|
 Half
Pint
No Stress Express
Review
by Diane “Livonn” Adam
“The laid-back vibe of No Stress Express is a tropical breeze
that calms the spirit and nourishes the soul and a classic example
of what it takes to really do reggae music right.”
Half Pint is now enjoying success with his new CD, No
Stress Express released on his own Half Pint Music label
and distributed by Universal Music. The new release includes
some pretty nice selections which showcase not only Half Pint’s
voice but his tremendous writing skills and features the talents of
yardmen Sly and Robby and Sizzla. No Stress
Express is Half Pint’s 17th album release and
includes quite a few older single releases nicely remixed in the
original studio style thankfully devoid of computerized noise
which has continued to plague many reggae album releases of late.
Half Pint (b. Lindon Roberts) emerged on the Reggae scene in the
early 80’s and first recorded songs produced by Prince Jammy
and later by King Jammy in Jamaica. His songs “Winsome”,
“Mr. Landlord”, “Victory” and “Greetings” are notably his most
recognizable tunes and established him as a top rank reggae artist.
Half Pint stage name relates more to his petite stature than his
sound which is in no way the same. His latest album clearly sets
him above the rest with new songs and reworking of previously
released tracks like “My Best Friends Girl”, “Suzie” and one of my
all time favorites “Just Be Good” (originally produced by Beres
Hammond and Harmony House Productions).
The opening track “Unity” tells us that we are all in unity
together with all we posse in sight and is truly a jambalaya
of accompaniment with the Long Beach Dub Allstars and the
unlikely addition of background vocals by Jack Maness of
Sublime (both California based artists whose sound has been
heavily influenced by reggae). The deliberately slowed down pace,
country guitar riffs and Maness’ somewhat nasal vocals, though not
my cup of tea, still allows the listener a nice taste of Half Pint’s
soothing vocals. The track “My Best Friends Girl” includes some
beautiful background vocals by Pam Hall and The New
Kingston Band that gives the song a brand new feel. The tracks
“Blessing Darling” and the remix of Children Of His Majesty” are
jammed with some wicked rhythms by Sly and Robby while “Never
Letting Go’ is a breezy and light selection that takes Half Pint
back to his roots of singing the sweetest love song and, I’ve got to
say, I really liked the dreamy background vocals of Andy Ruth
on this one.
Aluta continua —The saga continues —The struggle continues —
and on the track “Bad Boy” Half Pint’s polished vocals ring out as
he sings, “Too much bad boys in the street hungry mouth no food
to eat and when life should be sweet for you and me it’s a tragedy.”
and continues to penetrates the soul with the addition of the raw
and gnarly chat of Sizzla Kalonji, who chimes in with “We’re
looking for a way out suffering got to stay out the game got to play
out most high protect I on me upon my daily route…” One of the
best tracks on No Stress Express is “Mind Over Matter” a
sweet reggae jam which gives listeners a taste of Half Pint’s
rootical vocal style as he sings about life situations where you
should flex your mental to overcome daily trials and tribulations
and tells you that “all you have to do is deal with it proper”
which without doubt Half Pint delivers with heart and soul. The
untamed “Babylon Release The Chain” sets off a sweet reggae eruption
with the growling vocals of Dollarman who fiercely
tramples the beast while Half Pint gives reverence to the Most
High. This one will have you up on your feet and rejoicing in
dance. Not to forget the ultimate mission, the song ends and then
comes to life again with a personal message from Half Pint on the
relevance of African liberation in his life. The acoustical guitar
accompaniment is an especially sensitive and revealing addition to
the song “Just Be God” which is further adorned by the soulful voice
of Miki Howard and the passionate yet serene voice of Half
Pint brings a much more emotion filled rendition to the song.
The lyrics of “No Stress Express” follows the ‘slow down and take a
breath’ approach as Half Pint sings, “If the music grove you,
grove on / let the music move you, rock on / I’m taking the no
stress express / are you going my way /only seeking joy and
happiness / Who need the trouble and the heartache when the music is
there to give and take / Free your mind and free your soul let the
music take control.” The musical odyssey of “No Stress Express”
is dominated by the easy guitar riffs of Dwight Pinkney, the
cool syncopated drumming of Donovan “Donny Marshall’ Watson
and the sweet one-drop rhythms of Paul “Wrong Move” Crossdale
and Christopher Merdith (who also doubles on bass) on
keyboards. Yeah, listening to this one truly keeps it nice and
low and really does the business of relaxing your mind, as Half
Pint’s trademark skiddly doooo scat jazzes up the track
nicely.
Take a break from life’s stress and lean back and groove on this
tasty new release. You’re sure to find that the laid-back vibe of
No Stress Express is a tropical breeze that calms the spirit
and nourishes the soul and a classic example of what it takes to
really do reggae music right.
Luciano
Jah Is My Navigator
By De’Nise Dennis
When you think about something that
brings you joy or puts a smile on your face, this is what Luciano’s
new 2008 CD release, Jah Is My Navigator (VP Records)
does. Right from the first song, ‘For I’, Luciano sings and brings
a calm and peaceful feeling over you. It’s a comfort to hear him
express,
“You showed me that you love me,
showed me that you care. I told you that I needed you and you said
you’d always be here. Jah you bless me in every way and I love it.
You are here to stay with me and I know you will do any thing, for
I. Now I know you are my sword and shield, all I need is your
blessing constantly”.
Luciano captures the same faith in
his tune, ‘Jah Canopy’, as though the two songs are interconnected.
He sings,
“4 o’clock in the morning, say,
listen to the creatures of the night. Another day is dawning, soon I
will see first light. I don’t know who is happier, I wonder if it’s
them or me. I just hope this feelin’, will last an eternity”. “The
dew on my skin makes me secure without and within. I see another day
so, Jah has forgive all my sins that I ma have committed, whether in
my thoughts or deeds. After all he’s my Father, and his mercy is all
I need, ‘cause under Jah canopy I spread my bed.”
Luciano never wavers on his
conviction and love for Jah. His music has always had a way of
restoring faith, or showing faith to those who might be doubtful
there is a Holy creator. He is deeply rooted in Rastafari I and it
comes to light in his music.
Andrew Tosh
is featured on the song, ‘I’m The Toughest’. As Andrews’ voice
matures, it has become to sound more reminiscent of his father’s
voice the late great Peter Tosh of the legendary Wailers
Band. The song is positive and put to the up beat tempo of, ‘Any
Thing You Can Do I Can Do Better’. Then, Luciano reminds us to
believe in our selves, and to be firm (within) in what we believe in
on his track, ‘Never Give Up’. Everything around us is revolving,
has its purpose and is fundamental to our every day living. “Just
like the wind that blows on a constant flow, gives us life where
ever we go. Like the sun that shines and allows all things to grow,
Jah is the source and every one should know. You should never give
up, keep on tryin’ believe in what you’re doing. Always be firm
within”. He encourages hope and victory in this song. Luciano's
conviction in what he believes can be heard in any song he sings.
On, ‘Sweet Jamaica’ you can hear the plea in his voice to bring back
the love and harmony on his home land. Seems the people, not only
in Jamaica but around the world, accept a lot of the senseless
murders and evils that are happening but only the people can make
this stop. Luciano has a great idea to, “bring back sweet
Jamaica, too much guns there ‘bout ‘cha. Come let me fling dem
Wesson and, melt them down inna fyah! We wan’ we elders and we
children walk in peace, and all the shooting and blood spillin’ it
must cease. Jam rock wan’ more love.”
This one song titled, ‘No Evil’, on
this CD should strike a nerve with any person trying to live
up-right. Luciano has great insight and ability to combine
thoughtful lyrics with the right rhythm. He finds a balance and
delivers. He says,
‘Where are the eyes that don’t
want to see evil and the ears that don’t want to hear it? Life and
debt is in the words when we speak it and the fighting, we just
can’t bear it”. “Where are the hearts that want to do good and the
mouths that want to spread it? This music is a spirit of love, if
you don’t have it then you can’t come near it”. “You say it’s just a
job for you but, who will fix the world when your job is through?
Who will repair the walls you’ve broken? Who will restore the love
you’ve stolen? Who will right every evil and restore the world for
all?” “Let’s make a joyful noise unto the most high!”
He frequently hails up the women
and shows passion in the songs, ‘Wish You Were Mine’, and, ‘Paradise
Last’, featuring Rochelle Bradshaw.
Luciano inspires his listeners with
the expectation and hope of the good to come to the clean in heart.
His tune, ‘Jah Canopy’, is exemplary as he sings,
“The dew on my skin makes me
secure without and within. I see another day so, Jah, Jah has
forgive all my sins. That I may have committed, whether in my
thoughts or deeds, after all he’s my Father and his mercy is all I
need”. “Say listen to the creatures of the night, another day is
dawning, soon I will see first light. I don’t know who is happier, I
wonder if it’s them or me? I just hope that this feelin’ will last
an eternity”. “Under Jah canopy I spread my bed”.
He knows serving Jah and the truth
will result in having victory over any thing. ‘Jah Is My
Navigator’, is a prudent song. At times, I have read different
articles about Luciano’s music. Few are negative but, some say, “He
needs to do some thing different”. This man can sing any song a
cappella. His voice is well defined and pleasing to listen to. Luciano
doesn’t sing about slackness or vulgarity. Maybe that’s what some
are looking for him to do. Yes, he does sing a lot about Jah, which
is good. Do you want him to stray away from that? If so, you must
be mad! He doesn’t stray away from Jah works and is consistent not
to write surly lyrics or disrespect women. It’s really pleasing to
know that when you buy any of his CD’s they will be nontoxic. He
puts his heart and soul into his music and avoids promoting crime or
gun lyrics. Luciano is eager to put the message out that good
conquers evil.
The last song on the CD has quite a
different twist, it is classical. I’m not saying classic Luciano
but, the music is actually classical, and is titled, ‘Hard Herbs’
and it will surprise you when you find what the song is about. Luciano
is an artist whose music is timeless and the youth growing up
listening to his lyrics will have a solid foundation to learn from
for years to come.
Give Thanks and
Peace to All |
