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I-Grade: Trinity 2005
By Daddy Lion Chandell
Music & Entertainment Analyst and Historian/
Founder, Chairman, and CEO: DLC IndustryWatch
--7/20/2005, 9/17/2005, NEW YORK: In a school of Roots, Reggae, and righteousness, I-Grade Records gets the all-time high grade earning three gold stars, one for each 2005 release. Gathered from the fertile soil of St. Croix, these three seeds blossom into the latest members of the I-Grade family -- Ancient King, NiyoRah, and the one-man, Army
Formerly known as Willow, appearing on one track from the I-Grade family compliation, Weep Not [2002], Ancient King's the "fyah chanter" of I-Grade and the first of the "Spring Trilogy" with his debut album, Conquering Sound. Keeping in the label's divine tradition of traditional Reggae, the fire chant is backed by even more fire via the blazing rhythm section, which is evident on songs such as "Do Good" and "Your Defense". A heavy portion of the album after the first few tracks tend to lean toward a slightly different vibe musically. I-Grade's no stranger to experimentation on their albums as, especially on the Midnite - I-Grade projects, there are no less than 2 experimental, non-Reggae tunes, nonetheless holding steadfast in praise of JAH Rastafari.
With NiyoRah, we begin to get more of a feel of a return to the Roots on his debut album, A Different Age. Indeed, the title serves its purpose as he declares a bright new life for himself throughout over half the album, of which the whole of it is pure vibes. A Different Age takes us through the life of a ghetto youth and all his ups (like the rocking track "Fullest Confidence" and the romantic "Sandy Weekend") and his downs (such as when he reflects on the world taking a "Reality Check" while the world around him stares down the pathways of a "Concrete Jail Cell"). Other notable tracks on NiyoRah's debut album include "Clowns Around Us" and the opening track "Light Of Jah".
Still yet rising up to reach the higher ground, the final element of the Trilogy is probably the one of the most prime examples of musicianship and feeling ever produced -- Army's first I-Grade album release, Rasta Awake, destined for selector turntables everywhere upon any vinyl release they could ever have, if they decide to finally do so. The opening track "Give The Youths A Try" demonstrates a heartfelt divinity unmatched by most producers, musicians or vocalists today. The harmonies are sugar-cane sweet, reminiscent of Aswad, the rhythm is raw, and the spiritual connection is imminent, unavoidable, not to mention the deep concern heard within Army's half-raspy voice. You can tell he has been around, but for most parts of the world outside his V.I. home, especially America, this is the first time most of us will hear from him. Also note that the majority of the production on the album is not only pure Foundation/Roots, but also coming from genius multi-musician Tuff Lion. The rhythm guitars are a little heavier than the usual high-power in-house production from I-Grade if you listen carefully.One tune in particular that is already a bonafide classic for Army is the same one said to be his favorite, the smooth-flowing, smooth-rocking "Tek Your Time". Other songs on Rasta Awake amongst the Highly Recommended! include "Jah Reveal It", "Honorebel", and "Who Will Pay".
For those who seek to be cleansed of all unearthly feelings from listening to lackluster music, look no further than I-Grade, where Rastafari liveth, reigneth, and speaketh through music.
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The new JBB takes it "Easy"
By Daddy Lion Chandell
Music & Entertainment Analyst and Historian/
Founder, Chairman, and CEO: DLC IndustryWatch
--9/23/2004, NEW YORK: Perseverance and good, good word of mouth can do a lot. And as such, I go back to the good old days as one of the two deejays (myself and Mellowman Barry G.) and two selectors (myself and DJ Twice) at the former Black Star Bar, where the longest-running Reggae party in New York--Easy Star Reggae Tuesdays concluded on February 25, 2004.
It was at this bar less than two years prior in which I referred the group name John Brown's Body to a certain Eric Smith, one of the four collective co-founders of Easy Star Records. Soon after, when I started selecting tunes there alongside DJ Twice, I played a few from various JBB-related projects including JBB's immortal 2000 Shanachie Entertainment release This Day, the solo project Uproot from keyboardist/guitarist Nate Silas Richardson, also from 2000, released independently from I-Town Records, and Hillside Airstrip, from the JBB spinoff collective 10 Ft. Ganja Plant. Eric seemed quite impressed with what he heard.
Not too long after that, to my surprise, I finally spot Mr. Smith at a John Brown's Body performance at Brooklyn's Southpaw. But never did I foresee the day that a joining of forces would occur between the two Northeastern forces in Reggae.
It was announced in September 2004 that Easy Star Records had signed John Brown's Body to release their upcoming, currently-untitled fifth album, and, unsurprisingly, they anticipate it to be their best one yet, slated for release in March 2005.
This signing is the ultimate in change for the New York/Massachusetts-based Reggae group, and an ultimate coup for Easy Star, whose claim to fame has become Dub Side Of The Moon, their successful 2003 Reggae interpretation of Pink Floyd's iconic 1973 album, Dark Side Of The Moon.
JBB's new album, aside from being the first album in departure of their relationship with Shanachie Entertainment (a departure of which was attempted originally after This Day) will be the third original artist album for Easy Star and the first in four years--since Tristan Palma's Two Roads. The new album will also be the first joint label project for Easy Star (that is, actually sharing the branding with I-Town Records), and the album under the current JBB lineup, which includes Johnny Trama (guitar), Dan Delacruz (tenor saxophone), Jason Randall (current live sonic dubmaster/engineer), and now an OFFICIAL member since 2002, percussionist/trombone player Alex Beram.
Another note of history to consider is that John Brown's Body is the first band of the new generation of Foundation Reggae to sign an album deal with Easy Star, whose past roster consisted, hands down, of legendary artists--the most output of which came from Sugar Minott, either by music or by production.
The yet-to-be-titled album is guaranteed to be well-anticipated. And in New York, there is guaranteed to be plenty of talk about the new album which MAY BE their first album to be released on vinyl, which in this case would be the second one for I-Town if the option allows. We'll keep you posted further on the project.
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