is damn reassuring in the small and large senses. You take 'Still Have Love' in anyway in which is resonates to you, but to my ears, it's one of the most satisfying on "Rootz And Kulcha". And finally, Ras Batch is sure to give a massive praise on the golden 'Hail Jah' (THE foundation of Roots Reggae) before sending us on our way. As I said, Batch's musical history is brimming with tracks like this one and they are always very impressive. 'Hail Jah', which is quite detailed and specific, is certainly not an exception. It's also excellent (and I would also recommend you check out a tune he did with an artist by the name of Haile Israel called 'How Excellent [Pslams 8]' for Israel's "No Worry Yah Self" album from last year).
Overall, I want to talk about TIME briefly here. There're fifteen songs on "Rootz And Kulcha". Its run time is sixty-nine minutes. By my count, out of his eight albums now, six of them have been at least an hour long and one of the two which is not, "I-Ver Strong" ["Africa a weh wi from!"] (BOOM!), was more than fifty-nine minutes. The smallest was "Vizionary" (which mysteriously has not gone digital) (whatever happened to Itation Records???), but it only had twelve tracks and eight of those were at least four minutes long. On the opposite end would have been "Keep The Faith", which was more than seventy-five minutes in length. The point being that Batch does not make that kind of 'cookie cutter' brand of Roots music. His is far more involved and developed. He is most certainly not the type of artist who some producer/label could give a bucket of riddims and then churn out a release in a week or two. His work is so RIPE with material and, when you combine that with the fact that he does so much of this work on his own and with a very small unit of people, it becomes that much more impressive. He is his own boss here and the 'quality-control' is, ultimately, his responsibility alone. Throughout "Rootz And Kulcha", in that respect, Ras Batch is EXTREMELY responsible, but in a career and a LIFE which is seemingly gone in courses like his have, that comes to no surprise. Lovely, as always.
Rated: 4.35/5
Sound V.I.Zion Records
2017
CD [Good luck finding it] + Digital
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