Changes. I would think that, as a young and aspiring musician, when you decide that your life is going to go that route, as is the case with any path, you have a certain level of expectations. The younger you are, perhaps, the less realistic and unattainable they may be (the vast majority of people who attempt to, will not be able to sustain themselves making music) but even there, you'd have steps that you're trying to reach in the short-term. So I would think that when he began his career in music that Trenchtown native Norris Man most likely did have it in his mind that he would go on to make incredible music and be this big star in Reggae and reach and be beloved by people across the world.... and he wasn't too far off. Though the absolute heights of stardom that the genre of music he makes, modern Roots Reggae, have eluded him (though not by a lot, while he does have more popular peers, I think most people would place Norris Man, in terms of popularity in either the next or one of the next categories especially in terms of his age group) (not comparing him to the likes of Chronixx and Protoje) not much else has actually and were he to decide to go find something else to do with the rest of his days, I would think that even the likely lofty thinking teenager born Christopher Campbell would be damn pleased with what he would have accomplished some thirty years on. Though, as I've said in the past, I believe the phenomenon to be waning, in Reggae music we very much have this idea that SO many of our artists are/have been underrated and undervalued, Norris Man's case is so emblematic of that. Despite scoring with a relatively steady stream from fairly early into his career ("fairly early" being from my perspective, I'm sure if you were to ask him at the time, he would have said things were taking too damn long to materialize), the chanter would, seemingly more than any of his peers, grow in to this figure of an artist who was eternally struggling to get his due recognition (that and his unusual style of chanting and singing were the most discussed aspects of early Norris Man) (there was this constant discussion of how he sings off-key and awkwardly (and he does) but it ultimately worked for him (and it still does). There were many underrated and underappreciated Reggae artists at the time, but Norris Man was one of THE most of both types and, through no fault at all of his own, he became this sort of archetype of 'struggling Reggae singer' toiling in obscurity to spread his message to anyone who would listen. This is despite the fact that it would require not the most attentive of individuals to come to the conclusion that, when he was right, the world was reacting to Norris Man and two and a half decades later... we still are. These days (and more on this in a minute) some of his early biggest offerings are now full on classics of the entire genre (not NORRIS MAN CLASSIC - Reggae classic) and, whenever his name comes up, are almost always immediately attached to him.
2001
We're thinking of tunes like 'Persistence', 'Bad Road', 'Better Your Soul', 'Hold Onto Your Faith' and others, much of which would go on to construct the artist's first two albums, "Persistence" from VP in 2000 and Jah Scout's "Better Your Soul" from the following year (that album is TWENTY YEARS OLD! Time flies!). His Iley Dread (remember Iley Dread and Kings Of Kings???) helmed debut is now regarded as a full classic and, looking back, "Better Your Soul" has aged very well (and, speaking just for myself, Norris Man had another early album, "World Crisis" (which was either third or fourth depending on the source you look at). That, alone, is not the mark of someone who has been underrated and flown beneath the proverbial radar. Furthermore, a few years on, Norris Man would return and impact with 'Home & Away' (and a subsequently well regarded album of the same name for Greensleeves) (big tune on that album called 'We Are The Creator' ["THEY ARE THE SEPARATOR!"] and, again, demonstrate himself more than capable of capturing and HOLDING the spotlight of Reggae music.
Yet, were you actually trying to build a case that, even still Norris Man was this eternally overlooked and downright sympathetic figure, perhaps you could point to a brief period of time following the run of 'Home & Away' where things seemed to settle into a spot where he wouldn't get THAT big shine for awhile (though the work was still being done, in 2006 the album "Home & Away" would drop as well as the solid "Captura" from Grillaras Productions) (oh and two years later was "Know The Road" for the Lustre Kings - a significant case could be made that "Know The Road" is Norris' best full release ever), but apparently what was occurring at the time, in retrospect, was that Norris Man was shifting and reordering things a bit. Somewhere along the line (2012) he would land somewhere in Europe (probably Sweden) and he was on fire. He was literally burning! There would be a quick point on these pages where I would write a review for a Norris Man release and IMMEDIATELY the next one would be announced. I'm used to that from certain people, Norris Man was not one of them and though not all of them would turn out to be top notch for me, some of them would contain GEMS such as the very first of them, "Modern Roots" (which was a Dancehall album if I can recall correctly), which featured one of the greatest songs I have ever heard (from anyone), the MONSTROSITY that was 'King of Your Soul' (also check the Tiger Records produced "Much More To Life" from 2013) (biggup Sherkhan) and it seemed as if Norris' career had entered another stage which was far, FAR away from obscurity (and most of those albums were at least solid, it should be said). Several of those projects have come via European based labels where, apparently, his stature has grown significantly over the course of the past decade or so and, just last year, Norris Man would return to the continent, this time linking with one of its most reliable and crucial imprints today (.... and ever, really) the inimitable Stingray Records from out of the UK. Not only should our readers should be well familiar with the label as, a couple of months ago, we talked about their 2021 release "Nah Give Up" from Anthony Que (a lovely set), but just in general, more heavy listeners of Reggae music will have come across the fine work of the McLeod brothers at some point (whether you realized it or not) and you probably liked what you heard. And what you probably did hear was some mixture of Lover's Rock and Roots Reggae with an old-school sound which would make for a very curious piece of work should it link up with someone like Norris Man. Meet "Emerge". The album (which I will, most tentatively, call his thirteenth) came as somewhat of a surprise to me because I had no clue at all that such a relationship had been sparked to any degree (and I read an article saying that, despite there being twelve selections here, it was whittled down from TWENTY-TWO artist and label had done together) (so maybe there is a sequel in order) but, spending as much time as he does in Europe, I guess I should not have been shocked that Norris Man and Stingray would grab one another's attentions. On paper, such a union is damn appealing at worst, and actually diving in to "Emerge" would prove to be all types of interesting. Let's do it!
As ridiculous as it seems, about sixteen years earlier, "Emerge" may have had something of a prequel in terms of its direction, somewhat, way back in 2004. Cynergy Records released a set by the name of "Hey Woman" and it was some blend of straight up R&B and.... something else. It wasn't MISERABLE.... but it wasn't very good and, with 'respect' to "Heat Is On", "Hey Woman" is regarded as Norris Man's worst album altogether (it is, it just is. You go and hear songs such as 'You're the Love Light', 'Let Us Party' and 'Above the Water' and tell me what you think!). Fortunately, as it turns out, you won't get too far into "Emerge" before realizing that, yep, "Hey Woman" will continue its 'reign'. An interesting piece showing that, specifically, starts "Emerge", 'After All is Said and Done'. This is just a decent tune, it most certainly isn't bad and, the more you listen to it, its SOUND begins to grow on you, but it isn't anything special either (at least not yet, anyway). HOWEVER, if you were to take it up and plop 'After All is Said and Done' on "Hey Woman", it would be, far and away, the finest track entirely and, given its course, it wouldn't be very out of place there either. On "Emerge", while not a highlight, as I said, you will likely come to enjoy at least its vibes at some point so do give it a chance. Things go considerably higher on 'Journey' courtesy of Stingray's BRIGHT My World Riddim, which is just such a delightfully vintage inspiring drop.
"In this journey of life, you've got to win
Ain't no time for no failure
Go tell dem life it ain't no joke thing, this morning when I wake up yeah
From a dream that is so inspiring and only Jah knows, yes
That future deep, down within-
Time is everything, yes
And it's all about surviving
Go tell dem nothing ain't easy, unless you sell your soul
You see my faith won't lead me
Inna place inna darkness and of sin
And all who chastise me
Rastafari is my King!
From deep within!
So it is all in your mind
Believe in yourself
We take full control
The life is the strength
It's not the heart that rules the mind, but is the mind that rule the soul
I tell you do yah very best and just let love take control"
"Some don't know what their blessing is
So they go inna confusing state
Have to give thanks for all my days
Cause you don't know what tomorrow bring
PEACE OF MIND
PEACE OF SOUL
Shine your light so the world sees the love
Rise above and Jah will lift you up!"
'Journey' definitely has quite a bit of WEIGHT to it -- it sticks with you -- and I remember hearing this one, directly on the album, and it can blend into its surrounding (they call can), but you REALLY get into it and what you discover is a beautiful set. I didn't have much in the way of expectations for 'Cherish Love' (its title SCREAMS sappy love song) and I'm happy to see that, because of that, it well exceeded what I thought it would be. It isn't your stereotypical love song and, instead, is a nice broader praise of LOVE. It isn't this dreadful romantic vibe, it is just giving thanks for loved ones and relations, in general, and a very nice sentiment. This one is not a highlight from "Emerge" for me, but I could see it growing on quite a few people. Completing our first batch of tunes (biggup Batch always). What I thought 'Cherish Love' would be, 'Sweet Love' turned into. Not a horrible love song, but there's not much here which resonated for me, but I'm sure that when Norris Man and Stingray put it together that I was the type of an audience that they had in mind for it to reach. Fair enough.
The ship is righted immediately, however, as the very next track up, 'Chalice', is nearly exceptional. I've lost contact with the phrase 'obligatory ganja tune', but if there were such a thing, 'Chalice' serves the purpose for "Emerge" and it does so sublimely. I really like the nature of this one. It's very chilled and laidback and it takes Norris Man's most unique brand of delivery and puts it in a very nice light (and good luck to not turning off that tune and having its chorus stick with you). 'Love Be Your Guide' is another one whose title made me nervous and though it would go on to be pretty much exactly what I thought that it might, it was a little better than I was anticipating. There's some sweet quality to 'Love Be Your Guide', be it Norris' better than usual vocals, that cool and jazzy riddim or maybe it's the excellent usage of background singers who take things up just a bit here. Regardless of the source, 'Love Be Your Guide' (I know, the title is difficult to get by, is better than you're thinking it is. Trust me! Check the sterling 'Giddeon' (which, for some reason, reminds me of Ray Darwin's 'People's Choice') which definitely ranks amongst the very best that "Emerge" has to offer. Along with being strong on its own merits, 'Giddeon' actually heads what is the best stretch of material on "Emerge", as its second half is damn impressive. The mightiest of them all (biggup Lutan Fyah), to my opinion, is 'Never Forgot' which was Norris Man's cut of the Soldiers Riddim. I wouldn't say this one is a tune about holding grudges and taking everything so personally, but 'Never Forgot', is a caution to everyone on minding how we treat one another because you never know what stays with people and how it makes them feel. Speaking from the standpoint of a mistreated individual, Norris Man deals with using such things as motivation ["I will be strong! They see me still alive. Better days are ahead. They all can see that"]. It is also an oddly infectious offering. It's just NICE to hear and when you take it in, entirely, 'Never Forgot' is special.
As I alluded to, while its crowning jewel comes just prior to it, the final lot of songs on "Emerge" is its best in full and those pieces help build up a wonderful 'body' of music for the release. I was very interested in hearing 'Spoken', not knowing where it go in its course. What results is clearly biblically inspired material ["These words were spoken, although some hearts were broken"] that is something of a general social commentary. This one works on a couple of levels as not only does the message resonate, but its basic sonic appeal is very high as well and it allows Norris to deliver in a way which comes off as very organic and just representative of what he was feeling at the time. 'Conquering One', in its title alone, took me back to an all time favourite of mine from the artist by the name of 'H.I.M. Never Fail' ["CONQUERING LION NEVER FAIL MAN! A babylon first bring in dem misinterpretation! CONQUERING LION NEVER FAIL MAN! ALMIGHTY JAH IS A LIVING MAN!"] and while it doesn't quite soar to those levels, where it does go isn't too bad, actually.
"For those who endure, the battle it must be won
And them never retreat, no, them all fear The Conquering One
For those who endure, the battle it must be won
And them never retreat, no, them all fear The Lion Man
Nuff come with character, some role is an actor
Some perpetrator, the next is a hater
Rastaman no conspire with no form of fakers
Hypocrasists and mockerists and blamers
Always complain, in disguise like a traitor
Impersonator, bluffers and talkers
With laughters and crafters, but a dem wi after-
With lightning and thunder, brimstone and fire"
Norris Man, arguably, reserves the album's finest lyrical display entirely for 'Conquering One' and, at times, he dazzles (we don't really think of Norris Man, normally, for being this great writer, but he has done some brilliant work over the years with the pen) in simultaneously giving praise to His Majesty and condemnation to those who dare to stand against HIM. Even stronger (and the album's second best tune altogether in my opinion) is the positively golden 'Revelation Time'. For me, 'Revelation Time' is vintage Norris Man. His early hits (several of which I've already mentioned in this review), at least for me, have this wonderfully, pretty much incomparable, DUSTY quality to them. It's hard to describe, but whatever it is, even with that riddim that most certainly is not "dusty", 'Revelation Time' is soaked in it, as the chanter calls for a massive change ["Revelation time, I know you see. Judgment deh, it is your prophecy"]. There is also the title track, sealing the album named after it. 'Emerge' is a decent effort (the chorus is really good), urging people (particularly women) to use everything that they've gone through -- good and bad -- to become a much stronger and BETTER version of themselves. I do have to say that I think the selection title of the album and the title track is a bit curious but ('Spoken' or 'Never Forgot' would have been nice as well), but it is definitely unique to the credit of whoever decided on it.
Overall, while not capturing Norris Man at his absolute best, "Emerge" was still really impressive and, with the signature sound of its creators, it probably stands as one of his best sounding to date. The music here, throughout, is exquisite - but you knew that already because it's a Stingray release. What sticks out most, in retrospect, is this unique marriage between Norris Man's one of a kind style and the label's sound. Several times, over the years, different labels have attempted to give the artist a variety of sounds and while he does his best over Roots (strictly my opinion and, of course, I'm partial), I think that the idea is that because what he does is so unusual, why not try out a few different sounds. It hardly ever works for me and while "Emerge" isn't a great deviation from Roots Reggae at all, it is a different release for him. There is not another Norris Man album that sounds like "Emerge" (most thankfully not even "Hey Woman"). It does not exist. Unsurprisingly, however, it does ultimately work in many ways and after all these years, with a style and origins such as his, Norris Man CLEARLY continues to do something besides struggle.
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