CD Review: Inner Visions, Stay Alive!

www.innervisionsreggae.com

Inner Visions is very definitely staying alive as a great reggae band. But Stay Alive!, however enjoyable, is not a great reggae album. Too predicable. Too many re-used melodies and tired themes, too much dependence on reggae’s clichés. Lots of the band’s usual vibrancy and spirit, but too little inspiration.  Read more... (291 words + 1 image)

CD Review: Lorenzo, Movin’ Ahead

www.irieites.net 

There may have been a time when I would have been excited about this album – probably when reggae was relatively new to me, when solid rhythms, a mix featuring lots of horns and other musical textures, and apparent sincerity in the vocals and lyrics were sufficient to bring a smile to my face and a skank to my step. But I’ve grown up a bit, and listened to a wealth of other albums of reggae’s roots, trunks and branches, and now it takes something special to satisfy. So put it down to too much exposure if you want, but I need something unique or challenging or at least mildly different. I don’t hear any of that on Movin’ Ahead. 

   Read more... (206 words + 1 image)

CD Review: See-I, See-I

2011, Fort Knox Recordings
www.fortknoxrecordings ; www.See-I.com

I hate using clichés, but this is a perfect occasion for this one: “greater than the sum of its parts.” The notable musical elements on display in the eponymously titled See-I aren’t unusual in the broad spectrum of reggae – dub effects, funky horns, soul and rap influences, lyrics reflecting socio-economic concerns, variations on the one-drop – but rarely have I heard them cohere in what sounds like such an inevitable, natural way. And when you add melodic hooks galore, memorable vocal performances, seamless and creative arrangements, and well-played instruments (computerized and otherwise), then you’ve got a remarkably successful album.  Read more... (199 words + 1 image)

CD Review: Stephen West, Take A Rough Life Easy

High-Light Records
www.emphasisentertainment.com

Well, here’s yet another reggae album full of warnings and advice on how we should live our lives. Ready? “Take a rough life easy” (track 1); “we should live good, especially in our neighborhood” (track 2); “forget your problems” (track 3); “stick together and be strong” (track 4); “our people don’t want to help each other” (track 5); “we work together as one single soul”(track 6); “your worst enemy can be your best friend” (track 7); “trust God almighty” (track 9).  Read more... (298 words + 1 image)

Please Help Us Help Hagley Gap

15 Aug. 2011

The Blue Mountain Project has achieved so much over the past year. Our water program started from nothing but the desire and demand from the Hagley Gap community for clean safe, fresh water. Now we know what we need in terms of clean water and how to get it. We just lack the money. Our health clinics are working 4 days a week instead of 2. We are restarting the After School Program in Hagley Gap. The After School Program in Penlyne Castle is going gangbusters. Our clinic in Penlyne Castle now has a working bathroom and a covered outside waiting room. The Women’s Group has a much better idea of their market. Fun Camp is occurring as I write helping a 100 or so kids prepare for the upcoming school year. This year we added math sessions and have a Hagley Gap teacher, Tessa, as our Fun Camp Leader.  Read more... (267 words)