Signatures Vol. X11: Reggae Random

Okay so, I was working on a few ideas for what would be next on the Signature series (it is EASILY one of the most enjoyable things that I write as it, primarily, involves me going through a lot of old music that I really, REALLY love) and I had some good ones. While I'll tell you about a couple of the others in the notes for this (right down there ↓ in small print) the one I'm going on today is probably the most fun and less stressful to write. Today we get random: HERE ARE FIFTEEN RANDOM SONGS THAT I ABSOLUTELY LOVE. Signatures: Reggae Random

{Note: The only rule is that no one artist would be repeated}

{Note 2: If it works out right, there'll also be Dancehall & Soca versions}

{Coming soon: Bushman, Vybz Kartel & Destra}

[BOOM!}

1. 'King Selassie H.I.M.' by Tarrus Riley

Never before. I spend a great deal of time talking about people like Norris Man, Chezidek and others: UNCONVENTIONAL TALENTS. These are individuals who offer a very different style but one which is largely effective and downright stunning when at its best. However, with that being said, there is definitely room for.... refinement. "Refinement" would be someone like Tarrus Riley. If someone had a sound signifying that they had no greater purpose on this planet than to sing this music, it would be Riley and, arguably, the single greatest demonstration of this  EN skill would be in one of the best songs I have ever heard, 'King Selassie H.I.M.'. TEAR! You're likely to find similarly organized songs throughout this list (I know at least one because I've already written it) but you'll have a damn near impossible task in locating one -- on or off this list -- which was as PRISTINE & FLAWLESS as this diamond of a praise. 

2. 'I Have My Goals' by Anthem

Wicked ahgo fall. You remember this song??? Chances may be fairly high that, if you ever were familiar with a band (which may or may not still exist) by the name of Anthem from out of who knows where, you probably do remember 'I Have My Goals' over everything else they've done. I don't know if they still exist and, if they do, under what form. I don't recall where they were from (I want to say Connecticut, US for some reason) but full credit goes to the band for blessing us all with this SWEET uplifting and inspirational piece from many years ago now. Take a listen. 

3. 'Health & Strength' by Warrior King

My Father's work. My Father's work. TEARS! I can safely say at this point that I missed on Warrior King. He's made some fine music  but, to be honest, I expected him to enter a level of the music that he has not and, almost surely at this point, never will. A lot of those very high expectations were built upon the work that would go into his 2002 debut album, "Virtuous Woman" (I have a signed copy of that album around here somewhere and the second one too). While the title track there remains his biggest hit to date (unless I'm REALLY forgetting about something) what his actual BEST SONG has been is of even less question (and, in retrospect, that album had some SERIOUS songs on it alongside 'Virtuous Woman'. 'Never Go Where Pagans Go', 'Breath Of Fresh Air' ["ANYWHERE THERE'S LIFE, YOU KNOW MY PEOPLE WILL BE THERE!"], 'Love Jah and Live', 'Empress So Divine', 'JAH IS ALWAYS THERE'.... and I could go on and on) ('Rough Road', 'It's Been Awhile'). Song #14 on "Virtuous Woman" is the mighty 'Health & Strength' and that song, for me at least, puts "virtually" everything that Warrior King does well at its optimum. It is melodic and beautiful to hear and it also carries a high level of substance to it as well; this time combining the enjoyment of the lovely things the world has to offer with a sense of hard work and accomplishment. I don't find myself looking up much of WK's output these days which is too bad and that's too bad because of the skyscraper of talent this man has as is crystal clear by a song like 'Health & Strength'. 

4. 'Before I Lose My Strength' by Akae Beka

All for The Most High, Jah. Here's an interesting one. On the very first edition of this series, we featured Akae Beka and there were several REALLY difficult choices in tunes that I cut off from the final list (to the point where I may, someday, make a vol. 2 for Akae Beka, specifically, and it wouldn't be difficult filling with another 12-15 songs). One selection was DEFINITELY 'Before I Lose My Strength' from the "Jah Grid" album. I can distinctly recall hearing this song (and most of that album) at a stage in my life where the music of Akae Beka (then Midnite) was almost entirely lost on me and the contrast of what I hear these days is absolutely ridiculous. "Jah Grid" is a borderline Modern Classic in my opinion and its finest offering, 'Enter' was on the aforementioned Signatures: Akae Beka post. Its second best?? That honour is up for debate but it settles at the glorious 'Before I Lose My Strength'. Something that I think is unintentionally beautiful about this song has stuck with me: It is delivered in a way (that may, actually, make it one of the best SANG songs that Vaughn Benjamin has ever done. That was never a specialty of his) that directly coincides with its direction. Benjamin sounds... kind of tired, doesn't it? He sounds like a man who has given almost every last drop of effort that he has in his body and before that final spill has been exhausted -- before he is at THE end of his line -- he has something to say. 

"Before I lose my strength-

All of my breath, OH JAH

A joyful song, I sing

Today & tomorrow"

5. 'On My Way To Zion' by Turbulence

Seeking The Conquering Lion. I definitely considered doing a full Signatures feature on Turbulence but the slightest bit if you want to know the signatures of Turbulence's career,  just dig up the "Rising" album and you'll probably be about 80-85% of the way there. One of the exceptions is, arguably, the single greatest tune he's ever done in my opinion, the absolutely STUNNING 'On My Way To Zion'. If ever you've had the fortune of seeing him perform this tune live (and I have) you'll know just how much you can actually FEEL this song but even the studio version of it does a fine job in capturing its presence. I've definitely had my issues with Turbulence's output over the.... best of the last decade and a half or so (and probably longer than that) but, here, he put on a downright ROYAL performance; one befitting The King.

6. 'Black Coffee' by Anthony B

No sugar. No cream. The perhaps surprising standout from the self-prouduced 2001 VP released "That's Life" set, 'Black Coffee' was an absolutely GORGEOUS and SMOOTH tune giving praise and honour to the beautiful Black women of the planet ["Here's my token of appreciation"] from the great Anthony B. For as popular as he is (for good reason), coming across compilations of Anthony B's work isn't the most difficult thing but you probably won't find this true gem of a tune that has largely gone forgotten. That is most unfortunate because it easily ranks amongst the finest love songs of his storied career.

"BLACK COFFEE, NO SUGAR, NO CREAM!

BLACK WOMAN MI A DI KING, YOU A DI QUEEN!"

7. 'Ganja Farmer' by Marlon Asher

Stinkin rocket launcher. Undeniably one of the finest ganja tunes in the history of the music, Marlon Asher left an impact on Reggae music over twenty years ago when he dropped 'Ganja Farmer' which can still be felt to this very day (typically I say it doesn't seem THAT long ago, 'Ganja Farmer' does seem twenty years old at this point). A strong case could also be made that it is the single biggest tune Trinidad Reggae has ever produced (and there're a few strong candidates but it is definitely in the conversation) and that has an even greater reach; it probably helped a number of Asher's peers get their foot in the proverbial door and who knows who we're listening to TODAY that we may not have been exposed to were it not for this tune. And as for this tune... 'Ganja Farmer', as effortlessly as possible, burned a giant hole in the minds of anyone lucky enough to get a taste of it, courtesy of a rocket launcher. 

8. 'Rub-A-Dub Market' by Luciano

Living legend. You come to expect certain things from certain people and when they kind of break that level of expectation and confidence, the results typically aren't very good...  but that isn't always the case. When 'Jah Messenjah', the great Luciano, broke the norm with the title track from his remarkable 2011 album for Irievibrations it was wholly unexpected but NOT AT ALL unwarranted. The man has (and had even fifteen years ago) attained a level of respect and accomplishment in Reggae music that is beyond reproach. We all knew that at the time but he'd never really expressed that, musically, until 'Rub-A-Dub Market'. 

"THEM KNOW THAT PAPA LUCI IS A LIVING LEGEND"

His place already secured, Luciano would even take a next step and criticize some of his less storied peers who are not willing to work but full want to reign.

"DEM AH GWAN LIKE DEM A DI ROOT BUT DEM A DI BRANCH AND STEM"

The tune was spicy, out of the norm and a gorgeous highlight within Luciano's LOADED catalogue.

9. 'Upper Room' featuring Empress Cherisse by Anchants

No need to wonder. I don't remember much these days about Empress Cherisse and the band Anchants. I THINK she was from Trinidad but I don't remember where they were based out of by the time they sent out their 2003 project, "Merkaba". I may've lost the stories of their origins but I do know that, barring some type of dementia, I'm not going to forget their actual work because one of the songs carried by "Merkaba", 'Upper Room', has been a personal favourite of mine from the very second that I laid ears on it. 'Upper Room' is... hypnotic. It is a.... CAREFUL EUPHORIA almost reminiscent of something you get from an ultra-tuned in Dezarie and I have gleefully lost myself in it. The biblically armed track is one with at least one foot on terra firma as, in a very relatable way, Cherisse tells us that there're many things that are questionable -- literally an endless line of them -- but there is something or SOMEONE who is above it and there is no need AT ALL to wonder about HIM. 

10. 'God Bless' by Junior Kelly

Anointed & Appointed. Buried on a long forgotten (but SPICY) album from nearly a quarter-century ago by the name of "Conscious Voice" is simply one of the single greatest songs I have ever heard from anyone, Junior Kelly's DAZZLING 'God Bless'. For anyone who has this kind of rigid archetype of what Roots music is, I'd point you in the direction of this most malleable giant. 'God Bless' had its purpose and it served it. Before we get lost in the stars, the track also deserves a giant lyrical credit as well:

"Yeah, though I walk through the Valley of Death, I man will never fret

Cause Jah is by my side and HIM ah guide mi footstep

Stood firm inna mi faith

Cause Jah is very great

So why you choose to fight man and don't appreciate?-

The vibes a weh mi fling, uplift mi race and thing

BADMINDED PEOPLE DEM DON'T WORTH A THING CUZ-

They would like to see you wear a frown everyday

They would like you throw your dreams all away!

But I'm anointed and appointed by Jah

Dem ahgo fi si mi face on ya!"

With that covered... LISTEN TO THIS THING! 'God Bless' sounds GORGEOUS. It's never failed to put a smile on my face in the last twenty-three years and, apparently, Kelly knew precisely what he had on his hands because he literally observes the moment:

"CAUSE A WI GOT THE GIFT FI MAKE HEADS ROCK AND SHIFT"

Yes, sir. Yes, you do. 

11. 'Volume Of The Book' by Ras Shiloh

The whole earth shook. Veteran vocalist Ras Shiloh is probably best known for two things: The first is his massive hit, 'Are You Satisfied', while the second is the similarity of his voice to the legendary Garnet Silk and that's just fine. I would argue that the single best song that he's ever made (even over 'Are You Satisfied'), is the literally inch-perfect 'Volume Of The Book', which appeared on his 2007 Bobby Digital produced set, "Coming Home", for VP Records. I'll put it to you like this: Shiloh is known, as I said, for being very similar, vocally, to Garnet Silk - if 'Volume Of The Book' were placed somewhere in the catalogue of Silk, it would still rank very highly in my opinion. There're songs that I like more than 'Volume Of The Book' in which I will acknowledge the existence of certain flaws which may even add to their appeal but that isn't the case here. If such a thing is possible: 'Volume Of The Book' was PERFECT. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with it. 

12. 'I Wanna Go Home' by Alborosie

Island in the sun. I am not a fan of Alborosie's. I never have been and I almost certainly will never be. For some reason, his brand of music has just never appealed to me and though, once upon a time, I definitely did give it a shot I can honestly say that I haven't listened to much of his work, period. Something new coming from Alborosie will likely not get much of my attention. HOWEVER, with that being said there is one exception to all of this within Albo's catalogue, the complete and utter JEWEL that was 'I Wanna Go Home'. The song was just so easy and it was one of those magical times when the vibes of the tune so perfectly match the actual nature and focus of what is going on, lyrically. I wouldn't be surprised if I never found another Alborosie tune that I even kind of like but a big for 'I Wanna Go Home', he has earned and will always have my respect.

13. '50 Push Up' by Spectacular

Hundred skip. I'm probably more open on the heels of his wicked latest release, "Stay Up", from last year but that album didn't represent the first stroke of genius made by the scathing Spectacular. Way back in 2005, the Kingston native served up his debut set, "Find Yourself" and the lasting track from it maintains its STRENGTH to this very day. '50 Push Up' was a song stressing HEALTH & FITNESS of the highest caliber. You're well familiar with Roots music singing about the importance of keeping one's soul and mind in-shape by focusing on the proper things and, of course, praising His Majesty. You'll also hear the occasional offering talking about things such as living a more natural life and putting healthy things into your body. All the more rare is what '50 Push Up' does (as its title DIRECTLY suggests).... it's still necessary for you to break a sweat sometimes to keep your body in shape and to build muscle. There's a certain simplicity to this one, beneath everything, that really helps it along and made it a favourite of mine. Time to get off your ass and do some work!

14. 'From The Beginning' by Lyricson

The powers to sing. Though I may've (I did) beat up on Lyricson's most recent album, "African Dream", I actually did so because I've been witness to the mountain of talent on which he rests his head when at his best (and he's had an EP since then called "Zodiak Vol. 2", I didn't love that one either). Demonstrated amongst his earlier work on albums such as "Keep The Faith", "Born 2 Go High" and "Messages", the incredibly gifted Guinea born vocalist's  talent can be amongst some of the very best in the entire genre when steered properly and WITHOUT A DOUBT the best example of this would come on that "Messages" set from 2012, 'From The Beginning'. WITHOUT QUESTION, 'From The Beginning' is the single best piece of music that I have EVER heard from Lyricson (there exists a chance that he's made something that I haven't heard that I would rank higher but I HIGHLY doubt it) and you could drop it into the catalogue of a handful of others with more storied careers and that would still be the case. 'From The Beginning' was FLAWLESS. 

15. 'Manifess Joy' by Arkaingelle

JOOOOOOOOOY! I may have bad news for you, if this song does not bring a smile to your face. I regret to inform you that your ability to smile is GONE! It's found something else to do with its time and it's spending most of its time at someone else's house. For the rest of us, however, the Arkaingelle THRILLED! I've spent nearly twenty years singing the praises of the SWEET 'Manifess Joy' and with good reason: It's simply one of the best songs that I have ever heard... with no qualification at all (not one of the best from Arkaingelle, from Guyana or during a certain time period. IT IS ONE OF THE BEST SONGS THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD!). I should also do something that I'm not sure that I've ever done and give credit to a beautiful background singer who almost serves as a duet partner as much as a backing vocalist (...and may just be Malika Madremana).