High Grade Ganja Anthems 3
Reviewed by Sadie O., 2-18-11
Every proper Reggae record has to have its song in praise of burning trees, and this is the latest collection of them. It’s entirely possible that, since it’s what Rastas love best, they do their best work in praise of jah herb…
1. 3:56 ****swishy midtempo roots riddim, gruff vocals with wonderful goofy impersonation of bong bubbling.
2. 4:32 **disturbingly spot-on impersonation of Peter Tosh. Why? Dunno. Still a great sound (and great song…)
3. 4:17 ***dubby dubby dubby riddim, tuneless dancehall vocals. Very stoned, quite fun.
4. 3:43 **a bit dubby and downtempo, hugh hit. Nice enough.
5. 4:47 *bluesy keyboard intro, somewhat uptempo but relaxed riddim, a bit slick… Kinda dubby, but it’s not doing anything for me.
6. 3:48 **chirpy little riddim, sweet vocals. Pleasant.
7. 2:45 ***merry chugging midtempo shuffle, pretty vocals.
8. 4:03 **odd churchical intro, syncopated electronic riddim, rather disjointed sound, but I guess that suits the subject.
9. 3:59 ****dubness and odd and Sizzla. Hooray!
10. 3:50 ***jazzy sax, same riddim as previous track, more normal vocals than Sizzla, but still quite good.
11. 4:06 ***video game sounds, slow squiggly riddim, somewhat demented female vocals. Coconut shells is what they make bongs from, up in a yaad.
12. 3:26 ***coughing and nonsense intro, slow dubby rootsy riddim, deeply patois dancehall vocals. Dunno if I’d agree that a roach is the next best thing to fresh air, but it’s all a matter of taste…
13. 3:57 **jaunty midtempo bubble, dancehall vocals.
14. 3:59 **very perky bubble and vocals. Happy happy happy, in spite of the interrogation.
15. 3:21 ****slow roots bubble, nonsense vocals, great gruff vocals.
16. 4:08 ****slow Euro-style dub, good combination of dancehall and sweet vocals.
17. 3:26 ***sweet rootsy bubble, cool dancehall vocals, take off on Pass the Dutchie.
18. 3:47 ***pretty flute and syncopated electronic riddim. Loosely based on House of the Rising Sun. Fun.