86
Album-Reviews 2012
Perfect - Journey of 1000 Miles
Reggae Gold 2012
There are not too many Bobo Ashanti Rasta artists or artists in general writing pop-oriented reggae albums these days. With the combination of timing and a strong creative connection with the album producers Perfect has done just that, formed songs with popular appeal that are great for the live setting. The tracks were performed and arranged by Michael Gore and Dan Grossman of Dynasty Records in Seattle, Washington over the past two years. Positive messages and complex lyrical flow connect with strong rhythms and phrasing as the title track sings, „The journey of 1,000 miles starts with one footstep, it‘s not easy to travel my road, it‘s not easy but don‘t you ever forget.” The album takes us through the definition of a life as a reggae artist and rootsman extraordinaire. This riddim sways to detailed keyboard lines and a flowing lovers type groove seasoned with Dean Fraser‘s superb sax lines. „Mama Africa“ with its nyabinghi beat and harmonies delivered gloriously in the traditional African harmony style finds Perfect riding over this multilayered groove singing of his greatest wishes for Africa: „Though you‘re very far away, I think about you every day, I chant and pray.” On „Roots For Me” wah-wah guitars carry the real talk with lyrics bearing the weight starkly on the R&B riddim, „Hail King Selassie I most definitely, give thanks for my L.I.F.E” as the organ interplays soulfully with the „Yes I“ response chorus. Perfect‘s reflections about females in his music continue to be both respectful and thoughtful. On „Should I“ he reveals thoughts that a man goes through when he is interested in a woman „Should I sit and wait for you, should I call your number, should I remain weak for you, or should I be more stronger?“ All of the players and writers took time to develop a solid sound, so that they then could release what is a very accessible set. Here are 17 tunes to set the pace for the remainder of the race, the gold standard of reggae crossover. by Justine Ketola
When the best-selling annual reggae compilation celebrates its 20th edition, you can be sure to have strictly big tunes strike you ears. Reggae Gold 2012 does not only come with the regular one CD, including the year‘s most popular hits but aditionally with a collection of classics from the past two decades on another disc, topped with commemorative sticker and poster. For the first half a look at the tracklist alone testifies that the producers at VP Records made a great choice putting together the soundtrack of the past months in the dancehalls worldwide. Potential Kid‘s Yah So Nice with its distinctive hypnotic beat was subject of discussion on the lyrics, yet also an undoubted hit just like Popcaan‘s Only Man She Want and Christopher Martin‘s anthem for all weakminded boyfriends. Konshens deservedly represented twice offers something for the girls who love to dance, as well as for all proud men. Fans who might sigh about the already known songs will still be satisfied with four brand-new and exclusive songs by Etana and Gyptian, including crooner Tarrus Riley‘s Not Missing You and a remix of Busy Signal‘s Kingston Town in combination with no other than recent hit-master Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley, who takes the deep and massive tune to another level. Coming in smooth with Wayne Wonder‘s 2002 hit song in the Diwali riddim No Letting Go, disc two offers a line-up full of big names and beloved classics to sing along. The striking chords of Sizzla‘s Just One Of Those Days make you want to raise your hand instinctively just like Beenie Man, when he reminds us of Romie and her big fat sister Naomi. Reggae Gold shines as a well-selected compilation satisfying not only both reggae and dancehall fans but also those who appreciate new tunes as well as classics and is a blessing for everybody who is tired of searching for single tunes but wants one (or better two) CDs that have it all in one. by Munchy
[Dynasty Records - May 2012]
[VP Records - June 2012]