Okay so, not too long ago, we told you about the excellent new compilation from the delightfully (and perhaps even over-) active folks at Trinity Farm Music, "Heart Of One". That wonderful set officially released on the 23rd of July and in the couple of months since then, TFM has already released THREE MORE projects, including one just today and I thought I'd tell you about all three of them..... because I haven't finished my review (of an album by an artist who featured on "Heart Of One"). Let's get on it!
'Golden Globe' by Jah Rubal
Constantly appearing on Trinity Farm's releases, it should come to the surprise of absolutely no one that the characteristically frenetic Jah Rubal also recently dropped a new tune on the label, 'Golden Globe'. You almost get the feeling that Rubal enters some state of hypnosis when he makes music (not completely unlike the third vocalist here) and you'd also wonder exactly how much of what he does is actually written, versus how much of it is improvised to some degree. I would think 'Golden Globe' falls more heavily towards the latter but, in either case, it is a good tune. Also, in case you haven't notice: USUALLY Jah Rubal finds some type of a melody in his music and this is a good example of that. To no one's standard besides his own, 'Golden Globe' is pretty 'easy listening' from Jah Rubal and, again, very nice work in general.
'Works Fa Jah' by Isayah
That of Isayah's was one of the most compelling performances on the whole of the aforementioned "Heart Of One" between a pair of offerings that he had there and I was well looking forward to hearing more from him with Trinity Farm.... and it didn't take very long at all. Things have remained the same on 'Workz Fa Jah', which is GORGEOUS! There's a point in this tune where things just level up and Isayah hits a peak of focus for a downright STUNNING stretch of music.
"All the works for Jah for The Most High One
Alla the works for Jah with good intention
Alla the works for make I & I strong, right over wrong
Alla the works for break down the walls of babylon
Alla the works for Jah, hail HIS creation"
Probably the best song on this post and... if TFM wanted to put together a full album for Isayah at some point, you'd get not a single complaint out of me.
'Whole World In His Hands' by Ancient King
Finally, released today (like a few hours ago at this time), is the latest collaboration between TFM and the most dedicated Ancient King, 'Whole World In His Hnads'. Back in May, there was the lovely album, "Oath Of Akae", produced by Vaughn Benjamin for the label and this tune is the just the latest piece of work between artist and label and it is CLEARLY up to set quality. The tune is standard fare from what you're going to get from Ancient King:
"Dem build bunker and go hide it underground
DEM GO FOOL DEMSELF TO INFINITY, THINK DEM CAN HIDE"
It is ultra dedicated, kinda messy (and I mean that in a good way) and exactly what we've come to expect from Ancient King as he gives top honours to THE King. For me, 'Whole World In His Hands' represents some of the strongest recent work from Ancient King and, hopefully, we get another album for Trinity Farm at some point in the future.
Okay so, something a bit peculiar occurred to me a week or two ago while I was looking through upcoming releases.... actually that's wrong: What it did was to reinforce something that I'd noticed previously as being some rather strange behaviour.
A month ago (almost exactly to the day), we told you about "Oath Of Akae", the big new album from VI veteran chanter, Ancient King. That album came through Trinity Farm Music & Go A Chant Productions, who work together frequently (and may actually be the same group, who knows). Here's the most interesting part. If you've followed Ancient King's releases over the past couple of years or so, you may've noticed that he's released a couple of singles for GAC, exclusively, NONE OF WHICH appeared on "Oath Of Akae". Going back to 2023, there was a solid combination with Abja, 'Frankincense'.
Not only did 'Frankincense' miss "Oath Of Akae", but it also did not feature on "Journey Of Gratitude", Abja's own album on TFM/GAC, earlier this year. A week prior to that album releasing, there was another Ancient King single for Go A Chant, the CONSIDERABLE 'Word Sound and Consequence' (this song is excellent).
"Meditate not upon di ugly-
Of how ugly people is
If you I-ditate on the ugly, then you draw the energy to yourself
And becoming ugly, like the spirit you have in your head"
Also in there (even a bit more perplexing), was 'Be Soulfull', which was a fully Trinity Farm Music & Go A Chant Productions. Ancient King will never be confused for being the most melodically gifted of artists, but 'Be Soulfull' did a good job in showcasing that he does have more immediately pleasing skills while not drifting away from his typical approach at all.
And all of this happened while they still, steadily, presented songs that would appear on "Oath Of Akae". Tunes such as 'Hites', 'Tender Obedience' and the album-topping 'The Earth is Egziabheer' all reached between November and February. And the work is, CLEARLY, not done. Today (literally today, while I'm writing this), Ancient King and Go A Chant have delivered yet another single, 'Egziabheer Feed Us All'.
"Hey, it's a connection
So don't turn your back on the natural food from the land
Remember, dutty food, processed GMO-
Fling dat inna garbage pan"
Hitting on a topic that he also touches on during the brilliant 'Convenient Store Tree' which does appear on "Oath Of Akae", Ancient King takes a heavy look at physical health and nutrition and while you certainly do come across similarly themed tunes from others, I don't know if anyone is currently hitting the topic this hard and definitely not with the passion and detail that Ancient King is. 'Egziabheer Feed Us All' might even be slightly stronger than 'Convenient Store Tree'; I am THOROUGHLY enjoying this tune.
With a release schedule like this, it might make you think that another Ancient King/Trinity Farm/Go A Chant release is in there somewhere, but it may not be. If that is the case, so be it. So far, just about everything that they've worked on together has been BIG and whether they're building towards another project or just keeping current, I will be listening. Just thought I'd let you know. I'm going back to bed.
Specifics. Given the nature of the type of music that we cover more times than not around these parts -- Roots Reggae -- you'd like to think that most of the makers of this wonderful sound would, in some way, be involved with its production outside of doing it as a profession. Of course, it is important that they be paid and supported for their works because EVERYTHING costs money and we want them to continue to give us more and more (and they have to make a living, after all) but you get the feeling, in dealing with a few of these people that... even if it cost them DAMN NEAR ALL OF THEIR MONEY to do, they'd still be making music for us. They just couldn't help themselves. There is a crowned king of such dedicated lot whose name I mention constantly and will get not very far at all in this review before I mention it again and I think that this man created a kingdom which will reverberate throughout Reggae music (and maybe even beyond) for a VERY long time. Though the type of music he made isn't at all intended for children (trust me, I know. However, should you meet a child that has a genuine ear for what he did, that kid may be special), I think we'll soon end up listening to musicians who were raised in households with parents who played his music non-stop. Apart from that coming class, we also have a handful of his peers who fit into a very similar category and one of my absolute favourites, both in terms of this hyper-devoted group as well as just writing about, in general (his music is a very welcomed challenge for me) is definitely Ancient King. I put the chanter (and I mean CHANTER. The man CHANTS!) into a very small group of artists from out of his native St. Croix who demonstrate a level of passion in their music that suggests that they'd go through all hell if they had to in order to spread their message. Another name who would fit in there perfectly would be Jah Rubal. I don't know how old Jah Rubal is, but if he is around in his 80's, I FULLY expect him to still be active in someway, making music. He's someone that will almost surely get much of the star shining in his direction but seems fine with that, so long as those who have ears for what he creates are able to receive it (and I really should review a Jah Rubal album one of these days). In terms of their styles, you could definitely find several similarities between Rubal and Ancient King (and I'm now wondering if they've ever actually done a song together) and they also have something else in common besides that and their origins.
Over the past few years or so, Trinity Farm Music (most [if not all] times with Go A Chant Productions, including this time) has been in a MIGHTY form. Releasing works from such names as Ras Abja, Ras Army, DANNY I (WHAT!), Rob Symeonn, Biblical, Bobo David and others, TFM has become a very familiar and frequent stop for us lately. In 2024, the label leveled up in delivering "Living Testament". Billed as the final album recorded by the legendary Akae Beka (and just in case you're COMPLETELY new and did not figure it out, Akae Beka is who I've been alluding to from the beginning of this review without actually naming him), the set would take out top honours as the finest Reggae album of the entire year, altogether; later, they launched a FINE dubbed out version of it as well. Coincidentally (for my sake) (and you'll now see how this ridiculous tangent I just went on wraps up), just a couple of months after "Living Testament" reached, Trinity Farm would also bring "Long Live The King", a full studio set from none other than the also aforementioned Jah Rubal... and I guess I should have guessed what was coming up next.
2022
Late in 2024 (the second day of November, to be exact), Trinity Farm would begin with a stream of singles via Ancient King and would continue to do so through the first quarter or so of 2025 (there's a song called 'Word Sound and Consequence Power' which is (excellent) not on what I'm going to tell you about today and it's only credited to Go A Chant... just thought you should know) in CLEAR anticipation of a forthcoming full project which is now WONDERFULLY available, the most curiously titled "Oath Of Akae". Most recently, Ancient King would work alongside Ras Elyment Records for 2022's (...does not seem like it was that long ago, AT ALL. If you told me that album came out early last year or late 2023, it would have been more believable) "Seh Selassie I" and while I wasn't surprised at all, given their history, that he would catch the attention of Trinity Farm, I was damn happy to see this album pop up and even more pleased with who was working on it. The aforementioned "Seh Selassie I" came through Ras Elyment Records and the Ancient King has also worked on albums with the likes of Adios Babylon (great name), Higher Bound Productions, Full Grown Records and, of course, I Grade Records on his well received debut, the now twenty years old "Conquering Sound". Of course, one could well make the case that, like Jah Rubal and Vaughn Benjamin, Ancient King is less dependent upon the work of production (at least as far as riddims go) due to his style to somewhat overwhelm or just talk over the track (Benjamin would not do such a thing, he just had the tendency to entirely ignore the riddim at times) (although he did improve upon that later in his career, becoming more melodically aware in my opinion), which is another trait that probably doesn't endure him to many fans, but I have to admit that it is another thing about him/them that I've come to enjoy to a degree. I've made the point in the past about Ancient King, in particular, being the type of artist whose music is going to have a very limited appeal. Fans of all levels of experience of Roots Reggae music are not automatically going to gravitate towards his sound. He'll never have be 'accused' of making the most entertaining brand of the music. HOWEVER, should you fall into the category, like me, as someone who LOVES lyrics and appreciates passion in the extreme sense of the word - Ancient King makes music for you. As a matter of fact, he's made a new album and, if you aren't doing anything, I'd LOVE to tell you all about it.
Let's talk about that title! If this review/album is not your introduction to him, then perhaps the first time that you became aware of Ancient King and his music came via his now twenty year old debut, "Conquering Sound". That set featured a tune by the name of 'Faith, Courage and A Just Cause' which featured the aforementioned Vaughn Benjamin. If you had heard AK's music prior to "Conquering Sound", maybe you heard one of his three contributions to the "Weep Not" compilation (both "Conquering Sound" & "Weep Not" were on I Grade Records, if you're interested), when he recorded under the name Willow. That same release featured several tunes from Benjamin under his own former band name, Midnite (the finest of which was probably the WICKED opener, 'Jah Umbrella', with 'Chant A Psalm' chasing it closely). Chances are decent that Benjamin and the Ancient King were AT LEAST on good terms and I, like many others, I'm sure, presumed the title to be some type of tribute to Vaughn Benjamin, who would later take on the name, Akae Beka. I still believe that to be the case, HOWEVER, subsequent research has revealed that the producer of "Oath Of Akae" is actually credited as Akae Beka, so the ties between the two CLEARLY run deep. The biblical 'Oath Of Akae' gets us started on the album named for it and the very first voice that you hear on the album just might be that of Benjamin's, reading from The Book of Enoch. The heart of "Oath Of Akae" is clear and you can head right to scripture and 'sing' along at certain points but I cannot help (because I'm an overthinker and that's just what I do) but begin to apply certain aspects of THE SONG to Benjamin as well. Regardless of how you take it in full, the title track is a solid start and entirely emblematic of what I mean about AK's style. It has a nice riddim, but he isn't too concerned with it. He's come to make his point in his chant and that is precisely what he does. The attraction for me is there: There's a passion which almost gives it a kind of a Spoken Word type of appeal. Had this one been completely sans music altogether, it would not lose any bit of its quality in my opinion. Next in is a song which helps to kick the album into a higher gear, the heavy 'Kiddus Kiddus Kiddus'. While you'll definitely get a similar vibes as the opener, here, we get a bit more of a sonic appeal as well and it is a stronger and more accurate demonstration of Ancient King's talent. That being said, however, "Oath Of Akae" reaches its highest of heights courtesy of 'The Earth is Egziabheer'.
"Seh only Selassie I love can break di barrier weh dem set up
It in Selassie I speech: The living spring it a precept
Ordinance, ethics, principle that man must his will be obedient to
MEANING YOU WILL BE OBEDIENT TO GOOD INFLUENCE
Get off yuh false pretense!
So Jah power can flow through you freely-
Like the river that move through the rock without stagnation and hesitation
The teachings deh deh inna nature, right before your eyes!
So high!
Rastaman still ah chant again
Hey, the earth is the Lord!
And the fullness that dwell therein
NOTHING NO HARD FI RECOGNIZE, PEOPLE
Tear off the veil off your eyes
Jah teach I everything, King Selassie I
His moon show HIM face in the night
Written long ago, by Enoch the immortal, it was prophesized
It's happening, whether or not you deny
Impeccable is Haile Selassie
I vow The King of Kings, which I cannot fathom
So I tread
THE HANDWRITING OF THE KING OF KINGS IS IN EVERYONE HEAD
Reticular Activating System
THE DOCTOR CALL IT RAS!"
WHAT??! BOOM! Along with being a lyrical powerhouse, 'The Earth is Egziabheer' is also solid sonically. It takes a bit of patience and some digging, but there is one NICE sounding track buried within. I spent a ton of time with this one and it's become one of my favourites from Ancient King, altogether, along with being this album's finest. Of a similar nature is DEFINITELY 'Tender Obedience' which absolutely dazzles, lyrically ["Ship without a rudder. Rudderless ship. Progress without religion, check di videoclip. Inter-woven chip, named selfie"]. This one is a shot at arrogance and anti-humility, wrapped up in a very clever praising tune and, again, a major highlight from "Oath Of Akae". That rolls PERFECTLY right into the next selection, 'Ah Who You'. This one is totally aimed at those who have forgotten and lost their place in the world and think that it is they who are in absolute control. There is a stretch around 2:40 or so in when 'Ah Who You' LEVELS UP! AK warms up and tunes in and, relatively calmly, he goes on a lyrical tirade which is amongst THE most impressive such runs that you will find here. Filling out the first half of the album is recent single, 'Hites'. The song is an adaptation (or an expansion) of a legendary quote, "The heights of great men, reached and kept, were not attained by sudden flight....". Like the quote, the song is one dealing with ideas such as perseverance, patience and motivation. You've heard songs like this one (Beenie Man even had a similar one), and what I try to take from thoughts like these is the idea that IT IS OKAY TO FAIL and to screw up and make mistakes and, through doing those things (often over and over and over again), is what lays the foundation for the success you may have. It applies in the grandest of situations as well as the smallest (if you're going somewhere and you get lost, you now know not to go in the direction you just did). It is something that may be very small but no less of a necessity AT ALL.
Try as I might (and you know I did), outside of a very direct tribute to Akae Beka, I couldn't get much out of 'It's The Rain' which begins the second half of "Oath Of Akae". It has a very easy and straight forward vibes to it and it isn't a BAD song (AT ALL), but I don't that it does much for what it is. The track following 'It's The Rain', 'Permit The Child', is one that I've probably spent more time listening to than any other on this release. I do not love it... but I suspect that I may someday. Self explanatory, 'Permit The Child' is about raising children well, setting proper examples and encouraging them to make the best choices for themselves when the time comes and, lyrically, it has its moments and the riddim (which is damn near invisible, you have to REALLY listen to this song to give some attention to the instrumentation), for what it is, is quite strong. There is something about it, however, which has kept me at arm's distance so far but I am still well working on closing that gap.
The balance of "Oath Of Akae" experienced no such 'growing pains' with me, on the other hand and is four extremely well done selections. I was going to tell you that 'Make Someone Smile' was the best of the rest. It isn't but it is still a MIGHTY effort and one featuring an abundance of good, common sense.
"To make someone smile, really make you feel good inside
Release endorphins
HAPPINESS IS A COLLECTIVE PHENOMENON, SHOULDN'T BE INDIVIDUALIZED
Need the relationship of the other side
Man seh him have two car, you no have one
Look. One fi drive
That is true happiness inside
'A man happines is to make his brother happy'-
Words of Selassie I
Away with the selfishness
About that, no badda
Nature reveal everything you can see everyday
WE ALL NEED EACH OTHER
Symbiosis
WATCH HOW THE BIRD CLEAN THE CROCODILE TEETH
People learn that to peacefully coexist"
Sometimes, keeping things as simple as you possibly can is the best route and that's exactly the course taken by Ancient King here. DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE ELSE! Go out of your way to make someone happy! It's something You (and I), unfortunately, need to be reminded of from time to time and 'Make Someone Smile' is a BEAUTIFUL gesture in the right direction. A touch stronger is 'Brake All Chains'. If you seek a bit of flames in the latter stages of "Oath Of Akae", 'Brake All Chains' is precisely what you're looking for as, most fittingly, the Ancient King delivers a history lesson not to be missed ["Mandela say when him shake Haile Selassie hand, him shake his with history!"]. The biggest monster roaming the halls of the second half of "Oath Of Akae" (as well as the second largest in full) is without a doubt the brilliant health conscious 'Convinient Store Tree'.
"I convenient store is a tree
Where I get food freshly
Jah food is 100% naturally
No 10% juice like Minute Maid, Tropicana and dem juice weh inna shop weh unhealthy
I convenient store is a tree
Where I get food freshly
Jah food is 100% naturally
No 10% juice like Minute Maid, Tropicana and dem juice weh inna shop weh nasty
WHERE THE 90% JUICE GONE?
It's artificially
Weh stay inna yuh blood and mek yuh body sickly
When you go to di bush doctor, first thing dem ahgo tell you:
Return to a herb tree
Chlorophyll identical to your hemoglobin weh deh in yuh body
So mi tell di nation dem fi don't pass no tree-
CAUSE YUH MEDICINE IS NOT IN DI PHARMACY
DAT A PHARMACEUTICAL DRUG YOU ONLY CAN GET IT IF YOU HAVE MONEY
NATURE GIVE YOU FREELY, INNA ABUNDANTLY
Proper, essential minerals provided
For the 102 minerals required for the body
You can find it in the earth, even the sea
Sea-moss, it have 92 minerals of the highest set of calcium
Mek yuh bones healthy"
I mean..... I could have kept going. The man absolutely POURS lyrics all over the track and, at least in parts, the riddim holds up well although it is ultimately overwhelmed and largely vanishes beneath the tirade. 'Convinient Store Tree', like 'The Earth is Egziabheer', is SPECIAL! Charged with sending us out is the solid 'Peace is Possible'. Musically speaking, the closer may just be the single most interesting song here with its BRIGHT (and very curious beginnings) sound and Ancient King permits it its time to shine (it also sounds distinctly louder than just about any other composition on the album to my ears. It's like they wanted you to hear it). He also seems to make an actual effort to stay on the melody it provides and, in doing so, likely makes the easiest listen on the entire project. Lyrically, 'Peace is Possible' also does well with AK present His Majesty as THE symbol of peace (almost like a role model) though I suspect that much of the audience that it reaches will stick around for the change in vibes, which is an excellent touch and a very nice way to end things.
I had an idea of something about Ancient King's music, in general, and I arrived there because of a bit of math, actually. There're twelve tracks on "Oath Of Akae", with the album topping out at fifty-seven minutes and eleven seconds. By my (surely incorrect) count, that's a roughly four minutes and forty-five second average per tune. That is HEALTHY. So my idea was to look back at some of his other sets to see if they were at a similar length. A quick look back reveals very robust runtimes for the likes of "Seh Selassie I", "Ethiopie", "Conquering Sound" and 'Swords Of Wisdom" (which actually has five tracks north of SIX MINUTES in length). My point is that, in order for Ancient King to be anywhere near his best; in order for his music to be able to get through what I THINK he would want his listeners to take from it, ANCIENT KING NEEDS TIME. He needs room to cook and to get his point across to emote and to do all of the small wonderful details that go into making his style what it is and perhaps more so (or just as much, at the very least), as anyone else going today.
Overall, while I'm going to attempt to not directly compare "Oath Of Akae" to any of its predecessors, I will say that it is stronger than MOST of them and should some heavy fan of Ancient King want to call it his best work today, I do not think that's unfair or hyperbole. I have often made the point about him that Ancient King's music isn't for everyone, not even ALL seasoned fans of the genre will have ears for it and that remains the case here (you may want to check either "Conquering Sound" or "Swords Of Wisdom" for something more digestible), true and through. What Ancient King has done, however, with "Oath Of Akae", is to put up yet another strong demonstration of exactly who he is not as a 'musician' or as an 'artiste' but as a person. I am well convinced that making this sound is as natural to Ancient King as breathing and with the way he performs it, it becomes more and more apparent each and every time I hear him. While "Oath Of Akae" may or may not be a full tribute to someone else who walked a similar path (...it is), what it is clearly is a strong album from someone who, obviously, is doing EXACTLY what he was meant to be doing.
"Oath Of Akae" by Ancient King [Trinity Farm Music]
1. 'Oath Of Akae'
2. 'Kiddus Kiddus Kiddus'
3. 'The Earth is Egziabheer'
4. 'Tender Obedience'
5. 'Ak Who You'
6. 'Hites'
7. 'It's The Rain'
8. 'Permit The Child'
9. 'Make Someone Smile'
10. 'Brake All Chains'
11. 'Convenient Store Tree'
12. 'Peace Is Possible'
Okay so, a minute or two ago, we just told you about a new, forthcoming album from the Volcano Trumpet, Qshan Deya', "Reggae Ambassador", and as it turns out, the week prior to the return of Deya', another of our favourites is set to release his latest studio creation. Fiery Cruzan chanter, Ancient King, is back and back alongside a very familiar source - teaming up with Trinity Farm Music for "Oath Of Akae".
The title of this album will SURELY catch quite a bit of attention amongst fans as Ancient King was a frequent spar of the legendary Vaughn Benjamin and when I first saw the name, I immediately took it to be some type of honour to Benjamin (and that's how I'm still taking it, at least in part). I've had the opportunity to listen to a bit of "Oath Of Akae" (because it's on that wonderful site with the "samples" which are basically entire songs if you've got the time to put them together) and I'm enjoying what I'm hearing. Early favourites include 'The Earth Is Egziabheer' (you can actually listen to that entire song because it was a previous single), DEFINITELY 'Ak Who You' & 'Brake All Chains', 'Peace Is Possible' and another tune, 'Make Someone Smile' has also began growing on me, just a bit. It doesn't seem very long ago that we dealt with Ancient King's most recent set, "Seh Selassie I", for Ras Elyment (it was like a year and half ago) and I'm already looking forward to digging into this one as well.
So are you! We'll both get what we want on the 2nd of May (literally the day after tomorrow at this point) when "Oath Of Akae", the new album by Ancient King on Trinity Farm Music reaches our brains... through our ears; but you probably knew all of that already.
Selective. Though silly and, at best, a monstrous display of bad taste, there are some people in the world who simply do not enjoy Reggae music. WHY?! I couldn't even begin to tell you. I can't explain it, but I have heard reasons ranging from the slight language barrier being a large problem to the sound being boring given the practice of using the same track for multiple vocalists. I'm sure THOSE PEOPLE -- those poor, unfortunate few, have their reasons why this absolutely perfect sound cannot penetrate their tastes and that's their business. If you search hard enough I'm sure you'll find someone writing something similar about non-fans of Opera music (a group which includes me and probably You as well) or whatever and pretty much anything else and, of course, that's fine. We all have different tastes, if we didn't the world would be monotonous as hell. Today I want to look at maybe a group of artists (and one in particular) who fall into a category of definitely being Reggae artists but, for no reason other than their actual style, maybe can be seen as somewhat polarizing to an extent. I'm not talking about someone who may've done an interview one time and said something that just didn't rub you the right way or someone who you saw in concert and left you disappointed. I'm speaking strictly with those individuals who, musically, set themselves so far apart from the pack that we, as fans, are seemingly incapable of building a majority view of. Wonderfully (and coincidentally), the very first name that comes to mind (the second really, after the person I'm about to you about) is someone who I think has seen their polarizing state dwindle just a bit, due to both a more than respectable level of longevity (even if you don't know exactly what you're listening to, if you hear it long enough you probably get used to it) (I know I did) and, as I've said in the past, just a... strange level of popularity - the great Vaughn Benjamin. Benjamin/Akae Beka/Midnite does not make music which is appreciable by everyone. I've told the story dozens of times previously so I won't dwell on it too much here, but it took me awhile to get the point where I had any interest in his work AT ALL and, these days, I've gone from a most confused young adult to an old ass creature who may have written more about that once mightily perplexing sound than anyone in the world (if true, that is probably one of my greatest accomplishments). I find his music to be a challenge and not everyone wants that in their vibes and I have no probably with that (and even if I did, those people wouldn't care) (and they shouldn't). There's also Benjamin's signature delivery which, again, is not for everyone. For a contrast, I'm also going to mention Shaggy and others such as Sean Paul (new album, "Scorcha", out now) (it's solid), who have enjoyed massive successes as Reggae artists despite incorporating more international sounds into their music which has not always seen them favourites amongst that core group. Everything is not for everyone.
Fortunately, everything is for someone. I decided to go in this direction with an artist who will never be as widely known as Shaggy or Sean Paul or as well regarded as Vaughn Benjamin (more on him later) because, in listening to his new album, I found myself at several times nearly overwhelmed by what I was hearing; and if you are not familiar with me and stumbled your way here by some chance, I live for moments like that. Being engulfed by music is just fine with me, it is challenging both mentally and emotionally and I got that feeling here but in a very unusual way. I heard it and I began to hear the rationale for someone saying that, though they may appreciate his level of talent and the undeniable PASSION which he brings, maybe the music Ancient King makes just isn't for them, despite them being more seasoned fans of Roots Reggae music. He makes music of a very particular style: Ancient King's music is done with the intent of exalting and glorifying His Imperial Majesty; and that is what it is. I know what you're thinking (we've been together a long time. I've learned to read your mind): There're literally HUNDREDS of artists who do the same thing (and we kinda/sorta find new ones every few months or so). In fact, there's an entire genre of music, called Roots Reggae, essentially dedicated to the subject. No. You don't understand. Ancient King makes music for His Imperial Majesty.... and that's all. ANYTHING that is not that is only a brief aberration at most. If you take that as basic at you possibly can, you begin to see a very unique picture.
2005
It wasn't always like this and, looking back, I am somewhat surprised. The very first time I took notice of the St. Croix native was way back in 2005, when his debut album, "Conquering Sound" ["Give me the chief of staff! Give me the battlefield marshal!"], provided the FIRE portion of I Grade Record's 'Fire - Earth - Wind' promotion (which also featured albums from NiyoRah and Ras Army, respectively). That album, still his opus, carried pieces such as 'She's So Awesome', 'Get the Best', 'St. Croix Run Red' and others which weren't so hyper-focused ('Heading For Failure' was on "Conquering Sound" as well - big tune). His sophomore set, 2007's "Judgement" would feature less in the way of diversity and what we saw was a gradual shift in Ancient King's music, in retrospect (on the back of "Judgement" it reads "All songs itected and ivinely inspired by H.I.M." It tells you all you need to know) ("Judgement" was probably a better album than it got credit for being in its time. Biggup Full Grown Records). In late 2012/early 2013 (released at the same time as Midnite's "Free Indeed" if I recall correctly on Higher Bound Productions), he'd return with another album, perhaps, ahead of its time, the STUFFED "Ethiopie". With seventeen selections, clocking in at over an hour and a quarter, "Ethiopie" had tons of things going on, but the CLEAR centralizing theme was espousing the greatness of Haile Selassie I ["One man stand out: The little short man from Ethiopie. The Tribe of Judah, Haile Selassie"]. During our hiatus, there was album #4, "Swords Of Wisdom" for Adios Babylon. Quietly, "Swords Of Wisdom" was a strong release. It featured Ancient King even more 'stationary' than we had previously seen him in terms of his lyrical direction. The vast majority of it was directly or indirectly about His Majesty and it was on "Swords Of Wisdom" where I came to the thought that, although I thoroughly enjoyed it (and, listening to it now, it's aged well. You can check it out and I may slap a review on it one day), I didn't think that it was for everyone. I'll go in more on this in just a second, but Ancient King has a very DIRECT style. Along with his virtually constant subject matter, his delivery is what it is and it doesn't change much at all. Over the course of an entire album, well over an hour long (in the cases of both "Swords Of Wisdom" and, as I mentioned "Ethiopie") ("Conquering Sound" was also more than an hour but barely), I can see how that could wear on listeners and that is perfectly fine, it wore on me a bit but, like I said, I like being worn down. I enjoy it and part of my affection for "Swords Of Wisdom" definitely exists in just how challenging of a release I found it to be. So, given our 'history' together, now dating back nearly two decades, and what he had done in the immediate past, I would be damn interested in hearing a new album from Ancient King and look what the summer of 2022 has brought in. Released just a day before my forty-first birthday is the latest and fifth album from Ancient King, "Seh Selassie I", through the St. Croix based Ras Elyment Records. The label is probably best known, as of late, for its 2020 release "The Spirit Of Standing Up" from Akae Beka (which I will CERTAINLY get around to reviewing one day), but actually has a very RICH and interesting musical history beyond that. Lyndon 'Ras L' Williams, a former member of the Midnite band, heads Ras Elyment Records and he's produced several albums for the pioneering Virgin Islands staple including the likes of "Maschaana", "Thru & True" and "Full Cup". So, if you weren't familiar with their name, if you've read this far into a review, you probably do know the work of Ras Elyment's. Personally, when I noticed who had vibed "Seh Selassie I", it made it an even more intriguing project for me and I looked at it as, potentially, a very nice musical birthday gift for myself.
EVENTUALLY that is exactly what it turned out to be after, deliciously, requiring quite a bit of work from my end (not a problem for me!). "Seh Selassie I" presents a delectable test of a listen and, for those of willing to 'endure', what lies beneath isa a very solid -- ULTRA SPECIFIC -- experience. An immediate credit goes to Ancient King, Ras L and whosoever else may've been in the deciding charge of this album as it begins with, easily, one of the most poignant intros that I have heard in a.... in a ever, 'Haile Selassie I [The Responsibility of Youth]', which features a clip from a speech of His Majesty where he speaks on how great the role that the youth plays in Africa is.
"The youth of Africa must show to the world that they are determined to use the best of their knowledge to bring about continuous progress and the common goal of unity and greatness as a tangible objective of the African Peoples."
The intro sets the stage for the first musical track we get, fittingly, 'Youth'. When I first heard this one (and still up until now), it immediately reminded me of an old song from Junior Kelly by the name of 'Youth Dem Nah Cool', in terms of its sound (the directions are more dissimilar with Kelly's piece being a bit darker). I heard it all over it. Despite clocking in at seven seconds south of five minutes in length, 'Youth' is but the FIFTH longest offering on "Seh Selassie I" and, clearly, AK had some things to get off his chest and he makes the most of the opportunity. Though it does come off as somewhat cluttered, 'Youth' is excellent as the chanter speaks on many things, all revolving around how crucial it is for the young people of the world follow the teachings of His Imperial Majesty ["That mask you wearing is not a mineral. It's a covering, defeating the purpose of inhaling oxygen that heal. I stand by the Irator, Who say let the food be your medicine, in from the green field. ONLY WHAT HAILE SELASSIE MADE IS A MEAL"]. Following 'Youth', the very first sound heard on the next entry up, 'Power of The Trinity', is a baby crying. It eventually blossoms into another track which could probably be described as a little crowded but (and I'll probably stop saying that now and come back to it in concluding), again, if you sift your way through it all, what lies beneath is full worth the journey to digging it up. Exactly what you will find down there is a foundation geared towards the power of FAMILY and unity ["Every pregnancy a fi di Trinity represent His Imperial Majesty - mother, father and child"]. AK does take it in a few different directions somewhat (specifically, he deals with things such as maturation and properly teaching things to your children and setting a good example) but what he does here continues to build wonderfully on the theme set by the intro and 'Youth'. If you're at all like me, then the very first thing you'll notice about 'Igziabeher Prayer' is going to be that FILTHY riddim backing it. That thing is so nice! It makes for a perfect, edgy seat and, for his part, Ancient Kings builds upon it with as comprehensive of a praising piece that I've heard in a very long time. I hear certain textures of an artist who I'm almost surprised that I haven't mentioned yet and I will now save for closing and that downright mystical individual would wholly approve of 'Igziabeher Prayer' where AK attempts to simultaneously give honour to His Majesty and explain why it is so important to do so within a more tangible framing. I may be the only person to say this (that's fine. I'm used to it) but, at least for me, this one hits a higher level at around three minutes into it (2:50 to be more exact). AK becomes locked in (coincidentally he says the word "synchronized" during the moment) and the track grabs him. It continues on and I hear some variations in that riddim and it soars! 'Igziabeher Prayer' is MAMMOTH but you'll only know this if you're willing to work on it. And, at the risk of this paragraph being entirely too long (what I care??), I'll also mention the title track here because of the interesting contrast it provides in sound to the selection ahead of it. Obviously the subject matter is the same (it's the same on the rest of the songs as well) and the delivery is pretty much the same (...."it's the same on the rest of the songs as well"), but the tempo and everything else is more laidback. This track which is overwhelmed (and largely ignored by Ancient King - I don't even know if he could hear it. It literally sounds like he did his lyrics without any riddim and then they placed it behind him and made the song because he does not acknowledge its melody at all) is beautiful from what I can tell with its key-heavy appeal, but it's just back there as AK, once again, opens his heart and mind for His Majesty.
There is a song later on "Seh Selassie I" which, for me, is a PERFECT barometer in regards to how someone may feel about the rest of the album. Because of that, if you aren't a more seasoned listener to Ancient King's music, I would recommend that you skip to the second track and just spend the next ten minutes listening to it a couple of times. If you cannot appreciate 'King Earthday Hyms' at all then the balance of this release probably won't do much for you either (and it probably won't be the final time I say that about one of these songs). I find this piece to be such a NATURAL capture of what AK does. Obviously he wrote it on His Majesty's earthday in 2020 and... he basically just starts talking and what happened, happened.
"July 23rd 2020, today is the King Day
Ises to His Majesty, plenty
This day He was born in Ejersa Goro in Ethiopie
His Majesty World Saviour was born according to a prophecy"
It is such an aggressive display and though not quite as melody-oblivious as the title track (and the riddim is very nice, actually), it's also not going get a lot of people moving from being so dynamic. It's just the pouring of the mind and the emotions from Ancient King which, again, happens so often here but this instance struck me as being SO wholly characteristic and emblematic of what he does. I saw a title, 'Tribute', and I had no reason to think that it wasn't a "tribute" to his majesty... like every other song on the album but I was surprised and pleasantly so to hear the biblical first spoken words here which reveal that, although it sort of is like the other songs here, it is also a bit more specific.
"This is the number of the Kesbel
The principal part of the oath which The Most High, Selassie I dwelleth in glory
Reveal to The Holy Ones, it name is BEKA"
Actually, 'Tribute' is in honour of the great Vaughn Benjamin. To my knowledge, Benjamin and AK were very good friends with the Akae Beka/Midnite frontman appearing on the aforementioned "Conquering Sound" ["With faith, courage and a just cause, David slew Goliath and put him pon pause"] and Ancient King subsequently returning the favour with multiple appearances on the notorious "To Mene" in 2009 (and you'll find a few more tunes that they did together as well). To the surprise of absolutely no one at all, Ancient King finds the greatest accomplishment of his friend in being such a powerful LOYAL soldier to His Majesty and he's right: Musically speaking there may've never been a more focused and determined individual in glorifying Rastafari than Benjamin. There have been other songs like this, most notably one coming from Danny I but, for me, as I've said in the past, because Benjamin left us with so much work to be done (that will NEVER be done), I feel that he's still with us. He will outlive us all. Still, EASILY, 'Tribute' is one of the most powerful selections you on the "Seh Selassie I" and one which I was very happy to see present. Right between 'Tribute' and 'King Earthday Hymns' is another big winner from the album, 'Red Gold & Green'. In as much as he can, Ancient King kind of takes this one in a personal direction as he talks about being a youth and seeing Rastafari and the impression that it made on him and how it has reverberated throughout his life ["From mi likkle and ah grow certain thing mi never know, seen? Mi used to always sight di Rastaman wid red, gold and green: Lion Of Judah anytime dem pose up pon di scene. I never really know what it mean. Now mi grow big and find out what it mean"]. Eventually the track goes in the same direction as much of the album (although slightly more specifically in this case), but 'Red Gold & Green' is one of the very best you'll find here and largely due to the more directly personal imprint Ancient King places in it. Ancient King deals with the topic of faithfulness and loyalty more in-depth on another of the bigger winners on "Seh Selassie I", 'Give Up Your Soul'. Again, I'd be very shocked if you heard someone else tell you this, but when I first heard 'Give Up Your Soul', I immediately began to sing a tune in my head and after finally remembering what the chorus was, I nailed it down to 'Live What U Talk' ["and talk what you liiiiive. Praise The Most High and think positive"] (NOT, incidentally, 'King Of Your Soul' by Norris Man, which is one of the greatest songs of all time) by the great Pressure Busspipe (now wouldn't those two make for a big combination???). This one will surely go down as a personal favourite of mine and I'm going to go ahead and (SELFISHLY, but I'm going to tell you why) call it the single best song on this album (with a huge respect to 'Igziabeher Prayah'). An outstanding, yet almost understated, riddim backs AK who is in a devastating lyrical form, pinnacling on the second verse where he VICIOUSLY attacks my emotions. ME!
"Lean not onto your own misunderstanding
Lean onto Haile Selassie I knowledge and wisdom and HIS kingly standing
Overstanding HIS whim, that will make it right to HIM-
Perpetually the living reservoir
Come and drink from HIM, you will never thirst again
Hey, drink from the living spring
Assimilate, adapt, emulate
KALONJI TELL DEM SELASSIE I TEACH I EVERYTHING!
His speeches is salvation of the table of the soul
World Saviour, history recall
Haile Selassie save the world!
Lo, behold, from 1935 to 1941"
Did you catch that??!
"KALONJI TELL DEM SELASSIE I TEACH I EVERYTHING!"
Not only does AK reference my favourite artist he references the title track from an album which, although not regarded as one of his strongest, I absolutely ADORE, "Rastafari Teach I Everything". It is a "modern classic" for me (and if only for me, that is just fine) and, given what he says here, especially, I'm assuming that it also registers with Ancient King in a similar way. 'In His Law' does not struggle at all in keeping the vibes high following 'Give Up Your Soul', although it may take you a few spins through to realize it. I would tell you to maybe focus more on the latter portion of 'In His Law' where it really hits its full stride where the artist delivers a stirring message about the wonders of following the LAW of His Majesty. I was looking forward to hearing what was the direction of 'Chess Board' given its title and although that question is answered fairly quickly on (it's about the struggle between evil and righteousness), it isn't terrible important in my opinion throughout the song. I did not love this one, and not because it's bad or lacking to any degree, but I think that what happened is that I got my hopes up in hearing something potentially special and that didn't manifest at all. Instead 'Chess Board' is fairly similar to much of what you're going to experience throughout this set, but it isn't exceptional in any way in my opinion (though the riddim is pretty close). Still, what I will say on its behalf is that 'Chess Board' is that if you enjoy the most of the material on this release, you will have no problem with it - I just wish they'd done more with it.
The final two selections really do a great job of tying things all together and sending us out on a very high note. The first, 'Selassie I Praises' is more of exactly what you've come to expect, but it is a sensational song. Here, Ancient King expresses a disbelief (and borderline shock) at how so many people are not thankful for what The Almighty has done for us all ["Look at all of the wonderful things Selassie I done for all of us and you go let the praises escape your heart?"]. Finally is 'Ultimate Challenge' which I am going to call the changeup for "Seh Selassie I" for no other reason than the fact that it has a pronounced backing singer who is VI veteran Cherise King whose work you have likely come across at some point without actually realizing it. She has a delightful voice and the contrast it provides with Ancient King's coarse and largely unrefined delivery (and I mean that in a good way) is an extremely interesting listen. The duo puts in a unique (only in reference to the rest of the album) (and only in terms of the sound, its subject is.... well, you know what it's about) display - one largely centered about improving oneself in any possible way in order to live up to a standard (a challenge!) set forth by the heavens. In retrospect, this tune was probably the first I heard from "Seh Selassie I" as it originally reached way back in late 2019 and, clearly, the project that they were building to surround it turned out to be quite strong, like the early single (it's also interesting, although not surprising, that they chose likely the most dynamic piece here as its first shot to the masses).
Okay, there're two things (which will probably turn into three) (....will certainly turn into three) I want to mention in regards to this album and Ancient King as an artist. The first is one which I alluded to several times: A fair critique of "Seh Selassie I" would be to say that it is kind of messy. There're phrases that people like me use to describe certain musical moments and one of them would be to say something like 'he's very passionate' or 'he is incapable of controlling his emotions' - you get the point, something like that. I would use those to describe AK (and surely did at some point during this review), but if you are someone who does not have a lot of experience in listening to his work, I can very well see how you will walk away thinking that the delivery here is kind of messy and cluttered together. It can overwhelming, as I said, and the work of digging through it certainly isn't for everyone. The second thing I want to bring up is the "downright mystical individual" I also mentioned. Ancient King, at least to me, often sounds somewhat like Sabbattical Ahdah. I'm not going to even get my hopes up by researching what Ahdah has been up to lately (last time I did that I found mention of an album which never arrived), but the two are similar to my ears. Sabbattical Ahdah may have a greater command of melody (or maybe he just gives an actual damn about the riddims he uses more frequently than Ancient King does) and I also hear, loosely, echoes of Vaughn Benjamin within both. I also want to say (told you I would!) that the production on "Seh Selassie I" while not what I would call STELLAR, is something more than solid throughout. The tracks that they provide Ancient King (whether HE, himself, actually knows it or not) are very good and I'd be interested in hearing others on them as well.... maybe someone like Sabbattical Ahdah, for example.
Overall, just in case I haven't made it crystal clear: "Seh Selassie I" isn't for everyone. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that if you had to read a review as long as this one in order to figure out if it is for you, then you're probably not going to like it. Ancient King's style is one which is very specific. I can't imagine it growing on you to any degree (unless you're a younger person and I probably would not have enjoyed this music if I were in my twenties for example). On top of that, I don't think either he or Ras Elyment Records had/have any inclinations in presenting it in a way that would make it more appealing to a wider audience:: They made it for a more 'weathered' type of listener. HOWEVER, with that being said, if you are that more grizzled and well experienced type of fan, to you, I present a GEM. "Seh Selassie I" is the finest piece of work Ancient King has produced since "Conquering Sound", without question. What it may lack in sonic appeal (although you will find some of that), it will make up for in a giant chunk of consistency. "Seh Selassie I" hits a certain level immediately and it just does not dip below it, not one time. There's also a nice level of COMFORT that it brings as well. This is an album about glorifying His Imperial Majesty. Yes, you've probably hundreds of them with a similar foundation and will likely hear a few hundred more, but with Ancient King's almost stunning level of refusal to detour from that route for an even a MOMENT, there's something that his work has that not too many others does - and whatever it is, it's rarely sounded this good.
Do Good. Though surely not ideal and, actually, very far from it, I suppose that in some very strange way that it is a good thing that we're able to look at and identify the 'standings' of not only Reggae music, in general, but very specific aspects of it as well. Whether we know and observe it or not, the music has developed to the point where it has provided us with well existing templates and examples of what is available and to whom, exactly, it is accessible. Today we're going to take another look at an artist from the Virgin Islands Reggae scene who, by virtue of being incredibly talented, has placed himself, at least potentially, on the doorstep of what I still hope will be a huge career someday. The VI scene very much offers such a diverse group of artists who achieved a great deal in the music and figure to continue. At the head, of course, would be entities such as Vaughn Benjamin and Midnite as well as Pressure Busspipe, both of whom are, essentially, 'household names' in the music to its more devoted of followers. But also we look at individuals like NiyoRah, Ras Attitude, Bambú Station and others who have made such a prominent impact on Reggae, as a whole, that they're also amongst the more popular of names as well (and I'll tell you now, as I have hundreds of times, Niyo is going to be a star, in his case it is only a matter of "when", not "if"). And just last year, the wonderful Ras Batch, at least in my opinion, has taken a step-up and joined that pack and should remain there with future releases. Still, with all of that being said, the VI's Reggae music has developed so immensely to the point where there're also artists who have sizable followings, but are still very much on the rise in terms of their more literal popularity in Reggae. Now we are talking about the likes of Ras Iba, Abja, Mada Nile, Xkaliba, Jah Rubal, Ras Bumpa, Ickarus and (I could probably name another FIFTEEN people who would exist on that level) others who have already shown themselves to be very talented to the masses and we hope to see them gain in so many ways in the coming years. Someone else who firmly fits into that batch (biggup Batch), would definitely be the grandly named Ancient King from out of St. Croix. As it is in the case of so many of those artists, and others, I really think that something which has hurt from the King from grabbing more attention throughout the years has been a lack of consistent activity, but apparently he's chosen to make a great change to that in 2013.
"Conquering Sound" [2005] & "Judgement" [2008]
Now, looking back, it's kind of remarkable that I've been listening to Ancient King for the better part of a decade as the former 'Willow' first came to the attention of many as part of "Weep Not", an early compilation from I Grade Records. A couple of years later, with a new name, Ancient King would push the mighty debut, "Conquering Sound", on the same label which, even back then, would get a significant push (they're just really good at promoting is I Grade) as the fiery portion of the label's "Fire - Earth - Wind" campaign, which also included full albums from Ras Army ["Rasta Awake"] and the aforementioned NiyoRah ["A Different Age"]. Four years later, he would emerge with his sophomore set, "Judgement", for "Full Grown Records". Since then, however, while he has definitely continued to perform, I don't see him as being as active in the studio as many of his peers (and no, I'm not comparing him to Midnite, although I guess I probably could TODAY).
"Free Indeed" by Midnite & "Songs Fa Jah" by Abja [2013]
However, two places where you will likely always be able to find Ancient King tunes are in combination with Vaughn Benjamin and Midnite and also with Higher Bound Productions, from out of California. The latter now releases, somewhat surprisingly, the third album from the heavy chanter, "Ethiopie". Previously, Ancient King appeared on the label's well received "New Name" compilation from a few years back and apparently someone at HBP had taken a larger interest in the artist as, in making a big impact early this year, the King is now included in another trio of releases which also includes "Free Indeed" from Midnite (which has, suddenly yet unsurprisingly, become very popular) and the still to come "Songs Fa Jah" from the also aforementioned Ras Abja. I was so happy to see a new project from Ancient King as part of the releases as, again, he hasn't seemed to be the most active of names and I really do look forward to hearing from him on something (WHEN HE IS IN A GOOD FORM!). Just last year he would appear on a tune from the "Hold The Vibes" album alongside its star, Ras Attitude, and if I'm not mistaken (and I likely am), that would have been the very first new song I had heard from him in a year or so. Of all of that work and the work from further back, it remains my opinion that the "Conquering Sound" album is his finest work to date. When it arrived, I didn't enjoy "Judgement", but I now (particularly after having a refresher's listen for the sake of this review) have a grander appreciation of it (which may not be saying a great deal) - I do not love it, but it is a better album than I ever gave it credit for being and I was wrong about it, but it isn't what the first album was in my opinion and it is not close. In the case of "Ethiopie", my ears are open. In the few weeks or so between knowing of this album's coming existence and actually receiving it, I've been really looking forward to hearing it. I've had a very good feeling about it and, again, I'm just so happy that Higher Bound Productions has decided to not only make its new year entry with such a big showing, but have also chosen to promote the music of Ancient King within it. So! The only question remaining is how good is the new album: Let's hear!
When at his strongest ("Conquering Sound"), Ancient King's is kind of a mixture of the styles of Vaughn Benjamin and Capleton which is, at times, this very harsh and almost overly-fluid, chanter who makes up for what he may lack in melody with just an overpowering sound. When he isn't there, he tends to YELL too much, but what I can say is that, in his case, it's clearly an act of emotion and not experiment. As you might expect on an album with seventeen songs on it, you get a thorough reintroduction to the skills of Ancient King, but ultimately "Ethiopie" proves to be a strong record with far more of the good than the "isn't". A decent tune does get the album in gear, 'Let Jah Arise'. This song, everything about it, almost seems like it was purposefully made to begin the album. It is an extremely passionate praising song with an entirely acoustic backing (…to which Ancient King pays almost no attention!). A nice start. Things go much higher on the next tune, ‘Judah Lion Rule the Jungle'.
"Lion rule the jungle
Ever so mighty, ever so humble
Lion ah trample
Crush anything from any angle
Lion rule the jungle
Nah cut mi mane
Unconquerable
Lion ah walk out
Nothing better test
Cause anything test, get a paw in dem chest
No vex
A di lion instinct fi stand up fi him defense
Lion roar, ready fi kick down babylon fence
Wid di lion dem, dem waan cause problem
Babylon mi seh, dem doh have no sense"
BIG! This tune does have a bit more of a discernible structure to it and definitely reminds me of something which may've come from the King's first album and, as we've established, for me that's a great thing. 'Kingciple' was a tune I was well interesting in hearing and hearing the direction of and I can say that it is one of the best songs on the album. For as wholly unforgiving as it is (and it is, and pretty much everything on this album as well… probably everything Ancient King has ever recorded is), it is just as BRILLIANT! A big and thrilling highlight on "Ethiopie" which is not to be missed at all in my opinion.
That word, "brilliant", is a prevailing trait throughout "Ethiopie", to the point where, even on the tunes I'm not exactly overjoyed by, I still have to acknowledge the level of ultra insightful lyricism. A really fine of this, specifically, would be a later tune by the name of 'Ark'. This may be different someday (like tomorrow), but I hear quite a bit of Hip-Hop on this track and that's not my favourite thing, but when you actually LISTEN to what is going on and being said on this track, which almost has a hint of the Spoken Word style within it, you come off of it almost in awe ["In awe. In awe!"] of what the artist does with the song in terms of the historicity of the world. Both 'Ship Without A Rudder' and 'See Dem Seeking Fi Gold' (which I do really like) are also full of a whole heap of serious intelligence. To my ears they have somewhat of a similar lyrical approach. On the former, Ancient King says that it really does not matter what you have learned in your life, if you lack the guidance of His Imperial Majesty, you are lost.
"However wise -
However mighty a person he may be
Is like a ship without the rudder
If he don't have the almighty"
On 'See Dem Fi Seeking Gold', which is fantastic and probably my third or fourth favourite song on the album, the message is that no matter how much wealth you have acquired in your life, if you have not acquired the love of HIM, your fortune is worthless. Also to be found in the latter stages of "Ethiopie" is the KNOCKING 'You No Fi Chat Folly', which has such a powerful riddim behind it that it threatens to make the actual meaning of the tune --people mistreating the music-- an afterthought, but I'll tell YOU to make sure you follow the words on the tune (particularly later on in the song where Ancient King just… gets angry!) to be able to appreciate it on an even higher level. Also check the lovely 'True Hearts', 'Peace' and the closer, 'Don't Gain the World'. All three of these selections, especially the first two are big additions to the album. 'Peace', as its title indicates, is an anti-violence composition, but it is packed with so much information and educated opinion that it really feels like someone is teaching an idea and, really, I suppose that was the intent there. Mission accomplished.
Going back, it is in the middle portions of "Ethiopie" where I feel that the album really shines and offers a great deal of its strongest work. Three tunes here really stick out to my opinion, but the others are strong as well. Of the "others", well make a point to check the big 'Don't Offend Selassie I'. This song is really one suggesting the masses to live better lives. It is a very complicated and complexly written tune, however, so pay special attention to that one. The very curiously titled social commentary 'Generation of Viper' is likely to grab a lot of attention based on its name, alone. What listeners will find when they listen to the tune is another very good one, albeit one which is likely to take a bit of time to 'settle'. I will say for this tune that it is amongst the easier listens on "Ethiopie" because, at least comparatively to what surrounds it, it is a fairly dynamic track and I love that riddim. Strictly based on sound, 'Wake the Town' may be even stronger and it also offers a sublime sentiment. And there is also the pounding 'Do Good Everyday' which I would definitely place in the next class of songs on the album, because I really like that song. The phrase 'Do Good', anytime that I see it in regards to Ancient King, I instantly think back to the "Conquering Sound" album which contained a HUGE tune of the same name and while this song isn't on that level, I predict that it is going make many, many fans of its own.
"At any given time you shall -
Do it whenever
Yow, it will make your life better
Don't hesitate
Bruk, bread with ya bredda
Cah no one know what tomorrow will bring
Yeah, that mean man no know what will happen around di corner
So mankind be wise and do this everyday
Yow, do good everyday
Do good everyday
Good will follow you
Jah give you the blessin along the way
Do good everyday
Do good everyday
So Jah seh, there is no other way"
As for that big trio of songs I mentioned, the biggest of them all on "Ethiopie" is the tune the album is named after. This is a LESSON! It just happens, incidentally, to be stuck to music and that's fine, but this is a pure education from Ancient King to his fans. It's technical and straight forward and commentary-like and full on compelling in every way. Next is another commentary but this of the social kind, 'Dat Ah Babylon'. Here, we find Ancient King really just expanding on the NASTY ways of the corrupt world. He has one main example he "returns" to on more than one occasion, which illustrates his point very vividly. And finally is the wicked 'Clean Words', which is a song that I think relates directly to 'You No Fi Chat Folly'. Both are pieces which're really just about watching the words that you say. In this case it isn't so precise in terms of speaking ONLY to artists or mainly to this one. 'Clean Words' is for every speaking human being on the planet ["dirty mouth neva coulda win"].
Overall, I'm going to say that I now hold this album in a bit higher respect than I did before I wrote the review for it (which happens fairly frequently, but it always kind of surprises me). Ancient King, like Vaughn Benjamin and Midnite, generally, is someone I recommend but with a condition. This album, despite having just a bit of Hip-Hop dashed in is, in my opinion, very likely to only be appreciated by more seasoned Reggae fans. Also, if you haven't listened to a great deal of Ancient King's music, this would be a pretty nice place to start and I would even more strongly say that if you're a fan of Midnite's and you haven't listened to too much of Ancient King's work (shame on you!) then now would be a perfect time and I can't imagine the fan of Midnite who wouldn't enjoy this album or either of his other two. I don't think that this is the one monumental moment that changes everything for Ancient King, but what "Ethiopie" is, is another strong addition and EXAMPLE of his talents and, really, anytime he can have an album it is a good thing and that is certainly true in this line of releases from Higher Bound Productions which is already attracting a surging amount of attention. Ultimately, still, the album is a strong step on the road to what I hope are big things to come for Ancient King in 2013 and in the future.
