IQulah ADD

Review

Album Review: IQulah – Food For Thought

02/13/2015

Classic roots reggae with an earthy sound

For someone who doesn’t even consider himself a part of the music fraternity, IQulah has been around for quite a long time and, despite having never been the subject of hype, is definitely an established artist. Food For Thought is the man’s sixth studio album. Its predecessor, Rasta 4 Ever, dates back to 2004.

IQulah spends much of his time farming. Owning two farms, one in Jamaica, the other in Northern California, he tries to live off his own land as much as possible. It is this motive of conscious and righteous livity that runs through Food For Thought. Working under the sun seems to give IQulah much time to reflect things, and inspiration resulting in a high-quality album that sounds notably different from those of his mass-producing colleagues.

Food For Thought is classic roots reggae with an earthy sound that has the sun shining through lush green leaves. There’s a nice touch of nyabinghi to some tracks, and a pinch of rock in others. Cello and flute add an element of acoustic to the instrumentation that is otherwise seasoned with percussion, horns, and a saxophone. The vocals leave enough space for the music to fully unfold.

Most of the basic riddim tracks were recorded at the Dr. King Studios in London in a single day. Paget King and IQulah are the responsible producers. Douglas Vaugn did an excellent job at the mixing desk.

Food For Thought comes with twelve tracks that teach, inspire, and invite to meditate, to reflect on life, all from a strictly Rasta perspective. IQulah denounces “fragmentation of our culture” and calls to return to “the ancient order”, without explaining what that “ancient order” would have been (Back In The Day). He wants to break the chains of slavery and colonialism and proclaims that it is “better to be a jailbreaker, than a heartbreaker.” (Jailbreaker)

On It Is I, IQulah shows that he has travelled the African continent enough to not take it for an utopian paradise, denouncing colonial mechanisms still at play today. Tormented Souls asks more questions than it delivers answers. She’s Always There is a slightly uptempo ode to his queen with a touch of ska.

Besides praise tunes like Judgement and Hail Fari, there’s the rather surprising Grown Man Cry, a quiet and meditative sufferers’ tune that gives a simple answer. The catchy No War sums up its message itself: “There are no legitimate reasons that can justify war.” The final Liberation features harmonies by The Original Spear.

Food For Thought won’t end up becoming the Album of the Year in 2015, but it will definitely be a favorite for anyone who appreciates classic roots reggae. If it takes another eleven years for IQulah to release a follow-up, this timeless gem will last and get us through the waiting in style.