“El Son Reggae” by Les Nubians
Musically, it’s always difficult (and risky) to combine different styles on the same record. Few artists can pull off such experiments without the outcome sounding overly “manufactured”. However, when the different vibes are able to mesh, the result can be extraordinary.
On “El Son Reggae”, Les Nubians bring Neo-soul, Salsa and Reggae on a collision course, and the ensuing crash is spectacular to say the least. Cuban style guitars are backed by authentic reggae drum breaks and neo soul vocals sung in both French and Spanish.
The “Nubians” sisters Helene and Cecilia Faussart were born in France to a French father and a Cameroonian mother. Their African roots have always had a great impact on their music, with Helene citing artists like Fela Kuti and Miriam Makeba as influences. With a Grammy nomination, a Soul Train award and an NAACP image award under their belt, Les Nubians are perhaps the most successful French-language group in the United States.
It pays to be unconventional….
Title: El Son Reggae
Artist: Les Nubians
Album: One Step Forward, 2003
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“Hey Baby” by Stephen Marley
“I’ve been gone a while away from you and I hope you understand that I’ve got to do what I must do to be a better man…”
Legitimate excuse or just empty rethoric from someone who isn’t spending enough time with their significant other? Some would argue the former, while most would lean towards the latter (or vice-versa). Societal and career pressures can easily push a relationship towards its breaking point by continually creating scenarios in which you literally must choose between spending your time and energy to develop your career/aspirations or spending that time to develop your relationship. It’s a no-win situation…trust me, I’ve been there….
What I love about Stephen Marley is that he makes it so easy for you to relate to his music, by focusing on subjects that we all come across at one point or another in our lives. Add to that, his unmistakable vocal signature and you have an extraordinary musician.
Title: Hey Baby
Artist: Stephen Marley
Album: Mind Control, 2007
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“Friction” by Morcheeba
Part of the reason I’ve always loved the UK is it’s music scene. It is home to some of my favorite artists/bands: Tricky, Portishead, Jamiroquai…the list goes on and on.
“Morcheeba” belongs to that elite list of bands that have developed a cult-like following over the years. Their sound is part trip hop, part RnB, with an infusion of classic Reggae. Their arrangements are lush and usually organic, meaning that they produce mostly music that has a “live feel” to it. I can only imagine how great they must be on stage…
On Friction, the band takes a political stance against the country’s legal system and admonishes the relative ease with which citizens get prosecuted. “Friction turning to fire” highlights how efficient the “system” is at stifling any opposition.
“Men in high places, Can’t understand
How to end trouble in this broken land
They have no idea and no feelings for love
Just send in the dogs and they stand well above
Friction is turning to fire, Friction is burning much higher”
The name “Morcheeba” actually means “ the way of Marijuana”. Let’s just say this is meant to be consumed in a “stress-free” environment…
Chill……
Title: Friction
Artist: Morcheeba
Album: Big Calm, 1998
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“In love with you” Erykah Badu – Stephen Marley
“In love with you” is the result of an acoustic and bass guitar, a queen of soul and reggae royalty. Ms Badu and Stephen Marley combine to give us music in best form: live, heartfelt and effortless.
What I love about this song, is that it doesn’t sound rehearsed. You get the feeling that the two artists are at “band practice” just having a jam session that is slowly turning into something special.
The melody on the guitar and the bass stay pretty constant but the artists give us a real exhibition of their vocal skills. Ms Badu shows us her full range and delivers in hear usual smooth tones, while Mr Marley keeps his message raw and unpolished. This contrast makes for a very unique sound and makes me hope they collaborate again.
The chemistry between these two is definitely real. You can almost “hear” them smiling at each other during the performance….
I’m definitely in love with this song.
Title: In love with you
Artist: Erykah Badu, Stephen Marley
Album: Mama’s Gun, 2000
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“It was written” by Damian Marley
Big up to my partners in crime Mighty Lion, Phelps and Mr Brunton for putting me on this joint back in 2001 right around the time it was released.
This track exudes strength, power, and even invincibility as it’s message sits somewhere on the bridge between hope and destiny:
”Did you know the pen is stronger than the knife/
And they can kill you once/But they can’t kill you twice/
Did you know destruction of flesh of is not the ending to life/ fear not of the antichrist”.
Damian Marley expresses his unwavering belief in the power of fate while Stephen provides the chorus in a very nostalgic bridge between the verses.
Capleton is his usual imperial self, with lyrics delivered in a voice that could incite the masses to riot. For this genre, his vocal presence is only rivaled by that of Sizzla in my opinion and that’s a “maybe”.
However, the real power of this song lies in the production: a dark but highly melodic guitar, militant drums and lion roars in the background convey very clear themes: strength, defiance, resistance and divine truth.
Drag-On’s appearance on this track, although highly unexpected, turns out to be a nice surprise. He was able to spit his verse without taking anything away from the vibe intended by the song.
…..Can’t wait for that Nas and Damian Marley album…..!
Title: It was written
Artist: Damian Marley, Stephen Marley, Capleton, Drag-On
Album: Halfway Tree, 2001
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Ssidy is what my friends call me. I was born in Senegal of Malian parents (hence my Mali nationality). I grew up all over the place…Bamako, London, Accra, Cape Town, before I went to college in Miami and finally got a job in Sydney where I’ve been living since August 2008.
When I’m not working on The Timbuktu Project, or as a financial analyst (full-time), you can usually catch me somewhere on a football pitch or involved in anything music related. Music is everything to me. Whatever mood I am in, there is always a song that captures the moment perfectly. Anyone who has spent more than 10 minutes around me will probably attest to this: I listen to all types of stuff.....possibly because no single genre holds enough songs to quench that musical thirst of mine... 