Iron Sharpened: A review of Just Giving Thanks by Glen Washington

Frequency. Like in anything else, there were several pros and cons during a not too distant era of Reggae music where there were certain artists who were not only extremely active in producing singles for any number of producers but also in churning out a hard to keep up with pace of albums as well. While personally I look back at those times [increasingly] fondly, I do have to admit that they produced some very awkward moments in retrospect. During a time which probably started in the late 1990's and ran through a nice chunk of the 2000's, people like Sizzla Kalonji, Anthony B and Luciano would routinely release multiple albums per year, months and sometimes weeks apart to the point where, as I've said in the past, the phrase 'new album' from them could mean different things, depending on who you were talking about. It was all confusing as hell, probably not the wisest decision commercially (not only are you competing with someone else's new album for attention, you are also competing with your own) but, DAMN, do I miss those days. On the other hand, what such an odd practice could also do was to increase the likelihood that we were never not too far away from that truly special release or even just something that might resonate with us, personally, on a very high level. I look through Sizzla's catalogue and for every "Black Woman & Child", "Praise Ye Jah" and "Da Real Thing", there were a couple of sets like "Rastafari Teach I Everything", "Hosanna" and "Freedom Cry" which may not (were not) have been as celebrated or as good, frankly, but were just SOLID pieces of work that, in retrospect, received both their fair share of respect at the time and even today. The same era and practice also produced albums such as Anthony B's "My Hope", "Never Give Up" from Jah Mason, "Serious Times" by Luciano and others which have been called modern classics on these pages and had the set of circumstances not existed which materialized that release schedule, look at what we may've missed out on (because these guys would not have lived long enough to produce all of them with more terrestrial periods between albums (even with ones slightly less alien). The main point here and surely the one we're going to be dealing with more today is that, you could make a very powerful argument that you're far more likely to produce something REALLY GOOD (and REALLY BAD, to be fair) if you are active and not having these giant gaps between albums that we've been dealing with lately, in particular, around here (biggup Ras Shiloh, Qshan Deya' and Ras Indio) (Queen Omega as well).

Recent from Glen Washington

That overactive era is long gone and, most likely, it won't be coming back but there're certain individuals who are still striving and doing so in a way that shows that being active, again, just might bring something very powerful to listeners should they be paying attention. Of course I'm going to mention a current favourite, Norris Man (Chezidek would have been in this discussion a couple of years or so ago), the interesting I-Octane (whose new album, "God & I" (which is about a month old as of this writing) is SOLID. The one prior to it, "Dancehall Gift", was absolute trash), Bugle and I'm even going to mention Sizzla for a different reason as he's been dependable over the past few years to deliver a single project... but they've all been average at best. Still I'm hoping that he can give us one more big one before too long and him being active PRESUMABLY makes the chances of that happening (seriously, how can he not AT SOME POINT!). Someone else who definitely ranks within that pack in a very cool way is the truly esteemed Glen Washington who has been on a quiet ROLL as of late if you haven't been paying attention. 

Five years and a month ago, there was "I'm Livin Well" for Willie Lindo & Heavybeat. A couple of years on, Studio One re-released an album by the name of "Wandering Stranger". 2022 also saw Washington link up with Spider Ranks and co. at Love Injection Productions for the second time in five years (following 2017's solid "Time Of My Life" ["Oh yes, I've seen the writings on the wall. What I would like to see? Freedom and justice for all"]) for "Mr. Washington" (actually surprised he hadn't had an album with that title before 2022). The next year, he also reunited with the Zion I Kings for the first time since 2012's aptly named "Masterpiece", for a lovely EP by the name of "JAH Children" and just last year, the Clarendon native was back at work, this time with LTK20, on "Feeling Irie". Glen Washington is like anyone else, musically. He has his ups and downs. However, his style isn't one that is on the 'riskier' side of things AT ALL. He pretty much always sticks to what works for him: Singing love songs and Roots music. Because of that (and that wonderful voice), it is very rare that you will come across an actual MISS from the singer. If you are capable of appreciating his style (and woe unto you if you are not), chances are pretty good that you'll respond well to a very large percentage of his output. The exception to that most certainly DOES NOT come in 2025 with a brand new album from Glen Washington, "Just Giving Thanks". If being active is a good sign for labels as well (and how could it not be) then you'll be thrilled to know that the new set comes through Tad's Record. Tad's deserve their flowers! They've given the genre some OUTSTANDING material in their time and their style --heavily straightforward Reggae and Lover's Rock-- matches Washington's PERFECTLY! I, literally, would have a difficult time coming up with someone with whom he has never worked that I would prefer Glen Washington to make an album (Stingray would be another good one, but I'd still favour Tad's in that comparison). When I SAW who was working on "Just Giving Thanks", I was pleased. When I started taking a listen to some of the actual music... I had an idea that we may've been dealing with something better than the already GOOD, typical work from Glen Washington and, again, perhaps without him being as prolific as he has been lately, maybe we don't such a release from a nearly seventy year old Glen Washington. So, does it pan out? Is the new album as good as I thought it had a chance to be??? 

Yup. I got one right for a change! If you were anticipating any type of shift in focus from Glen Washington on this one (you have some SERIOUS issues!), no, you will not suddenly find him changing things up after almost half a century of making music on album #whoknowswhat for Tad's Records.... called "Just Giving Thanks". If, instead, you've come for more of what probably made you a fan of his RICH music in the first place, I can guarantee that you will not walk away from this one disappointed and you're probably going to think it one of his finest releases, certainly in recent times. Getting things going is a song that is otherwise very good but contains a very odd lyrical... misstep is what I'm going to call it, 'Sweet Loving and Affection'.

"All I need is your sweet loving and affection-

All over my lower mid-section".

HUH?! I'm going to presume Washington through that in for a bit of comical relief; to just lighten the mood a little (in which case, it isn't a misstep). It made me laugh! Apart from that, 'Sweet Loving and Affection' is a fine love song. It has a lovely vibes to it. It hits a bit off-center for a spot in two (which is always a nice twist on these tunes) and it is very well delivered. DUH! Next up is a fine song with a bad title, 'Love Will Never Run Away'. I know what you're thinking and you're right. I agree. Yes. That title is kinda sappy. The song named after it, however, is GORGEOUS and it isn't your stereotypical, straight up, love song either. It also has a very nice and jovial vibes to it which almost gives it the feel of a Gospel moment to a degree and you'll find yourself moving SOMETHING at some point during its four minutes, without a doubt! 'Better Than Before' is the first single from "Just Giving Thanks" (I THINK) and it's kind of a stranger choice, in my opinion, at least on the surface. I would think that classic track behind it swayed a few votes at Tad's but 'Better Than Before' is a little awkward and takes a bit of time to adjust to. No such a gestation period is necessary on the 'Goodness and Mercy' which follows. 'GOODNESS AND MERCY' IS A REALLY GOOD SONG. That's it! It was at this point where I started to get the feeling that "Just Giving Thanks" had something a bit extra to it and that sentiment continued to snowball on what is EASILY one of the album's finest, 'Heart Attack'. 

"Dis yah one will give dem heart attack

Trying to con mi and put mi off-track 

They bound to get a heart attack 

Saying bad things about me behind my back 

Dis yah one will give dem heart attack

They're going to be in for a great, big shock

The wicked gets a heart attack 

Judgment has come and the weak all flop 

So many men try to put me down

Put mi under the ground

But it's the love of my Father, that's keeping me around

The innocent people they slay everyday

But Jah goodness and mercy will fade dem all away!

Many may falter in the valley of decision

Others will lose their way, caught up in worldly confusion

BUT SUCH IS LIFE WHEN THE WORKS YOU DO IS BUILT IN STRIFE

Everyone's got to pay for the evil games that they play"

BOOM! Judgment is coming and if you are living nasty you will not like the side you fall on is the heart of 'Heart Attack' as Washington, in a very controlled and mature way, casts his version of flames to negativity on a cut of the always nice They Gonna Talk/Just Be Good Riddim. 

Despite its more than solid beginnings, "Just Giving Thanks" actually manages to rise noticeably higher in its middle portion, serving up several top tunes, including THE album's finest altogether in my opinion. The two love songs you'll find here, 'Loving You Forever' & 'Love Knows No Shame' (neither do titles. This is awful) (but it's a pretty good song) are decent, with the latter shining brightest between the two. 'Loving You Forever' is catchy, it's infectious and you will find yourself singing that chorus loooong after you've started listening to something else. For its part, 'Love Knows No Shame' has more of an ATMOSPHERE to it and it covers more ground than the stereotypical track of its kind. Then you check a song like 'Chant Them Down' and.... BOOM! What a BEAUTIFUL vibe this one creates. Take a really good love song and apply that same type of sound and pacing to a Roots song and you end up with is something that's probably A LOT like 'Chant Them Down'. 

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way and sorrows like sea billows roll

I GIVE THANKS AND PRAISES TO JAH EVERYDAY, FOR BLESSING AND CLEANSING MY SOUL

In my heart, in my mind, to the depths of my soul-

All the blessings of Jah will control 

Jah knoweth the ways righteous

THE WAYS OF THE WICKED IS LEFT IN THE COLD

Yes, we come to chant dem down

Wi come to burn wickedness from their mind

Rasta come to chant dem down

And in our hearts only Jah love we'll find"

There's a certain... frailty and vulnerability to his voice -- more than usual -- that's, literally, humbling to hear. It's how someone talks when they're emotional but in a good way (like that tremble that might be in your voice when you ask someone to marry you) and it makes for one AMAZING song! Yet, somehow there's an even better song on this album, which just happens to come in next, 'Oh, To Be Like H.I.M.'. You want to talk about something that is "humbling", you listen to this song. No. I mean it. Seriously. LISTEN TO THIS SONG! 

There exists someone else. This individual is SO great that THE GREATEST JOY OF MY ENTIRE LIFE is praising them. I have found nothing on this planet that makes me happier than praising His Majesty: That is what you get from 'Oh, To Be Like H.I.M.' and, on top of that, with that classic riddim behind it (which is also given its time to shine for the song's final minute or so), it is syrupy sweet and it is one of the best songs that I have ever heard from Glen Washington! Another outstanding piece of work that you will come across in the middle of "Just Giving Thanks" is the all sorts of interesting 'Square One'. 'Square One' is a song about revolution and progress and development and sparking change - all of those things ["When tyranny is law, revolution becomes the order"]. It's about improving yourself and your situation so that you can uplift yourself (and others). In that respect, it's easily amongst the deepest efforts on this album and one of the best, altogether, as well. Even though I should probably save it for the next paragraph, I'm also going to mention the towering 'Dreadlocks Conqueror' here (because, why not). "Just Giving Thanks" has hit full stride at THIS point. It is SOARING! The fact that there is any question about 'Dreadlocks Conqueror' NOT being its best song should probably tell you all you need to know about the quality here cause, TEARS! It's another praising track but it is equal part chill, jovial and just generally outstanding! 

"Just Giving Thanks" reaches its end via three more top notch selections which may go overlooked to some degree, but really do a great deal in solidifying in my appreciation of it. The first and, arguably, the strongest of the three is 'Seeking Jah Love' which sits perfectly right after the aforementioned 'Dreadlocks Conqueror' (...as do all three of these songs, actually) in terms of its direction and purpose. 

"I have gotten to the point of making a serious decision

If there's a bump in the road, Jah will help me to take me overload

Remember how we used to be when we were free

There were no pains, just peace and harmony

Now we're hurting ourselves

Hurting everybody else-

When we should really be seeking Jah love

We all should seek Jah love!

Now I have gotten to the point of making a conscious decision

As for me and my house, we'll give ises and praises to Jah

Remember how we used to be in Africa

We never bowed, we were artical African soldiers

Now we're playing ourselves

Hurting everybody else-

When we should be really seeking Jah love!"

I really enjoyed the way 'Seeking Jah Love' is structured -- with the "I have gotten to the point" phrase, basically being the punchline -- and it is wonderful seated in that old school riddim. Clearly Tad's understood what they had on their hands with this one as well as they also give it an extended playing to the tune of 'Seeking Jah Love' being the single longest track on this album by nearly twenty seconds. 'A Change Is Gonna Come' keeps the levels well high and taps a version of the durable Queen of The Minstrel Riddim to help it along. 'A Change Is Gonna Come' is, essentially, a social commentary with a spiritual core. It is also SUBLIMELY written, providing the album with one of its signature lyrical moments when Washington utters in this song centering around the idea of revolution:

"Very soon our sorrows will be over"

It is SO DAMN simple, yet so powerful and all-encompassing, really capturing an idea and a movement which seems bigger than this one tune. Finally (finishing this review a lot sooner than I thought I would) is 'Are You Ready', another highlight from "Just Giving Thanks". Another one with an almost Gospel-like feel to it (with a very distinguishable Reggae BOUNCE to it and I don't mean only in the riddim), 'Are You Ready' is just CANDY. Listening to it will make your ears (and probably the rest of you as well) feel good! Glen Washington is looking for some capable men and women who're ready to make a difference in the world for the positive. He's looking for people who can help in any way possible and by the end of a song that sounds like this I'm sure there will be no shortage of volunteers! 

Something that I thought was really interesting that I notice from scrutinizing this album for the sake of this review that I didn't notice from a more cursory listen is the way the album is vibed. What I mean is: Normally I'd say that Glen Washington's music sits somewhere between that of Beres Hammond and Luciano. "Just GIving Thanks" is farrr more Messenjah than Legendary Leather Hat. 

Overall, "Just Giving Thanks" is excellent. It is a very strong release and one which I'm thinking is not only going to satisfy the long and weathered listener but also be quite open and inviting for newer fans as well. I think that is a WONDERFUL quality that most of Washington's music possesses when he's at/near his best. This was just easy work for him. It was 'low hanging fruit' as Tad's Record serves up a bag of old riddims and Washington does what's expected of him throughout. Maybe it would have always been that case but with him touching so often these days, delightfully, it makes the presence of something especially potent even that much sweeter. "Just Giving Thanks" is the best Glen Washington album in over a dozen years.

Rated: 4.4/5

Tad's Record

2025