Customer Reviews

Rise Up

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the last few years, Anthony B has risen to the top of my list of modern reggae artists. In the past, I have ranked him third behind Capleton and Sizzla. But with his string of great albums in the last 4 years (Life Over Death, Higher Meditation, Suffering Man, My Hope, Black Star), he has elevated himself, in my opinion, to the top of reggae's elites. No disrespect to Capleton or Sizza but Anthony B has been more consistent both musically and in touring. In fact, I just saw him at the Dub Club in Los Angeles last week. As usual, the show was wicked! Anthony B in a live show sounds exactly like he does in his recordings, which is wonderful because you can just sing along with him. Even if you don't know all the words, you can just follow along humming and screaming out the words you do know. A spectacular show as expected. He sang two tunes from this album, Iley Iley Selassie I and Where is the Black Man Rights. I can't wait till he comes back again to the LA area.

On this album, my favorites include Better Haffi Come with Chezidek, Iley Iley Sellasie I, Stop Fight Reggae, Enter the Kingdom of Zion with Horace Andy, Rise Again, Give Thanks for Life, and Be Wise with Lukie D. His duets have been getting better and better as he chooses singers that fit well with his voice. I just hope he comes out with another album this year....One love!

This album is one of the best so far from Anthony B. Unlike some of his other albums, he clearly devoted a lot of time to every track. This is the first album Anthony B produced where he had an actual budget to work with, and it shows. It is done extremely well, and the CD flows together without a doubt.

In Rise Up, Anthony B expands upon the empire he has created for himself. These songs don't sacrifice his style in any way, rather, demonstrate AB's uniqueness. Yaga yaga yo! Buy this album!

If it's not broke then don't fix it. At least that's the message we'd like to send when you see an artist either come up with or link up with a particular producer (or vice-versa) with which the either go on to make their name or solidify their position in Reggae music. As simple as that concept seems to be to MOST, you'll rarely see it go on to sustain itself; unfortunately, for one reason or another. There are, however, cases where it does seem to work over and over again. Like where? Consider yourself LUCKY be you a young (or extremely old, middle aged or even a newborn baby) producer and attract the attention of one Baby Cham to voice on your riddim. The at times DISTURBINGLY talented DJ has been around for quite awhile (I THINK he turns thirty in 2009) but you can go on and count the number of significant tunes he has done with producers besides Dancehall genius Dave Kelly probably on one hand. And while most fans (including yours truly) wish he would more advantage of some of the talents out now (Daseca, Big Ship), being basically what amounts to an EXCLUSIVE Madhouse artist (Kelly's label) hasn't hurt him one bit, none at all. In the land of pretty much EVERYONE ELSE, where exclusivity is not an option, you also see very nice relationships between producer and artist working very nicely. Another fine example would be what's going on nowadays with Don Corleone's camp where he has a nice bag of artists in the `three headed monster' Alaine, Munga Honourable (apparently back in the camp despite rumours of the contrary) and Pressure Busspipe. Corleone is a VERY nice example because he previously had a similar setup (albeit in an unofficial capacity then) with Vybz Kartel, who definitely wouldn't have become the artist he is today if he wasn't afforded those FLAWLESS Vendetta riddims during his developmental years. Currently also you'll find the up and coming Bugle who is seemingly set to take the Dancehall from the downright violently EVIL place it has become at times to an almost GHOULISHLY dark and despairing place (which TECHNICALLY might be an upgrade). You also have less publicized links like the incomparable Tanya Stephens and Andrew Henton (Tarantula) (which is NEARLY kind of exclusive) WICKED Nesbeth and producer of the moment (and probably the future as well) Kemar `Flava' McGregor and young Bramma De Bomba with Stephen McGregor and Big Ship; which all go to make-up for relationships like Aidonia and Scatta and others which ended and done so on AWFUL terms lately. It can truly work.

But can it work twice? Given the levels of his activity throughout his ever expanding career, veteran top notch Trelawny chanter Anthony B has been afforded the privilege of being able to work with some of the greatest producers and labels of his time. However, despite working with the likes of Xterminator, King Of Kings and Bobby Digital, the label with which the first part of Anthony B's career is most closely associated with is Star Trail, ran by Richard `Bello' Bell. Bell was the producer on board for MOST of Anthony B's early hits including (but not limited to) Swarm Me, Universal Struggle, Cold Feet, Raid Di Barn and most notably his first HUGE hit, Fire Pon Rome. Bell and Star Trail were also behind most of the artist's earlier (very popular) albums as well like Real Revolutionary (aka So Many Things), Seven Seals and Universal Struggle. Anthony B's career actually somewhat mirrored that of his most closely associated peer, Sizzla Kalonji who did a similar stretch run with Xterminator at virtually the same time. Unfortunately, unlike Sizzla and Xterminator's relationship, Anthony B and Bell parted ways on a sour note but THANKFULLY the last few years since that partnership has run its course, Anthony B has made another link, this time of a VERY unlikely source, but definitely a skilled on nonetheless. Frenchie from Maximum Sounds in the UK has been on the boards for now four albums from the artist in the last four and a half years. For comparison sakes: In that same time, by my count, Anthony B has released eleven studio albums in total having never repeated working for the same producer outside of Frenchie in that same span. The wonderful pair has coincided, not surprisingly at all, with Maximum Sound taking a place amongst the finest production houses outside of the Caribbean as Frenchie has also caught the attention of many of Anthony B's peers, including both singer Lukie D and WICKED chanter Jah Mason, both of whom have had albums released through the label. Now, returning with his aforementioned forth album of his own set is Anthony B. Rise Up becomes the third of the four (and third in a row) released via Greensleeves, which was purchased last year by it's US based rival VP Records a year ago, which also means that, by default, Rise Up essentially becomes Anthony B's first VP album since 2003's Street Knowledge. This album kind of has pretty large shoes to fill ESPECIALLY when considering that the last two Maximum Sound Anthony B albums, Higher Meditation and Black Star were just BIG albums, two of the biggest in recent years from the artist (the first album, Powers Of Creation was also very well done and still these days manages to find its way on my players at least once or twice a year). Also, its immediate predecessor in terms of just Anthony B solo albums, the HUGE Life Over Death, which he produced himself (on his own Bornfire label), may have been the SINGLE biggest for the artist in quite awhile, at least to my opinion. It's also interesting to note that Rise Up was initially planned at coming out in September 2008 (it may have been October) but was subsequently delayed until February (I would think, due in large part, to the fact that much of Anthony B's 2008 was spent promoting Life Over Death). So how does Rise Up stand up to the others, especially recently? Not bad at all. With Rise Up Anthony B and Frenchie weave a VERY nice project with an old school ear, probably unlike any album he has done before.

Typically when an album is delayed for any kind of time (especially by VP) it's almost done like it's on purpose as you'll know virtually NOTHING about the project, besides seeing the cover, until it's actual release date. That wasn't the case with Rise Up, as a full tracklist of the album has been available for quite awhile and I was DEFINITELY looking forward to spinning some of these tunes which I hadn't heard before (they even released a single). After a brief intro (which better than the one on Black Star but not as good as the intro on Higher Meditation) the album gets started with one of the tunes that I was SO interested in hearing, Better Haffi Come which features Anthony B alongside ST. ANN's singer Chezidek. I THINK this is the first time the two veterans have made a tune together and, unsurprisingly, the two work very well together. The tune comes on an inspirational vibes, but definitely not of the `BRIGHT' variety; in sound, its actually a pretty darkly vibed tune, but you really need to pay attention to the lyrics on that one to take it in FULLY. Big opening. Next in is the obligatory herbalist anthem for the album (a `tradition' Anthony B almost ALWAYS observes on his albums), Nothing But The Highest (Grade). Most Reggae heads will probably almost immediately recognize the riddim backing it as the same from Black Uhuru's CLASSIC tune General Penitentiary and while Nothing But The Highest doesn't reach those levels, it does fair quite well, by comparison to Smoke Weed Everyday, which would have been the herbalist tune from the Higher Meditation album. Completing the opening of Anthony B's Rise Up is Iley, Iley, Iley, Iley Selassie I, which also, to my opinion, also happens to be the finest of the three tunes. `Iley' is just a SMOOTH praising track from Anthony B which almost has a lover's type of vibes to it (complete with the very nice female backing singers), but instead develops into a straight track call all to turn to the guidance of His Majesty. Anthony B also dives in with a bit of knowledge and historical presence as well to complete the opening of the album and make Iley easily one of it's real highlights.

Seemingly one of the distinguishing characteristics of Frenchie as a producer is to bring together HIGH PROFILE artists VERY nicely in combination on his pieces. The Powers Of Creation album featured DYCR and Mr. Vegas alongside Anthony B; Black Star was Ras Shiloh and, of course, Jah Cure and Natty King and Turbulence costarred on Higher Meditation. Here, besides Chezidek, we also get Lukie D (wow) (sarcasm) on the ROCKING Be Wise, which I'm sure I've heard before somewhere. The tune is BIG, seriously a big track and I kind of have a lukewarm feeling towards Lukie D usually, but his vocals rarely have sounded as well as on Be Wise. VERY impressive. That tune and Better Haffi Come, however, are toppled by the album's other combination which was the tune VP promoted from the album last year, the AMAZING Enter The Kingdom Of Zion alongside the legend Horace Andy (who also has an album reaching soon, Inspiration Information) which reigns supreme as the finest tune on Rise Up, period. This tune rides a refashioned version of Sly & Robbie's Darkness riddim (Black Uhuru tune of the same name) is every bit as strong, arguably. Andy has apparently been a fan of Anthony B's for quite awhile and the two definitely make a nice pair as they deliver a praising vibes worthy of being shouted from the highest of mountain tops! HUGE TUNE! Not to be missed. Just as it is in Frenchie's make up to bring together nice combinations like these, it's in Anthony B's to provide quality material WHENEVER. So, when left to his own vices, the vibes on Rise Up definitely maintain. There is a tune earlier on in Rise Up by the name of Where Is The Black Rights which is just absolutely WONDERFUL! Playing over the top of a nyah drum infused, slow chanting riddim, the tune comes forth packed full of knowledge (would have loved to hear Natty King with him again) and is VERY entertaining to the nerves as well. Probably single tune here which I've spun through the most. I mentioned Nothing But The Highest as the herbalist track but I didn't mention that it wasn't the only on Rise Up, nor was it the BIGGEST. That distinction belongs to the SWAYING On Spot Herb Spot which comes accompanied by what is probably my favourite Maximum Sound riddim, the Black Board (check Sizzla's MASSIVE Africa Prepare on that one), and has me singing along as soon as learned the words. It's what you expect from someone from the skill background as Anthony B, but definitely still well impressive. Rise Again, which is essentially the title track is also very good, in fact, I may even go to call it the album's second best tune altogether. On the STREAMLINED tune, Anthony B delivers a necessary message that redemption and positivity and righteousness all come directly through His Majesty, no matter the circumstances. Big tune. The Place Too Red sounds familiar because it's over another Maximum Sound riddim I recognized, the Ashanti Warriour. It's definitely not the strongest here but very interesting still as Anthony B goes through and examine the current Reggae scene, checking many of his peers in the process. As Rise Up heads down the stretch you also get more familiar sounding material which Anthony B puts together LOVELY. Jah Jah Only downright frustrates me because I can't put my finger on that riddim just quite (version of the same one Cocoa Tea uses for his Have It Fi Mi, but that's CERTAINLY not the original). The lyrics, however, are all Anthony B's original and that's the real attraction here in either case (he even mentions Maurice Bishop!). The same cannot be said for Rise Up's closer, Weeping Willow, which is a full update of an older tune, My Willow Tree by Alton Ellis. I THINK its also the second time Anthony B voiced this song as it may have come out a few years back for a different producer. Whatever the case, he more than does the classic justice and I'm sure the late, great 'Godfather Of Rocksteady' would be proud. Excellent ending to a likewise excellent project.

Overall, despite the fact that at least currently I'm rating Rise Up as third behind Higher Meditation and Black Star (which was the best in my opinion) in terms of albums Anthony B and Maximum Sound has done together, don't let that be an indication it's quality being low. It's not. Those two albums were BIG and to be perfectly honest, they have gotten better over the time and I expect such a fate for Rise Up. 2009 will be SURELY a big year if, come December, Rise Up isn't somewhere on the Top Ten list for best Reggae albums of the year , it is REALLY that good. I'm recommending Anthony B's Rise Up to, of course, longtime fans as well as those who aren't necessarily the biggest Anthony B fans, but are full Reggae fans (and particularly may have a taste for old school vibed modern Reggae). In a `best case scenario' Anthony B and Star Trail would have been able to work out their differences and continue the works. With Anthony B now being in his prime as an artist, thinking of what they could have done together is a really wonderful image. However, be that not the case (and it isn't) its WONDERFUL to see what Frenchie and Anthony B are doing instead. Now four albums deep and undoubtedly working on a next, any fan of modern Reggae (myself included) should be looking forward to seeing what comes after Rise Up. Well done.