Okay so, while I originally had the idea that the next installment of our Signatures series would be Lutan Fyah (he will almost certainly be #3 now), I thought that, in an effort to be more timely, given my relatively fresh HIGH love of his output, that instead we'd take a look at the work of Norris Man. While the artist has definitely scored his fair number of big tunes, he seems to eternally be regarded as in some state of despair and has (probably happily on his end) made several songs which speak for the downtrodden and down-on-their-luck members of society (which the genre of music he makes does, as a whole for the most part, but he, in particular, has seemed to be tied to that type of song throughout the years, in my opinion). He's also hit, at least for me, with material covering a vast array of topics and because of that, i was quite happy to see that, when I was done compiling this one, through no intent, it blanketed several different ideas and themes that Norris Man has not only written about but excelled at. Today we take a look at the best of one of our current burgeoning favourites, Signatures: Norris Man.
1. 'Persistence'
The way to life. I thought I'd get the most obvious choice out of the way first, as the now nearing a quarter of a century old 'Persistence' likely remains the single biggest and most identifiable tune Norris Man has done to date. The Kings of Kings helmed tune (remember them???) has, arguably, captured Norris' entire career as fans have always looked at him as this struggling singer dealing with the 'ups and downs' of being a professional musician but there is something SO MUCH more interesting about 'Persistence': IT IS GORGEOUS! It stands as one of the greatest sufferer's anthems in a genre which has, historically, been packed with them as anyone who is down on their luck or has ever been down on their luck can find solidarity in this IMMORTAL track.
2. 'Home & Away'
Made a sacrifice. So, I'd made this entire list (or almost all of it, anyway) and I KNEW I was missing something and I knew what it was but I was hesitant in bringing it on board... and then common sense kicked in. I have NONE of that stuff but, fortunately, my Wife has tons of it. Therefore, courtesy of Mrs. Achis, a list featuring the biggest Norris Man tunes features... the second biggest tune of his career, 'Home & Away'. 'Home & Away' is a love song. That's just what it is and, occasionally such tunes will creep up and score unlikely hits, finding a giant audience within the masses and this was such a case. Carried by Vertex' Flames Riddim, 'Home & Away' kinda/sorta glows and while it may not be a definitive favourite of mine... sure, such a list would be kinda/sorta trash without it.
3. 'King Of Your Soul'
Take control. I remember it well! Buried on a random, dozen year old album, "Modern Roots" (from which, off the top of my head, I can't remember a single other tune from right now), from Swedish outfit, Nordic Steel, 'King Of Your Soul' was very much a surprise. Who knew that what was such a varied project would produce, EASILY, one of the greatest songs of Norris' career and one of the greatest from absolutely ANYONE that I have ever heard (it's top 100 or so for me, right now). 'King Of Your Soul' had everything you would hope for in a praise: It paid ultimate tribute to His Imperial Majesty and it was also FUN to listen to. It was such a resounding vibe and made such an impact on me that I will never forget it and I don't give a damn if I'm the only one.
4. 'When Your Time Is Up' featuring Pressure Busspipe
You were warned about this. The first of a pair of combinations that you'll find here, 'When Your Time Is Up' was a stroke of genius in bringing together two artists who proved to compliment one another PERFECTLY. Norris Man teamed up with VI scorcher Pressure Busspipe for Itation Records' (remember them???) Show Love Riddim on a tune which I THINK I originally encountered on the "Know The Road" album via Lustre Kings Productions (more on them in a bit), ''When Your Time Is Up'. The first time I heard it I just thought that whoever thought to bring them together just had an excellent idea (and said as much and, if I recall correctly, someone from LKP linked us and told me whose idea it was) because the results were so damn mighty. 'When Your Time Is Up' is a powerful tune about us all living in a positive and gratifying way because our time is quickly running out and you never know which day will be your last. The best combination Norris Man has ever done in my opinion.
5. 'H.I.M. Never Fail'
Conquering. I think the first song here would be the choice you'd most likely hear were you to ask fans which of Norris Man's pieces were their favourite and while it would be high on my own list (DUH), my answer would be this CLASSIC Henfield produced burner from a quarter-century ago, 'H.I.M. Never Fail'. Built on a version Dennis Brown's Created by The Father Riddim, the Babatunde (which is also one of my favourite riddims of all time), 'H.I.M. Never Fail' was praising track of powerfully rarely seen ilk combining an artist and a track which both were in a STUNNING form. TEARS! TEARS! And more TEARS!
6, 'After All' featuring Lutan Fyah
Still waiting. I wasn't as appreciative of Norris Man's music as I am now back when I first laid ears on 'After All', another big winner from the "Home & Away" release but, in retrospect, teaming him up with a then and now favourite of mine was something which could not miss for me and.... it didn't. The tune pinnacled lyrically, no the blazing historical social commentary but the In The Streetz supplied riddim of the same name also shined, making a perfect backdrop for this mightily memorable combination.
7. 'We Are The Creator'
They are the separators. 'We Are The Creator' was absolutely scathing! It was just a HARSH and often VICIOUS point made by Norris Man and the electrically charged In The Streetz steered piece finds its footing here LARGELY due to its lyrically execution.
"They take us to distant seas, over distant shores
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF LOVE, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE POOR
Those who try to harms us want to make things rough
There is no other way than to show them that we're tough
Corruption inna di city, yeah, dem still ah cover up
Dem chat a bagga lies so dem ah go down inna di rough
POLLUTION INNA DI AIR AND IT AH MESS DEM UP
DEM SYSTEM NO REAL SO RASTAMAN AH BUN IT UP
MI DEH YA FI SI DI GREEDY MAN GET HIM THROAT CUT
Colonialism dem ah use to rule but mi no trust
Rome? Much less fi drink from dem cup
SELASSIE MAN PRAISE BUT IN GOD THEY TRUST
We are the creator
They are the separator"
GRRRR!
8. 'Hold On To Your Faith'
More than joy. I think it says something fairly significant that, out of a pool of thirty-three songs, there is but ONE that appears on both of Norris Man's first two albums as far as I can tell (which probably means that there're actually like nine of them), "Persistence" & "Better Your Soul" [note: As I write this, RIGHT NOW, I still have yet to decide if I'm including the title track from the latter in this list], 'Hold On To Your Faith'. From its downright intoxicating chant of an opening setting the tone on a vibes which remains throughout, to the fact that the song has likely been undervalued lyrically for its entire life (you really tune this thing in. It is nearly SPECIAL) - what you had here in this both socially and spiritually aware creation was a CRYSTAL CLEAR highlight from the vault of its creator.
9. 'Congo Shanti'
A place of meditation. Another relatively obscure personal favourite of mine, the Levy helmed 'Congo Shanti' was the standing highlight of "World Crisis", an overlooked album from way back in 2003. Though somewhat on the front-foot and aggressive, there was a certain level of obtainable SERENITY buried within this one that I've always gravitated towards it for that reason. The sweetness is here as Norris Man details many of the world's ills and his desire to seek refuge from them "up inna di hills".
10. 'Culture Dem'
Go purify. I feel like I've indirectly spoken about this tune quite a bit over the years but it's been a very long time since I've mentioned it directly. Wayyyy back in 2002 the good people at Lustre Kings Productions released the first installment of their wonderful Roots compilation album series, "Culture Dem". The thing was well done from the cover (which featured most (if not all) of the artists on the album hand-drawn, such as Capleton, Sizzla, Anthony B, Turbulence and Jah Mason) through the music and, over two decades later, I am still a fan and still writing about the works of LKP. It is simply one of my favourite albums EVER. Well, it just so happens that the title track of "Culture Dem" was Norris Man's. It will NEVER be far from my mind.
11. 'Undiluted Love'
And nothing can change that. Though the aforementioned 'Home & Away' is far more well known, to my opinion the classic 'Undiluted Love' is the single greatest love song Norris Man has ever made. A product of the same batch of music that produced the first selection on this list, 'Undiluted Love' had such a powerfully JOVIAL vibes about it that isn't always attached to such a piece (sometimes love songs can be... downright solemn, even when they aren't of the 'broken-hearted' variety). The tune made you move to some degree, it got you going, physically, and it also resonated with you, again, in a way not typically reserved for such a selection. Just listen to this thing!
12. 'Murdera'
Judgment set. There was this wonderful FRAGILITY to 'Murdera', a song produced by our old friend, Sherkhan and Tiger Records way back in the day, for the "Much More To Life". It has become the definitive signature from that set eleven years on and has grown to the size (obviously given its inclusion here), that I find myself singing the chorus ["Murdera. Yuh judgment set"] quite often when I think of Norris Man' work. It's a PERFECT tune for such a list because it stands as one of the songs that he's done which is one of the most IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFIABLE for me, personally. The actual song was a giant general swipe at negativity, with "murderer" being the route chosen to convey the idea but make no mistake about it: You don't have to actually kill anyone to take a shot from Norris Man on this track. Also worth mentioning is the wonderfully simple riddim behind which spices up during its latter portions and is absolutely fitting for the moment.
13. 'As I Rise'
See them fail. And finally (unless I choose to switch it) is the newest selection here, the class of 2022's "Deep Conversations", 'As I Rise'. While I was putting all of this together I had a melody in my head for a couple of songs but I couldn't fit in the words for awhile. I eventually did and one of them actually turned out to be a Chezidek song (who would also make for a great 'Signatures' feature in the future) and the other was this GORGEOUS track. Along with being powerfully worded and organized (you can take this song in so many different directions and it makes sense on ALL of them).... there is something really pleasing about 'As I Rise'. That chorus is sublime and it just makes you feel good! It hits every note that you would want it to and is everything you would see in recent classic.
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