DAWEH CONGO
Ghetto Skyline
CD: |
Tracklisting: |
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| 01 | Ghetto Skyline | |
| 02 | Straight Up Conscious | |
| 03 | One Day | |
| 04 | God A Bless | |
| 05 | Struggle | |
| 06 | Steppin | |
| 07 | Blue Moon | |
| 08 | Live And Be Happy | |
| 09 | Daybreak | |
| 10 | Ganja Baby | |
| 11 | Joy Brings Pain | |
| 12 | Refugee | |
| 13 | Dubstep |
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REVIEW IN ENGLISH: SOURCE: ROOTS MUSIC Reggae & Dancehall AUTHOR: Teacha Dan 
Daweh Congo's sixth album has been produced very carefully and over a long period of time by Swedish producer Jonah Gold. Two 7" singles of the tunes 'Steppin' and 'Ganja Baby' and their counterpart promo CD-singles have been circulating since 2004 and have already made quite an impression. Especially 'Steppin' made my heart step up a beat or two and to my relief the new album is just as warm and interesting and melodic. The set opens with the title tune 'Ghetto Skyline' which emerges from the sounds of a busy New York street with Daweh Congo's trademark humming. The street sounds are dropped and taken over by the sweetest of reggae sounds soon followed by Daweh's highly recognizable voice and unparalleled timing. Every single sound, from the occasional echo and saxophone lick to the sporadic backing vocals is simply perfect. On Ghetto Skyline Daweh Congo is as conscious as ever and he has clearly matured to a next level. Some songs are pretty personal and not all tunes are strictly roots reggae. There are clear influences of blues, pop and hip-hop throughout. A frantic saxophone and a haunting harmonica in true blues style complement the delicious lost love lyrics of 'Blue Moon'. Both are instruments that appear regularly on Ghetto Skyline over all of it's different rhythms. And every time the album starts off into a new direction the very warm and familiar pulse of roots reggae soon follows. A lot of sounds have been rigged and fiddled with in the studio by the album's producer Jonah Gold. The packaging lists not only all lyrics but also many of the samples and techniques used. Daweh Congo's conversational lead vocals on the dubby 'Live And Be Happy' were entirely recorded over the phone. Jonah Gold pulls such great weirdness from his hat that the man can vie with Lee Perry! Ghetto Skyline is neither easy listening nor a simple snack. All songs are originals and meant for the experienced music listener. Some tunes can do well in a dance while others are best experienced in private. It will take a few spins to fully comprehend but the rewards are in one word excellent! (Teacha Dan, February 2009) |
