Good Sound,
CD Review
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Jamaica isn’t the only Caribbean island producing powerful roots reggae music these days; since 2001, I Grade Records, based in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, has been spreading the message of Rastafari through righteous music with a roster of up-and-coming, talented reggae artists from around the globe. On January 12th, I Grade released this compilation album of various artists, featuring 16 lyrical lions backed by four alternating instrumental riddims, or rhythmic themes. While four essential rhythmic patterns comprise the instrumentation throughout the disc, not all tracks sound alike, mostly because of the expressive delivery that each artist brings to the mix. Heavy emphasis on the horn section brings a heightened urgency to the overriding messages of faith, equality, and positivity that span the album, though the acoustic levels tend to play it safe, if not somewhat predictable, throughout. The Nazarenes, out of Sweden via Ethiopia, contribute the excellent, uplifting "Everlasting," while Guyana’s Jahdan Blakkamoore urges for equal rights in the ghetto on "Red Hot." The band Midnite, native to St. Croix and one of the more recognizable artists in this otherwise underground group, has collaborated for years with I Grade on various compilations and contributes two of the heftiest tracks on the disc with "Judgment in Measure" and "Deep Tangle Roots." Let those who have ears celebrate this joyful noise, and trust I Grade to deliver real roots music with a positive message and an undeniably good groove. . . . Shannon Holliday 02/01/10
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