Debut

Ini Kamoze | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 7, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: 9 Sound Clik Records
• ASIN: B000E5N6OS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,968 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. World a Reggae (Out in the Street They Call It Murder)

2. Statement

3. Police

4. Gunshot Respect Not

5. Vibin' 3

6. Living in a Dream

7. Reggae General

8. Burnin'

9. Wings with Me

10. Betty Brown's Mother

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Trouble

2. Gimme Your Attention

3. England Be Nice

4. Taxi

5. Settle

6. Queen

7. Vibin' 8

8. A Little Love

9. Pull the Cork

10. Pirate

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

A special kind of maverick, Ini Kamoze first came on the reggae scene as a poignant waif, then made a slick and swaggering comeback as the muscular tough guy who sang "Here Comes the Hotstepper," a global phenomenon that ruled the clubs, radio, and sporting events across the world in the mid-'90s before being dismissed by Kamoze. He's almost always at war with record companies and disappears for a decade at a time for reasons only he knows, plus he releases two CD re-recordings of his earlier hits and decides to call it Debut. While consumers have every right to be angry the outside packaging doesn't willfully give up that this album is mostly new takes on old chestnuts, Debut has its charm fore longtime fans. First off, there are the "Vibin" tracks: snippets from a recent interview with Kamoze that round out his character without ruining his "man of mystery" status. Then there's Kamoze's delivery of the songs with his voice in fine form all these years later and his conviction as strong as ever. Tracks like "Gunshot Respect Not" and "Pirate" also benefit from a beefier 21st century sound while the band -- featuring Earl "Chinna" Smith on guitar and Kamoze himself on bass -- is incredibly tight if a bit unadventurous. It all seems very purposeful so perhaps the title Debut is a reference to Kamoze reclaiming these tracks for himself and re-birthing them with new titles. "Gunshot Respect Not" used to be "Gunshot," and "World a Reggae" is actually "World-A-Music," the track Damian "Junior Gong" Marley used as the basis for his massive hit "Welcome to Jamrock," something Kamoze already exploited with a tossed-off reggaeton update that's not included here thankfully. While fans will enjoy a chance to experience what a lengthy VH1 Storytellers with Kamoze would be like, the two-CD Debut will try the newcomer's patience and they might not make it to the two gems tacked on the end. "World Affairs" and "Trainers Choice" are early-'80s singles from the man, two rare killer cuts in their original recordings, sourced from scratchy vinyl but strong enough to overcome their shaky sound quality. They're gifts for the hardcore, Debut's target audience. ~ David Jeffries, Rovi --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caveat Emptor for Ini Kamoze Fans, December 31, 2006

By 

Gavin B. (St. Louis MO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Debut (Audio CD)

It would appear, at first glance that "Debut" is a reissue of Ini Kamoze's brilliant first American album issued in 1984 on Island Records. That album which never was reissued in the compact disc is the holy grail of roots reggae collectors all over the world. "Debut" is a completely new recording of Kamoze's debut album as well 18 singles issued by various record labels in Jamaica in 1984 plus 2 new singles recently recorded by Ini.

You won't find the same atmospheric dub-wise minimalist riddims by Sly and Robbie that made Ini Kamoze's self titled on Island Records such a remarkable recording in 1984. Those recordings made Ini Kamoze an icon of the post Marley era of roots reggae. I still remember how "Trouble You a Trouble Me" with it's use of Uzi machine gun riddims rendered me speechless the first time I played it.

This re-recording by Ini of his earliest material is not a substitute for the 1984 recordings but it comes close, particularly since Kamoze has been silent and hasn't produced any recordings in 10 years. The good news is that none of his early music has lost it's urgency in 20+ years. Ini's once reed thin voice has deepened and he sings with as much or more conviction as he did in 1984.

The session crew consists of Kamoze on bass, Prince Manning on drums, Earl Chinna Smith on guitar, and Robbie Lyn on keyboards Kamoze makes a conscious effort to beef up the once sparse but deep grooves of Sly and Robbie's riddims on the earlier sessions. However, part of the charm of the 1984 album was it's dreamlike quality of minimalism. To his credit Ini Kamoze is wise enough to not stray to far from the original arrangements that made his first recordings so powerful.

Kamoze is now past 40 years of age and resurrecting his erratic career at this stage is problematic, but musicians like Burning Spear continue to be as charismatic in his 60s, as he was as a Rastafarian youth man. Ini Kamoze lost me in 1988 when he remade his image into the lyrical gangsta and songs like "Hotstepper" paled in contrast to his earliest recordings. I've seen Ini Kamoze once in concert and his hynotic stage presense blew the roof off the club.

"Debut" is one of the finest collections of roots reggae you'll find in 2006, or any year, including 1984. I give thanks and praise that Ini Kamoze has returned to the land of the living and is recording music again.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At last, August 15, 2006

By 

Bowman "UK-JA" (Memphis, TN, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Debut (Audio CD)

Thanks goodness someone has at last put out Ini Kamoze's first album in some form or another. This is re-recorded but what makes this album is the inclusion of almost all of the man's first album. The Vibes are interesting, I do a radio show so these could be interesting to add for some Jamaican Patter.

Damian Marley has already brought back World a Reggae with his Welcome to Jamrock and Anthony Cruz sampled General so it's about time Ini gets the credit he deserves. Apparently the Taxi Gang are actually re-releasing the original album but this will do nicely, Thank you.