Rewind! - Oneness Records 2014

Over the course of the past half-decade or so, the Germany based Oneness Records has definitely become a favourite of ours. This has happened as the label has begun to make some of the absolute finest Reggae music to be found anywhere in the world and, really, carried with them both some of the biggest vocal talents in the genre as well as some others who have just as definitively become stars as well. In 2014, however, one can make a strong case that Oneness Records has hit an even higher level and, in doing so, has reaffirmed their status as one of the most reliable imprints when it comes to extremely high quality Reggae music. So, we thought that it would be a nice idea to take a look at a label which, as their name would suggest, really made themselves stand out in 2014 as we REWIND! Oneness Records 2014.

"One Love, One Heart, Oneness"

To get things started, way back in January (which really doesn't seem like a very long time ago, it's been a very short year) (or I just may have been sleepwalking through a few months, which is a distinct possibility), Oneness had a very good idea in the form of what turned out to be "One Love, One Heart, Oneness". This set was a compilation which included songs from a truly impressive cache of vocalists. Such as??? Luciano, Sizzla Kalonji & Mark Wonder, Alborosie, Ziggi Recado & J Boog, Buju Banton, Queen Omega, Junior Kelly, Jah Mason & Fyah T and others all made appearances. Also present, fittingly, may just be one of the most popular Oneness productions ever, 'High & Windy' which linked Kabaka Pyramid and someone named Sara Lugo.

The Rise Up Riddim

In February Oneness would return with their first of two big riddim projects for the year, the Rise Up Riddim. This composition was familiar to my ears as it had backed the glowing 'What Goes Around', which appeared on the all-conquering and classic Oneness produced "Long Journey" album by Naptali in 2010 and, most fortunately (and predictably), Oneness surrounded the Clarendon native with another very impressive roster of vocalists. This most gorgeous and serene track backed big selections from Queen Omega, Mark Wonder, Buju Banton, Ziggi Recado, Jahcoustix, Prince Malachi and a seemingly constantly surging Skarra Mucci alongside someone named Sara Lugo.

See Review

African Children Riddim

We also had a preview of what would become Oneness' second riddim release of the year, the African Children Riddim, in April when, last year, the label did a fine EP with Denham Smith entitled "Not The Same". It was the title track which would be Smith's strong contribution to the African Children Riddim and, again, Oneness provided listeners with a group of very talented wordsmiths as well. They included Luciano, Naptali, Ras Muhamad, the wonderful Mark Wonder, Fitta Warri ["A plant is just a plant. Give marijuana a chance. Look at those poisonous substance which you make legal in every instance"] and Exco Levi whose 'Blood Tears', in my opinion, took top honours on the African Children. Also in retrospect, the actual track here, which Oneness was kind enough to provide a clean instrumental of was probably amongst their greatest creations to date and what they ultimately did with it was top notch. 

See Review

"The Kings Book" by Suga Roy & Conrad Crystal

For the first of what would become a downright remarkable THREE album releases for the year, Oneness Records teamed up with veterans Suga Roy and Conrad Crystal and their own Fireball Records imprint in May for the well formidable "The Kings Book". This album really forced me to take a look at what the duo was up to as I hadn't been keen to pay a proper attention to their works over the previous two or three years or so but, if you work with Oneness Records, in some type of way you're going to get my attention and this was not the exception. I'll likely always recall "The Kings Book" best as "The Album With 'No Love' On It" because it did happen to carry the tune, featuring Cocoa Tea was… probably the best song I've ever heard from Suga Roy & Conrad Crystal . I LOVE that tune! "The Kings Book" also featured appearances from Gappy Ranks, Maikal X, Alborosie and Natural Black and though I may not have much of a reference to compare it to, may just be my favourite album from the pair to date.  

"Salam" by Ras Muhamad

Greetings! In July, even after all of that up there, Oneness would take another significant step ahead when they would release what would become undeniably one of the biggest albums of the year from anyone and what history may, someday, look back as a landmark set from Indonesian chanter, Ras Muhamad, "Salam". The album would feature a downright dazzling demonstration of Muhamad and company switching between languages and cultures yet, ultimately, finding a most familiar ground and unifying force in Reggae music. "Salam" was HUGE! And now, just a few months on, it has gotten even stronger and I love how remote it seems on paper when contrasted with actuality - which was entirely comfortable and FITTING. There was nothing about this album, musically, which seemed forced. It was so powerfully organic and just a fantastic project. This was best shown on pieces such as the title track and opener as well as 'Lion Roar' ["Well inna concrete jungle, you hear The Lion HIM ah roar!"], 'Blow Them Away', 'Conquest' and so many others. I also really enjoyed the blend of guests which, again, even further displayed that no matter how disparate things may seem, there is a most capable instrument of amalgamation in this music. Featured on this journey were Indonesian artists such as the Mighty Che, Kunokini and Conrad Good Vibration (I still really like that name), Jamaicans Naptali and Kabaka Pyramid as well as German Uwe Kaa and someone named Sara Lugo.

See Review

See Rewind

"Hit Me With Music" by Sara Lugo

…"someone named Sara Lugo". To end the year (presumably at least), Oneness Records would push what was easily one of the most anticipated albums of the year for us in October as the INFINITELY DELIGHTFUL Sara Lugo [WHAT!] [BOOM!] and her magic voice would return with her sophomore album, "Hit Me With Music". For her second trip the tall Reggae-Jazz hybrid explored a variety of different sounds and, unsurprisingly, they all seemed to work and made for a very colourful and interesting release. A tune such as 'Black & White' really saw Lugo taking an observance of and fully CELEBRATING many of the many things that make her unique musically and beyond; while others such as 'Soldiers Of Love' arrived at a similarly matchless destination but doing so on an unforgettably different path. We got to fall in love on 'The One', got more of it on 'More Love' and got to hook up on 'Really Like You' featuring Protoje, we grew up, apologised and learned from our mistakes on 'Learn & Grow' with Ras Muhamad, 'Never Ever' and 'Play With Fire'. We went to a dance on the title track (a SMOKEY, JAZZY one) and we felt no pain and in the morning, we all jumped on our bikes and rode through the park with Sara Lugo and Kabaka Pyramid on the likely future classic remake of a classic, 'High & Windy'. 

"Yes I love it, when you hit me with music, hit me with music, hit me with music"

See Review

See Rewind

So, while I know you've picked up ALL of these and I don't have to remind you, just in case you... were incarcerated or something happened and you missed out, definitely check out the work coming from Oneness Records in 2014. Consistently one of the best in the genre over the past few years got even bigger this year and... it's only November, maybe they're not done! 

Rewind! - "Hit Me With Music" by Sara Lugo

"Hit Me With Music" by Sara Lugo [Oneness Records]

BOOM AGAIN! Keeping the celebration going for the release of "Hit Me With Music", the brand new and second album from Achis Reggae favourite, Sara Lugo, today we're giving it a second treatment and an even closer look. Following one of the strongest debut albums you'll hear in "What About Love", "Hit Me With Music" was an album I was not only very much anticipating but also had high hopes for and, as expected, it met and exceeded them all. And while you can certainly claim that this time around, Lugo embraced the Jazz side of her style a bit more, I cannot imagine that anyone who stuck around from the first album, and through all of the wonderful singles she gave us in between the two, will be disappointed with the direction of the second. It once again displays one of the nicest and most curious talents anywhere in Reggae today. And we're displaying it again as we wrap up 'Sara Lugo Week' and REWIND! "Hit Me With Music" by Sara Lugo.

See Original Review

1. 'The One'

"…high like a kite in the sky." The opener for "Hit Me With Music", 'The One', was and remains and absolute joy to listen  to. The song is built upon this wholly addictive bounce and you bounce, to the point of a neck cramp, right along with it and you won't be complaining at song's end. If I wanted to kind of grind this one down (because that's just what I do), what I take away from it besides being so damn nice to the ears, is the sense of really appreciating the moment. "THE ONE", whoever they may be, may be the one forever or they may be the one for right now, regardless, love them and enjoy! And personally I really like this song because when I play it loud enough when she's up, I can hear my Wife walking around singing the chorus, "you make me sing, lalalalalalala!). 

2. 'Really Like You' featuring Protoje

"Something about you." 'Really Like You' is like the first song on the album in the sense of both its direction and the way that it is best appreciated, at least in my opinion. It is another composition (this one courtesy of Silly Walks) which is just fun to listen to and that is what sticks with you. Unlike 'The One', however, 'Really Like You' is infectiously slow, DUSTY and Jazzy. For their parts, Lugo and Protoje team up and deliver a performance which 'really' fits so nicely with the music and, alongside the immediate amount of attention this one should grab on paper, make a song which should be one of the most noticed on this album for its QUALITY as well. Also I HAVE to mention (because I'm a nerd) how much I loooooooooove the way 'Really Like You' ends. I will not ruin it for you but the cool and subtle echo affect given to Lugo's vocals is an excellent touch. 

3. 'Hit Me With Music'

"When it hits, you feel no pain." Not because of the way it is delivered, inherently, but more so because of the way that it is written I now hear so much PASSION in the eponymous effort from "Hit Me With Music". She sings it, for the most part, in a relaxed tone (it's a beautiful tone but probably every thing coming out of this woman's mouth is going to sound beautiful) but there're times during 'Hit Me With Music' when you get the feeling that, by what she's saying, … Sara Lugo is kind of pissed off! 

“Why do we gotta act all tense

It doesn't make much sense

Didn't we all start out of love?

Are you with me?"

Again, I think she's 'hitting' at the industry and business side of music which seem to continue to drain away the human-element of how music is appreciate and just how much it means to people as an escape from daily life ["World off, music on - I push the button"] and an endless line of other reasons. And Lugo does throw the intensity higher during the tune's second half where the riddim goes up right along with her.

“Yes I love it 

When you hit me with music, hit me with music"

I was interested in how this tune came to be the album's title (based on what she's wearing, 'Black & White' would have been a fine choice as well), but it so coincides with Sara Lugo's style, this idea of making music which does challenge the listener to pay attention but also really makes a careful and genuine effort to sound so nice and that's exactly what happens on this song and the other eleven as well.

4. 'Black & White'

"I hope one day, you'll see." 'Black & White' is a song which is quickly becoming a favourite of mine from Lugo's on this album and beyond and, in this particular case, it is largely due to the lyrics. While it sounds amazing (biggup Morry), 'Black & White' taps into the idea of being unique in one way or another and not only acknowledging it but taking pride in it and making it one of the things that you love most about yourself. Lugo's method of illustrating this comes in her varied heritage but it fits on almost any 'surface'. So [!], if you could probably fit COMFORTABLY in a backpack (biggup Sara Lugo), if you only have nine fingers (biggup Xkaliba) or if you have a MASSIVE allergy to common sense (biggup Achis), "that’s alright…", "believe me, it's alright". Wananananananananana. 

5. 'Soldiers Of Love'

"You have a choice." TEARS! There has emerged a very urgent quality about 'Soldiers Of Love', a song on which Sara Lugo celebrates individuality and "shits in the brains" of conformity to a fractured way of thinking and behaving. I liked this song when I first heard it and definitely found its loose relation to any genre in particular damn compelling. These days, however, I LOVE this song. 

"You follow someone else's voice

You have a choice

But you choose the easy way -

Like a slave"

It's sound is interest, obviously, but if you listen to what is being said it gets even brighter and the two match. From what you hear - it gives the listener the sense (even if you are not paying the best attention) (shame!) that something really crucial is happening and, at least for me, it really makes you focus on the words. And when you have a selection where the MOOD matches the message so fittingly as it does here, you probably have something special on a song which I well expect to be very popular.

6. 'I Wish'

"All the best, best, best." BOOM! 'I Wish' was another song which I liked instantly but, having had a little time now to really take it in, it's even better than I thought it was. What changed is my recognition of the emotion of the song, which isn't the major area of focus here. I don't know if you've ever wronged anyone (actually I do know, I'm just saying that) but if you have, there is often this downright sickening moment when you become aware that you have and it becomes soooooooo difficult to think about anything else, particularly if "anyone" is really special to you and you want to make it right as soon as possible. If you listen closely, you hear Lugo go through all of these things musically in her own way. And, as I said, as someone who has now had more than thirty-three years of INTENSE experience of doing… really REALLY dumb shit, 'I Wish' is virtually biographical for me. A HUGE SONG! 

7. 'Play With Fire'

"Learn by doing." BOOM! 'Play With Fire' is still my favourite song on "Hit Me With Music" and, with the exception of the songs with which I was already familiar, it's definitely the piece here which I've listened to most so while I may not have much in the way of progression of an idea, I do have something. The song is one about making mistakes and having to pay for what you've done and it is presented in the way of trying to do right and at least making an attempt to not do negative things. HOWEVER, I always like when people acknowledge and respect the nature of human beings (and our tendencies) and mistakes. And that is exactly what Lugo does on 'Play With Fire'. She says that she, herself, went through things ["I learned my lesson and yes, it hurts"] and she does the same for everyone else ["Now I got no time to play around. No time to lose. But some things you gotta learn by doing"] which is respecting that while it is bad to play with fire, you're probably going to do it anyway and when you get burned (and you will), learn from it and learn that it isn't the end of the world (as I once heard said, "You are a product of your worst mistakes"). An even greater aspect of a song which I loved and apparently I wasn't the only one because they made a video for it. 

Speaking of the video for "Play With Fire". It is simply lovely. It features Lugo, almost exclusively, she is only joined by an actual fire, an old man on a mower, a driver and the video's real star, a dog. It's very simple and features nice French scenery and we see Lugo playing with fire… literally. What stood out most for me is the old man who, at video's end, is revealed to be fitted with some type of breathing apparatus and he's and example of what can happen if you 'play with fire' (but even in his case, it isn't the end of the world). It's very subtle and appropriate for the song and for Lugo's music in general. Well done (and I currently have my own experience with this as I've been eating peanuts while writing this and just now, after about half an hour, I looked down and… yeah, gotta get a broom). 

"Salam" by Ras Muhamad [2014]

8. 'Learn To Grow' featuring Ras Muhamad

"Be who you wanna be." 'Learn To Grow' (which I apparently also call 'Learn & Grow') is a song which I've looked at extensively now having reviewed it twice and now having a second REWIND for the tune as it initially appeared on Ras Muhamad's colossal "Salam" album but in the nature of several other songs on "Hit Me With Music", I do have yet another new fondness of it. That comes with, again, seeing how the song really sends up individuality and uniqueness. It is a piece about learning and maturing in life but those lessons and that maturation is to be applied in what YOU want to apply them to. There's no formula or template for life and I think that one of the prevailing messages behind this song was to find what it is that you want to do (or at least TRY to find it) and then "show some effort" to be the best at it that you can. And, I have to add just how lovely this song was on the ears. It's fantastic. 

9. 'Never Ever'

"You better recharge, you better restart." As I said in the review, 'Never Ever' was a very distinct song and something about definitely stood out to my opinion. What was it? I kind of get the feeling that it is a song Sara Lugo wrote about Sara Lugo. And while we get another taste of the idea of developing and maturing as a person, I think in the case of 'Never Ever', this was Lugo's own story. She gets very detailed at times ["Her best friend once told her. 'Never give up. Never let success get to your mind. Never let failure get to your heart' "] and, again, either through her own personal experiences (which has my vote) or through a damn sharp pen, she really places you in the moment of the emotion and what happens is easily one of the most compelling efforts on the entire album. 

10. 'Love The Children'

"I don't wanna be the only one." In retrospect, 'Love The Children' is a song which features that quintessential Al.Ta.Fa.An sound. It is downright LUSH and brimming with substance musically which is what typically what they do at their best and this song clearly demonstrates that on the musical end. And I think they knew that which is why it is set with a second half which is an instrumental. Vocally, it goes without saying that it is a well sung song… it is a Sara Lugo album after all but I do think it is a song which is slightly different than what we're used to hearing from her (and she did not write this song) and that's always a nice touch to see someone, particularly like her with the voice which could make it work, stepping in a different direction and I'm glad that they did this song. 

11. 'More Love'

"Gimme more." 'More Love', the other Al.Ta.Fa.An helmed song on this album is kind of the opposite of its predecessor. Though the track here is also BEAUTIFUL, what stands out far ahead are the vocals. Not to beat it down too much, but Lugo sounds SO nice on this tune. It is a love song specifically about how going through struggles in a relationship are not necessarily the time to quit but instead are the times which can bring people closer together. Her voice absolutely DANCES [!] on this track, with one of the most rousing moments being the final minute or so where Lugo, essentially, does Jazz scats along to the riddim and it's something she, unsurprisingly, does very well and hopefully this isn't the final time we get to hear her do it. 

"You were the one to brighten up my rainy days

You came into my life and took my blues away"

12. 'High & Windy' featuring Kabaka Pyramid

"The story must go on." And it fits perfectly that the final song on this album is probably the most well known piece that Sara Lugo has ever done. 'High & Windy' was her big song alongside Kabaka Pyramid for the Oneness' ReggaeVille Riddim and, as I said, even after all of this time and having surely heard it over a hundred times now, it still sounds so strong. It also fits, coincidentally, as a fine tribute from this album to the legendary John Holt, the original vocalist of the song.

There're so many powerful themes of maturation and maintaining individuality and a sense of self explored throughout this album that you know we'll have to revisit this one some day soon. Until then, however, hopefully you get the point that we’ve tried to give you all week long: PICK UP "HIT ME WITH MUSIC" THE BEAUTIFUL BRAND NEW ALBUM FROM THE AMAZING SARA LUGO AND ONENESS RECORDS! DO IT RIGHT NOW! BOOM!

Rewind!: "Salam" by Ras Muhamad

"Salam" by Ras Muhamad [Oneness Records - 2014]

I've been looking forward to this one! Reggae music is so powerful, as is music in general, that it can bring together some of the most interesting groups of people for the pursuit of making this amazing sound and it has been a very recent and modern occurrence, but we've seen some very strong examples of exactly how it can do that. Out of all the fantastic things that 2014 has given Reggae fans, surely one of the most interesting has been an album which charted a very curious course across the world in linking an artist from out of Indonesia, ready to make his full arrival to fans, and a label from out of Germany who has been making some of the most consistently good music in the entire genre. Today we go global and REWIND! "Salam" by Ras Muhamad from the wonderful people at Oneness Records.

See original review

1. 'Salam'

If the goal and the mission statement with the title track and opening selection of "Salam" was to put the listener in a good mood and a very open frame of mind, then Ras Muhamad and Oneness scored a heavy blow with this track. At this point in time I am completely unable and unwilling to hear this song without smiling. I just CANNOT do it and it so beautifully sets the stage for what is to follow (aided by that downright sublime track carrying it). Aside from just being a, literal, greeting - I also take from this song just the thought of being nice to people and saying HELLO (however you say "hello" and in whichever language you say it in - another very large idea behind this song in my opinion and a mighty example of Ras Muhamad appreciating the moment here) when you see them. Hello Ras Muhamad!

2. 'Good Over Evil'

After you greet someone, it isn't a bad thing at all to be nice to them, further, and to help to steer them away from negative things and that was one of the sentiments behind the album's second offering, 'Good Over Evil'. It was put together just  more aggressive than that and that's something that has helped to grow my appreciation for this, a song I well enjoyed and regarded as a highlight here from the first time that I heard it. Muhamad doesn't go fully, but you definitely feel the passion on this song and it is a necessary aspect of this delivery when you consider the subject.

"Babylon a bandit, put I inna bondage

Then they take advantage

Lock up I a conscience 

WI NO COME FI ACCEPT

WI AH COME FI UPSET!"

3. 'Re-Education' featuring Kabaka Pyramid

Speaking of passion - it continues to build through the next song and the album's initial combination tune, 'Re-Education', which linked Ras Muhamad with the increasingly genius Kabaka Pyramid. Pyramid absolutely dazzles at times on this song which is about re educating the masses on all things, particularly in terms of culture and its history. What is most remarkable here, perhaps, is the combination which links Indonesia and Jamaica in a wholly DETAILED manner about Afrika. I also like the kind of 'loose' feel of the vibes. Kabaka Pyramid almost always has that tone when he is in a good form, but it pours out of Muhamad as well. You can almost HEAR a smile on his face at times. And I should also mention on a Rewind, the very INTELLIGENT usage of an excerpt from a speech made by legendary civil rights activist and Pan Africanist, Malcolm X, which well fit's the nature of this song perfectly. 

4. 'Jah T Interlude'

The interlude here is barely north of a minute and it doesn't stand out for any type of reason on paper - but it is DELIGHTFUL to listen to. One of the nicest spins on this album and a major credit goes to whoever got the idea to make this one happen because it was an excellent idea.

5. 'Satu Rasa' featuring Conrad Good Vibration

I know that this may shock you, but over the past month I have not fully learned Bahasa Indonesian and, because of that, a great deal of 'Satu Rasa' ['One Feeling'] is lost to my ears, but you don't have to know Indonesian to LOVE a song like this. The song, like the interlude preceding it, is food for the ears as Ras Muhamad links with one of the best names in Reggae music today, Conrad Good Vibration, to deliver a winner.

6. 'Nuh Badmind Friend'

While I haven't flipped my thinking on 'Nuh Badmind Friend', I have certainly expanded upon it somewhat. I think that, besides the obvious, it is also a song about showing more in the way of patience and being careful who you call and refer to as "friend". It is a title to be earned is what Muhamad is saying and, if you do that, you'll almost always avoid those who don't have your best interests at heart.

7. 'Farmerman' featuring Naptali

Similarly as the song it chases, I'm also thinking heavier on 'Farmerman', which was Ras Muhamad's trip to ReggaeVille, alongside Achis Reggae favourite, Naptali. This song is one about being humble and working hard - along with spreading the idea of unity and brotherhood amongst people from so diverse cultures. The two definitely explore that aspect, but they do it in a way in which is about showing the ground-level similarities, saying that everyone has a struggle to face, no matter where they come from - an idea which Muhamad comes back to later. 

8. 'Lion Roar'

Though it has been unseated as my most frequently listened to Ras Muhamad (by track #10 on this album) (DUH!), 'Lion Roar' from the African Children Riddim remains, easily, one of my favourite songs from the artist in… ever! The song is a subtly BRILLIANT and all-encompassing praising tune. On one hand you take it in a literal way - the roar of an animal. A lion is a well-respected creature and it is throughout the world. Going deeper - The Almighty is to be supremely respected and THE LION roars, you hear HIM wherever you may be! A fantastic song!

9. 'Leluhur' featuring Kunokini

'Leluhur', alongside Kunokini, at least for me, was as much of a musical EXPERIENCE, as it was a song on this album. It is definitely one of the most sonically pleasing moments here and it really puts the listener through a variety of different sounds, even if you (like me) are unable to fully take it in. Just as was the case with 'Satu Rasa', however, you don't have to be Indonesian or speak the language to appreciate a song that sounds like this… all you really have to do is possess a pair (or one) of at least semi-functioning ears.

10. 'Learn & Grow' featuring Sara Lugo

TEARS! I make it a point to listen to 'Learn & Grow' each and every day. I LOOOOOOOOVE this song and it isn't just because it features walking-wonderful Sara Lugo (though that certainly has a lot to do with it) (I'm sure you haven't noticed this before - but I'm a fan). The two make for a dynamic and perfectly complementary pair and, obviously, for a skyscraper of a song. The song is both inspirational and entertaining as, at its heart (in my opinion), is the idea of maturing at any stage of life (you can mature when you're fifteen and when you're one-hundred and fifteen). Simultaneously, this is such a joy to listen to and when you build upon it with two such different people come together singing Reggae music and doing it at such a high level - it's just a very significant release for me and the most lasting song on an album full of well-resilient vibes.

11. 'Conquest'

GRRR! By far the tune which I have grown in appreciation of most on "Salam" has been the downright dominant 'Conquest'. Though I surely did respect it from the first spin as the lyrical bomb that it was, these days, I’m ranking it even higher because of the mix between the lyrics and the presentation. For Muhamad's part, he delivers a song which covers the emotional span that you might imagine someone would experience in dealing with the most frustrating and aggravating subject of how so called 'discoverers' mistreated people on their way into a history which, almost always, regards them in such an esteemed fashion. Musically, 'Conquest' is just as crucial with a SWEET guitar prevailing throughout subtly and an excellent extension on the riddim after the song's final vocals have been spoken. 

"Remember when they told of the explorers that went through a fantastic voyage and saw all these monsters

Now, it's them who were actually the monsters

The transatlantic human trade"

12. 'Barriers & Borders' featuring Uwe Kaa

"Barriers and borders inna our view

Like a roadblock inna dem curfew

We flying high with music, music

So come and get into it, to it"

The combination with German artist, Uwe Kaa, 'Barriers & Borders' is another album which mixes languages (and even more so in this case than on some of the others because Kaa uses German), but I do feel like I can follow along a little thanks to the chorus and even if I couldn't, this tune just sounds SO nice and is so pleasing. I think, actually, you can even look at this tune as a microcosm for a large chunk of the ideology of this album - where we CELEBRATE one of the things that virtually always manages to bring people together and espouse on all of its many wonders: Music (more on that in a minute). 

13. 'So Tired'

'So Tired' was more of a straight-forward type of social commentary for the album but it, too, was a track which fit well into the scheme of the of the project. As where the tune before it recognized one of the many things that is capable of linking people together throughout the world, 'So Tired' did the same thing but with poverty and hardships that are faced by so many people from so many different walks of life. This song also has a HEAVY sound to it which is so wonderfully difficult to shake and helps to make it, in my opinion, one of the many standouts featured on "Salam". 

14. 'All Over The World' featuring Mighty Che

Ras Muhamad continues to get global, this time with the help of the Mighty Che and this time he's taking in the 'sights'. All of the beautiful women to be found on the planet represent the direction of 'All Over The World'. I hadn't heard this tune in a few minutes but, listening to it now, I just couldn't help but to smile because of the wide open sound on this track and its damn infectious chorus.

15. 'Blow Them Away'

"BLOW DEM AWAY!

BLOW DEM AWAY!

A di wicked man wi smite and ah strike everyday

SHOW DEM DI WAY!

SHOW DEM DI WAY!

So di youths dem life could never go astray"

Ras Muhamad clears a path of righteousness directly through the negativity and wickedness to be found in the world on his cut of the Rub A Dub Man Riddim and a song that remains one of my favourite offerings that he's ever made, 'Blow Them Away'. This selection absolutely BURNS later in this album and though it hasn't been away from my players for a very long time, I love how the passion which effuses from it always gives it a very fresh and compelling sound - even after hearing it a few hundred times.

16. 'Through The Smoke'

'Salam' ended with another big tune in 'Through The Smoke', arguably the single biggest piece that it has to offer. In retrospect, aside from things which immediately stand out from it, something else I really enjoy about this song is the level of confidence coming from the artist. Songs which kind of acknowledge that bad things are happening and will most certainly continue to happen, but feature a vocalist who can remain confident that things will sort themselves out in the end have always done something for me and ''Through The Smoke' has to be amongst the very best of its kind that I've ever heard. I also love the musical end of this one which persists on and on well after the song’s final vocals and it is just a MIGHTY song from an artist who well put his proverbial best foot forward on this outstanding album. 

I do want to quickly mention something, in general, which has changed for me in regards to this one and it is something that has happened before. Initially, one of the major point of interest here was clearly that you had an Indonesian artist linking with a German label to make a Caribbean birthed form of music and to pursue the art form and the kind of inherent and organic remoteness and randomness presented by that set of circumstances is still indefinably captivating. HOWEVER, what has illuminated for me in the month or so since then is how what is even more interesting are the spots in between! This isn't an album just linking three countries or three regions of the world, it is one attempting to link them all. Ras Muhamad, clearly appreciative of the moment and his situation, Ras Muhamad seems to make it a mission to include EVERYONE! No one is excluded. Everyone is invited and what happens, subsequently, is an album which I'm sure will find a place amongst any fan of Reggae music. Not sure about that??? See for yourself when you pick up one of the year's finest Reggae albums, "Salam" by Ras Muhamad, today. 

Rewind! - "Freedom Fighters" by Chezidek

"Freedom Fighters" by Chezidek [One Drop Records - 2013]

Though, in some respects, I have to admit to having a fondness for the type of… unusual ways of one One Drop Records, I do sometimes wish that they had gone about things differently. The label which, at least through their first three releases, showed very little in the way of deciding to promote their projects (which was very strange considering exactly who those albums featured). The result, as you might imagine, was a trio of albums which flew WELL beneath the proverbial radar and kind of continue to these days as well. That's unfortunate, particularly when you consider that their first two albums, which came from Lutan Fyah and Ras Attitude (and Lutan Fyah's "Truly" was virtually a masterpiece in my opinion), probably didn't need much of a push to make a bigger impact that they did, but I wouldn't at all be surprised if both vocalists had at least semi-passionate fans who are still unaware that those albums exist. The same could be possibly be said from an album from One Drop Records just last year from the flaming Chezidek. Of course the general year 2013 that Chezidek put together didn't help things - as he released "The Order of Melchezedik" (another masterpiece and a borderline classic already), which was well on top of the radar and was ultimately one of the most respected projects of its time. It would not have been difficult for any other album that year to go unnoticed from the singer and one did. 'Unfortunately' (not really), that album, also, was damn good! Today, as we've been meaning to do for almost a year now, we FINALLY go  back and REWIND what became a very little known GEM of a record, "Freedom Fighters" by Chezidek. 

See original review

1. 'Freedom Fighters'

TEARS! 'Officially' the crying doesn't begin until the second song on "Freedom Fighters", but the first is more than enough to serve that purpose on a personal level for me. What a beautiful song! Aside from being downright therapeutic (biggup Ziggi Recado) to the ears, 'Freedom Fighters', the song, was full of substance of Chezidek called for a next group of leaders to step up and fix what previous generations have broken. These days, I'm well stuck on just appreciating the sonics of the tune and that is A LOT to appreciate. Still, again, the singer also gives us enough listening points of discussion, making for a fully operational MAGICAL song and my new favourite piece on the album named after it. 

"It was the inaction of those who could have acted

THOSE WHO SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER

The silence of the voice of justice

Well it mostly mattered

That has made it so possible for evil to triumph

Glorious pages of human history has been written only in those moments -

When men were able to act in concert to prevent impending tragedies

BY THE ACTIONS YOU TAKE YOU CAN ALSO ILLUMINATE THE PAGES OF HISTORY!"

BOOM! DAMN! 

2. 'Eye Watas and Prayers [Live By The Gun]'

Feel free to begin crying on the second song on the album, 'Eye Watas and Prayers', because if the opener didn't get you (you're a robot) this one surely will. Though the song was largely straight-forward as an anti-violence social commentary, it packed on the beauty as well and is just a pleasing composition to listen to, particularly in its latter stages. I also have a newfound LOVE of the riddim from this tune with so many different and diverse, but complimenting sounds (there's a horn in there somewhere which is sublime) making for a perfect backdrop which Chezidek does not waste at all. 

"Live by the gun

Die by the bullet

No place to run

You too quick fi pull it

BABYLON GRAVEYARD, A YOU WAAN FULL IT

WITH YAH BROTHERS AND SISTERS DEM BLOOD - RUN THROUGH IT"

3. 'Chemical Free'

'Chemical Free' was a giant from the very first time that I heard it and now, having not heard it in a minute, it hasn't lost a thing and it has even gotten stronger in my opinion. This piece was one about utilizing the world and its fruits in a way in which was most beneficial and HEALTHY to mankind and eschewing the millions of things which are not. In retrospect, I think I overlooked just how meticulously put-together the songs comes off. It may not be the case at all (they may've created it in about fifteen minutes), but 'Chemical Free' so much seems like the type of song which was planned and arranged for a very long time before what we eventually hear emerged. In either case, it was a fantastic song and one of the most lasting moments from "Freedom Fighters" unquestionably. 

4. 'Dem A Dweet'

Though the title track and opener has overtaken it in terms of being the best song I hear on the album, 'Dem A Dweet' is still an absolutely golden selection and it perhaps speaks even more to my appreciation of the first song to say that I probably hold 'Dem A Dweet' in an even higher esteem now than I did originally. While the major attraction here was definitely a lyrical one -- as Chezidek goes on a tirade on some of his not so proper living peers ["seh dem love, dem only love sometime"] -- it is also a song which can be appreciated on a more simple level: It sounds REALLY good! The combination of both of those things make for not only one of the best songs on this album, but definitely one of the best ones of Chezidek's entire career as well. 

5. 'Never Give Up'

I well wanted to take a deeper listen to 'Never Give Up' because, on its name alone, I couldn't really remember the song until I got into it (especially the chorus). This record was one which you'd listen to and actually expect to kind of be overlooked and underestimated in the face of some of the more spectacular moments on the album, but it is the type of song which GLOWS when you put it beneath a 'brighter light' and take a closer look (… or even if you only take in that damn infectious chorus).  

"I no wanna be the victim

Still I can't just be living for myself

Even if its from a distance

Got to share Jah love with someone else

Oh I really work so hard

I seek of no reward -

But the blessings of life and my children's children

Wiseness and overstanding and the right knowledge

Long life and health and strength"

6. 'Shine Your Light'

Speaking of bright lights - Yes, I still hear the riddim from 'Shine Your Light' and immediately begin to sing a Lutan Fyah song in my head, but Chezidek's cut of the track is no less luminous. This selection was a subtly clever praising tune which FULLY makes a space and an acknowledgment for the various faiths and walks of life to be found on the planet, but Chezidek makes no puzzle of it, at all, where his allegiances rest:

"Be what you wanna be

See what you wanna see

Pree all you wanna pree

I and I and I a just Rasta"

7. 'Burn Out'

From the first time I heard 'Burn Out' I always thought it to be a compelling and curious composition because of its core meaning and I haven't really deviated much as far as my thoughts of its intent. I think it is a song about maturing and, within that process, continuing to let go of negative things around you. What has changed, however, is my LOVE of this piece from the lyrical side. 'Burn Out', in spite of its title, is not the grotesque and disgusting clichéd song condemning the same things you've heard on thousands of other songs. What it is about, as Chezidek says so wonderfully, is replacing those things with upful and positive and inspiring things ["Humble yourself, like a little child. Learn to live in a peaceful manner. Show a little respect. Show a little honour. NOTHING CAN HIDE, JAH JAH HAVE YOU ON A SCANNER"]. At its peak, Chezidek absolutely dazzles linguistically on a song which is RIPE to be heard again… for the first time. 

8. 'Good Girl'

Though not the most lasting effort from "Freedom Fighters", for what it was, 'Good Girl', was very strong. Love songs, for whatever reason, have never really been a strength of Chezidek's and, as 'love songs' go, his pieces tend to more on the mild side (which is a good thing in his instance) and this was no exception. Most enjoyable here, without a doubt, is just how easy this one was to take in. It breaks no new ground and does not come close, but is just very nice to listen to.

9. 'Mr. President'

'Mr. President', like both the opener and 'Dem A Dweet' before it, was a song which really brought some edge and some spice to the album. You don't too often hear Chezidek angry and overly impassioned, and you don't get that here, but several times here you get the feeling that he's not entirely far from losing it a little! The results, to my ears are fantastic and make for one of my favourite songs here.

10. 'Jah Jah Tabernacle'

The downright CRAWLING 'Jah Jah Tabernacle' is another tune here which well requires more than a few spins through to fully take in. It literally sounds like a different song developing each time you hear it. And these days what I most like here is that development. On the smaller scale, it happens during the song: In its middle portions Chezidek turns the intensity up SLIGHTLY and it doesn't even continue throughout the rest of the song, but at that one moment, this praising song goes up several notches in quality.

"Go and tell it to di nation

Tell it to all generation

Tell dem bout The King of Iration

HE is our salvation!

All gonna hail that same one

All gonna sing that same song

Chanting for our redemption

Chanting for our liberation!

We can do it, we can make it happen

Inna Jah Jah Tabernacle 

Good over evil, we shall win the battle

Inna Jah Jah Tabernacle"

11. 'Fire Must Haffi Burn'

"Fire must haffi burn

Fire must haffi burn

How long Jah Jah call and dem never return

Fire must haffi burn

Fire must haffi burn

How long Jah Jah call and dem never return

Seh we never will forget it

Even though we do forgive

How they brought us down in slavery, trampled down our dignity

No equal rights nor justice, we were trapped in poverty

Seh they fight against our culture and their true identity

With their brainwash education: Babylon philosophy

Yet we never give up the struggle, seh we fighting to be free

Fire must haffi burn

Fire must haffi burn

How long Jah Jah call and dem never return

Fire must haffi burn

Fire must haffi burn

How long Jah Jah call and dem never return

I wanna tell the story

We wanna tell the story

How much of I and I dem throw overboard on the transatlantic journey

Dem waan change the story

Dem no like tell the story 

Dem caan wipe away our history

CAAN DENY OUR GLORY!

Ancient prophets and priests, Queens and Kings

Teachers and philosophers of the origin

Masters of science, technology and medicine

MOTHER OF CREATION, WHERE EVERYTHING BEGIN

Fire must haffi burn

Fire must haffi burn

How long Jah Jah call and dem never return

Fire must haffi burn

Fire must haffi burn

How long Jah Jah call and dem never return

Cut and clear and sanctify

Purge and cleanse and purify

Come together and beautify

RASTAFARI WI GLORIFY

And it no matter how hard you try

They will never be satisfied

Babylon dem ah crucify

THEIR DESPERATION IS DUE TO I!" 

12. 'Light Up Your Spliff'

Chezidek declares "brainfood", presumably, in reference to the subject of the song, but if he only meant this actual song, 'Light Up Your Spliff', he'd get in an agreement from me there as well.  This song was a slight tribute to the great Everton Blender and I always thought that was such a nice touch here which not only helps to make it a good song, but a memorable one as well. 'Light Up Your Spliff' was THAT song on "Freedom Fighters" and it always be one of the several (but maybe even most in this case outside of the title track) which I hear and IMMEDIATELY smile. 

13. 'Mama'

Surely we couldn't come to the end of an album like this one without at least one piece of love devoted to Mama and that's what Chezidek does on… a song called 'Mama'. There was nothing new here (I don't think you can do anything new on a Mama song in Reggae music) (I think it is impossible today), but as was the case with 'Good Girl', this is just such a pleasing song to listen to. Specifically, a big credit goes to whoever plays guitar on this song. Subtle as it may be (and it is), they do an amazing job on one of the best riddims on this album.

14. 'Head Get Swell'

'Head Get Swell' kind of serves as a fine accompanying piece to 'Dem A Dweet' as, at least in my opinion, it is aimed at the same group of people, essentially. 

"Don't let your head get swell from the little food you eat

don't get out of your self

Stand up firm on your feet

Don't forget your journey and what you preach

Don't forget where you coming from and where you reach"

I thought it a very unique song initially and I still do because of how it is put together. Humility is trampled subject when it comes to Reggae music, but most times you hear it explored, it is done so broadly. In this situation, Chezidek directly (or at least seems to) goes after people who have come into new success (maybe musicians, for example!) and have lost their way in life and now think themselves better than others.

15. 'Thanks and Praises'

And lastly (I haven't written anything lengthy in a while (now checking in at 2400 words) and this was easy) was another highlight from "Freedom Fighters" as the sublime 'Thanks and Praises' set the album away on a high note. After having done ALL of that work, it is important to give praise (for TALENT if nothing else) and that's how Chezidek and ODR wraps things up. You may see titles like this and immediately assume (correctly) that you've heard so many songs like this and you're right, but this one was nearly special to my ears. Along with that GRUMBLING riddim (it sounds like it is trying to talk to you), Chezidek delivers a fantastic performance in honour of His Imperial Majesty. 

"Oh I know it's not easy

It nuh pretty out a street

My mind is made up, my heart is fixed

I and I won't take no defeat

Sometimes I couldn't find a place to rest my weary feet

But a forward ever, backward never

I and I never retreat

Hear I when I call!

Jah Jah give us health and strength

I hope - I and I trust Jah Jah -

I and I confidence

One day we shall overcome

And I know we shall win

In Jah is the victory -

Selassie I The King of Kings" 

So! I think that there may be a fairly high chance that you missed out what turned out to be one of the least appreciated GREAT albums of 2013 but we've just received word that… you can still get it! They didn't remove it and erase it from history. Check out the lovely "Freedom Fighters" from Chezidek via One Drop Records today. 

Rewind! - "Therapeutic" by Ziggi Recado

"Therapeutic" by Ziggi Recado [Zion High Productions]

Generally speaking, solid common sense and music aren't two things which tend to get along very well. What often seems like the obvious result and course of action when it comes to music is rarely the one taken and, likely because of that, it is impossible to even consider the potential things that we, as fans, have missed out on throughout the years. However, with that being said, when music and good brain work do link up, they can produce some truly satisfying work. In the explosive first half of 2014 we've seen it happen on a few occasions already. One of them we take a look at today as, fittingly, one of the hottest labels going today, Zion High Productions (and the Zion I Kings) teamed up with one of the biggest talents of this generation. Today we go back and REWIND! one of the biggest albums of the year, "Therapeutic" by Ziggi Recado.

Original Review

1. 'Masquerade'

You know what? In December, the opener of "Therapeutic", 'Masquerade' should be in a handful of tunes that will get my consideration for being my absolute favourite song of 2014. It was GOLDEN [!] and the further we get away from my first hearing the tune, the sweeter and sweeter it becomes. You'll hear dozens and probably hundreds of songs which're constructed on metaphors, lyrically, but few will reach the levels attained by this brilliant piece as Ziggi breaks down the 'extravaganza' on display in the world today on one of the strongest social commentaries that I've ever heard (which is saying a lot in Reggae music). And not to overlook the spectacular backdrop which underpins what is still the finest song on this album.

"Babylon ah recruit fi di circus

Dem ah juggle, my youth, keep di focus

THIS IS A MASQUERADE"

2. 'Got It Right Here'

It had been a minute from the last time that I'd heard 'Got It Right Here' before going back for the sake of this post and perhaps that had something to do with it… or maybe it didn't - but this song made me SMILE from the opening lines uttered until it reached its end and then more. 'Got It Right Here' is a love song and it's actually a fairly basic one, but this song is so damn sweet your ears may just pick up a cavity or two listening to it. One of the album's most immediately pleasing sets and another jewel seated on this album.

3. 'Miss Outta Road'

"Well if you got di money she will entertain

And any time she spend is never time in vain

Cause she plays di game

Inna cycle, she can't break di chain

Outta road she find nuff joy and pain

But this ghetto life is all she know -

And di block, even when business slow

Jah know how she love this business so

She no play fi let this business go

She just wanna si di interest flow"

"Years in the biz, now she's a veteran

And everyday she pon di road ah look another man

Seh she ready for whatever, not the wedding band

And from di money inna hand, then nothing never wrong

Seh she deh ya pon pace fi make a million

And di sitten weh she sell, it coulda never done

She need more and more wood fi mek di fyah bun

'No refund' -

She go so, 'no refund'

Seh she live life with no fear and she don't care

NO!

So far away, she's just somewhere out there

No! 

Seh she got di sweetest thing around

Nobody ever turn it down

She seh one day she'll wear that crown"

Did you listen to 'Miss Outta Road'? I mean really listen to it??? If you did then you, like me, have by now surely come to the conclusion that it was a lyrical masterpiece! This song, probably more than any other on the whole of "Therapeutic", has gone up so much for me and it started highly as well. Originally, I linked 'Miss Outta Road' to I Wayne's immortal 'Can't Satisfy Her' and while it is a strong comparison (biggup me), I now see this one as more of a warning to how living in a particularly bad way can overcome and overtake someone -- regardless of gender -- and while Ziggi makes his point here through a woman, it can really apply to anyone in some way. 

4. 'Talk About'

I focused on the 'star potential' of a song like 'Talk Already' and I definitely stand by it. There was just so much to like in regards to this tune and, should it ever get some type of shine, I think it could do big things. Until then, or unless then (… even after then), it sits for me as one of the most enjoyable songs on this album and it doesn't just come in as this shell of a song which is solely meant to get heads rocking (that's just one of its side effects) it has considerable substance as well. As Ziggi Recado tells everyone to just try as hard as we possibly can to mind our own damn business! 

5. 'Luv Injection'

The therapeutic 'Luv Injection' carries a similar set of circumstances to the one which it chases on this album in my opinion. A complete JOY to listen to, the tune certainly is a 'love song' but we tend to throw around phrases like that too casually (even though they do apply) (there's just a lot of songs about love) and I want to stress that  this one is of a very high quality which only need to be heard to be enjoyed on almost any level.

6. 'I'm Blaak'

'I'm Blaak' now registers as simply one of the best songs that I've ever heard Ziggi do at any stage of his remarkable career. It is GORGEOUS and a large chunk of its beauty comes in its simplicity. There's nothing really too complicated about it. There's a chorus, a half of a verse, a full verse and that's it! But the way this song is presented, as I believe I said before, is just Ziggi sitting down and opening his mind and we're sitting there listening to this most natural and organic monologue which scintillates and dazzles in a very streamlined way. Also, you can't talk about this song without mentioning the music. It is sterling and, fortunately, utilized on a tune which is pretty much impossible to forget. 

7. 'Don't Disturb'

"Hey it is such a natural thing

When Reggae music inna full swing

Spark it up, don't pack it up -

Inna di dance wi ah start it up

Hey cannabis, it is the right thing

So now the whole world legalizing 

This medicine is hypnotizing

I & I advising

Don't disturb me when I'm loading up -

My chalice cup -

Or rolling up"

'Don't Disturb' is another tune which has grown on me a bit more from the first time that I heard it (as has the album, in general, which is unsurprising) and, in this case, it is just a matter of taking in the entire song. With lyrics and especially the music, 'Don't Disturb' is a special piece for what it is. And coming from someone such as Ziggi Recado who has done special things on the subject in the past it, too, comes as no surprise. A fantastic song. 

8. 'Earthstrong' featuring Midnite

"May you live to see another Earthstrong

More life, more love destined to come your way

Another Earthstrong - give thanks and celebrate love

When they said it was for you, it came together quickly, sped on

Good sentiments and contributions voluntarily put in

That which comes from a sincere heart

So well resources give

Certainly merited and well deserved"

When you attach Vaughn Benjamin to a song, typically, that song immediately separates itself from everything else (even when its one of his own albums) (you'll have fourteen wholly DIFFERENT pieces) and although that was the case here, 'Earthstrong' is a song which is slowly going back towards the 'center' for me. You'll forgive me for reading too much into it (a habit one develops after reviewing… twenty-five or so Midnite albums worth of music in about a year) but this is a song about getting older and more experienced in life and celebrated the "odyssey" and the "journey". The combination of Ziggi and Benjamin still holds a grand importance and interest for me as, once again, common sense struck this album and did it in a major way. 

9. 'Delete My Numba'

I was interested to see how 'Delete My Numba' might reach me these days as I hadn't heard it in a little while and when I first heard it, I just didn't think it was very good before I began to appreciate more and more of it. Now? While there is a spectacular class of songs on this album that I still can't put it near, 'Delete My Numba' Is a winner. What I really like about it is how relatable and realistic the tune is. It is a composition about falling out of love and how going through a bad relationship and the remnants of a bad relationship can just bring so much stress to every part of your life. And it isn't just this sad song dealing with gloom and things like that (although that is certainly part of the experience as well), instead you get the more familiar range of emotions such as frustration and downright mental exhaustion. I'm still working on this tune also and if we rewound it back in a few years, I wouldn't be shocked if I rated it even higher.

10. 'Jah Mercy' featuring Taranchyla & Earl 16

As I tend to do on songs that I really like (and I would hope was the intention of its creators), I've well taken 'Jah Mercy' and applied it to something which is more significant for me but in this case, I think it may've also been the full aim of this tune. To my ears, Ziggi and ZHP tapped Taranchyla and the incomparable Earl 16 to deliver a message on the power of forgiveness. I've done A LOT of stuff in my life that I've had to apologize for and I've been fortunate to have a whole heap of people (not all of them, but many of them) accept my apologies and I think that the thought here is that if THE ALMIGHTY has mercy which is "endless" for all of the things that we do, then who am I and who are you to not be able to forgive someone for what they have done. And it is acknowledged that this isn't only a state of thought or being, but a process ["educate and stimulate self-awareness"], but one worth undertaking. BOOM! 

11. 'Ras Got Love'

"When I see you inna di morning time -

Skin glistening under the sweet sunshine

In my memory you locked up inna my mind

Me and you together, spiritually intwined

When I see you inna di evening time -

Your body make physically inclined

Girl you're this African divine -

We got to combine"

In retrospect, 'Ras Got Love' stands as one of those rare love songs which has as one of its main attraction (and probably THE main attraction in this case) its lyrics. I don't see much of a way in which you couldn't call this tune one of the best written on "Therapeutic". On top of that (or behind that), is a glowing track which is perfect for the sound and though 'Got It Right Here' is as good as it is (and it is), 'Ras Got Love' is probably the single best tune of its kind on this album. 

12. 'Guide Ova' featuring Lutan Fyah

And speaking of "main attractions" ["This is a masquerade"] [WHAT!] [BOOM!], definitely my own personal spotlight was shone thoroughly in the direction of 'Guide Ova' which featured Ziggi Recado alongside the great Lutan Fyah [new album, "Get Rid A Di Wicked", in stores now] and the light didn't reveal its flaws, it revealed a nearly perfect tune. In terms of expectations, 'Guide Ova' was a microcosm for the entire album. There was no way that an album from Ziggi Recado for ZHP would flop. It was going to be great and the only question was how great ("very" was the answer). You don't link Lutan Fyah and Ziggi Recado and produce a dud of a tune and you didn't even have to actually listen to 'Guide Ova' to know that. 

13. 'Nah Know Bout U'

"Therapeutic” ends with the very stirring 'Nah Know Bout U' which still strikes me as this song that Ziggi either partially or entirely came up with 'on the spot'. It speaks highly to his talent (whether he did or made it sound like he did, in either case) that he eventually goes on to combine these thoughts under one and actually turn it into a full song. I should also speak on the music here because it, too, is somewhat impulsive and eventually ends up making for a small piece of magic at the tail of the album.

Perhaps all the common sense flowing around this album didn't quite make it to you and if that is the case - it's okay! You can start a wave of it on your own and pick up "Therapeutic" from Ziggi Recado and Zion High Productions immediately.