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Yesterday's News (DubRise, 2002 [orig. released 2000])
While Midnite remains the biggest name in the Virgin Islands roots renaissance that we are currently experiencing, there are dozens more acts waiting in the wings, poised to gain that level of notoriety. Perhaps the leading candidate is Army, a smooth roots crooner with an irresistible sound who has the advantage of already releasing three albums, whereas many of his countrymen have only one to date. Yesterday's News is his remarkable debut, originally released in 2000 but remastered and re-released in 2002. Its sound is a bit dated -- with its digital dancehall-styled bass lines and synth elements tied into the roots and lovers rock framework, somewhat like the early to mid-'90s work of Sugar Minott or Hopeton Lindo -- but it doesn’t take away from the quality of material. The title track in particular is an evocative anti-war gem. Minott is the singer that he most resembles vocally here -- with a touch of Freddie McGregor, Brian and/or Tony Gold, and even Michael Rose (on "Grave Robbery"). Like Minott, Army's sweet, passionate delivery adds oomph to both sultry lovers tunes like "Black Rose" and more cultural statements like "Arise." Mildly dated production aside, Yesterday's News is anything but.
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Track Listing 1. Rocky Road 2. Changing World 3. Shadows 4. Yesterday's News featuring Jahole & Danny I 5. Arise 6. Children Don't Delay 7. Black Rose 8. 2 Triple Zero 9. I Shall Be Released 10. Grave Robbery |
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Rasta Awake (I Grade, 2005) After two albums on the DubRise label, Army switches to the premier Virgin Islands reggae label, I Grade, for his third effort. The resulting sound -- largely courtesy of producer/guitarist Tuff Lion -- is fuller and more lush than his debut effort, Yesterday’s News. It's so lush, in fact, that when combined with his increasingly smooth and soulful vocals (which too have improved over the past five years), Rasta Awake sounds like the Maxi Priest album fans have been awaiting for the past decade. Of course, Army dispenses more cultural and righteous messages than Maxi Priest, but the sultry light roots and lovers rock sound has definite similarities. Aside from Maxi Priest, Army's soft, humble vocals here also carry shades of Sugar Minott, Freddie McGregor, and Luciano, although he has established his own evocative voice. The songwriting on this album is just as sharp as it was on Yesterday's News, with lyrics that sculpt vivid imagery and metaphoric meaning, as on "Don't Move My Mountain," "Preying Mantis," and "Mr. Monday." A meditative masterpiece, Rasta Awake manages to be cool and thoughtful without becoming dull or depressing, and it establishes Army as a star in the making. |
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