Jahmali ADD

Review

Album Review: Jahmali - We I Open

06/02/2014

by Gardy Stein

After his celebrated debut album El Shaddai (1998) and the subsequent Treasure Box (2000) it has become a little too quiet around one of Jamaica's most conscious singers. It is thus with great expectations that people worldwide look at Ryan Thomas aka Jahmali who issues his third album We I Open this June. As the title suggests, the singer has not moved an inch from his philosophical outlook, clearly perceivable in his lyrics which treat diverse subjects.

The album contains ten tunes plus two remixes of the lyrically important songs No Weapon and Worst Criminal. The latter is a courageous pedophilia charge against those people who commit the worst crime possible and for whom, according to Jahmali, a life sentence in prison would be good luck because "outta road you woulda die".  

One of the two outstanding productions of the album is the title track We I Open, combining an up-tempo Reggae-beat with harmonious singing and well-placed words. The second one is Let's Do It 4 Love which certainly has the potential to rock the dancehalls inna lover's style over the upcoming summer months.

Of course, all the other songs are worth listening to as well – Selecta Man, for instance, a vibeful piece that brings to the fore Jahmali's vocal qualities. Liberal European audiences might flinch when listening closely to the lyrics, but be assured that the singer is just telling a story here, quoting a DJ.  

Whereas Wicked Devices and Real Life Champion have a distinct Tuff Gong feel (some recordings have indeed been done in that legendary studio), the songs Courageously and especially Silver Nutmeg are a bit too mainstream. The clearly audible computer sounds lead to be classed as Pop-Reggae what could have been instrumentally strong roots tunes.

All in all, however, We I Open is a solid foundation album, produced and mixed by Genis "Genious" Trani at Reggaeland (Barcelona). Welcome back, Jahmali! Our eyes and ears are wide open for you.

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