holding on to life
Jamaican Reggae was personified by Bob Marley. To quote the AMG allmusic web site, “Marley's music gave voice to the day-to-day struggles of the Jamaican experience, vividly capturing not only the plight of the country's impoverished and oppressed but also the devout spirituality that remains their source of strength. His songs of faith, devotion, and revolution created a legacy that continues to live on not only through the music of his extended family but also through generations of artists the world over touched by his genius.”
Now, 25 years after Bob Marley’s untimely death, Silver Kamel Audio unleashes upon us the 2nd coming: Holding On To Life by Deyansa. This Jamaican Reggae experience proudly resonates with the purest form of Marleyism to date. Blending a hot Jamaican sound with spot on perfect vocals, the CD hails all that is good in life through the love of the father (Jah/God) and family, while calling out notice to the repression of governments and society upon the downtrodden.
Using a number of strong musicians to lay down a top-notch groove, Deyansa embraces the ideal of using the music to spread the word to all. Metaphorically using the cultural problems of the Jamaican people to represent the world, Deyansa moves us with his dramatic descriptions of the plight of humanity. While we might be jammin’ and generally having a good time to some of the most danceable rhythms and grooves this side of Kingston, it is hard not to notice the underlying moral lessons brought forth through the historical readings of an oppressed culture mixed in, side by side, with songs harmonizing beautiful proclamations of love.
Deyansa uses Holding On To Life to speak to a global audience in ways of historical proportion that call out every ethnicity for their failings. It is an all-encompassing political, religious, moral, and human statement to not only our current, but also past and ultimately future state of the world. We must remember and learn from the past, apply it to the present, and correct it for the future. It all starts with peace, love, and tolerance for our fellow man; that which was/has been taught to us by the Lord - whatever Lord any one of us might raise our voices to in praise.
It’s time for the nations/people of the world to be reborn, to find Jah. For “When we find Jah, Life won’t be the same.”
Find Deyansa, embrace him, allow the Jamaican culture to wash over and cleanse your soul. Listen to the almighty sermon that is “Holding On To Life,” give praise and let love reign, realize what a difference a day makes –
”You got to give thanks for the life you live,
Care for each other, give what you can give.
Never for a moment you think negative,
be aware of life and be constructive.
Blessed are these days that nature fulfills,
It’s such a wonderful place here for us to live.”
Deyansa, Holding On To Life,
Doing Bob Marley proud.
Jah Bless.
- G.Gone