Okay so, I was meaning to mention one of these songs by itself and it took me so long to get around to it that another one has popped up. Biggup longtime favourite of ours, Prince Theo, who apparently has been hard at work (building up to something, Theo???) with a pair of big new singles that I thought you might be interested in hearing about, 'Punches' & 'Little Tip Of Love' (I know the title is awful but give me a minute).
The newly released 'Punches' comes courtesy of the same Reggae Vibes Productions with whom Theo has done quite a bit of work throughout the years (and were he to release a new album, I would at least expect them to be somewhat involved - if not completely responsible) (distributed through VPAL) and is a fairly straightforward tune about dealing with the struggles or "punches" that life throws at you on a daily basis. The riddim is very nice and upful and jovial and it's really just a nice vibes.
"I said life throws many punches
But I never give up easily
So I's telling you to believe in me!"
As for 'Little Tip Of Love', it is INHERENTLY of grand interest because it actually features Theo alongside none other than I Lue, who you're most likely to remember from the work he did alongside the similarly vibed Bushman (like 'Sen Dem Come'). I saw this track initially and, even on paper, I was so damn interested as both are large talents who you don't come across very often and here you have them together! The tune is produced by Greatest Friends Records (with Evidence Music) (and if Prince Theo were to do an album and RVP wasn't behind it, the next likeliest suspect would definitely be Greatest Friends) and is a cut of their flaming Ramp Up Riddim (which I just told you about in backing the Queen's latest, 'Spiritual War'. The tune has some Dancehall to it and also some FIRE as the pair deliver a piece well befitting such a large collection of abilities.
I'm always hoping for more work from Prince Theo and he's rewarding fans in 2026 and we're definitely looking forward to what else he has to show... just thought you'd like to know.
And, interestingly enough, today we're going to take a look at someone
who I believe may just be a 'candidate' to do a similar thing in 2022.
While you may or may not be an actual fan of his, if you follow modern
Roots Reggae music, chances are pretty good that you've come across 'The
Man From The East', St. Thomas, Jamaica native Natty King at some point
or another. Be it during his early days when he scored with what
remains his signature, 'No Guns To Town', and several other big tracks
such as 'Mr. Greedy', 'When The Money Done', 'Environmentalist' and
'Easy Officer' ["Gwan and leave di herbs. Because a food fi di nerves,
don't disturb. You're here to protect and serve"] or if you came along
sometime after, you should be at least a little familiar with
Natty King and his giant voice by now. His career has followed that
basic course as well. After arriving on the scene and demonstrating
himself someone to keep an eye on (which we did), the Reggae world
seemed to be in the process of figuring out where he would land. I can
remember way back when he first came to prominence and the talk around
him was largely in comparing his work to that of the legendary Luciano
(more on him later), who was a big influence on Natty King's career,
because of them both having this deep, baritone voice (all of these
years later and you can really tell the difference. They literally sound
NOTHING alike) (nothing at all outside of the tone) and singing music
from a most similar source. Natty King would go onto have a very nice
career, along the lines of someone like I Wayne who also rocketed to
prominence on the strength of a giant tune and a few others around the
same time, but he wasn't the 'next Luciano'.... we were (and are) too
busy still loving the old one.
But, as we've shown, sometimes these things can change. Back in 2005, Natty King would bring forth his hotly anticipated debut album release, so named after his big hit, "No Guns To Town" (one of the finest debut albums in Reggae history in my opinion) (and I own a physical copy of it which is good considering that its creator, Insight Records, have never bothered to bring it to the digital medium) (shame on them). The singer would follow up on that four years later with the Flava McGregor produced "Trodding" and the very next year (we're at 2010 if you're bad at math) would bring "Born To Be Free" (which is important for us today). Now [!], although he would go on to see a dozen years in between album releases, by no means was it a quiet and uneventful twelve years as, Natty King would attract attention for a few wrong reasons over the years, including an arrest a few years back for.... I'm not going to tell you why, you can Google that yourself. Just last year he would also attract a curious amount of notoriety for 'Joe', a tune well away from what we were used to hearing from the singer (though I was SHOCKED that he made it, I had no problem with 'Joe', but I'm a Sizzla fan) (look up an old tune called 'So What' by Prophet Benjamin) ["What if I jam she fast? What if I jam she slow? Some seh I man should not do that because I am a Bobo"] which generated both positive and negative buzz. And, on an entirely positive note, Natty King also made headlines in 2021 when buried the proverbial hatchet and let bygones be bygones with fellow singer Bushman (who we also used to say he sounded a lot like) (he does not, but it is a lot closer sound than Luciano), with whom he had a rather surprising two-decade long feud with (I think that the thought is that they will make a song together at some point.... why not an full album???) over some garbage. Musically speaking, though he has struggled in recent years to get that next hit tune (which may explain the creation of 'Joe'), Natty King's music, at least in my opinion, has remained solid. With very few exceptions, when he's actually made songs, they've been of the typically high quality that we've become accustomed to hearing from him through the years. 'Africa Mi Deh', 'Leave Dem To Time' and 'Change' really didn't make an impact of any size, in retrospect, but were far more than decent efforts. On the album side (which is why we have all gathered here today), though we had to wait a staggeringly long time for his fourth, Natty King did deliver a few EP's between full projects with the finest probably being "Man From The East" of 2015... but where was the album? The answer to that question turned out to be in the same place that the last one was from. The previously mentioned "Born To Be Free" found Natty King teaming up with Austrian imprint, House Of Riddim, and CLEARLY it worked out so well that the first big Reggae album release of 2022, finds the link re-explored and out comes the looooooooong awaited fourth album ("Born To Be Free" released a few months before my twenty-ninth birthday, I turned forty not too long ago) of the artist's, "Rebellution". A most interesting difference between the two is that also on board with the new set is a Wellowell Production label, which IS Natty King's very own creation, so you can definitely get the feeling that he is going 'all-in' for this opportunity. Given the amount of time his name has spent in circulation recently both related and unrelated to music, I am of the opinion that should he followup on it all (with probably a lot of new eyes and ears on his work now) with a downright MONSTROUS release, perhaps in a few years' time, we may be looking back on "Rebellution" as a point when Natty King's name began to carry a lot more weight in Reggae music.
As I've often said in the past, I look forward to situations like
this --an artist releasing an album for the first time in quite awhile--
because one of the wonderful 'side effects' of the situation is that it
almost forces me to go back and have a listen to their previous work.
On this particular occasion, I'm going through "Born To Be Free" and
remembering tunes such as 'Slu U In the Open' (which has a shout for
possibly being my single favourite Natty King tune ever, although its
strongest version did not appear on that album) (you'll look up the
iLove Riddim from Rootdown Records if you want to hear it at its best)
(biggup Teka) and 'Fyah Bed', and I've recently fallen in love with
'Buzz Rock Warrior'. "Born To Be Free" didn't get a lot of spin in its
day, but it has aged quite well and more than worth your time in 2022.
Hopefully a similar fate doesn't befell "Rebellution" because it is all
sorts of excellent, a big and beautiful example of which can be found on
its very first selection, the triumphant 'Jah Is My Guide' (biggup
Tiwony, one of the best songs he's ever done (and it features ProfA)
shares that title). Natty King comes out of the gate scalding with this
big tune which tells us all to seek a most secure type of comfort under
the direction of His Majesty. The sound of this one makes it so that I
wouldn't at all be surprised to see it featured as a single from
"Rebellution" some day and, given just how nice it does come through, if
given the opportunity, I would expect it to do quite well and even if
it doesn't You and I will love it for what it is. On the very nice song,
Natty King outlines what may be happen if you do not accept His
guidance on 'Early Morning'. It really went in a much different
direction than I was expecting (I was thinking it might be a praising
tune), as what we get is this look at these morally vacant individuals
who we need to be aware of ["Dem yute nah tek no talk, be careful of di
places weh yuh walk. A some nuh know God. Dem no read bible, dem will
shoot you down wid dem rifle"]. The song is another stellar effort with a
nice and BIG sound to it which go over well with the masses. That
praising piece I was looking forward to hearing on the album's second
track makes it on the third in the form of the quite familiar 'Hail
Rasta Fari', Natty King's version of House Of Riddim's bouncy Catch Me
Riddim from 2020.
"Conquering Lion of The Tribe of Judah- Hail Selassie is the Head Creator He's my saviour He's the maker So I, babylon can't devour I man ah praise HIM every minute, every hour Haile Selassie I, you full mi up a power! Right now pure blessings ah shower King Negus nah mek mi suffer!"
The charm of this one is in its simplicity. Natty King won't tell you a
thing you have not heard before and he won't even say it in a way which
is unique really, but 'Hail Rasta Fari' will speak to your mind and and
your senses as a simply BEAUTIFUL piece to listen to. Speaking of being
nice to the ears - Back in 2018 French label May.B Unity released a very
SMART project by the name of the Unity Riddim. As its title would hint,
every single song on the riddim was a combination and we got some
TERRIFIC pairings such as... well, I'm thinking now I might want to
review that, so I'm going to save that for later, but trust me there
was some amazing links that the project made. One of them, in fact, was
'Why Sacrifice', which many people (including You and me) had been
looking forward to for years as it linked Natty King with his idol, the
aforementioned Luciano. On paper such a union is downright mighty and it
played out in an expected manner as this tune SOARED!
Easily a highlight in terms of its sound (the vocal performance is
amazing) and the attention it is sure to garner sitting on
"Rebellution", 'Why Sacrifice' speaks on the poor choices people make in
life and what they're unfortunately willing to give up for short-term
and, ultimately, meaningless gains. Luciano's is the first and biggest
of five artists who join Natty King between four different selections on
this album and some of the others also had me DAMN interested. I
figured that burning native of The Gambia, Rebellion The Recaller, for
example would turn in a big effort (because he always does) and he does
not disappoint on his contribution, 'Free Ghetto Youths'. RTR's presence
on this project probably shouldn't come as a great surprise because he
has done quite a bit of work with House Of Riddim through the years and
is clearly a favourite of theirs, so, presumably, a combination with
Natty King would be an easy one to make happen and 'Free Ghetto Youths'
is a BIG social commentary saying that we all need to be better at bring
forth the next generation. It does get fairly broad at times, which
isn't bad an actually gives it a more organic and less stereotypical
feel with a vibe which tells you that the two had a great deal of fun
making the song. And then there's the MASSIVE 'Prayer a Day', which had
me all kinds of excited as joining here was another big artist who's
spent a few nights, here and there, at the House Of Riddim, TURBULENCE.
WHAT! A Turbulence & Natty King tune??! DAMN! Turbulence appeared on
a recent riddim of HoR's (more on that in a bit) and the label also did
work on his own most recent album release, "Remedy" (and he's also
performed with the HoR band, apparently), and as I have said in the past
(and will say many times in the future), when you catch Turbulence in a
good form, you have the potential for something special. 'Prayer a Day'
is "something special".
"Bun up, bun up, dem corrupt, corrupt Pure almshouse, dem come and stir up Dem nah no heart, dem no waan fi live up PURE DUTTY HABIT DEM WAAN FI PICK UP Dem no clean, dem dirty And when you run dem file, dem no worthy Di vampires blood thirsty Mi bun dem out cause dis a no nursery Tell Lucifer, seh wi nah no soul ah sell A Turbulence: The Future dis, alongside Well O Well DEM CAAN DRAIN MI ENERGY, NAH TRICK MI NEURO CELL MI STRONGER THAN DEM DURACEL!
Instead of take up a gun, I rather take up a bible and go pray I remember what Jah say about a prayer a day Even though temptation often come my way I man nah give in, nah mek dem lead I astray"
BOOM! DAMN AGAIN! You talk about (I talked about it) being attractive
"on paper", this one grabbed me immediately because it had never even
entered my mind as being probable somewhere along the way but someone
had a clear moment of genius in deciding to bring these two together and
whoever you are out there: I THANK YOU! NOW! With that being said - we
have Turbulence and Luciano and RTR, THE combination and song, in
general, that I was most looking forward to hearing on "Rebellution" was
definitely 'Africa Calling'. This one features veteran Dancehall DJ,
Mr. Peppa (who last year had a big tune on Wellowell, 'Nah Worry'
["Success and progress a dat dem no like. Vex when a next youth ah sort
out him life. Fly out and fly in and do as wi like. Buy couple house,
couple car, couple bike"] and someone who we've been talking about for
the entire life of this blog, basically, THEO NYEEMIYA! The also St.
Thomas native and former Prince Theo dropped a HUGE debut (and,
unfortunately still only) album way back in 2004, "Set The Captives
Free" (a personal classic for me), which we reviewed back in 2009 and I
said the following about:
"I’d also like to see him do a combination with Natty King who would be his neighbour in ’the East’"
It only took thirteen years (technically eighteen), but here it is and,
unsurprisingly, I absolutely love it! If you are unfamiliar with Prince
Theo's work, he is another artist along the same lines as Natty King,
Bushman and Luciano - a wonderfully RICH deep voiced Roots singer (and
he does actually sound a bit like Natty King in my opinion) (comparing
the two, Natty King kind of has a slight 'spice' or a 'rasp' to his
voice and Theo a kind of an 'echo' to him) (I'm terrible at explaining
that, I know, but I did my best) and, given their origins, I suspect the
two may've either long been friends or, at worst have been full-time
admirers of one another. And while I suppose I shouldn't be SHOCKED
that they linked up for a song, if I ever did see it coming, I surely
did not envision it with the 'Gangsta Guerilla', Mr. Peppa on board ["Mi
haffi teach dem mi roots. Draw fi mi sword and mi gideon boots. Teach
dem fi win, too long wi ah lose, cah di demons out and di beasts dem
lose"] . All three shine throughout as they take a look at the African
diaspora in its past, present and future and, yes, I am likely as
partial as anyone can be, but 'Africa Calling' is my favourite song on
the whole of "Rebellution" (and check the horns on that tune,
particularly during the latter portions (right around 3:10), they are
amazing! Courtesy of Everton Gayle).
I called 'Africa Calling' my favourite song on the album, but if one
song (more like two or three of them, probably. I think 'Prayer a Day'
is also in that conversation for me) gave me a reason to pause that
opinion, it would be our title track.
"Mi seh I'm talking to the heads of government Hey can't you see that the people need strength? I see di things weh dem ah gwan wid from wah day, Rasta know seh that no mek no sense Hey, di whole a dem sit up inna di House of Parliament And dem making a retirement Some go in, some go out and I know dat no mek no difference
Hey, it's gonna be a revolution Cause dem no si seh poor people ah bawl Yes, a revolution Because a dem, alone, want it all Yes, a revolution! Cause dem fi si seh poor people ah bawl Yes, a revolution A dem, alone, want it all"
Amongst the finest written and presented pieces on the album,
'Rebellution' kind of reminds me of, 'Hail Rasta Fari'. Though they
sound nothing at all alike, they both succeed largely due to a straight
forward simplicity which, in their own respective ways, is very
appealing. The title track is a call for a change all over the world
amongst the powers that be (before the people get together and change
YOU) and, again, is very finely written so be sure to pay attention to
what is being said on this one in particular. Not lagging far behind is
the thunderous praising song, 'Powers'. I hear this tune and I feel passion . I feel Natty King pouring his heart into the space and,
when he does, we're treated to a fittingly 'powerful' demonstration of
his gifts (like that voice). Across HoR's recent Serious Time Riddim
(big riddim, also featured Turbulence (as I alluded to), Rebellion The
Recaller, Perfect, Chuck Fenda, a really big tune from Anthony B and
others), Natty King opines on the current state of the world on a song
which has already generated a little buzz, 'Plandemic'.
"No sah, this a plandemic You no si ah plan, dem plan it Now di people dem ah bawl, Lockdown, dem caan stand it Who build it fi kill it Mi know dem intention- Dem ah try to reduce di population Dem ahgo vex when mi talk But Wellowell ah talk up, mi nuh feel good ah mask up"
I don't want to dwell on the topic much, because it is EXHAUSTING at
this point, but 'Plandemic' is a good song and I'm actually happy to
have seen so many different opinions on the subject in Reggae music. It
hasn't been (at least not for the most part) what I would have expected
to have heard, we've seen people with varying ideas and points of view,
which is always healthy. And finally check both the lively 'Hungry Days'
and the even livelier 'Smiling Face', which're two of the biggest
pieces on "Rebellution" in my opinion. 'Hungry Days' is
semi-autobiographical as we hear Natty King basically celebrating and
giving thanks that he doesn't have to struggle in the ways he did as a
youth and aspiring artist ["Hey di ting change yah know. Wellowell
banner it ah wave yah know. Natty King di whole world a say yah know.
'No Guns To Towns' yah know. paved di way yah know. Life sweeter know.
Start tour yah know. Material things mi ah hold yah know. Spend mi owna
cash and mi nah owe yah know. Give thanks to Jah cause mi ah glow yah
know. So hear mi now!"]. 'Smiling Face' is the artist saying that you
need to be careful who you call friend and mind what they're doing
behind your back (and sometimes right in front of you) because things,
and people's true intentions are not always so crystal clear. I'm not
expecting either 'Hungry Days' or 'Smiling Face' to receive a great deal
of spin, but you listen to either and they're top notch and more than
earn their place within this "Rebellution".
Overall (despite being nineteen songs long, this was pretty easy to write, only took a couple of days), a very strong case could be made that "Rebellution" is Natty King's strongest release to date, with the only question being, of course, "No Guns To Town" (which I still favour, but it has the advantage of time on its side. Ask me again in a decade what I think). This is an EXCELLENT release and at what may just be such a critical time for his his career, Natty King turns every stone and does precisely what you would have hoped he would do. It also sounds really, really good and you can clearly see that several individuals cared for it, nurtured it and had enough respect for the project to pay attention to the smallest of details to make it a winner and WIN it does. I should also mention just how fine Natty King's voice is throughout. Jah Cure has the best voice in Reggae music (he has the best voice in any music), but were I to come up with a list of the next bests (isn't a bad idea, actually), Natty King would have a strong case for being number two, at least for males, and maybe anyone. I don't know if we'll see the music of this one take him back to where he came from and, ultimately, to an even higher level of prominence but we cannot ask for more as, with "Rebellution", Natty King and House Of Riddim deliver the first great Reggae album of 2022.
Rated: 4.65/5
WelloWell Production + House Of Riddim Productions
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
{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.
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.
Over the years I have accumulated through my own means, what I have bought and what so many others have given me, a VERY nice collection of Reggae music albums and singles alike. I have so much material that I almost routinely run into things in my own possession which I not only have never heard before, brand new CD’s and LP’s in their original sealing plastics and details, but things which I have not even HEARD OF before. Likewise, were I to take such pieces even to radio stations throughout the Caribbean and Jamaica directly, there’s a pretty good chance that music directors of those stations haven’t heard of these artists either. Of my more recent finds (in my own collection, mind you), perhaps the most impressive remains the SPARKLING Mykal Somer from out of St. Kitts. His album, Element of Surprise, I found in its original seal and dug into to what turned out to be one of the most Reggae debuts that I’ve heard in the past half-decade or so and we’re definitely looking forward to hearing more from the singer in the future. There’s also someone like Guyanese chanter Ras Mac Bean whose debut album, Pack Up & Leave STILL manages to find its way into my players every so often. RMB actually has since managed to maintain a nice name for himself as he has found a home with Frenchie label Irie Ites (who also put out the album), releasing singles for virtually all of their very nice riddims and hopefully we can finally see a full length sophomore album from Bean at some point this year (more on him in a bit). There’s also one name Heart Ah Joy from UNUSUALLY TALENTED Sabbattical Ahdah from out of St. Croix who I have heard bits and pieces from through the years (including a combination with Anthony B), but never matching the BRILLIANCE shown on the album. Sometimes, these things work out even better and I’ll get something from someone seemingly on the highway to success. Such was the case when I got two albums from one of Ras Mac Bean’s countrymen, Natural Black, named Spiritual Food and World War. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then you know about Natural Black’s successes since, as he has made himself into a CONSISTENT force in Roots Reggae music over the past few years (and recently, they released Spiritual Food digitally, World War is still quite hard to find, however). Other pieces still, such as the very hard still hard to find debut albums from Nadine Sutherland and Chevelle Franklyn (Nadine and Joy, respectively) as well as very hard to find albums from the likes of Norris Man (including Unity, a combination with Determine), Queen Omega (one of my greatest finds) and, of course Sizzla Kalonji. Simply put: I have some gems!
Mind you, if you impress me ONCE, I’m VERY HARD to let down. I say that to mention roughly a span of a month or so back in what was probably either 2004 or 2005 where I received three VERY good albums from three VERY unknown singers to me at the time while living in the states. One of the three was the aforementioned Pack Up & Leave from Ras Mac Bean from out of Guyana, for Irie Ites which, as I mentioned is still up and going and is very strong these days. The second was from another artist who would definitely fit into this category, the very talented singer Mark Wonder, named Break The Ice for UK based label (I THINK) Redbridge) . Since then, Wonder has remained prominent and become even more so with the release of another album, Victory: The Mystery Unfolds and recent word of yet another album coming in 2009, produced by the very reputed production crew Al.Ta.Fa.An, definitely looking forward to that. The third in the bunch was apparently a very good friend of Wonder’s, Prince Theo, who was a COMPLETE unknown to me. Prince Theo put out his own debut album (and only to date so far), the very impressive Set The Captives Free on Trinity Records throughout Europe via one Jahmaik, also the lead producer on the album (alongside Prince Theo himself). What attracted to me to Prince Theo was that he came well into the same style of singing as several of my favourites, Bushman, Natty King and, of course, Luciano, as being a baritone voiced Roots singer. That, in contrast to Mark Wonder CRYSTAL CLEAR high vocals, and Ras Mac Bean’s varied singing (although VERY IMPRESSIVE at times, in his case) and chanting style, just stood out and, of course, in my opinion it was a bit of a proven formula as far as getting my attentions. Prince Theo’s sticking points didn’t stop there exactly as he also had a connection (which is probably why ANYONE might know his name if they didn’t pick up on this album and hadn’t heard of him since) with Reggae super group Morgan Heritage and he had appeared on the group’s Family & Friends compilations, both volumes one and two (I think there may have been a part three as well) with tunes which appear on Set The Captives Free. This album would have been one of the final ones which I actually PURCHASED completely without hearing a word of (this was back in the day online when they just didn’t have sound clips and you’d still be fairly hard pressed to find audio clips of this album somewhere online) and I was WONDERFULLY surprised with the results. Although Set The Captives Free was his first official debut studio album, the St. Thomas native Prince Theo did have a previous release with the aforementioned Mark Wonder (which I’m still looking for) which was a live set in Switzerland, where both are apparently VERY popular (and Jahmaik is Swiss also apparently), starred by Wonder, where Wonder was apparently the star but was opening the door for Theo who is apparently now a star in the northern European country as well (like Cali P now as well, big artist). Set The Captive Free remained on my players for approximately a year or so and, just like I do still do today, I told just about any and every one who would listen about the singer. The album has since become one of my absolute favourite pieces to draw for occasionally, making it truly a diamond in the rough of modern Reggae music albums.
The first thing you’re certain to notice about Prince Theo is his excellent voice. Again, much in the same style as Luciano or Bushman or Natty King or Prince Malachi, Prince Theo has a very full and rich baritone voice. To my opinion I would say that, of those singers, the one which Theo most closely resembles vocally is probably Luciano (his tone tends to change more than the others). Vocally getting things started out on his debut and to date only studio album is Prince Theo with the very SOLID and SMOOTH Jah Never Leave Us. This song has one SWEET SWEET vibes behind it which really go to make the overall tune sound stronger. When Theo does reach the riddim, he introduces himself as a very strong singer and songwriter who, with this tune, delivers a very inspirational and uplifting sound for the masses. The tune is a sleeper on the album and may be one of the best here altogether. The word ‘may’ isn’t necessary for the next tune up, the title track, which proves to DEFINITELY be amongst the class of the album named after it. This tune is just so well done and was the one I would most often point to in championing the ‘cause’ that was Prince Theo. The tune peaks near the beginning of it when the Prince just starts naming off certain pivotal figures in the history of the Afrikan Diaspora, in and out of Jamaica and the Caribbean by extension. Such a powerful tune is Set The Captives Free that, even just sitting here today, I wonder what it might be able to do RIGHT NOW, given the proper promotion behind it. Of course, I’ll never know the answer to that, but what I do know is that is a big tune here. Finishing things off for the beginning of Prince Theo’s debut album is another CLEAN (just the prevailing feel to the vibe on this one CLEAN and REFRESHING, despite the familiar style) sounding tune, the newly freshened tune, The Music. This one comes in sounding downright SPECTACULAR at the beginning and it turns into a tune sounding like something directly out of Luciano’s catalogue, spiritual and highly meditative. The tune is basically an ode to the music and the vibe and it’s force is one which would surely make ‘the music’ quite proud. You have to see why I like this after this outstanding opening.
The two tunes on the album that Morgan Heritage are definitely amongst the CLASS of Set The Captives Free. The first. Giving You All, rolls through on the Buss Barriers riddim (Mass Media from Capleton also on the riddim) and is another tune sounding like Luciano is behind the mic. It is one of the (not THE) best lover’s style tunes on the album and definitely check that one. It is topped, however, by what is, in my opinion, the album’s finest tune altogether, Can’t Forget The Times which comes on the Morgans’ HUGE Liberation riddim (Capleton’s MAMMOTH Jah Jah City on the riddim). This tune is a repatriation and general suffering anthem, at its core, which finds the typically SOAPY Prince Theo getting a bit GRIMY with the nature of the tune. It definitely carries a bit of a different vibes than most of the other tunes and, truth be told, maybe it’s the riddim that just does it for me, but I LOVE this tune, always have, always will. WONDERFUL vibes! The only other tune here not produced by Jahmaik or the Morgans is the WICKED Show Some Love, credited to one Lincoln Thompson (who I’m guessing is the same as the late Prince Lincoln Thompson of the Royal Rasses, even though he would have passed before it‘s voicing) and features two unnamed guests (they are credited by name, N. Clarke and C. Stephenson but not as artists). The tune is just ROCKING over a nice up-tempo riddim with an addictive and consistent nyah drum hidden in the back. I don’t know who the friends are, again, but the first of them is very impressive with a very strong (but short) verse before the next guest (who maybe a female) takes their shot as well. Show Some Love is a big unifying vibes, not to be missed here. Another special guest, who also goes unnamed chimes in later on the tune Children Beware, but this one, Mark Wonder himself, is far more familiar to my ears. Children Beware is another very powerful tune as the duo reminds the ‘children’ (meaning EVERYONE) to be conscious of their surroundings and to be observant and obedient of The Almighty. Another highlight I would point to going back would be a song like Love Has Got Me which is easily the best of the lover’s tunes on Set The Captives Free, which, at the risk of sounding too repetitive, sounds EXACTLY like something Luciano would sing and is actually singing on the tune here. It’s just a sweet tune definitely the ladies will appreciate. Jah Rules is another SMOOTH Roots anthem definitely worth checking as well. Getting into the second half again, Chant A Bingi Song HAS TO be regarded as one of the best on the album as well. This tune comes in with a high stepping type of vibes built around that ironclad one-drop which doesn’t waiver even for a second. The tune is a praising vibes for His Majesty and I’d stand behind it. Big song! Born To Be A Lion is kind of one which is polarizing because what I’ve found in playing it for people is either they absolutely love it or it’s the worst tune on the album for them! Incidentally its also polarizing for me, sometimes I find it kind of corny and at others I’m loving the vibes. Right now? Loving it! Give Love A Chance is another one vibed like Show Some Love (in terms of message, he actually says “show some love” in the hook”). Although it doesn’t reach those heights on that wicked song, its not that far behind and as far as a BASIC Roots track, its about as strong as it gets of a straight forward nature on Set The Captives Free. And ending things on the album, Prince Theo gives us the long awaited changeup with African Dreams. This one is definitely something different! I’m assuming it’s the same poet from Show Some Love (although neither N. Clarke nor C. Stephenson are credited in the liners for the tune) and, as a whole, I’d rate African Dreams a stronger tune between the two. The tune is vibed like an Indian/West African stringy arrangement over which the Prince and the mystery poet deliver a DIVINE piece of history and knowledge of AFRIKA! Seriously, if you happen to be a person of Afrikan descent (and I am) the piece will pull such a heavy vibes with you I’m sure. Excellent way to end things with what is undoubtedly one of the album’s finest offerings in full (and I LOVE when that heavy drum picks up at around 2:20 into the tune).
Overall, do yourself a favour, be you a fan of modern and maybe even old school era Roots Reggae music and track down Set The Captives Free by Prince Theo. I always keep an eye out to see what he has doing and he has kept quite busy, particularly in Switzerland, although no new album has jumped out and I haven’t heard anything about one forthcoming, although he would seem to have enough material to support it. I would love to see Prince Theo involved in the future project with Mark Wonder and if/when he does put out something else, I’d also like to see him do a combination with Natty King who would be his neighbour in ’the East’ (as they both say) and perhaps even Swiss based recent Gwada standout, Cali P in the future. The possibilities with someone who is so CLEARLY talented as Prince Theo are literally endless. However, just as I said, most of the even hardcore Reggae heads, even here in the Caribbean have virtually no idea who he is. Do you? If you don’t Set The Captives Free is an excellent place to start. One of the most ‘worth it’ hard to finds you’ll ever hear. Very impressive!
