Signatures Vol. XVIII: Junior Kelly

If you were lucky, someone told you about it and you skipped it altogether; for the rest of us, however, veteran Junior Kelly's most recent set, "Care For Me", has left a bad taste with us that simply must be washed away. It is time for us to begin rebuilding! If you are not familiar with Kelly's music, at its best, he makes one of THE most catchy and infectious brands of Roots Reggae that we've seen in the modern era. If you're looking for songs that you can sing along with and move to and just really tune into, Junior Kelly should be amongst your top options. You didn't get that on "Care For Me" in the slightest so, I'm going to give it to you now! Here're some (let's see if I remember to change this to an actual number when I'm done with this) really, REALLY good Junior Kelly songs. Signatures: Junior Kelly

{Note: This was probably THE hardest one that I've done so far}

{Coming soon: Mark Wonder, Cali P & The Silver Surfer}

1. 'Love So Nice'

Tell me why it hurts so bad. Junior Kelly & producer Spanford struck gold more than a quarter of a century ago when, across a cut of Bob's Stir It Up Riddim, they sent out a song which would become and remains his undeniable SIGNATURE moment, 'Love So Nice'. The kind of hard-luck/jilted lover tune found a massive audience in the late 90's/early 2000's and listening to it all of these years later, 'Love So Nice' has not lost a single bit of its shine. It has become SO deeply rooted in my memory that the drum pattern at its beginning, ALONE, is more than enough to set my mind into singing it and my neck starts moving. 'Love So Nice' is Kelly's most popular songs and you could argue that it's one of the entire genre's most well known over the last thirty years or so. This list would be useless without its presence. EVERY other song on this list is a matter of opinion... this one is not. 

2. 'Burdens Heavy'

Hold dung I. I wanted to go from the clearest choice for this list to what is likely its least obvious. 'Burdens Heavy' is a tune that has HAD ME from the very first time I heard it, which would have been as a part of a relatively obscure album from over twenty years ago now by the name of "Creation" (can't sit here and honestly say that "Creation" was GREAT to any degree but, along with 'Burdens Heavy', it had some pretty nice tunes and was probably at least a little better than most of us remember it as being). This song is so damn interesting for several reasons, not the least of which is the unique combination of its often ultra-heavy subject with its downright DELIGHTFUL riddim. That thing -- produced by Christopher Miller -- is an utter joy just to hear. Take both of those and add in Kelly's own brilliant delivery of this sort of darting in and out (bobbing and weaving!) style with his words and you have a tune that has not left my radars completely in a very long... well, like ever, really. 

3. 'Dem A Wonder' featuring Smiley

PROSPER! I can kind of vaguely remember now the brief rise and run of Smiley. If I can recall correctly, he was originally from out of Aruba and living in The Netherlands and he came up with a couple of big tunes with a very nice and PLEASING style, one of which (arguably the most memorable, because I can't name any other one off the top of my head at the moment) (just remembered 'Distance'! ["I JUST CAN'T TAKE THE DISTANCE NO MOOOOOOOOOORE!"]) was the Al.Ta.Fa.An produced GEM, 'Dem A Wonder', a combination with Junior Kelly. Along with the full SOUND of this tune, I've always appreciated its direction. It's about overcoming obstacles and... the standard fare, really but also things like IMPROVEMENT, hard work and taking constructive-criticism and turning it into positivity and it did so in a way that, as you can see, was damn unforgettable. 

"I'm stepping up stronger with each and every stride

Da one yah fi alla di youths dem out deh weh ah get a vibes"

4. 'Living Hell'

You think that all is well. It is absolutely killing me that I can't recall WHO it was alongside Junior Kelly on 'Living Hell' to the point that I'm starting to wonder if I ever even actually knew and it didn't actually slip my mind but was never in there (and, of course, Jet Star and Penitentiary kept such fine records that such things are easy to look up since I have a disc that the song was on.... and there's NOTHING). Regardless of its origins, however, 'Living Hell' was one of the very first tunes that came to my mind when putting this list together, despite the fact that it's been some considerable time since I laid ears on it. 'Living Hell' was CANDY. It was an absolutely DELICIOUS Roots tune that almost had a slight crawl to it -- with the obvious connection being to Bob's 'Time Will Tell' (which I would presume, at least in part, helped to inspire this track) that had a more substantial type creep to it-- but was EXCITING. Kelly's song partner has this big, bellowing voice (which sounds exactly like someone whose name continues to elude me) and he was in fine form. Along with its intoxicating sound, 'Living Hell' was mightily clever and, MAYBE, one of the strongest written songs that you'll read about today. Magical.

"You think that all is well

But I know you're living in hell, living in hell 

I MAN MUST BREAK DEM SPELL

Can't afford fi dwell when so much prophet before ah fell"

5. 'Receive'

TAKE! THIS! LOVE! Kelly once again caught fire alongside Al.Ta.Fa.An. (this was actually before the previously mentioned 'Dem A Wonder') (do you remember who produced "Care For Me"), when he blessed their triumphant Tsahai Riddim with another of the undeniably biggest hits of his career to date, 'Receive' (to the point where you'll often see the Tsahai referred to as the Receive Riddim). Looking back now, while it wasn't out of the ordinary in pretty much anyway what 'Receive' definitely did have in its favour was just how BEAUTIFUL of a song it was. It was a pretty straightforward love song but it was IMMACULATE. It was so well done by everyone involved and, sometimes, the masses rewards that. You don't need a gimmick or something that no one has ever heard before; GREAT music can do the trick ["I got no trick up my sleeve"]. 'Receive' was great music. 

6. 'What Will It Take'

Same blood. Along with being just a WONDERFUL song to listen to, 'What Will It Take' also stands as one of the finest WRITTEN songs of Junior Kelly's entire career, in my opinion. Combine the two standout qualities and you have a unity track for the ages. 

"Well I no judge no man or condemn no one

Through you no inna mi plan and you no join mi gang

Coulda Bobo, coulda Binghi

I no give a damn

BOTTOM LINE: MI A RASTA MAN!

So if you bun Jesus, you will bun Leviticus

And Deuteronomy, Numbers ahgo bite di dust

SOME PUT DEMSELF OVER JAH, BUT MEMBA - JAH COME FUSS

SOME AH FIGHT FI BIG SLICE, BUT GIMME DI CRUST!"

7. 'Smile'

Never let them see you frown! Junior Kelly enlisted the help of some top notch talents behind the scenes to score a wondergoal on the self-produced hit, 'Smile', as the likes of George 'Dusty' Miller, Lenky, Rohan Gordon and Shane Brown all played a role in the song which was recorded at the legendary Tuff Gong. On paper, that, alone, is enough to virtually guarantee success and what came out of that session did not disappoint. 'Smile' is basically an instructional piece. Kelly is telling you to put a smile on your face even in the face of some bad things that you may be going through in life and he's correct. Even when stuff is fucked up, if you can just muster up a smile some kind of way, it'll probably make you feel a little better. The song was delightful, it made a big impact and VP liked it so much, they named an album after it; one of the strongest (and most colourful) Kelly has ever done. 

8. 'Black Am I'

It's mah colour! It's mah colour! It's mah colour! The most entry on this list (with respect to 'Purified' which was the most recent cut) is the mightily memorable 'Black Am I' from the "Smile" album, another significant personal favourite of mine that has withstood the test of time. The tune has that signature BIG sounding Junior Kelly sound (courtesy of George 'Dusty' Miller) that initially and immediately draws you in and... then this shit happens:

"Black male

Black guy

Black coat

Black heart

And when mi ah wrap mi head, mi use a black piece of cloth

Black up

Black down

Black strong

Black weak

Mi Black from mi birth, a Black skintone a dweet

Some of dem mussi crack - bleach out dem black

BUT AS DEM STOP YOU SI DI BLACKNESS AH COME BACK!

Some a dem run lef di flock, waan fi be what dem not

WOLF INNA SHEEP CLOTHES, DEM OWN CULTURE DEM FORGOT!"

Kelly absolutely DESTROYS this gorgeous riddim with a tune on African unity and, specifically, one of the many characteristics that she gave to her children. I'm going to tell you about my favourite Junior Kelly tune in just a bit (I already wrote it, it's at #10) but as for the question of what would be my second favourite [?] 'Black Am I' is FIRMLY in that conversation. EASILY one of the best he's ever done, whether you realize it or not. 

9. 'Boom Draw'

What I brain require. Of course one can't have a Roots album without a ganja tune and the clear choice for my collection is the stellar and THICK 'Boom Draw' from the "Love So Nice" album. Kelly dazzles completely atop a riddim named after the song from the Front Page Crew (who produced three other BEAUTIFUL tunes from that same album; 'Jah Nuh Dead', 'Hungry Days' and 'Go Down Satan' - all of which were relatively late snips from this list), pinnacling in its latter stages where he both thrills his listeners and... kinda makes them laugh as well. 

"FOUR CHALICE LOADS!

Then I'll go, then I'll go

THREE CHALICE LOADS!

Then I'll go, then I'll go

TWO CHALICE LOADS!

Then I'll go, then I'll go

ONE CHALICE! ONE, ONE CHALICE!

And then, my head explode!"

10. 'God Bless'

Cleanliness & Progress. Wayyy back in 2002, Junior Kelly put out an album on Penitentiary and Jet Star by the name of "Conscious Voice". Let me just tell you, if you're unfamiliar: "Conscious Voice" was fucking fantastic. It was REALLY good. It has some truly excellent songs on it (you'll find another one in these ranks as well, maybe even two if the list stays as it's currently looking) and I best recall it for having carried 'God Bless' which is, MOST LIKELY, my absolute favourite song in Junior Kelly's entire catalogue. 

You go and listen to 100% of "Care For Me" -- ALL OF IT -- and you won't hear anything even approaching these grounds. 'God Bless' was so beautiful and infectious and HEAVY, all at the same time and just a GORGEOUS presentation of music ["Cause a wi got di gift fi mek heads rock & shift"]. These days, I hear just the intro and my ears immediately tune in: Truly a personal classic and, again, probably the best Junior Kelly tune that I've ever heard. Period. 

11. 'Juvenile'

I'm on your side. 'Juvenile' was another early hit from the chanter and, just as was the case with 'Love So Nice', someone picked it up and named an album after it. This time (even prior to VP, actually), it was Jet Star and, just for an idea of how good "Juvenile", the album, was - both the previously mentioned 'Living Hell' & 'What Will It Take' were also on it). As for the song, nearing thirty years later, the reason for the attraction to 'Juvenile' is still quite easy to see. It was just brilliant. It had this very light (almost too light) sound to it but Kelly roughed it up. He gave it some dirt and some 'character' and pushed a social commentary, specifically for the younger people who are struggling their way through, saying that they had an advocate and a friend in him. 

12. 'Push A Fire' featuring Roger Flames

CALL PON JAH NAME! I knew 'Push A Fire' would be somewhere in here when I started putting it together (just started naming songs, like I always do, it was probably one of the first five or six) but I hadn't heard it in a minute and actually had forgotten that it was a combination. Kelly linked with underknown Roger Flames on what just has to be Flames' most known tune to date and, fortunately, it was also one of Junior Kelly's finest so 'Push A Fire' is well remembered (by me, at least, if by no one else). You listen to this song and if it's the first time you've heard it or the hundredth, I'll challenge you to have no physical reaction to it whatsoever. Don't rock in your seat; son't sing along; don't do any damn thing. It's impossible! 'Push A Fire' was gloriously entertaining modern Roots Reggae. Junior Kelly wasn't exactly as prolific a lyrical arsonist as many of his peers but he saved, arguably, what was his biggest fireball for this fantastic track.

"Fyah weh wi ah push bun up all who stoosh" 

13. 'Clean Heart'

Inity & Respect. Let's talk about 'Clean Heart' for a second. This is a song about first impressions (it's not, REALLY, but hear me out) as it was the very first tune on Junior Kelly's most popular, well known album.... which I've mentioned several times and won't insult your intelligence by naming here. So if you were caught into the rapture of its immortal title track and picked that album up, as so many were, the very first thing you would have run into would have been 'Clean Heart' (provided you didn't just immediately skip ahead to track #2, of course) (and you may have). If you think about that, especially in regards to more casual heads (and this was twenty-five years ago. YOU may have been one of them twenty-five years ago), I think there's a decent chance that 'Clean Heart' could have been one of the first songs that a lot of people heard from Kelly, not named.... that other one. 

As for the actual music that was 'Clean Heart'. As I was trying to trim this down to fifteen songs, I got stuck between this one and something else. Listening to them back-to-back and despite the fact that I LOVE that other song and it would have been on this list if there were sixteen songs, there was no comparison. 'Clean Heart' is miles ahead. You know what this song did? 'Clean Heart' made behaving good and having a positive attitude sound FUN. It glorified BEING NICE and decent and having your heart in the right place.

"Remember, it's not di place where yuh live, it's how yuh live

REMEMBER IT'S NOT WHAT YOU RECEIVE AND GET, IT'S WHAT YOU GIVE

Ah hice di positive and then yuh dash weh negative" 

14. 'Be Blessed'

UPFULNESS! My final decision for this list was another struggle between a pair of tunes from "Rise", Junior Kelly's debut album from a quarter-century ago now. While I won't tell you what the other one was (because I've already mentioned it) (it came back in the conversation), when you get into the SUBSTANCE, 'Be Blessed' slightly outpaces it (the chorus on that other song is absolutely divine). While I can't say it goes as far as 'Clean Heart', in terms of downright glorify good behaviour, 'Be Blessed' comes from that same core, in my opinion ["If you wanna be blessed, gi di gun a rest. Put di artillery pon pause"] . The certain topic here is one of anti-violence, which Kelly covers sprawlingly, dealing with both the pros of living an upright life and the cons of falling into the trap ["Remember, inna di grave there is no repentance"]. He deals with it all on such a high level that common sense won out for a change and 'Be Blessed' became mandatory for a list like this one. 

15. 'Satan Throne'

MARCH! Hard to believe that it's been TWENTY-ONE years since Junior Kelly dropped the wonderful "Tough Life" album and while we've already mentioned, arguably, the biggest hit from it ('Receive, with respect to... nope, 'Receive' it is) my longtime favourite tune from that wonderful set has been 'Satan Throne' which closes out this edition of Signatures ("Tough Life" was awesome; it's probably just two or three steps away from being a modern classic). Again, you go and listen to "Care For Me" and try to even approximate ANYTHING that shines the way 'Satan Throne' does. You feel [GOOD] emotions listening to this one and, just speaking for myself, I love the harshness and abrasiveness of it and it should be. There should be a little spite behind the tune when you hear what he's saying and what Junior Kelly is talking about. 

This was a call to action against negativity in all of its disgusting forms and Junior Kelly, at his angry, raspy best, put his best foot forward and a song like 'Satan Throne' REALLY exemplifies what sets him apart from the giant pack... and even if it doesn't, isn't it just so nice! 

Signatures Vol. XVII: Fantan Mojah

In what is becoming an all too often tradition around here of sorts, today we give thanks and honour the contributions of someone who we, most unfortunately, recently lost physically. From the time Fantan Mojah made his grand arrival via his signature LARGE, anthemic brand of Roots music, he announced himself as someone who would be damn difficult to ignore over the course of the next quarter-century or so; along the way providing the genre with some of its most unforgettable tunes of the era. At the peak of his popularity, 'The Macka Tree' was one of Reggae music's most reliable hitmakers of his era and he has left us with a BEAUTIFUL body of work as he rests. 

Today, just as we did with Cocoa Tea and Determine before him, we pay tribute to someone who is set to perform his first sold-out show in Zion. Signatures: Fantan Mojah

1. 'Thanks & Praise'

Here to stay. There may be (there ARE) HUNDREDS of Roots tunes with the title 'Thanks & Praise' or something very similar (i.e. 'Give Thanks & Praise', 'Thanks & Praises'...). It's a very common title and if you listen to Fantan Mojah's version of it, you won't hear a damn thing that you won't likely find on any of the others in terms of ideology. What differs it is such a POWERFUL combination of passion, energy and conviction with that SWEET AS ALL HELL riddim. Around twenty years ago, the world's leading Dancehall producer, Don Corleon, ventured out of his comfort zone and showed that his kingdom covered farrrrr more ground that just songs about girls, guns and ganja with the very well received Drop Leaf Riddim. He would do it again, almost immediately, with the Seasons Riddim which was arguably even stronger. It would carry bona fide hits from the likes of Morgan Heritage, Wayne Wonder, the aforementioned Jah Cure, Vybz Kartel, Natural Black (who scored with the single greatest song he's ever done, 'Far From Reality') and Mojah. With the exception of Natural Black and maybe Cure (whose 'Love Is' was just a damn devastating display of his most STRANGE of gifts that has ever existed) I'd CLEARLY put 'Thanks & Praise' ahead of the pack and when you REALLY dig into some of that material, that's saying ENDLESS about the nature of 'Thanks & Praise'. No it wasn't revolutionary in the slightest and it wasn't doing anything that hadn't been done countless times before (or since) but in its own UNIQUE way, 'Thanks & Praise' was magical and it still is. 

2. 'Hail The King'

Take nothing at all. Let's talk about how incredibly interesting 'Hail The King' is for a minute. It'd been a minute since the last time I'd laid ears on this tune and, even after alllllll these years, I find it downright JARRING. It is such a nice song and it hits you on so many different layers. You know where I am with it in 2026?? I'm thinking about EFFORT. I'm thinking about the punchline:

"IT NO TAKE NOTHING AT ALL FI HAIL THE KING!"

Saying that to praise His Majesty requires NOTHING AT ALL from you. It won't cost you any money, you don't have to go anywhere, you don't have to break a sweat, you don't even have to talk to anyone! It is as simple for you as rising in the morning! It should be a natural process that occurs in your body and, from the standpoint that Mojah was coming from, and considering the effort and passion he put into it, he almost comes off as a bit frustrated with the masses but he's doing part. He's done his part. Now I must do mine and you must do yours.

3. 'Stronger'

Make me stronger. The title track from Mojah's second album, the Maximum Sound produced 'Stronger' (biggup Frenchie) was another sizable hit from the Macka Tree. A kind of a dual-leveled effort, 'Stronger' was both a praising tune and one which dealt with responding to negativity and those who may be working against you in a slightly more tangible sense as well. Yes. It was fairly well written but the lion's share of the appeal for 'Stronger' were the sonics. Although it didn't have the performance of some of their others, strictly as a music composition - the Jah Powers Riddim which supports here was probably one of the finest tracks Maximum Sound has EVER done and this was, FAR AND AWAY, its biggest moment (respect to Jah Mason though who did quite well with his 'Things Will Be Better'). 

'Stronger' was exhilarating, it was powerful and one of the STRONGEST of its time and Fantan Mojah's entire body of work. 

4. 'Tell Lie Pon Rasta'

CONSPIRACY! Frenchie & Maximum Sound were back at the helm of another sizable hit registered by the Macka Tree, the hard-to-forget 'Tell Lie Pon Rasta' which utilized their gorgeous Session Riddim (where it reigned supreme). The song found Mojah (appropriately) concerned with the image and perception of Rastafari and how the walk is so often misunderstood. 

"Dem talk alotta things bout Rastafari

Bout how wi a cult, wi a Blackheart man 

Dem seh Rasta mean and Rasta no clean

And how wi nuh have no self-esteem"

The song's direction has always at least somewhat reminded me of another favourite of mine, 'Rasta Still Deh Bout' by Lutan Fyah & Josie Mel and while 'Tell Lie Pon Rasta' was most certainly a bit more on the proverbial 'front foot' both songs have etched themselves in my memory for similar reasons and I'm still celebrating them both as much I possibly can! 

5. 'How Can I Be Ungrateful' featuring Zareb

After all that Jah has done for me. While putting this list together, it has occurred to me that I could legitimately make a strong case that THREE tunes that're combinations between Mojah and criminally underrated, sweet singing Clarendon native Zareb (formerly Mr. Flash) (before that he was Singing Flasher) could make this list. I'm still working on it and I'd be surprised if at least two of them don't make the final cut but when I got them all together the one that I was most certain about was this complete GEM of a tune produced by Shore Jam on their LOVELY but overlooked Ruff Life Riddim (Natty King had a golden piece of tune on it as well).

"Jah give me health and strength upon di battlefield 

Teach mi how to love my brother and mi sister that is real

JAH YOU FULFILL MY NEEDS SO MI NAH GO STEAL 

Rastafari blessing never conceal

Di wicked dem ah pray fi mi ting pop dung a road

The Most High a mi Guidline, dat a fi mi code

Preach violence: Eye fi an eye, soul fi a soul

When dem check seh mi dun lef get a new episode"

The song's title (and chorus) spoke for itself. How in the world can be an ingrate, given everything that I have going for me in my life. There're ALWAYS people in worse situations than you, so it's important to appreciate EVERYTHING that you have going for you in your life. 

6. 'Rastafari Is The Ruler' featuring Zareb

What a joy it bring. If you didn't get the message on 'How Can I Be Ungrateful', Mojah and Zareb come back with the harsher 'Rastafari Is The Ruler' to make sure everyone is clear precisely where they stand. Mojah, for his part, really stepped up the intensity on 'Rastafari Is The Ruler' but we ultimately arrived at the same point, when contrasted by Zagreb's very smooth vocals. A somewhat overlooked ultra-passionate and LOVELY tune that has stuck with me through the years and, again, one of several testaments to just how well these two worked together.  

7. 'Hungry'

Open up the door! As we always do, we begin with what I think is likely Fantan Mojah's most memorable tune and it was also probably his first. The absolutely MAMMOTH 'Hungry' would not only go to signal what was coming in the way of the burgeoning vocalist but, more specifically, the work he would go on to do with Downsound Records, who lent the St. Elizabeth up and comer their reimagined Invasion Riddim, which he would return to them with a crown!

I use the word ANTHEM to describe much of Fantan Mojah's music. An anthem for me is a song with a big, bright sound that sticks in your head and you can literally picture people singing along to it, WITH PURPOSE, there's a cause behind it. That describes 'Hungry' perfectly and, all of these years on, we're still singing it.

8. 'Nuh Build Great Man' featuring Jah Cure

Babylon be still. I don't think I'm going too far at all by calling this LUSH combination with the single greatest voice ever placed in a human being better a CLASSIC. 'Nuh Build Great Man' did a heavy amount of damage in its day and its presence on a list like this of mine was a definite.

"Dem nuh build great man

Dem only kill great man

Babylon be still and no underrate man"

For my ears, 'Nuh Build Man' was a SUPPORTIVE anthem. It was about seeing people who're doing positive things (like making music, for example) and putting your backing (whatever that may mean for you) behind them. I can say that such a song, theoretically, probably isn't terribly rare in the genre but you don't usually hear them sounding like this. So while the subject matter wasn't necessarily outlandish, the QUALITY of the material most certainly was: One of THE best songs Mojah or The Cure have ever done. 

9. 'Vampire'

 

Rubber tire. London Individuals pulled in a load of big names for their gorgeous Billion Riddim, including Fantan Mojah who, arguably, gave them their single biggest track altogether. I think this one just may be the most unlikely of my entire list but I've always LOVED 'Vampire'. There're certain songs on which the artist almost sounds like... they are OVERWHELMED with just... disgust. That was this song. Mojah comes off like certain people's behaviour is SO DAMN NASTY that it has led him to make 'Vampire' with such a brilliant level of passion. It isn't messy or overdone at all. 'Vampire' hit every mark for me and has, quietly, become one of Mojah's strongest selections altogether for me. 

10. 'Most High Jah'

Deliver me. The infamous Flava McGregor was at the height of his powers when he delivered to the world the biologically perfect Rub-A-Dub Riddim (THAT THING WAS FLAWLESS ON A MOLECULAR LEVEL!). The track would give life to a number of hits from the likes of Etana, I-Octane, Morgan Heritage, Capleton, Richie Spice and Ginjah ["NEVER LOST MY WAYYYYYYYY!"] [BOOM!] but, to my opinion, it was Mojah taking top honours with the HALTING 'Most High Jah'. Not only was it the best song on the Rub-A-Dub but it's also my favourite song that he's ever done. Period! 'Most High Jah' featured a version of Fantan Mojah that came off as highly emotional (he sounded like he was going through some things when he recorded it) at times but not to, obviously, the detriment of the tune's quality - it enhanced it! Listening to it now, of course, 'Most High Jah' has an even greater significance for what has happened and it hits me even harder in 2026. 

11. 'Authentic Love' featuring Zareb

What I'm searching for. I told you this might happen. After considering everything, you will find THREE tunes featuring Mojah alongside Zareb on this list and for good reason. The final of the trio also just happened to be the title track for the singer's (very overlooked but SOLID) debut album from nearly twenty years ago now. 'Authentic Love' was just a GORGEOUS love song across a cut of the Hard Drugs Riddim. Love songs can be sorta odd and you won't find the ranks of these posts full of them but there is definitely something to be said when someone gets it RIGHT. 'Authentic Love' was beautiful and ENTERTAINING. It wasn't some sappy 'oh baby I love you forever' type of track and, at least for me, stands as a signature for both Mojah and Zareb.

It's too bad that we'll never get them back together again but what they've left us with as a a pair (and there're other tunes they've done) (check 'Good Meditation' - also a big tune) stands as some of the best work of both and unforgettable in my mind. 

12. 'Rasta Got Soul'

"Many are gone but not forgotten"

...how damn fitting is this song now. 'Rasta Got Soul' was Fantan Mojah's tribute to this wonderful artform and those who came before and paved the way allowing individuals like himself to soar as they did and still are and now... he's joined them! 

"No, you caan influence mi fi go do another ting

FROM MI BORN A REGGAE MUSIC MI AH SING

Some don't know di history and don't know di ting

Big mouth dem nuh stop labbering

Nuff nah show respect to di elder dem

Wi haffi crown dem heights, dem a di great legends

YOU CAN'T COME TELL MI SEH YOU A DI MAN WHEN REGGAE MUSIC YUH NUH OVERSTAND

And nuff a dem nuh know bout di music

Dem just ah hustle and to try fi abuse it

Dem nuh sew no seed!

Dem waan fi reap and ah sell wi out cheap

Respect to di youths dem weh buss from di ghetto 

Cross di world, dem mad Reggae music ah echo [ECHO]

Nuff a dem a bandwagonist

Dem caan follow this

Listen di lion, wi ah roar!

RASTA GOT SOUL 

REGGAE MUSIC ROCKING MY BONE"

Sometimes you get a certain feeling that the person singing the song had a REALLY good time singing that particular song; I get THAT feeling from Fantan Mojah on 'Rasta Got Soul'. If you were to ask him, I think he'd call it one of his favourite songs from his career and it resonated with the people, scoring as one of his biggest hits to the surprise of absolutely no one. 

Thank you for your contributions to this wonderful artform, Fantan Mojah and REST EASY!

Signatures Vol. XVI: Capleton

 

Sure. There's absolutely no reason to do a Signatures feature on Capleton. His music is so popular; he already has at least one official 'Best Of' album that I can think of off the top of my head (it's literally called "The Best Of Capleton" if my memory is correct) and that's not to mention all of the unofficial, fanmade and mixtapes that he's accumulated over the years as well. You could go on YouTube right now and probably find dozens --if not hundreds-- such compilations and that's fine, he deserves it. However, in furthering enjoying his latest release, the GOLDEN "Heights Of Fire", of course, I have found myself going back through one of the most powerful catalogues in all of Reggae music so... why not! Today we take a look at and honour, arguably, THE most explosive talent in the history of Reggae music. Signatures: Capleton

{Coming soon: Fantan Mojah}

1. 'Who Dem'

Slew dem. In keeping with our running habit of opening with the biggest tune, OF COURSE first up is the MASSIVE 'Who Dem'. Anything anyone can say about 'Who Dem' has been said and it's been said for decades but I do want to stress one thing, in particular. While Capleton absolutely SCALDS everything, everywhere it definitely helped that he came equipped with something that can lay a legit claim to being one of the finest riddims EVER. Ward 21's blistering Bellyas carries 'Who Dem' and, obviously, King Shango puts it to the fiery sword. 'Who Dem' is THE prime example of what happens when the Dancehall meets active Roots music. It has a message and it was also powerful. It was also just... THRILLING TO LISTEN TO and a damn action scene of a song. THE single best song of Capleton's entire career and one of the best Dancehall & Reggae songs ever made by anyone. PERIOD.

2. 'Bad Mind'

Envious ahgo mad dem. There is a certain EVIL kind of infectiousness behind 'Bad Mind' which, largely, has to do with the Fed Up Riddim in which it sits and its signature GROWL (the riddim literally sounds like it's pissed off at you!). If the riddim and the overall sound of 'Bad Mind' don't completely hypnotize you (and they might), well then, for you, is also a fantastic message of BEING HAPPY FOR PEOPLE. Instead of letting jealousy and envy run your thoughts when someone does well, congratulate them, wish them well and allow it to motivate you to do better as well. There's a whole lot of common sense behind 'Bad Mind' - A POWERFUL AMOUNT. 

3. 'That Day Will Come'

Nowhere to run. It was the EXCELLENT Hardtimes Riddim which carried Capleton's 'That Day Will Come' (in retrospect, the track probably didn't do as well as it should have but the heights of it, this song and I Wayne's 'Living In Love' were sizable hits in their time) and if you recall me saying that "Reign Of Fire" opened with another entry here, it should be said that, right after it, was 'That Day Will Come' (showing just how mighty that album was IMMEDIATELY). There was a certain.... BLUNTNESS (?) to this song to go along with the typical and expected force found in Capleton's work: If you consistently fuck up and just do... wrong shit, EVENTUALLY you will have to pay. THAT DAY WILL COME! 

4. 'Jah Jah City'

Bloody city, bloody town! Think about all of the antiviolence Roots Reggae songs you've ever heard in your life. It's an impossible request, I know, but I want you to think of just how prevalent they are in the genre. Now when you go about differentiating some and distinguishing them from the pack, that new lot you come up with will include 'Jah Jah City. The MAMMOTH Morgan Heritage produced tune can lay a significant claim to being the very best of its kind. It was a hit in its day and is still well remembered but, these days what is also apparent is that, lyrically, it was one of Capleton's finest performances ever as well and, given his history and his present), that is a giant thing to consider. 'Jah Jah City' was downright terrifying. 

"Dem ah tell mi how dem cold!

Big 45, it shoot out dem brother mole

Nuff ah seh dem cold like up a di North Pole

Seh dem shoot down di young, shoot down di old

Shoot down di puss and di dog and di foal

Every weekend dem get a next payroll

OUTTA MAN POCKET DEM SHOOT OUT BILLFOLD

DISS MARCUS GARVEY, NUFF HEAD HAFFI GO ROLL" 

5. 'Alms House'

Step up inna light. By far the oldest song I'm mentioning today, the nearly THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OLD 'Alms House' stands as a VERY significant song in Capleton's career as it stands as one of a few which, in retrospect, shows what was to come for him and from him. It, literally, shows the internal shift that was going on inside of him. If I didn't make this clear in the opening (which I haven't written yet), once upon a time Capleton was a star of the Dancehall. He was loud and boisterous and x-rated and cocky (probably a poor order to put those in) but even then, the man had morals and he had a mine that there was just too much foolishness going on in the business which led to 'Alms House'. The tune did have a slight Roots aspect to it in the lyrics later on but if you hadn't figured it out by then, 'Alms House' was a signal that maybe this guy had a little something extra to him.... and he did. 

6. 'Babylon A Use Dem Brain' featuring Sizzla

Be still. Capleton has collaborated with Sizzla Kalonji directly a few times through the years (it has been AWHILE) but the DIAMOND of the pair's work together has been, without a doubt, 'Babylon A Use Dem Brain'. Produced by the legendary Bobby Digital (on a riddim courtesy of the immortal Burning Spear), the tune would be featured on my favourite album of all time, Sizzla's "Black Woman & Child" and it's one of those songs that require, unsurprisingly, a bit more keen of an ear to get receive the absolute FULLNESS of because of how DAMN genius it is. Have you ever really listened to this tune? No no. I mean REALLY listened to it?? If you have, you know that 'Babylon A Use Dem Brain' was complete and utter lyrical ROYALTY. It was intelligence of the absolute highest caliber on a combination of two MOUNTAINS!

7. 'Tour'

Culture a di cure. 'Tour' is well over THIRTY years old at this point and, though it did have its day, I don't think that it has aged as well as its quality would have seemed to forecast. 'Tour' was absolutely BRILLIANT. The song was about Capleton leaving Jamaica to tour the world -- spending weeks and months away from home -- only to return and be... fully DISGUSTED by the way things had changed in his absence. Seeing this and having spent so much time spreading his word, "preaching, teaching the people fi sure", he realized that he had much work to do. Instead of giving to strangers and fans, he needed to give his words to his neighbours and his family and friends. The way this song is situated, alone, is attractive but I can't imagine that it didn't work out EXACTLY how everyone involved hoped as a best case scenario. And from the second I was mature enough to appreciate anything beyond the melody here, I was hooked. I still am. 

8. 'Sleep Ah Night'

Worry and fret. We can talk about all of these powerful, outside forces that you may have to answer to when you do wrong but there's one which may or may not be as powerful but is FAR MORE immediate and that's the one that I've always taken 'Sleep Ah Night' as a testament to. You know when you've done wrong and HE has put something in you called a "conscience" to remind you when things aren't quite going according to plan. 

"Can't sleep a night, a nightmare dem ah get

Get up overnight awash by cold sweat

All come outside, come sit down pon step

Wid hand pon dem jaw, dem nah stop from fret"

'Sleep Ah Night' was an energizer of nature's regulator and it was genius.

9. 'Who I Am'

And where I'm from. Along with the final tune carried here, I think 'Who I Am' is probably the least likely to appear on any other personal compilation like this one of Capleton's music but it's long been a favourite of mine. Coming through across Henfield's cut of the downright GRIZZLY Babatunde Riddim, 'Who I Am' was featured on a relatively obscure album called "One Mission" (literally wrote that review SEVENTEEN years ago) where it conquered everything in site with a TORRENT of sagacity as Capleton, seemingly, responded to critics wondering just WHO exactly made him so special. 

"Dem waan know, who I am and where I'm from

Who gimme di authority fi bun di evil man?

Must be The Conquering Lion 

Unuh fi overstand, seh mi live a Zion

Well, no spirit cannot manifest without the flesh

Inna di north, and di south, and di east and di west

Mi bun dem and mi go bun dem yet

Mi dun dem and still ah bun dem yet

Well nuff a dem, mi tell dem go think and check

From di north, to di south, to di east, to di west

And mi hail King Selassie I as The Highest

Nuff a dem they gwan laid to rest

But righteousness haffi manifest!

Ghetto youths hold up yuh head, babylon get upset

Dem ah reject, wid dem internet

Dem technology, weh dem come fi tek

Well nuff a dem a di least

This seh dem a di less"

10. 'Cooyah Cooyah'

BUN EVERYTHING! It is a song like 'Cooyah Cooyah', specifically, why we associate Capleton with fire and call him the King Of Fire and all of these other titles he's accrued throughout the years. There is a stretch right in the middle of 'Cooyah Cooyah' where Capleton lyrically burns EVERYTHING and EVERYONE he can reach with his words. EVERYTHING! The song has become something of a legend over the years and one of Capleton's most popular tunes of all time.

11. '40 Suppn'

SUMN AHGO HAPPEN TONIGHT!! I haven't worked out the running order for this list just yet but I do know that I am planning to put the TRULY RIDICULOUS '40 Suppn' right behind 'Cooyah Cooyah'. Why? Because what 'Cooyah Cooyah' does in that one unforgettable stretch where he torches absolutely everything and everyone (including You & I) is pretty much the entire song '40 Suppn'. The whole damn thing! '40 Suppn' is an overkill. It's intentionally done with too much intensity and too many flames and the results were downright unforgiving. 

What needs to be said between both of these songs is the fact that they feature such an extremely high level of intelligence and sense-making to go along with their severity. This isn't... a kind of blind euphoria (although it most certainly is euphoric). There is a message (after message, after message, after message, after message) within this powerful torrent of words and it is what Capleton does at a level that I don't think anyone else can. HYPE is something that is not rare but MOST HYPE + MOST INGENUITY = Capleton. 

12. 'Death Row'

Sudden death. There is a word that describes 'Death Row' perfectly in my opinion and that is EFFORTLESS. This song, placed in the hands of someone else, might come off as having taken years to compose and to get the delivery just right... but Capleton just plough's right through it and does so from multiple angles. If you REALLY tune in this one, you, like me, migt just come to the thought that 'Death Row' ranks as one of the finest lyrical performances of Capleton's entire legendary career as it is brimming with wordy gems, primarily aimed at those who're not living righteously and have much to be ashamed of in their behaviour. 

"And all di wrong trumpet Rastafari go catch dem ah blow

And all di wrong boat, wi all go catch dem ah row"

13. 'Jah Is My Everything'

Hail The King! The immortal Bobby Digital was the maestro behind the MAMMOTH 'Jah Is My Everything' which absolutely clunked the listener over the head at the beginning of the "Reign Of Fire" album. I can remember hearing this song for the first time on that album and literally feeling overwhelmed and it's remained on my mind (obviously) twenty-two years later (almost exactly. Album released in August of 2004). There may be better songs on this list or song which I favour ahead of it but I will say about 'Jah Is My Everything' is that, for what it was, it was PERFECT. There is nothing wrong it at all. NOTHING. It was lacking in anything at all and, again, it just brings up such wonderful emotions for me; I now get dashes of nostalgia along with just the general feeling that what I'm hearing is something truly special as Capleton put on a praising performance for the ages. 

"There is no problem He can't solve

So inna certain things no bodda get involved

Well Rastafari is the ultimate and He, alone, can get all these problems resolved"

14. 'Hard Again'

HARD NOW! By far the unlikeliest song you'll find here (and the newest), it was just six years ago when Capleton called down some of the hottest and harshest fires of all for Payday's thumping Hard Again Riddim. Surprising to absolutely no one at all, Capleton went HARD on the riddim and it stuck in with me (and you think about everything I didn't put on this list in favouring it) (I could do a couple of sequels for this one RIGHT NOW if I wanted and it wouldn't be that difficult at all). Surely not the only one of its kind but if you looked down this list and thought you needed something to just... punch you straight in the chin, this one is for you! Man probably left his voice in that studio making this tune. 

Signatures Vol XV: Destra

My Father loves music. Outside of a very select group of people (and maybe an animal or two), he probably doesn't love anything else more than music. My Father's also from Trinidad and I grew up listening to a variety of different sounds with Calypso/Soca amongst them. I didn't particularly like it though which may be hard to believe if you've spent any time around here. What changed?? Maybe when I was in my... let's say very early 20's, I stumbled across the amazing Destra. Sure, she was easy on the eyes, and if I'm being completely honest, that likely had something to do with it - but you cannot listen to LOOKS. What you can listen to is what remains some of the most damn near NAUSEATINGLY INFECTIOUS music that I have ever heard from someone who would not only make me a fan of hers but a fan of an entire genre. Here's a long overdue homage to she who wears the crown. Signatures: Destra 

1. 'Bacchanal'

They call me Bacchanal. I wouldn't go as far as to call it a "rebirth" (suggesting that she needed such a thing) (she did not) but 'Bacchanal' could definitely be seen as a rebranding for Destra. Thereafter (and still) she would adopt the Queen Of Bacchanal moniker and it was, at least presumably, partially due to the strength and success of 'Bacchanal'. The tune was exactly what its title suggested. It was the heights of ridiculousness and chaos and it was BEAUTIFUL! Belonging to a very small group of tunes that can lay claim to being the single greatest Destra has ever done, 'Bacchanal' was absolutely masterful and over fifteen years later, it has not lost a single thing.

"It's in my blood

It's in my veins

Can't wash it off, I'm forever stained"

2. 'Carnival' featuring Machel Montano

So special. Destra has worked well with a number of different artists throughout the years but perhaps no one to greater effect than the incomparable Machel Montano. For some reason their styles have always clicked and the results have been spectacular. Arguably none have been greater than 'Carnival', which I THINK was also their first combination. The nearly quarter-century old tune has long reached legendary status (right along its creators) as it paired together, undeniably, two of the greatests to ever do it in a devastating form -  both of them. What is here is hypnotic and virtually impossible to shake as on a list of addictive musical substances THIS is the most hooking of them all.

3. 'Welcome Back'

Anything goes. You know, I don't rightly remember what was going on prior to the release of 'Welcome Back'. Can't remember if she took it easy for a season and this tune was marking her return (and I don't feel like looking it up) or if it was just an idea she had for a song. Regardless of its origins, however, from the second I initially heard it, 'Welcome Back' became an instant favourite of mine from Destra and has remained so, fifteen years on. This is so despite the fact that there's nothing really unusual about it. It, ostensibly, doesn't separate itself from the proverbial pack much at all. The magic here is in the MEAT of the tune. When really dig into 'Welcome Back' it GLOWS. From its energy to its very subtle level of cleverness, not only was it not lacking on any front but it excels on ALL of them. Quietly (not really but you get what I mean) one of the strongest songs she's ever done, without question (and personally, the beginning of 'Welcome Back' is downright ICONIC for me. IT IS SPECIAL!).

4. 'Up In D Air'

Can't beat we yet. Much like the next entry on this list, 'Up In D Air' was very clever, whether we realized it or not (we definitely did see it in the next tune, one of her most celebrated and deservingly so) in its day. It was also as cool as it could possibly be. 'Up In D Air' was downright FROSTY! It just has such a sweet vibe to it and that goes on top of what is, again, a rather sagacious piece of writing from the QOB. Resting comfortably somewhere between Power and Groovy, the tune had all of the "jump & wave" styling that you would expect but that came in a way that wasn't... a bludgeoning. 

"Cause when it comes to fete

They can't beat we yet

So put your hand in the air, rag in the air"

5. 'I Dare You'

I dare you. I DARE YOU! Easily one of the biggest hits of Destra's entire career, 'I Dare You' was and remains an absolute DIAMOND of a song. It literally had EVERYTHING! It touched every vibe and hit ever nerve in the listener, making for an undeniably all-encompassing track. Another feather in its cap was the fact that it sits (without question for me) as one of the finest WRITTEN songs that Destra has ever done as well. For what it was, 'I Dare You' was pretty much fucking PERFECT and it's no wonder at all that it reached the heights that heights that it did, looking back.

6. 'Fly'

Up in the sky. 'Fly' and maybe two or three others on this list are DIFFICULT songs for me. These days it's fully DRIPPING nostalgia for me as another one of the first Soca songs from anyone that really got me. She would have to do more work to KEEP me (here's a list full of that work) but to put it simply: 'Fly' and songs like it made me a fan of a Destra in the first place and, by extension, the entire genre of Soca music. TEARS! 

7. 'Lucy'

I loose! Similar to the first song here, 'Lucy' marked another kind of rebranding of Destra as she took on what would become another popular nickname (and if you REALLY think about it, such things are pretty damn common in Soca). The song behind it, aside from the new name, was as hooking as it could possibly be. On a post FLOWING OVER with such selections, 'Lucy' is even catchier than most of them. Again, this is another song that benefitted from a multi-paced sound. There is SO much going on in here. It, literally, sounds like you're hearing the most melodic thunderstorm that you've ever encountered. Furthermore, if you listen to what she's actually saying, you'll get something out of it as well as Destra kind of paints Carnival and Soca music as this great revelation in her life which saw her go from growing up "as a real good girl" who was "always home" and "didn't go nowhere" to Lucy and to The Queen Of Bacchanal.

"THIS CARNIVAL HAVE ME SO DAMN LOOSE!"

8. 'Bonnie & Clyde'

I'm Your Queen! From beginning to end, 'Bonnie & Clyde' was frenetic.... ridiculous, wholesome goodness. More than twenty years on, it has not lost a single thing and it's even aged quite well and gathered quite a bit of international attention all of these years later. Absolutely gorgeous from the moment it released, 'Bonnie & Clyde' is simply one of the finest songs the entire genre has ever produced and it also does a mighty fine job in demonstrating what sets Soca apart from every other genre of music. You do not get pageantry and festivity like THIS anywhere else. It just does not exist anywhere else and it never will.

9. 'Mash Up'

We ready! I'm almost embarrassed (not really) that it took me a minute to come up with the name of this one because what I had in my head was what turned out to be the intro and then:

"WE READY!

WE READY!

WE READY!

WE READY!

WE READY!

WE READY!

To MASH UP everything!"

'Mash Up' was absurdity and ridiculousness of the absolute highest caliber. The reaction to it was fierce as well as the tune proved to be a nice sized hit in its day and, as you can tell, it remains EXCELLENT a dozen years later. 

10. 'Savage'

LOSE. ALL. MY. CONTROL. 'Savage' was the crowning jewel from Destra's debut album release, "Red, White, Black" back in 2003 (an album which included the aforementioned 'Carnival') and, like 'Fly', it would have been amongst the very first Soca songs that really drew me in and kept my attention for awhile. These days, it's also brimming with nostalgia for me as it may not have been such a giant hit so I don't run into 'Savage' unless I'm looking for it, typically. You won't find it on many mixes and it won't be in the background of virtually anything but make no mistake about it: 'Savage' is EASILY one of the finest songs Destra has ever done. 

11. 'Max It Up'

Reach the top! 'Max It Up' is another lovely knockout punch from Destra of a song. It peaks pretty much INSTANTLY and spends the next three and half minutes or so at the same place or relatively close to it. Although at times it threatens to be fully overwhelming, 'Max It Up' never overdoes it (well... okay it kind of does overdo it but in a good way) (in a PERFECT way) and finds such a wonderful balance. ALSO [!] if you listen to what's going on here -- as hard as it is to do -- Destra rewards you with an eye looking forward for herself and the whole of Soca music.

"Oh Father, finally, you set di Soca free

Wi own category inside of di Grammy

And now you blessing wi internationally 

So when you watching wi feel proud a wi

On MTV & BET and di Grammy, it's alla wi

Support di Soca music, it's yuh identity"

12. 'Jumpin'

Defying gravity. The now twenty years old 'Jumpin' is another tune on this list that has a claim to being my absolute favourite Destra has ever done. Perhaps if you are a corpse you could pull this off but for my living readers, I'd challenge you (even in the wickedest of moods you may be in at the moment) to listen to this one and NOT smile. Something in here is sure to spark some sort of happiness in you. The mixture on 'Jumpin' is as impressive as ever. There's an undeniable melody here but in order to hear it, Destra kinda had to punch you in the face... DEAL! 

13. 'Link Up'

Step aside. For some reason, 'Link Up' has always reminded me somewhat of the next song that I'm going to tell you about and I've made a personal 'link' between the two over the years. For its part, I hear 'Link Up' these days and a couple of things stand out. The first is that entirely EPIC beginning. Maybe [probably] I'm the only one who feels this way but how that electric drumming ascends into:

"EVERYBODY GET WILD"

Has carved out a very comfortable and lasting place in my memory and it isn't going anywhere. The other thing which I hear more these days from 'Link Up' is just how damn crazy it is. So many of these songs -- and Destra at her best, in general -- combine elements of Power Soca with Groovy and though 'Link Up' is the same (it even has a little old school textures to my ears) but when it pinnacles, 'Link Up' is a TRUCK of a tune, rolling right over any and every one in its way. 

14. 'We Own It'

It's wi property. In retrospect, one of the most compelling assets of 'We Own It' was the fact that it kind of put its feet into two very different categories. On one hand, there's a very old schoolish, almost Calypso, sort of vibes to it while on the other, it will... 'We Own It' has no problem at all punching you in the face (and making you love it). Both of those work for me which is probably why the Jus Now steered track makes this list. This madness had a certain maturity and refinement to it.

"I feel to wine on a policeman

I ain't fraid incarceration"

Signatures Vol. XIV: Bushman

Today I want to take a look at another person who, like a few of the names we've covered thus far, has very much gone through his career with the tags of being underrated and underappreciated; but I'm not entirely sure that it's the case. Of course, you could say that others (like similarly vibed Luciano, in particular) have gone onto enjoy a level of success that he has not and will not but for people who truly know the music of Bushman, I don't think he's suffering in the category of ratings and appreciation. Over the course of the past three decades +, the BEAUTIFUL voice of the St. Thomas (Jamaica) born singer has delighted fans around the world and, hopefully, he will continue to do so for the next three decades. Today we take a look at someone who, whether you've realized it or not, has firmly cemented his place amongst some of the greatest of his era. Signatures: Bushman

#1. 'Sanctuary'

I praise HIM everyday! 'Sanctuary', most likely, is my absolute favourite Bushman song ever. There's one more tune in the question but if I had to pick between the two, here's my choice. I can almost remember hearing this thing for the first time as it sits atop the "Signs" set and, literally, being BLOWN THE FUCK AWAY. What am I listening to?! What is this??? Let's start at the riddim, first of all. That entire album was billed as being a "live" album; not LIVE in the sense of it was recorded in a concert/live performance but in the sense that there was an actual band playing a riddim behind an actual singer at all times. It wasn't a track playing behind someone in a booth with headphones on. There were players of instruments (including Sly & Robbie and Chinna Smith) backing singers (like Pam Hall) an engineer (Fatta Pottinger) and all of that good stuff so from a purely sonic perspective, 'Sanctuary' was divine. Oh! The riddim! The actual music here had such a powerful vibes to it. It was emotional but not overdone and it was chilled but not frosty. 

"I'm singing songs of redemption

Repatriation

THE BLACK MONARCHY MUST STAND

You're sitting down in babylon

It is a strange land

Ethiopia awaits with open hands

WHILE IN MY SANCTUARY

I PRAISE JAH EVERYDAY!"

What Bushman would do with it is to put on a praise for The Almighty for the ages. What really stands out in his case for me is how much of himself he puts into 'Sanctuary'. It's one of the best usages of his awesome vocals that I've heard and it almost seems that the Bushman... loses himself in this one. Particularly as it progresses, he finds his 'happy place' and is THRILLED at the prospects of giving thanks to His Majesty. Like I said, most likely this is the best song I've ever heard from Bushman and it's also one of the best that I've ever heard, PERIOD. BOOM!

#2. 'Mr. Gunis'

Gun chemist. The time Bushman spent singing for the legendary King Jammy's would open him up to a variety of different sounds and you'd have an establishing ROOTS singer taking on some of the heaviest Dancehall tracks of the time. The scathing 'Mr. Gunis' was an example of this as the Bushman sat his foot all over the Ward's Da Joint Riddim. This tune, like a later one I'm going to tell you about at least partially stands out because of how COMPLETE it is. The song is kind of a social commentary but also an anti-violence piece where Bushman tells the story of someone chose the wrong path in life. He tells why such a choice might be attractive to people and how much respect and fear this man may get but then he tears it down. He deals with the negative effects on the individual and others and does it in a way that you only generally hear on much heavier traditional Roots records. 'Mr. Gunis' was DARK and it was HEAVY and, again, still fit so damn perfectly in the Dancehall. 

#3. 'Fire Pon A Deadas'

Haffi live clean. Turbulence once had a decent sized hit on his hands with a tune called 'Run Away' (that man LOVED singing that song in live performance and the audience loved hearing him do it). It was about animals, literally, running away from people who were coming to eat them. It was a serious topic, basically, but it was also put together in an almost funny way. I bring 'Run Away' up because I've always gotten a similar, though less enthused for obvious reasons, feeling about Bushman's 'Fire Pon A Deadas'. Just listen to it casually and you get what he's saying and it's all good. You can enjoy it and have a nice time, finding a nice level of respect for what goes on in here. Yet, when you really dig into 'Fire Pon A Deadas'.... something kinda funny happens. 

"I & I ah bun all bone-sucker

Wi go against 'tucky and dung a King Burger"

Bushman shines, lyrically, on the track if you gave him the opportunity to and though it is as simple as it could be, the sonics here were SUPER SWEET. We also remember 'Fire Pon A Deadas' as being somewhat of a response to another Bushman tune that I'll tell you about right now. 

#4. 'Fire Bun A Weak Heart'

Coulda never get me down. One of the Bushman's biggest hits (arguably his single biggest, actually) remains the nearly three decades old 'Fire Bun A Weak Heart' for King Jammy's. CONFIDENCE is what I take from 'Fire Bun A Weak Heart'. He goes through several different instances and situations but only seems to do so to say, ".... but I don't have time for all of that shit"; and he does this with what has to be one of the finest written tracks that Bushman has ever turned in. 

"You and yuh crew can go to hell

Cause after wi no under yuh colonial spell

And all those false doctrine that you compel

HEY!

And all those books you stole away 

All those kids you ld astray

Wait on yuh judgment day"

He is more than solid on this one, with the remaining sentiment (at least for me) being the idea that though all of these things do exist, you don't have to pay them any mind. They can be inconsequential if you make them... and they are WEAK. 

#5. 'Call The Hearse'

No easy. Bushman's well respected anti-violence piece, 'Call The Hearse', has always been a favourite of mine and a lock for this list. Some of that credit goes to Steely & Clevie who lent the singer their funky Skettel Riddim and to them he returned, arguably, the track's single biggest moment and a somewhat unlikely nice-sized hit for its time. The tune has also aged quite well and remains one of Bushman's more popular efforts. Something else that I've always appreciated about 'Call The Hearse' is just how DARK it is. It's ghoulish at times:

"Somebody call the hearse 

Cause a body's getting stink

It needs to leave the turf

Make it quick because it's getting rather worse"

But despite this quality, it remains fairly open and ACCESSIBLE as well; it's still pleasing to hear. Bushman also personalizes it and places himself in the same context of being a potential gunman and walking that route in life but saying that he also put the gun down (or never decided to actually pick it up), which could sit in the heads of others faced with a similar choice to make. 'Call The Hearse' is essential Bushman. One of the very few pieces here that I think is without question. 

#6. 'Send Dem Come' featuring I Lue

Slew dem. Chances are fairly decent that if you are a fan of the semi-reclusive I Lue, you are such because of the work he's done alongside Bushman over the years. While they've done a number of tunes together, my personal favourite has always been 'Send Dem Come', their cut of the Bada Bada Riddim for King Jammy's (via vintage Ward 21) (damn, it used to be so much fun back then). 'Send Dem Come' is a fairly AGGRESSIVE praising tune.

"Send dem come

Mi seh one-by-one

Selassie I ahgo slew dem wid di sceptre inna him hand"

It never gets to the point of offense (as if painting The Almighty as.... a hunter, for example) but 'Send Dem Come' was a warning that if you're not living right and you're doing dirty deeds, there will come a point when you will face a foe against Whom -- no matter how bad you are -- your chance of victory simply does not exist.

#7. 'Yadd Away Home'

That's where I belong. Along with 'Sanctuary', STUNNING repatriation anthem 'Yadd Away' is one of the two finest pieces I have ever heard from the Bushman. The tune, which topped his opus "Higher Ground", is wholly flawless. It is without a hint of blemish as it goes about its way in such a cool manner. There is a definite emotion behind it and it comes through but, around it, is such a SWEET laidback and serene type of vibes. This tune sounds like Bushman is laying around his yard and just singing what's on his mind but, at the same time, it's well produced and refined. 'Yadd Away Home' is a tremendous display of a talent so delightfully natural that it cannot be ignored! When the world gets too crazy for you and you need moments to yourself, know that you always have a refuge and a place of piece but physically and mentally. 

#8. 'Robbery Aggravation'

Only one solution.

"Robbery with aggravation

Shooting with intent

The ghetto youths are not comfortable cause the dollars don't worth a cent

Inflation in the economy is making my people paranoid

AND THERE'S ONLY ONE SOLUTION: TO BE GOVERNED BY RASTAFARI"

By far one of the most COMPREHENSIVE and COMPLETE social commentaries that I have ever come across, 'Robbery Aggravation' was one of MANY highlights from an album of highlights, "Higher Ground". The song finds the singer breaking down concerns of the masses to a fine, powder-like substance and then grinding it down even further for the sake of delivering one mighty moment.

"The people are tired of working from nine to five and still find it hard to find food

And the only survival is parchment paper with dead bones lying around

And police and soldiers, from the queen they  take orders, to shoot the people down

BABYLON SYSTEM IS JUST ONE BIG CIRCUS THAT'S SEARCHING FOR SOME CLOWNS"

Furthermore, this thing is PRISTINE! It sounds damn glorious and you end up with a song which is highly proficient while simultaneously being one of the sweetest vibes on this list altogether.

#9. 'Creatures of The Night'

Parasites. Like 'Sanctuary, the downright GLORIOUS 'Creatures of The Night' was a product of the exquisite "Signs" album, and it has also remained with me from the very first time I heard it and if you pressed play on the video, you know precisely why that is. 'Creatures of The Night' is EASILY one of the best songs that Bushman has ever done and if it were to have come from the catalogues of Natty King, even Luciano or anyone else people claim he sounds like, it would still be the case (biggup Prince Theo). This song was ENTERTAINING modern Roots music. There was a beautiful and significant message, the sound behind it was lovely and Bushman, himself, even adopted a very interesting delivery which found him almost deejaying at times and doing so masterfully. What resulted was as fine of a display of his capabilities that I have ever heard. 

"Every morning as mi rise, mi haffi greet flesh

Man a vegetarian and a wi no eat flesh

HAIL SELASSIE I BECAUSE HIM A DI SWEETEST"

#10. 'Arms of A Woman'

You are on my mind. When the most unfortunately late Calibud got his hands on the riddim for Gregory Isaacs' Tune In, it became the Slow Down The Pace Riddim and both he and the vocalists (most of them, anyway) did a fine job in honouring the classic. The new track would spawn a couple of nice sized hits in the way of 'Mr. Nine' & 'Keep Your Joy' from Buju Banton & Jah Mason, respectively. You also got solid sets from the likes of Junior Kelly, Capleton, George Nooks, Glen Washington and others. FORTUNATELY, Calibud also placed a call to Bushman as he would go on to bless the riddim with the SUGARY SWEET lover's set, 'Arms of A Woman'. Here's all (most of) you need to know: 'Arms of A Woman' is one of the best love songs I've ever heard. I'm not a connoisseur on the subgenre but, just like you, I've probably heard literally thousands of love songs and here is, EASILY, a top ten entrant of them all. Furthermore, I should also say that 'Arms of A Woman' has been "on my mind" from the first time that I heard it - which would be over twenty years at this point. I was much younger back then and such songs didn't really catch my attention. Here was a GLARING exception.

#11. 'Herb Field'

Where I wanna be. I had to make sure I included this loooooooong forgotten gem from nearly thirty years ago, the Mac Dada produced (truly HORRID name but they did some really good work in their time. BEAUTIFUL tune called 'Mountain Song' by Norris Man being amongst the standouts) 'Herb Field'. You look at the title and you can come away thinking one thing about this song and you wouldn't be incorrect in presuming that 'HERB FIELD' is kind of an herb song. It is. HOWEVER, in general, Bushman deals with establishing a more natural and peaceful existence and seeking refuge there from the crazy world around him. You'll find another, far more popular, similarly themed track in these ranks and it's always seemed to be something that the singer has focused on prominently throughout his career. He mined gold when he set out with 'Herb Field'... even if no one remembers it.

{Note: There're two versions of this song that I know of. I THINK this is the older one and it is my favourite}

#12. 'Hear Wah Mi Ah Seh'

It haffi seh. Finally is the most recent entry on this list as, a few years ago, the Bushman teamed up with another great of production, Don Corleon to give us the BRILLIANT 'Hear Wah Mi Ah Seh'. The tune, which I enjoyed from the first time I heard it, has grown CONSIDERABLY on me over the past few years to the point where it not only makes this list but I'd probably put it in the top half of songs on it as well. The tune found a very opinionated Bushman with somethings on his mind that he had to get off and work out and, fortunately, he chose us all to be his audience... whether you like it or not (....and you do. You do like it).

"I bun social media

Pure follower and a very few leader

Likkle juvenile, dem ah box dung teacher

And the granny posting her personal life everyday"

"It's a disgrace-

The Black race ah bleach dem face

And di juvenile dem nah keep dem pants pon dem waist"

"Seh weh mi ah seh because mi haffi seh weh mi ah seh 

But nuff no waan fi hear wah mi ah seh"

And that comes on top of a damn CRYSTAL of a riddim. Swinging, euphoric and just GOLDEN is Don's track... making you wish that these two had teamed up earlier than they did (like when Corleon was burning everything in sight with Reggae riddim after riddim... Seasons, Drop Leaf, Heavenly). To some degree, I suppose, you could use the route of this one to sum up the entire list (or Bushman's entire career, even) as he has spent his time getting certain things off of his chest and, when at his best, the results have been unforgettable.