Culture Dem 2

[coll]: Culture Dem 2 (Lustre Kings)
Reviewed by Sadie O., 9/1/06
Six roots rock reggae riddims with interpretations by almost as many singers/dancehall rappers. It’s often interesting to see the different interpretations of the same riddim by different people – and in this case there are a surprisingly high number of really great tracks.
No FCCs detected. NB: The track listing on the back shows which songs use which riddim, but it is NOT the true order of the songs on the CD! Please refer to the order given in the review.
Too many favorites to list, sorry! Maybe 5, 14, and 18…
1. ***4:07 Beauty Of The Beast Jah Dan Of Noble Society
midtempo roots rock reggae riddim with a bit of melodica; interesting vocals –sort of chanting/rapping in harmony
2. *3:24 Breath Of Life Empress Michiboo
rather overwrought, rather young-sounding female vocals about being a black woman.
3. **3:40 Free Up Jah Marcus
keyboard-based midtempo bubble, high tenor male singing about freedom
4. ***4:09 Homegrown Anthony B
fun dancehall-style rap about herb
5. ****4:03 Liberation Yami Bolo & Capleton
terrific classic roots skank with fine singing and hot dancehall rap
6. ***3:45 Love Ina Yu Heart Spragga Benz
cool syncopated riddim, great positive vibe dancehall rap
7. ***4:24 Man Of Truth Natty King & Al Pancho
smooth bubble, pretty male vocals and harmonies, classic style toast
8. **4:12 Music Is Life Turbulence
same smooth riddim, startlingling pretty singing from Turbulence, with rather insipid female backing vocals, unfortunately.
9. ****3:50 Never Get Me Down Jah Mason
forceful and positive, with just the right amount of crazed delivery in the dancehall rap
10. **3:24 No Politics Mark Sessam
smooth groove with sax, sweet singing and harmonies, interesting contrast to strident message.
11. ****4:14 See The Wicked Run Natty King
swinging downtempo groove, beautiful male vocals, great sound.
12. ***4:04 Share Some Knowledge Jah Mason
cool bubble, moderately lunatic dancehall rap with smooth female backing vocals.
13. ***4:07 Spread The Love Lutan Fyah & Yami Bolo
syncopated riddim, sweet vocals, interesting combination of vocal styles, but I could do without the slick female backing vocals.
14. ****3:34 Straight Up Natural Black
swinging downtempo riddim, fairly looned out dancehall rap about honesty – nice..
15. ****4:14 Stress Free Lutan Fyah
cool midtempo bubble, two vocal tracks, good sound
16. ****4:25 Unity Is Strength Luciano & Al Pancho
cool downtempo skank, another interesting vocal combination between Luciano’s sweet singing and Pancho’s odd baritone rap. Extra star for upful message.
17. ***4:13 Welcome To Say Norrisman
same riddim, pretty male singing and rather odd dancehall delivery from the same guy. Interesting…
18. ****4:28 What Will They Think Luciano
somewhat upbeat riddim, great singing by Luciano, good lyrics
19. ****3:34 Who Yu Determine & Rankin' Scroo
the cool syncopated riddim again, really cool dancehall rap from two artists, overly slick female backing vocals don’t kill vibe…