Reflections Of The Dragon Slayer by Mark Wonder

"Reflections Of The Dragon Slayer" by Mark Wonder [Yutman Records]

Thank you! Thank you so much! Call 2023 the gift that keeps giving as it has just been erupting with damn strong Reggae releases within just its very first third and here is another. Back with a new set to add to the fun this year is Achis Reggae favourite, the magnificently wondrous Mark Wonder with a very solid EP, "Reflections Of The Dragon Slayer", courtesy of one Jon Moon & Yutman Records from out of Berlin, Germany. This is interesting because (so many things), not too long ago, at all we came across a tune the vocalist had done for Yutman by the name of 'Urgency', which was typical excellence from Wonder (more on it in just a second) and a few weeks on from it, another fine single by the name of 'For the Reason' (more on it coming too.... just keep reading) would follow. I had no clue that Dragon Slayer and Yutman were working on a [semi] full release but they've tacked on three more tunes, added an acoustic cut of 'For the Reason' and three dubs and here we have "Reflections Of The Dragon Slayer". BOOM! I don't think I ever thought that I'd arrive at this point; but if I'm just thinking openly right now about my absolute favourite artists to listen to right now, Mark Wonder's name would be on that list and it has probably been for the past decade or so, really. I've said it before, he just makes a brand of CLEAN Roots music which resonates with me more and more as I get older. Therefore, anything the man does, even a new single (and he does have a new one, 'This Time', on the Costamaica Riddim), is going to get my full attention and though it hasn't been a terribly long time since his last release -- 2020's "Remz Of The Dragon Slayer" -- "Reflections Of The Dragon Slayer" definitely comes as a welcome surprise!

Let me tell you something, quickly, about "Reflections Of The Dragon Slayer": Its music is absolutely exquisite! I do not know much of Yutman's past, but looking through their catalogue, they have worked alongside the likes of Lutan Fyah, Uwe Banton, Crosby, Vido Jelashe and maybe one or two others with whom our readers may be familiar (like Jahcoustix) and with sounds like this, I'm hoping they continue to spread the love. 'Urgency' was sublime and while it just may be the best overall song here, there is very impressive work on the other selections as well. For example?? Check the bar of gold which opens things here, 'Controlled Hypocrisy'. The riddim behind this one is candy. It is a sugary sweet joy for your ears! I've had so much fun working my way through this tune --in part because at every step that riddim is there playing a great supporting role-- and where I stand with it these days is that Mark Wonder is calling for a return to the way things used to be done, going forward. He makes it a point to not only criticize current dealings, but to also lift up figures from yesteryear ['Saluting the great warriors: The Resistance. They lay the foundation. The rock I & I stand on"] for laying a proper foundation which we have steered away from. Regardless of where you stand on it, in regards to its direction, I think we'll all agree on its quality being extremely high. The same could be said for 'African People', a song that immediately made me damn excited to see that track #8 on "Reflections Of The Dragon Slayer" was listed as 'African People - Dub', because I thought that, given its sound, it would make for a particularly impressive piece of dub. As for the original tune, here, take a listen. 

Reggae music, wonderfully, has always been an artform which has made the point of pushing PRIDE into people of African descent. There have been an endless number of songs on the topic and 'African People' has to be one of the strongest ones that I've heard lately on the topic. 'Power for the People' touches Yutman's hefty More Fyah Riddim from a few years back (the little bassy intro on that riddim is.... just cool) and it is just a strong commentary on the state of times. If I am being critical here: The one thing I didn't like was the fact that 'Power for the People' is the only track on "Reflections Of The Dragon Slayer" sans a mix. You hear that riddim and think about how nice a dub of it might've been and you really want to hear it (and you also can't get the instrumental on the original More Fyah Riddim compilation). Outside of that, however, I'm having a very difficult time finding something to complain about here.

"Never want to engage the people in conversation

Don't even give a damn about their plight

Economical strategies, political monopoly

An orchestrated plan put into motion

More power for the people!

More power for the people I say!"

As we mentioned, 'For the Reason' was the second single released ahead of 'Reflections Of The Dragon Slayer" and its presence here comes alongside a streamlined acoustic version of the tune as well. Both are not only lovely but come in with a decidedly different type of vibes for this release before ascending into a piece which really just makes you feel good! As I've said in the past, there is a certain value in that. We listen to music for a variety of reasons and we appreciate it for many as well so, when you find yourself going through a list of songs and you get to that one that is going to immediately bring a smile to your face, it tends to stick with you. That was 'For the Reason' for me! I hesitate to call it a 'love song' in the typical way that phrase is used because it registers (for me, at least) as more of a general empowering/motivational type of composition. It hit me more of in a broad way saying that this is something attainable for people (women in particular) - having someone look up to you in this way. Regardless, 'For the Reason' is gorgeous! Musically, the acoustic pass is a very nice change of pace and, again, both are just nice to hear. 

As for the aforementioned 'Urgency': Yes, it is the finest piece of work that "Reflections Of The Dragon Slayer" has to offer in altogether and you could very well make the case that it is Mark Wonder's finest selection in some time (which is saying a lot given both his quality and consistency). 'Urgency' is a downright STUNNING to call to action and it has this... pull to it which isn't of an overly aggressive or hype nature, but it has such a powerfully attractive charm to it that, if 'Urgency' doesn't make you feel like doing better or being better then I'm jealous, because clearly you are either perfect or damn close to it and simply have no room for improvement like the rest of us. Wonder seems to appeal more to your common sense than your emotions at first before just grabbing all of you by song's end ["If you don't see, got to wake up from your sleep"]. While the best dub you will hear on this project is 'African People - Dub', both the drum heavy 'Controlled Hypocrisy - Dub' and the brilliantly streamlined 'Urgency - Dub' are outstanding as well. It's the latter which really grabs me because it almost makes for a kind of a moody vibes and an experience quite different from the original track but, again, all three of the dub versions will reach a whole heap of satisfied listeners in my opinion (and I may change my mind about the best of the lot if I keep listening to 'Controlled Hypocrisy - Dub'.... DAMN!) and it was just a really good idea from Moon and company, which includes Ganjaman, who is credited on 'Controlled Hypocrisy - Dub'. 

Overall, yes of course I want to write more but I promised myself that I would attempt to do a more standard write-up for this one and that next thing that we're doing, but if you've been paying attention to the output of Mark Wonder lately (or at any time during his career, really), then you know precisely the level of work he is capable of and "Reflections Of The Dragon Slayer" is definitely more of the same. To my ears, his work always comes through with a certain level of class and refinement and this set is saturated in both. It also helps that the Dragon Slayer (and according to the press material I read on this one, apparently this may be the last time he adopts that moniker) (LONG LIVE THE DRAGON SLAYER!) is provided with t op class music throughout and while Yutman Records may not exactly be a 'household name' in the genre, a few more outings like this one may go a long way in changing that. Outstanding.