Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dutch King Of Reggae!. . . , October 20, 2008
(4.5stars)
A mere space of approximately just forty miles from where I am now is one of the very nice and hidden attractions amongst the many in the Caribbean, the wonderful fellow Dutch island of St. Eustatius (which I'm going to refer to as `Statia' from here out). After St. Maarten (the aforementioned "here") and my beloved Saba (which is an even smaller island approximately halfway between St. Maarten and Statia) St. Eustatius is definitely one of my favourite places to visit in the area: The island, like most places here, is absolutely BEAUTIFUL and it has some of the nicest people in all of the Caribbean and perhaps THE nicest people on any of the five major islands which comprise the Netherlands Antilles. The island also has a great bit of nice culture with a dazzling array and mix of people from different walks of life and for me personally, it has served as a bit of a `gateway' between the more `familiar' Northern Dutch Caribbean and the more `exotic' Southern Dutch Caribbean (Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire and WAY on the other side, the landlocked Suriname (actually Aruba and Suriname aren't included, but they are still part of the area)). Something which you'll also notice about Statia, like every other island is the musical tastes, of course. Between Soca, Reggae music and a bit of Zouk and definitely many of the American artists, Statia boasts some of the most diverse musical vibes of probably any at least partially English speaking island in the whole of the Caribbean in my experience. Speaking specifically in reggae (which is why we are here after all, we've seen just a few artist emerge from Statia over the past few years (and a few strong ones in my time living in the vicinity). Actually the one which most recently popped up on my radars is a youth by the name of Mega D (aka The Island Kid). Mega D is actually quite a veteran by this point but what attracted to me to his style was the somewhat `unrefined charm' he has to his vibes. You're not exactly going into a Mega D piece expecting to hear something like Beenie Man or (General Degree) as he is also a dancehall artist, but instead you'll find an artist who is still searching for his identity and in the process making some WONDERFUL vibes (including a tune with (ST. ANN'S!) Jamaican (annoying) DJ Red Rat from awhile back which was VERY impressive on both sides). He has attracted a great bit of attention in Europe as well (as he, like most great things from the Dutch Caribbean has made his home base in the Netherlands) and earlier this year made a very publicized tour of Africa even. Mega D is one of the real highlights of the music scene on Statia (along with a very nice supporting cast which includes the likes of soca/reggae group Rebel's Band). Representing Statia and the extended N. Antilles as a whole.
However, just as in St. Maarten we have the great Nasio Fontaine representing as the `crown jewel' of reggae music here (although he was actually born in Dominica), in Statia, THE MAN in reggae music is DEFINITELY Ziggi. The Dutch born artist moved to the island at a very young age where he grew and remains at least partially to this day, it is also where he obviously developed his love and appreciation of reggae music. Ziggi is (to my knowledge) also the number one name in reggae actually The Netherlands as well and simply taking a look at all the European promotion which came with this album, he is apparently firing on all cylinders in going all out and really reaching the European masses (he is also quite popular in Germany apparently as well). He is essentially doing for Dutch reggae (which is, in itself, also up and coming quite strong as well) what superstar Gentleman (more on him in a bit) has done for German reggae and what upstart Alborosie is doing for Italian reggae as well, respectively: Slowly, but surely, reggae music is taking over! Ziggi has also made some progress back home in Jamaica as well as a few years back I recall hearing just a bit of his vibes actually on the radio. His first album, the PACKED So Much Reasons came with quite a bit of fanfare when I received it and it featured some very high profile combinations with Jamaican aces Elephant Man and Turbulence (on a remix tune of Turbulence's own mega shot Notorious of the same year). It also featured SOLID combinations alongside the aforementioned Mega D (a WICKED dancehall piece by the name of All My Girls) and another piece featuring Shanaira Rey another fine artist (who I haven't heard ANYTHING from in quite awhile) from St. Maarten. So Much Reasons was a youthful kind of RAW dancehall focused album which was pretty well received and helped establish Ziggi's name internationally as well as that of his label, the Dutch based Rock (N) Vibes. The label, headed by one Mr. Rude (who is also from Statia if I'm not mistaken) is also blowing up largely on the strength of Ziggi. Whatever Rude and Ziggi and Rey (another official RnV artist) are doing they're doing it quite well as the follow-up to So Much Reasons now comes forth internationally under the arm of Greensleeves records; of course that now means that since Greensleeves was bought by VP Records, the biggest Caribbean music label in the world, Ziggi has OFFICIALLY reached the big time! The album, In Transit, is LEAPS AND BOUNDS ahead of what we heard on the (still solid) So Much Reasons as it shows a musical growth one just wouldn't expect to see in the relatively brief interim of just two years. Where SMR was kind of an album which was basically trying to give the listener EVERYTHING in its over packed length, it was ultimately just about a youth having a great time. The WONDERFULLY titled In Transit is an artist on the move in several ways: Literally, I imagine the Dutch and Statia living artist spends quite a bit of time traveling both for home and on tours these days for work, but it also finds an artist 'traveling' from his youth into his maturity (although ALL the `fun` isn't gone). To my ears, halfway through In Transit I was fully prepared to declare it one of my surprise 'sleeper' picks of 2008. By its end, however, I may just have to call it one of the best reggae albums of 2008, period.
I'm sitting here trying to figure exactly who Ziggi might remind me of, vocally speaking. The first name to come to my mind (unfortunately) is Gentleman in terms of the kind of free flowing style, there's also quite of bit of (the `other Ziggy's brother) a youthful Ky-Mani Marley to his voice, just minus Marley's almost signature rasp. After a brief intro where Ziggi and Mr. Rude (In Transit's executive producer) almost miss their plane, getting things started here is the BIG sounding When the Youths Cry. This tune is a big and vibrant version of the tune which ultimately catches my eye as the best tune on the album altogether and if you want to call it the best, I won't argue with you a bit at all. When the Youths Cry is a tune REALLY fits into the current youthful roots vibes you are hearing all over the place and I really would like to see the tune get a bit of a push as it is VERY impressive as Ziggi encourages all the youths to reach to the heights, guided by the strength of His Majesty. BIG BIG OPENER! Next up is a tune which IMMEDIATELY caught my ears as it comes over the German produced (I THINK) KILLER riddim, the wicked iLove. The riddim has been banging on my players for the better part of 2008 with a baseline which you just can't get out of your head for anything. Ziggi's take on the riddim, Need To Tell You This, is a very nice and lush lover's tune for Ziggi's special lady who he tends to have to leave quite a bit to go `in transit'. The tune, although not amongst my favourite on the album, is still quite sharp and on point and I'm loving the vibes and the different styles so early on the album (incidentally check out the rest of the iLove riddim which was released in two parts internationally and features the MAMMOTH Slew U In The Open by Natty King). Completing the nice and flowing opening of In Transit is another very familiar riddim to my ears, the Senior riddim from Jamaican outfit Al.Ta.Fa.An which backs Ziggi's stirring social commentary, Fight This Struggle. What I like here is the lyrical composition as you REALLY see Ziggi's roots skills begin to define themselves. He is a very strong writer who although he may focus on the negative a bit, he NEVER quite paints the picture of something being TOO terrible or unable to be overcame through strength and righteousness. He always offers a nice `turn' to the negative, which is wonderful and to complete the opening of the new album, Fight This Struggle is a wonderful example of just that.
It was quite interesting to me that the tune here which really sets itself apart from the pack to my ears is one of the least likely choices as it's not one of the SERIOUSLY strong several combinations (more on them shortly). Its also interesting that the tune, the SCATHING Cry Murdah also has a bit of hip-hop vibes to it. The tune is simply amazing and had me singing to it with my eyes close just enjoying the meditations as Ziggi goes Damian Marley-like swinging through a tune which, in my opinion, could mash up Jamaica RIGHT NOW! Definitely check Cry Murdah, HUGE TUNE! While both Turbulence and Ele are missing from So Much Reasons, Ziggi definitely comes armed with more than suitable replacements for the pair with four high profile combinations for In Transit. First up is the aforementioned Gentleman who turns in a fine effort alongside Ziggi on the strong A Better Way. The tune is a back and forth style combination which really shows well for both artists. Of course, Gentleman is the KING of combinations but Ziggi more than holds his own as the two lay down the hammer against Babylon saying that the youths are WELL AWARE of all its corrupt and tricks. Next up is the FUN Oh Yeah alongside dancehall Diva Ce'cile (who also...
Read more ›
|
|
|
|
by Ziggi X 
