Check up. The massive nerd in me does and likely will always feel some sort of connection to a select group of the artists that we cover around here. These things are not terribly easy to write (and as I get older, they become more and more difficult. In my 'prime' --whenever that was-- I could churn out one of these in a day or two NO PROBLEM) so, in some of these cases, I have literally spent HUNDREDS OF HOURS listening (and listening and listening) and writing and researching, so I've become attached to a few individuals who I've... never ever met in person and likely never will. Forgive me. I'm a fan. I'm invested to the degree that the twists and turns that their careers may take can be HALTING moments for me (if the 'right' artist has a new tune or a new album release, I will stop almost anything I'm doing to take a listen) as well as one of the most pleasing experiences in being a fan of music. I could throw you names that you're likely well familiar with but, instead, I'll go straight to the core this time as today we're talking about a loooooooongtime favourite of ours, Cali P. I'll also spare you (most of) the story of the matter but I will say that the Gwada born (biggup Teddy Riner) chanter's debut, "Lyrical Faya" (great album) released wayyyy back in 2008 and we're nearing a couple of decades that I have been at least emotionally invested in his career. What I heard back then was a very skilled and potential-latent and while that isn't something, AT ALL, that is very rare in terms of what I listen to (we are fortunate), the rarity in his case comes in the fact that Cali P has gone on to fulfill on every bit of that budding ability demonstrated on "Lyrical Faya", while missing virtually not a beat along the way. THAT is rare, as I can think of dozens of artists who I hold in at least equal esteem, for whom I cannot say the same (Sizzla is still my favourite and Sizzla, particularly as of late but even in his overactive prime, has released work non-representative of his otherworldly gifts). Cali P's career has also taken certain steps forward. When you look at some of the names and labels with which he's been able to work, he has definitely shown himself to have attained a certain level of respect amongst his peers. Along with that, we've encountered Cali P a few times throughout the years and he's always been very nice to us; at one point he literally sent a message asking us to do a write-up for an EP release he had at the time, 2014's "Healing Of The Nation" and he's also left a message or two on these pages throughout the years, praising our works. Cali P's music has made a fan out of me and Cali P, HIMSELF, has made a fan out of me as well.
2011
Musically speaking, Cali P's music has covered quite a few different bases but he usually comes back to 'center'. If I were to make a blanketed statement by saying that Cali P makes Roots Reggae music, it wouldn't be wrong but it wouldn't be all-encompassing either. While it has been the genre he most frequently touches, I could point to an entire album of work, the Riga produced "Unstoppable", which is.... something else (despite being crowned by the MAMMOTH 'Jah Rule The World' ["MY PEOPLE REJOICE AND SHOUT IT OUT LOUD! JAH RULE THE WORLD!"] [WHAT!] [BOOM!]. It was a bit of Dancehall, a bit of Electronic and maybe even a dash of Hip-Hop. Call it what you will, but "Unstoppable" was also VERY GOOD (song on that album called 'Sweet Greens' - probably one of the most overlooked ganja tunes that I've ever heard. It was outstanding). That set, on the biggest scale, showed a much earlier level of versatility which, unsurprisingly, was also high quality. More recently, the artist's latest creation, "Vizion" from 2021 (no way in hell that album is that old), also featured a more varied sound with, again, big results. So, at this point I neither know nor really even care what type of vibes Cali P comes up with because he's earned my trust that, whatever he does, will be quality.
So when we get a press release saying something along the lines of Cali P's newest album is "his most personal to date", I'm curious and you have my attention (...even if it didn't say that, you'd still have it. "NEW CALI P ALBUM" is more than enough) (DUH!) and that was what the material that came in support of "Infinity" read. Cali P had been well active in the months leading towards the release of "Infinity" and what ended up happening was a more micro version of what happened with the aforementioned "Vizion". The predecessor was an album compiled of a couple of previously set EPs so, had we paid attention, listeners had already experienced a very large chunk (if not all of it) of what was to come through the full album. Similarly, the chanter tipped his hand on much of what was to become 'Infinity" (right down to the cover), through the singles that he had released largely throughout earlier 2024. So, when we saw the official tracklist (and, again, the cover) we kind of had an idea of what to expect. <THAT was another bite of a more diverse type of vibe and one which, thankfully, also includes more than enough of a 'terrestrial' appeal for old heads like You and I. The album comes via Senmbelek Music which, I BELIEVE, is Cali P's own label and the always active Evidence and features the handiwork of a number of different maestros including Teka (who helmed "Vizion), the great Suku of Ward 21 (the presence of whom almost always guarantees legit, 100% Dancehall music), Derrick Sound and even Cali P, himself. I was hoping (and I figured) that the link with Teka would produce more music at some point and I would go as far as to suggest that the two might still work together throughout the rest of their careers and I have no problem with that. The early shots of what would turn out to be "Infinity" were what I am going to call 'vibrantly mellow'. It was a little R&Bish, a little Zoukish, little Dancehall with maybe a dash of Hip-Hop sprinkled in as well as a couple of nuggets of Roots music as well. I prefer Roots Reggae music, of course, but I'm open to such things and I did end up enjoying "Infinity" for a couple of different reasons though I do admit that I would ultimately find a level of delightful confusion within it all by its end. Let's discusssssssssssss!
I would immediately like to make the point that if you're attempting to expose someone to the work of Cali P, then a very good starting point would definitely be "Infinity". Along with carrying music of a number of different genres which probably would appeal to someone not of a rigidly Reggae persuasion, but what is here is also fairly easily digestible in terms of the direction of the songs and much of "Infinity" is very easy to listen to. For example, try out the album's opener and song that it is named after. 'Infinity' is, BASICALLY, an R&B tune, musically, but the attraction to this one is much deeper than finding an appropriate genre to categorize it within. 'Infinity' is likely one of the best done intros that I've ever heard. It starts off musical (and does so pretty strong) before ascending into the artist going into what appears to be an unplanned monologue. Parts of it (especially at the beginning) seem to be more planned than others but this track pinnacles during its parts where Cali P comes off as more organic and spontaneous:
"We never come to please people
Always ask yourself the question, do you please The Most High"
Those things stay with you, not only for the ten tunes which're to follow, but beyond. Cali P taps Akiyo for the first of several combination for "Infinity". I know Akiyo as being a group -- although "collective" might be a better term for how I understand them to be situated -- from out of Gwada so, certainly, he's well familiar with their work. Akiyo lends their talents to the GORGEOUS 'Numbers'. There is a very modern musical point here which I will leave for you (for probably the first time ever. Though I will say it isn't very superficial as it may seem should you just listen to it superficially and ONLY associate the title with money) to work out in favour of dealing with the VIBE of 'Numbers'. This one is futuristic but traditional at the same time - if such a thing is possible. Somewhere in the midst of a sound which may come from Mars or Saturn is an oft-revisited but random chant which is divine. There's something very Modern Dubbish on the Randy Valentine produced tune which plants its flag as an early winner for "Infinity". The well traveled and quite popular 'Energy' brings us back to terra firma, with a helping hand from German Reggae superstar, Gentleman. Gentleman SHINES on this song and he well lives up to its name while Cali P does as well, though he brings a more mellow vibes to matters during the chorus, making for a powerfully unique blending of sounds. What I took from 'Energy', primarily, was a couple of things, with the first being the idea of creating (and maintaining) a positive energy - whatever that may mean to you. Gentleman introduces several ways in which this is done with one of the more fascinating being HARD WORK. You can LITERALLY produce a positive energy in grinding and doing what you have to do to improve yourself and others. The other thing which stayed with me from 'Energy' was more basic with the music, itself, being that energy and the song somewhat becomes a celebration of the music and all that it is capable of. There aren't many finer moments on this album than 'Energy' (only one, for certain) and I wasn't surprised given the firepower of talent assembled here. If you're familiar with his work and take a brief skim through this album, you'd likely come to the conclusion that the track which features the work of Suku is hypnotic 'Secret Hater' and you would be correct in that. The riddim on that song, whatever it is, is BRUTAL and Cali P makes the most of it by shredding those who hide behind two faces.
'Caan ramp wid di bad friend dem from The Netherlands
A dem will send you go a neverland
Gwadada and di mad Nigerians-
GRIND YOU, LIKE A CINNAMON
Badness gone international, Jamaican dem cold like man from Paksitan
Dem will hunt you, wid Remington
DEM HAVE A B ULLET WEH FLY OUT YUH SKELETON
Shot buss, man don't send no telegram
Scammmer police - haffi watch what you tell a man"
Grrrrr! For what it is, it's fun, but 'Ready - Bend' is also NINETY-EIGHT seconds long... it comes and goes so quickly that it never gets a chance to settle down but, like I said, it is a good time. I mentioned that the press release from "Infinity" claimed it to be the most personal piece of work of Cali P's career to date and I would assume that the presence of 'Sunside' is a large part of the reason why that is the case. This one almost comes off as an unusual -- and often vicious -- tribute to some of Cali P's favourite places (not terribly unlike what I just transcribed from 'Secret Hater', actually) and places that he's visited. It speaks to many of the hardships faced in the areas but there's also a clear reverence paid to the places and, specifically, their people and their hardworking and adaptable nature ["It's either we get up and get it or left it and die"]. The song is kind of melancholy throughout and.... yeah, it's fair to call it bleak but there is A BIT of light on 'Sunside' outside of its title.
You could make a solid case that, despite its strong start, the second part of "Infinity" is even stronger than the first as it features a couple of HUGE moments (three, REALLY), including the album's crown as well as some serious fun. Check 'Mi Ruff Road' and its interesting backing, drifting somewhere between Hip-Hop and what they call Dancehall these days. Typically, I'd condemn such things but there is something to the riddim on this one which I doesn't put me off and there's also a vocalist CLEARLY enjoying himself. Cali P literally sounds like he was eager to go on this track and the torrent of lyrics he gives is evidence to that case. Far stronger is 'My Temple' which brings in a Swiss rapper who was new to my ears and eyes by the name of Theylovepiet. Unless the two link again (and they just might someday), I'm probably unlikely to ever encounter the work of Theylovepiet ever again but he's left a solid impression on me, even for someone who isn't much of a Hip-Hop fan. The real attraction on 'My Temple' is its sonics. Where 'Mi Ruff Road' combines Hip-Hop and... on 'My Temple', I hear it blended with Afrobeat, I hear a more traditional form of Dancehall and I LIKES IT! It is all sorts of infectious and absolute CANDY to the ears. Speaking of being sweet, in a downright brilliant stroke of song placement on "Infinity", chasing 'Mi Ruff Road' and 'My Temple' is a tune which I didn't know that I needed until it popped up, 'Family'. Blessed with Derrick Sound's STUNNING Fight Again Riddim from 2024 (riddim had several big tunes from the likes of Chezidek, Tiwony, Eesah, Bugle and Lutan Fyah ["And when mi check di news, a just 'blahblahblah'"]), Cali P gives a massive credit to closed ones who have helped him along the way and continue to do so. In the midst of "Infinity"and all of its uniqueness and different sounds, unbeknownst to me I was longing for (biggup Jah Cure) something more terrestrial and that hunger was well sated here on this immaculately organized piece of music. Things go right back as they were on the song in 'Wine Up', which taps another Swiss artist, Mercee who, interestingly, delivers in Spanish (reading through her background, Mercee's roots are everywhere. Switzerland, Cuba and Italy). This is done on an almost Groovy Soca-ish track and, again, it's just a really fun vibes that's bringing together a variety of different sounds and styles.
And wrapping things up is the single finest moment "Infinity" has to offer in my opinion, the outlandish 'Jah Blessing'... TEARS! There is a certain level of gorgeous humility to this one and with a title like that, it is definitely something that you would hope for but it comes BLARING through in this instance.
"JAH BLESSINGS NEVER SHORT CAUSE WE HAVE ENOUGH"
It is a chunk of ideology that I have always appreciated as it says to BE HAPPY FOR WHAT YOU HAVE because you know that, regardless of what it may [or may not] be, there's someone, somewhere out there who wishes they were in your position. Apart from that, 'Jah Blessing' is STERLING. It sits as not only the entry on this album, but one of the finest of Cali P's entire career in my opinion.
"Infinity" is entirely too short. It is. That's my largest critique. Eleven Cali P tracks, thirty and a half minutes. You couldn't have paid me to complain (yes you could have) were it a bit longer.
Overall, for what is here, "Infinity" does impress. If you come looking for that straight forward Roots project, you will be disappointed (though, for you, I would direct you to a new tune from Cali P, 'Chant A Prayer') to a degree but I would also caution you to just let it, because you might run into something [called 'Family'] that will surprise you. As I said, I've been doing these for quite awhile with Cali P and, I imagine, we still have quite a ways to go. Judging by what is on "Inifinity", who knows what is to come and how it might sound, but I will HAPPILY be there to find out..... hell, even if it was awful, he's not getting rid of me that easily! Varied and solid.
Calibrated. Today I think I want to talk about a wonderful word which people like me and others tend to [over]use quite a bit when it comes to music. Now this term has very strong roots, particularly within the scope of the types of music we deal with around here and it is incredibly broad and can be (and is) used in description of a wide variety of different things. It is a word which can go overlooked and, simultaneously, be THE main reason why we even listen in the first place. Of course I am talking about the word VIBES. What is a vibe? Can anyone define it??? Sure you can because it, kinda/sorta, means just about anything you may want it to. It is a noun -- "I love the vibes on this tune" -- and a verb "the way they vibe this tune is damn impressive" -- and, again, sometimes it can mean virtually anything you want it to me. However, most often when you use the word VIBES, in any form, what you're describing is some type of feeling (generally positive, but not always. There're 'bad vibes') that the music gives you or leads you into, some way or another. Just to show how damn random I can be: I'm thinking now of the review or two I've done over the years for instrumental/Dub albums and one of them sticks out in my brain. Waaaaaayyy back in 2008, Achis Reggae favourite, the incomparable VI Reggae wizard, Tuff Lion, would give us an album by the name of "Ten Strings" which has gone on to be declared a Modern Classic on these pages. My experience with the subgenre is not deep, I'll admit, but it's likely the finest of its kind that I have ever heard (still holding out hope that we may someday see an "Eleven Strings"). I bring it up here because, in writing reviews for that type of work, as someone who LOVES the spoken word and all of the healthy opportunities of analysis it offers, I find it refreshingly challenging to attempt to bring a review of this length to such a project. It is writing almost exclusively based on VIBES. Writing based on what I feel. And as someone who has not a shred of actual musical talent, I would imagine the feeling that it gives me is a similar one to an artist who walks into the studio and hears some sweet piece of riddim. Maybe they feel like I do. Maybe they smile. Maybe they go through a range of emotions. Maybe they even see a few things in their head. Maybe they start to hum or tap on something. Maybe they hear a challenge. Maybe they welcome it. The same happens when I do hear some master of wordplay. The challenge is just as interesting and compelling for me and, again, given my total dearth of actual musical ability, I wonder if a certain musician or a producer might look at working with a gifted artist in the same way. Maybe they look at making a composition which will bring out their best as that challenge. Maybe the approach is different for everyone. Maybe it's highly technical or maybe they work spontaneously. Maybe it's just about the vibes.
That same word can be and is often used to denote some form of unity or chemistry in music as well -- "on this one you can really tell that artist and producer really vibe together quite well" -- which may be (it will) one of the ways in which we use it today as we take a most WELCOMED look at the return of one of the absolute favourites of this blog. It's been a minute! Ever since his scalding debut, 2008's "Lyrical Faya", Gwada/Swiss firebreather Cali P has essentially been a mainstay on my radar. What I heard back then was an obviously gifted chanter who and one who, clearly, was sitting on a goldmine of potential. Since then, Cali P has done nothing but fulfill on what I heard on that excellent project and, in doing so, has demonstrated himself to be amongst the genre's brightest of lights. Subsequent albums have delighted as, chasing "Lyrical Faya" was "Unstoppable" (more on that in a bit) and "i Thoughts" and, somewhere within that timespan, Cali P became my one of my absolute favourite artists. He has vibes.
2009
And throughout his career, Cali P has been fortunate to 'vibe' with many a great talented maestros and producers, particularly on the European scene. Labels such as Pow Pow, Oneness Records, Weedy G Soundforce, Necessary Mayhem, Addis Records and a whole heap of others decorate his catalogue. Still, if you've been following the artist, then surely the label with whom you have come to most closely associate his work has been Hemp Higher Productions, who not only helmed both "Unstoppable" and "i Thoughts", but also a truly GOLDEN EP that Cali P would do in 2014 by the name of "Healing Of The Nation" ["Cause wi just give dem something, something weh dem neva si before. And di light weh wi shine pon dem mek dem run away fi sure!"] (BOOM!) (and biggup Hemp Higher, they're still hard at work, having released a single, 'Ma Lionne', for another of our favourites just earlier this year, Tiwony). But if you look into some of the finer details of Cali P's work, you begin to notice another very constant presence as well. At least two selections from "Lyrical Faya", 'Settle the Score' which featured Ras Charmer (biggup Ras Charmer) (Tiwony was also on that album as were Queen Omega & Straika D... you must be some kind of a damn fool if you haven't listened to "Lyrical Faya" by now) (no excuses!) (biggup Tiwony. Tiwony has vibes, like a lot of them) and 'Take Care of My Family' ["Righteous people ah go tek ova di globe and fi si dat, mi nuh need no blasted microscope!"] came via German imprint, Rootdown Records and producer Teka. Rootdown would also be involved on the "Healing Of The Nation" project with Teka building that GORGEOUS composition on which 'United We Stand' laid its head and were that enough (and it was), my absolute favourite song from "i Thoughts" was 'Guiding Shield' ["MI NO WORRY AND MI NO FRAID WHEN WI DEH PON DI BATTLEFIELD"] and I will give you one guess on who produced that one... some guy they call Teka on his fine Straight From The Fridge Riddim. And that's just material that would appear on albums (that I could actually source) they've also 'vibed' together on quite a few other singles (such as 'Tek De Beam', Cali's excellent cut of Rootdown's swinging Kokoo Riddim. And that's just THEM. I also VIBE with Teka's music. Personally, I can say that he's been behind more than a few of my favourites in the history of this blog such as Smiley's 'Distance' on the Tek A Train Riddim (which I just noticed that Teka may've named after himself) and, most notably, one of the best damn songs I have ever heard from anyone, the MASSIVE 'Slew U In The Open' ["Dem will dash you in the freezer til yuh frozen!"] from Natty King (which was on the iLove Riddim which also carried 'Need to Tell You This', a sizable hit from Ziggi Recado, who we also love). So, whether you know it or not, if you are a consistent fan of modern Roots Reggae music, you've probably also enjoy Teka's music at some point (he's really a fantastic, and predominately Roots, ace) (and just searching his name or 'Rootdown' on these pages reminds me how often we'd run into Teka's work over the years, working with the likes of Lloyd Brown, Dynamq, Hi-Kee (do you remember Hi-Kee???) (WHAT!). And, when you've been VIBING with someone for as long as Cali P and Teka have musically (going back nearly fifteen years as far as we know, but maybe even longer now), what comes next? Maybe they could make an album together?! Well, okay maybe not a full album, maybe you can build to that point and start with an EP... but when you have THIS much vibes, apparently one won't do it. Thus, Cali P and Teka bookended 2019 with a pair of EPs, "Vizion I" and "Vizion II", respectively. And I hadn't heard from Rootdown in quite awhile and that was likely due to the fact that Teka had moved away from the label and started his own LowLow Records outfit in Berlin which officially released the set. And CLEARLY the idea was that, because I was on hiatus when the EPs released initially and didn't have the opportunity to review them, artist and producer --having so much respect for me-- decided to take that logical next step and have now set out to the masses, "Vizion", the full album (there is absolutely no way in hell that happened like that) (NONE!). Both EPs featured four songs and they are combined with five others (a mixture of previous singles and new tracks) to bring the number up to a thicker thirteen in total. They've also been very attentive in regards to the promotion, with several tunes birthing videos (quite a few, actually) and digital singles as well. Someone, somewhere thought that "Vizion" had vibes.
They were correct. "Vizion" becomes Cali P's fourth complete studio album and his first since 2016. Coincidentally (I'm thinking it was by coincidence), with the official release date for this project being the twenty-fourth of September 2021, "Unstoppable" was released on October seventh, 2011: That's fairly close (just thirteen days by my count) to being an actual decade. So, in honour of its tenth anniversary, definitely go back and check out the high-powered "Unstoppable". Before that, however, let's dive into "Vizion" which is actually constructed in an interesting manner. The album's five songs which did not appear on either EP are placed at its head. In particular, there's 'Innit' which wasn't one of the three prior singles either, therefore, it was completely new to me! 'Innit' is all kinds of interesting because it kind of just comes off as a 'vibe'. It seems relatively spontaneous and organic as it goes in a few different lyrical directions, but what I ultimately took away from it is that Cali P is showing gratitude for how his career and life have evolved and how people now react to him and show him love and respect. I also have discovered that I have to play 'Innit' now exclusively on my headphones because if I play it otherwise, I run the risk of my daughter hearing it, thus ensuring that, in some type of way, I will spend the rest of the day listening to the chorus of 'Innit' (because she WILL NOT STOP singing it). And it also needs to be said that the opener is constructed over a downright ambrosian track That riddm is FANTASTIC and Cali definitely does not let it go to waste, complimenting it with some the finest wordplay you'll hear on the whole of "Vizion". Next we have the album's most recently released single, the fresh 'Heartbreaker'. Like the tune preceding it, 'Heartbreaker' is very catchy and from the very first time that I heard it, the word COOL has stuck with me in describing it. Although fairly specific, 'Heartbreaker' is a song about getting older, maturing and just 'going through it'. We've all been through certain things, particularly in and around relationships, that have kind of 'scarred' us and left lasting impressions (and I've found the older I get, I blame myself almost exclusively for that stuff) and this is the story of someone experiencing that. Again, the overall SOUND of 'Heartbreaker' is very attractive and is sure to keep heads bobbing and feet tapping, just as mine are right now. Cali P has big purpose in mind for the next selection in, the resounding 'Hit Like Gunshot'.
"Slavery abolished
But nuttin demolished
The school and system support di damage
Media mek ya panic
Control economics
HISTORICAL BANDIT
I seh check how dem plan it
I CANNOT STAND IT
SI DI VIDEO - VOMIT
Humanity, damn it
Yuh needed the graphics
To feel how it tragic
Now go back in time -
When Iphone wasn't
Sad don't?
Mi nuh waan nuh pity
Tek a trip inna di real nitty-gritty
AFRICA SO PRETTY, STILL THINGS AIN'T PRETTY RIGHT NOW
Mi nuh waan nuh pity
Tek a trip inna di real nitty-gritty
And where is the justice for those who died?
Gunshot
Hit me like a gunshot
Gunshot
This hit me like a gunshot
My focus is home
To build up my zone
NO REASON FOR ME TO LEAVE AFRICA
AND BE KILLED IN AMERICA
I'm not here to beg please
You getting seized
400 years, still, we balling for justice and peace
Wickedness increase
Sometimes I can't believe-
How do we let down ourselves, like a king weh accept defeat?
MARCHING TO PROVE I AM HUMAN
ALONG WITH HUMANITY
SOMETHING IS WRONG, DON'T YOU SEE?
I CANNOT BREATHE
Gunshot
Hit me like a gunshot
Gunshot
This hit me like a gunshot"
Easily one of the finest songs on the album and probably of Cali's entire career, 'Hit Like Gunshot' is a piece of the times. The history of Reggae music is decorated with songs like this in regards to specific moments and actions (and DEFINITELY in the more expansive sense, with general social commentaries) and, at least as far as I am concerned, when you take a look at what has been going on in the world recently, you would expect the genre to DIRECTLY react and 'Hit Like Gunshot' is Cali P's absolutely TOWERING response (just thinking out loud here, you can go onto the next track if you like: It would be so interesting to look up if anyone already has written such a book (I would presume someone has) addressing the direct 'reaction' of Reggae to significant social moments of the human experience, throughout history. It's a very interesting topic and I remember taking a Pan African class in university and learning about the Negritude Movement and doing some brief research of how/if it had been addressed in (mostly French and Creole) Reggae music. Surely someone has already written extensively on the topic and if they haven't, maybe it's something I should look into, myself). If 'album building' and 'album sequencing' are such things that actually exist, in terms of how you place songs in order on an album and how well they flow together, then whoever was in charge of that on "Vizion" had a moment of full genius between #3 and #4, when they followed 'Hit Like Gunshot' with the similar but, arguably, even stronger (and brand new as far as I know) 'Care For Us', which is my favourite song on the entire album.
"You ain't for the people
You don't care for us
People still hungry and you don't care for those
Everyday new tv stories making up
Instead of telling people what really goes
More time I hear unuh talking
All I can do is laughing
My mind, it start imagine all the shocking things that happen
And now wi see these fathers dying
And see these children crying
AND STILL YOU HAVE THE POWER AS A LEADER TO BE LYING
You fighting terroists
I know you make them
I know you protect the fuckry that you projecting
Try put us in positions you selecting
And those you don't wanna see, you keep neglecting
Rejecting to the core
Mek wi feel it some more
SEGREGATE DI WORLD INTO 'RICH' AND TO 'POOR'
COUNTLESS WARRIORS DISAPPEARING FROM THE COURSE
CUZ ANYTIME WI SAY SOMETHING, YEAH, YOU START USE FORCE
You ain't for the people
You don't care for us
People still hungry and you don't care for those
Everyday new tv stories making up
Instead of telling people what really goes
Education is expensive-
Like it should be limited
NOW LOOK INNA DI FACE OF DI ONES DEM WEH LIMIT IT
Money money people wanna stay limited
READY FI SPEND THEIR MONEY JUST TO KEEP WI ILLITERATE
And always try to give us di impression wi so poor
Mek di whole believe wi need yah help some more
Charity, charity yeah fi hungry pickney
MI SI CHARITY, CHARITY
AND ALL WITHOUT CLARITY
And there's people with nuff popularity-
WEH MEK PEOPLE FORGET DEM HAVE FAMILY
Mek dem live a life weh dem run fi vanity
No solidarity
Mi si pure animosity"
I mean.... DAMN! BLESSED (it is a GIFT. It is PERFECT!) with what may be the finest composition on the album as well, like the song ahead of it, 'Care For Us' is a knocking social commentary. This one is just a bit wider and encompassing in its direction but the lyrical precision is needle-point accurate as Cali P scintillates on a FORTRESS of a song. Lastly (besides the eight other songs I mean) is another previous single and the only combination on "Vizion", 'Rise Up & Shine' which links Cali P and Teka with African artists, Stonebwoy from Ghana (who we just ran into on "Pamoja", Etana's outstanding recent release) and Nigerian musical prince, Seun Kuti, son of the legendary Fela Kuti. Besides just being very nice to listen to (there's this really cool 'shuffling' sound in there somewhere), 'Rise Up & Shine' does take its opportunity to make a point as well ["My people keep shining. From Lagos to Holland"], reaching with a solid inspirational vibe. Songs like this can be inherently interesting based purely on the combination of styles (which is the main attraction, on paper, obviously) but sometimes you can have situations where so much is going on that it ends up as kind of a big ass mess. That isn't the case here and, for what it is, 'Rise Up & Shine' has very sleek and well put-together VIBES to it.
As I alluded to, the remaining balance of "Vizion" is filled with the eight songs which compiled both of its EP releases in 2019, so I think that the best approach is to separate them as they were released and VIBE them like such. First was "Vizion I" (DUH! Can you imagine if they released II in January, then came back and did I in November - like just because), which just so happens to have been headed by the downright DAMAGING 'Baddest' which was its brightest star in my opinion. The track found Cali P giving due respect and honour to some of his most powerful peers and, presumably, many of the artists who provided him (and You and I) with inspiration through the years.
"Drop it, wild it like Shabba
Powerful and mad like Cobra
Super Cat, di real don dada
Dem deh bad, bad, badda and badda
Mi look up to Buju, Killa, Peter Tosh, Kalonji dada
'WHO DEMMM', Capleton, Beenie - nobody, nobody madda
Gi dem, mi gi dem, mi gi dem it everyday
Lyrical fyah
Keep up the work-
Represent straight, Mama Afrika
Buss up di place with Tiwony, Anthony B, inna Gambia
LISTEN TO MARLEY, BIG YOUTH AND BURNING SPEAR -
FI GET WISER"
He goes on to make the priority of specifically mentioning a few of the pillaring women (Sister Nancy, Queen Omega and Queen Ifrica) of Reggae music as well as African artists (Fela Kuti, Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela) and REALLY just does what I'm going to call a 'humbling' tune. And I really appreciate it, in particular, because you hear songs like this in tribute to people who're either no longer with us at all or who've gone to a place of being living (ELDERLY) legends, but Cali P is giving those types the credit AND his direct peers. He's actually made music with Queen Omega, Tiwony and Capleton (and that's just from the top of my head, he may've worked with others he mentions as well). It's a wonderful way of telling someone that, despite that I'm standing next to you, vibing with you, I'm still a fan and am still inspired by and learning from you. Speaking of learning, next on "Vizion I" was 'Life Lesson', which was also wholly excellent. The way this one is written is pretty unique because it isn't as if Cali is talking about a single lesson, he's come to teach a few of them ["Everyday we get it is another life lesson"]. In its near four minutes, the artist goes in on things such as anti-violence, respect ["I, is not a punching. I, is not a hypocrite"] and injustice. Taken as a whole it is definitely one of the more interesting lyrical approaches on "Vizion" and one which I would well recommend anyone to spend more than a couple of spins on before deciding how you feel about it completely. Oh and even though I'm tired telling you just how good the music is on many of these most of these songs, it HAS to be repeated in this instance. I hesitate to call 'When You Hold Me' (ditto for this what I just said about 'Life Lesson' in regards to this one. And this one literally SCREAMS out for a Dub version) a 'love song' in the usual way we use that term (although I don't think that doing that is necessarily incorrect, but maybe just a bit limiting); instead, I'm thinking of referring to it as a 'relationship song'. The difference being that 'When You Hold Me' virtually comes off as a 'thank you' letter. It's as much about GRATITUDE, PRIDE and RESPECT as it is about love, at least in my opinion. The result is a song which most people will regard as a love song, surely, but in its defense, is one with possesses another element for anyone willing to take a deeper listen. And sending out "Vizion I" was 'When Things Go Up', another track whose value increases with the more attention you give it.
"As soon as things go up, some try fi bring it down
As a problem gone, a next problem come
Most High please don't let I drown
Lift up my head and keep my feet on the ground
Good to be feared
Better to be respect
And in this time, I think family is affected
SO KNOW YUH ACTION, IF IT'S WRONG, CORRECT IT
Or things ahgo come at you - really unexpected
Keep the focus, stay connected
Make use of yuh talents and don't be wreckless
Send up yuh prayers, stay protected
Practice nuff, yeah that's how you perfect it
Choose where you wanna be
Bredda better select it
And anywhere the good vibes dem, deh go collect it
And anywhere the bad vibes dem, deh go detect it
Fling dem outta di window and stay uninfected
Bad man is active, it's so fascinating
The love I have it keep mi motivated"
Along with being a display of some excellent wordplay, 'When Things Go Up' seems to be something that Cali P created to provoke thought (he literally says it at the beginning, "So mek mi tickle ya brain, like some good brain food") in his listeners and it does work. There is also a umbrella-ing direction (at least to my opinion there is) (you find me someone else who is using 'UMBRELLA' as a verb!!), which is a very relatable one as the artist takes a very colourful look at the ups and downs of everyday life ["Life fulla ups and down. For sure I never lose my crown. Real youths, firm and strong. Jah Jah keep wi safe and sound"] (BOOM! That's from an old song called 'Bless Me' - just felt like mentioning it). I like the relatively laidback tone of it as well as, while there is emotion here, there's never a panic, it's more like someone giving you advice rather than trying to admonish you.
For its part, released some ten months following the first installment, "Vizion II" features a selection which, despite its brevity (the shortest track on this entire release by twelve seconds and one of only two less than three minutes long) ('Heartbreaker' being the other), is probably my second favourite anywhere on "Vizion" at all. That song, 'Congo Natty' began "VII" and it was a chunk of BEAUTIFUL vibes. My daughter may not like it very much because, when her father hears it, she's likely going to have to spend the rest of the day listening to him sing the chorus, but she'll just have to deal with that (not my problem! Don't care!) (NOPE!) (NOT SORRY EITHER!). From its sound and its course, which is one talking about perseverance and maybe attempting to be less emotional and 'thin-skinned'. 'Congo Natty' is about knowing that you are secure in yourself and doing positive things. You can definitely take that a step further and get into subjects like CONFIDENCE and pride as Cali P strikes a MASSIVE blow in a [way too] short amount of time. Jumping ahead, there was also 'People Want More' (....time to be attached to 'Congo Natty') which is the obligatory ganja song from "Vizion". Cali P has scored heavily on this front previously. Perhaps, most notably, there was 'Herbalist' for Necessary Mayhem (which was GENIUS, it just was) from a few years back, but you might also remember the KNOCKING 'Sweet Greens' from "Unstoppable" and a fun vibes from years back called 'Bun Dem Herbs' ['Give thanks to Jah, cause HIM plant di marijuana, and di best a it mi find inna Jamaica"]. So there was some type of lineage to 'People Want More' and it definitely does not disappoint. 'Crazy', wonderfully, seems to celebrate all of the little idiosyncrasies that we all have. If you have someone special in your life (even a friend or a family member) you know that there is something that they do which is strange as hell but you find it adorable and maybe if you fall out with them, you'll complain about how much you hated it, but you LOVED it. It's a tune which is really just about relationships that we have with one another ["She asks, 'are you just like alla dem?' Now you tell me girl, did you try alla dem??"] and the things that we're willing to put up with and, in come cases, even honour to a degree. It's somewhat subtle I think, but there is a real substance when you dig into 'Crazy'. And lastly, with its Dancehall-ish and Hip Hop-ish vibes 'Girlfriend' stands as the musical changeup on "Vizion" (I guess you could call 'Rise Up & Shine' a changeup as well) on Teka's Whirlwhine Riddim. It isn't my favourite song on the album but it isn't bad at all and I'm actually glad that they decided to mix things up just a bit. If you go back and listen to "Unstoppable", you'll see immediately that Cali P has earned his stripes in the Dancehall as well (and Necessary Mayhem, albeit in a different way (they tend to more old school oriented), also touch Dancehall music relatively often) (biggup Mr. Williamz) and you can hear it on 'Girlfriend'. I also enjoyed reading the press release on the album which mentioned how this song (and others) organically evolved. It goes to show just how much producer and artist (and artist's lady) truly do VIBE together.
I do have a pair of standing critiques for "Vizion", one of them is obvious and the other is related in some (probably none) way I think. The obvious one is that if you're really into Cali P's music, then you're already familiar with eleven of its thirteen tracks. It will only give you 'Innit' and 'Care For Us' (which, I remind you, is its best moment for me) as entirely new work. The second is the music on the album. WHAT! Hear me out. Maybe I've grown spoiled listening to Zion I Kings albums but when you make VIBES that sound this good, I'd like to think that you'd want to show them off just a bit. Some of these songs have tracks (even 'Girlfriend', actually), that you'd want to hear more of and I think it would have been a good opportunity for Teka and company at LowLow to add extended versions of some of the tracks and just PRESENT the vibes of "Vizion" even more, because some of them (most of them) are exceptional and deserving of such treatment. And, back in his Rootdown days, when they would frequently release riddim albums, Teka often (not always) would include instrumental tracks for his riddims (and he even did it for the Whirlwhine). I wouldn't be against it if, someday, "Vizion" received some type of instrumental release because, again, that would be DAMN interesting and enhance the vibes of this big release.
Overall, if you've hung around here to any length of time you know that they had me convinced at 'new Cali P album'. I was interested already. However, after hearing how things played out and really tuning in "Vizion", I'm still impressed. Cali P's style is so diverse and so open that he can work well with just about any talented producer, but in Teka, like Riga before him, he's found a nearly perfect musical match. They vibe amazingly well. And what sticks out here, in retrospect (allow me to turn into a giant nerd for a second) (you're probably a nerd too, however, after reading a review of this length), is that despite how the VIBE of "Vizion" never really makes a grand deviation (and it isn't a huge leap to put a Dancehall song on a predominately Roots Reggae release, especially given the artist's history), it has this lovey, OPEN, feeling to it. And I'd say that to the point where, ahead of any other Cali P album, I'd probably recommend "Vizion" to newer fans -- which allays, somewhat, my largest critique of it -- because it is a very strong introduction to one of the strongest and colourful artists of this current era. Older fans, like You and I, know what to expect and there is ample BULK to the project for us as well as "Vizion" hits a few different targets. I don't know if I actually managed to stumble across any type of 'correct' definition (I did not) for the term, but I do know that whatever a VIBE really is, "Vizion" has a warehouse full of it. Very well done.
5. 'Rise Up & Shine' featuring Stonebwoy & Seun Kuti
6. 'Congo Natty'
7. 'Crazy'
8. 'Baddest'
9. 'Girlfriend'
10. 'When Things Go Up'
11. 'Life Lesson'
12. 'People Want More'
13. 'When You Hold Me'
Well damn. That didn't take very long did it??? Last time out we told you about a pair of new singles from two of our longtime favourites, Queen Omega and Cali P. The former had a forthcoming project, an EP called 'Stars Align', virtually set in stone to be releasing sometime later this year, while we weren't too sure about Cali P's plan for his tune, 'Heartbreaker'. Well as it turns out, Cali P's plans were even more imminent than those of the Queen as the chanter is now set to deliver a brand new album of his own.... in like two weeks, "Vizion". As you may've (should've) suspected, the incoming release comes not only courtesy of the same label behind the latest single, but the same one, also, with whom Cali P has most frequently been linked over the past couple of years or so, LowLow Records and producer, Teka.
The album, his fourth by my count (there was also an outstanding EP a few years back by the name of "Healing Of The Nation") and his first in the half decade since "i Thoughts" ["Wi stepping, wi fighting, wi working so hard. Always haffi have food inna di yard!"] may seem quite familiar to more constant listeners as a couple of years ago, LowLow Records released two installments of four-tracked EP's, also called "Vizion". Those eight selections are present on this album as are singles release in the time since, 'Hit Like Gunshot', 'Rise Up & Shine' and, of course, 'Heartbreaker'. Which means that the album will also feature two songs (if my math is correct) (no chance it is) (it's probably like eight or something like that) that at least I have never heard before. Both of the EP's released while we were on hiatus, so I'm damn looking forward to diving into the full project.
Which is exactly what I will do -- and you are welcome to join me -- on the 24th of September when Cali P's new album, "Vizion", releases.
In stages. There is something so immensely satisfying, regardless of the particular matter, in maintaining the proverbial course and sticking alongside something or someone for the long haul. Be it some sort of endeavour or accomplishment you have been pursuing for a period of time or even some hobby you've been up to for awhile, there [hopefully] comes a point when you're able to look back, retrospectively, and enjoy the ride that you've been on. When it comes to entertainment this act can shine even brighter as you can approach just about and hear a story about some concert or some game or event that they attended years ago which has still left some type of imprint on their life and will never be forgotten. I am exactly the same way and so are you. Further more, in specifically dealing with music, something which, for several reason, always resonates with me (especially these days) is just how long I have for myself been emotionally invested with the output of certain artists and just the amazing progression I have been through 'with' them as a fan from a distance in most cases. And if you go to the highest cases, dealing with people like Bob Marley and the likes, what happens is that you kind of have to share that ride -- the entire world has been on that journey from since it began and shows no interest in getting off at any stop -- but in other cases it gets damn personal! I point to names such as Pressure Busspipe who, a truly ridiculous eleven years ago, delivered to me one of the greatest albums that I've ever heard in his all-conquering debut set, "The Pressure Is On". That album wasn't extremely popular and if you're looking for it on a disc, good luck, but if you trace back to it now, considering who he has become, it is a mightily interesting musical expedition. And it doesn't even have to be entirely positive, I can name you several names who continue to either be active who I once enjoyed but do not any longer, at least not to the same degree, and have those moments be just as colourful and vivid as more constructive instances because, again, those are people who have made large impacts on my life and, even then, I give thanks. Today, however, we're turning up lights and tuning in SO MANY good memories as I get to declare myself a full veteran [BOOM!] of listening to someone who I am so happy has endured with his fans and developed, for people like you and I, a big career which is set to take yet another giant step forward - the indomitable and, like he told us all last time, unstoppable, Cali P.
"Lyrical Faya" [2008]
At last check I had just turned thirty-five years old about a month and a half ago (so you'll forgive me for the nostalgia) (at least I hope you will), which means that I would have been twenty-six in early 2008 when I fully began to listen to and appreciate the WONDERFUL output of Cali P as he dropped his unforgettable debut set, "Lyrical Faya". These days, I always enjoy when he does just about anything because it gives me an immediate reason to dig up that album and go mining through absolute gems of tunes such as 'Redemption' ["IT'S A REDEMPTION WHEN RASTA TOUCH DI STREET! THEN MEK DEM KNOW SEH DUTTY BABYLON MUST GET DEFEAT!"] [WHAT!] [BOOM!], 'Right Time' alongside Queen Omega (biggup Queen Omega, new tune and new video from the Trini Roots Empress recently), 'Hypocrites', 'Take Care Of My Family'… and I could go on and on with that one. For me, "Lyrical Faya" has reached the proper age from since its release date and is a complete personal CLASSIC set in my catalogues and one of the best debut albums Reggae music has ever produced in its modern form. And fortunately it didn't stop there (… if it did I wouldn't be writing this). Since then, the multi-talented chanter who has called home both Switzerland and Guadeloupe, given his parentage, as well as Jamaica most recently, has been on a precise musical tear! If you've REALLY been paying attention to Cali P's music over the course of the past eight years, I don't need to tell you about the focus he's shown in not only making his music in a particular way, but also in presenting it to the masses in such a powerful digestible and relatable manner. He's dealt both extensively with Dancehall as well as Roots and has existed within both scopes in an interesting and stirring fashion. Most notably, of course, was the presence of the afore-alluded to "Unstoppable" from 2011 (it has been FIVE YEARS since that album! It seems like two!) which, at least to my opinion in retrospect, so wonderfully compliments its predecessor in showing the different sides of Cali P's style. And, not to be forgotten at all was two years ago when he told us all about the musical "Healing Of The Nation" on one of the more impressive Reggae EP releases that you'll ever hear. And I should also mention the prior set, "Like A Lion", on which he shared with various artists, but starred on the vast majority of the tracks and really just showed how much he had progressed in terms of popularity as that set showed that his work had found a seemingly unlikely home within the winter sports community and had done so without sacrificing any of its original form or quality. Cali P has also maintained his activity in releasing a steady stream of singles, including 'Work' on the recent Maad Sick Reggaeville Riddim from Oneness Records. If you enjoy Reggae music, of virtually any type, Cali P has done something for you and in 2016, he's doing something else.
"Unstoppable" [2011] & "Healing of The Nation" [2014]
"i Thoughts" becomes the third full length set from Cali P and amongst the many things making this year yet another stellar one for Reggae music (it has been FANTASTIC, and though I'm semi-retired, I've enjoyed it all the way through), I'm certain that you'll find room for what very quickly proves itself to be a very satisfying release. The new album, once again, finds Cali P linking up with Gary 'Riga' Burke and Hemp Higher Productions from out of Switzerland. Artist and producer have shown themselves to be a powerful duo throughout the years and, though originally the two seemed to have linked to make primarily a harder form of Dancehall music, owed to their credit are both the "Unstoppable" and "Healing Of The Nation" projects which cover different ends of the spectrum. Also on board, somewhat surprisingly, is Flash Hit Records from out of France. Flash Hit is a label that we're definitely familiar with as they initially jumped on our radars through a couple of very nice entries, the Worldwide Love and Make It Gwan riddims, respectively. Since then they have also remained active, working alongside various artists -- most notably Alborosie and Derrick Parker -- as well as pushing a few more riddim projects, including the golden Redikaly (BIG tune by Exile Di Brave, 'Talk It Like' on that track). So, even on paper, Flash Hit Records placing their name alongside a new album from Cali P can only be a most welcomed addition… right? Of course, "i Thoughts" well shows itself to be of a fitting quality set by its predecessors and is a damn fine latest step in a downright mighty catalogue. Let's go!
Speaking entirely from a musical point of view, I was very interested in what this album would turn out to be. Again, when you deal with Cali P's music, he can go in virtually any direction, sometimes simultaneously and can be well unpredictable, which is a good thing. However, for its part the new album is one which I would well categorize as a very colourful modern Roots Reggae project. Another point of interest would be the lyrical/ direction of the album. With such a title, it kind of forecasts something broadly specific (if that makes any sense, any at all), and because I'm a nerd, I focus on such things. Fortunately, on the intro and very first track on his brand new album, "i Thoughts", Cali P sets the tone firmly from his own mouth.
"Consciousness comes in from you're a baby. When you drop on your head, your consciousness now tells you that next time you definitely cannot do that step again because you're gonna drop on your head."
"I love to share genuine gratitude and happiness that I get on this life's journey. And today I share some of I thoughts."
From that I took the album which was to follow to be a statement about expression of individuality and the experiences which is built upon and even if I am completely wrong about that and the inspiration is entirely abstract, you won't catch me complaining about it. The first actual bit of music to come on the album was candy to both my eyes and ears as Cali P gives an indirect (or maybe it was a direct one) ode to his debut album and gives us 'Lyrical Faya'! The title has kind of evolved as a nickname of sorts for the artist and it was such a nice idea to place it in some type of context with an actual song. This one in particular easily lives up to and defends the moniker as Cali P absolutely dazzles.
"Mi give thanks fi di one dem weh si through di ting
Weh memba di foundation from deep within
Di one dem weh support I through thick and thin
And di one dem weh show up when a sound system
DEM AHGO KNOW WHO REALLY INSPIRED
AND WHO EXPIRED
Who just quiet, who is di liar
Who ah di warrior and who fraid a di riot
WHO IS A RAT
AND WHO IS A LION
I seh link up inna Zion"
BOOM! I really like this song for several reasons and not the least of which is the fact that it serves as kind of a 'thank you' to fans who have been listening to his music for quite some time. If you are such a fan, you'll notice little things he says throughout the piece which either sound familiar fully or will lead you into remembering something that really stood out to you along the 'journey'. Another of the album's genuine highlights follows as 'Food Inna Di Yard' is simply outstanding. There're a few songs on this album which are just really difficult to get out of your head and, probably at the head of them is this infectious release which can probably lay a major claim to be the best song here from an entirely sonic point of view. As its title would suggest, it is going to feed the ears of everyone fortunate enough to hear it. Lyrically it is as scorching as the tune it chases here as Cali P goes in on upholding and sustaining oneself and one's happiness and SANITY through difficult times and being sure not to lose those things. What I also really like about this song is just effortless it is. There is some fire here, of course, but it also has a kind of an 'un-programmed' vibes to it which adds to its effect in my opinion: It's not difficult to be yourself at all. It's the easiest thing in the world to do. A pair of love songs actually round out the early portions of "i Thoughts" in 'Do You Love Me' and 'On My Way Home'. The former had to grow on me a bit and it's still probably working on me just a bit in some way. The latter, on the other hand, is very, very good. 'On My Home' is just a COOL song. It features Cali P alongside Randy Valentine and the two link up to deliver a song which always brings a smile to my face and when the masses get a thorough taste of it, I'm confident that I won't be the only one smiling. You will too.
'Coconut Jelly Man' featuring Shanique Marie
Speaking of guests and combinations, Randy Valentine isn't the only vocalist making an appearance on "i Thoughts" alongside Cali P. WHO ELSE IS THERE? Try the all kinds of contagious Equiknoxx steered 'Coconut Jelly Man' which features the fully delightful Shanique Marie. This tune has seemingly been crafted for years upon years to dig its claws into your brain, rendering wholly incapable of doing ANYTHING else of substance besides walking around sing "coconut jelly man, coconut jelly man" - an example would be my Wife, at this very moment. The song provides the album with a very necessary and nice, lighter moment in its relative brevity (it is the shortest actual song here by nearly a minute) and is just a good touch in my opinion (and I should also mention that you'll also find this tune on Marie's own new album, "Uno", which is also currently available). For his part, on the other hand, "lighter" moments have never been a specialty of the mighty Capleton who addresses the other end of the spectrum of vibes on the downright ROYAL 'Dem Ago Burn Up'. To my knowledge, Cali P and Capleton are friends and this is their first tune together and if you were waiting (and you know you were), it will come as a most welcomed reward, 'Dem Ago Burn Up' is MAMMOTH! From the very first note you can hear something heavy forthcoming and what does ultimately arrive does not disappoint as the pair push a message that, for all wrongdoers, your judgment is quickly approaching.
"Tough pon di battlefield, yuh cannot soft at life
Spiritually, physically - you haffi fast and fight
Vampire hunting blood inna di darks of night
Nuh trust nothing! - anytime you walk at night
And look out fi di dogs, cah dem will bark and bite
You haffi hunt yuh food, every walks of life -
That simply mean food ah di staff of life
Babylon dem inna wrong, so dem ah wrath"
"Babylon if you no free di youth from hungry mouth you ahgo burn up
If you deceive di youth, mislead di youth, you ahgo burn up"
"Whether life bitter or sweet I and I give thanks fi it
Mi nah go let down myself cause mi response fi this
With di guidance of The King, we will govern di thing
Marcus meditation bring di vision within
So when mi step outta road, mi haffi step out fi win
Haffi talk how mi feel and bun out di shitstem
Cah fi di youth outta road, di leaders nah do a thing
Worldwide a di same cah people suffering"
BOOM! DAMN! The tune takes a specific aim and leaves DAMAGE everywhere it strikes. Of a similar level of successful objectives is the final combination on "i Thoughts", the very familiar 'Want No War'. This title features a BLAZING Yung JR on whose debut set, "Start The Movement", it appeared and reigned supreme just last year (probably the best debut album I heard in all of 2015). It occupies a comparable terrain on this album as it is as golden and exciting of a Roots Reggae song that you'll hear in recent times, which is saying a lot. Calling for peace all across the world, Cali P and Yung JR bring a heavy arsenal for the mission and I wouldn't be surprised at all to hear these two together again at some point in the future.
Back on his own, Cali P asks the question 'Why So Much Fighting' on a tune which has a very interesting vibes to it. Obviously, with such a title the song is a very insightful social commentary' but it also comes in charged with this lovely style of old school charm. And you hear it immediately with the big sounding backup singers (biggup veteran Nikki Burt who lends her vocals throughout "i Thoughts") and this very easy swinging vibe which make it a joy to listen to, but again, make sure it isn't the sole focus of your stop here because if it is, you'll surely miss what is a heavy message. Later (on the very next tune on the album) Cali P struggles with a very aggressive infatuation with 'Ease Off'. In some way a piece like this is entirely relatable whether you have been the pursued or the pursuer (or both) and it also has a very nice sound - there's almost a Marley-esque pulsing quality to the sound here. I think the underlying thought here is an examination of all the wonderfully ridiculous things that people tend to do for love or lust and… like I said, it is relatable (I could sit here and tell you about all the things I've done but you probably don't have that kind of time!). And finally, check a pair of OUTSTANDING solo efforts which rank as the highest class of the album for me, 'Revolution' and 'Guiding Shield'. For its part, 'Revolution' is another ROYAL sounding piece of expression and it is one which plays out on a couple of different platforms as Cali P sings the song and, at its end, he seems to reach into the heart of "i Thoughts" and just begins to speak freely. It is a monumental moment on the album for me as you can almost hear the spontaneity and untreated, organic sound of the moment. It comes through as he had something specific to say and just didn't feel like writing it down - he wanted to make it at that particular moment.
"First of all, one army alone a man fi serve:
The army of The Almighty One
Including every nation and every colour -
There is no more division
Wave the banner of The Conquering Lion and teach our children to be strong
WE ALL NEED TO RAISE OUR VOICES AND KEEP DI FIRE BURNING INNA BABYLON
Mi ready fi stand up inna this revolution
And lead out di people in di streets
I want to let the know the principles of The King-
Unity is what we need
Mi ready fi stand up inna this revolution
And lead out di people in di streets
I want o let dem know the principles of The King-
His Majesty!"
And then there is the closer, the Teka & Rootdown Records produced 'Guiding Shield'. TEARS! This song has no equal on this album for me. It is not only the best selection on the whole of "i Thoughts" but it's also one of my favourite from Cali P ever now ["… trod over every border and cross every water"]. Lyrically, the direction is one which goes straight to self-affirmation and confidence and knowing where and with Whom one stands in life and it is backed by this GORGEOUS composition from Rootdown: The Straight From The Fridge Riddim. It is the star attraction here and one for the time capsules of music from the obviously still inspired Cali P.
'Guiding Shield'
The only criticism I would have of "i Thoughts" would probably be a greedy one: I wish it was longer! Its two predecessors were monsters -- both checking in at over an hour long -- while the forty minutes of the new release is far closer to "Healing of The Nation". However, with that being said, I was actually under the impression that the next time we were to hear from Cali P on an album was to be a combination with legendary maestro Bobby Digital (and I think the album even had a title, "Musicali Speaking" or something like that, if I recall correctly). So hopefully, full album #4 isn't very far off for those of us who would absolutely LOVE to hear more of this.
Cali P
Until then, "i Thoughts" should be more than enough to keep fans of Cali P, both new and old, very happy. This album fits so perfectly into his catalogue and' when we are able to look back at some point' it should provide us with some type of very significant points in his catalogue. Of course there is 'Guiding Shield', but along with that is 'Dem Ago Burn Up' and 'Revolution' and 'Coconut Jelly Man' and 'Lyrical Faya' and 'Want No War'. And if you see the similarities (RIGHT NOW! THEY ARE CLEAR RIGHT NOW!), this is how I think of "Lyrical Faya" and "Unstoppable" and "Healing of The Nation": They were these projects which had their winners and their biggest moments surrounded by pieces which not only complimented them, but made them even stronger to some degree because you remember them as pairs (or at least that's how I remember them). "i Thoughts" may already be there for me and it will be damn exciting to see how it develops - almost as exciting as it has been to watch Cali P, himself, develop musically after all of these years - in stages. Well done.
