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Soon Come (Reasoner, 2005) Eric "Reasoner" Riesenberger is an underground artist who's caused a stir in the select few who've heard his albums. He seems to be a true self-starter, taking a low-tech approach similar to Jah Roots, without fancy album covers or a promotional website other than his My Space profile (www.myspace.com/reasoner707). Also, some -- if not all -- of the music he uses is of the do-it-yourself variety, lifted from other sources (not uncommon in the reggae realm). "Blessing All Them World," for instance, rides the Superior riddim popularized by Gentleman, while "Meaning of the Dread" revisits the riddim from Richie Spice's "Marijuana." This is no indictment of the quality of the material on his debut, Soon Come, however. What may initially seem like a lack of originality in fact reveals tremendous creativity in Reasoner's talent for blending his own uniquely flavored vocals and melodies into the music. It's his vocals that prove most striking. They're generally high-pitched, sort of like if Ghost were a sing-jay, but switch back and forth with a guttural DJ stylee, making for one of the most colorful deliveries this side of HR. Comparisons to Gentleman aren't out of the question, either. Even if he did take the music from elsewhere, Reasoner displays impeccable taste, as all of the musical selections (often melodica dubs) resonate with old school roots flavor without sounding overly familiar. Lyrically, he delivers typical roots consciousness from the atypical viewpoint of a white American, as "Meaning of the Dread" touches upon: "They say, whitey, you are not black. / Why is your hair like that?" And where else can you find a song called "Fire Pon Michael Jackson"? It's actually a genuinely wicked, funky jam attacking pedophilia, but the name in the title adds an inherent camp appeal that may diminish its impact. Still, it, along with tracks like "Found a Way," "Do Onto Yourself," and "Thank You Lord," indicate that Reasoner could be a star in the making. |
| Track Listing 1. Found a Way 2. Meaning of the Dread 3. Do Onto Yourself 4. Blessing All Them World 5. Calling All Women 6. Thank You Lord 7. Fire Pon Michael Jackson 8. What Life Is 9. Soon Come 10. Inside Out 11. Solid Ground 12. Searching for Them Girl 13. Yo Body Is Yo Temple 14. Don't Leave or Deceive 15. Bun Down Baylon |
American Dread (Reasoner, 2006)
His second album in two years, American Dread proves that Reasoner's debut was no fluke.
As with Soon Come, several (or more?) of the tracks here ride recycled riddims --
such as "All One People" borrowing from SOJA's "You Don't Know," and "One Thing" using the always hot
Doctor's Darling riddim popularized by Tanya Stephens' "It's a Pity." Overall, though, the music on this album is a bit more varied, with the occasional diversion into dancehall ("Big Up"), hip-hop ("Freedom Chant"), and even Latin music ("I Believe").
Like his debut, American Dread shows that Reasoner doesn't hesitate to cut a song short at two minutes; better to leave 'em wanting more than to overstay your welcome.
And once again, Reasoner dedicates a song to a cultural icon -- O.J. Simpson on "Monster in Disguise" -- which, like the Michael Jackson tune from
Soon Come, perhaps distracts from the power of an otherwise excellent tune.
Nevertheless, this album is every bit as strong as -- perhaps better than -- the first, supported by stellar cuts like "Who Dem," "Feel It Know It," "From Mi Heart," "Lean on Me," "Mother Earth," and the title track.
| Track Listing 1. American Dread 2. Who Dem 3. Smile 4. Feel It Know It 5. Big Up 6. From Mi Heart 7. I Believe 8. Lean on Me 9. One Thing 10. Monster in Disguise 11. Cover Girl 12. Legalize Mary 13. Freedom Chant 14. Mother Earth 15. Tally Ho 16. Women from Heaven 17. To the Dancehall 18. All One People |
Look Within (Reasoner, 2007)
Reasoner returns in fine form with the formula that served him so well on his first two albums: spirited, often eccentric vocals dancing over rich, dubby roots riddims. I can't say for sure that all of the music is recycled, but some of it certainly sounds familiar (such as
Soldiers of Jah Army's "Freedom Time" riddim on "Life Worth
Living"; a couple are listed on the liner notes as coming from a California artist known as Ishi Dube.), but as the saying goes, if you haven't heard it, it's new to you. Plus, even if most of the riddims are borrowed, they are mixed expertly with the vocals so as not to sound like karaoke night at the Brass Monkey. The title track kicks things off with the comforting sensation that this is the Reasoner we all know and love, his singjay-like vocals meandering through the thick roots groove. "Reincarnation" is just as strong, featuring a bluesy harmonica and stomping bass line that harkens back to
Dennis Brown's "Some Like It Hot." Reasoner expands his repertoire on
Look Within, venturing into the hip-hop realm a bit on "Same Old Song and Dance" and "Moving 4Word," which feature hip-hop beats (the two Ishi Dube riddims) and on "Strictly Sensi," which features a guest rapper. The results are mixed, but another guest spot, female singer Vanessa Mikoy on the duet "Take You Higher," results in one of the high points of the album. The urgent, sensual energy of their interplay fuels this potent love song. Reasoner further flexes his loving side on the dreamy "Magic Carpet Ride," although the chorus "I wanna take a ride deep inside" makes you wonder what kind of carpet he's riding. I guess it's a good thing he recorded "Wear Yo Condom," then, a woozy jam that, along with "Gambling Problem"
(a nice attempt at Eek A Mouse's style), features the type of cautionary messages that Reasoner is apt to deliver. Though perhaps not as striking as his first two albums,
Look Within is still a triumph over reggae stagnancy and a solid addition to Reasoner's growing body of work.
| Track Listing 1. Look Within 2. Reincarnation 3. Take You Higher featuring Vanessa Mikoy 4. I Am 5. Same Old Song and Dance 6. Magic Carpet Ride 7. No More Cryin 8. Life Worth Living 9. Moving 4Word 10. Gambling Problem 11. Strictly Sensi featuring F. Dux & Overflow 12. Wear Yo Condom 13. Free Up the Weed 14. Love Is the Way |
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