| Hold the Vibes (King Step, 2006) Edi Fitzroy is one of those reggae artists who you've heard of but may not have actually heard. If this is the case, there may be no better place to start than Hold the Vibes (Granted, his Youthman Penitentiary album is also highly regarded.). Fitzroy is a veteran singer who is as at home in the roots realm as he is inna di dancehall. His vocals combine the raspy power of Junior Delgado with the quivering lilt of Horace Andy, all with an old school dancehall delivery that helps make Hold the Vibes stand out from the crowd of reggae albums that choose one camp -- hardcore dancehall vs. retro-roots -- over the other. Here Fitzroy favors a pre-digital sound that still incorporates the drum- and bass-driven dancehall vibe. It's a wonderful early '80s sound -- aided, no doubt by remakes of two early hits, "The Gun" (originally produced by his mentor Mikey Dread) and the irresistible "First Class Citizen," plus a couple of other familiar riddims, including Dennis Brown's classic "The Prophet Rides Again" on the title track -- that's not heard much today, the closest comparable contemporary artist I can think of being Everton Blender. As is Fitzroy's modus operandi, Hold the Vibes is filled with cultural messages and cautionary tales like "Settle Down," "Bad Boys," and "Mark My Words," but there are also a few nice love songs -- notably the bouncy "Never Gonna Leave Me" (reminiscent of, speak of the devil, Everton Blender's "Blow Your Nose") and the imperial funk of "Dready Queen." Hold the Vibes is a strong showcase for one of the more overlooked reggae veterans in the business. Check it out at edifitzroy.com. |
| Track Listing 1. Hold The Vibes 2. Settle Down 3. The Gun (2006) featuring Prophet 21 and Ambassada 4. Bad Boys 5. First Class Citizen (2006) 6. Red Green & Gold 7. Heathen (Run for Cover) 8. Chant Down Babylon 9. I See Jah Sun 10. Pretty Lady 11. Dready Queen 12. Never Gonna Leave Me 13. Jah No Dead 14. Mark My Words 15. Open Your Heart 16. Ethiopia In Dub |
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