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4.0 out of 5 stars
Movin To the Forefront. . . , April 7, 2008
Perhaps I'll use the timetable of now former Jamaican Prime Minister, The Most Honourable Portia Simpson-Miller to establish Jamaica as a developed nation or `quality society' by 2030 and apply it to reggae music. Given the quiet, yet ever strong spreading of the music just over the past couple of decades alone I would not be surprised at all were it that, in just 22 years from now, reggae music was THE most popular form of music in the world altogether. Exhibit A in my case would definitely be the music itself. When I, myself, am receiving emails and various correspondences from DJ's and players from far away and obscure places such as Indonesia, it definitely is a rather quiet HUGE deal. Then, take the artists themselves, if you follow the European scene at all, you know CONTINUOUSLY, England and all of the UK have historically been high on the vibes; and recently the French scene has been bourgeoning, producing huge artists like a virtual reggae warehouse. Yet another wonderfully reggae rich hotbed over the years has been the Motherland itself. Africa, in MANY parts has been producing noteworthy artists to a wonderful degree. From the KINGS such as Alpha Blondy and the late, great Lucky Dube, to current shots such as Tiken Jah Fakoly and Lyricson, pushing vibes (albeit in French for the most part from Fakoly) which are akin to something you would voiced, produced and mastered in downtown Kingston. What is slightly less popular and publicized at this point, however, is the well star-studded Afrikan reggae underground scene which has just as many talented artists, if not more, than the more mainstream scene at this point. The scene is literally packed with artist hailing from all over the continent, speaking various different languages, but all (at least the ones that I'm familiar with at this point) maintaining extremely high level vibes. 2007 was definitely a watershed year for the scene as several of the artist from the underground, through various means, begin to achieve a more worldwide level of popularity, extending from Afrika, throughout reggae STARVING Europe and even in some cases, all the way back to Jamaica (particularly in the case of Lyricson). Artists such as Takana Zion, Beta Simon (both of whom from Tiken Jah's camp, the former ultimately produced an album, Zion Prophet, which was hailed by many as the single finest of the year) fiery Ghanaian chanter, the wicked Osagyefo, fellow Ghanaian Shasha Marley and South African's future superstar and heir to Lucky Dube's throne, Black Dillinger all made their international album debuts with STRONG pieces, most of which were recorded in various corners of Europe with several seeking Jamaican land as well. The Afrikan reggae `resources' are truly flowing beautifully, joining masters and apprentices alike with very strong vibes.
Another name to add to the group, and easily one of the most unusual, is that of Gambian native Rebellion The Recaller. Besides having what is, arguably, the greatest name in all of reggae, Rebellion The Recaller (or `RTR' as I'll refer to him as for the balance of this review) has some of the most unusual vibes I have ever heard. And its not unusual to the point of being bad, while you won't find too many employing the style he does, his skills are polished and it sounds far from someone who is new at the game at all. RTR is top notch. I actually first came in contact with the artist in listening the WICKED Gangstalaw riddim from 2007. He actually voiced the title track for the German riddim from a German label, then unknown to me, IM Music. The tune itself shined on a LOADED roster of tunes and was in the top half of the sixteen tracks which I heard on the riddim (which is saying A LOT, the riddim also included pieces from the likes of Black Dillinger alongside Jamaican contemporaries Luciano, Natty King, Turbulence and even Natural Black from out of Guyana). The tune would ultimately lead me to wanting to hear more from the artist as he uses a style which I've heard before, but not much and one which can be VERY effective when put in the right hands. If you are familiar with the current roots scene in Jamaica, there is a chance you've heard of an artist by the name of Norrisman. With the current AWFUL swing Norrisman has been on currently, I almost hesitate to compare the two, but should you find early material from the Trenchtown native, such as Persistence, Let Jah Lead the Way and Hold On To Your Faith; you'll notice the striking similarities. RTR uses a style which virtually mirrors the wonderful bouncy chanting, free flowing, free vibing and wailing style Norrisman employed in the early stages (and still does show occasionally (such as on his biggest hit Home & Away) these days between the. . . Other stuff he uses) of his career and the results are BEAUTIFUL. Now, RTR steps forth with his very own album from IM Music also, the well powerful Movin On. The album comes as a very refreshing introduction to one of the most varied talents I may have EVER heard in reggae music and although RTR is definitely a rootical artist (showing not only the spread of reggae music itself, but Rastafari culture as well), RTR has a style which keeps the roots FUN as well. He does absolute wonders with the standard one drop, and is an artist who has such a style and pattern that even beforehand, I would recommend that newer fans of roots reggae music check out Movin On, as it goes in several different directions without EVER leaving the roots scope. RTR joins a whole heap of artist coming from Afrika pushing not only themselves, but the vibes of the entire continent to the rest of the world, and definitely not to be ignored.
Joining IM Music on the production side for Movin On is legendary Jamacian producer Bobby Digital, which is just a wonderful idea. Digital, his studio, and his son, wicked producer Calibud, have consistently seemed to serve foreign artist well as they are consistently chosen for such products (up next for Digital is awesome Trini vocalist Jah Melody's debut, Be Prepared). Digital's awesome presence for RTR on Movin On is evident right out of the gate as after the intro (which somewhat whets the appetite as it is simply the sound of a plane taking off over twelve seconds) Digital mans the board on what is turns out to be the single greatest tune on the album altogether, the AWESOME Is It True. Is It True has the classic Bobby Digital vibe to the fullest and RTR takes full advantage of the golden opportunity making the tune the best it can possibly be. As you'll find with ALL of RTR's music, the tune also carries a very heavy message and is almost delivered in a story style as the chorus poses the wonderful question, "Is it true that you are defending the blessings that the people are deserving?". Just a wonderful tune all around backed by a subtly beautiful riddim which, should you ever be so lucky as to hear the clean riddim, it reveals itself as one of the most complex pieces that I've heard in quite awhile and I'd definitely like to hear a few other artists have a go on the riddim (if I haven't already) particularly, maybe some of The Recaller's label mates. Up next is the almost acoustic vibed Take It Easy. Take It Easy is a song which finely showcases RTR's more laid back style (with the type of style he employs its not very difficult from him to shift from laid back to hype and do so on a consistent pace). The song lyrically, is about observing the people, the progress of people and the struggles the people face, especially in RTR's native Gambia. And its so interesting because I've heard countless similar songs by our artists from Jamaica over the years and hearing the EXACT same sentiments expressed by RTR just even makes the vibe get stronger (REGGAE 2030!) bringing it all together. Movin' On contains several interludes (three in all) and easily the most powerful of them is the one which completes the opening of the album (and leads into the next WELL powerful tune) a mighty, affirming excerpt from a Speech from Malcolm X.
On paper, the two songs on Movin' On destined to receive the most attention are the two combinations on the album which feature RTR alongside very well known Jamaican artist, the Poor People's Governor Chuck Fenda on Lion in the Jungle and the legendary Ken Boothe for Pure & Strong. Like A Lion is a comes first on the roster and is a very strong tune. The vibe is one which is very dark but of course the large, bellowing voiced Fender lights it up almost immediately. The song is one affirming the overall STRENGTH of Jah's children and RTR more than holds his own alongside the hitmaker Fenda. I'd almost like the two to go back at another track, next time a bit more up, the comparison with RTR's insane range and Chuck Fenda's more fiery side would be downright lethal in my opinion. But as it is, Like A Lion is very strong. Even stronger, however, is Pure And Strong which is just an excellent track and on of the best Movin' On has to offer overall. You just can't go wrong at all with Boothe's STILL classically done vocal's, and the tune actually features RTR applying a more straight forward version of his style, one which melds very nicely with Boothe's. I'd be quite interested in seeing RTR in combination with more Jamaican artists definitely, of course a Norrisman combination would be very interesting, but the artist who I would probably most like to see the free flowing RTR alongside, would be the equally free flowing Turbulence (at his best). The two would almost undoubtedly create magic. I would have also like to see a Black Dillinger combination here (but maybe that will be on Black Dillinger's album, here's hoping for that).
The balance of Movin' On is also very strong with impressive tunes coming throughout. The aforementioned Malcolm X interlude leads directly into the following tune Retreat which is WICKED. Retreat comes armed with one of the most beautiful one-drops on the album and had my head moving before I even really got into the lyrics (and speaking of the lyrics, RTR uses yet another style on the piece as, at the peak of the tune, he uses basically a straight forward DJ style!). The tune also carries one of the album's strongest messages: Simply warning babylon and all of its children to retreat and surrender, before it is too late. I was very happy to see the album include the tune Gangstalaw (particularly with Mark Wonder having missed the opportunity to have the riddim on his album, Victory: The Mystery Unfolds, last year. RTR makes no such mistake and Gangstalaw still ranks highly. Similarly, IM Music's other big production, the newer Grow With Me is here as well (apparently the are VERY fond of The Recaller as his two songs ultimately became the title tunes in the case of both riddims). Grow With Me is the obligatory lover's piece and is very strong (and check out the Grow With Me riddim it is LOADED). Movin' On the song is also very big, probably having the single biggest chorus on the album (meaning the one I was singing along with the most). Movin' On chases one of the more impressive tunes here as well, Why No Food. In vibes alone, the tune is big and combine it with the lyrical approach and you have a near masterpiece, as RTR rather matter-of-factly asks, "Why no food, bombs instead?". Lastly, the album comes to a close with the lovely No Other Side. No Other Side is a song I would have asked for were it not here. I would have written this review and said something to the effect of, "I would love to hear The Recaller take on a nyah drum backed riddim", No Other Side is that tune and he does it well strong. Telling the people that the only way is really with Jah (whatever name you may call HIM by).
Overall, like I mentioned earlier, this one can go for the newer fans definitely, but well entrenched fans of roots reggae will definitely find something here as well. The hardcore roots side in me is already imagining the various combinations and producers Rebellion The Recaller could work with because of his unusual style (I could even see him touching a dancehall style). There is much substance behind his bag of tricks as well, thus, like I said the roots head will feel something (especially on Is It True) from Movin On. I'm definitely eager to see more come from the continent as well and with Black Dillinger's sophomore album forthcoming (check out his debut, 2007's Live & Learn) there is much to look forward to. And while I'd be shocked and amazed to see a next artist like Rebellion The Recaller, if Movin' On is any indicator of the quality of vibes, we'll have even much more to look forward to after that.
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by Rebellion the Recaller 
