Phantom War

Fyah, Lutan – Phantom War (Greensleeves)
Reviewed by Sadie O., 7/26/06
Roots Reggae from one of Jamaica’s biggest international stars. Often rather crazed vocals, a la Sizzla or Turbulence.
FCC clean. The political songs are much better than the love songs from 11-13 (11 in particular is a real stinkaroo!) I like 17 best.
1. 1:55 acoustic guitar nyahbinghi invocation. No beat.
2. 3:23 **cool midtempo bubble, sweet and bouncy
3. 3:16 **slightly uptempo skank, nice riddim guitar
4. 3:55 ***slightly downtempo bubble with nice sax and nice guest vocals by Josie Mel. Sweet harmonies – it’s a hit!
5. 3:45 **uptempo and energetic skank, good message
6. 3:16 ***swinging uptempo bubble with cool syncopation
7. 3:11 **downtempo and sweet
8. 3:18 *midtempo bubble in praise of mother Earth
9. 3:33 *downbeat and melancholy, a bit of nyahbinghi
10. 3:46 **slightly downtempo, classic roots reggae piano, etc.
11. 3:32 slow and mushy – yeccch!
12. 3:25 *downtempo, about romantic relations.
13. 3:34 *slightly uptempo skank – love song. Nice bounce, sugary.
14. 3:20 ***slightly uptempo bubble, downbeat and cool
15. 3:43 **odd intro, nyahbinghi-ish drums, acoustic guitar
16. 2:56 ***midtempo, definitely lover’s rock feel, sweet groove.
17. 3:21 ****a bit downtempo, dubby, cool hand drums.
18. 3:27 **long acoustic intro, somewhat relaxed bubble.
19. 3:03 longer version of track 1, acoustic, no beat