Search - Alaine :: Sacrifice

Rise in Vibes

Achis | Kingston, JA/Philipsburg, SxM | 07/16/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had very high hopes for 2007. The year, which began as potentially one of the biggest in recent memory for not only fans of reggae music, but fans of all forms of Caribbean music, hasn't disappointed none at all. Besides the rather controversial manner in which the Cricket World Cup played out, the vibes here have been at an all time high. When reggae music is at it's best, or when soca music is at its best, with the top notch artists making the top notch vibes, there is no greater region in the world and one could clearly claim, that at least for recent years, within the past decade or so, 2007 has been a standard bearer, an all around excellent year for vibes. For those very few of us who actually buy reggae albums (and I do mean `FEW') 2007 has also been a spectacular year with such a wide and varying array of artists reaching with releases already and still many more to come. When the year began the few that were at the time known: There were to be all but certain releases from such artists as Richie Spice, Spragga Benz, Ras Shiloh, Natural Black, Chuck Fenda and perhaps most anticipated, Lady Saw's return with what turned out to be the very very solid, Walk Out. Still even more were released as the year has progressed such as offerings from the cast of `usual suspects, i.e. Sizzla, Luciano, Turbulence (all of whom have made multiple releases in 2007), Lutan Fyah and Anthony B, as well as others like Bunji Garlin representing for soca, another Natural Black album (three in all this year. . . ), Jah Mason and Chezidek, and that's just the first half of 2007. The second half, while it figures to have a bit less in terms of quality does boast potential releases from such reggae giants as Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Wayne Wonder, Assassin and perhaps the grandest prize of them all of 2007, a potential release from Capleton in late 2007 (and I'd be downright shocked if Sizzla reached the end of the year with a `pedestrian' two releases). Another nice twist for the year is the potentiality of several very nice and very high profile debuts from young artists. The first of note was May's release of (BROWN's TOWN native) Ras Myrhdak (BIGGUP ST. ANN'S MASSIVE!) on his well powerful debut, Prince of Fyah and just recently dancehall singer Mavado tripped up the vibes with his scalding debut Gangsta For Life. In the offering for the rest of the year, potentially, are debuts from the likes of Aidonia, Munga Honourable and the long overdue Ce'cile album, (as well as the first `free` debut of soon to be released singer Jah Cure). Other nice finds even still brim outside the normal radius of reggae, including releases from Josie Mel and Cocoa Tea, and the official releasing of Tony Rebel's I-Rebel and Queen Ifrica's debut album, Fyah Muma, you almost have to be impressed with the vibes of 2007.



All that being said, one of the single most anticipated releases for me personally comes in the form of one of the freshest breaths of air dancehall has seen in quite some time. The US born, Jamaican blooded and grown Alaine Laughton has established herself as THE current female dancehall singer of preference in the past two years following such wonderful names as Chevelle Franklyn and Nadine Sutherland (who herself has a nice album this year as well, the excellent Call My Name) (and arguably sharing the role with Ce'cile who sings almost as much as she DJ's). Guided by one of the finest young minds and production talents in the music, Donovan `Vendetta' Bennett, the young singer has made her name backed by some of the most lush and fluid riddims of this generation, Alaine has made a beautiful style of music which is accessible to both reggae fans, and MUSIC fans alike. Her music even more so blends the r&b stylized dancehall with more mainstream vibes, although she is seemingly just as comfortable riding hardcore riddims (most notably those produced by Vendetta and young dancehall production trio, Daseca) which are likewise given to some of the harshest male dancehall DJ's in the game, like Vybz Kartel and Busy Signal. I myself have rather enjoyed Alaine's rise to prominence, particularly as she has mixed and collaborated with some of the more hardcore styles of dancehall. I cannot tell you how many compilations have been saved by Alaine's vibes! Through listening to riddim albums and other hardcore compilations, an Alaine tune can blend in with the rest on a riddim and yet not interfere at all with the overall vibes of a riddim. Check either of Vendetta's riddims, the Sweat of the Justice albums as evidence of Alaine giving a nice woman`s touch to some of the more harsh dancehall riddims. On the other side, the softer more rootical vibes is where Alaine truly excels and exactly what she does on that type of vibes is DEFINITELY something to hear. Drawing a line which is closer to her dancehall counterparts than her more rootical ones, Alaine creates GEMS of romantic and laid back songs which had been missing for quite awhile in the dance. The dancehall love song is a song which is always appreciated, but many of its greatest performers in recent times, most notably the legendary Beres Hammond, haven't been as active or accessible as one would hope (wouldn't it be soooooooooo nice if Beres would put out an album yearly?) and not to mention that many have been. . . Men. Alaine represents ultra consistently (and she has a very very nice song with Beres, Love Sound, which will probably be included in his next album) for the women, arguably making some of the strongest lover's material seen in the dancehall in quite a long time. She is very active, very consistent, and if you can't tell, I kind of like her just a little!



Taking the Japanese route as many of her peers have in recent years, Alaine brings forth her highly anticipated debut album for Avex Records of Japan. Apparently the label, along with another Japanese label, Victor, has some sort of working relationship with western reggae giant VP Records as they both have been at the helm of several very anticipated albums as of late, most recently, in March, hardcore dancehall veteran Spragga Benz made his long awaited return with the album Live Good (which I'm still trying to get down here); also in recent years, VP artists Da'Ville and Voicemail have made their true debuts months before making their `debuts ` with the label itself on Japanese labels and dancehall production group Ward 21 FINALLY returned last year with their third album, the awful King of the World, also for a Japanese label. Alaine takes the same road with her Sacrifice, named after her MASSIVE current hit of the same title. Of course, the album is produced by Vendetta with the majority of productions coming from Vendetta and "Daseca". What would be the real complaint here, as is the case with many reggae albums released internationally is that Sacrifice is full of older songs. Any fan would most likely already be familiar with roughly 90% of sixteen tracked Sacrifice. However, unlike many other albums built on the same practice, what can be said about sacrifice is that most of the songs here are not only just good songs, but are PROVEN hits. And if you are fan of the artist, much like myself, you really won't mind too much (and I know that's sounding a little two faced considering I ripped several albums, including Ward 21's for having albums which were old and stale a full year before they were actually released) because Alaine makes such wonderfully beautiful material. Then there's her voice! In reggae you have very few artists whose tone is more applicable to the style of music which they make, definitely Beres Hammond falls into that category as his cool and docile vocals flow effortlessly over his. . . Cool and docile songs; Alaine's laid back, yet strong voice which has several levels beyond what she typically uses is custom fit to her songs of varying degrees an styles.



My favorite Alaine song is also my choice for Sacrifice's best offering and its saying a lot because, as I mentioned, the album Is full of hits. Vendetta's Season's riddim is the backdrop for one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard as the songbird creates a vibe so strong on her No Ordinary Love, that it is fully my intention to play the song at my wedding! No Ordinary Love, despite her career to date and developing in the future is sure to be Alaine's signature love song. It was one of the finest songs on the riddim which is saying a lot as even the riddim itself, full of hits like Jah Cure's epic Love Is, Wayne Wonder's excellent I Believe, Sean Paul's international hit Never Gonna Be the Same and Natural Black's Jamaican #1 hit, Far From Reality; Alaine's No Ordinary Love more than holds its own with any of those tracks. The `supporting' cast is full of tracks which I probably voted as the best tracks on any given number of compilations over the past couple of years. One such a track is Deeper! Deeper is a song with an abundance of beauty, it could lend some beauty to another song, and still be a beautiful track! It was one of her bigger hits and having had the opportunity and utter joy of seeing Alaine perform the song live, it loses none of its luster in live situation. Another such song is the gorgeous Rise In Love over Arif Cooper's equally gorgeous Guardian Angel riddim, if this album were released two or three months ahead of when it actually was, it probably would have been titled Rise in Love, a very fitting titled to the album still and somewhat a term by which Alaine's entire career has projected to the head of dancehall. And there's also Heavenly! Over Vendetta's riddim of the same title and despite the presence of Richie Spice's excellent hit, Brown Skin, rather easily the best track on the riddim. Currently Alaine is riding high with the title track. The song was a one-off for producer Vendetta who pushed it greatly making it arguably the biggest hit of her career to date. Sacrifice actually leaves the arena where I could simply call it `beautiful' or `lovely' and armed with a wonderfully done video, directed by local video kingpin Ras Kassa, I would call the song, sexy, first and foremost, it is a song, love will be made to!



On the other side, the harsher side of the vibes, check Anything,. Anything flows easily over Daseca's Anger Management riddim (which was the same riddim which backed Full Clip from Busy Signal and Mavado, and Mavado's own signature track, Real McKoy, and she feels just as home over the vibe as her bullet crazy male peers scoring a shot which ranks amongst the albums best and the riddim makes virtually no changes or accommodations to Alaine, but she shifts her own vibes to fit it. Check Wine, an earlier hit from the singer over Vendetta's Sweat riddim and I remember in reviewing the album for the Sweat riddim saying how a couple of the newcomers had actually outshined their well veteran counterparts (the other being Alaine label mate Munga). Her newest dancehall shot comes over Vendetta's Back Ache riddim with Ya Ya (I Want It) which is a nice mix up with the vibes as it shows Alaine genuinely having a fun with the riddim, it almost comes off as a complete freestyle with her going to Spanish even at times. And check Make Me Weak which rides the same infectious Smash riddim made famous by Tony Matterhorn's Dutty Wine.



From the newer material on Sacrifice check Earth Cry which is probably the song which best shows Alaine's true lovely voice in all of its forms over a smooth acoustic riddim. The song builds nicely over its 3:44 and she blows the lid off her voice nicely at least once during its course. And Keep Loving You, one of Sacrifice's stronger tracks built over a bubbly but laid back "Daseca" track (and listen to the first second of the track to see why I call it "Daseca"). The album fittingly ends with a very nice remix of the title track which incorporates more of a jazz sound into the vibes and of course, the track still works.



I'm definitely recommending Sacrifice, not only to reggae fans and fans of Alaine's but to r & b fans as well. I can definitely Alaine's vibes being appreciated in the r & b/ pop genres as well and just anyone who really enjoys strong music. Of course it helps if you love reggae, this is still Jamaican music, albeit with a slightly progressive sound. Of course, I admit to my own partiality, I'm a large fan of Alaine's and having had the pleasure of meeting the singer I can say that she's a nice person as well. Do yourself a favor, pick up her NICE album."

Love It

WTR 2K7 NUPE | Atlanta, GA USA | 08/28/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

""No Ordinary Love" was the first track I heard and I loved it. then I hear "Should Have Never". After hearing thos songs, I had to get the album. Her voice exudes what she is feeling. i love the album and I encourage all reggae and R&B heads to cop it"

No Ordinary Album

W. Jean-Jacques | Brooklyn, NY | 01/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first heard "No Ordinary Love" it was one of the sweetest tunez that I heard in quite awhile. Alaine comes out swinging with this album and she DEFINATELY delivers a knockout. Like my fellow reviewer said "No Ordinary Love" is her signature song. She reminds me of a female Beres. Songs like "Heavanly" and "Sacrifice" will have you pressing the repeat button more often than you will like to admit. A classic album that gives you that warm fuzzy feelin' when you're with that special someone....her voice sounds so sweet coming through the speakers and she brings this honesty to her music. If you have a chance I HIGHLY recommend that you get this album. Hesitation is not even an option."