Lion D is a Rebel With A Vibe!

"Rebel With A Vibe" by Lion D [Bizzarri Productions - 2026]

Okay so, do you remember Lion D??? A ridiculously long SEVENTEEN years ago the flaming Italy based star (born in the UK to an Italian mother and Nigerian father, the story goes) would come out of virtually nowhere to take our top honours with 2009's album of the year, "The Burning Melody" (pretty sure he didn't even make the list of anyone else that year which, of course, means that EVERYONE ELSE WAS WRONG) (ALL YUH!). Since then, we'd also talk about him in regards to subsequent releases, all of which were at least pretty good -- one of which was EXCELLENT -- and I've at least tried to make an attempt to keep up with his output. Well, Lion D's been 'outputting' in the first half of 2026. After dropping a pair of singles in the past couple of months or so, Lion D has now tacked on four other tunes for a full EP release, "Rebel With A Vibe". Like much of his work, the EP comes via Bizzarri Productions (biggup Bizzarri) who've always provided Lion D with a luscious mixture of modern Roots and a slightly more older era Dancehall (like... 90's Dancehall) and, as usual, he shines. Let's talk about it a little. 

{Note: Typically do things like this track-by-track.... but I didn't feel like it. I just finished a tbt so, let's mix it up today. Here's a mini-review}

Getting things going on Lion D's brand new EP release, "Rebel With A Vibe" (great title!) is one of the previously alluded to early singles, the all sorts of fun 'Tun Up The Sound'. This song is likely exactly what you're expecting it to be. It's just a good time to be had in the celebration of sweet Reggae & Dancehall which is the Lion's precise area of expertise, so you know what you're getting into in terms of quality... and even if you don't, the actual song is probably in here as well, so you can just listen to it! I'm going to skip ahead to the very similarly vibed 'Sound Murderah', another selection whose title definitely speaks for itself. Just like the opener, 'Sound Murderah' is also very good (may even slightly rank ahead between the two, actually) and it's a good time. I don't know if this is what they were building towards in its day but 'Sound Murderah' actually dates back a couple of years or so but it fits perfectly on this release as. With that being said, however, though both 'Tun Up The Sound' & 'Sound Murderah' are both very good, it speaks to the total quality of this set that every other tune on it is at least a little better than both of them. 

Want an example? How about 'Mind Over Matter'? This track, the other pre-release single from the EP is absolutely GLORIOUS and though serious challengers are to come (one in particular), by the slimmest of margins, it's my favourite song present here as the Lion THRILLS on this golden perseverance anthem ["Music mi use, mi nah fret fi speak up and dem caan cool it dung when mi tun di heat up"]. So many times we hear songs like this which may be very good (may be even better than this one) but they're done in more of a RIGID type of way. This isn't rigid at all. 'Mind Over Matter' is flexible, malleable, EXCITING modern Roots Reggae music and a fine lyrical performance as well. Check the first of a pair of combinations from "Rebel With A Vibe", 'Deliver Me', which taps the services of Mandinka. I've come across Mandinka's work a number of times over the years (probably most notably on a WICKED song he had with Skarra Mucci back in da day) but still know very little about the man. I should probably do something about that but until then, 'Deliver Me' is fantastic. It almost reaches a similar destination as 'Mind Over Matter' but arrives there in a far more spiritual vessel.

"Lord! Dem dutty heart and dem friendly smile

DEM BOY A FOES IN A FRIEND DISGUISE!"

Grrrr. For his part, the baritone voiced Mandinka casts anchor in the tune's second half which then begins to GLOW in its latter portions with an almost Dubbish type of an effect at times. I'd listened to this one several times before writing this review and I'll tell you - even though I'd held it a high esteem, 'Deliver Me' is even better than I initially thought. Also joining Lion D on "Rebel With A Vibe" and lending their talents is Mellow Mood, with whom I am a bit more familiar, also from out of Italy, who give a hand on 'Last Man'. 'Last Man' has an inherent flaw to it; there's something immediately wrong here: The song is just too damn short and what happens to it is that it almost ends abruptly and you're just... kind of really beginning to REALLY get into the vibes. For what it is, however, 'Last Man' is sublime. It's joyous and FUN and just a beautiful vibe for the soul... just wish there was more of it!

I could also go for a bit more of 'Pretend' if they wanted to make it but, with north of half a minute more body than 'Last Man', I'm relatively happy with what we get there. 'Pretend' is the second best track on "Rebel With A Vibe" in my opinion. It is absolutely outstanding. Coming through on some.... let's call it Conscious Dancehall, while the subject matter of 'Pretend' may be heavy (he's talking about dealing people and situations who may not be what they project themselves to be), the actual vibes are very LIGHT and pleasant. It is Lion D himself, however, who steals this show as he TORCHES this infectious vibe with a lyrical display and delivery which is somewhere beyond top notch for the full ride. 

 

"Man haffi stay alert, ah open up mi eyes wide

VAMPIRE DEM WALK OUT AFTER TWILIGHT

Inna dark, Jah Jah light still ah shine bright

Fadda guide and protect so mi alright, my Lord

Dem no waan si mi have mine

So dem ah fight mi, nah stop gimme hard time

MI AH SOCIALLY-DISTANCE MISELF FROM DI BADMIND

Stand alone like an island, alright"

"Likkle but mi tallawah 

Dem ah wonder how mi do it, mah ah lead, mi nuh follower

Some ah show dem true colour

Dem ah play hypocrite, dem deh ting mi get tired of

No respect nah no manner

Dutty heart just behave and ah smile fi di camera

Dem caan run dis ya marathon

Dem caan play mi like fool, mi move wise a Solomon"

"Nuff a dem no real, a gwan like dem a showman

Talk a bag a ting, dem a full up wid too much slogan

A Fadda God alone, a mi nuh fraid of no man

From mi a likkle pickney dem ah try fi diss di program"

Overall, we'll sit "Rebel With A Vibe" as EASILY one of the year's finest EPs thus far and not that the competition on that front has been tremendous in the first half of 2026 but I wouldn't be surprised if it took top honours at the end of the year as well. There's just something about Lion D's style that resonates with me and has from since I started listening to him There's a certain level of intellect and aptitude to his words so he gives you something to think about but, at the same time, he's very cognizant of the fact that he's making music and that it should be entertaining. Therefore the link between Lion D and Bizzarri has likely been one of the most effective and productive that I've come across in recent years. Sure... I'll take that next full album whenever it's ready but, until then, "Rebel With A Vibe" continues to demonstrate their winning ways that were established around here sixteen years ago. EXCELLENT. 

Amongst The Stars: A review of All In This Together by Lion D

Replay? I'd give myself a little credit in terms of being a dedicated fan but, truly, if I'd never started writing about Reggae music, chances are fairly high that I would never have encountered some of the tremendous talents that I have. I know this is likely the case for several reasons, not the smallest being the number of times someone who I know pays a good attention to things telling us how we'd made them aware of a particular artist who, hopefully, they'll go on to become long time fans of. If that has happened a few times or so during the life of these pages, I'd be happy on that, alone, but... of course also getting to listen to all of this wonderful music has been pretty fun as well. Because of just how spread out Reggae has shockingly become (to go from a regional (and, really, a national-) artform to a global one in the time it has is remarkable) and the fact that it isn't necessarily 'mainstream' on most levels, it can be damn difficult to not only stay current with what is going on locally, but in terms of the entire planet?? Well, that can be pretty impossible. Doing this, however, has forced me to do a ton of research throughout the years and I've been fortunate to have come across so many names who're more than deserving of the greater attention of fans of the genre and, like I said, then make the attempt to pass them on to you wonderful people. Although I do love the more 'usual suspects' and have happily written about their work for decade and will gladly continue to do so, a little bit of fresh blood on the scene is not only vital for the health of the music (because people are fragile and we die after awhile. We need someone else to continue the work!) but it also keeps things from... being boring as hell sometimes! So when I've stumbled upon genuine talents on routes which have been outside of the norm, I've REALLY enjoyed it and have gone on, in some cases, to remain a passionate fan, myself. EASILY one of the greatest examples of this would be an individual who takes us back a STUNNING thirteen years (no way has it been that long!) to an overstuffed album by the name of "The Burnin Melody". The best way for me to put that album into context is by saying that in a year which included outstanding releases from the likes of Sizzla Kalonji, Tarrus Riley, Queen Ifrica, Buju Banton, Lutan Fyah, Nereus Joseph ["Real Rebels Can't Die", named a Modern Classic] and others, it grabbed me enough late in the year to go onto be named our outright Best Album of 2009! Think about that for just a second: I hadn't heard of its star, until maybe a few weeks ahead of the album's release date and it would go onto become my favourite album from that year, again, given the competition at the time; and given his history and his current settings at the time, had I not been tuned in at the time, it isn't out of the realm of possibility that I wouldn't have ran into the work of its star, one WICKED Lion D, at all. 

2009

If I recall and understand it correctly, one of the most remarkable aspects of Lion D' s unusual rise to prominence is how he picked up Reggae music. He was born in the UK to parents of African and Italian origins, raised in Italy and, at some point during his early adulthood, he just kind of STARTED MAKING REGGAE MUSIC (because why not)! I'm sure you cannot possibly get more simple of a breakdown of Lion D's bio (again, assuming that I'm accurate), but I can distinctly recall what it was that I heard, way back then, that drew me towards him and, looking back, it makes sense all these [very, very short] years later. Lion D was raw. He wasn't very refined. He didn't sound like he had been groomed by some of the finest producers in the world or had spent a lifetime growing up being taught the classics by a parent or anything like that. He sounded like someone who come into it late. HOWEVER, with that being said, for what he may've lacked in foundation or musical background, Lion D not only 'made up for it', he OVERWHELMED the lack of it with a talent -- a natural gift -- very rarely seen. Compound that with a clear passion for his music and what we had back then was a blowtorch of an artist putting his abilities on full and vibrant display through the nearly EIGHTY minutes worth of music on "The Burnin Melody". For what it was, it was one of the best albums I've ever heard and, listening to it now, it's also managed to age quite well.

And thankfully Lion D didn't decide to call it a career and retire there. A couple of years on from "The Burnin Melody", he came back with a very well done mixtape (coming from someone who never really liked mixtapes) (seeing them less and less in recent years), "Reap What You Sow" and, in 2013, the full followup, "Bring Back The Vibes" would come through ["Weh dem fah? A weh dem ah do yah?!"]. Just in case you were wondering (and maybe you were), "Bring Back The Vibes" would well demonstrate that the promise shown on "The Burnin Melody" was CLEARLY no fluke. That album, in some respects (and looking back now), had elements which were even stronger. Keeping on his every-other-year pace, Lion D would also return in 2015 with the stellar "Heartical Soul" and, again, prove himself to be amongst the genre's most 'curiously' gifted practitioners. 'Heartical Soul" (which I should definitely go back and review.... so I probably should save what I'm thinking here) was better than "Bring Back The Vibes". It was exceptional and featured some of the finest work Lion D's entire career to date, in my opinion. In late 2019, Lion D returned with the solid EP, "Born In Captivity" which, very much, sounded like they were getting things in order. They were working on a few different things to see what stuck and what did not. Now, although he may've missed his schedule (shit happens), Lion D returns with a brand new album that I was thinking was in the offering, "All In This Together". Like its three predecessors (as well as "Born In Captivity"), the new release comes courtesy of Italian imprint, Bizzarri Records. Out of all the European stops which have seemingly caught a severe case of Reggaemylitis, Italy is well included but probably doesn't get the international recognition as other areas. With that being said, for our purposes, Bizzarri has always represented quite well and the union they've formed with their most consistent vocalist has been mightily fruitful, as we've examined. Lion D didn't spend the seven years between "Heartical Soul" and "All In This Together" just sitting around and collecting dust and, recently (with the last eighteen months or so I want to say), I've not only noticed more new material coming from him but, specifically, more new material from Lion D with Bizzarri Records. That got me excited for what may be on its way and I came to the conclusion that an album was on the way and had it confirmed a few weeks or so ago in the form of a press release and I was DAMN HAPPY! We took our hiatus and I missed out on writing so much but covering someone who we've followed from so early in such a top level, like Lion D, is something that fascinates me endlessly. On top of that.... yeah, it's a new album from Lion D! History says it will be at least some form of excellent, so my expectations are through the proverbial roof. Furthermore, if he's the artist that I think he is, I'm somewhat also expecting something different in "All In This Together"; not necessarily in terms of his style -- he is what he is -- we have seen full-on disasters occur when people suddenly try to become too far away from the strengths, but I go into the new album thinking that Lion D has the opportunity to give fans something they've not really experienced from him to date. He ends up fulfilling on both fronts as the artist quickly demonstrates on the new album that not only is he still exactly who we have known him to be in the past but, these days, he may be someone more as well.

Something that came to my attention while listening to "All In This Together", especially during its latter stages, is that it doesn't seem to have the same type of prevailing EDGE to it that marked much of Lion D's earlier work. What he may have typically used a crowbar to convey, on this set, the artist opts for a feather and the results, unsurprisingly, are of the same lofty stature. The previous release, "Heartical Soul" was actually slightly toned back from its predecessors, but this one takes it even a step further which is a nice mix. Of course you'll find no evidence of that at all on the splendid opener for "All In This Together", the most impressive 'Boomerang'. Given its title, I was damn interested in the direction of this one and Lion D THRILLS when 'Boomerang' really gets going.

"Life is a test, you know you must prove yourself

And you got to do your best

Know you weak and you soft and ah gwan like you tough

Everyday you claim seh you a di general

While you brag and show-off, nah stop treat people rough-

Bwoy you move like seh you a di clever one

Memba God is in charge

If you take people life, you might soon find yourself inna burial

And it no really matta how fast you run-

JUDGMENT COME AFTER YOU LIKE A PREDATOR!"

Lion D deals with the basic ebbs and flows that we all experience in life ["NUFF A WI GROWING OLDER, ONLY FEW GROWING WISE"], but he does it a sparkling way, wrapped up in this package where we must give a MASSIVE credit to hornsmen, Riccardo Gibertini and Zaghi for the musical contribution they make in the scintillating composition carrying this tune. I heard 'Boomerang' and was damn confident that, once again, I was in the presence of something potentially damn special from Lion D and Bizzarri. If I still wasn't quite sure, however, next they enlist the help of Swedish veterans Million Stylez and Danjah on the lovely 'awareness anthem' 'Stay Woke'. This  tune actually popped up a couple of years ago now and it's just as weighty and significant as it was back then. As I alluded to, what I took from this one is the idea of simply KNOWING WHERE YOU ARE and knowing who you around around. It isn't a call for paranoia, but just a matter of identifying and retaining a most basic sense of self. I ended up taking this one in several directions as far as education and CONFIDENCE as well which, at least for me, are all parts of knowing who are and where you stand. Throughout his career, Lion D has been very fortunate to have worked alongside some very talented and well known artists. Prior to "All In This Together", he had voiced songs with the likes of Lutan Fyah (big new tune, 'Settle Down' with Luciano, out now. Check it out), Mr. Vegas, Gappy Ranks, Ken Boothe, King Kong and others. The new album not only sees that trend continue, but he probably tops EVERYTHING he's thus far. Along with Million Stylez and Danjah, there's a teeny, tiny little tune here by the name of 'Warning' featuring the legendary Capleton. If you want to get the message across and create a spark, what do you do? Well you call upon a looooooooooongtime pyro-master like The Prophet and, in doing so, produce a bona fide masterpiece such as 'Warning'. 

"Yow wi get straight to di point, wi nuh dilly-dally

And wi com fi spread di message outernationally

Now di Prophet and di Lion gi dem heartically

No fraid fi tell babylon seh dem system folly

Nuh waan nuh coke inna mi cup, inna mi coffee-cally

And mi tell babylon seh dem fi stop di folly

Well a fyah man ah bun, yuh get it Africa-lly

And mi seh mi bun out babylon practically!"

BOOM! I told you "All In This Together" was a bit more finesse than much of Lion D's previous work, but don't worry about that with 'Warning' and enjoy it for the scalding masterpiece that it is. The final selection on the album, 'Fight and Win', is another big combination, this one done with the always interesting and unpredictable Busy Signal. In clear contrast to 'Warning', this one is definitely on the softer side, but that's not a problem at all for these two. Though larely a fairly straight forward social commentary, 'Fight and Win' does offer up a few surprises, not the least of which being Busy's downright DAMAGING mid-tune verse ["Wi fighting di struggle like Marcus Garvey. Haffi read di books pon di Black Histroy. Praying fi a brighta day pon mi bended knee - cause one day wi haffi free"]. You've heard dozens of similarly vibed pieces, but I will 'warn' you to REALLY tune in here because you'll quickly not only miss some brilliance, but you'll also likely come away underrating this big drop. There's also the GORGEOUS 'General' with Jah Sun ["NO BONES! NO BLOOD INNA WI KITCHENNNNNNN!"]. This isn't the first time these two have linked musically -- having previously worked together on the well solid 'Resistance' from a few years back -- but I would argue that the HEAVY 'General' is an even stronger tune. Both Lion D and Jah Sun do indeed shine, but I'm going to have to pay a respect to Bizzarri for supplying that gorgeous riddim behind them. That thing is FLAMING and, if they have not already, I would DEFINITELY love to hear this one spread around to more vocalists. It is such a beautiful composition (check the beginning in particular. When you hear it, it makes it sound as if something of great importance is about to occur. That is accurate). The US based Bobby Hustle gets in on "All In This Together" via the another very nice offering, the pensive 'By the Cover'. Interestingly, the very first time (that I can tell) that these two vibed together, 'Roll With The Punches' struck in on a similar vibes (and you'll find that one credited to the Lion's alias David Lion) in terms of the sound. In this case, 'By the Cover' looks at the fact that human beings can be (and usually are) very complex creatures. Virtually NO ONE is exactly who they seem to be, even if you really know them quite well. I also like how its mentioned (especially by Hustle ["My experience is mines, alone"] how we tend to be products of our experiences and what we go through in life which is, OBVIOUSLY, unique to each and every individual. I don't know if it will receive that level of acclaim but, honestly, 'By the Cover' -- which goes all kinds of interesting, musically, as it progresses; particularly during that final minute or so -- is probably one of the best songs on this entire album. I will also mention 'Sheep Clothes' here which features the Livity Band (which also guests, officially, on both 'General' and 'Warning'). This song, an excellent one, sort of echoes the theme behind 'By the Cover' in many ways, with more of a focus on being sure to mind who is around you (and trying to be around you).

"Gotta watch who you keep close

Cause some a wolf inna sheep clothes

Badmind and envious woulda walk inna mi shoes 

Mi sight it from afar

Gotta watch who you keep close

Cause some a wolf inna sheep clothes

Badmind and envious woulda walk inna mi shoes 

Mi sight it from afar

Jah Jah guide mi from my enemies, but mi haffi pree di one weh act friend

Dem seh dem a family, but mi know dem just pretending

Some ah smile wid mi, act nice to wi face-

But underneath dem ah envy

BUT THROUGH DI MOST HIGH SENT MI-

DEM CANNOT BREAK NOR BEND MI

It is good to be kind and gentle

But be a fool who you allow inna yuh circle

Cah more time you ah trust people, nuff a dem let you down and hurt you"

Lion D completes his commentary with about a minute remaining in the song and he delightfully hands it off to the Livity Band to allow that SWEET riddim to play on. In every aspect, 'Sheep Clothes' is extremely well done and one of the best moments on "All In This Together".

The song just ahead of 'Sheep Clothes', 'Vision', is a potential sleeper' of a hit for me. It's very attractive sonically, registering in on a very nice and more laxed vibe and the Lion sinks his claws into it with another effort on personal awareness. 'Vision' also has a wider-reaching social aspect to it ["Saw dem through mi third eye vision. Why do you fight a next man faith and religion?"], seemingly suggesting that, should we all become more aware, continuously, it would help to bridge all sorts of gaps and bring people closer together. And speaking of songs more on the calm and composed side, also check 'Too Cold', the album's love[ish] song. Though not a favourite of mine on "All In This Together", this one is well solid and excels musically (with another fine display by Gibertini and Zaghi, as well as backing singers, The Living Harmonies, Empress Elissa and Blacky Grace who serve that role splendidly throughout); a fact crystallized during the second half of the tune where it, basically, ascends into a gorgeous Dub/instrumental. I'm also going to mention the excellent social commentary 'No Filter Needed' in this line as also comes through on a more dialed back frequency which is also quite nice {note: I try to group the tunes together in some type of way apart from just where they are on the album because I often find myself going through them and having one remind me of another, which is exactly what just happened with 'No Filter Needed' in respect to 'Too Cold'. Two tunes not related in terms of direction at all, but the sound is in the same arena at least}. This one is definitely amongst the very best you'll find here, particularly with it being one of the strongest lyrical displays you'll find on "All In This Together" ["Mankind full of too much grudge and prejudice. We're just one step from the edge of the precipice"]. Musically, this one reminds me of something that I cannot quite come up with -- there's this infectious, almost glowing BOUNCE to it that brings something to my mind, maybe something from Oneness Records -- but whatever you'd like to call it, it's also lovely on that front.

Things may go even higher courtesy of the dynamic 'Born A Rebel', following 'No Filter Needed'. This one is actually quite clever to my ears (though I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't ultimately get credit for being so) as what it does, essentially, is to tell us all why, exactly, we know who Lion D is. The piece is almost autobiographical in telling us how he came into the music.

"Just because I was born a rebel

Music mi use and put food pon mi table 

Say again, I was born a rebel

Mi spread Jah love around and conquer evil

Say again, I was born a rebel

When mi walk past wicked heart, dem ah tremble

I was born a rebel

I was born a rebel

I smoke di herbs, I do it frequently

NOT ANYONE CAN VIBE PON MI FREQUENCY

I'D RATHER BE ALONE THAN IN BAD COMPANY-

CAUSE I DON'T WANT NO ONE TO STEAL MY ENERGY

I'M NOT A MONEY-MAN, LOVE IS MY CURRENCY

I PREFER PLANT A SEED AND WAIT PATIENTLY

If this world have no sense of decency-

I WON'T FOLLOW TREND

I MOVE DIFFERENTLY"

BOOM! What came to me from 'Born A Rebel' was that Lion D found himself in a position where he had things to say, something that he wanted to get off his chest and he chose the medium of music to let it go. As he goes forth (and he's already done to date, clearly), we're all better off because of that (the entire genre of Reggae music is better off because of that choice). 'Born A Rebel' is outstanding and one of his finest pieces of work to date in my opinion, period! Charged with [and succeeding at] keeping the vibes high is the sublime and easing (you listen to it, you'll know precisely what I mean by "easing") 'Strength of a Champion'. As kind of a complex praising selection, I must say that 'Strength of a Champion' does actually represent one of the very few missteps made on "All In This Together" as, by some sixteen seconds, it is the shortest tune present and it feels like it. They could have tacked another minute or so onto it (even if it were just instrumentals) and I would have felt better about it. Judging it by what it is, 'Strength of a Champion' is delightful as Lion D gives a big thanks to The Almighty for providing everything we need to strive in the world and, particularly, maintaining the course doing life's most challenging times ["Fi mi, life neva sweet like cherry. Nah stop fight  til mi dead and buried"]. Finally, though I rarely do this (I don't know why I rarely do it, but I do), I have saved the best for last from the album. The single strongest tune here (not by a lot, though) is the all kinds of gorgeous 'Jah is my Keeper'. It isn't alone in this on "All In This Together", AT ALL, but the first thing that comes to mind here is that 'JAH IS MY KEEPER' MAKES ME FEEL REALLY, REALLY GOOD! Given the direction of the sound as well as its sound, I would presume that Lion D and Bizzarri had that idea in mind especially for this tune (and if you are trying to get just about any message across, your audience is likely to be far more receptive if you do something for their senses as well, obviously). It says something, at least in my opinion, to the fullness of the EXPERIENCE of 'Jah is my Keeper' that this song is six minutes and twelve seconds long! They REALLY seem to have been under the impression that they had something special here.... and they were correct. Very occasionally I hear a tune that kind puts me into the vibes that what I'm hearing is, essentially, a live display of the music: Meaning that if I were to physically be in the area while it was being played, what I heard and FELT would not be much different than listening to the record. That happens for me with 'Jah is my Keeper'. Lion D registers a MAMMOTH praising tune in providing his latest release with its signature moment.

Overall, if you have not figured it out yet (I command you to go back to the beginning and read all this shit again!), I really, REALLY like "All In This Together". I think I'll refrain from attempting to rank it within the Lion's catalogue -- because I don't feel like figuring it out -- but what I will tell you is that, at the very least, what he has done here is to provide a contender for the best album of another year. This thing is excellent! As I said, the new aspect that I hear more prevalent here in contrast to his previous work, is that "All In This Together" comes through just a bit softer more consistently. Having now analyzed it for the point of this review, I'm also going to say that, when it does go to the harsher side, it does so, PERHAPS, in a smoother way. As a whole, this album feels less rough around the proverbial edges than what I'm used to hearing from Lion D. Maybe that was by design or maybe the artist and Bizzarri Records just began making music and this is what came out of it. The set of circumstances behind its creation notwithstanding, "All In This Together" is spectacular. Whatever they were trying to do - it worked! While it lacks the surprise factor that he gave us thirteen years ago, Lion D effortlessly gives us heaps of something else to replace it: A level of consistency placing him in VERY select company.

Rated: 4.70/5

Bizzarri Records

2022

Digital

The Best Reggae Albums of 2013

Because we see no reason at all to stop celebrating (because there exists no such reason), today we go in the direction of albums and put together the finest of what turned out to be a very strong year, 2013. Though its predecessor was amazing and the new year, ultimately, didn't materialize some of the big named rumoured projects which were expected form the likes of Tarrus Riley and Queen Ifrica, in retrospect, it did offer many BRILLIANT 'unexpectations' from loooooong time veterans and installed superstars alike. Still, it was a newcomer who shone the brightest and gave the year its signature moment, but the journey there was a beautiful one. Take it with us! It's the best of the best: The Best Reggae Albums of 2013!

#20 "New Scroll" by Cornel Campbell [Zion High Productions]

Sing on. L-E-G-E-N-D, Cornel Campbell, had an outstanding year in 2013, once again demonstrating that a voice and a style that he had been developing for nearly SIXTY years had yet to reach a time zone in which it could not thrive. The biggest of his highlights in my opinion was this gorgeous release via Zion High Productions and the Zion I Kings collective, "New Scroll". While the "scroll" may have been new, what remained familiar and wonderfully so was one of the genre's most legendary voices which was giving a sublimely old school vibed mix by ZHP and the ZIK. They, too, had a great campaign this past year, and you'll hear from them again before the end of this list, but "New Scroll" still holds a very special place as being, truly, one of the best arranged and most fulfilling albums of 2013. 

See Review

#19 "The 8 Year Affair" by Protoje [Don Corleon Records]

No one like you. One of Reggae music's most addictively unique figures, Protoje, returned in 2013 with his sophomore set, "The 8 Year Affair". Like its predecessor (and probably most of its successors) the album was helmed by Protoje's esteemed kin, Don Corleon and, again, the two pushed a set with eyes directed towards the old school arena where at least a part of Protoje's sizable unusual talents dwell most comfortably. Watching Protoje go about his career is most interesting because it almost unfolds like a movie: You kind of get the feeling the feeling that it has all been laid out and you just have to watch the rest of it. I don't know how it ends, but I do know that the second 'scene' was fantastic and I cannot wait for the next. Romain Virgo and even Tessanne Chin guest.

See Review

#18 "Freedom Fighters" by Chezidek [One Drop Records]

Bonus. Chezidek offered one MAMMOTH moment of an album for 2013 which you'll find bubbling somewhere near the head of this list and deservedly so, but he also, very quietly, did something else. Unfortunately (and yet, somewhat coolly), the biggest story around his other offering from the year, "Freedom Fighters" was and remains just how few people actually knew it existed. Released by the US based One Drop Productions and produced by Andrew 'Bassie' Campbell like their previous two albums (one of which, Lutan Fyah's "Truly" made last year's edition of this list), this set went well under the radar and although it did so likely attracting only the attentions of people like You and I, ultimately you do hope that more of the singer's fans get to hear this album. While it wasn't the other album here, "Freedom Fighters" was good Chezidek and as someone who has stringed together more than a couple of solid years recently, that's saying something very substantial. Songs such as 'Dem A Dweet', the title  track, 'Mr. President', 'Jah Jah Tabernacle' and several others anchored an album which didn't make much noise, but clearly not for a lack of quality.

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#17 "Much More To Life" by Norris Man [Tiger Records]

Rolling. Following a RIDICULOUS 2012, veteran chanter Norris Man kept things going in the year by continuing with his most fascinating run of album releases. Offering what would  turn out to be two solid sets, he would, again, impress in a way which has come as a very sudden and unlikely surprise. The best of his contributions came courtesy of a very familiar source, Sherkhan and company at Tiger Records who (would give it away for free later in the year) had, for years, made Norris Man a staple and struck a good idea in deciding to do a full album with him. The results were "Much More To Life", and album which persists in delivering more and more material to the listener through every subsequent spin. Though it would not receive a great deal of attention either, "Much More To Life" was one of Norris Man's best albums ever. Perhaps what was most interesting here was how the album was presented. It carried on like an evolving story, with the artist chiming in through six skits, helping things along, like a narrator. One thing really sticks out, in retrospect, for this album - Two songs 'All Day Long' and 'Dreaming' which utilized the same riddim, with the latter seeming to be this spontaneously vibed track. Norris Man later confirms this on a skit and I just really enjoy how that played out from the standpoint of a listener. Also quite difficult to forget were big tunes such as 'Murdera', 'Jah Rule Always' and 'The Soul'.

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#16 "Shining Hope" by Gappy Ranks [Hot Coffee Music/VP Records]

Nuts & bolts. Though its place on this list was virtually guaranteed, it was probably most difficult in deciding exactly where to land "Shining Hope", the third studio release from burgeoning star, Gappy Ranks. And one of the best things about making a list like this (and making it in a way where you actually place albums in direct comparison to one another) is that you get to go back and listen, in detail, to them and make the choice which was better. I'm starting to think that "Shining Hope" was a bit better than I gave it credit for being (and it was #20 here for a while). Though the sound was definitely varied, what I always enjoy so much about Gappy is his obvious attention to forwarding his skill. This album would contain one of the most devastating exhibitions of his monstrous gifts in the form of one of the year's best tunes, 'Carpenter' and it was not alone with 'Back To Reality' leading a pack of very solid supporting acts.

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#15 "Be Strong" by Midnite [Fifth Son Records]

Kinda high. The conversation surrounding "Be Strong" the first of two albums from Vaughn Benjamin and Midnite that you'll find on this list, fittingly, has shifted, at least from me. It has gone from celebrating and admiring that this album was the direct descendant of "In Awe", which marked the last time that Midnite linked with Fifth Son Records (and was SPECTACULAR), to being about just how good "Be Strong" was. Coincidentally, that too is a sign of following "In Awe", as the album would travel a similar path to being regarded as good as it was. Though not quite that good (at least not yet), "Be Strong" finds a place on this list, without question, by virtue of being yet another finely crafted and downright BRILLIANT display by Vaughn Benjamin and Fifth Son. Over the years they've worked magic together and, "Be Strong" was one of the best. 'With Regret', 'Dem Kinda Heights', 'Be Strong', 'Bless The Nest'… pretty much all ten of these songs helped to lead the way on an album which probably finds its way in the top ten of this list if I were to redo it in a few years. 

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#14 "Urban Jungle" by Brinsley Forde [JahSolidRock]

Lion have mane. The fact that longtime frontman of the great Aswad, Brinsley Forde, finds himself on a list like this comes to the surprise of absolutely no one, but what was remarkable was how he did. Linking with someone who you'll certainly hear from again today, JahSolidRock, Forde delivered his debut solo release, "Urban Jungle", in 2013. Didn't you just assume that he had already had a few of these? The album, much like #20 on this list, was an example of an elder really being pushed in a direction which would, easily, make his music more accessible to another generation of fans, but do so without alienating the multitudes of fans that he's touched throughout his career. "Urban Jungle" was, also, another album which seemed to sprawl further and further on your tastes and, again, now looking back at it, I was damn happy to rediscover just how GOOD this album was. 

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#13 "Over The Top" by Perfect Giddimani [House of Riddim]

Colours. When you have someone as wholly diverse and unpredictable as Perfect Giddimani, I suppose that you can try a variety of different ways to work, but the one which was chosen by Austrian label, House of Riddim, is probably my personal favourite: Release him! Artist and label linked together on "Over The Top" and album which, as its title would suggest, was without boundary and covered SO much musical ground. As I've said in the recent past, I am of the belief that Perfect has reached his prime. In his recent form, he has shown himself capable of making some of the best music of his entire career and 2013's stop was yet another example of that. "Over The Top' was a blistering mix of straightforward winners with Perfect's typically pausing moments. Guesting roles from the likes of Menny More, Ras Attitude and Pressure Busspipe (on the album's biggest tune, 'I Hail Jah') [FOREVER!] [BOOM!], certainly did not hurt and neither did an album which thoroughly entertaining and compelling from beginning to end. 

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#12 "Rootical" by Lloyd Brown [Zion High Productions]

Turn it on. Certainly it couldn't be labeled a 'comeback' in the most genuine sense of the term, but that is exactly what "Rootical" was for someone who I regard as one of the greatest GEMS in the current landscape of Reggae music, Mr. Lloyd Brown. Though he had an album just months prior (and if I did an 'honourable mentions' portion for this list, that album, "New Veteran", would be in it), "Rootical" would mark the veteran's return to significance and PROPER form on a very well pushed album which generated all the appropriate buzz, from Zion High Productions and the Zion I Kings, as a project from someone of his stature deserves. Fortunately and predictably, the actual album did not disappoint (and it could not disappoint even if it tried). Despite alluding the spotlight for the past couple of years prior to this one, Brown had not seen a drop in form and he's continued to deliver albums of the same level that he established back in the mid 2000's. "Rootical" was a downright elegant and classy set which also brought out the signature cleverness and charm from Lloyd Brown. It also brought out some of the signature tricks from the label as well as ZHP tapped a very impressive group of guests which would include Pressure Busspipe, Jahdan Blakkamoore and Queen Omega.

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#11 "Take Heed" by Nahyubi Joseph [Nahyubi Hodge]

The fittest. It seems like every year that someone jumps up from almost out of nowhere (or at least nowhere, seemingly, positioning themselves to be about to drop a wonderful album) and just brings forth a sizably surprising set and, for 2013, that distinction definitely belongs to St. Thomas native, Nahyubi Joseph, who gave us the DELIGHTFUL "Take Heed". You're almost guaranteed to not find this album on any other list of this kind, but it has well earned its position on my list. Why? In a year headlined and underlined by LYRICS, "Take Heed" was one of the finest lyrical performances on an album of the entire year in my opinion. Joseph  showed himself to be a dazzling combination of FIRE and common sense, both of which were to be found in abundance on his debut solo release. Furthermore, there is just a very POWERFUL attraction to his music. He has this interesting way of lyrically 'wrapping' the things that he says which really kind of send them screaming at the listener and places even more emphasis on what he says. This was most evident on pieces like 'Gun Play', 'Fittest', the very clever 'Anywhere Jah Goes', 'Up You Mighty Race' and others. Nahyubi Joseph made a giant introduction of himself on "Take Heed" and, simultaneously, delivered one of the year's strongest albums. 

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#10 "Life Of A King" by Lutan Fyah [Grillaras Productions]

Kingly character. After having spent awhile and gone through more than a couple of album releases which weren't so well known, Reggae lyrics factory Lutan Fyah came through on his second album of the year with a piece which has to be regarded as one of his more well known drops, "Life Of A King" for Grillaras Productions. The album's title track, easily one of the best songs of the year, would do much of the damage even ahead of the set named after it and when we finally did get a look at the full project, it was damn impressive. Still anchored by that MASSIVE tune, "Life Of A King" did a great deal of work in just forty minutes. Most notably, on paper, was a tune called 'Cyaan Do We Nothing' which featured someone who we, hopefully, get to see on next year's edition of this list, Chronixx, but there were also big tunes such as 'Defend The Throne', 'See To It', 'Justice', 'Economical Crisis' and more. As an album, musically, this release was deserving of this list, but I so enjoyed the response to it and the fact that it received every opportunity to succeed - a set of circumstances which was not wasted on a HUGE album. 

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#9 "New Day Dawn" by Gentleman [Universal]

Get personal. German star, Gentleman, did his part in making 2013 a big one via the delivery of his latest creation, "New Day Dawn". The initial word from this album was one which pervaded through during most of its time. "New Day Dawn" was an album which was produced by Gentleman, himself. As someone who has spent his time working with so much of the finest maestros in Reggae music, Gentleman put himself in that position and gave us one unforgettable record. This album would go to showcase that big, bright and BRILLIANT style which has aided the artist in his massive rise to prominence and do so in, seemingly, a very personal way. The album was also one of his best and one of the best from a bonafide star in the genre is a big deal. The biggest winner here, in my opinion (and probably only my opinion - but who cares), was 'Humanity's Glory', but the album also dealt with 'In My Arms' (which, in retrospect, can lay claim to being one of the best love songs Gentleman has ever done and has greatly grown on me over time), 'Heart of Rub-A-Dub', 'You Remember', 'Closer To The Light' and definitely 'Another Drama'. It should also be said that despite he didn't get the credit for it (and I didn't think that he would), "New Day Dawn" is a giant lyrical achievement from Gentleman and, in that arena, may only be matched by his earlier classics, "Journey To Jah" and "Confidence". This album wasn't on those levels, but it was probably the closest he's ever come to reaching them again. 

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#8 "Free Indeed" by Midnite [Higher Bound Productions]

An unconceivable power. The shortsightedness of immediate history may not recognize it as so, but I think that, eventually, we may come to regard 2013 as one of the best in the lifespan of Midnite. Along with providing this list with a pair of entries, they also lent their name to a very solid Dub album as well doing (officially) yet another album, "Lion Out of Zion". At the head of it all, in my opinion, was a piece which I believe I will someday soon come to regard as one of my favourite Midnite albums ever, the scalding "Free Indeed". The album was powered by the US label, Higher Bound Productions, who (we'll hear from again shortly) used 2013 as a grand showcase for their label, particularly in relation to Virgin Island artists and, of course, when you do that, having a Midnite album is a big deal and one of this quality is even bigger. Yes, this album carried my favourite song of the year, 'Hemp Scroll', but there was so much more. 'Healah', 'Don't Be So', 'Perceptual Vortex', 'Mock Off', 'Outcome' and 'Envision' were all standouts from an album which remains an utter JOY to listen to and the best from Midnite in 2013. 

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#7 "The Race" by Malika Madremana [Big Cup Music]

Checkpoint. The DELIGHTFUL Malika Madremana surprisingly jumped back into the ring with her third album and first in more than half a decade, "The Race". What was shocking was the fact that I did not expect to be talking about a new album from Madremana in 2013. What was not at all unexpected, however, was the fact that it was a GREAT release. The somewhat brief set was one which was highlighted by a grand amount of superior writing and in a year where, again, lyrics lead the way (and lyrics from females in particular), Madremana more than did her part. Produced by Big Cup Music, the album would mark the very first time the singer would deviate from her long time musical partner, Blaak Lung (who we also heard from in 2013), and obviously sometimes change can be good. While not taking to a terrain which would forbid longer standing fans (like myself) from following, "The Race" was a wonderfully FRESH vibe and one which, hopefully, lays a great foundation for the future works of Malika Madremana. The album's eponymous effort was surrounded with gems such as 'Mi Deyah', the damn difficult to forget 'Someone To Dance Wit', the first single 'Good People', 'Let Mi Lion Roam', 'Invisible Beauty', 'Tradition', 'Miles and Miles', 'Love Is Easy', 'Jah Is Wit Me' and… I just named every song on the album.

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#6 "The Messiah" by Sizzla Kalonji [VP Records]

What a joy! Similar to the case of the artist from #17 on this list (only FAR more dramatic and immediate), whenever we get an album from Sizzla Kalonji which finds him in a good form, it is going to take my attention (and virtually LOCK itself a place within the top half of a list such as this one) to an entirely different level. On top of that, when he is not only featured in a good form, but is so with such an intense buzz behind him, I fall in line like most people and begin to think that another PERFECT album is on its way. "The Messiah" was not without flaw, but it was a powerhouse of an album from the greatest to ever do it. Produced by longtime Kalonji collaborator, Richard Bramwell and Breadback Productions, the album was absolutely saturated in vintage Sizzla sound and, perhaps even more important than being what it was, it allowed people like me to continue to push that idea that the next life-changing, landmark release from the chanter was inevitable. For what it was, "The Messiah" was close enough - to be one of the largest highlights of the year as well as being one of its most discussed and well-regarded sets as well. 

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#5 "Dredlocks Time" by Army [Higher Bound Productions]

Pausing. When it comes to albums, 2013 was a particularly impressive one for music from out of the Virgin Islands. There was, of course, Midnite in all its typical glory and a very nice debut from the soon to be great Nahyubi Joseph and that wasn't all. Veteran chanters Ras Abja and Ancient King also chimed in, as did Danny I with his much talked about debut Spanish album and I Grade Records supplied us with the Songbird Riddim, which would subsequently be the subject of the single best compilation album that I heard, from anyone, in the year. It was very, very good! Playing a large hand in that was the aforementioned Higher Bound Productions who not only dealt  with Midnite, but also Ancient King, Abja and played a hand in Danny I's "Tribu Especial". The label was also on board the VI's greatest release of the year, for me, the MAMMOTH "Dredlocks Time" from the brilliantly serene Army. I go back now and, as is the case with all of the albums this high on the list, I'm looking for reasons NOT to place them here, but there're albums ranked higher than this one which have more questionable moments. "Dredlocks Time" was as good as it possibly could have been. There is not a single even remotely reasonable thing that I think could have been done to make it a finer record. Here, Army rose with an album which just made me feel really good and hasn't stopped. I hope it never does and I'm sure it never will. 'Modern World', 'Jah Will Guide', 'Push De Limit' and many of the other fifteen selections (like 'Bid Dem Goodbye') were the biggest winners on what may someday be one of the best albums I've ever heard. It was THAT good. 

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#4 "Bring Back The Vibes" by Lion D [Bizzarri Records]

Thanx again. Don't you just hate it when you have a person who is generally wrong in their predictions, but on the most odd occasion when they actually get it right, they make sure they make you know that they were - saying stuff like "I TOLD YOU SO"! 

Ehh-ehmm! I TOLD YOU SO! I TOLD YOU SO! I TOLD YOU SO! I TOLD YOU SO! I TOLD YOU SO! I TOLD YOU SO! I TOLD YOU SO! I TOLD YOU SO! I TOLD YOU SO! 

I knew it back it 2009 when Lion D headed that year's edition of this list with "The Burning Melody", that we had someone who was full of potential and could, potentially, serve up top notch albums for a couple of decades and in 2013, vindication came through in the form of "Bring Back The Vibes". Once again linking with the masterminds at Bizzarri Records, the chanter turned in another sterling, free-flowing and full on boundless display of his gifts and do so throughout another big album. And it hasn't ended at all! I'm still on board in telling everyone who will listen just how good I think he'll be someday and he gave me what I needed to I hear as the Lion came back roaring in 2013 for album #2. 

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#3 "The Order of Melchezedik" by Chezidek [JahSolidRock]

Searching and finding. Isn't it always nice to find someone with whom you have absolute chemistry? Particularly concerning something as strange and fleeting as making music - the history of Reggae music is brimming with legendary artist/producer combinations which have thrilled fans throughout the years. Well, as for Chezidek and the always active JahSolidRock, whatever it was that they were searching for, they found it in one another. Chezidek has made albums for so many different producers and labels and JSR hasn't been shy in making albums for a variety of different vocalists either, but neither of them have demonstrated the consistent level of GENIUS they do when they work together. If you needed more proof than what was to be found on 2010's MASSIVE "Judgement Time" album, it came blaring through in 2013 with the duo's followup, "The Order of Melchezedik". Just like its predecessor, this album was seamless and it bathed in some of the finest sonic appeal of any album in the genre, despite not even slightly dipping outside of its concept. You could close your eyes a find a winner on this tracklist. Though  my personal favourite is still 'Search and You Will Find', 'All My Life', 'Faya Pon Dem', 'Praises To Jah', 'Jah In Our Heart' and even others were in the discussion. It cannot possibly stop at a pair and though we may have to wait another three years to get it, the inexorability of a third album from Chezidek and JahSolidRock already has me excited.

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#2 "Better Tomorrow" by Etana [VP Records]

A guarantee. In music, very few things are ultimately reliable. Things change as often as people do and, even if they don't, your tastes change and what you liked today may not sound so good tomorrow. So while I cannot be assured that I will enjoy the next albums from Sizzla Kalonji or Norris Man; or that Lloyd Brown won't find himself back on digital-only shelves for his next album; or that I won't have to wait until I'm almost forty (which is only a very short and an even more ridiculous eight years away) (or seven and a half now) for the next time Malika Madremana to do another album or for the next time for everyone to, collectively, decide to pay attention to a new Lutan Fyah album - I can tell you RIGHT NOW that whether we get it in 2014, 2015 or 2016 or 2116, THE NEXT ALBUM FROM ETANA WILL BE GREAT! It has no choice. The woman makes great music as evidenced by now three GOLDEN projects. Her latest one is the first of its brood not to take top honours (and only because it ran into a new name), but one could make the case that "Better Tomorrow" was her greatest piece of work to date. We've all had the opportunity to watch Etana grow and grow as an artist and today she exists as one of a TINY group of names in Reggae music who you expect to make great albums and anything less will be a major disappointment. Fortunately, she'll never let you down. You'll lose your taste for the entire genre before Etana looses a step. Her offering this year, again, was a bright and beautiful set from 'The Strong One'. And, whenever it gets here, we'll be saying the same thing about album #4

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#1 "New Name" by Jah9 [RoryStoneLove]

TREMBLE. Wayyyyyyyy back in February Jah9 sewed, signed, sealed and delivered the single best album of 2013 and though we'd get great albums after that (like nearly every other album on this list), it was never a real question as to which direction to go here and I was so firm on that position because of the way this woman… made a game with only one player (named Jah9) - out of  the art of the spoken word.

'New Name'

Unless I am REALLY forgetting someone, I cannot remember a debut album which was as lyrically strong as "New Name" and the ranks of its equals are filled by bonafide stars and legends in the prime of her career - a lot further along than debut albums. The poet applied a poetic-like form and sensibility to writing songs where each and every tune had a subject from which it did not deviate (and I know that sounds simple, but if you listen to enough music, you know exactly how rare of a quality that is). Jah9 also has an amazing ability to write, simultaneously, from both her heart and head. When she does that, she makes songs such as 'Preacher Man' which are imbued with as much passion (and wholehearted disgust in that particular instance) as it is with common sense. You also, BRILLIANTLY, get pieces such as 'Avocado' which finds Jah9 fully attracted to someone who satisfies both body and mind. The fact that she even does a tune like 'Avocado' makes my point. That type of song does not exist from someone who has NOT thrown themselves in the moment in every way (instead it would have been some awful love song). We also got to enjoy songs like 'Jungle' and 'Imagine', 'Legitimate' with Protoje, 'Inner Voice', 'Intention' and, of course the pillaring title song which, again, gave a passionately intelligent praise to His Imperial Majesty.

'Jungle'

Jah9 made a fan out of me and many, many more. And in 2013, she also made "New Name", THE BEST REGGAE ALBUM OF  THE YEAR!

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Rewind!: "Bring Back The Vibes" by Lion D

"Bring Back The Vibes" by Lion D [Bizzarri Records]

We've made it a point to go back and revisit some of the biggest albums of the year thus far and we've already dealt with the likes of Chezidek, Norris Man, Malika Madremana and, of course the biggest of them all, Jah9 and now we continue with an album from another of our absolute favourites, the captivating Lion D. Four years back, the chanter would introduce us to "The Burnin Melody" album which would prove to be one of the best albums that I'd heard from anyone at the time and the single biggest of 2009 as well and though it took him a little longer than I hoped (he could make an album every forty-five minutes and I'd probably ask him what is taking so long), what ultimately would arrive was well worth the wait. Once again linking with esteemed Italian imprint, Bizzarri Records, the Lion would set forth a fantastic display and one guided in the notion of a paying a heavy tribute to old school Reggae music. Today we pay a tribute to IT, a fantastic followup and, easily, one of the best albums of 2013 thus far and Rewind! "Bring Back The Vibes" by Lion D

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{Note: Obviously we excluded the Skits from the Rewind}

Lion D

1. 'Can't Get Me Down [Intro]'

The intro for "Bring Back The Vibes" is an interesting song and one which I think is deserving of a bit of analysis. So many times you look at intros as a most DIRECT table-setter for what is to come, but I think that 'Can't Get Me Down' takes a more distinct course because instead of saying what the album is going to be about in his own words and what the listener is going to spend the next hour or so listening to - what the Lion seems to do is to say that no matter what, he's happy with his work here (and he has great reason to be so) and he's happy in general and that's how he'll stay. 

2. 'As One'

"If love is the answer

Man haffi ask the question" 

Originally, while I was definitely able to appreciate this song, I don't think that I may've given it its proper credit and it is obvious why. If you listen to 'As One', what you quickly and immediately notice is just how wonderful it is to listen to. It is a joyous experience of a tune, but you'll have to sift through that (HAPPILY) and when you do what is beneath is an socially inspiring and uplifting tune which easily marches its way amongst the absolute finest selections on "Bring Back The Vibes". 

3. 'No Bleaching Cream'

As I did say initially, while you may be tired of the subject behind 'No Bleaching Cream', most unfortunately and disgustingly it is a still a current topic (which is remarkable in a sickening way) and this song, in particular, goes a bit further than most you're likely to hear on the issue in recent times because it really deals with things in a more indirect route. Instead of just saying 'don't do it', essentially the Lion takes an approach which says that bleaching is a significant sign of such things as low self-esteem and self-image and all sorts of other complications which're unnecessary, because your skin (whatever tone it may be) is beautiful. 

"Black Woman you look hot, you ever draw my attention

You nah need none a dat fi improve yah complexion

MI LOVE YAH SKIN TONE, YOU NAH NEED NO CORRECTION"

4. 'Work'

As a lifelong master in the arts of procrastination, I'm someone who certainly can take a great deal from a tune such as 'Work'. Besides the obvious -- the song is a fairly straight forward call to [literal] action -- I also think that there is an element here around being humble and unity. What I really enjoy is how the song is presented. The backing singers are ultra-involved throughout so you get this 'community' type of feeling which really amounts to 'help'. You may not want to do what you should be doing, but all of these people will be there with you and you'll make it through. I should also mention the SUBLIME guitar on this song which makes it one of the most dynamic pieces on an album not starving for such tracks. Excellent. 

6. 'Blessings'

Following the first of two skits on "Bring Back The Vibes" is a song which I declared my favourite on the whole of the album, 'Blessings'. About five months on an… It is still the leader for me. Looking back there is something hear which now stands out so far for me in terms of why I love this song so much (and it is one of the best of the year in my opinion thus far) and that is how well it encompasses what I feel is one of the Lion's greatest traits as a musician. He never seems to plan things out too far. Inevitably, when at his best, you'll almost always get this feeling that he's kind of free-styling it to a degree and that musical LIBERTY comes trumpeting through all over 'Blessings'. You can feel the emotion come pouring through and, in this case, it rains for the greatest as the song finds Lion D giving a most needed praising to His Imperial Majesty. 

7. 'Nuh Ramp' featuring Skarra Mucci

BOOM! Lion D links up with the always entertaining Skarra Mucci to produce one of the most enjoyable selections on the entire release, 'Nuh Ramp'. This piece was also interesting because along with the star here, Skarra Mucci had been and has been churning out big tunes lately and the slightly old school edged tune appealed directly to some of his greatest abilities and the two came up with something not to be soon forgotten. A big, big tune. 

8. 'Try Afta You' 

Speaking of things which you won't forget anytime soon, there was also 'Try Afta You' which makes itself something that immediately sticks in your head because it takes a cue from a song called 'Sweat' (technically) by the legendary Inner Circle. You've been singing that song for a couple of decades and will be singing it for a few more, but with a song like this, maybe you'll mix in a verse or two from Lion D. 

9. 'Sweet Jamaica' featuring Ras Tewelde

Ras Tewelde joins the Lion next and the two give a dazzling tribute to the birthplace of the music they both make, 'Sweet Jamaica'. The song is another one which is just extremely pleasurable to listen to and is easy to kind of fall into as far as just enjoying the musical display (which is completely fine), but if you do not do that, what you will have is a tune which really just demonstrates the passion and the respect the two have for their craft and its heritage. 

10. 'I Need Your Love' featuring Blacky Grace

"I need your love in the morning

I need your love in the evening to

I love you darling and I hope you feel the same way too

That's all I ask from you"

'I Need Your Love' is a love song [DUH!]. It is a nice one and its presence on "Bring Back The Vibes" well makes it a better album. HOWEVER, the lasting impression left by this song is the fact that there very likely exists very little in the way of documents, scribbles, doodles or graffiti that I wouldn't have a good time listening to Blacky Grace sing. Her voice is so soothing and so impressive and just magical, that I could probably listen to that woman sing almost anything and though I do not think I've heard anything knew from her following this album, I'm damn looking forward to it. 

11. 'Babylon'

TEARS! There is something nearly enchanting about the wholly simple and organic sound behind what has become one of my favourite selections on this album, 'Babylon'. There is just so much to like about this one and I've found myself loving every bit of it over the past few months or so. As far as the topic, what I've grown to take from it is the notion of how society, and particularly oppressive society, can just get in its own way. So many things, on a large level and on a personal one, can go wrong for so many different people and it is all avoidable if we just improve certain areas of life. 

"But every day is another test

And di poor man's load is di heaviest

No boy can put mi mouth pon mute

Right now mi haffi talk to di bigger heads"

12. 'Mumma'

Mama will always have a place in Reggae music (…and in everything else) and Lion D pays a giant tribute to his on "Bring Back The Vibes" in the form of 'Mumma'. There hasn't been much 'movement' on a song like this, as you would expect. It is a very nice offering and one which I'm sure his Mother appreciated and she isn't the only one. 

14. 'Weh Dem Fah' featuring Gappy Ranks

 The song I was most looking forward to hearing on the whole of "Bring Back The Vibes" was definitely 'Weh Dem Fah' which featured the Lion alongside the flaming UK star, Gappy Ranks (who has a new album of his own, "Shining Hope", dropping in September). Just on the most casual of levels, the two presented a combination which was potentially a heavy one and after putting it all together, 'Weh Dem Fah' didn't disappoint. It was the powerful lyrical back-and-forth I was hoping for and, as I said before, anytime they want to do this again, I'll be listening. BOOM! 

15. 'So Beautiful'

Somewhat reminiscent of 'Babylon' (and I believe both were helmed by The Livity Band), the album's second love song, 'So Beautiful', is another very FUN selection. This one, inherently, is lighter than almost any other song here and it is a great changeup because of that - one pushed to an even higher level because of that golden bar of a riddim underpinning it. 

16. 'No Victim'

I'd almost forgotten about 'No Victim' being on "Bring Back The Vibes", but going back and hearing it again for the sake of this post has reignited my appreciations of it. A very strong case could be made for this tune being THE single most lyrically impressive set on this album, but it isn't a song which so forcefully leaps out at the listener. The track is one which I'd almost call subtle or somewhat R&B-ish even, but it works in this particular instance to near perfection - largely because of the lyrical DOMINANCE the Lion puts forth. 

17. 'Irie'

And finally (not really) is another delightful piece in 'Irie' which, as its title certainly suggests, is just a piece about enjoying oneself and enjoying the moment. The Lion gives a credit to the vibes of yesteryear (as does the sound of the tune) and he does it in a way which is emblematic of the concept behind the album, but not at all sacrificial of what he does well. A very interesting song which may not be hailed as such because it is so nice to listen to, but again, there isn't very much wrong with just liking because it sounds great and it does. 

18. 'Thanxgivin [Outro]'

"Bring Back The Vibes" comes to its actual end as it… brings back the vibes of the "The Burnin' Melody" album. You already know this because you already have that album and have been listening to it for years now, but "Thanxgivin" was a sizable highlight from that album and although it comes through in a different version here, one which is more laidback and straightforward it hasn't lost a damn thing in quality. In fact, being here has, arguably, given it something of a 'second-wind', because it was excellent and it still is. 

So, while I know that you knew that the melody used to be burning, it started four years ago now. If by some chance you missed out on the news, I'll tell you again - It's still burning! It's burning as hot and as bright as ever as Lion D returns in 2013 with an album which cannot be missed, "Bring Back The Vibes".