| | Mutabaruka Melanin Man CD Mutabaruka Discography of CDs
Mutabaruka was among the earliest "dub" poets, a firebrand who repeatedly attacked the injustices and hypocrisy he saw both in Jamaica and the Western world at large. If anything, he sounds more strident and angry on this latest set of poems. The title track, with its embrace of the controversial melanin theory, will probably dismay those who find the link between genetics, color and behavior a tenuous one at best. The other numbers continue his tradition of unrelenting, pro-Jamaican, pan-African political fare. He does take a different tack on the last work, however; "Dance" is reminiscent of The Last Poets or Gil Scott-Heron, and for just a little while shows that he can talk about something besides cultural conflict and racial oppression. ~ Ron Wynn
Engineers: Syl Gordon, Dr. Marshall David Rowe, Paul Garfield.
Personnel: Mutabaruka, Princess Addisa, Princess Tsobbe, Ishama Hope, Leggo, Myrtha Desulme, Muniar Zacca, Tynsi (vocals); Leebert "Gibby" Morrison, Earl "Chinna" Smith (guitar); Dean Frazer (saxophone); Handel Tucker (keyboards, programming); Franklin "Bubbler" Waul, Anthony Brissett (keyboards); Christopher Meredith (bass); Desi Jones (drums); Harry Powell (percussion); Wilburn "Squiddly" Cole (drum programming); Danny Brownie, The Firehouse Crew.
Producer: Gussie Clarke, Phillip Burrell.
Option (8/94, p.115) - "...dub poet Mutabaruka has the most magestic speaking voice in this reggae genre: everything he says rings with the authority of the Voice of God..." Mutabaruka Melanin Man Songs Melanin Man Review
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Purchase Melanin Man CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart | Mutabaruka Life Squared CD (2002)
Melanin Man album
 $14.79 
Life Squared and philosophy is cubed on this masterpiece from Jamaica's most revered poet/artist. With age comes wisdom, and across this set Mutabaruka shares knowledge, insight, hopes and fears, pain, and pleasure. In the past, the artist's anger at the state of ...
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| | Desmond Dekker Israelites: Best Of CD (1998) (Import) Australia
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Two years after the release of Shanty Town Original, a compilation drawn mainly from the early reggae age and comprised of songs that illuminated ghetto life, fans were offered Best of Desmond Dekker: The Israelites. This set duplicates 12 of Shanty Town's 13 tracks, replacing the sole rocksteady offering on the previous album, "Rudy Got Soul," with the equally classic "Rude Boy Train" from that same era, then adds another five songs on top. This expansion adds value for the money, by and large without detracting from Shanty's overarching concept. "It's Not Easy" fits neatly into the "times are tough" theme of "Problems," "Peace of Mind," and "That's the Way Love Goes," while the romantic "You Got Soul," "My Precious Love," and Dekker's emotive cover of "For Once in My Life" all illustrate that life and love go on regardless -- which leaves the boastful "Nincompoop" sticking out like a sore thumb on an otherwise highly coherent set. Dekker wrote a flood of songs that zapped the Zeitgeist of his times, delved deeply into personal introspection, flicked around matters of the heart, and upended all obstacles in his path with an overwhelming sense of optimism. His songwriting reflected his own difficult life, which saw him orphaned as a teen and striking out twice at auditions at Studio One and Treasure Isle. Even when he was brought to producer Leslie Kong's attention, the Beverley's ...
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| | Cliff Richard Cliff: Rock N Roll Years CD (1997)
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| | Bob James Morning, Noon & Night CD (2002)
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As one review once put it, James was putting the "smooth" into "jazz" long before the genre had its formal name, and it was fun to take stock of his lengthy quarter-century-plus recording career with 2001's double CD Restoration: The Best of Bob James. Hardly about to rest on his laurels, he's chugging ahead in 2002 with a new Fourplay album (Heartfelt) and this likeable, diverse effort. The idea seems to be to return to the spirit and groove of his classic albums of the '70s and early '80s, but play those licks in the company of latter-day top stars (Rick Braun, Dave Koz, Keiko Matsui, Paul Jackson, Jr., Chuck Loeb). And let's not forget the groovemeisters Vinnie Colaiuta (drums) and Will Lee (bass), so hip and sly on mood-swinging tunes like "Baby Cakes." Considering that the disc mostly focuses on sharply composed, tightly played, and slickly produced tracks by genre hitmakers like Loeb and Paul Brown, it seems curious that James would open with a somewhat alienating, experimental track ("Street Smart"). It opens with scratches, ambience, and darting piano runs that scream "avant-garde," before getting into a heavier groove, classical piano ideas, and finally moving into a brief big band swing section. It's interesting, but all over the place. Loeb's tune, "Just One Thing," is the complete opposite, a crisp, dreamy, light funk piece perfect for smooth jazz radio; Jamesand Loeb make good studio bedfellows with a smart, witty repartee and tandem energy. The title track is another excellent middle-of-the-road piece, with Dave Koz providing the genuine smiles and extra commercial melodic thrust. "Hands On" is a bouncy jam piece that evokes the loose energy of James' early albums. And labelmate Braun helps bring the romantic "Five O'Clock Chateau" to a deeper place full of soul and energy. Some of the other tunes seem more artsy and fusion-minded, but all of them have a singular focus. Maybe that's the point -- to provide in a new setting the kind of overview of James' multiple ...
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