'Stability': A Review of "Rise From The Volcano" by Jah Marnyah

Back home. It was always my hope and my intention that, when the day came when we were completely working on these pages, this blog could serve as some sort of reference aide to any anyone who was looking for maybe 'colourful' information on something we had worked on during our time here. Because of that (and because it's just my own way), I was very careful to make an attempt to cover a wide variety of different artists and releases because, while many of the more popular pieces we've looked at won't have this situation, there were quite a few of them that we did where our mentions (still, all these years later) are either THE only critical piece you'll find online or, at best, are amongst a very few. Fortunately, it hasn't just been me giving the effort either, as we have come across some hidden COMPLETE GEMS throughout our time and, again, I think it would be a real shame if such works went un or even just un-der acknowledged. So looking back, I do surely enjoy the biggest of albums and it is those sets which, ultimately, will bring the most attention to these wonderful artforms, some of my absolute favourites have been pieces which have gone largely forgotten. In particular, I'm thinking about an album like "Tinkin Out Loud" by Ambush! If you remember that album, unfortunately, you may also remember that it has come and gone with so little appreciation (looking it up now, it's even difficult to find digitally these days) given just how solid it was. It's over a decade old now, but well worth digging up if you have the chance. Similarly, also on my mind in similar regards is another artist from out of the VI, Revalation, who delivered a mightily impressive debut, "Serious Matters", wayyyyyy back in 2008. I enjoyed that album so much that it was one of the very first full reviews that I did here ["Flames on! Another life down the drain- GONE!"] and it deserves to be remembered for being as excellent as it was (and listening to it now, it has actually aged quite well). Other sets that I remember fondly which didn't nearly receive the coverage that I think they warranted come from the likes of Nahyubi Joseph (also from out of the VI, whose debut, and unfortunately only, album "Take Heed" was BRILLIANT), Jah Hem, Prince Theo and, a personal favourite of mine, Meshach & Wevolusion from out of St. Lucia. They've all provided this blog with depth and textures which really have fleshed out these pages in a nice way.... at least in my opinion (and, if by some strange ass chance, you are a casual fan of Reggae and have found yourself reading this far into a review, I'd be curious how many names you can find in the tags that you have never heard of at all). And during our extended break, it was definitely something that I missed the most because not doing this to the degree that I do when I'm active - who knows what I missed over the past few years! So, it's time to make up for lost time. 

"A New Day" [2012]

Someone else who very much falls into a similar category of having dropped a very strong project which we were sure to give maximum attention to was the OUTSTANDING UK based, Montserrat born, chanter Jah Marnyah. These days I'm happy to say that I actually use my own work as reference because (I'm old as hell) I can look back and kind of re-feel  the vibe of first coming across Marnyah's work well over a decade ago now. I'd had my eyes (and ears) on his output, based largely on the strength of a sublime early single by the name of 'Anointed One' and what would eventually arrive, back in 2012, was a sterling debut set by the name of "A New Day". That album.... while it wasn't this all-conquering greatest of all time, it is one of my favourites - if that makes any sense at all. There're certain releases (I'm thinking of "Words of Wisdom" and "I Believe" by Turbulence because they're fresh in my mind) (biggup Turbulence, big new album, "The Remedy" in stores now), which are just so familiar and COMFORTING to me and "A New Day" was one of them. It carried at least a pair of downright flooring songs in 'Dem Vex' ["DEM VEX WHEN MI HAIL RASTAFARI! DEM AH SCREW, DEM AH BEND! WHEN MI HAIL THE BLACK KING AS THE MOST HIGH! JAH POWERS MANIFEST!"] and 'Rasta Is Love', but I can go back now and find gems in the title track, 'Every Day' and others still. So I probably spent a few good years singing its praises and, nine years on, as you can see, I still am. 

So it might be nice if Jah Marnyah could maybe give me a new tune to sing. Going back quickly, I can actually remember seeing "A New Day" listed for the first time -- and that would have been 'back in da day" when I would just go on some retail site and start searching names to see what was forthcoming -- and being so damn happy to see it on the way. A similar piece of emotion would have (it did) ran through me last year when, eight years after his debut, the wicked Jah Marnyah returned with his sophomore studio project, "Rise From The Volcano". By that point I likely would have added him to the pile of artists from whom I'm waiting for a new album and would REALLY appreciate one, but had no expectations or anticipations of them ever doing another (biggup Lady Sweety) (it will NEVER happen, even if it does, I will not believe it) (she retired) (DESTRUCTIVELY talented and gifted, a BATTERING RAM of ability) (I digress) but, damn do I love surprises, especially when they look like this one did. I hadn't actually heard a great deal from Jah Marnyah in between albums. Prior to "A New Day", he voiced for several really nice imprints, including Akom Records from out of France, in particular ["Fyah bun dem evilous ways and dem awful thoughts. More love and more joy Rasta want"] [BOOM!] and also Achis Reggae favourites, Oneness Records, as well. But he has definitely been less active in more recent times, which would have made the appearance of "Rise From The Volcano" even more unexpected. But you know that I am not complaining. Previously, while Marnyah had voiced for a variety of producers, his home base has been the same Faya Wurks label which officially released "A New Day", however, this time around the chanter has linked up with Jahmez and IBI Sound Music. I don't actually know whether or not Faya Wurks is still active. Their website is gone, their social medias are long dormant (literally eight and a half years in the case of Twitter) and chances are probably fairly high that if you've ever heard of them, it was due to their attachment, in some way, to the work of Jah Marnyah. So, perhaps, his lower level of activity can be tied to the label (seemingly) not being operational any longer. Regardless, I was damn happy to see a new album from Marnyah, and would have been from any source, so biggup IBI. And just in case you haven't figured it out (which would mean you probably skipped directly to this portion of the review), that album definitely has a very high standard to live up to and very large shoes to fill. Let's see how well it does.

Pretty good. I knew exactly what I wanted, which would have been something along the lines of "A New Day", but I didn't have much in the way of expectations in regards to this album. As I said, save for a few moments here and there, I haven't heard much from the artist over the past few years. Thankfully, I didn't get very far at all into this set without feeling and hearing some of the same vibes which would have made that debut release an outstanding one. Following a moment during an intro to give praise, Jah Marnyah's sophomore release, "Rise From The Volcano", gets going with an extension of the praises on one of its strongest moments, 'Give Thanks'. This one is a SWEET piece on which the chanter reminds us all to take a moment to appreciate some of the smaller things we encounter in life. Something we may take for granted as simple as waking up in the morning can be an occasion to give thanks (because a lot of folks didn't wake up this morning and we all will be amongst them one morning). An excellent way to start is 'Give Thanks' and it, literally, fits at the beginning of the album. Following the first of three interludes, we have what was one of (it may've the only official one) the official singles from "Rise From The Volcano", the outstanding 'Ital Is Vital'. This track is about getting your body together and your health in order by adopting a more natural way of life (I hear a song like this and it reminds me of '50 Push Up' by Spectacular) (biggup Spectacular). You can IMMEDIATELY tell why 'Ital Is Vital' was chosen as a single. It is a GORGEOUS listen and one of the highlights on this album and throughout Marnyah's career thus far in my opinion. We go from one aspect of nature to another as 'Baby Wrap' checks in next.

"It's not an easy thing for a woman to give birth to a child 

Nine months, plus labour and she bring forth life

First seed haffi plant before life it advance

To The Most High bless, it's not by chance

Making sweet love to your woman feels so nice

Great pleasure, what a joy, seems like paradise

For strong down the line she start fi show sign-

Of a pregnant woman, that's the cycle of life"

'Baby Wrap' might be too specific to have been a single, but it is another selection which is so nice to listen to, along with carrying a significant message, so definitely do not miss it. Marnyah keeps the current theme going on the next tune up, 'The Children Are the Future'. This one is aimed at the rest of us, to give the younger generation every opportunity that we can to succeed in life. It is a well attended topic of discourse if you listen to Roots Reggae music, so while it won't break any new ground... it is a very solid selection and... is just very nice to listen to (that's an interesting thought) (more on that later). I will also say that 'The Children Are the Future' is very strong lyrically as well, so pay attention people! Hear what the man has to say.

There's something of a gritty charm to the tune 'Encouragement' which sets it apart to a degree (I'm currently struggling to choose a favourite) on "Rise From The Volcano". It isn't obvious at all, but it well grows and grows on you. I love the messages behind it: The idea of just attempting to be nicer to people, to say things that may help them along and being sure to not carry too much negativity (we're all human, we're entitled to be in a bad mood sometimes, but not ALL the damn time) around, because it can INFECT those around you as well. I don't at all know what the reaction was when the tune dropped, but it is definitely amongst the finest on this release to my opinion and if you wanted to call it THE finest, I wouldn't put forth much of an argument at all. You could also, very well, put the next tune up, 'Strong Woman', into that discussion as well. This one is HEAVY! Gifted with a sweetened piece of old school vibes behind him, Jah Marnyah absolutely had to produce some vocal magic and he does succeed in that. Searching around online, we have seen just a bit of reaction for 'Strong Woman', which I was very happy to see as it is an outstanding piece and one which did deserve to be highlighted on this set. Were I to be in charge of the spotlight to be shone across "Rise From The Volcano", however, the track which would probably receive the lion's share of my attention would be wholly searing 'Mr. Heartless'.

"Nuff a dem fake, none  a dem real

Dem a wicked people

Si dem act like dem clever and ah study evil

Show no love for di weak

No love for di feeble

Tek my kindness for weakness through dem si wi humble"

At this point, if I absolutely HAD to make a pick, 'Mr. Heartless' is probably my favourite altogether here, by the slimmest of margins, but the fact (OPINION) (you are allowed to hate it) is that it ranks in the class of this release, definitely. Following 'Mr. Heartless' is an interesting interlude (#2), which serves as a tablesetter for the piece chasing it, another golden effort, 'Sweet Montserrat', Marnyah's ode to his homeland. The latter portions of this one, in particular, are downright thrilling at times (that last full verse is not to be missed, one of the most exciting on the whole of "Rise From The Volcano"). Though he hasn't been home in quite a while ["My little love, my little Emerald Isle. Even though I haven't seen you for awhile. Oh baby girl I love your style, haven't really seen you in a long time"], clearly it isn't at all very far from his mind. The final offering, the obligatory ganja tune, 'Gimmi Di Ganja',  comes on the heels of its final interlude. Though he hasn't touched the topic a great deal, Jah Marnyah does have an excellent older piece by the name of 'Cannibis Factory', which does set the standard high for 'Gimmi Di Ganja' and it does not disappoint (it's actually quite a bit stronger in my opinion, but you'd expect that). Despite its rather chilled beginnings, it fully develops into a more fiery type of vibes which well prove to be a winner and, of course, it doesn't hurt that it coms equipped with one of the strongest riddims on the album as well. And I do have to mention (I don't have to) (I'm not contractually mandated to) the entirely unexpected combination, 'Wipe Your Tears' (biggup Lutan Fyah) which features Marnyah alongside UK songstress Nia Songbird, a name which was new to me. This is kind of a love song/duet, but not at all in the typical way. It is much more of a 'we made it' type of sentiment. Despite all of the things we've gone through with each other and other people and obstacles, we're still here and still together.

Overall, "Rise From The Volcano" is precisely what I alluded to in my opinion, it is "SOLID". It isn't revolutionary or genre-defining or anything like that. It is a well done and put together release from a very powerful artist and one that well fulfills on the promise shown on "A New Day". I do have to say that my prevailing thought in regards to this album is the simple fact that it exists! I am SO happy that the planets aligned and gave us another album from Jah Marnyah because I'm pretty sure I gave up hoping for such a set a few years back. If you are familiar with the work of Jah Marnyah then you (should probably already have this one) know what to expect here, musically. While I have no idea when, or if, we'll get another, by its end "Rise From The Volcano", though unfortunately brief (biggup Spice), should be enough to keep me quiet for.... maybe a few more months before I start begging for album #3. 

Rated: 4/5

IBI Sound Music

Digital 

2020

Rewind!: "A New Day" by Jah Marnyah

"A New Day" by Jah Marnyah [Faya Wurks Records - 2012]

Today we're going to take a look and listen back to an album which now interests me in two significant ways in which it didn't initially. Still, back then it did have a great interest as I had, by the time it reached, found myself specifically waiting for the record for the better part of a couple of years and having had even more experience, looking back, with this artist, an album was something he was clearly working towards. But these days, I really look back at what it was and I'm more impressed today than I was three months ago, which is saying a great deal for an album I reviewed at a 4.5/5. On top of that, I don't think that it would ultimately get the respect that it deserved. While the chanter wasn't/isn't the biggest of names, he certainly has a very well earned reputation and I'd love to see this set do well, if it hasn't already. Today we go back and REWIND! "A New Day" by Jah Marnyah.  

#1. 'All Is Not Lost'

All is not lost

Let Jah be your boss

All is not lost

Jah be your boss

All is not lost 

Jah di shepherd fi di fold

Di meek and di humble, di young and di old

My guiding star, Emmanuel, save our soul -

From these desperate times, from this desolate world

Try make a hustle, man need some billfold

Gots to be brave, Rasta gots to be bold

Claim seh dem will help you, find out dem ice cold 

Well look yah now, dem betta go purge dem soul"

Out of what has to be several thousands at this point, the opening selection of "A New Day", 'All Is Not Lost', actually contains a pair of what I feel are the signature verses from anyone in 2012 thus far. The song is one brilliant piece of spiritually helmed social commentary and definitely has developed into one of the album's signature moments and one of the finest tracks Jah Marnyah has ever done. 

#2. 'Peace & Harmony'

Speaking of "signature moments" you can add to that list from this album its second tune as well, 'Peace & Harmony'. which is… again just a brilliantly written tune. This song also has going for it the fact that its sonics are just delightful which, at least presumably, would make it very accessible and a likely choice to be a single from the album and I think it would do quite well. 

#3. 'A New Day'

TEARS! Dub Akom's sweet Bonafide Riddim underpins the album's title track and it is a tune which I well had a healthy appreciation for when I first heard it, but these days that admiration has skyrocketed to say the least. This piece is MASSIVE! And I'm digging now so deeply into the lyrics and what I'm going to say is that while you may listen to it on more of a superficial level and think you've heard tunes like this constantly and constantly - you haven't. Marnyah attacks the Bonafide and in the process doesn't go in the direction of more frequently used Reggae clichés. One 'bonafide' winner!  

#4. 'Keep Trying'

Jah Marnyah and Faya Wurks chose 'Keep Trying' as a single from the album and it's a pretty easy thing to see why. Again, we have a song which well conveys its poignant message, but does so in a very entertaining and very digestible and accessible manner. 

"Outta street, crime rate ah escalate

Hold on, brother man, don't lose the faith

Hold on sister, don't lose the faith

Righteousness Rastaman ah penetrate

Love King Emmanuel, Incients Of Days

Love King Selassie I, love HIM always

Love Marcus Garvey, love him always"

#5. 'I Can See' featuring Anthony John

Veteran vocalist, Anthony John, joined Marnyah on 'I Can See', which was the only combination on the whole of "A New Day". If I recall correctly, the story behind this song was that the two had run into one another while doing work in the same recording studio in France and John was so impressed by the chanter that he decided that he wanted to do a track alongside Marnyah. 'I Can See' is the result of that encounter and it is a BEAUTIFUL piece. Big credit goes to John and Marnyah for, besides actually singing the song, for having an ear that their styles would work so well together. They were right (and biggup Anthony John who has a new album of his own running now, "Step In The Future")

#6. 'Musical Party'

Unsurprisingly, the Ska-ish bounce of 'Musical Party' was another piece chosen to be a featured one from the album. This tune has been on a bit of a journey for me because I honestly didn't rate it too highly from when I first heard and I really, really like it these days and I was already well within that turn-up when I first wrote for the album. You will find better songs present here, but probably none more catchy and ready for the radio as 'Musical Party' was and remains. 

#7. 'Hypocrites'

'Smile inna ya face then stab you inna ya back

Dem a true born hypocrite"

If you give a surface or cursory listen to 'Hypocrites', you're likely to still rate it fairly high as I did, but with a little time having passed and now REALLY digging into it, this song is… kind of spectacular. Each and every time I vibe it these days , I find yet another interesting and captivating aspect about a tune which certainly took its slow time in doing so, but has now blazed to near the top of my favours in regards to this album. Really deep track and definitely have a listen for yourself. 

#8. 'More Than A Friend'

'More Than A Friend' is a very straight forward love song and it is in that straightforwardness (who knew that was an actual word???) that it manages to surprise a bit. Prior to the releasing of "A New Day", this was definitely the type of track I wouldn't have at all expected to hear Marnyah singing, no matter how long he went on. Well, he got around to it and it was also surprising because it was likely better than anyone expected that it would be. 

#9. 'Badness A Madness'

This tune had a bit of a Hip-Hop influence and musical 'texture' to my ears and while normally that can prove to be a detraction for me because I'm no Hip-Hop fan, here it worked and added a very nice edge to the tune, which wasn't very edgy. At its core, 'Badness A Madness' was a very clever anti-violence/social commentary offering which kind of held up (or held down) 'BADNESS' as a basic infection and even offered a cure and treatment. This one was another which you should well spend a great deal of time on as far as the wording because if you just sped through it, you almost surely missed something.

#10. 'Dem Vex'

I don't know exactly how highly I'd rate it, but were I, right now, to do a list based on my favourite songs of 2012, 'Dem Vex' would definitely be a top five entrant and I wouldn't at all be shocked if it were #1. The song was so relatable, so comforting, so accessible and just downright STUNNING in every way! I go back to it now and I've had a few - 'Dem Vex' has helped me through a few bad moments and I'd hope that it get some type of a greater presentation and exposure, because I just think that there was so much on this track that the masses would like to hear. Here, it's kind of buried on this album and it probably never will receive the type of light shone in its direction that I think it deserves, but DAMN [!] this thing was MASSIVE, and if no one else picked it up, I'll be playing it!

#11. 'Lies'

All was well just a few tracks back at 'More Than A Friend', but now things have soured in the relationship on 'Lies'. This is one of the more catchy selections on the album and, slightly, a piece which has gotten better with time. The song of course. The situation - your special person not treating you too special ["I wouldn't be something on the side for you"] -remains most fucked up. 

#12. 'Everyday'

'Everyday' painted a really bleak and hopeless story in the society on which it spoke. It was just a harsh tune from the very first listen and it still is. However, I think that I appreciate it a bit more these days than I did originally and while I don't know that I'll ever get to the point where I'll view it as one of the album's finest (although I might), for me it fits so nicely on board this project and adds just a bit of a BITE during the latter stages of the record. 

#13. 'Rasta Is Love'

And finally is a tune in 'Rasta Love' which was listed as a "bonus track" for the album as it was a much previously released single by Marnyah. It was also absolutely fantastic and a certain favourite of just about anyone so sagacious enough to have a listen. 

I & I praise and love The Emperor The Prince Of Peace

Yeah babylon instigate dem hate through mental slavery

Let us, love not to hate, to deal wid it right yes, yes

Mi nah go slide, nah go slip, nah mix up inna mess

SO GI DEM A VAN DAMME THUMP, A BRUCE LEE KICK INNA FACE

Si dem ah send treat

You si dem ah plot war, dem caan escape dis yah judgment, no at all"

I now take this one as maybe even the inspiration for the 'Dem Vex' track in part because while they aren't exact in terms of their subjectry, you can really stop 'Rasta Is Love' at its end and drop right in with 'Dem Vex' and you cover such a wide area of topics without really straying at all from the same 'umbrella'. Maybe you'd find it a bit more different and that's fine, but it's going to be really hard for me to hear any type of negative aspect of the quality of this song. BOOM!

Jah Marnyah

So definitely pick up the album today if you haven't already. Jah Marnyah, although very much already a veteran (and he was one years before the album dropped), is someone who I think is really loaded in potential despite this advanced stage of his career and hopefully the next segment can be spent enjoying a greater level of stardom, because I think he's every bit as talented as some of his more well known peers. Don't just take my opinion, however, pick up "A New Day" right now and enjoy what might just be the single best debut Reggae album of 2012 altogether. 

'Daybreak!': A review of "A New Day" by Jah Marnyah

Everyone's journey is different. It's so strangely wonderful that there exists a basically infinite amount of different ways in which a particular artist can not only rise to prominence, but to attracting your attention as well. And while this is a process which is most often attached to a single big tune or more, it can also be a variety of different other things which initially draw your interest in their direction and, through the years, we've seen so many of them. On the most unusual end would be someone such as Jah Cure who, early in his career, pulled in such a great deal of notice for two reasons. First there was the fact that his voice was, and remains, simply one of the most breathtaking displays in all of music and, of course, by the time the Cure had reached any type of further reaching level of stardom he was already the midst of serving what would become an extremely extended incarceration. We could also look at someone such as Turbulence who was, when he began, a perhaps more taciturn version of Sizzla Kalonji who had to be respected in a different sense because, when he wanted to, the man could really sing exceptionally. And there are also others like Midnite and a whole heap of other VI artists and maybe even a Vybz Kartel who may not necessarily stand out, as far as their beginnings, for one significant moment of music - single song or album - but of whom you think just as respectfully and highly. I'm going to add another name to that list of someone who emerged not on the strength of specific pieces of music, but on his style and apparent potential, at least for me, it's the Foreman of the Cannabis Factory, Jah Marnyah. The chanter quickly became someone of interest for me and did so for an assortment of different reasons. Yes, he did have big tunes, he had a one in particular, 'Anointed One', which may just be one of the best one-hundred or so that I've EVER heard from anyone, but in those tunes I heard a prevailing intelligent edginess that made his music so powerful for me and, a few years later, it's still there. There was also something really interesting about how Marnyah's career progressed which made it full on fascinating and even more so when you consider the fact that it was over something that he hadn't even done yet. WHAT!

An album. Although we primarily deal with albums around here and I think this is changing today, in Reggae music, having an album is not always the focus or the goal. We still have so many successful veteran artists who have yet to have a full record release to their credits although, as I said, that number is dwindling and getting older and Jah Marnyah was not to be a member of that pack. You knew where he was headed and although it probably took a couple of years longer than even he expected, we've all gotten here! Originally from out of Montserrat (or 'Monster Rat' as my Daughter calls it) (biggup my Daughter) (biggup Montserrat), Marnyah's musical life began in the UK where he now lives (as does another big chanter from out of Montserrat, Ras Iyahkayah and four-billion time Montserrat Soca Monarch, Scrappy, to my knowledge) where he has linked with Faya Wurks Records, with whom he's made many of his big tunes and with whom he's also now giving us what we've been waiting for.

Jah Marnyah & Faya Wurks Records

"A New Day". FINALLY [!] the wicked Jah Marnyah and Faya Wurks Records have unveiled the former's big debut album and even before you get into it - it just feels RIGHT! The album has been, presumably, on the proverbial table, for about two years now and, if I recall correctly, it was even originally to be known as "Sweat of Your Brow" after an older Faya Wurks helmed single. With that being said (and surely I would have enjoyed to be writing a review now for Marnyah's sophomore set right now), perhaps it's taking so long to arrive has been a GOOD thing. Over the past year or so THIS ALBUM has become most of the talk surrounding the artist and when you have so much discussion about something that you're planning to do and then you finally do it, the interests of the masses have definitely been peaked. It also helps that Marnyah hasn't been exactly stagnant while he was waiting to wrap up this project and he's been recording for some of the biggest outfits on European soil such as Achis Reggae favourites, Oneness Records from out of Germany and definitely the mighty Dub Akom Records from France, with whom he's done several tunes and who are also closely involved with "A New Day" (as are the Sound Guyz also from out of France). And leading up to the actual release of the album, Marnyah has been jumping up with big singles through Faya Wurks which have definitely gotten even more eyes and ears pointed in his general direction and, even more importantly perhaps for me, really shown that he had deemed 2012 to be a year in which he was going to make a great deal of big moves. None are likely to outshine this album, however (although should Marnyah want to make me wrong in that assumption, I GREATLY look forward to the opportunity of admitting my incompetence), and for good reason. I didn't get very far into it at all before I comprehended that it was a pretty good feeling that I had invested in his work over the course of the past few years or so. "A New Day" makes up for lost time and reintroduces a talent in Reggae music whose time has come . . . FINALLY & LITERALLY. Let's have a listen!

The obvious comparison point of Jah Marnyah's style would be another kind of 'edgy' (and I mean that only in delivery, not in subjectry) Jah M. chanter - Jah Mason. They sound absolutely nothing like one another, but I always thought (and still do) that their full styles are somewhat similar, but listening to the type of diversity Marnyah presents on this album, I think that a more appropriate contrast can be drawn in looking at someone like Pressure Busspipe or maybe even a more rough version of someone like a Ras Attitude. Those two are even more similar to my opinion (Jah Mason has no problem at all in just SCREAMING at you when the mood strikes him) and that level of an intense, and more than I expected, versatility is on full exhibition throughout the whole of "A New Day". Want an example? Look no further than the sterling opener, 'All Is Not Lost'. Theoretically, you hear a title like that and you assume that the song is going to be one of overcoming problems and sticking around through hard times and you're right in this case, but you probably didn't expect it to sound this good. 

"All is not lost

Let Jah be your boss

All is not lost

Jah be your boss

All is not lost

Jah di shepherd fi di fold -

Di meek and di humble, di young and di old

My guiding star, Emmanuel, save our soul -

From these desperate times, from this desolate world

Try make a hustle, man need some billfold 

Gots to be brave 

Rasta gots to be bold

Claim seh dem ah help you, find out dem ice cold 

Well look ya now - Dem betta go purge dem soul 

Iyah ites glorify and give thanks - 

King Emmanuel fold

From the depths of the sea, from the belly of the beast and come and save thee -

From this modern day civilisation

Caught up inna dis modern day slavery 

So tell mi why di upper class of people rule di masses

Taking advantage of di under privilege

The system is like a man with no heart

No spirituality" 

Of course, me making that dramatic statement is only made powerful when you buy the album and hear the full tune which you are going to do right now . . . Back? Good. Next up is the delightful 'Peace & Harmony' which may just be even stronger than the opener. This song is a bit more broad, but when you relate it to the nature of the tune (and it's beautiful sound), you get the idea that it's more of an all-encompassing notion than the first track and clearly not one with it's dynamic moments and moods. 

"Press along, my people press along

The sunburned faces, Royal Ethiopians 

Bobo chant international repatriation -

FREEDOM! And wi want redemption" 

Marnyah goes into that riddim with all of the grimy maturity that he put forth on earlier tracks which well made me a fan. The title track sends out the opening batch of the album named after it and it keeps the vibes high. 'A New Day', the song, comes via the aforementioned Dub Akom on their shining Bonafide Riddim. This song being here actually made me wonder why other tunes Marnyah did for the label aren't present such as the recent 'She Keep Herself Right' from the Full Swing Riddim (although its absence is entirely explainable, it probably would have disturbed the nature of the album) and the MASSIVE 'Evilous Ways' on the Vitamin ["claim seh dem a big man, find out dem a big pervert"] [WHAT!]. But we're definitely happy that they included this track (I guess you don't really have much of a choice after choosing it as a title, but you know what I mean), because it's another highlight and a winner for an album which has just pushed three of them consecutively. This piece also shows off Marnyah doing a bit of steady singing which is a surprise in a good one.

'Musical Party'

As I alluded to, adding to the attraction of "A New Day" coming forth was a couple of singles which really grabbed the awareness of the masses recently. In both cases we have songs which definitely took a bit of growing on me before I could recommend them to any degree, but thankfully their presences here, respectively, took any final doubts I may have had. The first is 'Keep Trying', which reached not long ago at all and was actually done on a digital EP with five differing mixes (including the always interesting vocal dub). This song has an intro portion which is a bit jarring and electric, but when you really tune into it, it shows itself to be one of the most lyrically proficient songs on this album and that's saying a great deal as Marnyah is a terrific writer. 'Musical Party' is the other highlight selection and while I won't go as far as to say that I did not like this song when I first heard it from sometime late last year, I will say that it was out of what I was expecting from Marnyah at the time. These days? I'm a believer. It's still not amongst my favourites on "A New Day", but it really does help to add different colours and textures to an album which isn't short in that area, but could definitely use some of the Ska-ish array available on the infectious 'Musical Party'. And while it wasn't a previously featured tune (at least not to my knowledge), another set here which well sticks out on paper is the only official combination, 'I Can See', which links Jah Marnyah with veteran Anthony John. The interesting story here, apparently, is that John and Marnyah crossed paths in a French studio doing recordings and John was so impressed with the chanter that he wanted to do a tune with him. This spiritually directed social commentary is the result of that encounter and it is a top notch tune. I didn't even have to listen to this one to know that, Anthony John & Jah Marnyah on the same record is a guaranteed sizable offering. 

While, ostensibly, the second half of "A New Day", may not stand out as much as its first, at least not on paper, you'll make a terrible mistake should you overlook it, particularly as it includes some of the and THE finest moment the album has to offer, in my opinion. THAT moment isn't 'Hypocrites', but it isn't very far either. The nature of this tune is self-explanatory, but its vibes are not. It's a big, big tune which goes heavy on the message. It's also a piece which really shows off Jah Marnyah's style very well because it features both the kind of rough chanter as well as the singer (BOTH on the first very also) simultaneously chanting down false friends. Check the Hip-Hoppish 'Badness A Madness' which is another one which took a minute to grow on me - I'm not the biggest Hip-Hop fan. Here, we have Marnyah essentially speaking on terrible behaviour in society and people keeping a bad company. This is interesting because if you REALLY tune it in, you'll hear how kind of unique it is. It isn't the type of composition which goes in the more routine direction of attempting to spread this kind of 'detached' good will. Instead, it's written in an in-your-face manner with the artist essentially saying, 'STOP'. Later comes a number which is somewhat related to 'Badness A Madness', the even stronger antiviolence creation, 'Everyday'. 

"Everyday another, innocent gone a morgue

Blood spilling, brain spilling

Stain pon di wall

Tell mi how di people ahgo manage lawd

Inna dis ya Armagiddion

Well look at the signs of the time

Mi ahgo tell dem things are changing

Violence consume di place, like a computer virus

Tell dem - live good a nuh bodda thing devious -

Or else you gwan lick up and crash up

Seet clear

One and all, it's not a secret

They take live for a joke and misuse it" 

It may not be as aggressive as 'Badness A Madness', but as 'Everyday' progresses, the intensity builds and by its end you have one nearly spectacular moment. Both 'More Than a Friend' and 'Lies' find the artist dealing with opposite ends of a relationship. The former is pretty unexpected, it's basically a straight forward love song, but the latter is STRONG and entertaining as he deals with a woman who obviously doesn't feel the same way about him as he does for her. 

And then there's the BOOM . . . both of them. 'Rasta Is Love' is a previous single from Jah Marnyah and it's thrown in on the album as a Bonus Track. It's also probably one of his most successful releases to date as well and when you get to hear it, you won't have to wonder why. This song is MASSIVE! 

"Nuff a dem caught up inna di judgment and dem doh know where fi run to

RASTAFARI IS LOVE

Oh Rasta is love

Oh Rasta is love

I & I praise and love The Emperor: The Prince Of Piece

Yeah babylon instigate dem hate through mental slavery

Let us - love not to hate, to deal with it right yes

Yes, mi nah go slide, nah go slip, nah mix up inna mess

So give dem a Van Damme thump, a Bruce Lee kick inna chest

Si dem ah send trick, si dem ah plot war

Dem caah escape dis yah judgment, no at all"

BUT! There's an even STRONGER song on "A New Day" to my ears which may not strike you (or anyone else either, besides me) on that level, but 'Dem Vex' is . . . I don't even know what to call it, I've ran out of adjectives. 

"DEM VEX WHEN MI HAIL RASTAFARI

DEM AH SCREW, DEM AH BEND

WHEN MI HAIL THE BLACK KING AS THE MOST HIGH

JAH POWERS MANIFEST

DEM VEX WHEN MI HAIL RASTAFARI

DEM AH SCREW, DEM AH BEND

WHEN MI HAIL THE BLACK KING AS THE MOST HIGH!

Jah Jah si us through

Rasta si us through 

Love ah carry through -

Anytime thing sticky like glue

Haffi set di pace

Man ah go through di gate

Repatriate!

Mama Africa - Here we come

Roots over rum

Love over gun

Bread over crumbs

Time fi wi start live together 

Strengthen each other

Care for each other

More strength to my brothers and sisters" 

TEARS! This acoustic selection may not be the type of song which is the foundation of a great and productive, successful single, but to my ears it's just about every bit as good as the aforementioned 'Anointed One' tune and it's also the single best song on this album and a MIGHTY winner from Jah Marnyah and company. 

Jah Marnyah

Overall, while we really did have to wait a long time for this one, I can well say that it was worth the wait. My only significant critique here is that the album doesn't have more tracks. Typically, thirteen is a really solid number (and it is really here also), but in the case of Jah Marnyah, I think that he has such a solid number of tunes that would have worked well here, including but not limited to the earlier mentioned 'Evilous Ways' and 'Anointed One' (he also had a nice tune from Dub Akom named 'Life' on the Highlight Riddim]. Also, when you look back at even earlier pieces which are hard to find and it would have been nice if some of them could have been integrated. It's weird - after his first album he may already be in line for a greatest hits album. WHAT! However, just judging it based on what is actually present, "A New Day" is a big release and ranks alongside I-Octane's "Crying For the Nation" and a few others as one of the best debut albums of 2012. So, while one day you may not even be able to remember what it was that originally brought you to enjoying the music of Jah Marnyah, what's certain is that the performance he delivers on "A New Day" makes it very likely that you're not going to forget him anytime soon. Excellent! 

Rated: 4.5/5

Faya Wurks Records

2012

Digital

Review #379

Thank You Mighty Arrow

Thank You Mighty Arrow

New Artist of The Month: Meet Jah Marnyah!

Jah Marnyah

Meet Jah Marnyah! Were I to say ’”Montserrat”, what comes to mind? I would imagine that it would be one of two things. The first being ’volcano’, if you’ve been to the island or have a knowledge of it and the other thing might be ‘Arrow’, as in ‘The Mighty Arrow‘. Certainly in all things musical, the legendary Calypsonian’s is the first name to come to mind (and if you don‘t know who he is, then simply sing the first Soca tune that comes to your mind and he‘ll be its creator), but perhaps things are changing on the scene in the ‘Emerald Isle‘. There have been a few Reggae artists of quality from the island also, most notably Ijah Menelik (who I believe is the Arrow’s nephew), but I believe the absolute strongest Reggae talent Montserrat has ever produced has just emerged in the form of Jah Marnyah and in 2010 I think we’re going to get to know the chanter quite well.

Having linked with the apparently quite capable Faya Wurks Records in the UK (which is also where Marnyah is based I believe), the artist, who has been around for a few years, is now taking his career into the next stage, most recently with two big singles for the label, ‘Never Stray’ and ‘Sweat Of[f] Your Brow’, both of which can be purchased through etailers worldwide.

‘Never Stray’ is very nice and really shows off the skillset of this wonderful artist, but the more recent ‘Sweat’ is nearly HUGE to my ears as has been quite a bit of Marnyah’s output that I’ve come across. He has a style which is somewhat reminiscent of another ‘Jah M’, Jah Mason. While Marnyah may not (isn’t) quite as ‘moody’ as the Mason, he is arguably just as talented, which is DEFINITELY a big thing to have at your disposal. Jah Marnyah is a truly BIG talent and to my ears he’s one who may already be developed as well.

Prior to linking with Faya Wurks, he also had a few big ‘works’ out also, including what is apparently his first big single and video, the very nice ‘Stormy Weathers’ (also available for purchase) and ‘Where is The Love’, over the BIG Golden Riddim from 2009.

And I could really keep going with outstanding releases from this fine young artist, such as what is apparently an older song that is currently in the process of BLOWING MY MIND, ‘The Anointed One’.

So definitely keep an eye on Jah Marnyah (who looks A LOT like Lexxus), moving into the new year. Representing Montserrat (as well as another big artist by the name of Ras Iyahkayah), he's one of a few artists who I think are poised to have a truly MASSIVE 2010 and hopefully we can get a big album from the artist this year as well.

Jah Marnyah @ Myspace

{note: Jah Marnyah is the new artist of the month for December. The feature will (hopefully) return at the end of January, as usual}