IV - Pay the Piper

Israel Vibration

Pay the Piper

Well, I suppose Israel Vibration was due for a poor effort. Though well received by many diehard fans, I found Pay the Piper to be lacking. It has the group's classic roots sound, but the songs are just ho-hum. You can't help but blame a large part of this on the absence of Albert Craig, who decided to pursue a solo project. Although all 3 members have always been talented songwriters and performers, Craig was always my favorite. His gravel-voiced, deliberate style added a sense of fun funkiness to Israel Vibration's material. Without him, the tracks on Pay the Piper seem dry, without much edge. The possible exceptions are "Exploitation" and the title cut, which are bona fide up-tempo rock steady. This, of course, doesn't mean that they're particularly good, just unique. Almost as if sensing the void of Craig's style, Cecil Spence contributes a pair of tunes -- "Nuttin' Nah Bruk" and "So Much Youths" -- that are slow, funky, and which contain Craig-like drowsy vocals. They're not as good as Craig would've done, but they're OK. Without a third party, of course, the 3-part harmony suffers a bit also; they even go so far as to replace the third part with various women -- Pam Hall, Fiona, and Annie McDaniel -- which actually doesn't sound bad, especially on the oddly titled "Surfin." It's hard to pick out any other tunes that stand out ("Hard Road" and "Systematical Fraud" are OK), since they are all so unspectacular. While little on Pay the Piper is ostensibly bad, it has the generic sound that you might expect newcomers to Israel Vibration's heavy roots style would generalize them as having. The sound is generally the same as it always has been, but the drab songwriting makes this album sound shallow and lifeless.

Pay the Piper


que JAH los Guie y los Proteje

GM - Live Cologne

Gentlaman

Live in
Cologne

The question bothering the ones knowing about the absolute sensational entry at #15 in the German (pop)album charts could be whether this album is really that extraordinary. To answer that question before going into details: yes it is. Even if you already own Gentleman's studio albums, "Trodin On" and "Journey To Jah", this is a live album you want to own. The studioalbums might have left some wondering, are these Gentleman-albums or 'just' feature-albums, and having listened to them probably already understood that artists like Bounty Killer, Morgan Heritage, Capleton and others were all just supporting Gentleman's vibes. This live album, where his support comes mainly from Jamaican living in Germany spar Daddy Rings, proves Gentleman can do all his selections breath-takingly on his own, backed by the Far East Band, the former ska-reggae then dancehall band Messer Banzani, once musical home to Germaican Records' Leander 'Pionear' Topp and Tom Topp.
The first disc kicks off with a one-minute "Intro" by the Far East Band, playing some hook-lines from Gentleman songs, before seguing into a short version of "Fire Ago Bun Dem" with Gentleman greeting his home audience in Cologne, singing while joining the band on stage. The first full track is "See Dem Coming", followed by "Jah Ina Yuh Life", two wicked tracks from his latest studio album "Journey To Jah". And it only gets better when Daddy Rings, also featured with Jamali on the album version, joins him for a splendid rendition of "Ina Different Time". I found "Love Chant" one of the absolute killer tracks on the JTJ album, only to find out that the live-version is even better, starting off in a slow mood, it builds up getting a hold on you. And it may be unfortunate that Bounty Killer isn't joining Gentleman on stage to perform their combination tune "Man A Rise", but Daddy Rings joins in after the intro sung acapella for a matching rendition of it, towards the end culminating in a great ska stomper as a backing for Tamika & Mamadee to showcase their great harmonies. The only track still played from "Trodin On" was my favorite track on it, with Gentleman doing a great job, in singing also Terry Linen's part, after the audience starting singing along the acapella intro, with again to full effect shown towards the end how strong the Far East Band and backup singers are. "Danger Zone" is even more convincing as well in the live version than the JTJ album version, on which Gentleman introduces all the members of the Far East Band. Daddy Rings shows his capabilities as a solo artist on solo-track "Check Dis", and shows the quality of his "African Glory"-EP that appeared early this year, 5(!) years after his very solid debut set "Stand Out", it should leave everyone on the look out for his later this year scheduled album. From the "Runaway EP" the superb track "What She Deserves" shows, even without Glen Washington, its power, and the power of Gentleman and his lyrics and music. "Children Of Tomorrow" with its wicked bassline featured in a solo is followed by the last song of before the band leaves the stage, the very popular "Dem Gone" in a 7 minutes plus version.
The second disc containing the encores starts with the fine "Good Days" by the great backing singers Tamika & Mamadee, before "Live It Up", originally with Capleton on the "Runaway EP" gets a great live treatment. Current single "Rainy Days" has a guest appearance from very convincing Martin Jondo, and features also a verse by a once again excelling Tamika. Daddy Rings does another fine solo track, his "Call Me On The Telephone" over the "Celebrate" riddim, before the Gentleman take on that same Pow Pow-riddim, "Runaway". "Stranded" is a solo track by percussionist and backing singer Mathias the Dread. A yet to be released track in studio version is "Politition Bwoy" a track reminding of the 'More Fire' tracks and riddims by Jamaican's own singjays. And all featured singers join together with Gentleman to perform the uplifting and melodious "Sunshine" with another fine saxophone solo by Johanna, before the band leaves the stage for the second time. When they return for a second encore, Gentleman once again does the DJ-part of one of his album guests, this time doing Capleton's verses on "Fire A Go Bun Dem", that has a wicked version, with the members of the Far East Band once again introduced and doing some wicked solo pieces and the backup singers thanked by Gentleman, superb. And then the last track is another example of the great live qualities of Gentleman, in this live version "Leave Us Alone" is an absolute superb way to close a concert and this disc. I do recommend this disc to everyone, a must have, check "Gentleman's website" for more on this great artist and his releases.

Gentleman and The Far East Band



Irie Blessins to All

Gentleman

Un Caballero

de Alemania

a Jamaica
Para todo el mundo

Gentleman (Tilmann Otto) vive en Colonia Alemania, pero muchas veces nombra a Jamaica su casa fuera de casa. El es padre de dos hijos, Samuel y Tamika, ahora esta saliendo con Tamika, una cantante de la Far East Band. y quien ha estado apoyando su carrrera desde su primer concierto hecho en Alemania en el 2002

Él ha estado viajando por Jamaica desde que tenía 16 años. dicen que fue atraido por el reggae, por su hermano mayor, que cada vez que podia, compraba discos de los mejores exponentes del genero. desde ahi comenzó ese amor por el reggae. Quizo conocer jamaica de primera mano o de prime ra fuente. la isla se transformo en su segundo hogar. Gentleman es reconcido como cantante popular del reggae en Jamaica, siendo él un Europeo , lo cual es un gran merito.

Su carrera comenzó con la colaboracion de la banda llamada Freundeskreis (o amistad en español). lo cual produjo la cancion Tabula Rasa (en algun idioma africano, significa, limpiando la mesa) siendo ese tema muy popular. Despues de comenzar su carrera como dejay, su musica luego se orientó hacia la forma clasica del reggae, como el del legendario Bob Marley. el canta principalmente en ingles o en Patois (creole-Jamaicano). con canciones como "Send a Prayer "(manden un mensajero) Gentleman expresa su devoción y su profundo amor por Dios, pero no se adhiere a ninguna religion.

despues de una breve biografia de este cantante, que en mi opinion, es lo unico bueno de Europa, musicalmente hablando, les dejo sus discos, para que lo bajen y se deleiten con su musica y vibra.

Puedes Descargar sus cuatro producciones de estudio y un disco en vivo:



Trodin On

Journey to JAH

Confidence

Another Intensity

Live in Cologne





Jah bLeSS

Bendiciones de JAHve para Todos...

GM - Another Intensity

Gentleman

Another Intensity

As successor of his very successful (platinum reaching) 3rd album "Confidence" Gentleman treats us to the album "Another Intensity". An album that has taken a lot of time and troubles for Gentleman, as his newly gained mainstream superstar status wasn't just a blessing, but led to a burn-out and writers-block as well, causing the original plan to record a full dancehall album to be dismissed but in the end resulting in this more than satisfying roots album showing that Gentleman is back on track. Opening with "Evolution", a strong tune thematically and musically in line with the tunes on predecessor "Confidence", self-produced for his Bushhouse Music, backed by the core of the Far East Band - that in full comprises Johanna Järemo on sax, André Heyer on bass, Marco Baresi on drums, Pete Fisher on guitar, Andreas Wendland on guitar, Peter Hirsch on keys, Steffen Zimmer on trumpet and Rob Gutowski on trombone - and with angelic (by Dean Fraser arranged) harmony vocals by Jamaica's Daffodils, the first sign of adding a more personal touch to the lyrics of his tunes can be found on the next tune "Tranquility" that was recorded with the same backing and production as the opening track.

The monstruous conscious combination "Lack Of Love" with Sizzla has already drawn some bad press for Gentleman because of him working together with a 'gay basher', but this is a big big tune, backed by the Firehouse Crew, with his wife Tamika contributing the backing vocals, that deserves to be judged on its musical values, and that is followed by the tune that was released as first single taken from this album, the great "Different Places" over AL.TA.FA.AN's 'Senior'-riddim. A typical rootsy Anthony 'Senior' production, with Gentleman in very fine form over the live instrumentation telling us it's not about class, colour or races, lets get around and see different places, put a smile on those distant faces, wipe away your sorrow without traces and Gentleman Gentleman returning to his early singjay-style in the great "Round The World" with his smooth sung (aided by the Daffodils) chorus.

Delano Thomas of Renaissance Sound produced and together with Black Chiney built the smooth riddim for the upful "Serenity", followed by the first of several tunes on this album produced (and often backed also) by the in Germany living Iranian Ben 'Benni Blanco' Bazzazzian, who produced Kingstone's scorching 2004 'Señorita' riddim and wonderful downtempo mixes for Gentleman backing vocalist Mamadee's "Lass Los" and the "Different Places (Blanko RMX)" that was on the "Different Places (EP)", the wonderful "Soulfood" that is as downtempo as it gets to be still called reggae. After "Nah Leave It Up Dem (Mafia)" on the "Different Places EP", "Celebration" is another great tune over a riddim that was at Jamaica's Gee Jam recorded and produced by rising Italian reggae star Alborosie, this time also played by him with Dean Fraser on sax and Nikki Burt's strong backing vocals, before the second Benni Blanco production "Mount Zion" shows how beautiful these downtempo soulful backings can match with Gentleman's great lyrics and vocals. The surprise combination on this album is the beautiful poppy "The Light Within" with reggae pop songbird Diana King that really has become a wonderful tune, thanks also to Richie Stephens' production and Danny Browne's backing.

More great tunes follow, like the Andrew 'Pedro' Hamilton produced and by the Fire House Crew backed "In Pursuit Of Happiness", the self produced and Far East band backed heartfelt "Rage & Anger" and the great soulful-rootsy Ingo Rheinbay production for his Pow Pow Productions "Respond To Yourself". Benni Blanco provides the backing and production for the smashing piano-ballad "Missing Those Days", before Silly Walks Movement produce one of the best tunes on this album (though "Soulfood", "Lack Of Love", "Different Places" and "Jah Love" have that level too), the absolutely magnificent "Hosanna" with its superb dubby backing by the Shashamane Band. The two last tunes on this album are the wonderful combination "Jah Love" alongside Jack Radics & Daddy Rings and the very solid "Sin City", both produced by the legendary Bobby 'Digital' Dixon and backed by the Fire House Crew. A great way to end this great album, that is miraculously good if taken into consideration the hardshapes that Gentleman had to conquer before recording and releasing it, if it were the end, but very nicely as hidden bonus track a "Tranquility (Reprise)" has been included to end this must own album by one of Europe's biggest reggae stars.

Aqui Another Intensity



IrieBlessins to aLL

IV - Unconquered People

Israel Vibration

Unconquered People

Israel Vibration's second album, Unconquered People didn't disappoint much after their heralded debut. While the songwriting is a bit inferior, this is still a strong album, and the sound is consistent with the first. Actually, Unconquered People may have a better overall sound, as it feels more "musical." The instruments are more distinct and alive, contributing to a uniquely jazzy/bluesy atmosphere. The funk of "Friday Evening," for example, centers around a bluesy guitar, while "Survive" features a jazzy keyboard and sax combo, and "Practice What Jah Teach" has a great organ bridge. Not surprisingly, these are the best 3 tracks on Universal People, although "Give I Grace" and "We a de Rasta" are also quite good.



Unconquered People bajalo!



Bendiciones de JAH...y Recuerden, Con ÉL todo es posible

GM - Confidence

Gentleman

Confidence

"Confidence" is the title of the third studio album by Gentleman, after his fine debut "Trodin On", the huge successor "Journey To Jah" and the extremely well received simply "Live" titled 2CD and DVD set. Some of the tunes have already been part for some time now of his current live-set, as for example the Firehouse Crew produced and backed opener "Send A Prayer" that was already played during Gentleman's Dutch Concert and his performance at Germaican Records 5th Anniversary celebrated at the Germaican Link Up!. The first single taken from the album over Pow Pow Movement's excellent 'Superior'-riddim using the Firehouse Crew as well has already rightfully earned a place in his live-set also. The next tune "Caan Hold Us Down" is an excellent example of Gentleman's own talent as a producer for his own Bushhouse Music resulting in a wicked combination with his long-time touring partner Daddy Rings and Barrington Levy over a Far East Band riddim. The tune that follows it might be an even bigger surprise producer-wise: it's absolutely not uncommon for a tune these days recorded in Jamaica to be produced by Donovan 'Vendetta' Bennett, that is, if it is a dancehall tune, but that Don Corleon together with his 'partners in crime' Nigel Staff and IRIE FM DJ Wayne 'Purple Skunk' Morris also is capable of producing and playing some very fine roots is shown here to my surprise, in the beautiful lovers tune "Intoxication" of a certain kind / i will admit that you suit my mind / pulpitation of another kind / don't fast forward baby / just rewind. Gentleman takes over the producer's chair again for another Far East Band backed tune, like "Caan Hold Us Down" recorded by Olsen Involtini, famous for his work with Seeed, at legendary German rock, wave and pop producer Conny Plank's studio, the fast paced singjayed "New Day" over a rather experimental rockish and freaky keyboards featuring latin-dancehall influenced riddim. "Be Yourself" is a beautiful Calibud produced conscious combination with Cocoa Tea, followed by the Digital B production "All That You Had" on which Gentleman visits the 'Rainy Days' theme once more. "Life Takes More Than That" is a very fine Black Scorpio production of a bass heavy rootsy Mafia & Fluxy riddim, and this is followed by one of the already best known tracks of the album, Gentleman's "Rumours" over Ingo 'Pow Pow' Rheinbay's 'Shanty Town (Double 'O' Seven)'-riddim, here featured in a slightly different Far East Band instrumentation. More Pow Pow productions as the album is continued by Gentleman sharing the lead vocals with one of his regular backing vocalists Tamika over a dubby acoustic riddim for "Weary No More". And yet another German producer at the helm, Far East drummer Marco Baresi, who produced alongside Pionear for Germaican Records" the beautiful horn driven 'Valentine'-riddim, on which Gentleman's "After The Storm" was even better than several strong Jamaican artists voiced tunes. The great "Unconditional Love" over another Pow Pow riddim, the great 'Blaze' is another proof of the current high level of reggae production in Germany. Boris 'Taffari' Silvera and Anthony Snior of AL.TA.FA.AN produce the excellent combination "Face Off" always wearing a mask / no time fi love no time fi joy / squeeze your trigger like a toy / ease off - before you come to past with Anthony B, and the fabulous i'd rather be saved by jah jah / yeah yeah yeah / than to have mankind as my savior / dem never cease to amaze me / "Strange Things" they bring to us / and only jah jah can save we / now who else can we trust. "Blessings Of Jah" features the unfortunately not often enough heard Ras Shiloh on a well crafted Bobby Digital produced riddim, before Maurice 'Black Scorpio' Johnson produces the beautiful and very critical lyrically devastation they intensify / "Church And State" they can't satisfy / while the children still a multiply / i see babymothers cry / while the babyfathers die. "Lion's Den" is a Paul Daley and Steven Stanley (who contributed his engineering to several of the other tracks) production featuring Sly & Robbie, which is audible from the first bar you hear the syndrums kick in. Gentleman himself produces one more tune "Mystic Wind" on which Tony Rebel is featured for another fine combination, before another tune that impressed during his liveshows, another Bobby Digital production, the upful "For The Children" brings us to the last tune. That last tune features the only artist who has been a feature on all three studio albums Gentleman released including this excellent one, the easily recognizable Jack Radics, on the Richie Stephens produced Nyahbinghi-tune "No Time Like Now" a tune that closes an excellent album in fine style.

Bajalo Aqui Si deseas descargar el disco


JahBless...

GM - Journey to JAH

Gentleman

Journey to JAH

Now 27-year old German singjay Gentleman - born Tilmann Otto - first left for Jamaica ten years ago. In those days he was a reggae-novice who owned but a couple of reggae records, most of which he had found in his brother's record collection. On the Island, he got to know the rough country life where the living standard is more than poor when you compare it to western countries. A few years later, Europe's culture television channel Arte showed a programme on reggae in its "Lost In Music" series, with Gentleman featuring as one of the outstanding connoisseurs of reggae music. His many journeys to Jamaica have become a dear habit to Germany's premier reggae star and they have left a deep impact on him. Two hearts beat in the breast of the traveller between Cologne and Kingston, but they both definitely beat in the riddim of reggae. The early enthusiasm for reggae in all its colourful variety has grown to a natural self-sufficiency and expanded consciousness which surpasses a simple knowledge of styles and sounds. The close ties to Jamaica on both a professional and a personal level (he's raising a family with a Jamaican he has been with for seven years now) make him not only one of Germany's most influential reggae artists, but they also give his music an authenticity.
In 1999 Gentleman delivered his locally well received debut album "Troddin On" which featured a wide variety of dancehall riddims. Now here's his second album "Journey To Jah" and this one is sure to raise the white German singjay’s profile in the reggae world and beyond. "Journey To Jah" features tracks mainly recorded at a variety of studios in Jamaica including Pot Of Gold, Tuff Gong, Mixing Lab, Digital B and Black Scorpio. Producers include Gentleman himself and German producers Pionear, I. Rheinbay, Roger & Shorty as well as Jamaican producers such as Bobby "Digital" Dixon, Maurice Johnson aka Black Scorpio, Richie Stephens, Firehouse Crew and Morgan Heritage. As the album title already indicates we're treated to a set brimful modern roots reggae, although some dancehall oriented tunes are around as well. Gentleman comes up with a notable album which benefits from the impeccable fresh riddims, a crisp and clear sound, good production work, conscious lyrics and wicked combinations with top flight Jamaican artists such as Bounty Killer, Morgan Heritage, Luciano & Mikey General, Junior Kelly and Capleton to name a few. Some tunes have already been around on 7" single including "Man Of My Own" with Morgan Heritage and the awesome combination with Capleton entitled "Fire A Go Bun Dem", while others are brand new, never before released efforts. No fillers to be found here, only above par deliveries including some real killers such as "Dem Gone", "Love Chant", "Empress" and the combination tunes "Younger Generation" with Luciano & Mikey General, "Fire A Go Bun Dem" with Capleton and "Children Of Tomorrow" with Jack Radics.
Don't be led astray by the fact that Gentleman is a white German guy, 'cause his lyrics and themes are authentic and he definitely has a style of his own. A truly excellent set!!







You Can Download it Here



IrieBlessins to All

Muchas Bendiciones de JAHve a Todos...

IV - The Same Song

Israel Vibration

The Same Song

This is perhaps Israel Vibration's most acclaimed album, the one that generated such high expectations for the group, and rightly so. Although I don't think it's their best effort, it's one of their best, and certainly a worthwhile listen. I can certainly understand why people went ga-ga over it, as it represented a new source of quality roots that could possibly build on the international success of Bob Marley. Israel Vibration's style is a bit too "hardcore" to be as popular as Marley, though. Their blend of a non-crossover sound and likeable harmonies make them perfect for underground success, always to be appreciated in the hearts and ears of diehard reggae fans. The title track and "Why Worry" were hits in Jamaica, but much better to me are "Lift Up Your Conscience" and "Prophet Has Arise," with "Jah Time Has Come," "Ball of Fire," and "Walk the Streets of Glory" being just as enjoyable. The rest are nice, but these 5 songs are as subtly powerful as ever and still rank among the group's best.



The Same Song



JAhbless to All

GM - Trodin On

Gentleman


Trodin On

There music is filled with conscious lyrics and a change between soft and hard riddims Jamaican and German made. Never have they made a boring album yet. Very uplifting with many Jamaican artists you would not expect to see on a German album, Jack Radics being one of them. They are respected in Jamaica and accepted for the reason of being musicaly gifted and giving reggae a boost to Germany's music.

Now 27-year old German singjay Gentleman - born Tilmann Otto - first left for Jamaica ten years ago. In those days he was a reggae-novice who owned but a couple of reggae records, most of which he had found in his brother's record collection. On the Island, he got to know the rough country life where the living standard is more than poor when you compare it to western countries. A few years later, Europe's culture television channel Arte showed a programme on reggae in its "Lost In Music" series, with Gentleman featuring as one of the outstanding connoisseurs of reggae music. His many journeys to Jamaica have become a dear habit to Germany's premier reggae star and they have left a deep impact on him. Two hearts beat in the breast of the traveller between Cologne and Kingston, but they both definitely beat in the riddim of reggae. The early enthusiasm for reggae in all its colourful variety has grown to a natural self-sufficiency and expanded consciousness which surpasses a simple knowledge of styles and sounds. The close ties to Jamaica on both a professional and a personal level (he's raising a family with a Jamaican woman he has been with for seven years now) make him not only one of Germany's most influential reggae artists, but they also give his music an authenticity.
His music has conquered the hearts not only of the reggae and dancehall massive, but of many listeners in his homeland, with his new CD/DVD "Gentleman With The Far East Band - Live" presently entering the German album charts at #15! In 1999 Gentleman delivered his locally well received debut album "Trodin On" which featured a wide variety of dancehall riddims. The album already has all the niceness of its successor "Journey To Jah". gentleman rides modern roots & dancehall riddims recorded in Jamaica and 'Germaica' with the likes of Richie Stephens, Richard Browne, Anthony Red Roze, Cologne's Roger & Shorty, Leipzig's Leander Topp of Germaican Records fame, Stuttgart's Tommy W., Hamburg's Silly Walks Movement, having intrumental backing from Sly & Robbie, Jazwad, Gitsy, Dean Fraser, Lenky and the various production teams. Add to it Gentleman being a great singer and a good DJ, doing combinations with Richie Stephens, Jack Radics, Germany's own Mighty Tolga, and on the hiphop tune "Allstar Jam" the German hiphop crew of Max, Afrob, Ju & Sekou. From wicked party tune "Heat Of The Night", going through the conscious slow-jam "Tek Time Fi Grow", doing my favorite track of this album "Jah Jah Never Fail" in a superb combination with Terry Linen, "Fade Away" being almost a blueprint for "Runaway" on his next album, "Lion" where Gentleman DJs/singjays alongside Mighty Tolga's sweet singing on another Germaican riddim, all through the album to closing of with the acoustic ballad "Trodin On", this is a great album, in my opinion there is not a weak track to be found, and it's almost a burden to pick standout tracks, because Gentleman has delivered a very fine disc. I admit that I can't wait to hear a next album, after following up this album with the succes of "Journey to Jah", and the "Live" album.

Download Trodin On





IrieBlessins to All

Bendiciones de JAHve para todos