Soldiers: A review of Journey Of Gratitude by Abja

On foot. I guess, in some way, the case could be made that I am sitting writing and you are sitting

there reading, sorta/kinda because of Bob Marley? I would like to think that the word would have gotten out at some other point but... it didn't and a giant portion  of the credit for opening the door to the general popularity of the music is still given to Bob and deservedly so. That will likely always be the case and that's just fine. We would not be as RICH as we are without the work he did. Furthermore (and far more interesting than You (and most certainly) I) who knows who we would be listening to if Marley did not kick that door open and who knows how it would sound. If making this music wasn't something that could support someone to a certain level, despite the fact that I know that we have an extremely dedicated flock of vocalists and musicians, surely at least some of them would have found something else to do in order to pay the bills, at least hampering their musical activity, if nothing else. Fortunately, however, we aren't in that situation and the one with which we are faced is entirely more pleasant as, since the door was ajar (always did like that word) a (hopefully) never ending line of others have come through. Not only that but, of course, the vibes have traveled and we've seen similar 'micro' circumstances come through as well. For example.... I don't know... let's take a quick look at the Virgin Islands, for example. When I first started listening to Reggae from out of the VI, there were two very dominant entities which garnered the lion's share of the attention, initially. At least from the outside looking in, there were the Brothers Benjamin and Midnite and then there was Jalani Horton and Bambu Station. That's who GOT US.... they had help keeping us (and they're still getting "help"). Soon, there was also Dezarie (who, arguably, belongs in that first group), Pressure Busspipe, who probably served a similar role for people younger than me and then an extremely strong line of talents such as Ras Batch & Ras Attitude, Ras Army, Danny I, NiyoRah, Raffijah, Ickarus and the rest of the Star Lion Family (I may've named them all by now). There was Ikahba, Iba, I Grade Records, a guy named Willow (biggup Ancient King) Sabbattical Ahdah, Sistah Joyce and, later, the brilliant Reemah. There was just a devastating level of talent which, for the more attentive of listeners, had already produced so much powerful material available by the time we became aware that we'd become longtime fans of many of theirs as well, almost immediately (that was out of the ones I just named, definitely that applies to Batch, Attitude, NiyoRah, Danny I, Ancient King.... I should stop). And should you doubt the impact of these artists, feel free to check the tags on this same page (this is the third review I've written for a VI artist in 2025, alone). We LOVE them and for good reason.

2013

Another name that came to prominence as part of that Virgin Islands lot was someone else who we've talked about a bit over the years, Ras Abja. Chances may be pretty good that if you are familiar with the works of Abja that you came on board via one of his most well known releases (courtesy of the aforementioned I Grade Records), "Inna Red I Hour" & "Mahogany Road" from 2003 & 2006, respectively. I go back now and do background on Abja for this review and I notice just how delightfully received those two albums were. You'll find quite a bit of material online in regards to both at the time of their release which shows just how rooted the structure already was at that point, twenty years ago now (the same goes for Army and Batch as well) (Batch almost had this... almost mystical type of interest around him at the time, if I recall correctly. A combination of the word of mouth of the quality of his first two albums and the great difficulty that it took to find either one). Since then, the St. Croix native has had his hands in a few different projects, including at least a couple of albums, an EP and a relatively steady stream of singles for varrying maestros. We last dealt with his work way back in 2013 on his "Songs Fa Jah" album from Higher Bound Productions but, as of late, Abja has definitely been re-demanding a closer look and listen.

A large chunk of the credit owed for that is to be thrown in the direction of the suddenly flaming Trinity Farm Music (in association with Go A Chant Productions, of course). I'll spare you their credentials (because I'm probably writing another review for one of their other recent releases and I'll save it for that since it's a compilation), but if you've hung around here much recently (you poor, POOR thing) then you've surely seen us cover some of their work and may've also seen me allude to material Abja and TFM have done together as well. While that does include singles (some of which we're going to be discussing shortly), at the center was an actual album released earlier this year, "Journey Of Gratitude". Not too long ago, I wrote a review for another of Trinity Farm's releases, "Oath Of Akae" from the aforementioned Ancient King and it forced me (not really) (not at all) to take a closer look and listen to "Journey Of Gratitude" which was seemingly born out of a similarly curious set of circumstances. Like Ancient King, Abja had done a number of singles for Trinity Farm prior to the album's release and.... some of them would feature on the album and some would not. Even more interesting, perhaps, is that since "Journey Of Gratitude" landed he's done MORE work with the label as well. For me, that says that artist and label enjoyed one another's company and felt that their was a great deal of musical chemistry as well and, while I can't speak to the former, in listening to the output, I would firmly agree with the latter. Like Ancient King and many of the others I've named, Ras Abja makes a very straight forward brand of Roots Reggae in the musical sense. If you're looking for 'crossover' or something more 'accessible', you will do much better for yourself turning your head in virtually ANY other direction besides his. On top of that, his style, specifically, is one which is for more seasoned fans of the genre. Abja is a chanter - pure and simple. That's what he is and I would say he falls somewhere between the Ancient King and Vaughn Benjamin. You'll rarely hear the consistent level of aggression from Akae Beka that you will get from Abja but Abja also doesn't spend a great deal of time hanging out on that kind of torrid level where AK dwells. He's a little more reserved and his style works well for him as is apparent throughout "Journey Of Gratitude" which, coincidentally -- and like "Oath Of Akae" -- is also produced by Vaughn Benjamin.

If you go back to the "Songs Fa Jah" set, it kind runs congruently with this one as far as how it seems to have come to fruition. "Songs Fa Jah" came via one Higher Bound Productions and, during that very same year, the label would go on to release full albums from Akae Beka ["Free Indeed"], Ancient King ["Ethiopie"] and Army ["Dreadlocks Time"] ("Dreadlocks Time" was probably the best of the lot but, unsurprisingly, it's "Free Indeed" that stands out as the most popular) (album had 'Hemp Scroll' on it). So, as is the case for Trinity Farm, that album arose from the works of a delightfully active imprint delivery a new Abja album. Let's do this one in reverse: Trinity Farm Music's edition of an Abja album, "Journey Of Gratitude", actually ends with the tune for which it is named. Before we even get into the actual song, let's deal with the obvious: 'Journey of Gratitude' is just a great name! Left to my own thoughts to sort it out and I go to the direct thought of someone actually having to WORK and to DEVELOP to the point where they know how to be appreciative for what they have in life, which is all kinds of fascinating. Abja's take is a bit more broad, however (at least somewhat), as he presents "gratitude" and the display of gratitude as several different things. Abja's gratitude is humility (should be everyone's), HARD WORK, upful behaviour, intelligence and a few other things as well, beneath the umbrella of giving thanks to His Majesty. This is set atop an ultra simple and minimal riddim that I do not LOVE but does grow on you as you spin through it more and more. Abja also touches on the subject earlier on with 'Attitude of Gratitude'. In comparison to the title track, the riddim supporting this one is also very basic but this thing is BEAUTIFUL! 'Attitude of Gratitude', in general, is the stronger of the two as Abja delves deeper into the idea of gratitude, this time with an even more spiritually inclined reasoning and a song which is stronger, lyrically, than the already quite impressive 'Journey of Gratitude'. IN A SEMI-UNRELATED TWIST, Abja & TFM released a single back in January of this year by the name of 'Grateful For Life' which, oddly (as hell), does not appear on "Journey Of Gratitude" at all. It is an excellent song and you would have thought one that would have fit perfectly here (it would have) but, for some reason, it is missing. I kind of appreciate that on some level because it makes things seem like there was more of a plan that they refused to detour from and that everything you hear on the album was meant for it.... just thought you'd like to know. And because this paragraph isn't quite big enough, also check the other two efforts hanging out around the closer (told you we were going to reverse it today), 'Rasta Have Faith' & 'Brave For Life'. 'Rasta Have Faith' isn't at all what I was expecting in terms of vibe. It isn't this kind of laidback chant. It has some bite to it. The song is a plead to the masses to show some perseverance when times get hard and to keep faith in The Almighty. It does take a decidedly more social/tangible route at times and I was very impressed by 'Rasta Have Faith', in full. As for 'Brave For Life', this thing is in the stars somewhere. 'Brave For Life' was an unexpected praising tune and I don't think I've ever heard a song so categorically focused on thanking HIM for BRAVERY, such as this one. Abja, essentially, thanks His Majesty for the strength to get out of bed every morning and go about his daily works, in good times and bad ["Life bring such blinding things. Help me a sight. Help me see alright, that outta darkness comes a light"]. You won't get a tune leaping out at you with originality but, TRUST ME, it's in there and well worth the 'journey' to discover it.

This song is not on this album

While you won't find previous single 'Grateful For Life' on board, "Journey Of Gratitude" does get going with a pair of songs that you may've been familiar with prior to its release date. 'Behold The King', for once, is EXACTLY what you're supposing it is.

"Jah Hail The King

Behold HIM in His glory

As I trodding out Addis Aba' to cross to Awash, to hail Jah Rastafari, The King

Give us solace, oh Jah, in our time of suffering

Hear I when I wail and cry

Keep wi in Your bossom of splendour, oh Jah

Hail King Selassie I

I will praise His name in every song that I sing

Magnify His magnificent glory

Can hear the angels from afar, singing songs of The Emperor

Hail Jah Rastafari, THE KING

Long live The King

Behold HIM in his His glory"

Despite the fact that there is nothing really flashy or exceptional about 'Behold The King' on the surface, I am HOOKED on this tune and it's probably my second favourite on the album altogether (yes, there is one CLEARLY better). When you really tune it in, 'Behold The King' is downright flooring. 'By The Way' is something else in its own territory, playing by its own rules. Coming off as an almost... Gil Scott-Heron-esque Spoken Word piece, at times, 'By The Way' is a very powerful social commentary (I'm going to also call it a 'personal commentary') telling us not to focus too heavily on the ills of society as "Jah will find a way". The 'hole' on this one, however, goes very deep as it takes several MASTERFUL lyrical twists and turns, in its time making for, again, one of the legitimate highlights found here. 

With alllll of that being said, the highest ranking tune on "Journey Of Gratitude" is 'Chanting'. Blessed with another riddim saturated in a beautiful simplicity (more on that in a second), 'Chanting' is HEAVY and Abja takes the moment to its fullest through both straightforward and more complicated routes. On one hand is that beautiful basicness:

"Chanting is healing"

While on the other, Abja, once again, goes Spoken Word 

"Black is a divine cosmic principle of the universe

Since the very beginning, Blackness is fundamental, universal energy

DARK MATTER

Blackness, not darkness, is a receptor fi all colours and wavelengths in dimension of energy"

I mean... you drop something like THAT right in the middle of a tune and just keep on going. 'Chanting' is FIRE. It is literal FLAMES! Also should be mentioned that, at just south of five minutes in length, the tune is easily the longest on "Journey Of Gratitude" with the final minute or so going total instrumental as a STUNNING nice touch. As I said, though the riddim is very simple, when you hear it sans vocals, you begin to fully appreciate every little twist and turn in its sound and it also gives it more of a PRESENCE in my opinion as I can see Abja performing 'Chanting' in my head and when the riddim plays, he backs off and does exactly what I'm doing while hearing it: ENJOYING. I hesitate to call the riddim backing 'Majesty' "cute" or "adorable", but that's kind of what it is. It's just a delightful bounce and something tells me Abja would have agreed with me because 'Majesty' ends up going in so many different directions that it comes off as such a total vibe. It seems like he was just so pleased with the composition and he came up with something organically and spontaneously from the top of his head and what resulted was 'Majesty' and that's just fine! Lastly, Abja casts LOVE as far as he possibly can -- worldwide, dimension-wide -- with the DEEP 'Matuneta Luv Song'. This track is kind of Bluesy to my ears and it also comes off as slightly less planned out and orchestrated and more of an organic creation. Speaking of things organic: 'Matuneta Luv Song' is a celebration of life, of LOVE and of just a general level of positivity and it is a very solid addition to the album, particularly on  the sonic side.

Overall, although checking in at just nine tracks spread out over about thirty-seven minutes, "Journey Of Gratitude" is a fairly HEALTHY set. I don't listen to it and, as I often do, come away wishing there was more (well.... I do, but only because I want more of it and not because it feels incomplete which is what I mean here). It is exceptionally well done and a solid case could, perhaps, be made that it represents some of Abja's best work to date. On top of that, for those of us who're likely to appreciate such work (more hardened fans of the genre), you will LOVE much of the subtle music on display throughout "Journey Of Gratitude". I found myself often talking about how simple it was.... while nodding my head along with what I was hearing at the time. Trinity Farm Music continues their tear with an artist, in Abja, who, though maybe you originally learned of his name through searching the work of another, has shown himself to be an extremely talented artist. Want an example? Take a listen to "Journey Of Gratitude". 

Rated: 4.35/5

Trinity Farm Music/Go A Chant Productions

2025

What I'm Listening To: GODZILLA! GODZILLA! GODZILLA!

"Heart Is Willing" by Freddie McGregor [Jet Star - 2003]

Surely it had something to do with his impending new album, "True To My Roots", but I honestly couldn't tell you, AT ALL, what it was that specifically led me back to this random, thirteen-year-old release from the legendary Freddie McGregor, "Heart Is Willing". All but forgotten these days (unfortunately, like so many of the releases that Jet Star Records - which is terrible, because they did so much fine work in their time and are well missed), "Heart Is Willing" was a very, VERY solid which still glows a bit these days, in retrospect. Its brightest moment, without a doubt, was the colossal title track, but it was album which boasted such nice songs as the lovely 'Smile For Me', 'You Don't Have To Worry', 'Old Gangster' and others. A very pleasant and RELIABLE release and, just to let you know, I have a VERY good feeling about McGregor's new album and am well looking forward to it. Until then, this blast from the past is holding sublimely.

CD + Digital

'If This Isn't Love' by Jalena [Jalena - 2016]

There will always be room on my players for Achis Reggae favourite, Jalena, who recently returned with a brand new single, the Reggae-fied, 'If This Isn't Love'. Hopefully this is at the head of a new full project coming soon from the all kinds of delightful Tortola native, but on its own, as is her norm, 'If This Isn't Love' is a captivating and infectious drop from someone who I constantly make sure to check for and she never disappoints.

Digital

"Kush Tafari" by Ras Abja [Iaahden Sounds - 2015]

Check this more than solid EP release via Iaahden Sounds from late last year, "Kush Tafari", by outstanding VI veteran, Ras Abja. The last time we heard from Abja, in full form, was back in 2013 with "Songs Fa Jah", and while we'd LOVE a full followup, this five-tracked EP release was definitely something which did more than hold your attention. Of course, when you tap names such as Ancient King, Ras Attitude and Akae Beka to help you, you're likely, AT WORST, to do something relatively special. It was the combinations (particularly 'Black Lion' with Ancient King) which took top honours here, in my opinion, but all of the songs were very well done and a big credit goes to Iaahden who has already done some very big things and we hope they continue.

Digital

The Jah Army Riddim [Frankie Music - 2016]

And if you haven't already (shame, shame on you!), be nice to yourself and pick up the Jah Army Riddim from Frankie Music today.There was a single GIANT song on this riddim which put me on this track and, save for the last two things you'll see here (if we do this right), it has well been THE most prominent thing I've been listening to recently. That song, 'Just Another Spliff' came via the great Lutan Fyah and... TEARS! The man speaks on using the herb as a method of escape the hardships of life and as a mental upliftment for the masses and does it in a VINTAGE fashion over what is, to their credit, a cavity causing backfrop from Frankie Music. Joining the Fyah on the vocals weren't the biggest of names in Feluke, Torch, Raging Fyah, Chevaughn and Mackeehan, but they all turned in fine efforts and I struggle to pick a favourite amongst them (though if you REALLY pressed me, I'd probably say Feluke with 'Soul Alive' [TEARS!]).

Digital

"Everlasting" by Raging Fyah [VP Records - 2016]

Biggup Bredz for not only insisting that I take a listen to "Everlasting", the latest release from the Raging Fyah band, but then (clearly in order to make sure that I had done so), CONSTANTLY wanting to talk about it. It finally worked, he wore me down and as usual... he was right (please don't tell him I said that). I'm still working on this one, but the early returns have a... very interesting aura or smell about them (I'm trying not to say 'album of the year', but I'm struggling with that). "Everlasting" is BEAUTIFUL! Thirteen tracks span just over fifty minutes of music and not a single second is wasted and, instead, is made great usage of, especially at moments such as 'Get Up', 'Wondering', 'Live Your Life', the MAMMOTH 'Ready For Love' and several others (pretty much the entire album). J Boog, Jesse Royal and Busy Signal (twice) lend a hand on an album I'm sure that Steel Pulse would approve of and so would all of their fans. NOT TO BE MISSED!

CD [in a minute] + Digital

"Way Up Project" [Bass Ink Productions/Fox Fuse - 2016]

I mention the entire project because... I dont know why, exactly, I just do. And definitely biggup the likes of Lil Rick, Shanta Prince, Joaquin Brewster and even Skinny Fabulous whose tune on the riddim, 'Pompous', isn't present on this release (more on him in a minute, anyway) for some reason or another - they all do fine work (Brewster's tune, 'Home' - PROBLEMS!). HOWEVER, with that being said, the Way Up Project from Bass Ink Productions and spread out by the indomitable Fox Fuse, carries a song which I've tried unsuccessfully to get out of my head for a month or so now, 'ID [Stamp Yuh Name]' by the fire breathing Ricardo Drue. Drue has been on a tear for the last two or three years or so, making music as good as anyone in Soca in my opinion and, with respect to 'Vagabond' (and its truly ridiculous remix), this is probably my new favourite Ricardo Drue song. 

"SO RIGHT NOW, LET'S DO SOMETHING THEY'LL REMEMBER! [THEY'LL REMEMBER!]

Digiital [in a minute]

'Godzilla' by Skinny Fabulous [Stadic Studio Productions & Wetty Beatz - 2016]

Lastly, each and every year when it comes to Soca music, one of the things I look forward to the most is what St. Vincent dragon, Skinny Fabulous, will pop up with, particularly when it comes to the powerful and ANGRY brand of the music. His latest release, 'Godzilla' took a little while, but it has TURNED UP in my mind and I cannot shut it down! If you have some frustration and some steam to let go, 2016 probably hasn't done more for you than it does with Skinny's truly MADDENING latest drop (which should, once again, absolutely lay Victoria Park to ruins in a few weeks). RIDICULOUS!

Digital [eventually... I guess]

'Tuning In': A review "Songs Fa Jah" by Abja

More really good ideas. If you've been taking notes of who, exactly, has been having a good 2013 then, at least as far as labels go, surely at the top of your list has to be Higher Bound Productions. I find myself speaking about them quite constantly and I am delighted to do so because they continue to give me actual, good reasons (and not regular 'I'm easily excited' ones) to do so and have done so unlike anyone else in Reggae music to my knowledge in the past three months and a week or so. And while more big names are surely on their way, any of them will have to do a seriously impressive amount of work over the next nine months to unseat HBP. They have been fantastic and have done great things, particularly for more studious fans of the music. Previously, we've dealt with "Free Indeed", the label's new (and very popular) album from Midnite, then there was "Ethiopie" from the fiery Ancient King and most recently (even though it was actually officially released after the album I'm going to tell you about today) there was Army's invading "Dredlocks Time" which was, to my opinion, the best of the lot. If you just take a look at that and those names, it is very interesting. Of course Midnite is wildly popular and may just have the most intensely devoted fan base in all of Reggae currently, but I do not think that you'll find too many people who're fans of Midnite, but are not Reggae fans, in general. In fact, I would probably go as far as to say that most people who were very interested in "Free Indeed" were also paying attention, in some form, to the other two as well. Army is also very well known, but he hadn't had an album in five years and, essentially, "Dredlocks Time" has just been released -- as of this writing it's about a week old or so -- so we don't know, but I would also say that most fans picking that album up are very heavy fans of the genre. And I don't even know if I should have to say it in terms of Ancient King (although, clearly, I'm about to do it anyway). Probably 100% of the people who bought "Ethiopie", also got a copy of the other two releases as well. So what Higher Bound has been up to hasn't been a method of pushing the music a more commercial and 'mainstream' direction. Instead, they have been FEEDING great music to people who really love Reggae music such as You and I. And with the fourth of there other release of the first quarter of 2013, nothing has changed as they tap longtime Virgin Islands veteran chanter, Abja. 

Also from Higher Bound Productions [2013]

They're also doing something very nice for me. Abja is one of those artists who I always make it a point to go back and REALLY listen to, but in terms of how I like to dig into albums, I've yet to actually do so until now. So if someone were to... Oh maybe put out a new Abja album, that is something that I'd potentially be very interested in. Previously, as was the case with Army, Midnite and Ancient King, Abja did a great deal of his work for I Grade Records. That fantastic label (who has been on a stretch of genius of their own over the past three years or so) released both of his previous albums, "Inna Red I Hour" from 2003, which I have listened to a bit and should probably review someday, and “Mahogany Road" from three years later (which I have been told is significantly better than its predecessor). Abja also appeared on one of the best albums I've ever heard, "One Atonement" by Yahadanai, which was also from I Grade Records. I wouldn't even be very surprised to see him make another set for IGR in the future at some point, but in 2013, the Cruzan chanter is singing songs with Higher Bound Productions and he's also singing "Songs Fa Jah". 

"Inna Red I Hour" [2003] & "Mahogany Road" [2006]

The album becomes Abja's very first in seven years and, personally, it has been something I was very much looking forward to hearing. Besides being in good company, as I said, I've been trying to get more into his music because he's worked alongside far too many people whose work I do so much enjoy and his style, although somewhat different, isn't so far in some other direction that I wouldn't, theoretically, like his sound as well. That "style", actually, is extremely straight forward. I'll refer to him as a chanter and that is precisely what Abja is in the purest sense of the word. Trying to liken his style to someone - I would say that Abja is a far more emotive version of someone like a Jah Rubal. If you know Rubal's sound, you know just how it seems that he has a task to perform with every tune and every verse and you cannot break his concentration until he has done what he has come to do. Abja has that as well, but he is a bit more melodically conscious and concerned. Also, obviously Abja wouldn't fit too far away from the realm of sounds coming from people like the aforementioned Ancient King and Xkaliba and Volcano and others from the VI scene who have more of a clear-cut and uncomplicated approach to making music. The two areas in which I would say that Abja differs from his peers is lyrically and his ability to change the pace of a song. "Fiery" is a word which will likely describe Ancient King, Volcano and Jah Rubal for as long as they are musicians. It's just a part of their style and probably a part which they will never abandon. Abja, on the other hand, can be fiery or he can use a bit more finesse (and kind of sings at points) to get his point across and the result of that is an album which is very versatile and multifaceted superficially. Even before you get into the lyrics, you know you have something which was really carefully and skillfully created. And as a writer, while I'm not going to say that he's significantly better than any of them, Abja definitely has his very own clever approach which works throughout his new album. Let's discuss.  

I have to give even more (biggup Army) credit to Higher Bound Productions for making these four albums and have a unique sound for each one. We've seen such things happen in the past, with labels coming up and releasing so many albums in a relatively short period of time, but what you notice in those cases (such as what In The Streetz did a few years back and definitely Drop Di Bass) is basically a producer having a variety of vocalists on the same cache of tracks and then assembling albums with the songs. That doesn't seem to be what happened here at all. Also, I should mention that taking an official credit are the Lions Of Kush, which I believe is Abja's group, as well as Natural Vibes, who I don't think we've heard from in a minute, but previously released albums from the both aforementioned Midnite and Jah Rubal. Getting us started on Abja's latest set, “Songs Fa Jah" via Higher Bound Productions is one of the album's standouts, 'Rights To Be'. As the title of the album would suggest, there're more than a couple praising songs on this album (you could well call it a praising album, actually) and 'Rights To Be' is definitely one of the most impacting to my opinion, is a lovely song and is packed with a whole heap of knowledge as well, so pay a careful amount of attention to what is being said here. Next we have a piece which follows the set course very much in 'Hail Jah'. Speaking of knowledge, the album's second tune is saturated in it. It isn't necessarily the most dynamic of offerings (although you could call it some type of hypnotic, because I love that riddim behind it), so the real point of concentration her is what is being said as Abja delivers one of the most impressive lyrical efforts on the whole of "Songs Fa Jah" ["Hail Jah, praise His Majesty. No more blank spaces in wi history"]. And rounding out the opening lot of tracks for the record is the very BRIGHT 'Hold I Joy'. 

"Why dem try conquer and divide?

Put wi inna barrel and watch wi bleed through wi eye

Hail His Majesty and tell dem Jah Jah will provide

Steady as wi ride don't make di boat capsize, no

Said I hold I joy

I said I hold I joy 

Said I hold I joy

Hail King Selassie I

Give ises and praise as wi humble and chant

Love to si di Rasta children dem surround inna dance

Rise up, free yah livity each and every chance

Hear di rebel forces start to advance

Do good in spite of evil

You si di evil signs facing us

Fi Jah Jah guide wi trust

More vibes, less lust

Bun di greed, envious -

Every chance that I touch"

Although it would take a few spins to grow on me, when it finally did, 'Hold I Joy' quickly became one of my favourites here as Abja, very basically, tells all to at least try to be happier. What didn't take a bit of time to grow on me, on the other hand, was the lovely way in which this song ends - with more than a minute of nothing but that riddim playing which is always an excellent touch, particularly here. 

As I said, I think that a fair and accurate way of describing "Songs Fa Jah" would be to call it, as its title would tell you, an album giving praise. However, in saying that it is also important to make it known that, not in any way is this album a mundane one. It certainly has its moments. Along with 'Hold I Joy', check a songs such as the title track, which is my absolute favourite song on the entire project. This piece has more of a softer feel to it and perfectly captures what I meant when I said that Abja can use a bit more finesse at times to make his point. Along with that it also has somewhat of a FEATURE feel to it and certainly that has something to do with it being the obvious main attraction here, but in its actual sound as well, there is something of a 'star quality' possessed here as well and it didn't take too long to grab my attention and then keep it. Also ranking highly here is the song which chases the title track, 'Jah Love Surround'.

"Look what Jah put in the sky tonight

Jah moon

Jah stars

And Jah clouds

Di moon rays shine so bright

Yes I know, I know Jah love surrounds

Give thanks to Rastafari

For everything HE gave me

The right to Love Jah and live in peace

Give thanks to Rastafari

For everything HE gave me

Yes I know, I know Jah love surrounds

Do you know where you going?

And did Jah send you to this place that you have found?

Blessed be di one ah put his trust all in Jah Jah

CRUISE THE KING'S HIGHWAY TO JAH KINGDOM"

BOOM! As one of the more straight forward moments on "Songs Fa Jah", what 'Jah Love Surround' make lack in the category of "spectacular", it more than makes up for by just being such a SOLID and thoroughly enjoyable selection and one with a grand significance (and you cannot tell me that the beginning of that tune does not sound at least a little like both 'Hemp Scroll' from Midnite and 'Legalize It' by Peter Tosh) ["right now how they want it is with total control"] [WHAT!] [BOOM!]. Even stronger is the earlier effort, the very clever and somewhat old-school-ish (that really should be an actual word), 'To De Ground' which, again, is a song giving praise to The Almighty, but it does so in a very unique and original manner. Here, Abja wonderfully makes the point that to give praise is not only, inherently, a great experience, but it is also a HUMBLING one - to recognize something and someone who is always greater than you are. This is well one of those songs with which I could have so much fun in analyzing and going over (and I probably will), as it is fully brimming with discussable moments. The uncomplicated but wholly GORGEOUS 'Jah Judge' is a stellar composition as well, as is the closer of "Songs Fa Jah", 'Care Too'. With a title like that I was well interesting in hearing what was the message behind 'Care Too' and I wasn't at all disappointed. 

"Won't you - care too

Love and care for someone other than your greed

Your filthy ego you feed

Won't you - care too 

Love and care for someone other than your greed

Your filthy ego you feed"

As he does with several other songs here, on 'Care Too' Abja takes more of a social approach in his writing and the result is one fully focused and all-encompassing piece which is not to be missed.

Rounding out the album is a fine quintet of tunes which provide for a nice 'body' of "Songs Fa Jah”. The first, 'Praisin Jah', is also one of the best. This track has a nice but very subtle edge to it that I wasn't hearing at all until a few spins through. Also, it is another one which carries a substantial social aim which is very lyrical in this instance. There's 'Kushite' which isn't very far behind 'Praisin Jah' (literally - it's two songs on) and appears to be a quite personal tune for Abja and later the strong 'Raw Deal' which is probably the best of this group in my opinion.

"What a youthman travesty 

Children all over the world born in poverty

Insensitive to their own humanity

Tell me how di youth dem gonna grow

Times hard pon di boulevard

Times even harder pon di ranch island farm

Bureaucrats acting like nothing ah gwan

And the massive act like they don't know

Raw deal for the future Nubians-

That's fighting for a chance to grow

More love for Jah and fear of HIM -

For he'll show you which way to go

Raw deal for the future Nubians-

That's fighting for a chance to grow

More love for Jah and fear of HIM -

For he'll show you which way to go"

'Raw Deal' speaks, very originally, about how the world has, presumably, gotten so bad that we are not really giving the younger people much to work with and they're virtually starting at a great disadvantage from older generations. 'All Praises', and its excellent riddim, are another big THANK YOU from this album which makes it its most salient of purposes to give thanks. 

Overall, I do have to say that for my very first time dealing with an Abja album like this - I'm impressed. Particularly I'm now extremely interested in the way he writes. If you look at the titles of these songs, with a couple of suggestions, there's nothing which really stands out as far as being foreign to the genre, but he has a way of individualizing every song and making them in a way which, as I said, is far from mundane and generic. To my ears that has a lot to do with the fact that Abja's songs all have a point and I'll say that in the cases of people like Macka B and Tanya Stephens (who he sounds absolutely nothing like in either example) and I now have to put him into that category as well because "Songs Fa Jah" is an album which is pillared on good writing. Along with some excellent backing tracks and a fine presentation, it proves to be not only a winner for now, but an album which made me happy that I finally listened to Abja. Well done and I'm looking forward to his other work as well. 

Rated: 4/5

Higher Bound Productions

2013

CD + Digital

Review #430