“I’m here to preach and to practice love to all people. Love is the cure for everything. Love makes you healthy and I’m convinced that one day, scientists will discover that it’s the basis of living, y ‘know? Because we should all be loving people, and that’s the key message in my music. It’s all about love and progress.” Spiritual
Title: Awakening
Artiste: Spiritual
Genre: Roots Reggae
Label: VP Records
Rate: 8/10
“A roots music essential awakening.” WgNetworks.tv
Spiritual’s music transports us to another time, when reggae legends like Bob Marley first took the rebel sound of Jamaica to a worldwide audience.
Awakening was released February 3rd, 2017 from VP Records in all formats CD/Vinyl/Digital. The album arrives just as reggae music is resurgent in its homeland again thanks to artists like Chronixx, Raging Fyah and Alborosie to name a few. The latter shared Spiritual’s breakthrough hit Marathon and introduced him to Clifton “Specialist” Dillon, who has also guided OMI, Shabba Ranks and other well-known artists to international success, including Alborosie himself. Under Specialist’s direction, Spiritual has been able to realise his musical vision at last, and deliver an album that can stand alongside the seventies’ classics that inspired him as a youth.
“Essential release, a must-have for all roots fans!!” – reggae-vibes.com
Right from the start, Spiritual’s music gives us hope and uplifted spirits, which is how he got his name. Stand Up To Rasta, now a highlight of the debut album is a magnificent song of awakening, and sung by an artist reborn. His songs have power and resonance, no matter the subject. He’s teaching black history on Free Africa, Ethiopia – paying tribute to the birthplace of Emperor Haile Selassie I – and Black Man Story, which is sung over a joyful rockers rhythm. Time Has Come is a call for revolution whilst Liberation features Iba Mahr, singer of Diamond Sox and a linchpin of Jamaica’s new roots scene.
Little is known about Spiritual’s early life. His songs however, reveal a great deal about his character, and also his intentions. Profound lyrics, sticky, hypnotic rhythms and first-class production prevail throughout this impressive debut, whether he’s singing of black man redemption – on Show Me The Way, shared with Gladiators’ lead singer Droop Lion – or upholding his Nazarene vow on Where Is The Love? He’s offering invaluable advice on Give Thanks And Praise, whilst Rule Di World asks us to consider what we’d do with unlimited power.
“I’m a spiritual person, and I like songs with spiritual messages in them – songs about life and our place in it, and that make you think about what you’re doing,” he explains. “I write songs that are supposed to make people feel good about one another, and that can show you something positive about life.”
Would we remain vigilant and hold fast to our beliefs, or succumb to temptation? Mankind can live by lyrics such as these but Spiritual’s also a realist, and a compassionate one at that. Live Righteous is a warning not to judge others, whilst assuring us that “no one is perfect.” We just need to try and live righteous, and remember to praise the Almighty since “seeds of discouragement cannot take root in a grateful heart.”
