|
|
|
Click pic to buy! |
|
Uncorrupted
(Mobs, 2004) Steele...Mark Steele. Although with a name sounding like a super-spy or '40s private eye, Mark Steele (or just Steele) is in fact a reggae singer. Born in Jamaica and now based in Toronto, Steele has been nominated for several Canadian Reggae Music Awards over the past few years. He used to be the lead in a group with Benjy Myaz, which gives a good indication that his sound is built on a solid foundation of lovers rock. In fact, Uncorrupted, his debut album, has some of the best, most consistent lovers rock I've heard in a while. "Run to Me," "Let Me Give You Love," and remakes of the doo-wop classic "Silhouette" (which was covered so brilliantly by Dennis Brown), Teddy Pendergrass's "Love T.K.O.," and even the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" all establish a tranquil mood that should appease listeners eagerly anticipating the next Beres Hammond album. Even righteous modern hymns like "Jah Is My Strength" and "Thank You Lord" have an airy lovers vibe -- which makes the appearance of dancehall tunes "Ruben," "Come Gimme," and "Morenita Linda" all the more striking. These songs aren't bad at all -- they have a Richie Stephens-type vibe -- but the just feel a bit out of place amid such a lush lovers and light roots landscape. No matter what the style, though, Uncorrupted is high quality all the way around. Those who aren't into the lovers as much can immerse yourselves in the roots of "Good Over Evil," "Greetings," and the edgy "Judge." Steele's versatile mix of lovers and roots (with a touch of dancehall) reminds me a bit of Lloyd Brown, but without as many pop tendencies. See steelemusic.net. |
| Track
Listing 1. Intro 2. Greetings 3. Good Over Evil 4. Let Me Give You Love 5. Jah Is My Strength 6. Judge 7. Silhouette 8. Ruben 9. Come Gimme 10. You've Lost That Loving Feeling 11. Deep Meditation 12. T.K.O. 13. Run to Me 14. Morenita Linda 15. Thank You Lord 16. Sash-Ri-Cal 17. Love Line |
The Love of Jah (Steele, 2007)
Steele returns as smooth as...steel! His vocals are still buttery smooth and tailor-made for lovers rock, although as the title
The Love of Jah suggests, he has bigger things on his mind. His deep faith is evident in the title track, an ethereal modern hymn with the sound of a classic, while "Spirit of the Rastaman" follows with an inspirational celebration of the Rasta way of life. He even delves into social topics on "New World," whose clever wordplay asks, "Is this the New World that you ordered?" Steele can't stray too far from the lovers sound, though (and rightly so), as "Constant Smile," "Do Bad By Myself," and the groovy "Everything is Everything" show. However, on this album he seems more concerned with the rocky side of relationships. The irresistible "Confession," for instance, is one long, well, confession by a guy who's done some very, VERY bad
things:
Now the story gets deeper
As the lies continue to grow.
Remember that day
That I asked you for that loan?
I said my mama was sick,
And she needed to see the doctor quick.
But now the truth be told,
I was seeing this girl next door.
You see, I took her away
On the weekend of your birthday,
Then I called you and said
That my mom would be OK.
Ouch! It's this kind of vivid lyrical imagery, combined with his passionate delivery, that makes Steele worthy of exposure beyond his Canadian homeland -- even if he's not worthy of forgiveness by his woman. The Love of Jah has a classy, throwback sound, revisiting Studio One-era riddims -- and doing them justice -- on tracks like "Constant Smile," "Do Bad By Myself," and "What's Wrong Wid Wi." Really, the only thing that muddies the album are a few questionable covers: Bob Marley's "Slave Driver" (done as a ballad), John Lennon's "Imagine," and Canadian icon Anne Murray's "You Needed Me." On the other hand, covers of The Manhattans' "Shining Star" (over Sly Dunbar's classic Taxi riddim) and the lesser-known country tune "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" ("If It Don't Work Out") sparkle, so it may just depend on where your tastes lie.
| Track Listing 1. The Love of Jah 2. Spirit of the Rastaman 3. Goose and Ganda 4. Constant Smile 5. Confession 6. Slave Driver 7. New World 8. The Truth Be Told 9. Whats Wrong Wid Wi 10. Pray 11. If It Don't Work Out 12. Do Bad By Myself 13. Everything Is Everything 14. You Needed Me 15. Imagine 16. New World Remix 17. Love Hurts 18. Shining Star 19. Lost Without You |
 |