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.
- Busy Thoughts: Positive Music (Interlude)
- Run Weh *****
- Modern Slavery ***
- Reggae Music Again *****
- Come Over (Missing You) *****!!
- Royal Night ****
- Kingston Town ***
- 110 featuring Anthony Red Rose and Joe Lick Shot *****
- Fire Ball *****
- Wicked Man ****
- Running from the Law ft. Romain Virgo and Esco Levi *****!
- Busy Thoughts: Music from the Heart (Interlude)
- Jah Love **
- Part of Life ***
- Sweetest Life ***
- Comfort Zone Acoustic Remix ***
- Busy Thoughts: My Intention (Interlude)
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