'More Exploration': A review of "Signs Of Change" by Blaak Lung

Keep going. As we've talked about a few times in the past, there're so many wonderful and talented individuals who, essentially, keep the ever-evolving and ever-progressing vehicle that is Reggae music moving smoothly. These people, or at least some of them, may not exactly be household names to most of the Reggae listening world, but if they were to stop doing what they do, even momentarily or just for a very little while, their absence, whether you realized it or not, would be greatly felt. Furthermore, if you were to go a step further and just remove what they've done, in some of these cases, you may actually find it a bit more difficult to appreciate the genre, as a whole, because great contributions does not necessarily equal a very high profile, at least not when it comes to Reggae. A pair of fine and fitting examples for this particular case would definitely be Ras Batch and Tuff Lion. Just last year I found myself extremely happy for the former as he released what was definitely the most well known album of his catalogue to date, "Know Thyself" from I Grade Records. After years and years of pushing some of his own material, but way more of the work of others, the spotlight finally shined in his direction, brilliantly and he was well up to the moment and turned in one of the best albums of  the year and a likely future classic. If you were to go back and just un-exist all of that man's work, artist's whose music you LOVE (or at least you should if your ears function), such as Midnite, Mada Nile and, of course, Ras Attitude, with respect to their own great talents, loses more than a little bit of lustre. Similarly - Go back and remove what is probably the uncountable roster of participation of the incomparable Tuff Lion - and you're going to come to a point where you'll find yourself unable to enjoy almost ALL of Reggae music from the Virgin Islands as much as you once did, because the Lion's contributions have been nearly halting in both quality and quantity and they continue to be so. Someone else who fits firmly in that class and is even less well known, but has done brilliant work alongside both Ras Batch and Tuff Lion and others still, would be Blaak Lung. While the California based artist/producer/music/… probably engineer (if you want to make a Reggae song, you probably wouldn’t need much more than his services) has yet to make that solo leap forth in terms of popularity in some respects, he's already more than solidified himself as someone whose presence has had a grand effect on the landscape of modern Reggae music.  

"Rooted In Inity" [2010] & "Be Ever" [2011]

And apparently he isn't finished "solidifying". Working alongside the aforementioned likes of Tuff Lion, Ras Batch and Ras Attitude, as well as many others, in a genre where there're so many people whose work goes unnoticed, Blaak has seemed to be one of the most consistent figures for those who pay attention to his work. If that isn't you, then it's time to catch up as, along with his very own Green Sphere Records imprint, Blaak Lung has spent the better part of the past few years attempting to push his own recording career further and he has seen the releasing of two album in the past few years to fruition. Back in 2010 there was "Rooted In Inity" (which, in retrospect, was absolutely excellent) (oh and that album seems like it came out around eight years ago, it's been a long few years!) and a year later would reach its solid followup, "Be Ever". These two albums signalled a change in direction for the label who, again, had been putting out full albums and singles for others and it seems as if the "change" continues. 

Also from GreenSphere Records

"Signs Of Change" is the brand new album release from Blaak Lung, via Green Sphere Records. Somewhat like UK veteran vocalist, Lloyd Brown who we recently talked about, Blaak Lung has become someone of whom, every time you REALLY hear his name, you know a new album is not too far away (also like Brown, he puts out his own album (new Lloyd Brown album, "New Veteran", in stores now) on his own label (biggup Riddimworks) and does a great deal of all of the work) and I kind of remember having that feeling that a next project was likely forthcoming as Blaak is someone who, I would imagine, is GLUED to his studio and it had been a minute from the last time I had actually seen his name associated with anything that I remembered (however, as we established, that doesn't mean a great deal. He has probably been making releases all across the past couple of years), so you figured something would be forthcoming and here it is. As far as his actual music - the greatest qualities that Blaak Lung possesses are his compositions. You can pick up any of his albums that I've heard and choose almost any point at which to begin and what you're likely to notice primarily is that this man makes some AMAZING tracks and that is a trend which continues on the new album and I can assure that it remain so on his next album and the next one after that! He just makes very good music, even before you get to applying the vocals. Of course, when  you work with the likes of Tuff Lion who, once again, makes his presence known on a Blaak Lung album, as he plays on every song on "Signs Of Change" with the exception of the album's closer. And while I'm not at all going to even make an attempt to tell you that Blaak is the most dynamic of artists (more on that later), if you really do enjoy Roots Reggae music of the modern era, he has and does again, make pieces which're entertaining and captivating. He's also a strong writer and, again, that is a trait which is on a full display throughout the new album. So! What remains is to see whether or not Blaak Lung manages to continue his winning ways on his new project -- Yes. Yes he does. 

Not surprisingly at all, the musical direction on the new album is quite similar to its predecessors, but what I will say is that the album very much has a 'looser’ feel than the previous two which you can take one way or another, but does make for a very interesting trip. We began our musical journey through the brand new album from Blaak Lung, "Signs Of Change", with a very strong Intro on which Blaak, seemingly, outlines his own intentions with the album. Definitely pay attention to what is being said here, but that track is KNOCKING! The first actual full song on the album is up and it's a guaranteed signature from this set, 'One Nation'. This is a piece about unity and unification on both the small and large scales and a triumphant moment to my opinion. It also has that type of big and vibrant sound that you want to hear at the head of an album (as does the intro), which would make a newer listener curious to hear more. Nice start. Next is an even more sizable selection in the form of the MASSIVE 'Grows & Grows', which was my absolute favourite tune on this album until I reached its latter stages. I had, based on the title, assumed this one to be a 'love song' of sorts and… well I was kind of right about that, but it definitely isn't one in the typical fashion. 

"My love

[my love]

For Jah

[for Jah]

It grows

[it grows]

And grows

[and grows]

For iver

[for iver, for iver]

For iver

[for iver, for iver]

For my life that I live daily

For all of my family

Jah gave me a precious gift -

The ability to know love

Because of Father, I can see with my first eye

My direction in life is so very clear

For the earth and the sun 

For the stars and moon and clouds and every breath that I breathe

For the food that I eat

For the water that I drink

For everything, Jah has blessed me"

You see, it is a tune about love, but it is directly for the love of His Majesty and all that HE has given. BOOM! Another big song rolls in next - the very familiar 'Concrete Jungle Werkers'. I don't know if I know this riddim from somewhere or if I've just listened to it so many times, but I'm pretty sure I know something about this track from somewhere (which almost certainly means that I do not). In either case, it is a lovely tune about people maintaining themselves and their lives in the struggle provided by oppression and, in general, every day life. Three (and a half) tunes to open the record and three (and a half) big tunes. 

As you might expect of someone who has spent so much time doing work on the projects of other people, Blaak Lung has no problem getting vocalists to join him on his own record and "Signs Of Change" pushes a trio of winning combinations. First up is veteran Luv Fyah, who makes a stop on 'Mama Afreeka'. This isn't the first time the two have done a song together as they linked for a song on an older Blaak Lung album ["Aspire" from 2008], called 'Destination Rootsman'. This song is one just really giving honour to Afrika as HOME and as a major source of inspiration for people throughout the world. The Arkaingelle (why not make a new album??? It's been a long time from the last one) makes an appearance on the fine 'Been A Long Time'. Every time I mention his name, I feel compelled to also state that Arkaingelle (along with Blaak Lung) made one of the greatest songs I have ever heard in my entire life, 'Manifess Joy', and while I wait for him to reach those levels again, this track is pretty good. It has a kind of 'large' sound to it and the two deliver what proves to be a more than solid piece and one of my favourite songs on this album. I also want to mention just how much I like to hear from Arkaingelle, in general. He isn't the most active of names (though he is on the recent Indo Riddim via Jah Youth), but he almost always produces big songs. And also you'll find our old favourite, Messenjah Selah (you can make a new one too!), back with Blaak Lung again for the nice 'Re-bel Rebel'. 

"Let dem know dat we have a right -

To fight for whatever we believe in 

Justice - until we get some, there'll be peace

They thrive under wrong and never cease

But di fyah caan cease

Babylon, your laws are deceiving

You tried to tie our hands, but Jah bless my feet

Yes, now I must take the higher road

Yow, mi seh di system is a heavy load" 

"Dem no waan wi live better

That's why they do the worst

THE MORE WE PRACTICE, WE GET BETTER AT BREAKING DI CURSE

Different methods wi haffi use and -

Babylon dem caan tell wi what to choose man

How could wi be the last - when we were the first?

Beast belly bust, life must preserve

Wi nah tek it and just cool man

Mamma, Daddy neva raise no fool man" 

Selah actually released a pair of sublime Blaak Lung produced singles from a while back, 'Criminal Planet' and the WONDERFUL 'Be My Messenjah' (both well worth checking and are available now) and 'Re-bel Rebel, at least to my opinion is on those same levels. Big, big song. 

Sololy (not a word), Blaak continues to make strides throughout "Signs Of Change", including offering up what is my absolute favourite selection here. Before that, however, is the title track which is another strong moment. The sound here is divine, but I had to actually hear it a few times to get past the excellent vibes of the piece to really dig into it. While it isn't particularly complex to any degree, I would just say to make an effort to pay just a bit more attention here, because it is deeper than it seems. 'All We Need' may also require more than one or two spins and not because I think it to subtly DEEP, but because it is… EXCELLENT.

"LOVE

Mr. Oppressor know it is a must

That's why he took it from us

Him give us so much negativity

On the radio, TV or the movies

If you look in your communities -

There's so much anger and destruction, see

That was the ultimate plan for we

To keep in a lower form of consciousness, see

So what we must do is overcome this trend

And bring back love again" 

Originally, I was not very impressed by 'Into You', which is a love song, but despite the fact that it will never be a favourite of mine on this album, it has grown on me considerably from the first listen (probably due to its inescapable chorus - good luck not finding yourself singing that thing WELL after you've finished with rest of the album). 'Walking Away', had no such space to grow in my affections - I enjoyed it from the very first listen. The strength here, at least partially, is how well it relates to the title and theme of the album. It takes the concept of "change" and really personalizes it for Blaak Lung and the listener as the artist suggests making both large and small changes in one's life, thus "walking away" to a better frame of mind - both a mental and, if need be, a physical walk. 

As it winds down "Signs Of Change" continues to thrive, but it never does so as brilliantly as it does on what is my choice as the album's single best tune, 'No More'!

"SOON THERE WON'T BE NO MORE WARS ANYMORE

OUR FEET SHALL SOON TOUCH THE DIRT OF ZION'S SHORE

Jah's time is soon near

Victory for us is here

What a beautiful day this will be

One big global family"

This song… it has so many wonderfully different facets. In the middle of it, Blaak Lung breaks out with a Spoken Word styled delivery and what resonates throughout is his growing CONFIDENCE. At times it is casual and at others it's far more forceful, but you know this man is full certain that "soon there won't be no more wars anymore!" What immediately precedes 'No More, 'I Call On Jah', is also a highlight (though it may take you awhile to realize it). No new ground is broken here and it doesn't take things to a 'different level', but it is damn delightful and hopefully it gets a proper chance to shine, because it deserves it. Check 'New Day' (also delightful) and 'I Know' (… yeah, pretty delightful) also. The former is a decent piece which doesn't really have anything SPECTACULAR to it, but is a standard Roots track. The latter, on the other hand, is golden!

"I know sometimes it can be real hard

But always keep on holding firm to Jah Jah

Never sacrifice your roots and culture

I know sometimes it can be real hard

Just keep on moving forward

And never go backwards, backwards"

Lastly, "Signs Of Change" ends on an acoustic note - 'Declaration To Jah'. There're stronger and similar compositions on the album, but this tune does nothing to dip the quality of the complete record to my opinion.

My one prevailing critique of "Signs Of Change" is that it could have used a bit more "change". I wouldn't at all want a grand deviation (and I'm almost certain Blaak Lung wouldn't do that anyway), but it can be a little 'rigid', at times (even on songs that I really like), so maybe just one changeup, at least in my opinion (and what do I know???), could have really added a bit more colour and texture to the release. 

Overall, however, "Signs Of Change" is still a winner and is one with quite a bit of room to spare. I've become a bit more 'open-minded' recently and while this album is one which I would have very much recommended strictly for more experienced listeners, I don't think that's the exact case here. If you're a newer fan, you should probably be able to find quite a bit here to like (though "Rooted In Inity" does remain the best of Blaak Lung's albums that I've heard). Older fans - have fun! "Signs Of Change" is an album which impacts in a heavy way, but by its end, it proves to be quite meticulous and well-crafted. Of course what else should we expect from someone such as Blaak Lung whose presence in Reggae music, in some form, has made it even more enjoyable throughout the years. Well done.

Rated: 4.15/5

Green Sphere Records

2013

CD + Digital 

Review #425

'Time To Shine': A Review of "Be Ever" by Blaak Lung

In retrospect, 2010 was not only a very good year for Reggae music, in general, but perhaps specifically, a very good one for Reggae music from America. Typically, unlike just about everywhere else in the world (with the exception of Jamaica, which is typically afforded the word ‘Reggae’ unless otherwise noted), we don’t tend to think of ‘American Reggae’ and instead things get more and more regionalized. I can talk to you about Reggae from New York, or Florida or especially the very Reggae-rich West Coast. Without observing those inner-regional regions, however, the States, as a whole, well impressed in 2010. Of course, at the top of the line has to be the fact that two of the consensus choice of best Reggae albums of the year came from an American artist and an American based artist for an American label. Clearly I’m talking about ”Black Gold” by Toussaint and Jahdan Blakkamoore’s outstandingly and increasingly good ”Babylon Nightmare” for Lustre King Productions. In hindsight, along with all of the remarkable things about both of those projects, one of the most interesting is that they very much so fell ‘in line’ with the more ‘usual’ settings of Reggae music. And I’ll elabourate on that more later (because I’m very much hoping that the artist in question here is going to get there as well), but if you follow Reggae music to any serious degree, certainly Jahdan and Toussaint popped up on your radars last year. What else? Definitely a lot of elder acts now call the States home and we saw a very nice collection of them strike in with big releases from the likes of Apple Gabriel and Ras Midas and they were highlighted by the critically acclaimed ”Mi Deh Yah” from the US based Clinton Fearon. Also we had labels such as Footprintz Music Group [Luciano’s ”Write My Name”] and Skank Records [Ossie Dellimore’s ”Reggae Music”] with big albums and not to mention the likes of Zion High Productions (who also participated in Toussaint’s successes) and definitely Itation Records who did BIG things with a couple of mega shot riddims. And that’s just how much I pay attention - There are so many American bands that I don’t listen to or even know about and I’m sure some of those were streaking highly as well. With all that said, however, an absolute GEM of an album, ”Rooted In Inity” was somewhat lost in the shuffle, but it really helped to get the year off to a good start . . . Now, hopefully this time next year we’re not saying the same thing about ”Be Ever”.

Blaak Lung. The mind behind both of those albums is that of the California based Alan Gordon [bka Blaak Lung], a producer and artist and probably one of the most decorated of US based Reggae producers. And although his own label, GreenSphere Records isn’t as well known as some of the ones I’ve mentioned such as Lustre Kings, Zion High or Itation (again, I‘ll get to that in a moment), they’ve really managed to string together a very impressive existence and should you follow modern Reggae music on a more than casual level, chances are that you’ve ran into some of the artists with which Blaak Lung has worked or you’ve actually ran into some of the work itself. As of late, however, as far as I can tell GreenSphere hasn’t done an album which wasn’t Blaak Lung’s since 2008’s "O’Pen”, which means that Blaak Lung, the artist, has been the main focus of the entire label, at least seemingly and , at least in my opinion, they’ve suffered NONE AT ALL because of it. I don’t care who the vocalist is, Blaak Lung makes fantastic music and when he isn’t active, it’s a bad thing for the genre as a whole and when he is, making LOVELY riddims for himself and others, American Reggae, Virgin Islands Reggae . . . Reggae from Indonesia - All of it is a MUCH better place simply on the fact of the circumstance and, presumably, it would be much easier for Blaak Lung to vibe a Blaak Lung album (having an unparalleled level access to . . . Himself) than for anyone else. And when you have results as he had last year with ”Rooted In Inity“, you really get into an issue of nothing being broken, thus nothing needing fixing. So with that being said, perhaps my initial feeling when I saw that Blaak Lung was returning just a year later with yet another new album, ”Be Ever” - Pretty surprised - Weren’t very warranted at all. Now, you shouldn’t be surprised either (because I’ve been alluding to it for this entire review) that what I would like to be able to do is to begin to move Blaak Lung’s music closer and closer to some of the aforementioned big and breakout pieces and stars of last year. In the review of last year’s ”Rooted In Inity” album, I openly celebrated the fact that we - Really heavy listeners and followers of Reggae music - essentially had Blaak Lung’s music to ourselves because he wasn’t very well known to most of the Reggae listening world despite obviously making world class Reggae music. Well, what a difference a year can make: I’m ready to share! Not too much actually, I don’t want to see Blaak Lung go ‘mainstream’ (whatever that means these days), but I definitely would like to see more light shone in his direction and I don’t think that putting him in a category as some of his slightly more well known peers is a stretch at all and there’s no time like the present. To my opinion, in terms of a marketing/publicity standpoint ”Be Ever” couldn’t have come a better time for the producer/artist and hopefully he’s thinking of a way to push it (although if he continues to make albums at this rate, and he might, he won’t have to wait very long for a next chance at getting it right) on a bit of a higher level. What remains, of course, is the question of whether or not the album is any good? It’s pretty good, but even more importantly, to my opinion, the album is a very strong display of the excellent music of Blaak Lung.

I promised myself that I’d try to refrain from comparing this album to its predecessor, but what I will say is that, just like ”Rooted In Inity”, one of Blaak Lung’s very established peers, the brilliant Tuff Lion, once again plays throughout the album, so immediately you know what type of music levels you’re dealing with. Also, just like that album (and this is more of a general characterization of Blaak’s music than a straight comparison), this album exhibits a great deal of quality control. I don’t like every song here (I’m about to tell you about a song I don’t like actually), but there is nothing on this album, AT ALL, which even hints at being BAD vibes. Still, with that being said, following an opener in, ‘Word Sound’, which is essentially an intro (and a nice one) the first full song on Blaak Lung’s brand new album ”Be Ever” is probably my least favourite on the entire piece, ‘Pushing Through’. Again, this tune is not a bad song and with its ‘BIG’ sounding riddim, it’s well going to catch attentions. The ‘problem’ I had with this song, however, is that it’s kind of mechanical - I made the comment listening to it to a friend of mine (biggup Linya) that it sounded like Blaak had a recording session and this was the first tune of the day that he sang - But that’s just the way it sounds to me and you’ll (hopefully) tune in on the lyrics which are very nice and the strength of the tune. Blaak is very quick to right the ship with the title track and the album’s definitive highpoint in next. I was SO interested in hearing this song because I didn’t know what direction he would take it in (for some reason I was expected something such as ‘Be Natty’ by Tuff Lion from the ”Utterance” album ) and when I realized what he did, I was very impressed. The song is about personal perseverance on several levels and it really makes its mark by its end and does so over a delightful riddim which I am FRUSTRATINGLY sure sounds familiar to my ears for some reason.

“Many signs are right in front of us
That babylon is on its last legs
So what that means for us-
It’s gonna get harder
So what that means for us-
We’ve gotta be stronger
Don’t give up
Look out and you can see the finish line
Don’t give up
Cause we’ve almost won the race”

The tune is LOVELY and no confusion exists as to why it was made the title track. Next is a bit of a lover’s piece in ‘For The First Time’ over a STERLING one-drop riddim. This tune I like because it’s not the typical ‘Baby baby I love you’ type of a love song, but instead what it appears to be is one which kind of recaps how Blaak met his special lady (thus the title - “from the first time I seen you, I wanted you”). The tune also just sounds so nice from a strictly sonic point-of-view and is one of the best on the album in that respect as well as in general. Also, I think I’ll mention the tune which follows ’From The First Time’, ’Getting Older’, because it kind of makes a similar leap in terms of being a very obligatory type of a song (a ‘Mama song’ in this case) on a Reggae album, but listening to it, again, it’s also a different type of a vibes. This song is actually a big ‘Thank You’ from Blaak Lung to BOTH of his parents who he apparently has a very healthy respect for and so many times I listen to songs where you’ll see an artist have that type of reverence for one parent (usually Mama) and a great deal of disdain or just indifference to the other and in this case Blaak exalts the qualities of both and how much of an impression they made on him and how thankful he is. This is a song which should just make you feel good and although it does have a direct significance and cause, I’m almost sure Blaak also had that in mind (and I believe I once saw a video of someone interviewing a man who claimed to be Blaak Lung‘s Father, incidentally). Also, later you’ll check the tune ‘Marijuana’ which covers another very usual Reggae base and, again, Blaak Lung, very refreshingly, doesn’t take the tune in its more standard course and, instead, favours to do things just a touch different, but the song doesn’t stretch ANYTHING and fits almost perfectly into the flow of the album (and it also comes with its own prelude which is simply amazing and not to be missed).

In my opinion, Blaak Lung’s true talents lie in the production side and, to no surprise at all, the music throughout ”Be Ever” borders on the spectacular. And as the album goes on, it gets to the point where I don’t even think I actually appreciated, initially, just how well done the riddims here are. Example you say??? One of my personal favourite compositions sits behind the tune ‘To Know’ which is a bit of a social commentary. The riddim there is just so nice and easy that you kind of wish Blaak had given it to us in a bit of an extended form and he uses it to maximum effect in delivering a big tune. ‘Truth & Rights’ is another tune with a very ‘BIG’ sound to it and it also happens to be one of the best songs on the whole of the album as well. Blaak kind of changes his delivery just a bit and goes after the song in somewhat of a fiery spoken word type of conveyance.

“Like Daniel thrown in the lion’s den
But we’ll never get eaten
Like, Shadrach, Meshach and Ibednego
Tossed in the fire but they never get burned
Like the brothers and sisters of the day
Holding firm for the love of Jah
Holding firm for the love of Jah”

“We are the servants of The Most High
We are the soldiers of The Most High
We sing ‘bout truth & rights”

From out of the fire (and not getting burned) (of course) of that tune we get a nice and cool breeze on the very next song on ”Be Ever”, the very pleasant ‘We Made It Up’. This song moves in an inspirational direction and what really kind of struck me about it was the kind of ‘simple confidence’ that Blaak Lung emits in his tones. He’s speaking (actually) about all of the things the oppressed people of the world have endured, but if you listen to HOW he says it, it’s almost like he’s saying - And if we need to do it again . . . That’s not a problem - We’re ready!

The second half and latter stages of the album also offer very strong musical highlights as well as ‘Prepare’, the album’s only official combination which features VI Reggae superstar, Pressure Busspipe. I’m a huge fan of Pressure’s (so are you) (and so is Blaak Lung apparently and thankfully) and I was actually excited just to see him present here. As expected, he doesn’t disappoint, he almost never does, and he and Blaak Lung push a thoroughly message-packed and dazzling vibes on the tune and as is most often the case these days, Pressure is in a fine lyrical form.

“Afrika, it is my home and destination
Ghetto youths fi know seh repatriation
Marcus Garvey Starliner haffi sail
Nothing can stop the wicked from fail
Yow, know your roots and culture
Babylon only waan fi nyam your flesh like vulture
Dem go bow to dem idol gods and sculpture
Yow, Rastafari’s the lone conquer
Reaching out to all sun-burnt faces
With those Red, Gold and Green laces
Babylon ah try fi trick wi inna dem maize yeah
But we still amazing”

You probably recognized a couple of lines from Pressure’s MASSIVE old tune ‘Zion Is Home’, but it definitely worked in this case. Also functioning properly is that GORGEOUS riddim behind ‘How Could You’, with that very strong drum supporting Blaak Lung’s praising tune as he poignantly asks, “How could you live your life without acknowledging your creator?” There’s also a next lover’s song ‘You’re Special’ - I really like this tune - It’s one of the upful on the tune and while it is more typical than the earlier such selection, ‘From The First Time, it’s still a unique vibes and it’s definitely going to get more than a few heads knocking (including yours) (and mine). ‘Too Much Mix Up’ sounds strange. It just does. But it’s an excellent song and for some reason it was the first song on the album that I ended up hearing and I’ve been more than just impressed ever since. It comes over so easy and the riddim, although completely minimal, is an utter JOY to hear and Blaak Lung actually seems to change things up to perform near his best on it as well. And that big tune is chased by another in ‘Life Joy’ with another simply fantastic riddim. I mean . . . The year isn’t a month old while I’m writing this, but an album, anyone, is going to have to REALLY do something special to top the sonic feel of ”Be Ever” and on that note it would have been one of the better of 2010 as well, in a year full of such enjoyable sounds. As for the final full song on the album, ’Keep Climbing’, just like the first - It isn’t amongst my favourites, but in this instance I think it’s starting to grow on me and I wouldn’t be surprised if on my next full listen through it grows even stronger to my senses. The actual final thing heard on the album, ‘Black Ites Gold & Green’, is essentially an outro and a HUGE one at that as Blaak Lung gives a final thanks to say goodbye.

And I also briefly want to draw attention to the backup singers on ”Be Ever”. Credited as Nasambu Wamalwa and Alreca Smith (whose name sounds familiar), they do an exceptional job, particularly Wamalwa who is THE main backing voice heard.

Overall, what I’m feeling after having wrapped this one up is a sense of how PROFESSIONAL the album is done. I stressed the music here enough, certainly, but you really get the feel that so much, if not everything, of what turned out to be the ”Be Ever” album was rather carefully planned out and even if that isn’t true, then the people, particularly Blaak Lung of course, involved just simply know what they’re doing. The basis of this review, however, is to see if this is an album which can really take Blaak Lung’s career and popularity to the proverbial ‘next level’ and while he may not actually care and someone like me - If I’m the ONLY one listening - I don’t ultimately don’t care either, but I think it would be so nice if a lot of the fans who got into people like Toussaint, Jahdan Blakkamoore and others in 2010 have ‘hung around’ and stumbled upon Blaak Lung in 2011. If they are going to, what they’ll find in ”Be Ever” is yet another beautifully crafted stop in a career which is seemingly ready to shine. Well done.

Rated: 4/5
GreenSphere Records
2011
CD + Digital
Blaak Lung

"Mine. All Mine" : A Review of Rooted In Inity by Blaak Lung

I have to admit that sometimes I do actually feel greedy when I think about just how impressive some of our artists are and how most of them will never gain a solid following outside of heavy and hardcore Reggae fans. It is definitely unfortunate just how many of these very skilled and just BIG names will ultimately go largely unrecognized for what they do in terms of the ‘mainstream’ music world and at this time there doesn’t seem to be very much which can be done about it which isn’t being done already in most cases, although certainly more of ‘it‘ couldn’t hurt. That being said, however, my feelings of greed are usually quickly replaced with the feeling of just how fortunate I am to hear SO MANY of these strong artists who aren’t even household names in the Reggae community, as the feeling becomes - If the rest of the world will not do it, then it is all the more reason for me (and YOU) to celebrate them even more. Case in point would definitely be a name who has become familiar with my readers as of late (and should’ve been already), Tuff Lion. The absolute genius Virgin Island producer has been around for years and has been making music with (and for) some of the biggest names in the business and his is a name which carries a great deal of weight and resonance, yet within a very small community, those of us who LOVE Reggae music, which is unfortunate, but fortunate at the same time. Now, to make this connection, if you look at Tuff Lion’s standing and that of some of his peers in production such as Batch, Ishi Dube, Tippy (from I-Grade), the Lustre Kings Productions and a few others as well (speaking of these labels and producers who are very prevalent in the Virgin Islands and in the California area as well), you may get quite deep on that list before you get to the somewhat mysterious name of the one Blaak Lung. And although you may get further down on that list before you get to his name, that in no way means that he’s less of a producer than his peers at all. Quite the contrary, when you look up and down at what Blaak Lung and his Greensphere Records label have done through the years, chances are good that you’ll be pretty surprised as Lung’s resumé, as a producer first and foremost and in and of itself, is EXTREMELY good and well underrated. So, whenever he’s doing something, if you’re one to REALLY pay attention, then certainly you’d do well in paying attention at that specific project.

Like right now. So what exactly has done Blaak Lung done? Well first of all, one artist who I’m VERY fond of, Ms. Malika Madremana, has worked with him extensively. He has helmed both of her two releases to date Healing and Elixir, so it goes to state that if you love Malika Madremana’s music (and you do) then partial credit definitely would go to Blaak Lung. It’ll certainly impress you, my longtime readers, that I won’t dwell on that point much longer (even though you know I want to), because of just how strong his resumé is. Blaak Lung was also the mastermind behind Arkaingelle’s BIG 2008 debut album O’Pen, which would mean that to his credit goes (another after ‘Just Jah’ from Madremana) simply one of the greatest tunes I have ever heard in my entire life, the downright DEVASTATING ‘Manifess Joy’. That year, 2008, followed a year in which Blaak Lung and his Greensphere Records definitely made their biggest impact with simultaneous releases from the aforementioned Batch (I-Ver Strong) and Ras Attitude (HUGE album, Trodding Home) which followed the also aforementioned Elixir from Malika Madremana earlier that year. So with his skills as a producer and a musician now unquestionable (and probably as a project coordinator as well), we’re here to examine Blaak Lung as a vocal artist primarily (as the music, as you’ll quickly notice, seems to almost fall into place as expected) as he now delivers his brand new album Rooted In Inity. From what I was able to ascertain, this album is actually his forth studio project to date as the lead vocalist, following Aspire (which I did know about) from 2008, 2006‘s Frontline (which I also knew about) and To The Souls From Old from either 2005 or 2004 (which I had no idea existed). Having perused two of those three, I’m going to feel rather confident in stating that this new album is his masterwork thus far (because I’m confident that had I heard something which sounds BETTER than what I hear on this album that it would have signaled to me that it was something which I had to get my hands on and keep, I couldn’t possibly be that dense) (could I???). Of course, working on his own piece, the music here is absolutely sublime throughout. I was actually trying to kind of reach a point where I could categorize Blaak Lung’s style of production against someone like Tuff Lion’s (more on him in a bit) and what I’ll say about Blaak’s style is that it definitely seems to focus more on the melodies. Tuff Lion, an absolute genius of course, has a style which finds and strengthens its vibes on the quality that they are these beautifully FULL and RICH type of sounds, but it doesn’t seem like Blaak Lung minds too much kind of sagaciously ‘stretching’ and ‘conditioning’ the proverbial box in his music (Tuff Lion, on the other hand, just seems to IMPROVE “the box”), to an extent. But as I said, his musical chops are unquestionable at this point. His voice? There’re certainly better rootical singers in the arena than Blaak Lung, but his voice actually matches his output very well and you definitely shouldn’t have any problem with it as it translates his messages quite well in my opinion (he has a kind of a chanting/rapping/spoken word type of delivery at times). So, after adding all of that, what do we have? In Rooted In Inity we have a very interesting and POWERFUL album which so wonderfully comes from an individual who seems as if he had a lot on his mind and even if you and I are the only ones who take heed, it makes it absolutely no less crucial.

The way I’m going about listening to albums these days for the purpose of reviewing is to give a complete, but cursory listen to the entire project before REALLY digging in and on that initial listen, I was grabbed by a sense which I still have for this project - The feeling of PARITY. I don’t mean that every tune here sounds the same or that it is mechanical, but it seems as if Blaak Lung and company DEFINITELY exercised quite a bit of quality control and each tune here seems to well fit into a similar range in terms of very strong quality (and a uniting message as well which I‘ll also tell you about).

That quality control is WELL set into motion by the very first tune you’ll hear on Blaak Lung’s new album Rooted In Inity from Greensphere Records, ‘Standing Tall’. This tune caught my ears IMMEDIATELY via its BEAUTIFUL sound and its subsequent message - Standing ‘tall’ with His Majesty - kept my attention. It is a nearly perfect choice for an opener in terms of setting the tone for the album, definitely. Next, Blaak Lung goes all Peter Tosh on the people with ‘I Was Born An African’. For me, this tune speaks of the Afrikan Diaspora and how, although it may (is) certainly cluttered at the moment, the truth still prevails and that an Afrikan is still an Afrikan. As he says, “my big nose, lips and my nappy hair, my dreams, my reality, gives me my culture - An identity”, in an absolutely gorgeous stretch in the tune, one which is even stronger, arguably, than the opener. The next tune, ‘Dem A Chameleon’, despite its subjectry, comes in sounding SO lovely and ultimately sets the stage for a later tune which I feel is the album’s greatest (in terms of that sweet sound). The tune itself speaks to the kind of ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ (despite my disdain for clichés) - those amongst us whose true intent isn’t what it appears to be. Blaak Lung, very nicely, attempts to destroy their “masquerading” on the tune.

The body of the Rooted In Inity, as expected, features quite a few big surprises throughout, especially in the way of guesting artists. First of all, I was definitely surprised to see that Ms. Madremana wasn’t on board, but in her stead are definitely a two or three names certain to make waves in the same circles as her own would. Such as the name present on ‘10,000 Chariots’, the aforementioned Guyanese chanter, Arkaingelle. This SPECTACULARLY vibed tune rather easily stretches to the top class of the album and I have to admit that it’s been awhile since I’ve heard something new from the Arkaingelle and this BIG and inspirational vibes on the forthcoming revelation was a wonderful way for him to come back onto my players. Next in is??? Of course an artist who I’ve written extensively about Messenjah Selah, on ‘Rise’. This one is still working on my tastes actually and I think I may even grow to hold in higher esteem than ‘10,000 Chariots’ at some point in the future. The tune is HAILE lyrical and you should well pay attention, particularly later on when the tune musically seems to explode. Now if you can’t have Malika Madremana on your album, who would be the most fitting replacement? Definitely it’s the very youthful sounding Empress I-Sheba, who features on the very laid back, yet very colourful, ‘Free Up Your Mind’. Call me too much of a fan, but I literally got EXCITED when I-Sheba jumped in on the tune. She has a very distinct and unusual way of chanting and one which I’ve so much grown to LOVE and still I’m hoping someday she can have her own album. As expected, she compliments Blaak so well on this tune which he dominates and pushes as kind of an inwardly inspirational vibes (like a motivator I should say actually). And the final vocal combination on Rooted In Inity comes on the high stepping ‘Get Up, Get Up’ and features Mahad Mahan and Unda P. Mahan comes in with so much power on the tune and it is a very mighty moment and I love how the vibes change on his segment on the tune. Unda P (who also featured on Healing from Madremana) also does well and of course Blaak Lung does also on one of the best and most exciting moments on the entire album.

Still, I have to say that the two tunes here which stood out for me personally are two solo efforts featuring Blaak Lung on his own, ‘In Di Steps Of Jah’ and later the finest tune I hear on the album altogether, ‘Roots Man Come To Change’. The first of the two just has a nearly DIVINE vibes which comprise it and it has such a powerful message of submitting (and being STRONG in that decision to submit) to the will of His Majesty. And, as I always like to attempt to find tangible usages for this wonderful music, I’d take it even further and say that it is really a tune about TRUST and trust in oneself and one’s friends and family as well, because when those entities are strong and righteous, they are extensions and manifestations of The Almighty. But that’s just my interpretation and it’s such a huge tune that I’m sure you’ll come up with your own as well. ‘Roots Man Come To Change’! Tears! I love this song because it, to my ears, speaks so directly to how the music is a mirror of life and Blaak goes on the tune with an almost spoken word type of delivery at times. He speaks of how the natural order of things has been changed and how Roots music has been replaced by nastiness and ridiculousness, but how things are slowly shifting back. It also speaks to part of the direction I’ve chosen for this review, as he seems to acknowledge what he’s doing isn’t going to make him the most popular, but that it isn’t the intent to be the most popular - only to RIGHTEOUS. I love the vibes on the tune, the message and it is just such a wonderful tune and I hope many people get the privilege of vibing the tune as well.

And don’t let it be so powerful as to not give you the opportunity of listening to BIG tunes like ‘Which Road In Life’ (that riddim on that tune is ANGRY) and the very clever ‘Would You Hold On Please’. These two tunes have a similar sound and ‘texture’ and they go in the same direction lyrically to some degree as well as they both attempt to focus the energies of the masses on doing what is right. The latter is distinctly more socially conscious as where the former is more spiritual and conceptual, but both are lyrical champions of the album in my opinion, showing yet another talent of Blaak Lung’s (as if you needed to get this far in this review to figure that out). The very upful title track was another big one on Rooted In Inity for me also. It speaks also, like ‘I Was Born An African’, on the Afrikan Diaspora and the struggles placed on Afrikan people by the oppressors and it speaks to the successes of that plan, but also of the failures (the INHERENT failures) as the place of Afrikan people in the world is still evident and achievable given the proper set of circumstances and conditions such as LOVE! This one just put a big smile on my face and I’m sure I won’t be the only one who’ll say that about it. I also got a pretty nice vibes from the quality of the three remaining tunes, ‘I Won’t Pretend’, ‘Something Haffi Change’ and Burn Out Di Wicked’. All three definitely are not to be missed and have their sticking points (the first of the three is just so well arranged that besides making a very important and palpable point, that it just sounds good). I have to say that it was amongst these three that, when you take them in combination with a few of the other tunes here, the over-analyst in me starting to see prevailing and overlying messages for Rooted In Inity. And to me, it’s certainly no great coincidence that the PURGING ’Burn Out Di Wicked [Rejoice]’ (whose riddim sounds VERY familiar) is the final original vocal tune on the album, before the obligatory acoustic track which is a very well done remix of the title track.

To speak of the music here briefly, it is also no coincidence that is absolutely EXCELLENT throughout and no great surprise that both TUFF LION and BATCH play EXTENSIVELY on Rooted In Inity, so you really know what you’re dealing with there. Every backing track is a five star track. Period.

Overall, there’re several things going on in my mind about this album, not the least of which is going back to my original premise for this review. However, what I’ll start with is my allusion to their being some sort of a grand idea behind Rooted In Inity. There’s a way of writing and presentation in music which I feel is so great because it allows for the listener (you and me) to get a hold of a message, but not to the point where it is CRYSTAL CLEAR and that it just kind of jumps off the page at you, it leaves room for interpretation (like a regular conversation) and Blaak Lung definitely seems to have that on this album. I could tell you what my thought is and it probably wouldn’t be the same as yours and neither would probably be the same as Blaak Lung’s intent, but all would probably be quite close to one another. For me, that is golden! On top of that, there’s the fact that Blaak Lung’s is certainly not a household name in Reggae or in the ‘mainstream’ definitely and he seems to know that, but with an album so powerful, again, I’m feeling kind of greedy that this music almost ‘belongs’ to the hardcore and heavy Reggae head who will at least LIKE every tune here. Fortunately I’m one of said “hardcore and heavy Reggae heads” and for me and YOU also Rooted In Inity is near magic and extremely well done by an artist and producer whose history denotes nothing less is to be expected.

Rated 4.75/5

Greensphere Records

2010

Blaak Lung

Blaak Lung @ Myspace