Omar Perry, Chezidek, Tarrus & Lutan

To start off the New Year let me first finish off some old business from last year with four short reviews of LP's released by maybe some of the biggest names in Reggae at the moment, Lutan Fyah, Tarrus Riley, Chezidek and first off Omar Perry. I should of done these a lot earlier, but you know how it is....?

I dare say most people have read about, or heard these already but here is my 2 pennies worth anyway.

Omar Perry - Can't Stop Us

Last month I posted a piece on the decline in reggae record sales in the US. The article was based on one in the Jamaica Gleaner and if you’ve ever read any of their on line pages there is an opportunity for you to give your thoughts on what the article is about. In a amongst the various quotes on price, download, recession was one that said reggae was basically boring and monotonous, well all I can say is that person has obviously not heard any of these four releases from last year, for they are all varied and definitely far from monotonous.
First up for a few brief words is Omar Perry’s ‘Can’t Stop Us’, the follow up to 2007’s ‘Man Free’. Omar is the second son of the iconic Lee Perry and as the likes of Ziggy Marley and Julian Lennon will most likely testify this can be more of a hindrance than a blessing to your career. Omar however I think avoids this as he steers away from self promotional, ranting lyrics and madcap effects to give us a strong and varied set. There are a couple of nods to dad with his reworking of the classic Beat Down Babylon and if your gonna pinch a riddim then why get one form his cupboard as the eco friendly ‘Save the Earth’ brings ‘Chase the Devil’ back to the fore.
The album starts in a very strong and rootsy vain with ‘We Wah’ and ‘BlessThem’, while title track ‘Can’t Stop Us’ keeps things rockin’, before ‘Need You’ breaks ranks and brings things down with its Jazzy sax intro and undertone, but still keeps a strong riddim. I have to admit that though as I say the LP is varied when it does leave its predominantly roots vibe for me it does suffer a bit ‘Right Right Left’ has a kind of dub step, dancehall feel with strings providing the bass line to the militaristic style drumming and almost rapped lyric, while ‘Do You Love Me’ has a lovers, R&B feel. ‘Bring Me Joy’ featuring Cleo is probably best of the bunch from these more commercially sounding dancehall, dowsed in strings tunes.
One of my favourite songs on the album is ‘Tides of Time’ featuring Tippa Irie, old time rolling bass riddim vibe, as they trade lyrical duties. ‘Spiritually’, a song of searching for love, brings proceedings to a fine close of what it is basically a strong album.

-

-

Chezidek - I Grade

-

Following on from 2007's "Inna Di Road" produced by Bobby Konders, "I Grade" brings you more roots reggae style with some tender lovers for good measure. This time though he has teamed up with Sly & Robbie, with production duties going to Guillaume Bougard. The LP is lyrically full of positive cultural vibes and forthright proclaiming of his African Roots and as you'd expect from Sly & Robbie the riddims ooze class. Chezidek vocals are at times as smooth as silk, check out 'Tonight' and he is fast becoming one of my favourite artists
-

-

Lutan Fyah - Justice-
-

In a year that saw roots reggae back in big style Lutan Fyah came up trumps with this set. Similar to Buju, in the fact that a lot of these songs are not exactly new and were recorded in 2007, with the help of producer Philadub, they are still though very fresh sounding. Instrumentation is a back to basic principle of guitar, keyboards and drums and production is solid and not overly fussy. All the usual subjects are covered, as well the occasional dip into some 'lovers', lightening proceedings. Top tracks for me 'Selassie I Within', dancehall stylee 'Make Up Your Mind' and despite its electronic riddim and at times verging on screetchy vocal Killsome City.

-

-

Tarrus Riley - Contagious

-

Tarrus Riley follows up the critical acclaim and success of Parables with this 18 track onslaught 'Contagious'. Some of the tracks, like the Michael Jackson cover 'Human Nature' have a tad too much of a poppy feel for me, but there is no denying his great voice and production, which includes Tarik Johnston and Shane Brown as well as the UK's Chris Peckings and France's Frenchie is almost faultless. There are shades of Marley here and 'Loves Contagious' even rides along on a reworked 'Coming in from the Cold'. 'Young Heart' has a real late 60's early 70's soulful lovers reggae feel to it, while 'Stop Watch' has that golden late 70's early 80's poundin' bass riddim, though I feel the bass in the mix could have been turned up another couple of notches. A very cool, polished and diverse sounding album for sure from Mr Riley with songs that will appeal to many, but maybe, with its rather diverse nature, won't hold peoples attention all of the time.