Search - Wailing Souls :: Tension

TENSION RELEASE

home-body | northern california,usa | 11/02/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

""TENSION" is the sleeper of all the Wailing Souls albums. Released in 1997, the disc was a revisit to the vocal group's roots. Unfortunately, not a lot of music fans know about it. Unlike other "Souls" releases it is usually not stocked in music stores. I had to special order my copy. Compared to earlier releases, first-class reggae songwriting is all over this disc. This makes all the difference in the world. Songs such as the Nyahbingi-influenced anti-violence song, "SON OF A GUN" are brilliantly written with clever sociopolitical lyrics. Other songs, such as the title track also contain sharp lyrics. In this song, lead singer, Bread laments the pitfalls of Babylon, (big cities), as he sings in a sorrowful voice, "Tension known in the city but they have no pity at all."On "TENSION" they recut several of their older vocal classics, including "ROW FISHERMAN ROW," "BACK OUT WID IT," and "FIRE COAL MAN." These do-overs are a wonderful addition to the album. The new versions don't necessarily surpass the originals but they are somewhat easier to listen to due to the slight modern touch of production and the pristine quality of the digital recording. Despite the contemporary manner in which these older songs are presented, the essence of the original music never gets lost.The do-overs on "TENSION" are songs you might play to someone to whom you wanted to convince that Wailing Souls are "the bomb." If these songs didn't win them over, you would want to check their pulse and then act accordingly. And, if your friend doesn't understand some of the words, simply explain to them that a "FIRE COAL MAN" is another name for a Fireman in Jamaica. Incidentally, original versions of these songs can be found on the recent re-release of their 1976 self-titled debut album. Other new compositions on "TENSION" are presented here as well. The Wailing Souls international musical audience is mentioned on the song "FUKUOKA." This song is intended to speak to the growing group of Japanese reggae fans. Also on the disc is the tune "HOLDING ON TO YOUR EMBRACE," which is a tender song concerning affairs of the heart. As can be expected on any "Souls" album, the melodies and harmonies are incredible. Although once a quartet, they now appear as a duo. On "TENSION" Bread and Pipe's harmonies are augmented by the vocal addition of reggae singing legend, Freddie McGregor and others in the studio. Because of this we are treated to the "Souls" old-school style of harmonizing: a lead vocal answered by a three-part harmony, combining four parts on the chorus of the song. Along with a tight backing band that lays down some crucial "riddims," the overall sound of the group is "irie!"On the whole, the sound is modern digital but much more similar to the roots style than on many of their previous discs. Going back to their roots is a good thing. As Pipe says in the book "ROOTS, ROCK, REGGAE," "The world has changed a lot since the early days of reggae, but" he adds, "Nah make it change you. You have to be strong and change it back. `Cause you know is destruction that Babylon head towards." Respect! -Mark "Homebody" Groesbeck"

Good good stuff!

thecongo@hotmail.com | Seattle, Wa & Las Vegas, NV | 07/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"a 10+ song cd full of laid back relaxing reggae tunes. wish i knew more cd's like this"