Munga Has A Conundrum For You

"Conundrum" by Munga Honorable [Hilltop Records]

1. 'Prayer' [2022 Remastered]

2. 'Music'

3. 'Heart Clean'

4. 'Expectation'

5. 'Conundrum'

6. 'Feel Good'

7. 'Bad Gyal'

8. 'Wah E Style (YStyle)' featuring Gabbidon

9. 'One Custy'

10. 'Full Moon'

11. 'Mi Love Mi Life'

12. 'Nobody Don't Know When' featuring Fantan Mojah

13. 'Perception'

I'm still working on this one just a bit, but I don't think I'm going to review it, so I thought that we'd do a quick feature on instead. The always interesting Munga Honorable is back today with his third full length album, "Conundrum" for his own Hilltop Records. I found myself listening to "Conundrum" this morning and wondering if I may've had a different reaction to it when I was younger. I did have a stretch where I really enjoyed Munga's music. When he first arrived on the scene, he was all kinds of compelling - billing himself as the 'Gangsta Ras', declaring where his spiritual allegiances lied and simultaneously inviting more controversial aspects of life. He made fun music and, he even had a few fun feuds here and there ["When I buss my gun dem ship sink"] and he quickly even attracting the attention of the legendary Don Corleon who would sign the artist to a contract for what was (had Munga, Alaine and Pressure Busspipe, officially, at around the same time did Don Corleon) (and he also supplies material for this album), in retrospect, probably his best years. In recent times he has a seen a resurgence, most notably with a big tune by the name of 'Fiery' which made a serious impact a few years back.

Munga's most recent album, 2020's "Shine Your Light" is a release I most remember for finding a vibe very early on and not straying too far away from it and a couple of years down the line.... not much has changed. I am extremely confident in saying that if you liked "Shine Your Light" to any degree, you will be DELIGHTED with what you hear on "Conundrm". To my ears, the two are quite similar, featuring several tunes which seem to gravitate towards a very similar sound (to describe it, I'd say it has elements of R&B and Hip-Hop. You won't find much actual Dancehall at all and you'll find virtually no traditional Roots - never a staple of Munga's music). That's not to say that it is without its moments. The first three or four songs on "Conundrum" are quite nice, actually. Beginning with a remaster of one of his earliest hits, 'Prayer' and straight through 'Expectation' (with 'Music' being a real highlight). Later is the decent and fun previous single 'One Custy' and Fantan Mojah, of all people, gets in on "Conundrum" during 'Nobody Don't Know When', which is very nice. Also, to Munga's credit, he appears to be a pretty good form, lyrically, during most of the album. Listening through this one, however, I just don't have.... there's something missing on it from my end. I don't have much passion from what I'm hearing (a frustrating fact because writing a review for a Munga album would be fun right now) and, perhaps, I'll be in the majority on that. You can hear for yourself as the latest album from Munga Honorable & Hilltop Records, "Conundrum" is available now.