SHOK WAVE is your weekly new REGGAE music blog. SHOK WAVE finds music that is out there in the form of Reggae, Dancehall, Soca, Ska, Dub, Reggae Rock & anything else musical with a Caribbean origin and in any language.
Here is what we found this week.......Enjoy!
Instead of not doing a blog this week we decided to list a bunch of good songs that released. I did not find anything great just good. Maybe this should be the start of an additional playlist? What do you think?
Takana Zion “Human Supremacy”
As a ‘Humble Lion’ of Africa, Takana is very aware of his roots. This is where his and mankind’ “Human Supremacy” was born. The world wants to be that same holy land, the place of birth for all mankind. In all realities there is only one truth. Wars have been fought, won and lost over this topic. In fact, ‘Babylon Wicked’ speaks how governments have people fighting against their own kind because of this ‘Supremacy.’ Remember that’s why Africa is called Mama Africa. We all have a mama and Takana’s is both as expressed in as the son of a black woman known a ‘Black Mary.’ As a black man, Takana ‘Can’t Wait’ to see his people free, that’s Jah people. It is time to be free mentally, physically, spiritually. Singing in French is nothing strange to Africans as most powerful countries tried to conquer and rule the rich continent. Hearing ‘Dans L’Atlantic’ and ‘Dirigeants Aveugles’ it reminds you of the separation & removal of Africans from their motherland. Mr Zion has an ‘Energy’ inside of him that is burning, it’s a fire fi Babylon. Sounding like Sizzla in delivery as well as lyrically. A new tone and even style from Takana is a standout in the title track. This title track reigns in meaning and sonically ‘supreme.’ The opposite of Babylon is ‘Jah Rastafari.’ It is a religious war going on Earth. It is a ‘Spiritual War.’ So you know Babylon is fighting the “Human Supremacy” in Africa and their faith.
The album reminds me when albums were shorter in content as in the number of songs. This one particularly reminds of vinyl record albums for that reason and the quality of the album and the collections of songs had a theme. That theme is usually in the title track The only other name that could come close would be ‘Babylon Wicked.’
Alborosie 'For The Culture'
Stena at 15 yrs old was a founder and singer for Italy's Reggae National Tickets. Stena is Alborosie who moved to Jamaica he decided to go solo. He was given the not so nice name of Borosie, which means a rude person or a jerk. So his first name is Alberto so he added Al to the front of borosie. He released his first solo album in 2009 as he was an engineer prior to that. In other words this man has put his time in and has done the work. It shows in his works.
Alborosie's new album "For The Culture" is about stay true to the reggae/Jamaican culture of reggae music. He has never strayed. This is one of is his better works to date. It shines with the following songs. The album starts out with one of his 4 guests, Big Mountain. Track is called 'Where Do You Go?' and speaks of the special place we all go when we need to be alone. The next big tune is 'Never Let Me Down.' The tune is a great play on words with a very different yet good melody that takes a few listens to get an ear for it. He sings 'four twenty.......(pause) years I got my sensi.' As you hear 420 you think the herb right away, then you hear years and wonder what this is about and takes you right back where to your initial thought. It's special in how it's so clever. One of our favorites. Borosie's second guests are the legendary Wailing Souls with their classic 'Jah Jah Give Us Life To Live' known here as 'Life To Life.' New life, new vibes and Al gives his stamp of energy. The intro and chorus of 'Challawa' make it a leader not a 'followah' as Alborosie says..'Challawa we likkle but we tallawah follow me me because we are no followah.' Alberto has paved his own path. The title track seals the album, which is Alborosie's mission we do it "For The Culture." More lyrical prowess. 'We ago blaze it for the culture, 876 to di world, buss a blank for the culture, red gold and green all the way, lighters up all for the culture.
The following tracks are what help make this a good album. They are worth a listen and have something to offer. 'The System' talks about the babylonian system with a great female vocal that adds dexerity. ' Listen To The Waves' is something we love and starts with two things: a chant of 'I can't breathe' with a nursery rhyme melody. 'Are You Ready' has the third guest in Jo Mersa Marley and starts with Linval Thompson's 'Jah Jah Is The Conqueror.' Alborosie shows how he's true to the game and is a true rasta. Mersa backs it with the 'warning to all the enemies.' The next song talks about the system, the business of music, rasta and he says he 'Bun A Fyah' Alborosie furthers the last songs concept in 'Ginal' with the albums last guest & producer of the track Collie Buddz. 'Walking' has nice easy vibe that he keeps 'walking down the Jericho road.' We love the use & sound of the slide guitar in this song. The flow of 'Break My Chains' and the backing vocal track, which is basically the production side of Alborosie, make the song stand out. The 'Unprecedented Time' and all the songs have their purpose & flow on the album. These songs are all worth a listen we just tried to highlight the brightest parts.
Alberto has paved his own path. He is not a followah by any means just 'For The Culture.' The title track seals the album, which is Alborosie's mission we to do it "For The Culture." More lyrical prowess rises above. 'We ago blaze it for the culture, 876 to di world, buss a blank for the culture, red gold and green all the way, lighters up all for the culture.' Surely he has been accused of cultural appropriation this should seal those doubters shut with this album.
Blessed feat. Bushman 'Black Man remix'
Beres Hammond 'Talk About It'
Admiral Tibet & Dr Olugander 'Vanity'
Smoke & Mirrors Soundsystem 'Connected'
Un Bon Sound feat DJ Kaprisson 'Fefe Typical'
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