Review: Gentleman & Ky-Mani Marley – Conversations

Ky-Mani Marley has only one memory of his father, Bob Marley, who passed away when he was barely five years old. He would never get to experience what the other Marley children shared with their father, but as an artist he has stepped into his natural birthright as a recognized name in reggae music. Releasing his first album Like Father Like Son in 1996, the artist has gone on to release five more studio albums and has acted on the big screen, most notably in the Jamaican cult classic Shottas. On the other side of the world, in Europe, an unlikely artist developed that same love and calling to the sweet and rhythmic music of the Caribbean. Gentleman may certainly be an anomaly as a white German reggae artist, but his talent cannot be denied. After regular travels to Jamaica since age 18, Gentleman got his start in 1998 when Jamaican artists Richie Stephens and Bounty Killer personally ushered him into the reggae and dancehall industry, recognizing his unmistakable gift. He and Stephens would go on to record a collaborative album in 2012, more than a decade after Gentleman established himself as Germany’s number one reggae artist. Ky-Mani had always been a fan of Gentleman, appreciating his writing sensibilities and the way he expresses himself in song. The two met a few years ago at a music festival and Gentleman invited Ky-Mani to join him on his MTV Unplugged live recording to sing a rendition of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song”. Out of their friendship and mutual appreciation, Gentleman and Ky-Mani Marley set out to record a collaborative project called Conversations which lends their voice in observation of the human condition worldwide, and advocacy for better treatment of and conditions for global citizens.

Recording the album in Miami and Cologne was a joy for the two artists who call one another brothers. The music moves from classic reggae to ska to ballads that represent an ongoing conversation between the German and the Jamaican. There was a natural teamwork to designing the versatility of the songs that unfold, though each song may not entirely fall under the “reggae” umbrella. The lyrical content goes back to the days where music was used to inspire and motivate listeners, no matter who they were, with a message instead of just making hot beats with no substance to speak of. It was very necessary for Ky-Mani Marley and Gentleman to tie the music into the various events taking place around the world and its relevance to everyday people. We all have opinions about the ill happenings of society, therefore “If people would communicate more, we would be better off”, Gentleman says. Prior to embarking on this project with Ky-Mani, he felt depressed by watching the news with its tragic headlines and wondered why mankind refuses to learn from its mistakes. The conversations they shared largely influenced the songs that are heard on the album.

“Signs Of The Times” is the first track on the album which opens with the voice of innocence as heard from an Arab child, and unfolds into a somber track that searches for the beautiful humanity that truly should exist among men. “Simmer Down (Control Your Temper)” features the legendary Marcia Griffiths of I Threes fame, and samples Bob Marley And The Wailers’ 1965 hit of the same name. “Mama” is a tribute to women that illustrates how mothers are the definition of virtue and pays homage to the tribulations that are experienced by raising children. It also praises the female energy in recognizing that it is Mother Earth that nurtures her children worldwide and therefore we should honor her. “Tomorrow” has an Outkast “Git Up, Git Out” type lyrical message, encouraging people to get out of their comfort zone and take the measurable steps in making something useful of themselves. “Questions”, on the other hand, seeks the unanswered questions of life that create the need for uncovering purpose, and finding answers that make sense. “Jah Guide Over Us” admonishes to warmongers to put their differences aside that continue to cause war and genocide for humanity. The song promotes unity and prays for Jah to guide us toward peace, away from ignorance and arrogance. “Uprising” champions freedom fighters that keep surviving as they find a way to strive for the end of oppression, while “No Solidarity” laments those who have no love or desire for unity and equality. “Why are we fighting for the leaves, when the strength is in the roots”, Ky-Mani asks.

“Hey” is the only surprisingly different tune on the album, with its bluesy and gritty feel. Ky-Mani squawks out the lyrics over a light reggae vibe and electric guitar riffs that are likely to appeal and play out well at live music festivals. “Way Out” speaks from the voice of the millions of refugees and displaced immigrants who have the wherewithal to find a new reality in another country during times of war and civil unrest. It seems that now, more than ever, we need artists like Gentleman and Ky-Mani Marley to be the voice of the voiceless and appeal to the rational minds and hearts of their brothers across borders who are more fortunate. As far as collaborative Marley albums go, Conversations, with its social responsibility and call to accountability, puts me in the mind of Nas and Damian Marley’s 2010 collaboration Distant Relatives. And as long as the offspring of Bob Marley continue to make message music that can positively impact those of us who are willing to listen, we can anticipate the quality of life Ky-Mani sings of to get better and better.

 
Written by Mai Perkins

Originally from Los Angeles, Mai Perkins is living a genuine bona fide love affair with NYC and the music that keeps its spirit moving. While spending the majority of the last decade in Brooklyn, many of her adventures around the globe are documented on her blog: Mai On The Move! www.MaiOnTheMove.com

 
Author’s rating for Conversations

Pop Magazine’s official rating for Conversations

Rating key
MASTERPIECE a must-have
SUPERB for heavy rotation
EXCELLENT a great achievement
VERY GOOD a respectable result
GOOD worth checking out
FAIR an average outcome
WEAK not convincing stuff
BAD an underwhelming effort
VERY BAD quite a waste
FAIL a total failure