I think I may have just heard what could possibly be the roots reggae album of the year with this offering from Buju Banton. Now it's fair to say that Buju has been through the 'ringer' a bit over the past few years, but he has returned with a distinctively positive sounding album.
The album gets off to a bright start with horns a plenty on the joyous sounding 'Hurt Us No More'. Next up is the utterly excellent single 'Magic City', and from here the great tunes just go on and on. ‘Rastafari’ sees Buju in full spiritual mode praising his majesty, and this tune will surely become a new roots reggae anthem, up there with anything by groups like Culture, The Abyssinians or even Bob. For with its quality musicianship and strong female backing vocals the album does have quite a strong Marley-ish vibe, and because of this I can quite easily see this LP crossing over to receive more 'main stream' appreciation. I think it is really a long time since I have heard such a complete roots reggae album, where every track is so good. Ok, bar ‘Mary’, a perfect lesson in that some times less is more. Should have left it at 14 tracks Buju., but that aside this album is gonna take some surpassing, so if you only buy one roots reggae album this year get this and be delighted!
The album gets off to a bright start with horns a plenty on the joyous sounding 'Hurt Us No More'. Next up is the utterly excellent single 'Magic City', and from here the great tunes just go on and on. ‘Rastafari’ sees Buju in full spiritual mode praising his majesty, and this tune will surely become a new roots reggae anthem, up there with anything by groups like Culture, The Abyssinians or even Bob. For with its quality musicianship and strong female backing vocals the album does have quite a strong Marley-ish vibe, and because of this I can quite easily see this LP crossing over to receive more 'main stream' appreciation. I think it is really a long time since I have heard such a complete roots reggae album, where every track is so good. Ok, bar ‘Mary’, a perfect lesson in that some times less is more. Should have left it at 14 tracks Buju., but that aside this album is gonna take some surpassing, so if you only buy one roots reggae album this year get this and be delighted!
Full Tracklist:
01. Hurt us no more
02. Magic city
03. I rise
04. Rastafari
05. I wonder
06. A little bit of sorry
07. Mirror08. Lend a hand
09. Optimistic soul
10. Mary
11. Make you mine
12. Bedtime story (Feat.Wyclef Jean)
13. Sense of purpose (Feat.Third World)
14. Be on your way
15. Lights out
1 comment:
Yes, correctly.
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