|
|
|
Vibes of the Time (Columbia, 1993) Reggae Books Reggae Posters Reggae Concert Reggae Album In many ways, I was expecting not to like this album very much, being a major-label release from an artist that I (justifiably or not) tend to see as borderline crossover. My fears were put to ease, though; this is pure dancehall with intelligent, cultural lyrics. The only "crossover" tracks are the R&B-ish duet with Diana King, "My Way or the Highway," and the hip-hop-edged "Sweet Jamaica," both of which are actually quite well done. Unfortunately, the best tunes on many major-label dancehall releases are indeed the more mainstream tracks, but such is not the case with Vibes, as super cuts like "Ethiopian Sons" (with Garnett Silk), "The Voice & the Pen," "Creator," and "One Day" (utilizing the vicious rhythm used in Terry Ganzie's "Outlaw") shine. "Chatty Chatty" meanwhile presents a refreshing rootsiness, and "Nazerite Vow" (released as a single in the US, I believe) has nice and easy flow. Perhaps the most amazing achievement on Vibes is that Rebel's conscious style manages to make it all sound relatively fresh, no matter if the rhythms are recycled or not -- a true feat for a dancehall album. |
| Track Listing 1. Fresh D.J. 2. Vibes of the Time 3. The Voice & the Pen 4. My Way or the Highway featuring Diana King 5. Love One Another 6. Reggae Vibes 7. Chatty Chatty 8. Wanna Party 9. Nazerite Vow 10. Ethiopian Sons 11. Sweet Jamaica 12. Success 13. One Day 14. Creator |
 |
Click pic to buy! |
Realms of Rebel (RAS, 2001)
With the surge in popularity of cultural "sing-jays" like Sizzla, Buju Banton, Anthony B, Junior Kelly, and the like in the late '90s and early 21st century, it's easy to forget that Tony Rebel was performing a similar style long before they adopted it. He tends to be overlooked, in my opinion, because his material often doesn't have the edginess of more modern DJs. That is, his message is positive -- but at times to saccharine extremes -- and his voice doesn't rival the intimidating raspy growls of Buju, Sizzla, and company. In fact, when I initially listened to Realms of Rebel, the lack of edge on tracks like "Things Take Time," "Need Your Love," "Who Is?," and "Queen Divine" turned me off. However, the harder cuts -- "Judgement," "A So We Like It," the rootsy "One Love," and two of Rebel's best songs to date, the frenetic dancehall of "Things Will Work Out" and the echoing dub-like "Rasta Right Again," made up for it. Upon subsequent listenings, though, even the less edgy tunes grew on me. A couple of unusual tracks, "Loyal Soul Jah" -- which utilizes the basic music from Destiny's Child's "Jumpin' Jumpin'" (eh?) -- and "Si Jah Esta a Lado de Me" -- a Spanish version of his hit "If Jah," strike me as gimmicky, but the album finishes on a high note with "Praises in the Morning," a serene, righteous anthem of faith. All in all, Realms of Rebel turns out to have enough quality tunes to satisfy both dancehall and roots fans alike.
|
Track Listing |
 |