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Good Soil (Servant, 2004) After producing both Audrey
Gordon's excellent debut Still
Waiting and the gospel reggae showcase Unity
Riddim Sessions Vol.1, Edmonton,
Canada-based musician Jah Servant (Mark Giles) steps into the limelight with his
dub offering Good Soil. Like Gordon and the artists on Unity Riddim Sessions (and
despite any implications of the word "Jah"), Jah Servant is a
Christian artist. However, since Good
Soil is an instrumental release (except for "Rootsman Message"),
there's no overt indication of any particular religion. As such, this is truly a universal release that each listener
can interpret as he or she wishes. Displaying
artistic dexterity, Jah Servant communicates with a flair for lush, layered
rhythms rooted in classic roots reggae and lovers rock sounds.
Aside from the obvious drum and bass foundation that propels these
tracks, featured instruments (all courtesy of Jah Servant himself) include
guitar -- sometimes acoustic, as on "These Hands," sometimes electric,
as on the funky "In the Desert" -- melodica ("These Hands",
"Play to the Lord", the edgy "Here Again"), and my personal
favorite, the organ ("Good Soil", "Can't Get Enough",
"Back & Forth", "Hidden in My Heart"). Included are his two
cuts from the Unity Riddim Sessions set, "One Way", and "Love You
More", the music from which are also featured on Gordon's album, and as a
bonus for Gordon fans, there's "Joyous", the rhythm used
on her "Blood Medley". Even
dub fans have to admit that, without vocals, dub can occasionally get a bit
dull, but Good Soil never falls into that trap. Jah Servant maintains an engaging, dreamy, throwback sound throughout
that makes apparent his love for reggae's musical heritage. |
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Track Listing |
Jah Servant & Friends (Servant, 2006)
Over the past couple of years I've noticed the release of a nice compilation (two volumes thus far)
entitled Crucial Reggae Outside Of Jamaica (Skank Records). If there's a volume three in the works
perhaps Professor Skank should consider some of the artistes who appear on the excellent Jah Servant &
Friends disc which is reviewed here. With the exception of Owen Uriah (UK)
-- heard on Unity Riddim Sessions Volume 1
-- and Bro. J (Canada), all of the participants are based in Trinidad. Jah Servant &
Friends is a rather impressive collection of roots reggae music, some with singing
vocals and others in chanting style -- and sometimes a combination of the two. Standout tracks
include the massive lead-off single "Live It Right" featuring Drae's smooth yet "street" vocals and a seriously conscious message. The rhythm track, courtesy of Jah Servant, is fine natural roots reggae with some nice jazzy guitar lines to sweeten it up. Other big tunes include "Follow No Bad Man" from new group Sons
of Zion, golden-voiced Owen Uriah's provocative "Were You There," and the sunny "Smile" from Mention, which has a pleasantly unorthodox start and flows nicely from there. Particularly noteworthy is Servant's Dwight Pinkney-esque guitar flourishes in the intro to "Follow No Bad Man". Clearly this project gives him room to stretch out and have a bit of fun, which is plain to hear throughout, while staying within the limits of tasteful restraint.
Drae's "Planted In Zion" is another strong cut, voiced on a slow one-drop beat and with lyrics in which
the singer expresses his position of living in the world while not being of the world. The melodica provides
a nice touch here too.
"All I Want (Tink I'm Crazy)" further reveals Jah Servant's affinity for the throwback sounds of reggae music as Drae presents a devotional message to the Lord Jesus and halfway through passes the mic to Gitta Dan who comes in chanting in vintage style, embellishing the established message with his own unique twist. Enhancing the classic sounds are some nice trombone lines and a saxophone solo over the rhythm. This is the real thing!
"Were You There" featuring Owen Uriah is a masterpiece as his vocals embrace Jah Servant's throbbing
bass line and pose a challenge to the church to have faith which produces good works. Filled with social commentary, "Were You There" epitomizes that which is classic roots reggae. I was thoroughly impressed with the punctuating guitar fills and the surprise dub section which begins about halfway through.
The unorthodox deejay vocals of Bro. J makes for an interesting collaboration on "Wave Your Hands"
where Jah Servant spices things up with what sounds like some vocoder-processed guitar. Nicely
done female backing vocals add an effective contrast.
"Turn" is an intriguing experiment where Tramaine's pretty vocals are washed out and faded amidst an ambient dubscape. At the very end the admonition "turn from your evil ways" is clearly heard as the project comes to a close. Her other vocal in this set, "In
You," took a bit to grow on me with
its R&B stylings, but in the end proves a successful collaboration as Jah Servant's sparse rhythm
provides the openness to make it work. Only Gitta Dan's "His Words, His Love" clearly falls short as he seems to chant freestyle over a rub-a-dub rhythm. The result is rather rushed and unpolished.
Jah Servant & Friends is a roots lover's extravaganza with enough variety, musically and lyrically, to earn a prominent place amongst releases for 2006. Where most Jah Servant productions
place in him solidly in a supportive role, this project clearly reveals a more playful artistic side
as he steps more to the forefront. (And keep in mind, no two "riddims" are the same here.) Whether it's utterances of praise, testimony, or social commentary this is purely conscious reggae music where retro and imaginative sounds come together.
- Mike Roots
| Track Listing 1. Comes a Time 2. Live It Right featuring Drae 3. In You featuring Tramaine 4. Were You There [Extended Mix] featuring Owen Uriah 5. Smile featuring Mention 6. Follow No Bad Man featuring Sons of Zion 7. Warriors featuring Mission Epistle 8. All I Want / Tink I'm Crazy featuring Drae & Gitta Dan 9. Trials & Tribulations 10. Planted In Zion featuring Drae 11. Wave Your Hands featuring Bro J 12. His Words, His Love featuring Gitta Dan 13. Show Me Your Ways featuring Drae & Anointed Ones 14. Turn feat. Tramaine |
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