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Cultural Consciousness (VP, 1999) While this album -- a compilation of (natch) conscious, cultural dancehall -- starts off like gangbusters, it cools down quickly, though still providing a solid showcase for these positive artists. Produced by the respected Fire House Crew, the tracks on Cultural Consciousness share some of the same rhythms (This is as close to a one-rhythm album as I like to get.). The first 3 cuts ride a rootsy lovers beat propelled by a saxophone and a funky wa-wa guitar, used to magnificent effect by Morgan Heritage on their emotional "Crying Out" (from Don't Haffi Dread). Along with Terror Fabulous & Red Rose's "Life" and Fred Locks' (where has he been?) "Want You in My Life," the first 3 songs utilize their rhythm most effectively of any on the album. Tracks 4 through 6 are carried by an echoing, bouncy digital rhythm, Mikey General's "Miss Hottie Hottie" and Triston Palmer's "See Dem Ah Come" being the better of the 3. The up-tempo acoustic guitar of songs 7 through 10, however, is easily the worst beat on the album, with only Lukie D's fun, old-fashioned calypso-esque "Good Ole Days" being worthwhile. But the Firehouse Crew comes correct with the driving riddim of tracks 11 and 12, as Mikey General provides one of the best tunes on the album in "Red Hot." Cultural Consciousness closes on a downer, though, as Gregory Isaacs provides the painfully bland "Spend the Night," sadly typical of his '90s material. |
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