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 *****!