|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Main CD Review Page | ||||
CD Review |
 |
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
| At one time hailed as "Ghana’s
Bob Marley" and always drawing upon his deep-rooted spiritual strengths,
Rocky Dawuni has dual residency in both Ghana and Los Angeles which has
brought forward a wonderfully diverse array of influences on his latest
CD, "Book of Changes."
These are not the type of cuts you’ll hear on your favorite reggae program or through sound systems such as Massive B or Poison Dart, but Daddy U Roy might be proud to see the title “Wake the Town” on here. However, it’s not reggae, but this Afro beat, sweat-drenching groove that patterns a similar message to the legendary deejay. And in the rich West African traditions dating far back in history, the original ‘call-n-response’ technique is prevalent throughout track “Africa for Learn” which works well over Rocky’s soulful, horn-driven joint. As the ‘One Drop’ riddim first enters for “Fadaland,” the first reggae track, its mellow pace invites you to listen intently to his Rastafarian doctrines of ‘repatriation and love’, one where Rocky swears that if you listen even closer, ‘Holy Mount Zion is calling,’ literally. In languages of Twi and Yoruba as well as English, the 11-song "Book of Changes" uses musicians from Liberia, Ghana, Cameroon and the US. Mystical, and at times abstract in his artistic expressions, Rocky's recordings would seemingly be difficult to digest. It’s quite the opposite, as evidenced on one of the most enjoyably palatable tracks titled, “The One.” So tasty is this composition, a love potion he’s lit with the brightest sunshine, you’ll have no trouble realizing the fact that no matter the artist – unknown or famous, in Spanish, Swahili or French - when good music hits your ear, there’s truly no boundary. Another jam to keep close to
your heart is “Ewurade,” where Rocky Dawuni melodically reminds
you that with summer just around the corner, mark your calendar and be
on the lookout for this Afro-Rocker. His Wyclef-like tones make these
new and unknown songs familiar-sounding. Keeping in mind past comparisons
to Bob Marley as well, his acoustic-guitar ballad, “Save Us All,”
further pushes this recording as a perfect fusion of Reggae and Afro Beat
finally coming nicely together from one artist, not at all experimenting.
Marlon "Mr. Marlon" Regis, "Musical Murder" columnist, is the dancehall reviews selector, as well as the annual guest editor for The Beat's dancehall issue each year. He's also a music consultant for DMX Music Inc's REGGAE channel and custom Sean John channel. Outside of the reggae world, he's a staff writer for HipHopSite.Com, and continues to be a contributing writer to Vibe, The Source, Complex, Upscale, S.O.C.A., Jointz, HipHopDX.Com, thaformula.com, and more if you can catch him! |
||||
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
"Book
of Changes" 
