Various Reggae Artistes Peace Love Unity & Justice Vol 2 CD

TitleArtistLabelFormatDate Peace, Love, Unity & Justice 2 Various Katsjam Records CD November 25, 2005 Track list Love God And Live - George Nooks A war for Peace (Piece) - Paul Elliot Fast & Furious - R.A.D.I.C. & Mikey General If God Be For Us - Freddie McGregor War Against Jah Children - Luciano Lead Me - George Nooks Baga Mouth - Abijah Shanice - Anthony Cruz Jehovah Wi Calling - Katalys Crew God Alone - George Nooks Call On Jah - Turbulence Ease The Pressure - R.A.D.I.C. Plea My Cause - Chuck Fender Jah Is For Real - Doniki Rating : from 5 (excellent) to 1 (poor) Vocals : 4/5 Backing : 4 Production : 4/5 Sound quality : 5 Sleeve : 3/4 The gospel-reggae label Katsjam Records, the brainchild of Paul 'Pablo' Barclay to nurture the roots and enhance the culture, made it first inroads in the reggae scene with the big scorcher "No Power On Earth" by George Nooks in 2002, written and produced by Paul Barclay, that spawned a one riddim album, and was followed in 2003 by Katsjam's 'Ten Feet Tall' and 'God Alone' riddims. This album starts with a wicked relick of Bob Marley's "Rat Race", and the riddim is graced first by George Nooks delivering "Love God And Live" and the combination of his conscious vocals with this powerful (rendition of the) riddim works like magic, followed by the excellent "A War For Peace (Piece)" by Paul Elliot and "Fast & Furious", a truly fabulous combination by R.A.D.I.C, meaning 'Righteousness And Divinity In Christ' and Mikey General over Katsjam's uptempo one drop 'Ten Feet Tall' riddim. "If God Be For Us" is Freddie McGregor's take on the 'No Power On Earth'-riddim, and although Freddie sings his heart out, the riddim is too much ballad and not enough reggae to really impress. Luciano takes on George Nooks 'God Alone'-riddim for the great "War Against Children" with Luciano in fine form over this Glen Browne co-composed riddim with its fine horn riffs by Dean Frazer and Nambo Robinson. George Nooks' "Lead Me" is his take on the 1962 Ray Griff composition "Where Do I Go From Here?", that was recorded and made famous by country superstar Jim Reeves, over Katsjam's 'Wonderful World'-riddim that very much has a reggae-christmas vibe over it. "Baga Mouth" is the second tune over the 'Rat Race'-riddim on which Abijah delivers his plea to show some love, before Anthony Cruz delivers the beautiful tribute to his daughter (who also inspired the name of his own record company Shan Shan Music) "Shanice", and the overballadish character of the 'No Power On Earth'-riddim is less protruding here (and just for the record, the synth riffs on this riddim always remind me Whitney Houston's "One Moment In Time"). Katalys Crew, the 8 member live outfit around Paul 'Pablo' Barclay, from which Kemoy 'R.A.D.I.C.' Rowe and the excellent backing vocalists on this album are also drawn, has been playing with well known reggae(-gospel) artists such as Ernie Smith, Papa San, Judy Mowatt, Luciano and Carlene Davis, just to name a few and was the backing band for the 2003 JCDC /National Gospel Festival Finalists for the entire season. The Katalys Crew is the resident band for 'First Sundays Unchained' held every first Sunday at the Life of Jamaica Auditorium. The event features artists such as Abijah, Warrior King, George Nooks, and Ken Boothe. This is a charitable venture to promote education in the prisons of Jamaica. They deliver the fine "Jehovah Wi Calling" that was also included on their full-length album debut "Open Your Eyes" in 2004. Following that George Nooks contributes the superb "God Alone", great conscious lyrics delivered very well over this great riddim, followed by Turbulence's take on the same riddim, the to full effect more sung than singjayed "Call On Jah". R.A.D.I.C. delivers another very fine effort with "Ease The Pressure" before Chuck Fender disappoints completely with "Plea My Cause", by far the weakest selection on the 'God Alone'-riddim. Doniki, who inspite of his obvious talent remains underr