GENTLEMAN

Another Intensity

(p) 2007-aug-24

CD:

Tracklisting:

 

01 Evolution  
02 Tranquility  
03 Lack Of Love (ft Sizzla)
 
04 Different Places  
05 Round The World  
06 Serenity  
07 Soulfood  
08 Celebration (ft Alborosie)  
09 Mount Zion  
10 The Light Within (ft Diana King)  
11 In Pursuit Of Happiness  
12 Rage & Anger  
13 Respond To Yourself  
14 Missing Those Days  
15 Hosanna  
16 Jah Love (ft Jack Radics & Daddy Rings)  
17 Sin City  
FOUR MUSIC / BUSHHOUSE MUSIC, 88697015372 CD
FOUR MUSIC / BUSHHOUSE MUSIC, ? 2-LP

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)