Album Review
Genre: New Roots
Format: CD Album
Reviewer: Henrik Bæk
Added: Tue, Jun 30, 2009
Buju Banton ››
Rasta Got Soul
In 1995 the Jamaican singer and D.J Buju Banton released the highly acclaimed roots reggae album Til Shiloh. That album presented a non compromising roots sound and broke with Buju’s previous releases, all typed as hardcore dancehall music.
In 2006 Buju Banton once again got a great success – this time with the dancehall album called Too Bad, but now Buju is back with some heavy roots music. Rasta Got Soul is produced by Buju in his own Gargamel Studios in Jamaica and consists of 15 cuts. Only the irresistible Magic City has been released before as a single – the rest of the tracks are all new.
On I Rise and Optimistic Soul the heavy roots riddims are accompanied by a great horn section lifting the music to higher heights in support of the songs positive lyrics and messages. Likewise is the happy Little Bit Of Sorry deadly contagious with its old school ska’ beat, bringing back some irie thoughts of the 1960’s early reggae sound coming from the small studios in Kingston.
Ethiopia’s previous Emperor Haile Selassie is respectful honoured on the warm Rastafari, and with the songs catchy beat and crisp lyrics it is one of the best sing-a-long reggae tunes in many years. On the CD there’s a surprising revival of Third World’s Sense Of Purpose from 1985 featuring Bunny Rugs. Also more in-depth topics are found on the CD, such as the peaceful Bedtime Stories, where Buju Banton and Wyclef Jean reflects on the long war in Iraq appealing that the soldiers are withdrawn and the beautiful Lend A Hand and the African inspired I Wonder, describing the tough way of living for poor people back in Jamaica.
On Rasta Got Soul the reggae troubadour Buju Banton stretches back to his reggae roots presenting a roots album of very high standard.
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