Breakthrough: A review of Stay Up by Spectacular

Preparations. As I'm sure you'll agree, one of the greatest things about being a consistent fan of music is the wonderful surprises that it continuously provides. Be it a big song from an unknown, a comeback of some sort, a shocking collaboration or ANYTHING, music, like life in general, has a wonderful way of keeping us on our proverbial toes when we pay enough attention to it. Given the nature of Reggae, where the point isn't usually building towards some album or complete project and singles run the show, for the most part, when you do come across that surprising album, it can be a special thing and you know, for someone like me, the first thing on my mind to do is to come and tell you wonderful people all about it. Today I'm going to tell you about such a release from an artist who has CERTAINLY shown a level of talent throughout what has been a distinguished yet, perhaps, underappreciated, career (GENUINELY underappreciated, not in the crazy, overused way Reggaeheads usually talk about), but is also someone who I've mentioned quite a bit throughout the years because he's remained active and prominent. He has very much been someone whose time in the music has seemed to be a GRIND and, in some ways, he seems to have enjoyed the fruits of his labour but, hopefully, more is to come. Of course I'm talking about the Kingston born, heavy voiced chanter, Spectacular who has provided us with some excellent material over the years. When his name comes up, the first thing that generally goes through my mind is the productivity that the link with label Irie Ites. Along with a small handful of others such as Chezidek, Ras Mac Bean, King Lorenzo and someone else who I'll tell you about later (I'll give you a hint, it rhymes with Hoot & Syah), Spectacular has become a favourite of the France based imprint and artist and label have made some truly brilliant material together and, presumably, will continue to do so, going forward. Apart from that, Spectacular has found the true source of his popularity (again, like a few others) on Reggae-crazed European soil, working with, amongst others favourites of ours, Oneness Records, ReggaeLand, Little Lion Sound and the once mighty Minor7Flat5. Earlier, his developmental years would see him drawing the attentions of big Jamaican labels such as Xterminator (crazy tune Spectacular had for Fattis called 'Blast Dem') and Buju's Gargamel.

You would have thought (and you'd think it still that Spectacular's opus would likely come via Irie Ites. Were they ever to work on an album and include both old and new material, that would surely be a big project and would be a legacy enhancing type of release, potentially. However, such a thing has yet to materialize and, after all of these years, one would presume that is unlikely to (GO AHEAD AND MAKE A FOOL OUT OF ME, IRIE ITES!) (I DARE YA!). Instead, the first two albums of Spectacular's career have come from two different European outlets. His debut, 2005's "Find Yourself", came via DHF from out of Germany, while his sophomore set, "Salvation" from eleven years on, was delivered via Carabeo Music who, like II, operate out of France. It was the first of the two which was his strongest in my opinion; carrying, amongst others, the OUTSTANDING '50 Push Up' ["DO FIFTY PUSHUPS! HUNDRED SKIPS!"], which is one of my favourite Spectacular songs still (and in the conversation for being THE best, actually). 

2005 & 2016

Apparently, the link with Carabeo has remained quite strong in the nine subsequent years since "Salvation" because Spectacular & Carabeo now bring forth the former's third studio release to date and something I have really wanted to tell you about since I laid full ears on it, "Stay Up". When I heard this album and started to figure things out and work on it in my head, I was HAPPY for Spectacular. That was the dominant thing on my mind. I was so happy for him because of its quality and I look at him as someone who could surely use that type of a big and breakout release and I don't think "Stay Up" is likely to have much reach in terms of introducing to him such a giant new fanbase but I am DAMN confident that those tried and trusted lot of us who came to listen (because we ALWAYS do) will be thrilled by what is here. So, maybe in Reggae circles (and ONLY in Reggae circles) (and then again, maybe not), "Stay Up" can have that type of resonating impact with the masses. Along with reuniting with Carabeo, the new album also finds Spectacular working alongside the Forward Ever Band from Spain (great name). As far as I can tell, there's is a relationship that dates back half a decade to 2020's 'Seat Tight' which was a very nice single on the Modern Times Riddim and they've also made music with Luciano, Earl 16, Jah Mali, Loyal Flames, Ras Tewelde and even Gappy Ranks! So if the FEB is a new one to you, their credits prior to "Stay Up" says that  they've more than earned the opportunity. Actually hearing it sends you off.... somewhere else. I did not get very far AT ALL into "Stay Up" before I realized that I was listening to something extremely strong and, again, as someone who basically CHEERS for Spectacular (and I cheer for just about everyone) - DAMN DID THAT MAKE ME HAPPY! I did, honestly, hesitate in reviewing it because, as small as it is, "Stay Up" is kind of EP-ish but... shit, I make the rules around here, I can do what I want! LET'S TALK ABOUT IT!

Since I just alluded to it, let's get the biggest critique here out of the way right now. Comprised of just nine selections, spanning only thirty-eight minutes, "Stay Up" is too short. It just is. Even just one or two more songs of the same quality as the first nine would have went a considerable way in adding to things but, just judging it for what it IS, "Stay Up" is fantastic. Getting us up and going is what is EASILY one of the album's finest offerings altogether, 'Jump Ina Fyah'. BOOM! The opener is POWERFUL! 

"Nuff a giant

Nuff a dem a dwarf

Nuff a whale

Yow, nuff a shark

Some act like dem tough

Wi know seh dem soft"

The song is fairly broad and pretty much all over the place but it serves as the PERFECT opener, just to grab attentions and make sure you're well paying attention. Charged with holding your attention is the also very free-flowing 'Hardcore', with its golden bounce. I'm pretty sure Spectacular planned this song out and rehearsed it (or whatever he typically does) - it does not sound like something he just came up with off the top of his head and went with, but it almost has that type of feel of it (none of that makes any sense, I know, but I think you sorta/kinda get what I'm trying to say). 'Hardcore' is, effectively, a musical celebration where Spectacular declares that he has his style ["Mi gi dem it HARDCORE!"] and pays respect to those of us who have ears to hear it and the ability to receive it and IT is EXCELLENT (and we appreciate it!). The album's first of a pair of combinations is in next, the title track, which brings in respected veteran vocalist, Lymie Murray. Murray is one of those people that tend to have more of a dedicated fanbase than you probably give him credit for. His releases, as far as I can tell, tend to garner a fair amount of attention and you'll be doing something fine for yourself in laying a bit of yours in the direction of this wonderful tune. 'Stay Up' KIND OF practices what it preaches and I mean that in a good way: The VIBE of this one is subtly infectious. It is a track about staying persistent , staying the course and keeping a good attitude during challenging times but 'Stay Up' is not, AT ALL, what you'd call a happy song; it also goes through the struggle and, in its pacing, acknowledges that what it is asking of you is most certainly not easy. Later on, is 'Farmer Man', the album's other song featuring another artist. This time, Lutan Fyah joins Spectacular on a, upful, hard-working effort that is sure to get head bobbing and fingers tapping. The two also came together on the heavy 'System Dread' from the aforementioned "Salvation" set (and that was not their first tune together. Spectacular was even on "Justice", seven years before "Salvation" and more than fifteen years ago now) and have, obviously, been around one another quite a bit through the years. The result, unsurprisingly, is a lot of musical chemistry being developed which is crystal clear on 'Farmer Man'.

For all intent and reasonable purposes, 'Stay Up' is the best song on the album named after it but.... something else catches my ear and earns top honours from me as our obligatory ganja tune, 'Bag A Weed', is downright addictive.

 

"Mi no si nobody love weed like mi

When you si mi, you call mi di Weed OG

I wanna tell yuh something about this tree

Mi know seh yuh bound fi agree

I tek a seed and mi guh put it inna di soil

Water and when it grow, mi nurture it just like a child

Groom it up, prune it up, so it no grow wild

MEDITATION STYLE!"

This tune is brutal! It is tough as all hell to shake (not that you'd want to) and it grabbed me and has yet to let me go! Of course, such pieces are in a ridiculous abundance in Reggae music, but Spectacular's 'Bag A Weed' is one of the finest ganja tunes that I've heard in the last five years or so - without question! Having ticked off one compulsory section, Spectacular later deals with another one in 'Mama Proud' and he definitely does his mama proud. The song is surprisingly on the heavy side and it is the vibe of such an offering that signals any type of individuality (it can be strong lyrically as well (and it is) but it's pretty difficult to make a Reggae song about MAMA incredibly unique) and everything clicks with 'Mama Proud' to my ears. It goes both broad and direct and is a LOVELY song for the most powerful person on the planet. Speaking of vibes, check the DAMAGING 'Justice' which absolutely SOARS!

"Then by the bullet, or the ballot or the gun

One way - dem seh justice haffi come

Pass mi mi kette, mi bass and mi fundeh drum

Gimme mi shake, and mi shake dem dung

Run injustice, mi seh justice ah come

Wisdom, knowledge, overstanding di words from mi tongue

Free up di bank, mek good water run

Now clear di way and mek Jah Jah, HIM, touch down 

I play Nyabinghi inna di middle of the street

Play Nyabinghi because it sound so sweet

Play Nyabinghi because it was ordered-

By the Honourable Marcus Garvey

Then mi tired of dem ism, schism

And all dem socialism

And all dem capitalism

And all dem racist-ism

Yow, a pure ism, schism

And all dem pirate-ism

Dem ah fight over gold and oil

Kill off di people dem and ah laugh and ah smile"

'Justice' comes through as a call to action and you will feel like activating SOMETHING while listening to it! If it does not move you in some way, I regret to tell you that you probably passed away somewhere along the way. WE HAVE LOST YOU! BOOM! The song is also the longest on "Stay Up" by more than forty seconds as a golden chunk of it is given primarily to the Forward Ever Band who DAZZLE musically with the riddim... and I am now heavily reconsidering my choice of my favourite song on this album. Also, big credit goes to the delightful backup singer/s who really add another facet to things on 'Justice'. There's a track here that I'm going to pay its respects in a different way by the name of 'The System'. It is, essentially, a social commentary (to be expected from the title) and it is EXCELLENT. Were you to pluck if off of "Stay Up" and drop it on "Salvation" or "Find Yourself", 'The System' instantly enters the discussion of best tune on either one of them. It is that good. HERE?? It ain't even close! I hear at least four songs that are stronger and I could probably make the case for another one! That's how strong "Stay Up' is; when you listen to a selection like 'The System' and fully LOVE it but are ranking it CLEARLY in the album's bottom half. The closer, 'Heart Mind and Soul' is somewhat of a changeup, given its direction but it compliments some of the other sounds you'll find here very well. It is almost entirely spiritual (which Spectacular doesn't do too often, actually. I find that he usually tends to hit the tangible in some way in his lyrics) and in a good way, with the riddim behind it being this lumberingly LUSH vibe. It did take awhile but, like pretty much everything else on "Stay Up", after awhile, I was hooked.

I do want to, very quickly, revisit something of Spectacular's style of writing, in general, which is one a thrilling display on "Stay Up". I write these reviews and I like to give a lot of credit to good writing and usually when I do that it's in appreciation of artists who're largely very specific and detailed in what they do. Spectacular deserves an immense amount of praise as well even though (and maybe even because) he thrives on being more broad. He'll talk about three or four different things on a single song and sometimes he'll tie them all together and sometimes he won't even bother but the level of writing he displays when he's at his best -- and he is at his VERY BEST here -- is POWERFUL. When you combine that with his typically fiery delivery, I give a level of respect to this set LYRICALLY that I typically reserve for artists with styles much different than Spectacular's.

Overall, as I said, if only "Stay Up" were a bit longer.... as it is, it nearly reaches the lofty levels of the name of its creator. To my opinion it is, far and away, THE finest display of his talents thus far and if someone were new to the music of Spectacular, I'd set it up as a PERFECT entry point to get familiar. "Stay Up" is fantastic and it comes from someone who was just DUE to have such a release. I'm not saying that it's "landmark" or "life-changing" or anything of the sort, but it is of an obviously higher level than what he's done to this point, which is saying a lot. "Stay Up" figures to be the best case scenario for Spectacular. It is an outstanding, albeit brief, showcase of someone that may have been overlooked by too many up until this point. HOPEFULLY it informs us all as to exactly WHO we're dealing with as one of the genre's 'fittest' talents shines like never before. OUTSTANDING!

Rated: 4.75/5

Carabeo Music

2025

'Forward!': A review of "Deeper Roots" by Lymie Murray

There are so many wonderful people in and around this wonderful music, actually doing the work, that it's always so nice and extra special when one of them, who surely does not get the credit that he/she deserves does get the proper respect and a fitting showcase of their talents. I look at so many different artists in so many different situations and definitely the most common set, obviously, is the younger name who comes up and attracts an amount of attention and this eventually leads to things such as big shows, tours and albums, but there's another group of people whose presence has meant more to the music and who have some semblance of longevity who also are seemingly forging their own ways, which is quite new and current. Today, the greatest example of this, in my opinion, would be someone such as Mark Wonder. A very good case could be made that the divinely gifted vocalist, at this, an extremely advanced stage of an already sterling career, is just now entering his prime years of efficacy! Having spent recent years doing work on an even higher level and receiving such a vast amount (and diverse amount) of praises from around the globe, the singer now seems poised to join the ranks of some of the more in demand Roots Reggae artists of the time and to me, THAT'S WONDERFUL! I'd also look at someone such as a  Singing Melody who attracted a great deal of interest with his album from earlier in the year, "They Call Me Mr. Melody" (interesting who featured on that album, hmmm). Melody, of course, is someone who has enjoyed a great deal of popularity in his extensive career, but he's never seemed to have gotten in the manner that has been apparent surrounding his latest release, which is excellent. In past recent years, we've also seen such conditions arrive for artists like Daddy Rings (biggup Gentleman), Prince Malachi and others - all of whom, at a more progressed point in their respective musical lives, have attained an arguably previously unseen level or platform for their music and have done so through the means of an album. Well, hopefully we're about to add another name to that list as VETERAN singer and Reggae fixture, Lymie Murray may have just checked in with his most high profile set to date and it is not to be missed.

"Start All Over" [2000]

While the name Lymie Murray may not be a household one in even more hardcore Reggae circles, he's certainly very much someone who has paid his dues in various aspects in the music and, thus, he would ostensibly qualify as an artist who would hopefully receive this type of attention that I'm speaking of. The singer has been plying his trade, in some form or another, for nearly twenty years at this point and has become a staple on the scene, but I don't feel that he's TRULY been shown the respect that you would think would be given to someone of his considerable talents. He's released multiple albums as well (by my count, this new album would be his fourth) and I would wish you luck in finding a hardcopy of any of the older ones at this point. And I say all of this, but I don't want to make it seem as if NO ONE has shown Murray any love, but . . . DAMN, listen to that man sing, listen to the way he writes his lyrics and you just come away with the feeling that there's so much special to be heard in his case. 

Fortunately I'm not the only one who thinks that as the boys and girls at I Dwell Records have also obviously heard exactly what I'm talking about and they linked Lymie Murray for a full album which they now submit for your approval, "Deeper Roots". Okay, the thing about this album is that I'm almost certain that it originally dropped two or maybe even three years back because I definitely recall hearing about it and I even recall reading an article about Murray presenting the album which (I actually found again recently) had what turned out to be an accurate partial tracklist from some of the songs on "Deeper Roots", but I'd never seen it or heard it full on. My thought would be that it did reach back then (although the back of the cover does designate this as an official 2012 release), in some form or another, maybe even as an EP, but now I Dwell presents it as a full project for a worldwide consumption and hopefully it manages to resonate with as many fans as strongly as it does for me. The initial attraction for this project is that Murray is an artist whom you'll typically find doing more Lover's Rock and while he does mix in some social/spiritual Roots Reggae into his music, I think that most who know of his work would call him at least predominately a Lover's Rock singer and that's where he's made his name - but now he's mixed things up. If you go back and vibe some of those earlier albums such as "Start All Over" and "Only Conversations" (which were quite similar), you'll hear that the type of work was largely romantic type of love songs and that's not surprising when you consider that Murray once sailed on the Big Ship alongside its legendary captain, Freddie McGregor. While you will find Lover's Rock on the deck (did you catch that???) of this one, "Deeper Roots" is, as its title would suggest . . . deeper Roots Reggae music than you're accustomed to hearing from the singer. Call that a plan of Murray's if you like (and I'm sure you'd be precise in that assumption), but credit also has to go to the Roots HEAVY I Dwell Records who is well experiencing a HUGE 2012 with big releases in coming from Toussaint The Liberator ["Where I Lead"] and the full releasing of the Fyah Fureal Riddim (more on that later). They've also popped up recently with a few digital singles from the likes of Capleton ['Hunting For My Soul', big tune] and Khari Kill, so they've been doing the work and apparently it's brought them the idea to FINALLY push up Lymie Murray's album on a bigger scale. It certainly did take long enough, but it proves to have been worth the wait. Let's have a listen. 

When at its best, Lymie Murray's voice is truly something to hear. It is this somewhat light, yet firm, and crystal clear and while it is a voice very much 'MADE' for singing Lover's Rock music (he almost sounds like a more normal Chezidek at times), here he so wonderfully uses to it sing music for His Majesty. And getting things started, for the second review in a row, is the best song on the album as at the head (literally and in terms of quality) of Lymie Murray's brand of "Deeper Roots" is the well upful 'Wake Up'. The first song on an album definitely has a certain responsibility to ignite the audiences to . . . want to listen to the remainder of the record and to really just have that type of gripping vibes to it and 'Wake Up' has all of that and some to spare. The song is one really just telling the masses to begin to take a notice of everything and everyone surrounding them and to really just STEP UP how they interact with and contribute to the betterment of the world (yes, it's about all of that). 

“Wake up, wake up, wake up

Hey children -

Get up, get up, get up

Live up, live up, live up

Now people -

Stand up, stand up, stand up

Hey, don’t let babylon get you caught up inna dem confusion

Don’t you desire to be like dem

And don’t like sadden get you over yourself

Know that you’ve got to stay your course

Discontent is a monster, I’m ah telling you

No easy way around!

The people living with this real frustration -

Pon dis lava ground”

Biggup I Wayne.  It's an excellent track from beginning to end which makes you well want to hear what is to follow. What is to follow is a song with which I'm slightly familiar, 'Bad Mind People'. I think this tune may've been booked as a single for this album because I remembered it from the first time I heard the chorus on the song. It's pretty simple - just a tune about staying away from and keeping from actually becoming one yourself - but it's a very catchy vibes as well and one of the more so on the whole of the album. So there's no surprise as to why it was the single if it really was. And wrapping up the opening lot of songs on "Deeper Roots" is the SWEET old school vibed 'Rooster', another of the signature selections for the album. There's just so much to like about this one. It is one of the most sonically pleasing pieces here and the message is top as well. If you wanted to call it THE best on the album, you wouldn't get too much of an argument from me (even though you'd be wrong, that's your problem) (I have my own issues, dammit).

'Badmind People'

"Deeper Roots" features a couple of DEEP combinations in its twelve tracks with a pair of individuals whose mere presence made me smile! Both are just really good ideas! The first, 'Earth Cry' features Lymie Murray alongside hot and cold BLAZING (how can you be all three of them? I don't know, but he is) chanter, Spectacular. Spectacular may just be one of the most gifted artists around today, but he struggles mightily, at least in my opinion, with his consistency. Here, there's no problem, he's in a fine form joining Murray for the sublime social commentary. The other artist making a guest spot on the album is the aforementioned Mark Wonder who is around to help celebrate 'Suzie's Birthday Party'. This song has kind of a FUNKY vibes around it and it's more on the lover's side, but not quite. In any respect, it's a pretty good song, but I'd love these two to link again for a huge Roots set. And while, as I said, "Deeper Roots" is far more on the Roots Reggae side than his previous efforts, the singer doesn't completely the Lover's Rock arena and it isn't totally bereft (LOVING that word these days) of love song. The other track in that spectrum is 'Love to Love You'. I do feel a lot of love around this one, but I don't LOVE this song, yet there it does have a nice sound to it and I can imagine more longtime fans of the singer will surely appreciate its presence. 

'Milk & Honey'

The balance of the album would definitely qualify as "Deeper Roots" Reggae in some form or another. The best of the remaining selections, to my opinion, is a trio of big tunes which add so much to the experience of listening to this record. First up is the big 'Captive' which is a social commentary speaking on just how restrictive oppressive society has gotten, particularly to younger people. As this tune progresses it gets REALLY entertaining with the ending being largely bereft (told you!) of major lyrics and just a complete enjoyment of that HEAVY riddim. Next (in making my point and actually next on the album) is 'Cool It Down' which is a vibe just telling certain 'watchers' of civilization to ease back their attitude just a bit. It also appears to be perhaps a story of something that may have happened to Murray, personally, or just a story in general - big in either format. And you REALLY have to check the tune 'Marcus' also which, as you should expect, gives honour and praise to The Most Honourable Marcus Mosiah Garvey. This one is partially biographical on its subject, but it also talks about how Garvey's principals and what happened to him are still very pertinent and prevalent today. I LOVE songs like this which can provoke that type of often intense thought and that's unerringly what happens for me in this case. I'm also going to add the song 'Milk & Honey' to this batch because (I kept listening to it and it grew on me) it's another big offering as well. 

“Come a, come away with me

To a place where there’s lots of milk and lots of honey

You come a, come away with me

Let me teach you of the words of His Imperial Majesty

Come a, come away with me 

And see what you’ve been missing 

Ites! Gold and Green!

That’s the way that I ah represent The King

Hey do you know where I’ve been?

Talkin bout di place down inna Shashamane 

Red! Gold and Green!

Hit you with the mood, it’s a state of being

Hey did you bring the seeds?

Plant them today” 

Murray has apparently found the route to the land of milk and honey and he's planning on leaving soon and I'm going with him. The vehicle he's using on that journey is the aforementioned Fyah Fureal Riddim. And "Deeper Roots" comes to its conclusion with a pair of very solid tunes, 'Brother's Keeper' and 'Troubles I See'. The former is really strong and if I wasn't sleepy, I'd probably go back and include it in the previous group. Like 'Marcus' it very much has an old school R&B feeling to it (at least at the beginning) and Murray uses this to push a message which, essentially, says for people to look after one another. You don't have to actually LIKE one another all of the time, but just mind your fellow man and woman when they need a hand. The closer is another SOLID piece where Murray chimes in on things that he feels need improving in the world. This isn't my favourite song, but I can really see it growing on me to some degree, so if you hear it and have a bit of a lukewarm feeling (and I do like it more now than when I very first heard it), definitely give it a few more spins before casting a final judgment. 

Lymie Murray

Overall, partially because of how much big work I Dwell Records seems to be focused on doing this year and partially just because he's wicked - this album should generate a nice bit of response and that would be just a wonderful thing to have for someone like Lymie Murray. He is one of those people who you may not realize, but has done so much for so many different people and in doing things behind the scenes, that you really wish for him to have such a breakout that this album could provide. Also there's the matter that "Deeper Roots" is just GOOD! It's a really good album, so should that light get shone upon it and Limey Murray, the quality of the project is well intact and ready for the coming eyes and ears. "Deeper Roots" proves to be a very solid set from an artist in Limey Murray whose time in the music has made him one finely tuned artist worthy of our respect and admiration. Well done. 

Rated: 4/5

I Dwell Records

2012

CD + Digital 

Review # 361