Anthony B Has a Revalation!

We go months (and sometimes full YEARS) without hearing much from the extremely talented Revalation [Da Royal] from out of St. Thomas and here he is, just popping up with a big new tune, 'Militant' for Sipo Records, alongside none other than the great Anthony B. Who knows WHY or HOW such a tune came to be.... and who cares! Enjoy one of the biggest songs that I've heard over the second half of 2025 and, hopefully, it's a sign of what's coming from Revalation in the new year. FLAME ON!

Come Again!

Near the end of each and every year we do a list which demonstrates the low standards of people in general, because it is both horrible and very popular, by the name of 'Most Wanted'. That is a list which generally describes who we hope to hear from on an album in the coming twelve months (and just in case you're interested, of the ten mentioned on the list for 2013, only one, Kalash, has made an appearance and at least to my knowledge, none of the other nine have anything completely planned). People who could musically make the year a better one for me and today we kind of expand on that idea. Along with the Kabaka Pyramids and Damian Marleys of the world who're more obvious selections, there is another group who for one reason or another, I'd really LOVE to hear from some time in the not too distant future. To them we say COME AGAIN. Here are ten not so apparent names who could really make a giant impact with their next release.  

Queen Omega

With the single best two albums that I've heard this year coming from Jah9 and Etana, respectively, and solid pieces coming from both Jah Defender and Khari Kill, in terms of albums, 2013 has already been a very good one for both women in Reggae music as well as Reggae from out of Trinidad. HOWEVER, as the years go by we move further and further away from the last time the most talented of either going today in my opinion, the amazing Queen Omega, has been able to do an album of her own and that is ridiculous and I mean that in a very, VERY bad way. Furthermore, it's been even longer than the half-decade from her actual last release that we've really seen her celebrated on a grand scale. That hasn't happened from 2005's "Destiny", which was sublime. Those details shouldn't really belong to anyone with talent and certainly not one as supremely gifted as Queen Omega who continues to record and tour quite often, but this is someone who shouldn't such a long patch of being absent from album shelves in her career unless she's retired but…

"Mi have to bun di fyah and mi nah go retire

Full time now di wicked expire!" 

Maikal X

Maikal X's name is an interesting addition to a list like this because he has constantly been making new music to my knowledge and may or may not actually be working on an eventual album release at some point. However, he's been doing all of that as part of his once former (now current again) group, The Postmen. I haven’t followed them very much, but that's fine, he's a musician and musicians make music. However, Reggae fans do await the talented vocalists return to his more Reggae-centric solo career and if/when he does return, it'll be a fascinating comeback. Over the last year or two the label which brought his debut set, "Genesis" has actually lost its biggest name, Ziggi Recado and one would wonder if the imprint, which has an excellent history of making big music, would continue to do the work with Maikal X as well. Of course only time will tell that, but if X could fine the TIME to re-pursue his solo career in the next year or two, that would be nice and even nicer if he could do it with the label that brought out the 'best in' him. 

Yami Bolo

I recently came to the very unfortunate theory (and I hate that word - I HATE it) that it was very likely that the album whose praises I had been singing for so long now, "Rebelution", just may be the last studio release that the WICKED veteran vocalist, Yami Bolo, had ever done. That is an album which dates back to 2003, at least, and we're now in a place where he has not had a new one in over a decade or so (an interesting thing about that album also - it may've been the very first on its label, Zion High Productions). This is terrible and is particularly so as a fan of Bolo's who came to be so relatively recently, as I've gotten older, a new album from him, or even a new ACTIVE recording schedule would be more than welcomed. The Zion I Kings are currently turning their attention to another veteran in Lloyd Brown, reportedly, and if they could find the time to do so again with Bolo, the results would be a guaranteed huge project. 

Fay-Ann Lyons

Soca star Fay-Ann Lyons is the first of a couple of names on this list who have yet to ever release an album. In Soca music that isn't… well yes it is. Even for a genre such as Soca which doesn't receive very much in the way of promotion consistently, for someone to have reached Lyons' level and not had at least one is very, very strange. The three time Trinidad Road March champion, and perennial contender (she actually won her very first a decade ago, which is remarkable to think of) has very little in the way of peers, but if you do examine what little she does have, the absolute top of the genre - and even just women: The likes of Alison Hinds, Destra Garcia and others have all done multiple albums (as has her husband) and the large possibility exists that she may never do one. If she doesn't, that's fine, it doesn't diminish her at all. But in 2013, not to have an album from a bonafide superstar in any genre of music, well within the digital age, is... unique to be mild. And to have a full and current project from the human child of Energy and Brilliance would be spectacular… oh and okay, maybe I just want it because you KNOW the pictures inside would be divine (biggup a completely nude Destra in the liners for her own debut album, "Red, White & Black"). 

Reemah

Reemah stands out mightily on this list because it is 2013 and… she just had a big album, which she is still promoting to my knowledge, about a year ago, "Check Your Words". She has a place here, however, because of just how big that album was and, potentially, what may happen to her if she doesn't return rather quickly. If you look at some of her peers, women from out of the Virgin Islands, as I've said in the past, even at the head of their class is a distinct level of inactivity. If it could happen to someone like Dezarie, then Reemah potentially could have the same fate, where her fans can go a year or two without even hearing a single new song. She's not only too talented for that, in my opinion, but she's also far too marketable to a more 'mainstream' brand of fan to just kind of do an album once every four of five years. 

Bushman

Technically the last time we got an album from Bushman was just a couple of years ago in "Bushman Sings The Bush Doctor”, which was a collection of the singer doing songs from the immortal Peter Tosh. His last regular studio album was "Get It In Your Mind" from 2008. That self-produced record was nowhere near being his best work, so his last GREAT studio album was actually "Signs" from nine years ago now. Again, that is too long. It was last year [I THINK] when the news reached that the Bushman was once again preparing to do an entirely new set and it even had a name which sounded great, "Conquering Lion", and a very colourful single called 'Somewhere'. I have a nice feeling about how all of this is playing out, but I'd feel even better about it if it did wrap up and ship out some time during the next four months remaining in 2013. 

Arkaingelle

Stirring Guyanese chanter, Arkaingelle, definitely made a big impression on me back in 2008 when he dropped his first and only album to date, "O'Pen". All of these years later, I probably underrate that album to a degree, because every time I think about it, what comes immediately to mind is the MAMMOTH track #6, 'Manifess Joy', which was rather easily one of the best songs I have ever heard in my entire life. From that time, while the Arkaingelle hasn't been overly active, he has managed to remain current, particularly with producer Blaak Lung, but also with a few others, including the aforementioned Zion I Kings and Zion High Productions. I should also say that someone told us earlier this year that a new album was in the works and should it arrive next year, it'll quietly carve out a place as one of the most anticipated for me as he'll hopefully be able to manifest previous heights once again. 

Revalation

I was wrong about Revalation. I was just wrong. To my opinion, the skills that he showed himself to possess throughout his excellent debut album, "Serious Matters" from back in 2008, combined with the fact that the St. Thomas native had already gotten the attention of one of the finest producers in the genre, Dean Pond, would see him become the proverbial 'next big thing' from out of the Virgin Islands (and I hope that it is not years from now and I'm saying the same thing about Reemah). This didn't happen at all and five years later, we're wondering if he'll ever even get around to doing another album (or if they'll do a digital release for the one he actually did do), and not whether or not he'll someday follow the route of Pressure Busspipe (whom he vocally resembles to a degree) (and who also had a debut album produced by Pond) (and who also appeared on "Serious Matters") to superstardom. The latter seems HIGHLY unlikely and nearly full impossible at this point, but damn if he could take care of the former sometime soon, his would be a more than welcomed return to album shelves. 

Skinny Fabulous

Though we're coming off what was, arguably, the single finest year of his career, I don't know that we've moved any closer to the release date of that once highly rumoured (maybe three years ago now) debut album from St. Vincy Soca supernova, Skinny Fabulous. 2013 would see 'Da General' take up his second consecutive and fifth in six years Soca Monarch crown as well as his very first (and probably not last) Road March. What would likely be a sort of compilation of greatest hits of an album would be a very nice ribbon on such an outstanding year, but you could have said the same thing last year and you'll probably be able to say the same thing next year as well. Skinny has a nearly unrivaled ability to consistently bring ultra-intense Soca music with an edge and, as a long time contributor to my workout playlists, I've probably lost quite a few pounds directly as a result to the euphoria his music can cause. Hopefully one of these years they'll get it right and push out an album with years and years worth of big tunes such as 'Da General', 'Head Bad', 'Monster', my personal favourite 'Scary' and many, many others. 

Nereus Joseph

And finally is someone who didn't really enter my mind until rather late in building this list (and I'm not going  to tell you who I took off of it to make room for him), the sensational sweet singing Nereus Joseph. The Lucian born vocalist has made a career which can be best described as literally being saturated in CLASS and he has enthused quite a bit of it in nearly everything and everyone who he has touched. Most recently the esteemed vocalist set the "Real Rebels Can't Die" album from four years ago now, a classic here, but he's also been doing well in production, including working on "Stronger" the most recent album from King Lorenzo late last year. Joseph has also worked diligently as a singer still (he actually sang on a song on "Stronger" also) and just a few short weeks ago released his latest single, the big big 'Tings In Life'. Hopefully 2014 sees more of this and he FINALLY returns with yet another big project of his own… and I actually think he will. 

Modern Classics Vol. XXXI: "Virtuous Woman" by Warrior King

"Virtuous Woman" by Warrior King [VP Records - 2002]

'Roots Reggae Music' doesn't always fit into some 'neatly' category. Sometimes, however, it does and it does so to a degree which is just SO powerful that you have a very difficult time ignoring it. Here's an example! Back in 2002 there were two projects which dominated the attentions of Reggae fans and the Reggae listening world, both of which we have already covered in this series - Sizzla's "Da Real Thing" and "Still Blazin" from Capleton. Also in that same pack, for more of the hardcore fans (and from the same label) which would, seemingly, bring to full display one of the genre's future champions, Warrior King. At the time, one of the most talked about and lauded up and comers, Warrior King displayed a talent which captivated much of the Reggae community because of its very BRIGHT sound. He made a brand of Reggae which was, besides being packed with upful and far reaching messages, absolutely sonically captivating! He didn't push the boundaries of the music; he did push its levels and pushed himself right into spotlight of the genre along with the help of one of the most underrated producers in the music, Calibud. Eventually the album would arrived so named after his most powerful moment to date - "Virtuous Woman".

The Music

1. 'Power To Chant'

To open things up on "Virtuous Woman", Warrior King and company chose not only one of the finest tunes that the album would produce, but also unarguably the most fitting tune to get things started. Instead of IMMEDIATELY swatting the listener over the head with the main attraction/title track, WK chooses to announce his presence via the divine (literally) 'Power To Chant'. This HUGE song is as much of a 'mission statement' as it is a song giving thanks as he declares "mi come fi give the people what they need and not what they want" on behalf of His Majesty.

Best Lyric: "Jah works are spiritual food. Sweet for the soul, it gives a positive mood. Uplifting the people with the right attitude. Oh Jah give I the powers to lead the multitude"

2. 'Never Go Where Pagans Go'

In Reggae we (meaning everyone) (EVERYONE) use the "righteous" entirely too much and thus, it has very much become a tired Reggae-cliché of sorts. But I'm going to use it here again anyway. 'Never Go Where Pagans Go' is a RIGHTEOUS song between two other righteous songs on a big righteous album. Throw in that COOL Tune In track and here you have, again, one of the biggest moments to be found on this album and almost any other.

Best Lyric: "Hail The King of Kings, for he giveth all the powers. Born in Ethiopia, look, it's written in the scriptures. Who are the righteous? Hey, the are the truth seekers. Woe be onto you false leaders"

3. 'Jah Is Always There'

It's easier to go through troubling times when you know that someone is behind you helping to keep you secure and that is, essentially, the message to be found on 'Jah Is Always There'. What I really like about this one, all these years on, is just how strong the song is lyrically. Simultaneously Warrior King gives the vibe to continue persevering and trying in life, but he's also sure to make sure everyone knows that within the cover of His Majesty, security is ALWAYS present.

Best Lyric: "Wicked heart ah fight mi down. Try fi push I around. I KNOW, Jah is always there. Would rejoice if I drown or get crush by the pound. I KNOW, Jah is always there.

4. 'Africa Shall Be Free'

Warrior King does a bit of channeling of the legendary Hugh Mundell on 'Africa Shall Be Free' and after listening to this song, you're just as inspired as you were after going through Mundell's timeless track of a similar name. This tune just had a ROYAL (another overused word, I'll stop now) (no I won't) vibes to it and despite the kind of superficial take on the second verse, which I have heard before, for me this one was looking at a worldwide unification, but one ultimately observing that HOME is really HOME.

Best Lyric: "Put away the guns and those evil device. Waan hurt your sister? Why take your brother's life? Have some tolerance, you should learn to socialize, for I'm a warrior of truths and rights"

5. 'Breath of Fresh Air'

A 'Breath of Fresh Air' in almost any sense is a pretty good thing and hear, not only did the song wrap itself around the title in terms of the message; the VIBES of the tune also did the same thing. Take this one out for a casual spin and it's just an upful song. It makes you smile. It makes you feel good. Everything you would expect from someone as talented as Warrior King observing the greatest music in the world.

Best Lyric: "A BREATH OF FRESH AIR! A BREATH OF FRESH AIR! ANYWHERE THAT'S LIFE YOU KNOW MY MUSIC WILL BE THERE!" [BOOM!]

6. 'Boast Not Myself'

The somewhat dark 'Boast Not Myself' was the first changeup on the album and one which has definitely gotten more of respect through the years. On the song WK has almost a straight deejaying delivery at times and it works for him. Of course, he never waivers on the message (can you imagine one day hearing Warrior King doing a dirty, violent song???) (biggup Norris Man) while giving the listener a slightly different look on his abilities.

Best Lyric: "What is to be done never leave it for later. Just do the work and never be a time-waster. For Rasta know seh yow, seh time ah di master. And work along and you forever ever prosper"

7. 'Love Jah & Live'

While the opener wasn't quite a straight forward praising tune, 'Love Jah & Live' is that EXACTLY and I'm going to say that it's probably become the second most underrated tune on this album. There is just something about this song that taps into a very LARGE scale of quality, at least for me. I listen to it and I FEEL rumbling. It sounds like something BIG is about to happen and by its end you realize that something BIG just did.

Best Lyric: "You know I am an optimist. I look at the brighter side of life. I'm not a pessimist. I'm not a racist, nor neither am I prejudice. I show love to all the people. Now listen to the words from my lips"

8. 'Rough Road'

Much like the tune preceding it, 'Rough Road' just has a kind of a deeper feel to it. In this case, however, I think that because of the riddim and the backup singers and just how well the song is 'dressed', it's more of an immediately appreciable quality. On its message, the song is close to 'Jah Is Always There', speaking on maintaining one's course and holding firm, but this one, like that sizable track has nothing in the way of problems distinguishing itself. It is LOVELY!

Best Lyric: "From you fail the others - Try again. And if you fail once more, you better try again. Jah say once there is life, there is a way my friend. Rastafari a di head, so wi haffi set di trend"

9. 'Education is the Key'

Put some brains in your head to follow along with 'Education Is The Key' which was, quietly, probably amongst the second tier of songs which would go on to damage from the "Virtuous Woman" album. What I'm left with here, besides the obvious (and this definitely isn't a rare subject) is WK's approach to the tune and I'll go into this more in synopsis, but "EDUCATION" in his mind isn't simply something that you learn.

Best Lyric: "'To gain more knowledge yow, you have to spread your wings', says the Minister of Education - The King of Kings"

10. 'Baby Don't Worry'

'Baby Don't Worry' was one of a few second-half love songs on the album and one which ultimately leads to the forth coming BOOM on "Virtuous Woman". Here's another tune which has gone forgotten over the years and this is just so COOL that that is really unfortunate. The Calibud produced track was an old school vibed piece done in a very modern way and proved to be a lovely addition to this album.

Best Lyric: "I'll be your lover, a friend and a brother. Jah made us one, so no one put asunder. Always remember, we're here for each other"

11. 'Empress So Divine'

Another "lovely addition" to the album and one of its best remembered songs has become 'Empress So Divine' and a most simple run through reveals exactly why, even nearly a decade later. This song was MAGIC! You may find others here that you enjoy more (and you're about to find one very shortly), but this one had a downright magnetic quality to it - Like all of WK's work at its best.

Best Lyric: "Black Woman so divine, ever looking fine. Woman you shoulda know you mek my love light shine. You're humble and so meek. Righteousness you fi seek. Want you by my side, seven days of the week"

12. 'Virtuous Woman'

I speak a great deal of 'modern classics' and how artists, songs and album will become the "classics" of the future, but here's a case where that has already happened and in a time not so far away as well. 'Virtuous Woman' the song is an undisputed classic tune. Along with being THE song which would introduce us all to such an impressing talent as Warrior King, this was just a SENSATIONAL song. It showed a level of progression which wasn't of a 'one-hit-wonder' level. The album named after it would subsequently prove that to be the case - Coming in after its absolutely HALTINGLY BEAUTIFUL (it just makes you pause a bit and smile when you hear it, don't?) headliner.

Best Lyric: "Woman to keep I strong, which is part of Jah plan. I leave my Mom & Dad - find a woman and be one. With a woman I make my bond: Perfect combination. I am a Black Man, so mi love mi Black Woman"

13. 'Oh Mama' featuring DYCR

The always interesting (and somewhat chaotic) DYCR was tapped for 'Oh Mama', the obligatory Mama tune for the album. The very colourful Dub poet pretty much changes EVERYTHING he reaches (I've grown to enjoy DYCR to an extent through the years) and, as we see on the album's closer, that was evident here. He dominates large stretches of the tune (his 'verses' were half-minutes longer than those of most people - The album's most ROUSING moment.

Best Lyric: "Mama - your love, I will recommend, to nurture and guide your grandchildren. Mama, to me, you're more than a friend. My love for you will never end. For you, Zion gates, will be opening. You've taught me true beauty lies within. Mama you're one of a kind! You're always on my mind. Mama you're one of a kind! And you are so divine"

14. 'Health & Strength'

TEARS! 'Virtuous Woman' is the tune which gave this album so much more along with 'just' its title, but as far as its actual BEST composition - Here it is! 'Health & Strength' was MASSIVE! It was just a beautiful vibes and a strong message (and one which goes along with WK's always prevailing sentiment which we'll deal with in closing) was present as well. Lyrically it was an underrated song and it has pretty much gone forgotten and overlooked since its release which is really terrible. The best song on one of the best albums you'll ever hear - TRULY a big deal.

Best Lyric: "From health and strength is there - I have to do my Father's work, my Father's work. From health and strength is there - I have to till the earth, till the earth"

15. 'What's Going On' featuring JahMali

Sweet singing JahMali joined in for what is definitely the album's recognizable track (in the 'mainstream' sense) - A remake of Marvin Gaye's classic track, 'What's Going On'. I've well grown to appreciate this one more and more over time and while I'm not sure exactly why, I'm happy that it is the case. What I'm hearing now, tangibly, is the very exciting ending to the song which I don't know if I just didn't notice before, but the stirring stretch is a big highlight on the track.

Best Lyric: "Let's bring back the love and harmony. Me for you and you for me. Let's bring back the love and harmony. We are obligated to The Almighty"

16. 'It's Been Awhile'

Absolutely delightful is this quietly very well regarded track, 'It's Been Awhile'. Yes, it's buried down here on the album, but it's probably one of the best songs on it and it also carries a vibes which is virtually guaranteed to make a listener smile. The song is just so straight forward and SIMPLE that, although the riddim is very nice, it pretty much allowed WK to do whatever he liked on the love vibes and it really comes through that he had a great deal of fun doing the song (probably most memorable is the fact that he slips in the name of his producer on the chorus).

Best Lyric: "I am an upful and I ah deal with progress. Now tell mi now woman if I ah have your interest. For I love the words you speak and I love the way you dress. I am of royal lineage, so won't you be my lioness"

17. 'Make Me Feel'

This song is another which has gone largely neglected and overlooked and another which I've grown in appreciation of as well. 'Make Me Feel' is a love song and it is one on an R&B vibes, but what happens on the song, at least to my opinion, is that WK actually manages to 'overcome' the vibes of the song. He literally gets into a portion of the song (and if you've heard it, you know what I'm talking about) where he OVERPOWERS the vibes of the song. WK's voice is one which, even today, is probably still largely untapped as far as its ceiling, but here we got a very interesting demonstration of its, perhaps, greater than expected heights.

Best Lyric: "She will always love the Rastaman. She loves I for who I am. She will always love the Boboman. Trodding with his broom in his hand. And always love the Binghiman, because I'm firm and strong"

18. 'Mama' [Remix]

And lastly is the version of the previously mentioned 'Oh Mama' (now, curiously, just called 'Mama'). I'm now fond of the 'other' version, but this tune which features WK alone is an entirely stronger one in my opinion. It's more melodic and large stretches of the song aren't turned over to a most determined DYCR (whose appeal, partially, comes from the fact that he delivers in a way which suggests that he might be in a rush!). On that one, while nice, the appeal is an INTERESTING and FASCINATING one. Here? However you want to look at it, it's just a damn good song and one giving a big praise to where it belongs. Hey Mama! Hi Mama!

Best Lyric: "The ancient way you have grown me. The beautiful things you have shown me. You taught I the power of humility. Love and affection you have given me. The bond we share will always be. Mama you know you mean the world to me"

Synopsis

There are now two things which dominate my perception of "Virtuous Woman". The first is the one which I alluded to in opening. The SOUND of the album is really, by comparison, so much more than you would come to expect from many albums of the Roots Reggae variety - even today. Warrior King, at his best, makes really CATCHY music - Attention grabbing music. This, of course, makes it very easy to listen to his music and as opposed to someone like the aforementioned Capleton who also makes very infectious music, WK does it in a way which isn't really going to get more mainstream heads interested, but it takes more established fans of the genre who are used to hearing to recognize just how much of a deviation that he is to a degree. And for a subgenre often regarded as being somewhat of the 'template' or 'cookie-cutter' variety, he manages to stand out without standing out too far (if that makes ANY sense whatsoever).

Secondly is the message of the album (DUH). Here, again, Warrior King makes a very small deviation, but one which is most glaring to big fans of the music. The music is all about UNITY and how it is attained and the benefits of maintaining it and approaching it. This is never more easily comprehended than on 'Africa Shall Be Free'.

"I look towards the future with lots of confidence

Good over evil - No waan no violence

The righteous will be rejoicing

Rejoicing!

And I know

And I KNOW

All Africa shall be free

Put away the guns and those evil device

Waan hurt your sister?

Why take your brother's life?

Have some tolerance, you should learn to socialize

For I'm a warrior for truths and rights

Listen to my words, you can even analyze

Words of wisdom will surley open up your eyes

Unity is strength - Why are we living so wide?

Division is weakness so we need not fight"

That's pretty straight forward and just well done, but WK's consistent take on the topic comes in a very refreshing way. From the most well known tune on the album named after it, to my choice as its finest moment, his idea of bringing people together starts with strengthening the FAMILY and then branching out. He does this superbly and glaringly on 'Education is the Key'.

"Knowledge makes me whole, it makes me stronger

Developing intellect, it makes me wiser

More precious than the gold and the silver

Oh! I'm appealing to the youngsters

Children, never you waste your time and fall fool

Go ahead and learn the golden rule

Mama always say 'never be stubborn like a mule'

For education does not stop inna di schools"

However, it is a concept prevalent throughout "Virtuous Woman" and really, throughout WK's entire catalog when you're dealing with the best of it. This isn't a rare concept (see 'Black Woman & Child' and hundreds of other tunes), but it is quite unusual for an artist to have this as the MAIN basis for their music. And further more, I think it's also pretty rare to have someone who has any dominant message for their ENTIRE body of work, outside of the 'fire bun' concept that is.

At the head of WK's ideal structure of unity is the 'Virtuous Woman'. Thus empowering the Woman and empowering the perception of her is very critical.

"No real man can live without a woman

Like night to day is a woman to her man

She's essential to his purpose and his mention

A good woman is a glory to her man"

The first line of this passage, taken from the title track, has always struck me as being extremely significant because what it seems to do is to essentially make a stand and a very important point and one which may be somewhat complex in actuality, but is compoundly attenuated by WK here. It reaches to the core pride of a man and very blandly and bluntly says (in a good way):

"No real man can live without a woman"

I take this to mean so many different things and I've come to add to it my own line of thinking ('no real man can live without respecting a woman') and he well shows that on other tunes such as 'Empress So Divine' and definitely 'Oh Mama' and its remix. You can even hear it present on the somewhat 'loose' 'It's Been Awhile' - Where it is about romance, but it isn't ONLY about romance.

Finally I would like to touch on 'Health & Strength' very briefly. This is another tune which follows in the concept of strengthening the family and showing (and giving birth to) unity. In this instance the method is incredibly significant and it IMMEDIATELY makes itself known on the most beautiful moment on this album.

This wonderful wonderful album, "Virtuous Woman" by Warrior King, A Bona fide Modern Reggae Classic!

Review #323

VI Reggae's #1 Draft Pick: A Review of Serious Matters by Revalation

It was just a few years back when I first caught wind of an artist by the name of Pressure coming out of the Virgin Islands Reggae scene that was supposed to be an updated, more ‘Jamaican normative’ take on the scene of the region dominated and flooded by the STRANGE sounds of Midnite and Bambu Station. Before then, my primary experience with Reggae music was through the aforementioned Midnite and Vaughn Benjamin isn’t exactly someone whose music I would give to ANYONE as a fair and accurate introduction and representation to/of ANYTHING besides. . . Vaughn Benjamin’s music. If I recall correctly as well, I had just gotten into Batch also and the piece I was focusing on at the time would have been the Jah Guidance album and, again, I wouldn’t exactly use the Jah Guidance album “as a fair and accurate introduction and representation to/of ANYTHING besides. . .” the Jah Guidance album (although its growing on me still to this very day). Pressure was like Sizzla, Capleton and Anthony B. He was FAMILIAR and well talented and just a few years later you see the fulfillment of that talent he showed which manifested itself on his debut album, The Pressure Is On (remember that). A year or so after that, WONDERFULLY I came across a next artist by the name of NiyoRah. Niyo was from out of the same St. Thomas camp as Pressure, the now famed Star Lion Family, and showed yet another side of the kind of chanting singjay (to this day I maintain that he sounds A LOT like Jamaican chanter Warrior King when he chants, but you can also think of artists like Gentleman (Niyo is a more talented singer) and Turbulence (Niyo is a less talented DJ and probably singer as Turbulence’s voice is WELL underrated in my opinion)) which was, again, very familiar. And while NiyoRah has yet to make the kind of HUGE dent which his good friend Pressure has but he is, in my opinion arguably more talented and maybe has an even larger upside in his potential should he get the welcome opportunity to show it in Jamaica. Those were two of the very first familiar type of sounding artists that I started vibing from out of the Virgin Islands. Since then, we’ve added names like Ras Attitude as a WICKED chanter, the fiery stone voiced Ancient King, baritone voiced Harry Mo and others such as Massiah, Volcano and another member of the Star Lion Family, Ickarus; all making music which sounds like what you’d find in today’s Jamaican Reggae scene. 

Now you can argue as to who is who in that pack and how TRULY talented they really are but you really can’t argue that all of those names, to a degree have had a hand in inspiring an even younger generation (and outside of maybe Batch and MAYBE Vaughn Benjamin, I don’t think I’ve named an artist here yet who has actually reached the age of thirty) of talented artists and now we’re starting to see that effect. Coming from the same EXACT set of circumstances which spawned the named internationally popular and well regarded Pressure Busspipe is Revalation. When I say same exact, I mean EXACT! Young Revalation, like Pressure, was born in St. Thomas and despite the fact that he officially doesn’t come via the Star Lion Family (which I think is only because at the time that group was coming together, Revalation was probably living in Tortola where he has apparently spent quite a bit of time growing and living as well) and developed in the more modern scene in the Virgin Islands and availed himself to many of the same channels as his slightly older friend. The VERY interesting thing comes here: Pressure’s debut album, the aforementioned The Pressure Is On, came via Tsuni Records (which has seemingly disbanded but if they NEVER release another thing EVER again, they will be remembered for that and that alone, whoever ‘they’ were) but t he actual production was done by Studio 340 from out of Florida by wonder-pair Dean Pond and Eno Stafford. Not only that but the same group (I think mainly Pond) was instrumental in the development of VI Reggae star Army’s early career as well (producing his first two albums, Yesterday’s News and Struggler). If that isn’t the mark of some FINE work and credentials then I don’t know what is (and you can add to that the fact that Pressure, now under the wings of Jamaican ACE super producer Don Corleone, STILL works with Studio 340 and the I’ve heard a few very recent singles from the chanter with the label as well). So if history can repeat itself (and it can) then EVERYTHING would tell you to bank on Revalation becoming the next big thing out of the VI Reggae-wise because that same Studio 340 unit (340 being the area code for St. Thomas where Pond is also from I believe) is on board for the debut of Revalation, the very well done Serious Matters. I have to say that I had NEVER even seen Revalation (nor his curiously spelled name) on any of the mixtapes that I routinely get from out of the VI which is astonishing to me as when I really got into the album you can OBVIOUSLY see what is going on with his talent level. I would make the comparison here to when I first heard Turbulence (everyone else as well) and noticed how much he, too having developed in the same Xterminator camp, sounded like Sizzla. Revalation sounds quite a bit like Pressure and just like Turbulence in the case of Sizzla, he too has things which he does better and not as good as Pressure Busspipe. Also like Turbulence, the case here will be to see how Revalation goes about distinguishing himself from Pressure. In this case for Serious Matters which is primarily about introducing Revalation to everyone outside of the Virgin Islands, that doesn’t seem to be the intentions as Pond and Stafford not only don’t steer Revalation from similar pieces as Pressure (although almost naturally Revalation’s style lends itself more comfortably to R&B than Pressure’s does) they even haul in Pressure himself. 

The main difference between Revalation and Pressure to my ears is that Revalation has a fine singing voice which he relies on a bit more than Pressure does (who also has one). The result, as I mentioned can often lead to Revalation’s vibes being more along the R&B style which isn’t necessarily a bad thing at times. Getting things started on his debut album, Serious Matters is an EXCELLENT introduction for the artist and the album alike, Self Esteem. This tune has a spectacular sound to it with just a complex and LUSH one-drop backing it and Revalation offering a message of self confidence for the youths with is, of course, essential. Rocking way to start the album with one of its best altogether. Things don’t exactly dip in terms of vibes with Live U Live although it isn’t as strong as the opener (and is a VERY ‘Pressure sounding’ tune). The thing about this one is that it’s just POWERFUL, it grows on you so strong that I would say that from first hearing it I was almost apathetic to it, but you keep spinning and getting into the lyrics of it and you can’t help but appreciate it because of the very nice backing and the fact that over the duration of Live U Live, Revalation just reveals so many nice topics which is a very nice skill he shows several times on Serious Matters. The tune Joy which completes the opening here didn’t really have to grow on me at all, not calling it one of the best here, because it isn’t, but I’ve appreciated it from the very first time that I heard it. Its very well done and really although there is stronger material here, you really couldn’t have hoped for a bigger opening and introduction to the album. 

 When you just scan down the tracklist for Serious Matters there are very clearly two tunes which stand out because of who Revalation voices alongside and those, of course, were the two tunes I was most looking forward to hearing. The first is the somewhat cleverly titles Real Revolutionary (did you see that? Did you get it?) which is the ‘square off’ between Revalation and Pressure himself. You know what? I think they could have done a better tune with it. Of all the times NOT to switch to a Hip-Hop vibes and drop in on the straight forward one-drop like the opening tunes, this was it! It isn’t a bad tune at all (nor are any on the album) but it should have been better. I will say that I think Revalation’s first verse of the song is the highlight here, but we wanted it bigger! Undoubtedly they’ll give it another shot at some point. Petty Thief doesn’t leave much to be desired when Revalation is joined by NiyoRah on one of the more head-bobbing tunes on the album. It comes in with a bit of aggressiveness and a noticeable EDGE to it (especially from Niyo) which is something I wasn’t expecting from the two gifted vocalists but it’s a real credit as Petty Thief proves to be one of the best efforts on the album. All of that being said, its WONDERFULLY away from sharing the stage with his friends that Revalation’s star shines the brightest of Serious Matters when he dips into the SCATHING Flames On! I have been playing this tune from since I first received the album to anyone who would listen and it is BY FAR the best representation of just how WICKED Revalation can be. Again, it sounds like something Pressure might sing but even in that case, Pressure being far more accomplished at this point, Flames On would be amongst his best as well. The tune is an anti-violence tune at its core and one of the finest of 2008, period. MASSIVE TUNE! The other real big solo tune here which sticks out and I’ve actually heard playing a bit around in the Caribbean is the very inspirational You Are Someone. It doesn’t hurt none at all that the tune has a very sing-along type of quality to it (best chorus on the album probably) of course, but it’s a powerful tune and far from a gimmick and one which you really should check out. Not far behind is Jah Is There which is simply about as SMOOTH a praising tune I think that I’ve heard in awhile. That riddim is SPARKLING! The tune features some of the best lyrics on the album as well (they are generally strong as well) and it also has a bit of a lover’s vibes in it as well. As I said, Revalation has a bit of R&B to his vibes as well and such a vibes make their initial appearance on Serious Matters first on Just Getting Even which, at least to my ears, sounds a bit like Pressure’s MAMMOTH Jah Alone on Corleone’s Cruising Altitude riddim). Also check the similarly vibed Hard To Handle which is an even stronger tune than Just Getting Even (that riddim could have been a straight instrumental added on, it is GORGEOUS!). Evil Doers is another such track but with a stronger message and one which, even existing ‘above the riddim’ is very well presented by Revalation. I’ll also mention the tune Bun Weed which is kind of a corny sounding (on so many levels, title included) Hip-Hop/Techno tune. But to be perfectly honest I found myself (shamefully) singing along at times, especially during the chorus, (watch me! “Bun weed! If you love the herb. I feel higher than the birds!”) on the obligatory herbalist tune. Typically don’t like so much mixing of the styles but as this is the first time Revalation is coming through, its a lot easier to accept it as simply part of his musical makeup. However, thankfully Serious Matters goes out on a very Reggae note in both Live It Up Right and Breath Of Life. Live It Up Right is about as average of a tune which is exists on Serious Matters (including the WHOLLY mediocre and crawling title tune) but Breath Of Life is SERIOUS! Coming through with a piano front over a nyah drum backing (interestingly enough which is being played by none other than Vaughn Benjamin himself!) the tune BEAUTIFULLY presents Revalation with a backing so EASY enough to deliver one of the most powerful vibes on the entire album to close things out and I come away wishing they had drawn for the drum maybe once or twice more. 

 Overall, looking at all of the young talents from all over the Caribbean making a way for themselves in Reggae music, you really have to put Revalation at near the top of the pack. Given the talent that he is already CLEARLY bringing into the game (seriously you need to hear Breath Of Life, I’m spinning it now. RIDICULOUS) on his own and combining with the very capable Studio 340 which has already proven their ability to churn out stars, Revalation is almost a ‘can’t miss’ artist and just as I was a few years back with Pressure, I’m wondering why more people haven’t already jumped on the bandwagon (incidentally, S340 also have a fine female singer name Michelle Gordon from out of Jamaica, who sings backing throughout Serious Matters so definitely keep an eye and an ear out for her in the future as well). I’m seeing Revalation becoming a star definitely, you almost have to. In a few years time, you’ll probably see his name alongside that of Pressure because he will have earned it, becoming a household Reggae name and just as Fabolous and Hip-Hop: Absolutely DESTROYING properly spelling words, FOREVER. Yes, he’s that good. 

Rated 4/5 

Studio 340

2008