Review: Mr. Vegas - Sweet Jamaica (2012)

Artist: Mr. Vegas
Album: Sweet Jamaica (Double Disc)
Genre: Reggae/Dancehall
Label: VP Records
Release Date: May 26th
RIYL: Beenie Man, Lady Saw, Elephant Man, The Harder They Come Soundtrack
Rating:
Overall: *****
Dancehall Disc: *****
Reggae Disc:  ****
      
Mr. Vegas' "Sweet Jamaica" is a tribute to Jamaica's 50th anniversary of independence.  It is a double disc-- split between a CD of dancehall and another of reggae.  This arrangement is rather strong.  Each disc stands fairly well on its own and neither seems to need more variety outside of the genre they are focused on (usually its a really good thing when an album has a mixture of dancehall and reggae to break things up, but here that's not the case).

The dancehall disc is a bonafide masterpiece. If it was released on its own would easily be one of the best of its kind this year.  The album features a variety of styles from different periods of the genre's history, but the most satisfying thing about these recordings is that they are almost 100% pure dancehall, which is great to hear as a change from the hip-hop influence on dancehall over the last ten years.  "Let the Music Play" recalls late 80s ragga and King Jammy style production replete with a marching drum line and bubbling synth.  "Black and Proud", a response to Vybez Kartel's bleaching scandal from a year ago, uses the "Bam Bam, the Sequel" riddim, a fresh mix of the classic "Stalag" riddim.   Tracks that throw back to dancehall in the 90s, when Mr. Vegas started his career, include the lover's tune "Something About You" and the hardcore "Certain Law".  Fresher material includes a lot of Mr. Vegas' hit singles from the last few years.  "Bruk It Dung" is a crucial energy hit that repeatedly builds to a huge climax, only to pause, end in a drum roll, and start all over again.  "Honey Girl", on the "Dancehall Pull Up" riddim, and "Call Me", on the "Aurora Skies" riddim, are two other solid songs that have been previously released. Other material, like the addictive summer-flavored, "God on My Side" and "Dancehall Queen", featuring a synthesized horn line, are huge songs that are original releases for this album.  The weakest song here is the mellow "Talk is Cheap", whose choruses walk the line of cheesiness, but this track manages to remain enjoyable thanks to masterful toasting by Mr. Vegas during each verse.  This CD closes with a live version of "Blessing", a gospel and bluegrass flavored tune that captures all the energy of dancehall with live instrumentation.  This disc is a major feat in dancehall energy--there hasn't been a dancehall release this consistently lively since Elephant Man's release from last year.

The reggae disc, in accordance with the anniversary theme of the overall album, is a tribute to the musical history of Jamaican popular music.  Almost all of the tracks are covers or versions of classic reggae and rocksteady music.  Direct covers include Alton Ellis' version of the Motown song "You've Made Me So Very Happy", Jimmy London's version of the classic "A Little Love That's All I Want From You", Hopeton Lewis' "Take Your Time", and the Maytal's "Sweet and Dandy".  Reactions to these covers may be mixed.  Mr. Vegas, who is not the most gifted singer, is covering songs from the golden era of rocksteady, when many would argue Jamaica had its most talented male vocalists.  However, those listeners who are more forgiving of imperfect singing and can appreciate a unique Jamaican voice (most reggae fans), will appreciate the sincerity of the references.  Mr. Vegas also covers the Beatles, "Ob-la-di Ob-la-da"; appropriate as the song was originally a tribute to reggae's growing popularity in Britain.  Other songs are less direct in their nods to reggae history, many borrow classic riddims or snippets of melodies that experienced listeners will recognize.  The huge title track, "Sweet Jamaica", has Mr. Vegas sharing verses with Shaggy and the legendary Lone Ranger over the classic "Lecturer" riddim.  "Can't Stop (Love You More Everyday)" features Jovi Rockwell singing classic melodies with Mr. Vegas to the "You Don't Care" riddim.  "Roses In My Garden" bubbles to the "Cherry Oh" riddim.  "Gimme a Light" and "Say You Bad" are lyrical transformations of Desmond Dekker's "Israelites" and the Slickers' "Johnny Too Bad".  Unlike Busy Signal's moodier reggae throwback album featuring  dub influences, Mr. Vegas, drawing more cues from rocksteady, serves up a much brighter, celebratory tribute album for the summer.

As most dancehall artists struggle to release one album with enough good material to be enjoyable all the way through, it's a major feat to create this excellent of a double disc.  Highly, highly, recommended.



Disc 1: Dancehall:

1. Beautiful Life ****
2. Champagne Rose ****
3. Certain Law *****
4. Let the Music Play *****
5. Bruk It Dung *****!!!
6. Dancehall Queen *****
7. Party Tun Up ****
8. Whine for Me Baby ft. Patrice *****
9. Call Me *****
10. Something About You ****
11. Talk is Cheap ***
12. Black & Proud *****!
13. Honey Girl *****
14. Get Ready to Whine Up ft. Tifa and Ms. Kitty ****
15. God On My Side *****
16. I Am Blessed ****

Disc 2: Reggae:

1. A Little Love ***
2. You've Made Me So Very Happy ***
3. Alive & Well ft. Luciano ****
4. Things Ruff ****
5. Sweet Jamaica *****!!!
6. Gimme a Light ****
7. Take It Easy ****
8. Roses in My Garden *****
9. Magical ft. Nadine Sutherland ****
10. Whenever You're Lonely *****!
11. Can't Stop (Stop Love You More Everyday) ft. Jovi Rockwell *****!
12. Say You Bad (Johnny You Too Bad) ****
13. Sweet and Dandy ***
14. Ob-la-di Ob-la-da ****
15. Above the Water ***

Review: Romain Virgo - The System (2012)

Artist: Romain Virgo
Album: The System
Genre: Reggae/Dancehall
Label: VP Records
Release Date: May 10th
RIYL: Tarrus Riley, Gyptian

Rating: ****


For Romain Virgo's sophomore effort, the music is stylistically similar to his debut from 2010, but there's a bigger emphasis on conscious social lyrics here than last time.  Another improvement is the lyrics, which are better overall.  The acoustic version of the title track, "The System", made the final cut onto the album versus the initial version; it makes for an excellent opener.  "Food Fi the Plate" transitions into "Dem A Coward", a version on the same riddim.  It's a cool effect you don't hear much on reggae full lengths, and it works well here.  "Not Today" is one of the weakest songs--its production and feel sounds a little too much like cheesy adult contemporary music--but it doesn't offend too much.
The album is well organized thematically with all of the lovers songs grouped in the second half beginning with "I Am Rich in Love", a summer instant classic that shouldn't be missed.  "Fantasize" is another strong number with echoing dub effects.  The one guest spot on the album is filled by Busy Signal on "Broken Heart".  However, his appearance somewhat awkwardly enters the track to toast for a little under a minute and then disappears.  It sounds as if Busy Signal was phoned in; like he was briefly recorded at a different studio and mixed in as an afterthought.  He doesn't add much to it, but the song is good enough without him.
"Press On", the most dancehall flavored of all the songs in terms of production, closes the album as one of its best songs, possibly because it offers a little variety to the more purely reggae songs.  It's a shame it's pushed to the end of the set, and there's not more of this stylistic variety to break things up in the middle.

This album seals Romain Virgo's position as one of the best current neo-roots reggae singers.  With artists like Gyptian and Gappy Ranks autotuning their voices over their roots productions with various success and failure, it's to Virgo's benefit that he lets his excellent voice shine unaltered.  Maybe the best "pure reggae, no dancehall" album this year so far.

1. The System *****
2. Minimum Wage ****
3. Another Day Another Dollar ****
4. Food Fi the Plate ****
5. Dem a Coward ****
6. I Know Better ***
7. Mama's Song *****
8. Not Today **
9. I Am Rich In Love *****!!
10. Ray of Sunshine ****
11. Fantasize *****!
12. Fired Up Inside *****
13. Don't You Remember **
14. Broken Heart ft. Busy Signal ***
15. Press On *****!

Review: Busy Signal - Reggae Music Again

Artist: Busy Signal
Album: Reggae Music Again
Genre: Reggae/Dancehall/Dub
Label: VP Records
Release Date: April 10th
RIYL: Romain Virgo, I-Octane, Gappy Ranks

Rating: ****

Busy Signal's fourth album is a departure from the contemporary dancehall that he is known for.  The album is filled with reggae and dub tracks. Some fans may be disappointed by the lack of any contemporary dancehall, but Busy has continued to release dancehall songs digitally during the creation and after the release of this album.  It's clear this isn't meant as a change in direction for his career, but more of a passion project.  The two singles are massive numbers: "Come Over" (Missing You) is an incredibly crucial lovers tune; the title track, "Reggae Music Again" is a solid dedication to the album's overall theme.  Busy doesn't have the most beautiful singing voice, but he is far form unbearable. "Fireball" features Busy toasting quickly over a bright sax melody by Dean Fraser closed by an extensive instrumental, bass-led dub.  Other tracks, such as "Kingston Town", bubble with a echoing dub texture and a darker tone.  The tracks featuring guests are some of the most exciting: "110", featuring Anthony Red Rose and a growling Joe Lick Shot is a throwback to early 90s dub-heavy roots dancehall with the three artists passing between different styles; "Running from the Law" features Esco Levi and a effectively auto-tuned Romain Virgo. The last third of the album doesn't have the same punch as the rest, and none of the songs here are as excellent as their predecessors.  Production is full and excellent throughout and in some places it gets downright exciting to hear live instrumentation.  Most productions are from Shane C. Dove (Juke Boxx), with a couple tracks from Donovan Germain (Penthouse), Kirk Bennett (Kirkledove Records), and Wayne "Unga" Thompson (Notice).
Overall the album feels current while honoring the past.  Most tracks are memorable, while only a few are less than successful.  It's interesting to consider how a variety album with the best songs from here mixed into Busy's biggest dancehall tracks from the last year (something akin to Konshen's recent release) would sound, but that shouldn't effect the judgement of what is a cohesive and solid album on its own.  Recommended.

1. Busy Thoughts: Positive Music (Interlude)
2. Run Weh *****
3. Modern Slavery ***
4. Reggae Music Again *****
5. Come Over (Missing You) *****!!
6. Royal Night ****
7. Kingston Town ***
8. 110 featuring Anthony Red Rose and Joe Lick Shot *****
9. Fire Ball *****
10. Wicked Man ****
11. Running from the Law ft. Romain Virgo and Esco Levi *****!
12. Busy Thoughts: Music from the Heart (Interlude)
13. Jah Love **
14. Part of Life ***
15. Sweetest Life ***
16. Comfort Zone Acoustic Remix ***
17. Busy Thoughts: My Intention (Interlude)