Of Note: A review of Heart Of One

Signatures. I'm currently working on the latest installment of our running series, 'Signatures', which is a feature we started to highlight some of my personal favourite songs from various artists. It's gotten a pretty solid response thus far and, after a break, we will continue it with the legendary Cocoa Tea, probably sometime later this month. I bring it up (because I absolutely love it) to lead into the fact that you can definitely take that same concept and apply it not only to a particular, individual artist but an entire label as well. It can be a little bit more difficult (and interesting to write) because you may not normally associate a certain piece of work with a label in terms of release and the choices you have to choose from may be incredibly vast but it can also be a very fruitful and satisfying experience as well. I'll bring up an example of a label that not only fits the concept of what we're doing today (they've worked with some of these artists) but one which has done PRECISELY what I think we're looking at here as well. Of course, I'm referring to I Grade Records and, by extension, the Zion I Kings. What're the signature releases of I Grade Records??? Were you to put together a list, surely it would be full of pieces from Akae Beka -- having the biggest Virgin Islands artist alongside the biggest VI label -- but I'd also include, off the top of my head, a pair of albums from Lutan Fyah and you might also come across works from the likes of Dezarie, Tuff Lion ["Ten Strings"], Pressure Busspipe and maybe even one or two others as well. Another set that I think would HAVE to be included (....and, of course, I'm now thinking about doing such a list) would be an album that we've well discusses around these parts so I won' take up too much of your time by beating it down again but, way back in 2009, IGR would release what is my opinion one of the greatest compilations of the modern era of Roots Reggae music, "Joyful Noise". Similarly, the other components of the Zion I Kings, Zion High Productions & Lustre Kings Productions, have also released compilations which are, easily, amongst some of their greatest productions. I could go on a more well known scale and start mentioning things such as "Reggae Gold" and "Strictly The Best" also - people who make Reggae music love making compilations and when they are very well done, the results can be some of the most memorable and most identifiable that they make, period. 

So, were one of my favourite labels going today to release a compilation which, at least on paper, looked like pure FLAMES, they're probably going to have my full attention. That brings us back to the wonderful people at Trinity Farm Music who, once again, are doing something well worthy of a look. While I could already point to a signature release from the label (they did launch our favourite album of 2024, Akae Beka's "Living Testament"), TFM have CONSISTENTLY delivered solid work in very recent times courtesy of a very interesting batch of names (biggup Batch) and have done so at a fantastic rate. Clearly, they have no intent on slowing down AT ALL. 

2018

So how do you take things even higher? Maybe [another] large compilation would do it. I can't go too far with this (well, I can (and I probably am eventually, but....), because Trinity Farm Music already has an outstanding compilation to their credit in 2018's LOVELY "Music Tree" which would have been one of their very first releases altogether. At least to my knowledge, there was never a second volume to "Music Tree" so, in its stead (kinda), 2025 now brings us "Heart Of One". The PACKED compilation checks in at nearly and hour and a half, spread over twenty-one tracks, featuring contributions by a VERY healthy variety of names. If you're following along with TFM's works, you'll see a number of their favourites building up the vocalist roster on "Heart Of One" and you'll also see some wonderful surprises as well (some of whom, I hope to see recording with the label more going forward) including some old personal favourites that we haven't seen much of it lately. For me, when it comes to compilations (especially on riddim albums which're far more rare these days than they used to be) one of the things that stand out most immediately is who is on board. I've actually made comments about that exact thing in the past and have had producers message me saying what happened or how certain things came about and it's all very fascinating (one was even apologetic) but when I laid eyes on what was happening here, even prior to hearing the actual music, I was mightily impressed, once again, by TFM. I failed to see how you could even put together such an array of talents and drop something subpar and "subpar" is not what I heard when I did get to hear "Heart Of One". Also, like pretty much everything that I've listened to from TFM, the music here is very heavily Roots Reggae, but I didn't find it very.... exclusive. While I don't see it being a very good starting point for listeners new to the genre entirely, if you've only recently come to know the greatest sound on the planet (congratulations), you're going to find something here entertaining and not just because there's so damn much of it. From beginning to end, "Heart Of One" shows itself to be stellar and a FINE potential introduction to one of the best labels going today. Let's get into it! 

Did I mention that this album had twenty-one songs on it?? It's been a minute since I've done a review on an album so damn long and I don't know how I'm going to break it down and segment it but let's just get to it anyway. Getting things up and going on Trinity Farm Music's BIG compilation is a very familiar name to our eyes and ears as the Arkaingelle puts both his and one of the album's best foot forward with the outstanding 'Yaddin by the Rivers'. By the slimmest of margins (with respect to maybe two or three others (but one in particular)) The album's opener is also my single favourite that it has to offer. Arkaingelle has a song called 'Manifess Joy' which is one of the top fifty or so best songs that I have EVER heard, so it's no surprise that he takes top honours here for me, as 'Yaddin by the Rivers' is simply flooring. 

"It is time now for repatriation 

Gather yourself, yow, let's get it together

We've got to organize, and centralize and mobilize

We haffi dispell all their falicies and all their lies

Do you know The King Of Kings was crowned, Haile Selassie I?

Rastafari, Head Creator over I & I

Lord Of Lords, Conquering Lion Of Judah

Prince Of Peace, I wonderful Counsellor 

Yes, He's the Alpha & Omega and with Menen, there's no other

The King & Queen, dem hold the ancient order

Mek I an ah yad a Mama land, lef outta babylon

No matta where you come from, Africa Fi Africans"

The Arkaingelle gives a MASSIVE grounded praise to The Almighty with this shot and it, instantly, became a favourite of mine (would have to think, but it COULD be the second finest tune that I've heard from him thus far) and were it at all possible, suddenly I was even more intrigued by "Heart Of One". Also want to give a quick credit to the music here: The impeccable aforementioned Tuff Lion is credited as being amongst the musicians on this album and I don't know if he plays on 'Yaddin by the Rivers', but I would not be surprise if it does feature his handiwork. This sound, as EASY as it is, is GORIOUS and I would well recommend that you pay a closer attention to the riddim as it develops because it does move ever so slightly and becomes even stronger to my opinion. Next up (spent all that time talking about one tune, time to get moving!) is someone whose name I have come across but, clearly, don't know as much about as I should because Dre Z Melodi DELIGHTS on his effort, 'Faith'. Just last year, Melodi dropped an album which I heard a bit of by the name of "Victory". Such release was damn difficult as it featured, amongst others, Akae Beka (twice) (and the first of the pair, 'Loving Jah' was fantastic), Fred Locks and Perfect Giddimani. It may be time to give "Victory" a closer listen because 'Faith' is damn impressive. DZM has somewhat of an unusual delivery. To my ears... he's almost sounds a bit like Ras Army but no matter a point of comparison you may want to come up with, check the golden 'Faith', another praiser but one which definitely finds its home with a VIBE. Listening to this song makes me feel good! Also, again, note the lovely musical conclusion here as well. Veteran Haile Maskel comes through for Trinity Farm Music with 'Wadada Today', which I'm going to allow my wonderful Wife to review:

"This song sounds like a cool old man singing a song"

There you go! From my point of view.... 'Wadada Today' is so DAMN BASIC but I don't mean that in a derogatory way. There is something compelling about it (beyond the great music, which I'm going to stop mentioning so much because it's the case on pretty much every song on this album, so I can save it for closing), especially in its latter stages as Maskel puts forth a very solid unification tune. Underrated and overlooked Belize born, Jah Myhrakle, has a new album out of his own by the name of "Worthy 2 B" (about six weeks old at the time of writing this), which is pretty good and I should probably review it at some point in the future. Until then, however, check his contribution to "Heart Of One", 'Take Frontline'. This GORGEOUS selection deals with ideas such as loyalty and the importance of surrounding yourself with positivity and positive, forward thinking people. EASILY one of the strongest pieces on "Heart Of One", Jah Myhrakle SHINES and does so in a very entertaining and melodic way as well. Hikari Zion, unfortunately, offers up the sole and solitary misstep on the whole of "Heart Of One". Try as I might, I could not get into his 'Luv Yu' at all. Both the pacing and what is are rather unusual and neither worked for me, ultimately (I, seriously, have no clue what is going on with that song). Righting the ship, the final two names from the opening third of the album came as total shocks and really helped to up my curiosity here. The first is Ickarus. Former (and maybe still) member of the famed Star Lion Family (which also produced both Pressure Busspipe & NiyoRah) from out of St. Thomas, Ickarus may not have had the road that some of his peers have enjoyed but OBVIOUSLY that isn't a matter of talent as he displays throughout his 'Everything Irie'.

"You've gotta nice smile, now put it on display

Do it real fast, arriba, andale

Wi no inna negative, wi no waan today

Tell dem mi serious and now mi no come to play

Put di knife down, youth, put di gun away

And hold a Bluetooth speaker from today 

UPLOAD SOME AKAE BEKA POSITIVE SONG TO PLAY

And watch di moon enlight di night and sun bright di day

When you walk with a positive, it's like a spiritual armor

Some people say bad deeds does return

Some people a just does ah call it a karma"

As you would expect, a song by the name of 'Everything Irie' goes in every possible direction and I'm thinking it was just something that he Ickarus vibed for that riddim. Regardless of its origins, however, it is a big winner for the album. Whether you realize it or not, THE most identifiable name on the whole of "Heart Of One" is that of Ras Elijah Tafari. Best known for his visual artwork in album covers -- such as this one, this one, that one over there, this one and that one too and even THIS ONE HERE -- (I HAVE NOTHING IN MIND WHILE I AM WRITING THAT. I'm going to go through and fill them in later. That shows you how prolific he's been and continues to be) but here, he turns his talents to actually inside the recording studio (as far as I can tell, he's been doing it for a decade or so at this point) and offers a pair of tunes for "Heart Of One"... along with the cover, of course. The first of them, 'Same Family' MIGHT be my favourite of the two but it's very, very close. Tafari's style is fairly straight forward chanting, for the most part, though he will press it and back off from time to time and he has a pretty good command of melody as well. That is well apparent here, 'Same Family' is pleasing to listen to and it makes sense. The same could be said when Tafari returns for 'Hot Hot Hot', later on. For its part, this song has more of a HEAVY vibes to it (there's something really cool about 'Hot Hot Hot'... despite its title) as the artiste turns up the heat on those in serious need of cleansing. I give a massive credit to Ras Elijah Tafari, in general. He's one of those people who'll likely not get his full credit for it but the man has made a MASSIVE contribution to this generation of Reggae music, again, whether you know it or not. 

The next third of "Heart Of One" keeps the wonderful surprises coming in the form of who's on board and the quality of their output is also high. We also get a couple of names back from the first batch with their second songs on the album: Jah Myhrakle & Dre Z Melodi. Myhrakle's song, the very catchy 'By  His Words' sits comfortably amongst the album's finest in my opinion, combining exactly what you're thinking of for a theme with a very clever method. DZM, on the other hand, takes a somewhat unique route on 'Keep My Health'. Although this one doesn't quite reach the heights of 'Faith' and (it's going to take a few spins to grow on you) it's fairly skeletal at times, 'Keep My Health' wins by virtue of a uniqueness and a VIBE. Staying away from it for now - musically, something very interesting happens on the tune and, again, if you have a little patience, 'Keep My Health' will glow for you. We also get a pair of CANNONS courtesy of two unexpected names for "Heart Of One" as both 'Rastafari Guide the Way' and 'Moralist' are EXCELLENT. The very simple former is by an Isayah, who I'm not entirely sure that I've come across at any point ahead of this album but it the big praising piece comes as a very welcomed introduction and, as usual, I'll immediately head off and find out what else Isayah has been up to (he'll come back and show us what he's been working on, later). The ULTRA impressive Kali Wale is the man behind 'Moralist' and though I thought I'd also have to do some background work for him, a name change actually saved me some time. Wale has a very nice singing voice (it's very LOUD and clear) and he's an even better writer.... somewhat reminiscent of an artist by the name of YahKali, with whom I am familiar, largely due to a review I wrote over a dozen years ago for an album by the name of "Powerlink" by the Amandla collective. I was impressed with YahKali's abilities back then and he and Kali Wale just so happen to be one of the same and, nothing has changed: 'Moralist' is downright MASSIVE and I could really go for a full album of this. 

"System of the serial 

Some win, some losers

Use language just to confuse us

Ripped from nature so dem can abuse us

Entertainment just to amuse us

And nation rise unlike no other

Giving honours to the child and the mother

Protect the innocent and respect each other

Equal rights, justice forever

System backward: Sit down - get reward

Identify the I as civally morbid

Reject your place of birth, inheritance forfeit

Another generation sorted

And nation rise, not bound to no colour

Just to pedigree, tradition and to culture

DECLARE your allegiance and start to unocover the true source of all your power

Moral, say we loyal and we noble

Royal cause we cup full, yet we joyful

Healthful, sipping sorrell, smelling floral

Inna the spiral, message viral, with we hearts full

Moral, say we loyal and we noble

Royal cause we cup full, yet we joyful

Healthful, sipping sorrell, smelling floral

Inna the spiral, message viral, with we hearts full"

Original Nine Fingers, Xkaliba, WONDERFULLY also makes an appearance here with a big piece of intelligence in 'Want More'. Though not to the same degree as the aforementioned (and soon to be mentioned again) Ickarus, we'd definitely like to hear more from Xkaliba. His style is SUPER SIMPLE. It is very basic and straight-forward but it works for him, far MORE often than not. I do enjoy 'Want More' (don't love the spelling but everything else is just fine) as the Cruzan chanter touches on the thin line between thriving and seeking the best for yourself ["Get good loving. You still want more"] versus just being DAMN GREEDY. The musically motivating 'You Can Be' comes from someone who I almost certainly have not mentioned for at least a decade, King Hopeton. Several hundreds of years ago, Hopeton released a FINE album by the name of "King Of Kings". It was a thundering introduction to the singer and although he didn't really follow up on it (he did, but none of Hopeton's subsequent work has been on the level of his debut, in my opinion), it made a fan out of me and I've at least made an attempt to keep an ear out for what King Hopeton's been up to. 'You Can Be' is another one which required some time to grow on me but it has greatly from the first time I heard it. King Hopeton also has a new collection out, "Time", which will probably be just about a week old by the time you read this. About a year ago, veteran Rob Symeonn pushed "Manners & Depression", an album, for Trinity Farm Music. He's also had other work on the label, including since the album, so it should come to no surprise - his presence on "Heart Of One", with 'Depression' (...probably would have been a surprise if he weren't on board). This song is what you're thinking it is as Symeonn warns all about the various stresses of everyday life and how to not get caught up in so many things piling up on you at once and losing your happiness. The topic is, obviously, quite crucial to him lately as the artist also pushed the similarly concentrated 'Sunshine', another single for TFM, earlier this year. 'Depression' is even stronger and a major attraction for "Heart Of One".... more on that later. 

Another kinda/sorta familiar name shines during the final chunk of "Heart Of One" as both of the songs that Noble Culture contributes are found here. About twenty years ago, a Black Culture launched the Bambu Station produced well-received "Lion's Den Adversity" and, like Kali Wale, he, too, has undergone a name change and is now Noble Culture. Between his 'Refugee' & 'Not in The Mood', it is former which REALLY stands out as BC puts forth a very nice and specific social commentary about how people can feel like outsiders in their very own homes. Apart from the sake of comparison, 'Refugee' is just really strong as well. Though it doesn't quite hit those levels, 'Not in The Mood' also goes well, especially lyrically. The shortest selection here by more than twenty seconds, you do wish it were lenthier but 'Not in The Mood' does manage to make an impact in its short time. It's also very simple and nice to the ears. Our old friend, Messenjah Selah also makes an appearance with this fun time, 'Natural'. In the early days of this blog, we did a kind of running project with one of Selah's albums, "Breaking Babylon Curse", so he's had a special place on my players even since. 'Natural' is EASILY the best song that I've heard from Selah in some time and it features him dealing with how he's come to be who he is, musically, a 'sufferer' of intense, infectious Reggaemylitis. 

"It's written in my blood

REGGAE YOU DO ME LIKE NOBODY DOES, NOBODY DOES"

It does all of us like that, Messenjah Selah. Take Haile Maskel, for example. He loves it so much that he comes back again to the album with 'Negust is Ruler', which is even stronger than his first effort here, 'Wadada'. I'm going to tell that though I don't feel the song needs any time to grow on you, it does take a bit to develop and, as the only over five minute piece here, 'Negust is Ruler' gets all the time it requires on that front. When it does get where it's going, it is a creepingly LOVELY praise which fits its creator (and THE Creator) perfectly as a vibe which is the best way I feel it is enjoyed. Ickarus also makes a return before ending things here with his second go on "Heart Of One" with the familiar 'To Africa'. This song actually taps the same riddim as 'Who Will Go For Us', the initial single from what turned out to be our favourite album of 2024, "Living Testament" by Akae Beka. Here, we find the chanter outlining some personal goals as he plans to visit the continent before the end of his days. This one is FUN and you can really here the passion coming through Ickarus and HOPEFULLY he makes it home! Lastly, check the ABSOLUTELY MAMMOTH 'StrucJah' from Isayah who returns to the project gloriously. Isayah beats us all down to the cellular level (the man literally talks about things like DNA and photosynthesis) (somewhere, Vaughn Benjamin approves) and you get to a place where, in its later stages, Isayah is SOARING all over 'StrucJah'.

"HIS Haile temple is the willingness of royalty

JAH GIVE US EVERYTHING WE NEED IN RIGHTEOUS ENERGY

The DNA, double helix, highest complexity

YOUR BODY IS A NATURAL ORGANISM, KEEP IT CLEAN"

DAMN! If you were, at all, unfamiliar with and unaware of Isayah's level of skill prior to "Heart Of One", you, like me, have just been placed on notice as he gives a giant word to honour the power of The Orchestrator. 

I've alluded to it (and flat out said it) a few times throughout this review, so I'll make this brief: The music all over "Heart Of One" is kinda SPECTACULAR. It's really, really strong. In particular, I'd point you in the direction of Haile Maskel's 'Negust is Ruler'. The guitar (which may or may not be played by Tuff Lion) on that thing is GORGEOUS and it truly levels up near its conclusion. Big credit goes to Trinity Farm for making an album which sounds like this because, even if you aren't as fond of the actual songs as I am, anyone even remotely a fan of Reggae music will thoroughly be impressed by what they hear by the players of instruments here. 

Overall, while I definitely set some mighty shoes for it to fill and a big path for it to follow, "Heart Of One" does just fine with it. It is excellent and it is such in a way that is very understated, for the most part. I don't think ANY vocalist on this album is going to leap out at a more casual fan. Again, THE most recognizable name here would be that of Ras Tafari Elijah and that's because of his visual art. Musically??? PROBABLY who stands out the most is Arkaingelle (Rob Symeonn and Messenjah Selah would also be in that conversation) but, as a collective, for someone like myself (and probably Yourself) this lineup is delicious and rarely is there a wrong direction taken. So, perhaps if you haven't been paying attention to the fine work Trinity Farm Music (and Go A Chant Productions) has been pushing over the past few years, "Heart Of One" represents a brilliant point to become acquainted, especially for more constant fans of the genre. One of the finest Reggae compilations of 2025 - and it ain't even close!

Rated 4.5/5

Trinity Farm Music

2025

Endless New and Newer from Trinity Farm Music

"Heart Of One" [Trinity Farm Music]

 1. 'Yadding By The Rivers' by Arkaingelle

2. 'Faith' by Dre Z Melodi

3. 'Wadada Today' by Haile Maskel

4. 'Luv Yu' by Hikari Zion

5. 'Take Frontline' by Jah Myhrakle

6. 'Everything Fine' by Ickarus

7. 'Same Family' by Ras Elijah Tafari

8. 'Rastafari Guide The Way' by Isayah

9. 'Moralist' by Kali Wale

10. 'By His Words' by Jah Myhrakle

11. 'Want More' by Xkaliba

12. 'You Can Be' by King Hopeton

13. 'Keep My Health' by Dre Z Melodi

14. 'Depression' by Rob Symeonn

15. 'Refugee' by Noble Culture

16. 'To Africa' by Ickarus

17. 'Hot Hot Hot' by Ras Elijah Tafari

18. 'StrucJah' by Isayah

19. 'Negust Is Ruler' by Haile Maskel

20. 'Natural' by Messenjah Selah

21. 'Not In The Mood' by Noble Culture

Okay so, when we last spoke to [about] the wonderfully prolific people at Trinity Farm Music, they were dealing with yet another release from the equally active Ancient King, following the [other] new album release from the determined chanter (biggup Determine), "Oath Of Akae". Next week, by the time you read this, the label is back with a BIG new compilation with a very interesting roster of vocalists that definitely caught my attention, "Heart Of One".

Who's here, exactly??? Well, there's Rob Symeonn, there's the Arkaingelle, Noble Culture, our old friend Messenjah Selah, RAS ELIJAH TAFARI [!], KING HOPETON, Jah Myhrakle, "Original Nine Fingers" Xkaliba, Star Lion Family veteran, Ickarus, and others! I mean.... that is BRUTAL and I mean that in a great way. TFM has been flaming as of late (and it continues. I'm writing this one Saturday, the 19th and, yesterday, they released 'Africa', a new tune from Abja) and a really big compilation like 'Heart Of One" presumably stacks up to be, is a damn strong addition to their catalogue in my opinion. The label... there's something about them that... I don't know.... There's something really strong about this lot. It almost comes off like their RAN by music fans - if that makes any sense at all. Trinity Farm is making moves and working with individuals that I would work with! 'Let's make an Ancient King album!', 'let's do something with.... Danny I'.

And if you think they're just kind of making cheap stuff and throwing it all against the wall to see what (if anything) sticks, I would point you in the direction of an album they did about a year and a half ago by the name of "Living Testament", by Akae Beka, which was subsequently named Album of The Year 2024 by this blog. They make REALLY good stuff as well. It isn't quantity over quality. 

You can check both quantity (twenty-one tracks in all) and, likely, quality in just a few days on the 23rd of July when Trinity Farm Music returns with "Heart Of One". I will be there and so will you.... it isn't like you have anything better to do. 

The Mash Down Riddim by The Zion I Kings

The Mash Down Riddim [Lustre Kings Productions]

For so many familiar names and faces and others which will become familiar. As we attempt to return these pages to some type of normalcy and semi-frequency, as the person in charge of the writing... stuff, it is important and definitely easier for me to look in the direction of familiar sources of material. That isn't to say that we won't 'branch out' to any degree because that was also a normal occurrence for us as I sought out individuals who made music but weren't getting the recognition for it even in Reggae (or Soca or whatever was their specific case) and that is well exciting for me. However, while I'm still re-figuring out how to do these things again, I have my eyes open especially for those  virtual warehouse of vibes who have provided us with some of the most unforgettable moments in the history of this blog. So because of that, what you'll notice in our return are bites (CHUNKS!) (I DON'T DEAL IN 'BITES'!) from the likes of Akae Beka, Sara Lugo, Turbulence and Ras Attitude because had we not taken hiatus, we would have been writing about.... Akae Beka, Sara Lugo, Turbulence and Ras Attitude anyway. And today we walk most comfortable path in looking at a stop which was, easily, one of our favourites when it came to the label and production side of things.

This post, if done correctly (and I'm not in charge of that stuff, so it will be), will mark the thirty-fifth which carries the tag 'Zion I Kings'. Filling out these entries are a variety of different things which include full-blown classics in regards to these pages. Looking back, you cannot help but to be almost over-impressed with some of the material created by the ZIK collective including, arguably, the best current album we have ever covered on this blog in my opinion, Midnite's "Beauty For Ashes". Furthermore, outside of delivering quite a few sizable projects from individual artists, the ZIK have also sparked several (apparently now numbering nine, to be specific), solid riddim compilations. These date back to the fully glowing Songbird Riddim from wayyyyyyyyyy back in May of 2013, which was the very first volume of their Riddim Series. We'd actually look at the initial seven releases of the series before going on our break and, today, we're going back into the most fruitful set.

If you do not know, the Zion I Kings are an assemblage of three separate labels and each of them alternate (in order, actually) (a very cool occurrence) in the series, so with the ninth riddim coming forth, they have all made three appearances in the series. Directly, releasing the Mash Down Riddim is Lutre Kings Productions, which is their first here since 2016's Lifetime Riddim ["Put a fyah in dehhhh!"]. I don't really want to crack open that vault too deeply (because I went in much further than I anticipated on our history with the ZIK.... forgive me, it's been a minute) (although you KNOW I am dying to sit here and start writing about old albums from Turbulence ["WE NEED LIBERATION!!!"] and Lutan Fyah ["Waters of many colours, so wi haffi swim deep"], but I have been listening to and have been a fan of the LK's for just about two decades now, going back to their outstanding Culture Dem compilations (the first of which is simply one of the mightiest collections of modern Roots Reggae music ever made) (and it also had one of the nicest covers as well). And, though we were away, the series continued, making a pair of drops in 2018, in the form of the H.I.M. Teachings Riddim (which was SPECTACULAR), for Zion High Productions and the Perfect Storm Riddim, from I Grade Records ["Perfect storm. Selassie bring a perfect storm"], respectively. So, given all of those esteemed seat (and that is not a typo) of circumstances, the Mash Down Riddim, like every one before it here, has a very high level to live up to and, unsurprisingly, it does not disappoint, and even manages to raise the bar for entry #10 (which will be released by IGR if the series' historical sequence is maintained). As for the composition itself, the Mash Down Riddim is wholly what you would expect and doesn't at all drift away from the scope of the ZIK's typical productions. In particular, it does have a very.... 'light' or 'flexible' sound to it and when I heard it I began to think that it could do a variety of different things given a nice blend of vocal artists. Was I correct (FOR ONCE, yes I was)? Let's find out. 

1. 'Forward' by Lloyd Brown

Taking opening honours on the Mash Down Riddim from Lustre Kings Productions and the Zion I Kings is a most familiar face and one of those, wonderfully, 'usual suspects' around these parts, the vocalist, Lloyd Brown. The veteran singer from out of the UK was one of our favourites around here for a very long time and I'm tempted to go back and cover at least one or two of his bases that we missed over the years (particularly his new album, "Untitled", which reached just earlier this year actually). Back in 2013, Brown would bring forth his own ZHP helmed album for ZIK, "Rootical" (which I probably most remember, eight years later, for carrying 'Together', a big combination with Queen Omega), so he's not only a veteran, in general, but a seasoned pro amongst the ZIK. His progression-themed effort on the Mash Down, 'Forward', is very interesting because, in all likelihood,  out of every song here, it's the one that's going to stick in your brain. That chorus is damn difficult to shake out of your head and you, like me, will find yourself singing it over and over again. The son gis about moving ahead and going forward in whatever it is that you're doing, but I also took from it the idea of at least making the attempt to not focus on things which can weigh you down but are ultimately useless and meaningless. A big beginning. 

2. 'Heights of Greatness' by Pressure Busspipe 

Like Mr. Brown, someone else who is well at home on ZIK projects is the always burning VI star, Pressure Busspipe (who actually has a brand new album forthcoming in just a week or two), who makes a MIGHTY appearance on the Mash Down Riddim, providing it with one of his biggest standouts. Pressure delivered his own full release for IGR and the ZIK, "The Sound", in 2014 which is one of the finest pieces they've ever made and is on the level of the aforementioned "Beauty For Ashes", in my opinion. MOST interestingly, "The Sound" may have a forth coming followup, at least partially as Pressure's tune on this riddim, 'Heights of Greatness', is also the title track for his next album, which means that it features at least a bit of ZIK's handiwork. Because of that, you would expect him to absolutely shine (and you would just expect it, in general, because.... that's what he always does) and he glistens here.

"They always speak what the eye has never seen

And when they see, they don't know what it really means

Neglecting the powers of the Ilah Trinity

Dispensing corruption get I identity

I ah burn all spies and conspiracies

I ah burn all scribes and evil Pharisees

I ah hail Rastafari over land and over seas

BABYLON GET WEAK IN THEIR KNEES"

"One day - they're gonna learn!

One day - the tables gonna turn!

Putting all ya filthiness to burn 

Ya judgment - already confirmed

Mi seh, full time my people rise yeah

VICTORY'S FOR YOU AND I , YEAH

Rastafari did the world with niceness

WE WERE MADE IN HIS LIKENESS"

Well looking forward to that album named after this tune and you can expect a full review on what is sure to be one of the year's finest if this tune (and an entire career full of them) is any indication (and I have to mention that there is a downright DIVINE piece of piano work which is highlighted moreso here (at least to my ears) it is BEAUTIFUL!).

3. 'Hands Off' by MediSun

I was actually surprised to see this next tune only because the vocalist in this case, MediSun, was a name entirely new to me. However, that would be due to the fact that he recently changed his name from the more recognizable King Mas from out of Boston and while I did know of Mas' work previously, I'm starting to think that maybe I should go back and have a heavier listen. That's because 'Hands Off' is ABSOLUTELY MAMMOTH! The vocalist issues an unfortunately necessary warning to all to "low di schoolers and gwan go look ya size" on the very specific track that impresses from beginning to end. There is something here which really caught my attention and you hear it occassionally on songs, but it is glaring in this case: EMOTION. The version of MediSun who begins 'Hands Off' is not the same person who ends it. At the beginning,  he is direct and focused and is someone who has clearly come to make his point, but by song's end, the man is PISSED OFF! It almost seems as if the more and more he thinks about the topic, the angrier (fittingly and justifiably) he becomes at it. The result of that are more structured early and middle portions with a SCALDING end.

"From dem go violate di child, that a di wickedest crime

Mama load up di nine, ready fi rise di carbine

Gash dem and light dem, mek di fyah ignite

String dem up and hang dem with di telephone line

Wi no matta if a night or inna broad daylight

Wi no matta if dem black and wi no business if dem white

FROM DEM VIOLATE DI DAUGHTA, MEK WI SLAUGTA DEM

EVERY PART A DEM!"

4. 'Dawg Eat Dawg' by Lutan Fyah

I came into the opinion, years ago, that Lutan Fyah was some type of genius. The way that he arranges his songs has always been something which has impressed me greatly and we're nearing a point where I've also been listening to him for twenty years (I'm just old!). When at the height of his lyrical powers, the chanter has some very digestible and informative type of rugged and hard-working cleverness which may make some of his work subtle, but brilliant at the same time, at least for me. And, accordingly, I believe the Fyah may've actually had the very first artist's album on LKP with "Time And Place" (a classic to my ears) in 2005 and, just in 2017, he also came to the Zion I Kings with "Music Never Dies" (which almost got me to break hiatus back then, if I remember properly (it would not have been pretty), and I'll likely review it from the vault some point this year, anyway) for I Grade. He's also been present on many of their pieces (including both "Beauty For Ashes" and "The Sound") and, actually, their appearances on the Mash Down Riddim means that both Lutan Fyah and Pressure have been featured on every iteration of the Riddim Series. It would be nice if he, too, would have an album in the immediate future, but until then sink your teeth into the excellent social commentary that is 'Dawg Eat Dawg'. This is typical simple, sagacious building from the Fyah as he outlines many of the problems faced in the system where, at times, only the strongest (and the best prepared) survive. Taking it a step beyond, you also get ideas of perseverance, of consistency (and EDUCATION) and of a general sense of self-awareness. This is the type of track that I can play with for hours and is so emblematic of what Lutan Fyah can do as a writer. He crafts ideas like this which can seem very broad, but have small channels which are CLEARLY constructed to provoke thought, so definitely take a deeper dive on 'Dawg Eat Dawg' to REALLY get at its core (and I do love how the music gets quite a bit of the stage to itself in  the latter portions of this piece).

5. 'Never Walk Alone' by The Movement

The Movement was a wholly new name to my eyes and, as it turns out, they are a quite popular Reggae band from out of South Carolina whose history goes back nearly twenty years (found a really nice song of theirs called 'Mountain', which features Clinton Fearon) and their effort here, 'Never Walk Alone', serves as an introduction for me. I don't know how much contribution is made by the full band (I wouldn't think a great deal, but I would think they'd look forward to playing this tune live), but the lead singer makes a very nice first impression on me here and I'll make no promises, but maybe we'll do a bit of mining on The Movement's catalog at some point. And that is a nice reason to include a variety of different names on projects like these because you take people and potentially make fans out of them to someone who they've never even heard of or even if they have, they don't have anything in mind in terms of sound. And I think, after the Mash Down, like MediSun before them, The Movement comes away with quite a few new Me's as new fans.

6. 'Great Nation' by Akae Beka

You'll have no similar case to The Movement's on the next one up on the Mash Down Riddim as series/label/genre STAPLE, Vaughn Benjamin is up with the MASSIVE 'Great Nation'. This song is golden. It is a big gold bar of a selection, typical full genius and it would have stood very highly on either of Akae Beka's most recent albums "Righteous Synergy" and "Polarities". To my opinion, the idea here is, ultimately, about foundation. In order to get there, however, the vehicle Benjamin drives us in is one which draws comparisons between the age-old 'science v. faith' concept. I don't think Benjamin would have ever flopped science. He doesn't strike me as someone who would have cast it away as entirely useless, but what he does, instead, is to show that there exists moments in science which are quite similar to faith - where you may suspect, but do not actually KNOW what happens next ["faithfully watching day and night set in"]. To my ears, he then applies this as to what is the firmest of foundations and bases for a 'great nation', with "nation" being anything at all - from an actual nation to an individual to anything which is to be ran at its strongest. I also have to mention that 'Great Nation' may just be one of the nicest listens on this riddim. You will virtually never hear me say that about a Benjamin song (although if you do want to hear such a song, check 'Like Rhyme' from the  "Portals" album, which I am having a very difficult time turning off these days), but there is something about 'Great Nation' which gives it maybe a bit more spice and makes for a very nice listen from a strictly sonic point of view.

"I & I would reason to science-

When you had your 'EUREKA' moment

Yes moment, when the formulation commence

When the hypothesis make sense

Ideas like a light bulb ah light up inna yuh meds

Next thing is the experiment

When they control what they contrast relevant-

How much faith to the next moment

When the works are still undevelop-ed-

And require that belief concept

When  your knowledge is still blindfolded

And your theories are still unproven"

7. 'Look To Jah' by Clatta Bumboo

Add Clatta Bumboo to the list of names on the Mash Down Riddim who will likely come away with whole heap of more fans and put my name at the top of that list (because it most likely would be anyway, alphabetically speaking) (unless there's an Aaron or an Abigail out there somewhere) (I digress) because his offering on the riddim, 'Look To Jah', just may be my favourite of them all. The New England based Bumboo's vocal style actually reminds me a bit of Gramps Morgan (biggup Gramps Morgan, literally just released a new album, "Positive Vibration", like last week) and he uses it on 'Look To Jah' to a nearly perfect result. The artist tells us all to make an attempt to do better in life -- to be better people -- and to "live up in the likeness of HIM", because we have all been given the greatest of possible Examples and Idols to look up to and model ourselves after to the best of our abilities. Such a standard is ultimately attainable and unmanageable for us, but there is nothing that says that we cannot at least try and I think Clatta Bumboo is making that suggestion. He hasn't had a full album that I can find, but the last two years have produced two EP's (which have eleven tunes in total by my count, so that's basically an album), so you can join me in checking them both out, "Future Water" from last year and "Miles Deep in the Attic" which reached just in March (and has two different versions). Listening to a few more songs, I also hear a bit of Everton Blender in  his voice as well and I'm damn interested in hearing even more following 'Look To Jah'.

8. 'Tolerance' by Ras Teo

In June veteran artist, Ras Teo, released what turned out to be a well-received project via ZHP, "Celestial Rockers". It was presented with this delightfully 'throwback' concept and I trust and hope that it has done quite well because although I do not think I've ever written about him, I do know who he is and have encountered his work a bit over the years. His cut of the Mash Down, 'Tolerance', is about as delightfully straight-forward as it gets. I THOROUGHLY enjoy this one as Teo wants everyone to recognize that no one is perfect, we are all works in progress and prone to mistakes, so don't be so damn hard on each other (and ourselves). I think the concept of PATIENCE also comes out here, particularly at the very end ["We  need tolerance fi di pickney dem, tolerance fi elder dem"]. And, again, this is another song on the riddim which I think listeners will find to be immediately absorbable. It is a very easy listen and... 'Tolerance' will just make you feel good listening to it, which I'm sure was part of the idea behind such a composition.

9. 'Right on Time' by Messenjah Selah

It's definitely been a minute from the last time I heard a new track from someone who was definitely a foundation artist for this blog, Messenjah Selah. Several hundred years ago, we wrote a great deal about his first (and ridiculously, only) album, 2008's "Breaking Babylon Curse" for Zion High Productions (just like my history with LKP goes way back, I'm now sitting here thinking abot ZHP's vault, with albums like "Break Babylon Curse", the compilation "Jah Golden Throne", albums from Ziggi Recado, Glen Washington and others and they also did "Rebelution" from Yami Bolo, which is probably one of my top.... thirty, or so, favourite albums of all time (probably time to listen to that album again) (yeah, yeah I think so) (biggup Yami Bolo, new album, "Jah Love Will Rule The World", out now), but as I would expect, he makes the most of his return to the label with the sublime 'Right On Time'. While Ras Teo may have urged tolerance and a form of patience, Selah is completely telling us to pump our proverbial brakes and HOLD ON (!) just a bit.

"It don't always come when you want it to come

Believe in yourself, Jah will must be done

Keep your head high, let none get you down

For everything there is a reason

It no always gwan how it want it fi gwan

There is a bigger picture, bigger game that ah gwan

IF YOU PLANT PEAS THEN YOU CAN'T REAP CORN

For this moment you were born, ring di alarm"

While I probably won't spend much time in 2021 waiting for a new full project from the supremely gifted Messenjah Selah, it is always SO NICE to hear from him and, particularly this setting, back home where we first 'met', making big tunes with ZHP.

10. 'Mash Down Georgetown' By Blakkamoore

And the final full vocal effort on the Mash Down Riddim comes courtest of LKP favourite and standout [Jahdan] Blakkamoore, 'Mash Down Georgetown'. It's kind of the title track for the riddim and, I think, it would have been the very first time fans got a taste of it as well as the tune featured on Blakkamoore's 2020 studio album for the Lustre Kings, "Upward Spiral" (....take a few years off and miss soooooooo much, I would have LOVED to do a write up on that album and now I have so many things on my mind to go back to, who knows when or IF I'd get around to it (DAMN!)) and was released as a single a few years prior to that. The Guyana native delivers a social commentary aimed at the things going on back home during what is a SPECIAL moment on the riddim. I would imagine that choosing a riddim for one of these projects would have more to do with the track, itself and what you think it is capable of, than any one particular song, but I can definitely see LKP and the ZIK hearing Blakkamoore shine all over this thing and imagining the possibilities when spread around to various voices. They then named it after it and, wonderfully, here we are.

11. 'Dub Down GT'

Tippy and co. at I Grade Records send us home with a dubbed out version of Blakkamoore's eponymous work. For me, these are always essential on projects like this. The riddim is as much of a 'star' as any vocalist on this type of set and you should give it an opportunity to shine. Be it a straight display, a Dub or some type of remix - show it off (biggup Beres Hammond) and allow your foundation to show just how strong it is on its own merits.

Overall, my one critique on something like this is always the same when I don't see it: I would have LOVED to hear the Mash Down Riddim in the hands of some talented female vocalist (I have one in mind, specifically, but if everything worked according to how I wanted, Queen Omega wouldn't have much free time, because she'd be on damn near every even remotely decent riddim) (and she was on the Jah Warriah Riddim, #2 in this series), but just judging it on what is present, this has to be considered as one of the strongest of the lot. As I said, the riddim has a very light vibes to it and it's malleable in the genre and I would have expected a wide range of different styles being able to make an impact on it - and that is precisely how it played out. Installment number nine of the Zion I Kings' Riddim Series, the Mash Down Riddim, is highly recommended  to all fans of current modern Roots Reggae, without qualification and without exception. Now if you will excuse me, I need to go listen to The Movement, Clatta Bumboo, some MediSun, some classic Lustre Kings and some Yami Bolo and......

The Best Reggae Compilation of 2012: "Jah Golden Throne"

In our final look back at the bests of the wonder that was 2012 (unless I think of something else) (and I might), today we take a look back at the single finest compilation release that I heard in the calendar year, "Jah Golden Throne". The fine Roots Reggae anchored set came via Zion High Productions as a production of the Zion I Kings collective (and you can see their respective logos lined across the back cover of this album, ZHP, I Grade Records & Lustre Kings Productions). Just as was in the case of the artist albums, there were so many fine compilations and riddim albums and projects in 2012, so when we tell you that "Jah Golden Throne" was the best of them all, that's definitely saying something, but as every label in the ZIK has previously shown, it really should come as a surprise to no one. Today we take a look and listen back to "Jah Golden Throne" from Zion High Productions - The Best Reggae Compilation of 2012.

#1. 'Empress Omega' by Chet Samuel

Though I know he's remained active as a performer and I may be wrong (again), but I think that, looking back, 'Empress Omega' may've been the only new tune I heard from Chet Samuel in the last year. That's really very bad because, as you can tell if you've heard this song and/or any of a great deal of his previous work, he's excellent. Hopefully someone was really paying attention and Samuel gets busy in the studio in 2013. As for the opener for "Jah Golden Throne", it didn't seem to get quite the response as a few of the songs on the record, but to my opinion it was at least as strong as most of them, as Samuel gave well due credit and love to the wonderful Women of the world. 

"Empress Omega -

Beauty and generosity she have ain't got no equal

Ain't got no sequel"

#2. 'Fall On Me' by Glen Washington

The reigning world's coolest man, Glen Washington wasn't at all hard to find in 2012. Besides appearing on "JGT", the venerable vocalist would also make an album on Zion High Productions, one of the finest anyone did in 2012, "Masterpiece". My single favourite tune from that album and one of my two favourites (but the first), was definitely this GEM of a song, 'Fall On Me'. I still feel all kinds of joy in listening to this song and it hasn't lost a bit of steam in my mind. It is a praising tune at its core, but it's sung like a love song and, I suppose, that was the point. 'Fall On Me' basically is a love song - it's celebrating the love of the blessings of His Majesty. The sound is… divine or something like that and, despite its softness, is as powerful and resolute as anything I hear on the album. 

#3. 'Make It Work' by Tippa Irie & Lloyd Brown

"Well everyday wi get up, wi ah try

Cause everyone outta road ah look a bligh

Mi si it clear, through mi eye 

Well tribulation no stop multiply

Well the economy is on the decline

And it's just a sign of the time

But with our hearts and our mind combine -

Wi just might si the sunshine

Because it really kinda hard out deh

You know

Tings ah run slow out deh

You know

Wid famine and drought out deh

You know

Well every artist ah fight fi stage show 

Cause a free download out deh

You know

No artist nah mek no doe

You know

It really kinda tough down yah

You know

Fi all di people dem in di ghetto

How we gonna make it work

If we don't try

To show some love and overstanding?

Yes we gotta make it work

Shoulder to the wheel

I know that my request is not demanding

Well The Father HIM bless mi wid a gift

That's why I write lyrics like this

And it's not just for my benefit

It's for all the people dem inna di district

Where I come from, I've gotta promote

I love my people dem without a doubt

Because we striving for the same goal

But wi not gonna sell our souls"

Longtime UK Reggae pillars Tippa Irie and Lloyd Brown link-up = big results. Not the first time. It wasn't be the final. Always excellent. 

#4. 'Race Of Life' by Lutan Fyah

There're maybe two or three that I've heard in the entirety of his giant catalog, but I think that 'Race Of Life' is a tune from Lutan Fyah that I have personally underrated to a degree and I really do like it already and have from the first spin. HOWEVER, every time I listen to this song, I get just a kind of a 'surface' feeling that I'm listening to something really special. Picking this album up and going through it again for the sake of this post has brought it back for me and I'm still working on it and you can be sure that I'll get it, whatever "it" is, someday (and probably soon, because I've been listening to this one more than almost any other tune on this album lately. 

#5. 'Babylon Yuh Wrong' by Cornel Campbell & U-Roy

If I recall correctly, the cavity-causing 'Babylon Yuh Wrong' which featured the legendary U-Roy alongside the equally mighty Cornel Campbell, was the very first tune I would have heard from "Jah Golden Throne". The tune was released back in 2010 as a single, which Zion High was obviously very proud of (and they had very good reason to be). The link here, alone, should be enough to suggest what type of quality you're dealing with, but really if you haven't heard this tune by now then you are just a really, really awful person. 

#6. 'Set A Way' by General JAH Mikey

'Set A Way' is a tune which I now regard as fully SPECTACULAR. It's an amazing song and easily registers as one of the finest moments on an album full of absolutely nothing but 'fine moments'. Its star, General Jah Mikey, was another person who we didn't hear from nearly enough in 2012 (but he's never been the most active of artists, unfortunately), but what he did bring, highlighted by this sublime tune, was hard to forget by year's end and it continues to get better and better. 

#7. 'World Needs Love' by Jahdan Blakkamoore

Light it up. The big, big 'World Needs Love' by ZIK veteran Jahdan Blakkamoore (who should really think about giving us a new Reggae album in 2013) definitely brings a different tone to the album - a bright one. This infectious tune also carries a very poignant message which is, perhaps, lost because of the 'glow' of the tune, but it's really a piece appreciable on a wide variety of levels: It sounds superb and it makes high level common-sense. Not to be missed. 

#8. 'Y Should Yee' by Arkaingelle

'Y Should Yee' by the Arkaingelle is yet another tune on "JGT" of which I've well grown to have a greater appreciation for these days and, in this case, I think that has a great deal to do with the fact that I've REALLY gotten into the lyrics of the tune. It's a song written with a grand biblical inspiration and one which Arkaingelle carries with such a fine amount of detail and 'high perspective' (which is a really nice way of saying "pride") that it is incredibly difficult to ignore and one of the SMARTEST songs on the album to my opinion.  

#9. 'Just So That You Know' by Lloyd Brown

"Jah neva want I to fail

In my devotion to HIM yeah

From you got love inside

I'm on your side

Just so that you know"

The beaming 'Just So That You Know' from a returning Lloyd Brown, like Glen Washington's 'Fall On Me' before it, is a song which very much walked in two different circles. This time around, this tune was also THE prevailing highlight from Brown's most recent album, the phantom-like "30" (best album cover of 2012) (biggup Bredz), and also like Washington's effort, it has only grown in stature from after appearing on both projects. This song was one with a fine message wrapped up in this SWEET package and, in typical classy Mr. Lloyd Brown fashion, really made itself standout on the compilation and probably for no other substantial reason than what Brown normally brings to a tune. 

#10. 'Culture Inna Yuh Face' by Pressure

Speaking of standing out, Pressure Busspipe (who I think is about to have a MASSIVE 2013), also made his presence known on "Jah Golden Throne" with one of its biggest moments, 'Culture Inna Yuh Face'. Today I'm under the line of thinking that this tune may just be one of Pressure's biggest tunes over the past two or three years (and if you've followed his career to any length, you know that's saying quite a bit in his case. The lyrics here were supreme, but when you combined them with this gorgeous kind of 'stepping' riddim, what you ultimately had here was a just as ruling tune altogether.

#11. 'Towerful' by Prezident Brown

Reggae/Dancehall veteran, Prezident Brown, had a strong year in 2012 with the releasing of some really nice tunes as well as a new EP and album. In there somewhere was this very clever  tune, 'Towerful' which I think went somewhat overlooked as far as being on this album, but it was no less mighty because of it. I hadn't heard it in a minute or two before diving back into it for this post and, maybe because of that or maybe because it's excellent (and it is), I found a new level of affection for the HEAVY track. Join me! Have a listen back. 

#12. 'Nowhere To Run' by Marcia Ball

This is well the type of an album which would get a critique out of me if there hadn't been anyone representing with a tune for females, but that's taken care of by underrated veteran Marcia Ball. She not only shows up for the festivities, she also manages to impress (and she always does when I'm listening) with her offering, the cool social commentary, 'Nowhere To Run', which deals unfalteringly with those who don't have their priorities in a proper order.

"There's no hiding place from Jah

HE will find you no matter where you are

So find yourself

SALVATION IS NOT MATERIAL WEALTH"

#13. 'Life To Live' by Messenjah Selah

Still breaking the curse, Messenjah Selah (any day now Selah) infuses a bit more energy into things with the inspirational set, 'Life To Live'. This song may just be one of the better Selah has done from the release of his last album (also check the wicked 'Be My Messenjah') as he tells all to make the most of life, IN THE MOMENT, and stop fearing certain things which're beyond your control. I really like the direction of this tune and not because it is so rare or unique, but I just so much love when the MOOD of a song matches the lyrics. When you sing certain things with urgency, the same way you would say them when speaking, that really adds a new dimension to a tune and adds to its overall PRESENTATION and, at least in that aspect, not too many people on this album, if anyone, gets it better than Messenjah Selah. 

"Life is to life

Don't be afraid to die

Don't be afraid to live" 

#14. 'Showers Of Blessings' by Mr. Mention

BOOM! Mr. Mention seems to build directly on the same notion previously explored on Glen Washington's 'Fall On Me', when he goes on to speak of the 'Showers Of Blessings'. I don't think that anyone will ever confuse Mr. Mention's music with more seemingly finely tuned vocalists such as Washington or Beres Hammond, but for what he does --this really rough and kind of wonderfully unrefined and inherently coarse style-- it can be as IMMACULATE as anything any of his peers is capable of, when at his best. For example??? Check out what has become my most favourite tune from Mention ever, OF ALL TIME, 'Showers Of Blessings'.

#15. 'Crown I Got' by Toussaint

TEARS! Unsurprisingly Toussaint's MAMMOTH 'Crown I Got' has been amongst the most popular selections coming from "Jah Golden Throne". The song, which is, basically, a title track of sorts for the album, represents one of the very few times that I can say that I have actually been overwhelmed by a song. And I've probably heard millions of songs in my life at this point and maybe 10-15 of them have really just overpowered my senses. This was one of them. Of course Toussaint has been no stranger to ZIK, as his wonderful solo debut album, "Black Gold" arrived in 2010 under the same set of maestros (and hopefully they do that again someday), so the 'blueprint' of musical chemistry had long been laid, but I didn't think they'd do something like this which is only separated from being a 'classic' by time at this point. Unforgettable.

#16. 'Highway To Zion' by JAH Bless

Lastly and fittingly, "Jah Golden Throne" would come to its conclusion in the more than capable hands of saxophone player, Jah Bless with 'Highway To Zion'. I was thinking, from since hearing this tune, how fantastic it would be if the ZIK would do some sort of instrumental/Dub release someday (preferably with a great deal of Tuff Lion music on it) and this tune, as it is here, would be a great addition to such a project if it should happen. 

To my knowledge, "Jah Golden Throne" was only the second compilation worked on by the Zion I Kings. It followed a release from 2009 which was… probably the greatest release of its kind in the entire modern era, "Joyful Noise" and it, too was excellent. The real lasting attraction here, besides being sixteen song which were, at least, exceptional, is just how well done it was carried out. With these two sets and albums from the aforementioned Glen Washington and Toussaint as well as others from Ras Batch, the Nazarenes and probably someone else who I'm forgetting now, I think that's become a significant statement of the Zion I Kings. Yes, they make incredible music, but they also find a way to present it to the listener which, generally for more seasoned fans, is hard to not pay attention to. If you were looking in 2012 you got something really special from Zion High Productions and the Zion I Kings in "Jah Golden Throne".