REVIEW IN ENGLISH:
SOURCE: ROOTS MUSIC Reggae & Dancehall
AUTHOR: Teacha Dan
  
Gentleman's third studio album marks a subtle departure form his earlier works
and offers exactly what the title suggests; Another Intensity. It seems
Gentleman has been doing some soul searching and found his more serious, pensive
side. Compared to his previous releases this one contains less party crackers,
less riddim riders, less guests yet more soul food, acoustics and moods.
As always, the sound is completely his own. Produced perfection on which each
and every song has that intelligent and gentle quality we have come to expect of
him. This time around though his mood seems grim or more gloomy and less
easy-going. It makes the disc more suitable for listening at home than for
cruising or going out. Yet, I wouldn't mind driving through the night with a
sound like this blowing out of the speakers. It's not that the whole album is
gloomy in nature, some songs are very upbeat and some, like e.g. 'Celebration',
a combination tune with upcoming star Alborosie, are pounding on dance's doors.
One of the few (or only?) riddim riders present on Another Intensity is
'Different Places' over Al.Ta.Fa.An's trodding 'Senior' riddim which features
murder horn hooks by Dean Fraser. More of Fraser's horns can be found on the
aforementioned 'Celebration' and on 'Jah Love', a combination with Gentleman's
long time sparring partners Jack Radics and Daddy Rings. On 'Rage and Anger'
horns are provided by the Far East horn section and the heavy pounding, flying
cymbals 'Hosanna' features sax, trumpet and trombone by the Silly Walks Movement
hornblowers.
Among my favourite tunes are 'Serenity', 'Celebration', the haunting 'Mount Zion'
and 'Missing Those Days'. The latter two were produced by Blanco Bazzazian
(from Cologne, associated with the Kingstone label and responsible for their 2005
Señorita riddim) who is responsible for a total of three tunes on
Another Intensity. In 'Missing Those Days' he played all instruments and
he recorded something which sounds like an infant piano alongside a real one to
amazing effect. Bazzazian is a name to keep track of.
Another intensity is probably best described as an un-Jamaican, beautiful,
demanding, mesmerising balancing act between cheerfulness and sadness, and I for
one sincerely hope that Gentleman can still bounce without falling down.
(Teacha Dan, September 2007)
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