Soulful gospel, roots reggae music and spoken words all find a happy space of convergence in this pulsating 13-track compilation by Jo-Ann Richards Goffe. The collection is a follow-up installment to an earlier offering under the same name and delivers eleven fascinating, multi-layered musical gems along with two dramatically expressive readings. As indicated by the subtitle, the pieces in the album are all influenced and inspired by the biblical Book of Revelation. And yes, for those readers who have challenges with literacy in Jamaican patois, ‘revilieshan’ is actually the proper-proper way to spell ‘revelation’ inna Jamaican!
The album presents poignant musical invitations to worship. It also offers arresting exhortations to ponder on words of scripture, delivered both in English and in the artist’s native Jamaican tongue.These are songs intended to be sung in churches, shared in schools, danced to in the streets and enjoyed by people everywhere. There are congregational songs that small vocal groups or large professional choirs and community chorales will have fun engaging, exploring and interpreting. There are also sober and prayerful songs that invoke reverence and devotion for the Creator.
Richards-Goffe’s rich, warm and haunting vocals mixed with powerfully potent lyrics are accentuated by evocative musical compositions that range in tone from old-school reggae to soul-stirring, hand clapping, get-up-and-dance beats. My favourites are ‘no let go’ track #10, ‘di leta’ track#4 and ‘kom mek wi worship remix’ track#13.
To Read More: Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #4– September-October 2017