Queens of Reggae

Queens of Reggae: Compilation 2 Disks (Times Square Records)
Reviewed by Beezher, 8/8/05
Strong female voices of Reggae hail over slow grinding grooves and exciting Dancehall beats. This amalgamation of "Queens of Reggae" is a powerful praise to the voices that are symbols of hope and strength for Jamaican women and female musicians. They may have been kept in the background, sometimes as background singers (The I-Threes backup for Bob Marley: Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt, and Marcia Griffiths). These are some of (by no means all or the very best) female Reggae singers and rappers that bring unique and eclectic sound together on one album. Many of the songs have strong and positive messages with powerfully solid voices. CD 1 is more soulful and slow. CD2 has a few Dancehall cuts and poppier songs (check FCC on track 4).
Beezher's pics: Cd1 - 2, 4, 7 and CD2 - 4, 5, 6, 8, 9
CD1
1. (3:49) Sister Caroll: Gonna Be a Ras - Cool clack sounds in the beat. Deep bass and smooth horns. Powerfully patriotic lyrics, she's a "Ras for life" no doubt. Solid.
2. (4:00) Rita Marely: Lion and the Lamb - Thick beat and nice acid jazz guitar effects throughout the rhythm. Thoughtful lyrics and she has a beautiful voice.
3. (3:42) Jennifer Lara: Rainy Night In Georgia - More contemporary electric sounding production with a Dancehall vibe. Soulful vocals and nice male vocals on the chorus backing her up for once.
4. (4:13) Judy Mowatt: God Bless the Children - Knocking beat and thick percussion. Strong and harmonic vocals during the chorus. Inspirational singer songwriter with skilled vocals.
5. (3:46) Pam Hall: Fussing and Fighting (cover) - Nice percussion, different for a Reggae song, almost jungle drum and bass sound. Simple melodies with a positive message.
6. (4:00) JC Lodge: Venter of Your Eyes - Keyboards are soft and floaty. The smooth beat suggests a dreamy time. Light-hearted love song and very R&Bish vocals.
7. (4:14) The Queens: God Bless the Children - Thumpin beat like the Judy Mowatt version, but is more of a collective of the queens. Judy Mowatt sings the 1st verse and the different queens (not listed in the info. who sings/raps) each add their own piece to the song. Uplifting collection of strong voices.
8. (4:26) Carol Dacosta: Listen To Your Heart - Slow love song, nice rhythm when the beat comes in. Simple keyboard melody and whispery vocals. Short guitar solo.
9. (4:15) Sharone Forrester: Must Be An Angel - Youthful intro, simple with a nice old school R&B / pop vibe - Reggae is at the forefront of course in this cutesy love song.
CD2
1. (4:01) Twiggy: Call Me - Twinkly keyboard and smooth saxophone groove throughout this slow jam. High and strong vocals delivered by Twigggy in her love song.
2. (4:06) Chevelle Franklin & Lady G: Don't Forget My love - Interesting guitar melody / pop with a xylophone sounding instrument in some parts - rapping by Lady G near middle and towards the end.
3. (4:06) The Queens: God Bless the Children (remix) - begins the same and stays the same as the 1st version. Sounds like a part 2. One voice throughout verses, except in the chorus.
4. (4:33) Lady Saw: Send It On - Dancehall / Hip Hop vibe. Raw rapping vocals. Nice and rugged beat. Check FCC's says, "hoes" in the beginning and it sounds like it has been edited thereafter by scratching and mixing.
5. (4:05) Lady Ann: Informer - Straight up Dancehall with a tight beat - sounds industrial with electric tweeks. She has a nice style of delivery, but she says, "murderer" many times. Get to grinding. :)
6. (Nadine Sutherland: Ain't Nothing but the Real Thing (cover) - Slightly Reggae'd out twist of the original. Guitars groove in the background with flutes and keyboard chords that are a fun and new variation.
7. (3:29) Erica Newell: Nobody But You - Slow jam with a smooth guitar melody. Low horns in the background. Solid vocals deliver a catchy love song.
8. (3:46) Marcia Griffiths: Just Try Me - Cool flutes and piano stabs in the intro. Griffths has a nice and deep voice with a sultry pop crush groove. I dig it.
9. (3:29) Fiona: Let's Make a Deal - Bump it! Dancehall beat tweeked out noises with old school vibe. high pitched vocals that are simple and sweet, teeny bopper chorus.