Thursday, October 21, 2004

Glen Washington and Kung Fu! Reggae vs. the Martial Arts

Glen Washington
Wanna Be Loved
(VP/Virgin)
I was once told that the secret to a successful dance is to get the women dancing because no one wants a bull party. So, if you're looking for a little somethin' for the ladies to nice up your dance, this is probably a good bet. Not only does Glen Washington throw in a couple of tunes on Bob Marley riddims, but his "Roller Coaster Ride" on the Peanut Vendor riddim is almost as good as George Nook's "Top Ten." Wanna Be Loved is the perfect combination of sweetness and conscious lyrics that I'm a sucker for. Beres Hammond better watch his back. 9/10

Various
Kung Fu! Reggae vs. the Martial Arts
(Trojan)
Yes, it's a whole record of kung fu tunes. Who's making the decisions at Trojan? Why can't I work there? 8/10

Thursday, October 07, 2004

Steel Pulse and Luciano

Steel Pulse
African Holocaust
(Ras/EMI)
Okay, there's absolutely nothing wrong with this album. Intelligent, politically charged lyrics, strong songs, pleasant harmonies, lovely horns, clean production - even the essays on black history in the liner notes are worth reading. Problem with African Holocaust is that there's just nothing right here. When David Hinds sings "downtrodden masses, get up off your asses," it's only the lyrics that supply urgency. A couple of moments in "No More Weapons" (featuring Damian Marley) are hot, but this makes it more painful when even Capleton (who appears on the disappointing "Blazing Fire") can't seem to help Steel Pulse get the fire burning. 7/10

Luciano
Lessons of Life
(Shanachie)
When Luci sings, "Dem a try try try, can't hold me, dem a try try try, can't touch me," you believe him. 9/10