ANTHONY-B
Seven Seals
It's fair to say that in the past decade we've
witnessed nuff tings in Reggae music, and all other genres (Hip
Hop, Pop, R&B and Soul). Nowadays, slackness and corruption are
dominating forces.Drugs,
sex and violence -all on wax/CD- are Babylon's top commodity, promising
pleasure and material gain without discrimination. If you're willing
to sell your soul, then you're eligible to get a record deal. Talent
isn't a requirement. But even in these dreadful times, the Conquering
Lion Of Judah, Haile Selassie I, assures there's always hope, and
a few sincere artists willing to help make a positive change in
this world. And therefore, it's a blessing to even hear conscious
music that expresses love, unity and encourages peace.
"In
the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin
to sound, the mystery of God shall be finished as he has declared
to his servants the prophets." ~Revelation 10:7
Anthony
B, says that in the music industry, "The person you are keeps you
going longer than your career." For this native Jamaican, who was
born Keith Anthony Blair in Clarkestown in the parish of Trelawny,
keeping it real is a must and his humble beginnings have kept him
grounded. His conscious style of Rootz-Dancehall has been pivotal
in changing the direction of Dancehall music from the gutter onto
a path of spirituality.
Under
the wing of producer Richard "Bello" Bell of Star Trail Records,
Anthony B has garnered two successful albums to his credit, "Universal
Struggle" and "So Many Things"; countless singles including Dancehall
favorites "One Thing", "So Many Things", "Repentance Time", and
of course "Fire Pon Rome"; as well as numerous awards including
two for "Best New Artist" and also "Most Promising Artist" at the
Tamika Reggae Awards and a Rockers Award for "Best Performance -Sting
96".
To
date, Anthony B is recognized as one of the most divinatory DJ's
to evolve in the past decade alongside, Capelton, Buju Banton and
Sizzla. With "Seven Seals", his latest release, Anthony B says his
aim is to "create a more firm stance and belief" for the millennium.
The humble Rastaman of the Bobo-shanti camp, warns that he "doesn't
stand up for White, Black, purple, pink color. Not skin, jus' truth
and rights."
When
I reasoned with the "Conscious Entertainer" on August 17, 1999,
he and his Star Trail family had just completed tour dates in Tokyo
and Osaka in Japan, with Freddie McGregor, Aswad and Inner Circle.
Recently, they've also traveled to Munich, Germany, for Reggae Sunsplash
and the Reggae Super Jam, performing amongst Reggae legend Burning
Spear, Aswad, Yellow Man, Kymani and Luciano. In a calm and serious
tone, he zealously describes his latest effort, "Seven Seals", as
his testament of truth. The CD's intro opens your I-rates instantly,
as an Elder recites Revelation 5: verses 1, 2. With this CD, you'll
definitely wanna listen more than once and penetrate the lyrics
deeply. Anthony B's social commentary is very accurate. He strongly
cautions his people to check the facts and warns, "As Black people
this is our seventh millennium inna Egypt! So wi haffi open up our
eyes, nostrils, ears and mouths. We need to speak, hear and smell
right." Anthony B also says that love, respect and honor must be
restored within our families and communities, or else we will con-tinue
to suffer and self destruct. "As Rastas, we need to strive to use
these teachings in our homes as parents. We need Haile Selassie
I and Marcus Garvey in our homes so our children don't haffi go
out of our home searching for role models."
At
press time, the CD was set to be released in mid September and Anthony
B was scheduled to perform in Montreal, Canada, for the annual,
Montreal Jazz Festival, sharing the stage with the godfather of
soul, James Brown. "Seven Seals", spreads Anthony B's sentiments
of "righteousness" and his vision of judgement upon the earth. His
commitment to maintain his positive stance and spread Rastafari's
message across the globe despite Babylon's tactics to slaughter
Jah messengers, demonstrates an immense effort of faith and courage.
Good must conquer evil, he maintains. Having traveled the world
over delivering righteous music, the young lion explains that, "
All over di world, politics all di same ...taxes too high, light
bill... the same cry deh inna Germany, inna Rome....It's a system
designed to keep some people below a level, and some above.." That's
the reason Anthony B, urges everyone, to seek Jah and live.
"Seven
Seals" erupts with 18 red-hot tracks on an enhanced CD -that's a
DVD style CD- equipped with video footage, a photo-album, a bio
and link-up capabilities for listeners. From start to finish, the
"Seven Seals" CD is universal. This "Conscious Entertainer", assaults
politricks that is seeking to divide Rastas. "Cut Out That", one
of three bonus tracks offered on the enhanced CD, shuns artist-competitions
and back-stabbing rivalries, as Anthony B warns that unity settles
all. "Ah disgrace in a music anytime bottle fling Stop from clash
the Artiste dem ah Sting When the year done you wah hear ah who
win Me no in a di DJ of the year thing Gear mi gear up fi go work
for di King." "Seven Seals" potency is very thick, and tracks like
"Conscious Entertainer" guide the listener into a deeper dimension
of this gifted DJ's radically poetic reasonings. The production
work on tracks like "Miracle of Love", "Wicked People" and "Conquer
All", are signature-style proof that together, Star Trail's in-house
production giant, Richard Bell, and Anthony B, are unstoppable.
The album's sophisticated blend of rhythmic tempos are further enhanced
on "You Move Me", produced by C. Levy of King of Kings. The silky
smooth ballad, "Miracle Of Love", is filled with the kind of fluid
harmonies and splendid horn and string arrange-ment that "Bello"
is best known for. "Seven Seals" is destined to generate the love,
raspect and props Anthony B deserves. VP Records guarantees that
this promising new release will soar beyond listeners' expectations,
and blaze it's way into the new millennium.
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