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Rastafari Liveth! (RAS, 1982) Peter Broggs, AKA Henry James, is one of those artists who has hung around for a long time without a lot of fanfare (He's more famous in the US than in his Jamaican homeland.). Although he had released several albums for RAS over the years (Rastafari Liveth was actually the first album on the label.), I had tended to think of him as someone who'd just ridden the coattails of RAS founder Dr. Dread. It wasn't until I actually listened to his material, though, that I truly appreciated what Dr. Dread had heard in Broggs' sound (He had released one album, Progressive Youth, before joining up with Dr. Dread.) to draw him to Broggs. He is, quite simply, the prototypical roots reggae singer: straightforward and righteous, with a penchant for penning strong roots melodies. It is this no-frills style, however, that may have caused him to fly under some peoples' radar. His vocals, his music, his look are all so indistinct that they just don't cause much commotion. If you overlook him, though, you'll be missing out, and Rastafari Liveth! provides ample evidence why. Considered by many to be his best effort to date, this brief showcase of Broggs' talent is roots reggae in its purest, most straightforward, most beautiful form. Granted, not every track is great, but rich tracks like "Jah Jah Voice Is Calling," "Just Because I'm a Rastaman," "International Farmer," "No Ism Pon de Riddim," and the title cut would stand out on any album. However, note that while I highly recommend this album, the RAS Portaits collection contains all of the best songs on Rastafari Liveth!, except for "No Ism Pon de Riddim," so it's probably a better value. |
| Track Listing 1. A Feeling 2. Rastafari Liveth 3. Jah Jah Voice Is Calling [Extended Version] 4. Pick Up the Reggae 5. International Farmer 6. In This Time of Judgement 7. No Ism Pon de Riddim 8. Know Yourself Mankind 9. Just Because I'm a Rastaman |
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RAS Portraits (RAS, 1997)
RAS Portraits collects tracks from 4 Peter Broggs albums released on the RAS label between 1982 and 1990 (4 songs from Rastafari Liveth!, 3 from Rise & Shine, 3 from Cease the War, and 3 from Reasoning) and is easily one of the finest of this series. Any serious roots fan should appreciate tunes like "Rastafari Liveth," "You've Got to Be Wise," "Just Can't Stop Praising Jah," "Just Because I'm a Rastaman," "International Farmer," the atmospheric "Don't Let the Children Cry," the more militant "400 Years," and particularly "Jah Jah Voice Is Calling." These songs are simple yet effective, heartfelt works of art that deserve more of an audience.
| Track Listing 1. Rastafari Liveth 2. You've Got to Be Wise 3. Jah Jah Voice Is Calling 4. Cheer Up 5. Rastaman Chant Nyahbingi 6. Just Can't Stop Praising Jah 7. Cease the War 8. Military Man 9. Don't Let the Children Cry 10. Just Because I'm a Rastaman 11. International Farmer 12. Leggo Me Hand 13. 400 Years |
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Jah
Golden Throne (Jah Warrior, 2002 [orig. released 2000])
British producer Jah Warrior has carved out a much for himself and his self-named label as a much-needed source for original, modern UK roots. With British labels like Greensleeves and Jet Star focusing mostly on modern dancehall and lovers rock, and Trojan and Blood and Fire re-releasing reggae from the '60s, '70s, and '80s, Jah Warrior, though still relatively young and small, has become one of the best sources of quality modern British roots. As a producer, he is a perfect candidate to revitalize the sound of veteran artists like Peter Broggs, Prince Alla, Alton Ellis, Rod Taylor, and Earl Sixteen (see the Rootical Vibrations album for a delicious taste of his collaboration with these legends), as he combines authentic live-instrument roots music (complete with soaring horns and rhythmic Nyabinghi drumming) with thunderous dancehall bass lines and digital dub effects. It's truly a wonderful, refreshing mix that manages to combine a traditional roots sensibility with edgy dancehall trimmings. Jah Golden Throne is a perfect example, crammed with big, bone-jarring beats that contrast beautifully with Peter Broggs' humble vocals. Perhaps the best song here, "I Put My Trust in Jah," was included in the Rootical Vibrations set, but there's still ample support from the other tracks, namely "I Want to Tell the World I Love Jah," “Rasta Nah Lose Him Culture," "Lef Babylon & Come," "Lead Us Jah Jah," and "Hail Him." Included also is a remake of Broggs' own classic "Jah Jah Voice Is Calling," and while it doesn't recapture the magic of the original, its echoed horn lends a unique jazzy sound. Listening to this alum, I'm not sure why he hasn't achieved a higher level of popularity; his unassuming, creaky, somewhat conversational vocal style should prove especially appealing to fans of the more commercially successful Burning Spear. I've heard that some people don’t like his voice, but I don’t think it’s any worse than the bulk of roots reggae singers, who certainly aren't expected to be classically trained. Aside from having the most song titles that form complete sentences, Jah Golden Throne hopefully will be remembered as a renewal of the career of the too-often under-appreciated Broggs.
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