ISSUE #123
Aug.
'09
Reggae Music has a style and feel all it’s own. You cannot
mistake nor deny Reggae. Sure, you can slice it up into sub-genres like dub,
dancehall, ridim, showcase, sinjay, etc. etc. But there is no assigning it to anything
other than Reggae (fuse any other style/genre with Reggae and Reggae trumps it),
and that’s not a bad thing. However, most people think Reggae is a one trick
pony. They have been force fed only the few (of countless) Reggae
“Stars/Artists” that the corporate shirts of Rock-n-Radio have deemed
“listenable” i.e. “safe/sellable.” Many people are not aware of the true, pure
Reggae (and all its sub-genres) that is being (and has been) produced by a
multitude of Reggae artists heretofore unheard of beyond their local scenes.
These deserving artists have been ignored by many and heard
by few; it takes a special love to get their music to the ears of those who
appreciate the all-encompassing style(s) of Reggae – Which brings us to… Silver Kamel Audio. Once again our good friends, Silver Kamel Audio, knock our reggae socks off!
This time by bringing us Benaissa.
From the Netherlands,
this Dutch Reggae artist remains true to the Jamaican heritage, yet updates it
with a modern feel on his new CD: Tables
Turn.
Probably the best testament to the amazing abilities of Bennaissa is that Silver Kamel Audio brought it to us. For years, IndepenDisc has appreciated the many
reggae styles Silver
Kamel Audio
has sent our way. Always tantalizing to our ears, rhythmic to our core, and
just plain intense and beautiful on artistic merit, the “Select” reggae artists that Silver Kamel
Audio works with are aligned with the IndepenDisc
Spirit and Soul.
With Tables Turn,
we have a very talented reggae singer that is expanding the scope of his
artistic endeavor. Benaissa lays
down a multitude of reggae styles all created and crafted to fit the specific
talents of such featured guest artists as Lloyd DeMeza, Benjah, General Degree,
Ayya, Lady G, and TinQ, as well as Benaissa’s all encompassing range, and he does
it to great results.
Whatever your reggae preference, you can count on Silver Kamel Audio to challenge your ears with some
of the purest, truest, cutting-edge, reggae artists, whether they were paving
the early ’80 London reggae scene or are now part of the early 2000s movement. Drop
the needle anywhere on the Tables Turn
disc and you’re going to come away with some good heart and soul. Even while
touching on serious social and politic commentary (Sodom and Gomorrah, Another
Burial), Bennaissa remains
the same talented, intelligent artist that also preaches the word of Jah and
Love (Believe, Endless Love). Reggae music is good
for the soul, even when stressing the importance of responsibility in the human
experience.
Benaissa’s Tables
Turn is the perfect compliment to the entire Silver Kamel Audio catalogue. If you love real,
pure, unadulterated reggae that can blow your mind and make you smile, then
check out all the Silver
Kamel Audio releases,
but you might want to start with the Benaissa
CD Tables Turn.
Of course what true reggae artist wouldn’t have the EP
single complete with radio/dancehall/dub mixes? Silver Kamel Audio has also released: Benaissa – “Voodoo” &
“Coconut
Water” EP (gotta love the dub versions!).
