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REVIEW: EARL 16 - Can't Conquer We/Burn It (King Shiloh Music)

The King Shiloh Music label is for me equal to good music and this release is no exception. Through the years they have brought us dynamic roots reggae music. From their first release with Ras Ibi to their latest before this which was Lyrical Benjie's debut album "Rastaman Style" they have proved to us that they are a label who's equal to quality. Like many of the past releases of King Shiloh Music this one have Amsterdamm's dub champion Dubcreator in control of production. One can almost instantly recognize Dubcreator productions because of the choice of sounds being used and the crisp and clear production of the tracks. It's a established soundscape of his that works well and was introduced to me by first hearing Lyrical Benjie's "Ten Plagues" which today is somewhat of a classic. Apart from his dubplates being heard on various sound systems around Europe he's got tunes out with I Natural and Ras Iyah of InI Oneness, Madu and of course Lyrical Benjie. This time around he's worked with veteran singer Earl 16 who's one of the truly unique voices of roots reggae music. Earl 16 started out in the seventies recording for most of Jamaicas top producers like Lee Perry and Augustus Pablo. Through the years he have managed to stay on top of things and always pushing things forward like appearing of Leftfield's house classic "Release the Pressue" and producing his crossover album "Cyber Roots". Still Earl 16 stays loyal to the roots and frequently records material with different roots producers all over. On this 12:inch vinyl release he'd linked up with the Amsterdamm crew giving us, once again, good roots music to enjoy.

First tune called "Can't Conquer We" got live horns holding up the track all through. The horns play a nice melody over this mid tempo stepper which Earl 16 easily rides. The lyrical contect of the song is that Jah children can't be conquered because of the mercy of Jah. Allthough Earl 16's wonderfull vocals, this could easily have been released as a instrumental since the horns is so in front of the sound picture. Which I guess is why the horn section have got their own track simple entitled "Hornsman Conqueror". The dub piece sounds good as well with Earl 16's vocals as well as the horns coming in and out in a dubwise manner.

Soundclip - Earl 16 - Can't Conquer We

On the flipside we have the herb tune "Burn It" which is somewhat of a faster stepper than "Can't Conqueror We". Earl 16 declares that he wants to blaze it in the streets because he's tired of licking it in the gully and further explains that the herb is for the use of man.

"It's for the use of man, and Jah Jah put it on this land, it's a part of the master plan, say you got to understand"

Soundclip - Earl 16 - Burn It

The rhythm is one of Dubcreators better which I think suits Earl's voice much better and simply sounds better than the first one. This rhythm is ruffer and more of the tuff stepper productions I recognize Dubcreator for. The melody is simple yet effective in contrast to Earl 16's voice and works well on the dub piece as well. Last track to feature on this 6 tracked vinyl is "Blow It" where the horn section takes on the rhythm. The horn version of this one tends to sound very much like the James Bond theme which isn't exactly my cup of tea, so to say.

So for all you who like your steppers fueled with horns and good vocals check this 12:inch out. Respect unto the King Shiloh Music for putting three tracks on each side instead on simply one or two which increases the musical experience. Much appriciated. Also keep your eyes open for the forthcoming Peter Broggs album "Igzabihir Yakal" on King Shiloh Music which also features Dubcreator on production. Due for late 2005 or early 2006.

/Jakob Levi - 3/11-05