Search - Ms. Dynamite :: Judgement Days

Judgement Days - Ms Dynamite Bares Her Soul

oatmeal | London, England | 11/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Having collected a mantelpiece of awards including 3 MOBOs, the Mercury Music Prize and "Media Personality of the Year " by the Commission for Racial Equality for her debut outing; A Little Deeper, Ms Dynamite returns from a couple of years establishing herself as both doting mother and political activist, to get back to business with a brand new long-player.



For most recording artists, their sophomore effort is seen as their chance to build on the success of their first album, and begin to establish within their audience a sense of musical reliability. For Ms Dynamite however, her first unforeseen jump from independently produced UK Garage singles to a mainstream UK R `n' B album has made it difficult even for her fans to predict with any conviction what they would hear after peeling back the cellophane wrappings on her new CD.



If `Soul' can be accurately defined as a music based on vivid, gritty experience, expressed with an intensity originating deep within the spirit, after listening to tracks like Father, Back Then and She Don`t Live Here Anymore, it would be just as accurate to define Ms Dynamite's new album as a new manifestation of `Soul Music'.



In terms of production, Judgement Days is not a million miles from A Little Deeper. The Karlsson/Pontus/Jonback combination (Put Him Out, Krazy Krush) have been invited back to generate two more bangers, while Chink Santana of Murder Inc fame takes over from Salaam Remi to deliver the hard-hitting and emotive undertones that Ms Dynamite's musical departures have so far thrived on.



From the gently scratched intro, to the simple guitar accompaniment to the album's final song Mr Prime Minister, it is obvious to the initiated that this is a follow-up album, however whilst her now familiar sing along vibe returns intact, her vocal confidence and song writing skill has definitely moved to a new place.



Without getting extremely personal it would be difficult to know how much Niomi Maclean Daley (Ms Dynamite's government name) provided the inspiration for Judgement Days lyrical content, but to hear her choking on some of the coarser sections of her vivid lyrical depiction of a father's absenteeism and the impact on his then-unstable family from his oldest daughter's perspective for example, it is clear that the studio process captured, rather than stifled, the raw emotion that some can only access during their live performances.



Now is the time for promos and touring, but if in another unexpected move Ms Dynamite decided to put her winter coat into storage and focus on being a part-time militant and full time mummy until those 30 degree days return, she could still maintain a lucrative sideline as a producer/songwriter. Buy the album. Play tracks 6 & 9, then just imagine it... Mariah Carey releasing Not Today, and Lil' Mo releasing Pain, both featuring Ms Dynamite on an MC tip... Both remixed by Reza Safina... You hear it now... Remember you heard it here first.

"

Solid, but a disappointment...

David Foskin | Waterford, Ireland | 05/06/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"If Ms Dynamite was in battle-mode when she unleashed A Little Deeper in 2002, this time round she's ready for all out war. On Judgement Days, Ms D sounds off about absentee fathers, gun crime and the many wrongs and injustices of this world. And she does so with such ferocity that, by the end of the album, you can almost hear her victims begging for mercy.



Songs like "Judgement Day", "Put Your Gun Away" and a cover of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song", all serve to highlight her anger. The accompanying music is pretty standard urban fare, with a touch of reggae thrown in for good measure.



Unfortunately the intensity of her strop overshadows the albums lighter touches.Tales of teenage crushes ("Back Then") and a dedication to her son ("Shavaar") try to give the album a feel good glow, but end up getting lost in the album's overall 'down' feel.



But at least Dynamite hasn't lost her values, and it's this that makes Judgement Days a worthwhile, if not entirely satisfying, album."

Postpartum Session

Truth | DC | 10/18/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"After a great album like "A Little Bit Deeper", there really is no where to go but down. Not that her debut was successful in the US, but any critical acclaim she received could not compensate for her album promotion being derailed by pregnancy.



JUDGEMENT DAYS consists of 13 songs on the Canadian version and 15 songs on the UK version (My review is based on the Canadian import version). There are no interludes, skits, or hidden bonus tracks. The booklet includes song lyrics, several black & white photos (one with who I presume is her son), and track information.



Most of the songs are produced by Chink Santana. Reza Safinia and Bloodshy & Avant produce a couple each. Guest rappers are Lil' Wayne, Sincere, and... Chink Santana.



Ms. Dynamite is at her best when she is angry and/or indignant. That comes thru in her social commentaries "Judgement Day", the acoustic "Mr. Prime Minister", and the deeply personal (and extremely hostile) "Father".



With the exception of the up-tempo "Put Your Gun Away" (the only hot beat on the album), the rest of the album is nothing exceptional. It is good, but nothing to get excited about: mid-tempo grooves, better-than-average lyrics, as-to-be-expected subject matters, and only 13 songs, several less than her debut (total running time under 55 minutes). She does thankfully remain unafraid to speak frankly and does not hesitate to use strong language or so-called profanity. But unlike her previous album, she does not MC; she does not rap, she only sings and sing-songs.



Unlike "A Little Deeper", this album has yet to be (and presumably will not be) released in the US (which may or may not have to do with the British spelling of "Judgement/Judgment"). So whether getting it as in import from Canada or the UK, it will cost more than the average US release. The added cost may be worth it to Ms. Dynamite fans who have been waiting for more since her 2003 debut, but if not a Ms. Dynamite fan, don't bother. To sate any UK Hip Hop cravings (especially for something to dance to), I suggest M.I.A.'s "Arular".



Canadian version:

1. Judgement Day

2. Father

3. Put Your Gun Away

4. Back Then

5. Fall In Love Again

6. Not Today

7. You Don't Have To Cry Feat. Lil Wayne

8. Unbreakable

9. Pain

10. Shavaar

11. Gotta Let It Go

12. She Don't Live Here Anymore Feat. Chink Santana

13. Mr. Prime Minister



UK version:

1. Judgement Day

2. Father

3. Put Your Gun Away

4. Back Then

5. Fall In Love Again

6. Not Today

7. You Don't Have To Cry

8. Unbreakable

9. Pain

10. Shavaar

11. Self Destruct

12. Gotta Let It Go

13. She Don't Live Here Anymore

14. Mr. Prime Minister

15. Redemption Song

"