New Album – Reggae Loves Jah – Out Now
REGGAE LOVES JAH COMPILATION OUT NOW ON VP RECORDS
From the opening strains of Buju Banton’s haunting Our Father in Zion to the evangelistic delivery of Luciano’s live performance of his classic, It’s Me Again Jah there is no mistaking, Reggae Loves Jah is a thoughtful collection of hits that we are all familiar with, but all on one compilation that is sure to become a favorite for reggae lovers globally. Released on VP Records, the selection and sequencing of the songs by Dane “Fatman” Bogle, easily captures the essence of the unique relationship between reggae, Rasta, Emperor Selassie the First, revered by many as JAH and the island of Jamaica, from which reggae and rasta sprung forth. Reggae Loves Jah is thirteen tracks espousing Rastafarian “livity” in giving praises to the “Most High JAH Rastafari.”
For executive producer Eisaku “Selector A” Yamaguchi, this album was made “from the bottom of his heart” as a tribute to Rastafarian principles. He says, “I am not Rasta, but I support Rasta and their “livity,” their view on life and what Rastafar I stand for is similar to how I view life.” Selector A’s previous compilation, Reggae Loves Africa was “a reminder about Africa…Reggae is known for its strong message and inspiration, it inspires people worldwide.”
Being released at a time when roots reggae music is making a serious comeback to the main stage, Reggae Loves Jah is right on time featuring a collection of stand alone hits like the “anthemic” Greetings, track #4 from Half Pint; track #5, Jah Is By My Side from Tony Rebel; Jah Jah Is The Ruler with Garnet Silk on track 11 and Jah Works, track #6 from Terror Fabulous. Over the years many have said that they learned about rastafari and about Africa and Emperor Haile Selassie the First through reggae. Songs like Glen Washington’s Jah Glory , track 10 and Bushman’s Lighthouse track 12 are prayerful praises being given up to JAH, “the Most High”. What is wonderful about Reggae Loves Jah is that by compiling these songs together on one album, new comers to the genre will have a good sampling in one compilation as a solid representation of Rastafarian praise music. Selector A says, “I made this album, Reggae Loves Jah as a Rasta baton from the bottom of my heart, to pass on to the next generation.”
Though the tracks represent a variety of singers and producers, the late Phillip “Fattis” Burrell’s Xterminator label is featured four times beginning with track #2, Praise Him with Sanchez, which remains a perennial favorite, followed by track #3, Praise Ye Jah with Sizzla. This track reminds us of the sweetly poignant vocals and profound lyrics that made us fall in love with Sizzla in the 90’s. Track #9, Jah Blessing features Sizzla and at the time stable mate, Luciano, on a very popular track that scored big for them and Xterminator as they were being mentored by Fattis. The final track on the album is also an Xterminator single, It’s Me Again Jah which helped to catapult Luciano, who became known as “the messenger” into becoming a household name. The song was loved by Christians, church goers, Rastafarians and secular folks alike. Tracks like Fantan Mojah’s Thanks and Praise and Jah Cure’s Jah Jah Bless Me are fast becoming classics and deserve to be among these established tracks.
There is something to be said about the thought that went into compiling these thirteen tracks in paying homage to the muse of roots reggae music, Emperor Haile Selassie the First of Ethiopia, hailed by man as JAH. Reggae Loves JAH is chock full of songs that we know, songs that have remained in our consciousness. Like prayers we learned as children that quickly come to mind in times of need, these songs though familiar to the average reggae fan, will be well received by the astute reggae collector for all being on the same album. Selector A is convinced that “with social media we can promote this album to the new generation as articles alone can’t get the youth’s attention; we still need music to carry out the message.”
TRACK LISTING
1. Our Father In Zion – Buju Banton
2. Praise Him – Sanchez
3. Praise Ye Jah – Sizzla
4. Greetings – Half Pint
5. Jah Is By My Side – Tony Rebel
6. Jah Works – Terror Fabulous
7. Jah Jah Bless Me – Jah Cure
8. Thanks And Praise – Fanton Mojah
9. Jah Blessing – Sizzla featuring Luciano
10. Jah Glory – Glen Washington
11. Jah Jah Is The Ruler – Garnet Silk
12. Lighthouse – Bushman
13. It’s Me Again Jah (LIVE) – Luciano
