The Vault Reviews: Rising Sun by Niyorah

Stocked. Back in 'da day we used to do a feature 'round these parts which was called Discography. It was an incredibly basic look through all of the albums of a particular artist (or even series twice thrice) up until that point. What they did best for me, in retrospect, was to (allow me to listen to a lot of really good music) kind of me a wider perspective of just how impressive and consistent someone had been. In several instances, I can remember going back and thinking that I had even forgotten about a particular album entirely and then, again, getting to re-enjoy that release. As I've said recently, I do think that the music has risen to a point where we are able to give people a significant amount of credit for what they've contributed to the music, whether personally or in a further-reaching sense, there are still moments where material can slip between the proverbial cracks and can be lost. There were three or four cases -- thinking of people like Bunji Garlin, Turbulence, Natural Black and definitely Chezidek (definitely got a lot of feedback on the Chezidek post) -- where I was even a little surprised and just how MUCH someone had done to date and just how easy it is, even when you are a Fan to overlook and forget about certain things. When you go through someone's catalogue, it can be an 'eye-opening' journey, damn fulfilling (you should give it a shot) and just a lot of fun. By the time we'd began our hiatus, I had covered a great deal of Reggae's most active and productive names (Anthony B and Luciano were forthcoming (they might still be, one day) and I was THINKING about going on to someone like Sizzla Kalonji (which always would have been difficult, given the one or two kind of PHANTOM albums he's had through the years) (biggup "Hotter Fire" and two versions of "Burning Fire") and I'd even managed to ABSOLUTELY LOSE MY FUCKING MIND once or TWICE during Discography. It was recent, while I was doing research for "Rootz & Kulcha" by Ras Batch (who was the inspiration for the entire series, in hindsight, having an installment before it even had a name) when 'Discography' jumped back into my mind as, during one of my many musical detours, I'd ran into the unfortunately under-populated but FULLY amazing archives of someone who has been amongst my favourites virtually from since the very first time I'd heard his music.

If he retired today and decided to never record another song as of right now, I'd wish that he would have done more and been more active, but Niyorah would have had an excellent career. I initially took more of a cursory look through his work but then I'd gotten deeper into some of it and.... it is spectacular. The St. Thomas-grown, Dominica-born (biggup Dominica) artist has made some tunes which, personally, will always stay with me. I just needed something of a push to get back into it and now, good luck getting me out! When he was just three albums deep into his career, two of them, "Purification Session" from 2006 and 2010's "Feel Your Presence" were already full Modern Classics for me. The first of those, were we to create some type of distinction between "classics", would even be in the top half of those (it may be one of the best twenty-five or thirty-ish albums I've ever heard). And prior to that, his debut set from 2005, "A Different Age" ["If you feel a way about the herb, let it be positive all the time. If you feel a way about the herb, remember that its creation divine"], was also very strong and, listening to it now, it may've been even better than any of us gave it credit for being (there is a track on that album called 'Angry Mother Nature' which is just running my ass over these days!) (BOOM!). Niyorah's just had a great career and, again, though I wish he were a bit more active at times (I could go for a new album like right now, for example), what he has done has largely been of an unquestionable quality for me.

Perhaps (it did) that had something to do with the fact Niyorah kept very good musical company. Along with being tremendously gifted on his own, when you take such a talent and meld it with a label like I Grade Records, what you end up with is potentially special. All three of his first albums were released on the label and received an excellent push. "A Different Age", in fact, was part of IGR's 'Fyah, Earth, Wind' promotion which featured it alongside releases from the fiery Ancient King (biggup Aincent King) and the breezy Army (biggup Ras Army). Niyorah's talent received a proper chance to cultivate and, you can hear it between the albums as he grew and grew into the flamer that he is today. And with that development within the studio, he also, CLEARLY, began to diversify himself behind the scenes. With the release of "Feel Your Presence" came the debut of Niyorah's very own label, Denkenesh Records. If you follow Reggae music, in general, but specifically that coming out of the Virgin Islands, you know just how often it seems as if many of the top artists branch out and develop their own imprints. The gold standard is probably the aforementioned Ras Batch, whose Sound V.I.Zion Records has released full albums for himself (five of them, by my count), his wife I Ma and Ras Attitude, as well as two installments of the "Culturellennium" compilation. Other big names such as Akae Beka/Midnite, Pressure Busspipe (new album, "Heights Of Greatness", out now on Busspipe Records) and even Attitude, himself, have also done work for themselves, under their very own charges, respectively. In 2015, Niyo would step even further out onto his own and deliver his fourth album, this time completely out on his own, "Rising Sun". The album, apparently, would also be re-released just last year to reflect Niyo's shift from Denkenesh to his newly minted Rise Above Them Publishing (the same thing happened with "Feel Your Presence"), on which he has released his last few singles (including the sterling 'Love The Caribbean'). I can remember REALLY looking forward to "Rising Sun" in its day. It came on the back of a pair of scintillating releases and, while I wasn't expecting it to rise to those type of heights, I was definitely predicting that Niyorah would be flying on some level with its release. Did he???

Of course he did, he soared. He always does. "Rising Sun" very much seemed like a continuation of the first three albums from Niyorah, rather than exploring some different side of things (and by album #4, you might begin seeing some type of experimentation (particularly on a self-produced set) thankfully that was not here and I wouldn't foresee such a release from him anytime soon). In retrospect, it did so well in solidifying and re-establishing exactly who Niyorah as an artist and, I'll tell you right now, if you're relatively new to his music, you might want to make this one your starting point. Grizzled fans, like most of you and I, OBVIOUSLY, would find something truly substantial as well. For example? Check the first sign of light on "Rising Sun", which finds Niyo examining risk-management on the Cold Times Riddim via Danish label, IceDrop Records, with the golden 'Calculate'. First of all, that riddim was exquisite! Do yourself a favour and look up its album. It featured the likes of Lutan Fyah, Cali P, Warrior King, Little Hero & Natasja, Chezidek, King Kong, Jah Mason and even Ward 21 (big voiced Junior Natural also did very well with his effort, 'Rise') and was probably one of the best riddim albums over the last decade or so (might be nice to crack open the vault for it someday) (and I should also mention that Niyo and IceDrop have even worked since then on 'Stomp on Corona', a single alongside Oma Da Pro from just last year) . To his credit, even with that roster of vocalists, Niyorah managed to turn in one of the riddim's strongest selections. I think that one of the benefits of getting older and maturing is that things tend to slow down and what you get is an extra four or five seconds before you do something stupid. You're still going to do stupid things (you are human and, by definition, you are flawed), but if you live properly, when you get older you're likely to do a lot less of them. Here, the artist, essentially, tells you to make the best usage of that "extra four or five seconds" and weigh the pros and cons of what you're getting yourself into. Specifically I can't think of hearing any song on this subject, directly, which is as detailed as this one:

"Badman ah cause confusion

Living in their old world like dem disillusioned

LIMITING YOURSELF WHEN THEY'RE SEVERAL OPTIONS

USING FIVE PERCENT OF YOUR ITELLECT FUNCTION 

THINK BEFORE YOUR ACT, BUT DON'T ACT AND THINK AFTER 

STUPID IS THE MAN THAT CAUSE HIS OWN DISASTER

Be humble, be rational, realistic

Or you will have to face the judgment of the mystic"

BOOM! 'Calculate' strides to the heights of "Rising Sun", immediately establishing itself as one of the highest ranking tunes here. Next up, Niyo has a word for all of the lazy asses out there on 'Workday' which was his cut of another big track, the Rub A Dub Riddim from Irievibrations ["Dem ah gwan like dem a mi friend, but dem a bagga heathen. MI BUN DEM AND SCORCH DEM AGAIN (SCORCH!)"] (biggup Luciano). The point here was simple: You can either get up and do something and take care of yourself and your family.... or you can sit down and bitch and whine about what you have to do (and are not doing anyway). I like the kind of aggressive stance on this one, because you can really feel Niyo's disgust at the situation and he's kind of confused that people behave this way; but he isn't saying that all is lost. Even if you fall into this category, you can pull yourself up ["and pull up unuh socks and lace up unuh shoes!"] and do better. The album's downright STUNNING title track was the first of a pair of more than solid combinations, this one linking Niyo with Kiwi Reggae band, House Of Shem. Take this as testament #5,000,000,000 to the power of Reggae music as the House Of Shem and Niyorah -- New Zealand and St. Thomas -- find a BEAUTIFUL musical common ground in praising His Majesty on what is my absolute favourite song on the release and one of the finest from Niyorah's entire career. 

HOS makes a mighty impression and, later on, fellow Star Lion Family alum, Ickarus ["Mine who lime round, spend time round. They could be the same one that's putting you down"], does the same on the mandatory ganja tune from "Rising Sun", 'Medicinal Ganja'. I wish I knew the name of the backing singer/s because whoever she/they is/are also make a big contribution to the prevailing quality of the song. What I so much appreciated here, along with the actual music of course, is the WEIGHT carried by 'Medicinal Ganja'. So many times (sooooooooo many) (literally thousands at this point) you hear drops like this one and, I call them "obligatory" and that's because that is how they seem - like someone made them to fill a quota. This is not one of those cases. Along with being one of the best efforts here and just so well-done, you'll also notice that, WONDERFULLY, 'Medicinal Ganja' is the longest song on "Rising Sun" by forty-five seconds ('Calculate' is second). So it goes to show just how important it was to the artists to make their point and they definitely succeeded. Ickarus and Niyo go back many a year as do Niyo and the aforementioned I Grade Records, who supplied the vocalist with their Songbird Riddim in 2013 which he made big usage and provided one of its biggest moments, 'War Is Not the Answer' ["Manufacturing arms to market the killing of man"]. This one was a global examination of violence (you don't just throw around words like "war") and one which featured a damn impressive amount of detail. Nearly a decade on and that riddim still has an effect on me EVERYTIME I hear it, going to show the power of good work like this. It is timeless. IGR was also on board with Lustre Kings Productions and the Zion I Kings for the Jah Warriah Riddim  from Zion High Productions which carried the social commentary, 'Media Portray'. This one has grown on me just a bit over the years from its release in 2014 and it may still be to this day. It finds Niyo taking a look at just how influential the media can be and how what they choose to import can, literally, shape the views of the masses and how important it is for us to be truly informed and EDUCATED.  You may also recognize the frenetic closer, 'Dirty Streets', which was released as a single from West Coast Studios, also in 2013. Somewhat similar to the opener in its theme, 'Dirty Streets' is about making better choices in life and trying less to be a creature who acts purely on emotions and instincts. This one, more specifically, looked at violence and how incredibly easy it is for someone to completely throw away their life (and that of someone else as well) based on one bad decision. Because of its pacing and sound, it isn't the hardest thing to overlook what is being said on 'Dirty Streets', but tuning it in definitely is worth it.

If you missed DJ Frass' Diamonds and Gold Riddim in 2013, you missed some standout material from I-Octane, Jah Cure, Queen Ifrica, Ce'cile, Iba Mahr and Alaine (whose 'Jah Is So Good' is one of the best of her career). You also missed a rather surprising appearance from Niyorah who gave the riddim another of its many highlights with a cool love set, 'Love You Same Way'. Like almost everything on that riddim, this one will definitely get your head rocking and stay with you quite awhile after you've moved on. It's actually fairly straight-forward which is a good things in this case - just an lovely song about someone very special. While I do know that a big credit is due to Frass for the Diamond and Gold Riddim, I don't know whose genius to credit for that thing behind 'Let Love Flow' (although I would make a very familiar guess, but I don't KNOW), which may've been this album's very first single. It is MIGHTY! The song constructed around it is just as muscular as 'Let Live Flow' 'threatens' our title track as the very best offered by "Rising Sun". The course here is wise, as Niyorah seems to suggest a full-scale shunning of things which're used (and even created in some cases) ["Religion separate us psychologically"] to keep people in conflict and away from one another. At its core, 'Let Love Flow' is about enhancing simplicity, in my opinion.

"There are so many tribes inside of  Africa, Mama

May your principles be kept in her

No fighting over land-

SHARE IT WITH EVERYONE

May every family be blessed in her"

It's about cutting away the FAT and finding the unity which we should have with one another (hopefully I've illustrated just how fantastic that tune is) (probably not, but the wonderful video is likely in  here somewhere, take a listen for yourself). I was almost sure that I had heard 'Rain Forest' before it appeared on this release but (....and I still think I may've), from all I can tell, it made its debut right here. This one was a glorious tribute to nature, all of its beauty and how important it is to not only celebrate it, but RESPECT it as we move forward. If you know anything about Niyorah or you've seen a couple of his videos (take a look around), you know how essential it is to him in his actual life. It should be that way for all of us because, in the end, it was here before we were and will still be here loooong after we've gone ("Purification Session" featured another very eco-conscious piece, 'Globe All Warming') (big tune) (..."Purification Session" may be the best NAME for a Roots Reggae album I have ever seen in my liife). NIyorah throws up a big praise with 'Here To Serve You' ["From the dust I came. I was born. I was formed. I was shaped. I was molded"]. Along with its decidedly spiritual angle, 'Here To Serve You' does have a more terrestrial purpose as Niyo indirectly deals with the subject of HUMILITY and how people should not only look for the best for themselves but for others as well. He plainly makes the connection that we can greater serve The Almighty by helping others, which is a fantastic idea. Niyorah may not be a wealthy man, financially speaking (has a lot going for himself in other ways, however) (then again, he may be a wealthy man, I don't know), but he is grateful for what he does have. That is the sentiment behind 'Mosquito Ah Bite Me'. Yes, you may be lacking in some (many) things and yes, you are fully aware of that and you want many of the things you cannot afford; but all is not lost. There're still so many things (or at least one thing) for you to be thankful for ["Still I'm singing Jah, give thanks for life, for life! Not matta what di ups and downs around, tear dem down now"]. 'Mosuito Ah Bite Me' also has an underlying sense of humour to it, especially when you watch the video clip. It is entirely relatable, we've all been there and hope to never return! And finally is another of the true highlights of "Rising Sun", the thrilling 'Rastafari Is My Guide'. Niyorah WONDERFULLY changes the game and exhumes the classic Answer Riddim for what may just be the most FUN to be had on the whole of "Rising Sun".

"The system corruption dirty

No political boy can lead me

Tafari is my guide

Rastafari is my guide

I love Black people, yuh gifted

And your strength is so uplifting

Free up and hold a vibe

Rastafari is my guide

Politician bragga-like, swagga-like, grimey like a dagga-knife

Sell out all yuh people, now yuh feeling all piranha bite

DI BANNER RISE

RASTA RISE

Tired of disaster vibes

Treat di people equal, cause wi want more than a bag of rice

Get a life, sodomites, stinkin, dutty parasites

Frontin and  yuh stuntin, doing something all wi ahgo fight

Tek weh wah?

Nuff yuh tek

Feel yuh full of intellect

UNDER YUH CORRUPTION THINGS HAVE CRUMBLED, SO WI INTERJECT!"

BOOM AGAIN! 'Rastafari Is My Guide' came as somewhat of a surprise and I'm now hoping we hear more Dancehall from Niyo in the future. Surely it won't become his norm (and it hasn't), but if it sounds like this, once in a while would be a beautiful thing! 

Overall, what I was left thinking about "Rising Sun" was of just how SMART and MATURE of a project it is. Niyorah recently celebrated his forty-first birthday about a week and a half ago as of this writing, which means he would have been not quite twenty-five when "A Different Age" reached in the summer of 2005 and thirty-four for "Rising Sun". So if you've been on board from that time you've, essentially, listened to him grow into and settle into adulthood and it's reflected in his music. He'd always had this astute edge to his music (go listen to 'Light of Jah' and 'Perfect Timing' from "A Different Age" & "African Chant" with Pressure on "Purification Session"), but what I heard on "Rising Sun", specifically in that respect, was even greater. I heard someone who sounded as if he had done a whole heap of research on the topics that he was dealing with and then combined that knowledge with his natural passion for addressing them. The results, unsurprisingly, was another GIANT set. "Rising Sun" has become the fourth, of four, outstanding musical contributions from a talent in Niyorah who has probably  done more already than you realize.

Rated: 4.75/5

Denkenesh Records/Rise Above Them Publishing

Digital

2015

Modern Classics Vol. XL: "Feel Your Presence" by NiyoRah

"Feel Your Presence" by NiyoRah [Denkenesh Records/I Grade Records - 2010]

NiyoRah has a definite skill: He makes great music. Previously, we proclaimed the second album of the Dominican born singing chanter, "Purification Session" to be the classic that it was and now it receives company in the form of his most recent release. Such a thing is always interesting for anyone with considerable talents, but in the case of NiyoRah it is even more compelling to look back at his albums, in particular, and hear just how far along he's come. On his initial release, 2005's "A Different Age", we heard an artist who, very much, exhibited a great deal of promise and was someone who seemed to actually be capable of fulfilling on that promise (which is really two different qualities - you'll hear someone who seems like they may very well have abilities but are, for one reason or another, virtually guaranteed to not reach high levels) (and you can name dozens of dozens of Dancehall DJ's who fit into that category) and, subsequently, he showed himself to be, perhaps even more capable than we initially thought and then he did precisely realize his potential on the mammoth "Purification Session". But of course, NiyoRah didn't retire and he still had work to date in following what was as perfect of an album that I've ever heard. 

"Purification Session" [2006]

So how do you top perfection?… You don't. If NiyoRah suddenly begins to do an impression of Vaughn Benjamin and he gives us four or five albums every twelve months and they ALL are fantastic, by the end of his career, "Purification Session" will be at least tied as his best album ever. It was just that good. But what you can do and what he has spent his career doing is EXPANDING. In 2010, NiyoRah would return with his third album which would see him with an even larger repertoire than before and he also expanded literally. Both "A Different Age" and "Purification Session" were done with the wonderful people at I Grade Records, but for his next set, Niyo would set his eyes on a different source. This time around he would link with venerable Jamaican producer, Andrew 'Bassie' Campbell, and he would also work on the album himself, via his own Denkenesh Records imprint. I Grade would return as distributor and the results, as expected, would be unforgettable once again. "Feel Your Presence"

NiyoRah

The Music

#1. 'No Guts No Glory'

I've really had an evolved opinion in regards to the opening selection from this album, 'No Guts No Glory' and I'm really enjoying where the tune has moved for me over the years. It was this song about relying on The Almighty because HE was the one who, above all else, would never abandon you (which, itself, was an evolved perspective), but what I take from these days, on top of that, is to not turn your back on people. You don't have be Almighty to lend a hand to someone and to consistently offer them support. NiyoRah, wonderfully, uses examples of people who have gone through not only hardships, but glaring hardships (so as to make it a more relatable piece, presumably) and then he adds, "Jah Jah carried him/her home". But no longer think that his intention was to only highlight how powerful and dependable His Majesty is - I think what NiyoRah was trying to do, instead, was to present that way as an example to the rest of us. As if to say that if Someone so powerful can care for someone so weak and flawed, then what's your excuse for not doing it. The song would go on to be a signature moment from the album and remains, arguably, the most popular tune that "Feel Your Presence" carried. 

Lyrics: "For I have been a victim of - my environment and ignorant thoughts. But my intent is genuine, SO BE A BETTER MAN THAN I HAVE BEEN. No guts, no glory. Become the fullness of the story. No guts, no glory, I am the only one who knows me. No guts, no glory, I'M A RASTA, not an OG. No guts, no glory, from the Black dust I rise"

#2. 'Bruk Down Barrier' featuring Jah Mason

'Bruk Down Barrier', outside of the first song on the album and maybe its title track is THE tune here which I have listened to most from first having this album and with very good reason. The piece features Jah Mason and is the greatest EDGE displayed on the whole of "Feel Your Presence", a vibes with which neither star nor guest are unfamiliar at all and in this case, it was BRILLIANT. Here we find Niyo and the Mason really calling and looking for some leaders. There is work that needs to be done and they're looking for someone who will do it and doesn't need someone else to take the first step for them ["hold yuh head up high, cause you are #1. You are - the origin of creation!"]. Looking back now, I still enjoy the basic circumstances of this song. Years ago such a combination would have been unlikely, but now that it has come to fruition, it did not disappoint and, hopefully, the two get to work together again some day. 

Lyrics: "Dis a nuh uzi pon di lap ting, ting. Fiction acting ting. Por have not ting, ting. Dis a di youth dem pon di block ting, ting. Pon di spot ting, ting. Round di clock ting, ting. It sting dem hard when wi drop ting, ting. Lyric attack ting, ting. By di back ting, ting. A King Selassie got mi back ting, ting. FORWARD! Babylon can't stop this thing"

#3. 'Feel Your Presence'

The album's eponymous offering still reigns supreme on the record named after it for me and I can now (and probably will) (and probably already have) point to songs which have a greater impact or are greater in one particular aspect, but as I always say there is a quality and an appreciation and GIANT amounts of both in and for songs which just make you feel good! This song most certainly is about the dependability of The Almighty and how you can live or attempt to live a life which is worthy of HIM, but after that it is a celebration! It is such a joyous piece it makes you smile, it makes you cry and, again, it is just this mountainous ignition and propellant of good emotions. 

Lyrics: "NOW I FEEL YOUR PRESENCE AGAIN, OH JAH! NOW I FEEL YOUR ESSENCE AGAIN, OH JAH! Take me, liberate mi, educate me - I'm asking you, oh please. Oh please"

#4. 'Capture The Moment'

Not too dissimilar from the tune preceding it on the album in terms of its aim, 'Capture The Moment' is a 'moment' saturated with good feelings, good vibes and star potential as a composition. What differs here is that 'Capture The Moment' is a much more of a 'silver lining' type of tune where NiyoRah talks about seeking this amazing moment in the midst of so much foulness and disorder. Whether or not you find, ultimately, is your own doing and he even goes as far as to hint that not everyone who wants to reach it can do so ["there is a way to go, but the way is narrow"], but the way it is presented is so intoxicating that it makes us, as listeners, want to do everything we can to reach this wonderful moment in time. 

Lyrics: "There is a way - to go. But the way - is narrow. Love today - love tomorrow. Capture the moment!"

#5. 'Close Call'

I had full forgotten about this tune before hearing it not too long ago and being reminded of just how much I enjoyed 'Close Call'. The album's obligatory ganja song was a very colourful piece as NiyoRah went through moments and circumstances of how people are persecuted for marijuana. It is a very SPECIFIC tune which can kind of lead you in a very limited direction, for the most part, but later on things are broadened and it becomes what it fully exists as: A beautifully scalding social commentary. 

Lyrics: "One day I was trodding to link up mi bredda to hold some Ises. It's funny how vice and cops try scare you wid dem surprises. From outta di blue they came wid four minivan and a squad car, just fi stick up and question one little humble Rasta. 'Hands up! Don't move!' dem shout. Their hands was all in my pockets. 'What you got? Tell mi now', their hand in and outta mi jacket. But I just laughed at dem but they never knew the reason. Every thing I say is always in Jah Jah time and season"

#6. 'Turn Around The Garrison'

Speaking of social commentaries - the bouncy 'Turn Around The Garrison' was another piece which I had to be wonderfully reminded of and that was also cured in this case. This tune had a very nice message concerning improving the quality of life and the MENTALITY of living in poor surroundings (and Niyo's thought isn't to leave to 'higher' ground but, instead, to raise the ground you're currently standing on), but it sticks with you because of the nature of the vibes of the song. It is a very HAPPY sound and it fits the presentation altogether - making for thoughts of the most unlikely utopia. 

Lyrics: "One love is what we want in the streets. One love is what we want, no more beef"

#7. 'Back Bone'

I needed not the slightest of reminder of 'Back Bone' on the other hand. This tune's triumphant ways made it and continue to make it one of the most glaring highlights from this album. In this case, the 'Back Bone', the largest and sturdiest beam of support in NiyoRah's world are the good Women of the world who really hold society together in so many different ways. You can call it a 'love song' or a 'Mama song' and it is both of those, but it really exists as a THANK YOU to Women who routinely exceed and full on smash expectations in keeping families together in an endless amount of ways. 

Lyrics: "Royal Highness, my love, my dear - you are worth so much to me. When the music play, let us dance all day and raise the frequency"

#8. '[No One Go] Round The Track'

You don't have to participate in their mess is NiyoRah's message to the people on 'Round The Track' which is another personal favourite of mine from "Feel Your Presence". Of the many things that standout in this instance is the subtle shift of intensity which builds throughout the composition. It ultimately peaks on one of the later verses which comes off as almost a complete spur of the moment and spontaneous creation which adds to the edges of this tune which are far from smooth and very stirring.

Lyrics: "My point is - money, fame and greed coulda neva make NiyoRah happy. I'd rather to be up inna di hills planting food, by the riverside SHAKING MY NATTY"

#9. 'The Day The Dollar Died'

You've devoted your life only to pursuing money and now money is hard to come by is the idea behind 'The Day The Dollar Died'. Going a little further, I think the song just deals with people being steered in the wrong direction and focusing on more temporary things and, to make his point, Niyo chooses money before going in a whole heap of different directions later on in the tune. 

Lyrics: "Poor people go to work, no end up with no penny. Pay dem ah pay, struggle everyday, but di rich got plenty. Di people crying out 'babylon just murder daddy'. Blood pon tar, lifelong scar, dead down in di alley. Cool off beyond di hundred. Up inna di million and still nuh dun dread. But wi nah go worry, prophecy dun said: ROBBER ROBBING LOAVES AHGO GET DI CRUMB BREAD"

#10. 'Propaganda'

Originally I saw (and still see) so many different routes of comprehension extending from the GOLDEN tune that was 'Propaganda' and it was damn difficult attempting to find one kind of uniting theme, but thankfully I've since found one (even though it took almost four years to do it). I think that the song is about pushing through and overcoming distractions (not DISASTERS - distractions) and Niyo is quick to point out just how… overcome-able these entities are, choosing as his greatest weapon - common sense. 

Lyrics: "Propaganda, dirty government paying off di media, dem a pestilence. Modern society, thinking they're intelligent. Killing off mi bredda and mi sista dem. Jah IS THE ANSWER FI DI REGIMENT. WI COME FI CONQUER BECAUSE WI CONFIDENT. Inna Jamaica, Rasta is the element. Giving everything to all the youths and dem"

#11. 'Big Robbery'

'Big Robbery' (also called 'Stolen Legacy') is one half social commentary and one half historical observation. Whatever its blend, it all really makes NiyoRah angry and he shows it throughout one of the best songs on the album. What stands out today is the historical perspective present on the tune. He says that oppressors have been building mountains and mountains of wicked ways for years and what happens now is merely thrown on top of what is already there and because of that, being angry and having a harsher delivery definitely aids in getting his point across on this MASSIVE song. 

Lyrics: "Big robbery, they're making a mockery, corrupting di facts for dem to claim. Pyramids in line with star grids - from the depths of the womb is how we came. From their brutality of my forefathers, the stolen legacy remains. LIKE A LION IN THE JUNGLE I ROAR - FI LIBERATE Jah PEOPLE IS THE AIM" 

#12. 'World Jungle' featuring Sugar Minott

The album's other combination, 'World Jungle', actually linked NiyoRah with Sugar Minott and the two made a mighty pairing. Minott would make his transition not too long following the album's release date and, in retrospect, what would later happen would make for an even more enthused set of circumstances here. It didn't need it, however. 'World Jungle', as a song and on its own merits, was damn powerful!

Lyrics: "We've been over the hills, through the valley many times already. Been across the river that was deep and heavy,. And lay my head on the cold ground. With many creeping things around, making funny sounds. But I follow the sun by day and the moon by night. Creatures out there want to take a bite. But Jah is my fire and HE is my light. Keep me safe through all this plight - in this yah Jungle. This yah world Jungle. You will get eaten if you too humble. Can't afford to slide or stumble"

#13. 'Since When'

If you do physical harm to your MOTHER -- if you kill your MOTHER -- very few creatures of any species are lower than you and the human race has evolved from the day of your birth, because pretty much every one else is better than you are in every possible way. I always was of the mindset that 'Since When' had to be written as a result of a specific occurrence because of its very detailed (and terribly ghoulish) subject. It is an antiviolence piece at its heart which just speaks on going way, WAY too far and I think that it was NiyoRah's intention to draw such a striking end as if to say THIS is what can happen if you don't change your ways, knowing that nothing but the absolute worst of the worst would disagree. 

Lyrics: "Di ghetto organize a gangsta squad just fi find di boy weh murder Mama love like dog. No long talk, gun bark from he's in di yard. Who send you fi go do that?! Shake him head bald and him lef di town. But remember seh Jah youth dem have contacts around and no matter what you seh you got di people frown. Someone ahgo get lick down. Kicked down"

#14. 'Indigenous World'

And on the album's final selection, we "beat kette drum and shake babylon" with NiyoRah across Andrew Campbell's Drum Melody Riddim (TOWERING tune called 'Shake Babylon' by Zebi-Lion on the same riddim) (biggup Zebi-Lion) for 'Indigenous World'. This is another piece with which I have gone through a bit of changes in terms of how I appreciate it. Not only is it a song about loving the more natural aspects of life and eschewing the more 'modern' world, but it is also about HOME and the power of home. Niyo speaks of not underestimating people ["don't you judge the woman from the forest. The spirit of Menen could be in the body of Delores"] and finding one's own path in life and one's own origins and we get this revolving definition of home to being anywhere you find happiness and comfort.

Lyrics: "Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Great is the precedence of King and Queen. Dash away calamity - dash away that scene. EVERYONE WITHIN THEMSELVES IS A SUPREME BEING. Deep within you all is a true entity. Life over death is the real reality. Try your very best to come out of misery. RIGHTEOUSNESS TO JAH IS SATISFACTORY"

Synopsis

I think I overlooked just how much of a complex album "Feel Your Presence" was. Going back looking through it wasn't like doing the same thing for a Midnite album (writing about thirty of those in twelve months is… really difficult), but it is an album which DEFINITELY requires a great deal of attention. But it is worth it as well as it is the type of album which, presumably, can keep your interest indefinitely because every time you listen to it, you are able to focus on some new aspect which didn't originally strike you. Listening to it now - it is an even better album and one which will probably continue to grow and grow for me. 

With that being said I do think that the heart of the album is so open and I think that it was NiyoRah's intention for it to be that way. If you ask ten different people, you're likely to get thirteen different interpretations. But today you're asking me (because you have no standards in life) and I think that the central theme behind the "Feel Your Presence" album is unity. Throughout the record, but particularly on the opening and title tracks, NiyoRah does and says certain things which, because of the moment (and the genre) you automatically refer to a higher power, but as I said, I don't think you need to be omnipotent to do all of them. You do not need to be The Almighty to be there for someone or to not turn your back on them because of the life they've led. 

Obviously, I go back to 'No Guts No Glory' which is such a powerful song for this. 

"Di youth weh bust dem gun fi fun and ah mek blood run -

Jah carry dem home

Di poor princess weh sell her body fi money 

Jah Jah carry her home

For I have been a victim of - my environment and ignorant thoughts

But my intent is genuine

SO BE A BETTER MAN THAN I HAVE BEEN

No guts, no glory

Become the fullness of the story

No guts, no glory

I am  the only one who knows me

No guts, no glory

I'm a Rasta, not a OG

No guts, no glory

From the Black dust I rise

Di elders weh nah have no body fi care dem -

Menen carry dem home

Di wife weh lose her husband inna war

Jah Jah carried her home

For we have been the victim of -

Mind control and pharmaceutical drugs 

But like a lotus growing the mud

I & I rise through the thorns and shrubs

IT IS DI PEOPLE, WHO MAKE DI DAMN CHOICES

JUST VOICE YUH OPINION, LET MI HEAR YOUR VOICES

IT IS DI PEOPLE, WHO HAVE DEM UPFUL VIBES YAH 

NO MATTA HOW DI GOVERNMENT AH GWAN WID ALL DEM HYPE YAH

IT IS DI PEOPLE, WHO MAKE DI TRUE DECISION -

WI NOT GOING NO LAMB TO BE SLAUGHTERED THROUGH DEM INQUISITION

IT IS DI PEOPLE, WHO KNOW ABOUT THIS POVERTY 

SO THEN IT MEANS THAT WI ARE CLOSER TO , OH YES HIS MAJESTY

IT IS DI CHILDREN, WEH BRINGING BACK DI WISDOM -

OF DI ANCIENT DAY OF DI ANCIENT BASS AND SKIN DRUM

IT IS DI CHILDREN, BRINGING BACK DI POWER -

OF HOW BABYLON GO MELT AND FADE AWAY IN LESS THAN AN HOUR"

GRRR! Clearly he is speaking about people taking the lead here. This isn't even, really, a very spiritual song, it's a very tangible one which says to do upful and righteous things but, above all, to make sure that you take your fellow man and woman with you, despite their past. Even on ‘Feel Your Presence', the song, which is spiritual, you see evidence of this. 

"Maybe someday, who knows, Nature will come to our rescue

And every gunplay will cease and men will manifest their utmost best too

I hope that love may overflow, filling up the whole population

And then the dogs' day will come, just to feel the wrath of The Lion"

It is the first line there which is of most interest - "Maybe someday, who knows, Nature will come to our rescue". Until and unless then, however, we're on our own and I think that the, in full, whenever the album takes a spiritual turn (and it does happen often) it isn't this kind of blanketing concept and instead it is one which serves as inspiring example for the current leaders of the world to not wait for something to be done, but to do it yourselves. 

That's what I have taken, so far, from "Feel Your Presence" by NiyoRah, which figures to provide listeners with years and years of more big vibes and, without a doubt, is a bonafide Modern Reggae Classic!

Most Wanted 2014

With big names such as Sizzla Kalonji, Etana, Luciano, Machel Montano, Mr. Vegas and many other showing up with albums for 2013, we begin to take a look at just who might be in the offering for the year ahead. Be it even more big names, amazingly gifted up and comers or someone who figures to return from long absences, this list, as it annually does, pulls together ten whom we would REALLY like to hear from, in album form, in 2014. Here are ten artists who could really do excellent work in the new year and we hope they do: Most Wanted 2014

{See last year's list}

{Note: Artist's appearing on last year's list were intentionally excluded}

#10. Prince Theo

Free again. Along with many other wonderful things, one of the most interesting occurrences which 2013 brought for me was definitely the full return of one of Reggae's most remarkably underrated and overlooked vocalists, Prince Theo. The veteran singer will almost certainly never receive the amount of attention that his tremendous abilities would seemingly warrant and I cannot even begin to think of something which would change that. What might help, however, would be a followup to his first and what, unfortunately, remains his only album to date, the wonderful "Set The Captives Free" which will soon be a decade old. Though you'll not find his name on any other list like this from anyone else, the Prince makes my list because I'm beginning to see a foundation built for a new set. He's done almost all of his recent material for Jah Mikes and Reggae Vibes Productions who recently did a new release for another veteran, Courtney Melody. I do not know what is in their plans, but if you're doing albums, why not mix in a brand new one which will have been a loooooooong time coming from someone who is guaranteed to make the most of it. 

#9. Kénédy

Pretty pictures. It took far too long, in the consistent sense, but I have begun to get back into the wonderful world of Zouk music and really pay a steady amount of attention to it as well. But hopefully 2014 will bring something which will make it even easier and I have two things in mind. One of which would be a possible all Zouk album from Achis Reggae favourite, the delightful Jalena, whose next album may be just that (and the only reason that you won't find her name on this list is because she has had THREE albums from the last time this artist had one) (which was only her second) and the other would be the album return of still my favourite Zouk singer, the amazing Kénédy. Last out way back in 2009 with "Entre Toi Et Moi", the Gwada songstress has managed to stay in the light with big tunes (most recently teaming up with Lylah for 'Femmes Fatales 3') and she's also managed to keep things interesting outside of the studio. Between her first album and the second, Kénédy already very attractive… got… attractive… er. She came back and was STUNNING and if you look at her these days, you immediately notice her growing addiction to tattoos. Will that translate into a more edgy sound for her next album? Maybe or maybe not, but I'd love to find out in 2014 with a brand new album from one of Zouk's finest.  

#8. Jahdan Blakkamoore

Release the Kings. Just as I'm waiting here to see what ten artists, in particular, have in store for fans in 2014, I'm also curious as to what some producers may be up to and one of those who have my interests very high are the Zion I Kings. We do know that they'll work the already scheduled "Beauty For Ashes" set from Midnite and we're also quite sure that they'll link up for an album for #5 on this list (or #7 if I changed it), besides that, however, it remains to be seen. Something I'd DEFINITELY like to see are the ZIK come back for is a brand new album for one of Reggae music's most adroit wordsmiths, Jahdan Blakkamoore. Though it has now been three full years from his last set, the very well-received "Babylon Nightmare", Jahdan did have a big year this year on the strength of appearing on one of the most talked about releases of 2013, Snoop Lion's "Reincarnated". A return to album in 2014 would be a welcomed one and, at least presumably, he may officially bring the "Kings" of the ZIK back with him as a return of another kind from Lustre Kings Productions (who didn't do an album this year, I believe). But I'd be happy with just about anyone, but a 2014 album from Jahdan Blakkamoore and the Zion I Kings would be a really, really nice thing to do and a certain master class of a record.  

#7. NiyoRah

A different era. In retrospect, out of all of the people who we've gotten to watch develop as artists in recent years, one of the most captivating and, ultimately, one of the most gifted has easily been NiyoRah. I can still pull his debut album, "A Different Age" and really hear a foundation of talent for someone who, in the then not too distant future, would grow to become a GIANT of a talent. These days, as evidenced by his last two albums, "Purification Session" (one of the best albums I've ever heard) and "Feel Your Presence", Niyo is amongst the very few artists today who is truly capable of ANYTHING. Whatever he does and whoever he does it for, I expect greatness and hopefully I can expect it in 2014. It's been nearly four years from the "Feel Your Presence" set and now would be a wonderful time for Niyo's fourth album which would be another set released at the height of his monstrous powers. 

#6. Alaine

… Alaine. One of a couple of females that you'll find on this list (it would have been a trio, but I thought it too soon to start asking for a new Reemah album), Alaine has quietly turned in a sterling year of music for 2013, which will have to be considered amongst her very best and, hopefully, she'll culminate her winning ways with a winning album next year. Alaine's situation when it comes to albums is very interesting because, like most of her musical things, it changed from a few years ago when she split with ace producer Don Corleon who had not only helmed many of Alaine's biggest hits, but was also behind all of her two or three albums (I think it's officially three, but one of them was released twice). But that is ancient history as far as music goes (though the two would produce bonafide classics together which will never die) and it is full time that album shelves get a lot more class and romance by virtue of a new album full of songs by one of Reggae's greatest conductors of both in 2014.

#5. Pressure

Coming back. It has SHOCKINGLY been more than four years now from the last time we received an album from VI Reggae superstar, Pressure Busspipe and, obviously, that is just entirely too damn long. Fortunately, not only is Pressure one of a couple of names appearing on this list that is relatively secure to have a new set in 2014, he's also going to have it for the aforementioned Zion I Kings. Pressure would have made this list regardless of his circumstances going into the new year because, much like his fellow Star Lion Family alum, NiyoRah, the chanter is at a point in his development at which only greatness is appropriate material coming from him and for such a person, going half a decade without is just wrong (biggup #3). He's been there previously with one of the finest debuts of the modern era, "The Pressure Is On", and on two subsequent albums he maintained those levels. Since then Pressure has remained one of the genre's most dependably impressive stars and he's also branched out - recording with some of the most revered maestros Reggae music has to offer. On his next album, he'll bring things back to center for I Grade Records and the Zion I Kings, which is a link that could not come at a better time.

 #4. Mad Cobra

The baddest. It would be so unfortunate if one of the genre's biggest stars ever was to go through such an upward turn in their career and do so without ever having a full release to mark the occasion. However, when the genre in question is the album-anemic Dancehall music, then that will probably be the precise situation heading into 2015. Dancehall albums from the biggest names, these days, occur at a rate of only two or three annually. But if one of them in 2014 could somehow, someway manage to be from the re-enthused Mad Cobra, the world will be a much better place. Over the past year, Cobra has given Dancehall a much need bloody nose by serving up some of the craziest and most vicious tunes heard in what has been a fantastic career brimming with such pieces. And, though he didn't take such a long hiatus away, it just seems as if this version of the DJ has found him in the same devastating form that was heard on his two most recent albums "Helta Skelta" and "Snypa Way" and maybe even a little better actually. I think it to highly unlikely that 2014 will bring us a new album from Mad Cobra, but if it does, I'll guarantee you RIGHT NOW one of the best Dancehall albums in a very long time.

#3. Queen Omega

Most royal. As each and every of the past five (soon to be six) years pass, Reggae album shelves are significantly lacking in one very major area. QUEEN OMEGA! THE MOST TALENTED WOMAN MAKING REGGAE MUSIC TODAY (and probably over the last decade) has not had an album since 2008's "Servant Of Jah Army" and it would have been even before then -- nearing a decade -- from the last time that she would release a set which was widely celebrated - 2005's "Destiny". Both of those are just terrible considering the fact that she hasn't left the scene. She hasn't gone anywhere! Instead, she has continued to cultivate her supreme skills and today remains the Roots Reggae fireball that she always was. 2014, like every year before it and every year after it, would be a fine return and I do see a bit of hope for a new Queen Omega album. This year, a burgeoning label by the name of JahLight Records, like the singer from out of Trinidad, made its album debut in the form of Matthew Greenidge's solid "Jah Rules Over All", an album which carried the work of Queen Omega (as both a featured guest and a backing singer, if I recall correctly). Presumably at some point they will want to make another album -- probably at some point in the next twelve months -- it would seem a possibility that JahLight may take this next step with her as the star. Such a thing would have massive results and she'd also likely have similar success with almost anyone (including 149 Records who did a video with the Queen this year) and I'll definitely be watching because I'm tired of being able to put her name on lists like this.  

#2. Bunji Garlin

We ready. Though he just had a full album in 2012 (the wonderful "iSpaniard", in stores now) Soca lyrics leader, Bunji Garlin, has just had a supremely powerful 2013 which, literally, dictates that he return with a new album, which will be his tenth in 2014. To facilitate this, the four time Soca Monarch recently [re]signed up with VP Records which will likely deliver the project. All of this, of course, comes through on the heels of the MASSIVE creation that was 'Differentology', but it was not alone and it won't be alone on the album (that would be really weird if it were). The likely result here is that VP allows the 2014 carnival season to play out, during which Garlin will likely have another hit or two and I would expect the album (to be called "Differentology") to be full of songs from his '13 and '14 seasons. Also I would like to hope that they would appreciate the moment. Though Garlin previously did two albums for the label [2001's "Revelation" and "Global" six years later], they both seemed to be at least somewhat packaged in a way to make his music more accessible to the typical fans of VP Records' releases. And there's nothing wrong with that (and it probably worked) but as someone who is always so upstanding about pushing Soca music, I really do hope that everyone involved on this set realizes that they may have something which has the possibility/likelihood of becoming one of the genre's biggest albums EVER. If they do, we'll have something special and even if they don't - I'll still be picking it up. And nothing can break it up. And nothing can break it up. And nothing can break it up. And nothing can break it up…

#1. Chronixx

Fit to lead. The biggest album jewel that 2014, seemingly, would have to offer Reggae fans would be the debut set from the leader of the latest rise of Roots Reggae stars, Chronixx. Though it is conceivable such a release could be pushed to 2015, I'm fully convinced that with the material that he has already done, Chronixx could probably put together a potential classic album right now, but if someone were to actually make an album for the sake of an album, it would be GOLDEN. The artist has shown himself to in possession of a very curious talent which is founded in a heavy streak of common sense and the application of common sense and humility. The blend has led to someone who has not only produced one of the most dominant streaks in recent memory, but someone who has also immediately gained the mass attention of fans. His situation has been similar to that of some of his more immediate predecessors, such as I-Octane and Tarrus Riley, but in Chronixx' case, it has seemed to be even more magnified. Furthermore, he has not faltered and in 2013, the youth turned Reggae music into his own personal flawless performance. He figures to do the same into the new year and an album would be a perfect bow to place on an amazing rise to prominence. 

'High Sight': A review of The Songbird Riddim

Stand up! I speak so often about watching the career of a particular artist or a particular type of artist develop as they reach different stages, but the idea of development in music certainly is not one which is limited to the vocalist. Wonderfully it also extends so much further and today we're going to look at the next step in the growth and evolution of what has to be considered one of the more fruitful labels in recent years. Of course, I'm referring to the biggest Reggae music label from out of the Virgin Islands, the glowing I Grade Records. Even before we get into their music they are so interesting, especially now, because it isn't very difficult at all to trace back their output and, in doing so, you not only see an expected but also an excellent level of progression up to today. You see what, in my opinion as a fan, has become the major point in just why the label has managed to be successful in recent times and have already achieved a nice piece of longevity: You see VISION. In terms of having an 'eye' for good projects - you can go back almost a decade to their ambitious 'Fire-Earth-Wind' promotion which found the label releasing three albums almost simultaneously. That remains a very interesting spot because, eight years on, we find ourselves in 2013 and while not necessarily being 'household names' in the genre, in the first four and a half months of the year, two of the three artists involved in that event, Ras Army and Ancient King, have released brand new albums and are still going very strong (and I'll tell you about the third a little later) and certainly I Grade saw that level of lasting talent in all three at the time, which is why they chose to place them in such a roll (now if they could just SEE Yahadanai back, everything would be nice!). And more recently… why not take a traditional soul singer and let him sing over Reggae tracks and make an album called "Black Gold"? It'll work out. And it did. That was excellent and over the past few years we've seen a tremendous amount of vision and just common sense coming from I Grade Records in terms of what they do and who they do it with. Arguably the largest bit of sagacious sight exhibited by the label has brought us to the latest, very active and very productive, stretch of their existence which now has been around long enough, on its own, that we can chart its own development as well which now reaches a very interesting next step.  

The fantastically inescapable Zion I Kings. Just recently the collective which features I Grade Records as its "I" along with Zion High Productions and Lustre Kings Productions teamed up to give to the world the very solid "Original Yard Food" release from veteran General Jah Mikey from ZHP, which was the newest addition to an ever-increasing and just as ever-impressing catalog (which included three of the best albums of all of last year in my opinion). Along with focusing, sublimely, on the work of artists and artist albums, the ZIK have also made a large impact with compilations - beginning with what may just be the strongest Roots Reggae compilation that I have EVER heard, "Joyful Noise" from 2009 and extending to last year's finest piece of its kind, "Jah Golden Throne". So in a year which promises to be yet another fine one from the group (more on that later) and has just recently gotten off to a big start, the Zion I Kings continue to develop and evolve their line of compilations which is now getting A LOT more interesting courtesy of the Songbird Riddim.  

Zion I Kings

'Why not make a riddim album series'? Someone from the Zion I Kings likely posed that question sometime earlier this year and it now comes to fruition with its initial volume and it is called the… well, it's called the Riddim Series (keeping it simple). Apparently the plan is a good one as while the Songbird comes officially via I Grade Records, vol. 2 of the series, the Jah Warriah Riddim, will come later this year from Zion High Productions (who, before then, will also deliver a new album from Cornell Campbell) and if future installments are as 'high' as the first, then truly big things are on the way. For the Songbird Riddim in particular - when I first heard this track I thought a pair of things. The first was that I thought that I had heard it from somewhere before -- a notion which I'm now fairly sure was inaccurate -- and I also thought of just how CLASSY the track was. That has long been a staple of I Grade's music. There is almost always this very comfortable quality to their work, even when it is somewhat of a deviation from what they generally do (again, you really need to hear the aforementioned "Black Gold" album from Toussaint as a fine example of that) (you also need to hear it because it was amazing) and it comes through absolutely saturated in class and quality - a trait which is especially true, as you might imagine, on a track which stars no less than sixteen times on its own album. For the occasion, the label has also tapped some find musicians as the Songbird Riddim, which is produced by Laurent 'Tippy' Alfred of I Grade Records and Jah David of ZHP, features a fine batch of players of instruments including both Tippy and Jah David, as well as the venerable Bassie Campbell, Craig Taylor, Steve Katz and one towering individual who wraps up the album. Also present is the work of a Balboa Becker (great name!) and a Daniel Casares, both of whom are a part of a band called Celebrity Hornz and are really the stars on the Songbird Riddim because the horn pieces here absolutely GLOW in the midst of all types of other intoxicating sounds. As for the vocal stars shining on the track, once again it speaks to the level of vision with this project as I'll be wholly shocked if any composition in 2013 registers with such a strong lineup of Roots Reggae artists (although if you want to shock me, please do!). And I'll probably be even more surprised if the remaining seven and a half months of the year offer a single riddim album or any type of compilation which ranks higher than this one. Let me tell you about it! 

"Joyful Noise" [2009] & "Jah Golden Throne" [2012]

The attraction to the roster of vocalists on this riddim, personally, isn't one where I'm overwhelmed because there're so many big names. Instead it is one which I find myself looking at, as a fan specifically of the works of the Zion I Kings, and just being so damn happy that they made the first set and enlisted the work of about three-quarters of the names here and the others also prove to turn in fine efforts as well. Few names made me happier to see here than Lutan Fyah's who gets things started on the Songbird Riddim album from I Grade Records and the Zion I Kings with his moving 'She's Got Soul'. As the title would indicate, this tune is one where Lutan Fyah really gives love and honour to the good women of the world for going through the things they go through and doing so while receiving very little credit many times. Historically the Spanish Town chanter has made good songs of a similar kind (such as the LKP produced 'Woman of Principle' and 'She's Like the Rainbow') and it has been an area in which he has excelled. This tune has to rank as one of his finest on the subject as it sets a brilliantly inspirational course for what is to follow. Also what is to follow is a forthcoming ALBUM from Lutan Fyah for the ZIK, which is candy to my ears and it should be great. Also reportedly working on an album for IGR is Pressure Busspipe who comes up and next and brings with him 'The Rain'.

"The rain, is no different from my tears

When I look at what my people bear

I swear, I'll never give up the fight and show no fear

And the sun, is reflecting my heart and soul

And it's burning beyond control

My goal, is to see to it the truth unfold

For every action there's a reaction

Whatever you do comes around in a fraction

Here comes vanity - the biggest distraction -

That takes away the true values of a Black man

What if life was sweeter than a honeycomb?

And we never had to work and bring money home?

The would you know what life is worth?

Would you know how the earth cycle works?

That's why the rain, is no different from my tears

When I look at what my people bear

I swear, I'll never give up the fight and show no fear

And the sun, is reflecting my heart and soul

And it's burning beyond control

My goal, is to see to it the truth unfold

Watch the things that you do

Jah is watching over

You live and you learn - 

As you grow older

IF THE TRUTH IS UNFOLDING WHY DO I NEED A FOLDER?

It's a heavy load to carry, I need my shoulder

The people are hungry: The message is food

The children grow without the proper lessons in school

Wicked man is living so cruel

LITTLE DID THEY KNOW SEH RASTAFARI RULE!"

The piece is a HUGE commentary on life and one of the best songs on the riddim. Pressure has this captivating way of writing where he can write in a really broad way about specific things (if that makes any sense at all), which leads to these one of a kind moments in his music where you get the feeling that he's talking about a certain thing, but still it is an entirely relatable and accessible point. 'The Rain' is a song which captures that perfectly and it is not to be missed. How nice is it that so soon we get to hear a new tune from the genius that is Ras Batch, following a 2012 where we saw him release the second best album of the year in my opinion (and do it on the thirty-first anniversary of my birth), "Know Thyself". Batch never seems to be the most active of names which makes his output even more anticipated for me and his cut of the Songbird, 'So Beautiful' does not disappoint at all and lives up to his great standards as he finds beauty in so many different aspects of life (and non-life) throughout the world. The tune has a fascinating quality to it as I've found that every time I've listened to it, it's gotten just a bit better to my ears, so definitely give a little time to grow on you because it will. 

Recent works from some of the artists appearing on the Songbird Riddim

As I alluded to, one of the best things about seeing who appeared on the Songbird was just how familiar some of them were to the work of I Grade Records and the Zion I Kings. Some of those names, including some I've already mentioned obviously, head to the heights of material on the track. Check Glen Washington who also gave us a "Masterpiece" from ZHP just last year and is now back with back with a fitting selection, 'Bumpy Ride'. You know what Washington does, he makes syrupy sweet and golden brown love songs and this is one of them of the highest caliber! 'Bumpy Ride' is outstanding and again I'll tell you to give it a bit of time because it also is a piece which has grown and grown on my tastes as I've gone back more times to hear it. The afore-alluded to NiyoRah (I think he was 'Earth'), who has quietly been having an outstanding 2013 (and is on DJ Frass' new track, the Diamonds & Gold Riddim), returns to I Grade with his striking social commentary 'War Is Not the Answer'. I wasn't completely caught unexpected by it, but it is a nice touch that the well versatile Niyo brings so much passion and BITE to the Songbird and wastes no time in doing it on the dazzlingly heated first verse of the song. 

"We got the victory torch

Upon it the fyah ah scorch

Mi hotta mentality dropping insanity upon di government porch

How come you neva abort

Di shipping of guns in di port?

And making economy pushing di sodomy up in di jail and di court

Manufacturing arms, to market the killing of man

Dem seh 'be all you can be' in di military physiological plan

But when back up a dog -

Inna corner di dog will bite

An infection induced by power-abuse bring truth to light"

BOOM! Chanter Jahdan Blakkamoore who (needs to make a new album and needs to do it on LKP) has been very visible recently is also here with a nice tune, 'Best In Life'. Perhaps a bit more laidback than I was anticipating, we still find Blakkamoore demonstrating his finest quality to the masses - he is and has been for some time now, lyrically dominant and though it may not stand out as far as several other of the more immediately sonically pleasing songs on the Songbird, 'Best In Life' lays a mighty claim to being one of its strongest written compositions altogether. Speaking of those with heavy-handed penmanship we also have the heaviest of them all, Vaughn Benjamin on 'A New Overstanding'. If I recall correctly, Benjamin and Midnite are also set to do another new album for I Grade soon, making it their first one from the MASSIVE "Kings Bell". Until then check (one of their other eight-hundred albums) Benjamin's fine tune on the Songbird, 'A New Overstanding'. As someone now well into Midnite's music (and as someone who has to write a Midnite review, "Be Strong", right after I finish this one), this tune was very welcomed and I don't even need to tell you that I'm looking forward to a new album from Midnite and I Grade, whenever it may arrive. There's also Duane Stephenson who checks in with the gorgeous praising piece, 'Call On JAH Name'. Stephenson appeared on the "Joyful Noise" album where he had a highlighting tune ["Baby I'm sitting in the corner but I'm fine!"] and he does it again here and… I know VP Records does his albums, but one for IGR and ZIK, someday, would be magnificent. Stephenson will likely never get enough credit for it, but his voice has to be one of the best in the genre and he conveys EMOTION nearly without equal when he sings. I was also very pleased to see veteran Junior P back on a I Grade release (he was also on "Joyful Noise, with 'The Reason' which , unfortunately, may've been the last new song I heard from Junior P) and he does just fine with his big social commentary, 'Times Ah Get Hard'. And if you really pay a good attention, then the solid 'Holding Onto Freedom' won't be your introduction to the talented Dushane. Meanwhile, you could have been born and grown beneath the proverbial rock and still know the "towering" artist who closes out the Songbird Riddim, Tuff Lion. I would have complained loudly if I Grade didn't include a clean version of the riddim, so I'll be their biggest of cheerleaders because they take an instrumental to the next level and beyond by placing it in the legendary paws of the lion who gives us the MASSIVE 'Birds of Praise'. A full instrumental experience with one of the greatest on the guitar that the genre has ever heard and HOPEFULLY Tuff Lion is someone else who receives the ZIK treatment at some point in the future (I'll even name the album for you! Call it "Ten More Strings!). HOWEVER [!] with all of that being said and with more to be said still, taking top honours on the Songbird Riddim to my ears is someone else very familiar to I Grade Records and the Zion I Kings, Danny I, who tells us that 'I Know'. I knew that I was about to hear a classic when I heard the opening lines of the song:

"When I hear the songbirds I think of you"

And Danny I goes on to put on a master class of a praising song with this completely unforgettable selection.

"When I hear the songbirds I think of you

When I see the flowers filled with dew

When I see the rain clouds on the hills

I know my Father wills

When I know my prayers are overdue

I can see your image on the moon

When I know your trust I have misused

I still feel my vows being renewed

And I know!

I never ever walk alone!

In Your presence Rasta build his home!

And mi know from mi little and mi grow!"

TEARS! DAMN! BOOM! A couple of years back, the singer turned in his latest set, the beautiful "To Your Majesty" (which featured the aforementioned Dushane) (like I said, you'd know him if you were really paying attention), and as far as I know he has either already or will shortly deliver his next album, his first Spanish release - whatever he does is worth your time. This is one of the best tunes that I've ever heard from him and that's saying a great deal (particularly considering that Danny I was behind one of the best songs I've ever heard from anyone, 'Lion As A Ruler') and it is also saying a bit that I do not hear its equal on this album. The song, like a few others here, is really about appreciating beauty and positivity wherever you may find it - no matter how big or small. 'I Know' is HUGE!

Jah9 & Reemah

As for the remaining quartet of tunes, IGR and ZIK continues to turn in something spectacular in terms of who they got to voice the Songbird. While I do know of Misael, his music isn't something with which I am terribly familiar, but after his strong effort here, 'The Power of Love',  perhaps it's time that I got around to doing something about that because it is splendid. There's also Shay with 'Don't Let Go'. I was confident that I had no idea who Shay was until a bit of research showed that this was the same easy-on-the-eyes Shay who had a popular sweet piece of tune from last year by the name of 'Back In The Groove'. While Shay may very well need to consider a bit more unique name, her music is already at a very high level and I'm expecting big things in the future from her and her crystal clear vocals (that woman could sing an insomniac pure into a coma because her voice is so damn soothing). And Shay is not the sole female vocalist appearing on the Songbird Riddim as she is joined by a glowing pair of lyricists who offer some of their own magic to the track (as if it needed it) (it didn't). Reemah (new album, "Check Your Words", in stores now) steps forth so soon with another gem of a tune in 'JAH Preserve'. 

"Since they've lost their way inna di trenches

How they quickly run to babylon's defense

Seems like a overnight dem lost dem senses

How it no matta that dem willingly be sheep inna pen

Well I have never fought their praises, no-no

I don't want none a dem accolades then, don't want none a dem change me

Cause, til dem get caught up inna babylon slavery -

Surrender to the beast whoa

Jah Jah preserve!

Jah Jah preserve!

Preserve I and I to stand

When they get inna strange land

Dem steady inna plain-sight illusion

Dem neva walk inna dem favour

NEVA WAAN GO LEAD DEM JUST AH WALK AND FOLLOW STRANGER 

Lost inna dem ignorance and nah go si di danger

How they blindly go and now give in to all dem wager

Tell you it's a hard sight to -

To si how they behave

CAAN MAKE NO PEACE WHEN A WAR DEM AH CRAVE

Seh dem neva satisfy and it's so strange

PUPPET PON A STRING AND DEM AH FIGHT TO KEEP DI CHAIN"

Reemah just rips right into every song. Hold on: 

"Go down - go down

Go down - go down

Wi no waan no more corruption deh around now

And a more time dem illusions haffi drown out

Come mek wi find love and then mek wi surround now

Well inna di struggle lion haffi mek a loud sound

No time to sleep, yow a time to wear yuh crown

Well I seh raise up and then stand up your ground

No trepidation, now walk and tell di town

Si dem ah look, ah look already fi go bow down

Well I seh no surrender - a Zion bound!

I seh di righteous ahgo rebound

And watch how babylon ah frown!"

Something like that and I continued to be amazed and impressed each time I hear from her. And lastly who else do we have? The best album I've heard this year remains "New Name" from the same Jah9 who gives the Songbird riddim one of its biggest moments, 'Tension'. 

"There is tension building inside I 

And I'm trusting I spirit to guide I

Even if no one else overstands -

I have got to do what it demands

I eyes and ears might deceive I

Friends and family might leave I

But is a righteous tension ah brew

So I must prepare for what I might have to do 

I don't have a problem in the world

Solution oriented, simple island girl

Passionate, compassionate, with patience as a science 

And also love and unity promoting self-reliance

Balancing I emotion, tempering I temperament 

Maintaining I composure and learning when to vent

But as injustice grips the masses more and more

The pressure makes them numb, but instead makes me sure -

That there is tension building inside I 

And I'm trusting I spirit to guide I

Even if no one else overstands

I have got to do what it demands

I eyes and ears might deceive I

Friends and family might leave I

But is a righteous tension ah brew

So I must prepare for what I might have to do

Misleaders use semantics to manipulate us

Meaning less promises to keep us inna state of -

Catatonic apprehension, empty hands up to di sky

The art of misdirection is to disguise the lie

Telling us decisions made are for our good

By those who we elect -

When in actuality they merely reflect -

An ulterior agenda to profiting their terms

SO THE PEOPLE ONLY MATTER WHEN THE PEOPLE HELP THEM EARN

So dem corrupt system get burn"

That's why there's tension building inside I 

And I'm trusting I spirit to guide I

Even if no one else overstands

I have got to do what it demands

I eyes and ears might deceive I

Friends and family might leave I

But is a righteous tension ah brew

So I must prepare for what I might have to do

But I'm never gonna give Jah up

No matter what

Imagine di morning you awake to find the soldiers on your street

Tanks on every boulevard, police on every beat

Choppers hovering but a stillness in the air

How will you be feeling?

Relieved or filled with fear?

Then the radio announces that the leader's gonna speak 

Adrenaline explodes as your attention speaks

He says, 'you may already notice the plans for your protection

Put in place to neutralize potential insurrection

But have no fear, the force is here, with teargas, bombs and guns

So no undesirables will compromise the flow of funds

Tell me where will you be standing?

What will you plan to do?…

WHEN YOU REALIZE THE ENEMY IS YOU!

Which side of the law are you?

Are you with the masses or are you the protected one?

Tell me which side of the law holds your place

Do they defend you or can they stick that gun in your face?

Tell me where does your allegiance lie

DOES THE STRUGGLE ENTERTAIN YOU OR DOES IT MAKE YOU CRY?

Is it clear where your conscience will reside

ONE DAY YOU MAY HAVE TO DECIDE!"

Jah9 is special and this is a special song which, along with everything else she's done just makes you think about how lucky we are that we're going to get to listen to someone like her for the next few decades! Clearly the label was as impressed by her skills as much as the rest of us and wanted to make Jah9 a part of the project and out of all the wise decision-making that went on in regards to this project, that had to be one of the most prudent.

Overall, this is the best riddim album that I've heard in a loooooooong time and, as I said, it becomes the immediate favourite for being the best type of any compilation this year. The Songbird Riddim has a very unique quality to it which really promotes strong efforts and so many times you'll hear a big riddim backing rubbish, but this is one which manages to bring out the best in just about everyone who touches it. Looking backwards, it stands in a fine way when compared to its predecessors in "Joyful Noise" and "Jah Golden Throne". This total idea, of the Zion I Kings making a riddim series is just a solid one and hopefully they run it a few times a year, in between artist albums, and people like You and I will benefit greatly from such refined work. The ZIK and I Grade Records continue their winning ways with the Songbird Riddim and based on what they've done in recent times - you knew they would. A giant bar of gold disguised as an album. 

Rated: 4.90/5

I Grade Records

2013

CD + Digital

Review #440