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" Twilight Sound System Rasta International " Music Reviews
Vocals : 5
Backing : 4
Production : 4
Sound quality : 4/5
Sleeve : 3/4
Twilight Sound System is a group and sound system at the same time. The Dutch label (Twilight Circus) owner and producer Ryan Moore is finally getting some of the respect he deserves, as M Records is climbing up to the top when it comes to labels in Roots Reggae. Ryan Moore's new release is called: "Twilight Sound System Presents Rasta International" and counts as one of the best modern roots compilations at the moment.
Freedom fighter Fred Locks opens this album riding the "Thanks And Praise" riddim for Won't Give Up The Fight, with the sweet lyrics completing it. Dean Fraser, the saxophone player on the "Thanks And Praise" riddim, always gives a special vibe to his tunes and here he does it again. Queen Ifrica realy shines on Stand Up For Righteousness, with her voice fitting the riddim perfectly well. Lutan Fyah, who sings We Can Make It Work on the "Binghi" riddim, delivers one of the two tunes mixed by Steven Stanley. Brando made a wicked sing along tune called Greater Than Great, featuring wise lyrics. Admiral Tibet tells us about the jealousy of people on Stand Up And Fight. With the strong Are You Ready Natural Black -- voted Best newcomer 2006 on the Reggae Vibes site -- shows us why he got the title.
The "Wisdom" riddim kicks off with Mickey General's Rastafari Is Calling, one of the greatest tunes on the album. Fred Locks sticks to the "Wisdom" riddim with Wisdom, showing us his wise lyrics once more. Staying on the "Wisdom" riddim with Ranking Joe's Don't Be Ungrateful, actually a great mix of Fred Lock's lyrics of Wisdom and Joe's deejay lyrics. On Spiritual Friend 'Jah Messenjah' aka Luciano lives up to his nickname. Henry Buttons (the trombone player) made a strong tune with Matic Horns. The Conquering Lion sees Brando giving praises to Selassi I, making this a nice tune to round off this set full of powerful vocals! - RastaFaria (Reggae Vibes)
Twilight Sound System Presents Rasta International (M Records, 2007)
*GUEST REVIEW*
Netherlands-based M Records and multi-instrumentalist/producer Ryan Moore prove you can have your roots and a contemporary edge as well. While these tracks, scorchers all, are crisp and modern-sounding, the instrumentation is real and the themes cultural. The artists are a mix of longtimers (Fred Locks, Ranking Joe, Admiral Tibet) and more recent comers (Luciano, Lutan Fyah, Mikey General), a cross section of both deejays and singers gracing sharply intricate riddims. Besides the names already dropped, highlights include Queen Ifrica letting loose with tongue-tripping fire on "Stand Up For Righteousness," Natural Black pitting his ominous growl against an aggressive groove tempered by glockenspiel-like sounds on "Are You Ready" and previously-unknown-to-me Brando toasting through "Greater Than Great" and "The Conquering Lion" like a potent holdover from the '70s. Producer Moore plays bass, keys, guitar and percussion at various points, also leaving space for such notable musicians as Sly Dunbar, Style Scott, Chinna Smith, Scully Sims, Mafia and Fluxy, and Dean Fraser to sweeten these spiritually and consciously-minded tracks. An excellent showing by all involved. - Tom Orr (reggae-reviews.com)
Ryan Moore has been on fire for 12 years now, creating the best, most authentic Tubby dub throughout the second half of the '90s, mixing psych guitars and curious percussion with original basslines and wet-as-the-sea echo drums. Over the last three years he's added a who's-who of vocalists into the mix like Ranking Joe, Lutan Fyah, Admiral Tibet, and of course Luciano on a series of EPs. Rasta International collects the best cuts and adds some great new ones (unfortunately minus his collaborations with the brilliant Michael Rose). It's pure dub bliss-a must for all next-century rockers. - Matt Earp (XLR8R)
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