REVIEW: ANTHONY QUE - Rise/MICHAEL ROSE - What Can You Do/Version (Backyard Movements)

Right now it seems Russ Disciples only goes from strength to strength. His latest productions have sounded more fresh and inspiring than before. Although this man have been making music for nearly twenty years he's still progressing and pushing himself forward. Just after I'd been enjoying the great Christine Miller tune on the Roots Youth label for a week or two, Russ takes me off guard by sending me the next upcoming release of his. A crisp one drop with the same beautiful saxophone adding up the vibes just as in the Christine Miller tune "Blood Shed". Simplicity is the key of this rhythm. The few base ingredients here are a monotone bassline built around a steady one drop with a freewheeling saxophone doing wonders behind the vocals. Naturally there's a keyboard and guitar providing chops and licks as well but it's not them that catches your attention the first time around. The clear laidback vibe of the rhythm is equally present on both of the two vocal tracks presented on this rhythm.

First off we have Anthony Que who I don't know too much about other than the few tunes out there. Apparently he released an album, "A Brighter Day", some years back which failed to catch the reggae audiences attention. Unfortunatly Anthony Que is one of those talented artists who have been overlooked. Hopefully his name will ring bell or two after people have enjoyed this beautiful tune. I remember reading a review of his 7:inch release "Burn Babylon" where he was being compared with Jah Cure. The two of them certainly got that longing and raspingness in their voice. From searching the net I also found out that he's just recently released an album called "Recharge & Reload" produced by non other than Ruff Cutt's Tony Philips.

Anthony Que delivers a beautiful piece named "Rise" where we pleas for his people to rise and take a stand against the victimization that's striking them. Pointing out that there is only one race and that's the human race. The lyrics are kind of standard for a tune dealing with this topic yet the delivery is one of the best I heard in a long time. I think that Russ D's engineering skills on the mixingdeck is partly resposible for bringing out the best of Anthony Que's voice as well.

"Rise and take a stand, oh my people, together we are one, united we stand and divided we fall, some won't know themself til their back's against the wall..."

Soundclip - Anthony Que - Rise

Second cut on this rhythm features yet another beautiful voice belonging to the legendary Michael Rose. Best known for his years as frontman in Black Uhuru although one shall NOT disregard his very good solo shots as well. Especially lately he have been delivering one sure shot after another. Just check his latest album "African Roots" where the rhythms of Ryan Moore (Twillight Circus Dub Sound System) brings out the best of him. So here again Michael Rose is in top form in "What Can You Do". The waterhouse styled singing which we're so familiar with is present yet not so much as in the days of old. His singing is more relaxed and at ease now which isn't bad at all. On the contrary it only makes him sound better. To be honest I find the lyrics a little randomly put together yet that doesn't stop him sounding great as he rides the rhythm as the experienced singer he is.

Soundclip - Michael Rose - What Can You Do

These tunes reviewed here will feature on two seperate 7:inches due to be released sometime in mid decemeber. Both on the Backyard Movements label. Alteration of release date is possible since work is still in progress. A dub cut of the rhyhtm will be found on the flipside of the 7:inches as well. On it will you find Russ D twisting and turning the knobs of his mixingdeck supplying you with some strict drum and bass when there's not a saxophone or a keyboard re-appearing into the mix.

I hope these releases won't be overlooked by the common reggae listener since Russ D's work mostly tend to attract the attention of the people who's more into the UK kind of reggae sound. Russ D have voiced two great singers on this mellow one drop rhythm which have resulted in two equally good tracks. I advice you to listen to the soundclips provided to make you own opion.

/Jakob Levi 17/11-05

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