CD Reviews - S: Various Artists |
Rating Scale: 6: Off-the-Scale!!! 5: Excellent 4: Very Good 3: Good 2: Fair 1: Poor |
Unleashed - S. W. Storm Label: SWS Music Genre: Soca/Various I was first introduced to S. W. Storm's music when his Groove Me video aired in the late 1990s. Since then, this very talented and versatile singer, song writer and performer has consistently produced dynamic, high quality music. Since releasing his debut album, Island Fury in 1997, S. W. Storm has continued to hone his skills while releasing a new album each year on his own record label, SWS Music. He has risen to the semi-finalist and finalist positions in several Soca Monarch and Chutney Soca Monarch competitions. Yet, even with all his accomplishments, S. W. Storm still has not received (in this writer's opinion) the level of recognition he so richly deserves. However, that could all change with Unleashed, the latest CD from the UK's leading soca artist. Unleashed is a 16 track CD that includes 6 hot new tracks for 2004. The remaining 10 tracks are a collection of some of S. W. Storm's best work from the past 6 years. This CD could've been named The Best Of... or Greatest Hits. And great it is! Unleashed is easily one of the best CDs of 2004. While maintaining an unmistakable soca sound, S. W. Strom incorporates elements of Indian/chutney, R&B, dance rhythms and a little reggae into his music. The album features some of soca music's best arrangers/producers including the legendary Nicolas Branker, Chris Allman, Darron Grant and $hel$hok. Back up singers include "the Queen of Soca" Alison Hinds, Flo PG, Gailaan and Derek Seales. The music is adventurous, seamlessly fusing genres into a picture perfect collage of the best in Caribbean music. The opening track Trini Carnival sets the tone for the rest of the CD. After listening to no more than 10 seconds of this infectious tune you'll know you're in for a special treat. The feel-good lyrics of Trini Carnival will have you singing "I love mi soca, I love it, sweet soca music, I love it" while you "shake, shake, shake your body" to the pulsating soca rhythm. The interplay between musical instruments is done with skill and precision. The lead and background vocals blend perfectly. Exemplary in every way, Trini Carnival is the ideal example of the best in soca music. If I had to pick one track as my favorite, it would definitely be Show Dem. In a word, WOW! Show Dem is simply phenomenal. Taken from his 2003 CD The Fusion, Show Dem is an innovative blend of genres, unique and of exceptional quality. Starting with its distinctive bhangra-soca-chutney-dance style opening Show Dem is in a class by itself. Not coming across as your typical fusion/crossover attempt, Show Dem perfectly melds diverse genres into a refreshingly "new" sound. It incorporates traditional East Indian instruments such as the sitar and tumbi into the mix and has both English and Indian vocals. Bold and daring, Show Dem takes you on a musical adventure that has to be heard (experienced) to be fully appreciated. There are no weak tunes here, just the good stuff. However, there are some tracks that stand out from the crowd and deserve special mention. Included among them is the Indian flavored Bombay Girl. The music has a mysterious quality about it that you'll want to hear again and again. The sensual Luv up on me is an excellent song. What's not to love about this one? Another standout track is Sweet Sweet the name says it all. This one is a slice of musical nirvana that's oh so sweet, sweet. The instrumentation is superb. I especially like the steel pan and horn section. Finally, there's the R&B flavored Groove Me. This one's really nice. With a variety of tempos and one-of-a-kind fusions, there's something here that's sure to please everyone. The CD demonstrates the creativity, versatility and depth of talent possessed by this rising superstar. Immensely talented, S. W. Storm has taken soca to a higher level. Anyone who wants quality music with lots of variety is sure to love Unleashed. Track Listing: 1. Trini Carnival 2. Wildness ($hel$hok mix) 3. Bombay Girl 4. Luv up on me 5. Queen of the Dance 6. Wildness (Jamm Mix) 7. Show Dem 8. Only You 9. Sweet Sweet 10. Crazy 11. Aphrodiziac Lady 12. Groove Me 13. Nice 14. What a Feelin' 15. De Gyal Could Wyne 16. Sweet Overall Rating: 5 African Holocaust - Steel Pulse Release Date: July 13, 2004 Record Label: Sanctuary/RAS Records Genre: Roots Reggae African Holocaust, the 18th release by the legendary British reggae band Steel Pulse, is dynamic modern roots reggae, a must-have CD. Can you say masterpiece! No reggae music collection is complete without this crucial recording. The excellent musicianship and bold, thought-provoking messages of African Holocaust are guaranteed to please the ear and stimulate the mind. Though musically upbeat and danceable, all 13 tracks deal with very serious topics including environmental destruction, racism and the continuing legacy of slavery. The opening track, Global Warning, is a plea to humanity to protect the environment that we've been entrusted with. It's difficult to pick favorites since all the tracks are oh-so-good! However, the clear-cut rally call of Make Us A Nation does make it stand out as one of my favorites. Its' inspirational lyrics call for us to rise up, unite and make a nation based on equality and justice. Another standout track is Dem A Wolf. Musically innovative, Dem A Wolf incorporates a bluesy harmonica into its up-tempo danceable reggae rhythm. It's a one-of-a-kind fusion of genres you'll want to hear again and again. The title track is truly first-rate. Powerful, straightforward lyrics along with outstanding musical and vocal arrangements combine to make African Holocaust a song of exceptional quality. Additional vocals by Tiken Jah Fakoly, from the Ivory Coast of Africa, add a unique flavor to an already superior quality track. The politically charged No More Weapons ("of mass destruction") doesn't beat around the BUSH when taking jabs at "ego trips, by heads of state..." Damian Marley makes a guest DJ appearance on this one. Door of No Return has a fabulous sound and lyrics that evoke images of a once magnificent past turned tragic. Door of No Return speaks of Goree Island in Senegal; a place used as a hub of slave trade. Two other tracks that merit mention are George Jackson and the closing track, Uncle George. The original version of Uncle George appears on Steel Pulse's 1979 album Tribute to the Martyrs. It tells the plight of Black Panther George Jackson who was shot to death in 1971. Uncle George is updated here for a new generation who may not know of George Jackson. In addition to the music, African Holocaust must also be applauded for its compelling artwork and eye-opening liner notes. The cover artwork is a mosaic of modern-day freedom fighters and martyrs - heroes in the fight for equal rights and justice. The insert also contains subtle, yet graphic reminders of the suffering endured by people of African descent. The liner notes "The Global Black Genocide" is must reading for all people of the African Diaspora. Not only must people of the African Diaspora learn of the world's most heinous crime and continuing global genocide practices, but all people of good conscience must be enlightened. Steel Pulse is one of the few foreign acts to gain widespread acceptance in Jamaica, the birthplace of reggae. Listen to African Holocaust and you'll know why they deserve the utmost admiration and respect. The veteran roots reggae outfit has been nominated for 5 Grammy Awards, for far. No doubt, African Holocaust ought to be their 6th nomination. Everything about this CD is impressive. Sure to become a classic, African Holocaust is an essential part of the CD collection of all true reggae fans. Track Listing: 1. Global Warning 2. Blazing Fire 3. There Must Be A Way 4. Make Us A Nation 5. Dem A Wolf 6. No More Weapons 7. Tyrant 8. Door Of No Return 9. Born Fe Rebel 10. Darker Than Blue 11. George Jackson 12. African Holocaust 13. Uncle George Overall Rating: 5 Jump Start - Surface Label: VP Records Genre: Soca Release Date: January 23, 2001 Hailing from Trinidad, Surface was formed when talented singer Tony Prescott along with nine other members of the band Atlantik decided to form a new group. The end result is one of the Caribbean's most dynamic soca bands and one of the hottest CDs of 2001, Jump Start. This 14-track CD is guaranteed to please. The TNT trio (Tony Prescott, Nicole Greaves and Terry Seals) along with the rest of the band and guest vocalists Bunji Garlin and Treason and combine to produce a CD that's packed with energy and outstanding tunes. The opening track, Jump Start, is the perfect way to start any soca fete. Followed by the Andy Armstrong composition Under De Bridge and a dozen other exciting tracks, there's plenty here to keep any soca party hot. One of the most memorable tracks is Chutney Ragga Soca Party. The vocal interplay between Terry Seals and Nicole Greaves is superb and the lyrics are very entertaining. If you ever need something to lift your spirits, this one will do it. This is a track that you'll want to play over and over again. Another track that you just can't listen to once is Karma Sutra. With Treason on vocals and recorded on The Surface Baku Rhythm, Karma Sutra is one of the standout tracks. Also recorded on The Surface Baku Rhythm is Unisex and Peace of Meat featuring Bunji Garlin. Other standout tunes include Xchange and Heave Hoe. If you enjoy good soca music, then this one's for you. Track Listing 1. Jump Start 2. Under De Bridge 3. Paper Song 4. Chutney Ragga Soca Party 5. Zouke Mama 6. The Surface Baku Rhythm (Unisex) 7. Xchange 8. Leave Dat Boy 9. Free Up Your Body 10. Leave Dat Gal 11. Move 12. The Surface Baku Rhythm (Piece of Meat) 13. The Surface Baku Rhythm (Karma Sutra) 14. Heave Hoe Overall Rating: 4/5 Copyright William L. Nowell |
Visitors since July 7, 2001 |
