| Review: Roots
empress Dezarie has blessed the reggae community with the deliverance of
her newest recording "Gracious Mama Africa".
Released on the Afrikan Roots Lab record label, this album
emerges from the seeds planted on her amazing debut album of 2001 "FYA".
Gracious Mama Africa transports the incredible
voice of Dezarie to a whole new level - the highest heights. Her
foundation is firmly established in songs such as "Travelers"
and the title track. The brilliance and clarity of Dezarie’s voice
is reverently unveiled on "Exhalt". Gracious Mama
Africa abounds with pleas for social justice and racial equality with
selections like "Poverty", "Strengthen Your Mind" and "Justice".
But
to this listener, the strength and power of Dezarie is most strikingly
displayed in her condemnation of so-called civilization. "Gone
Down", "Not One Penny", "Law Fe De Outlaw", "Slew Dem An
Done" and "Judgment Come" all deliver
conscious punches that penetrate the soul.
"Do
what you want, wheresoever you please. Bombing Vieques, yes your bombing the seas. Lock up
anyone that was opposing. Speaking against the nonsense that you were doing. But babylon
you gone down, you gone down. Babylon funeral, you gone down." - Dezarie
After
receiving Atlanta’s "Best New Female Reggae Artist" award in 2001, Dezarie
returned to her native island of St. Croix. Since that time, she has been working closely
with Midnite, the players of instruments for "Gracious
Mama Africa". Midnite’s trademark sound is
fully displayed on this album. Momentous bass lines from Phillip
Merchant, classic one-drop from Dion Hopkins and the
bubbling of Ron Benjamin on keyboards prevail throughout,
accentuated by Abijah’s charismatic guitar playing.
From
the excellent overdubs of Dezarie’s voice to the flying symbols on
"Slew Dem" it is evident that Ron Benjamin worked
tirelessly in the production and mixing of this album. The fruits of this labour are
eloquently displayed on Gracious Mama Africa
which is sure to be one of the best roots albums of 2003.
Daniel (RAW#495)
Ireggae.com |
