The Edmonton Muse November 2018 | Page 50

Finally something to cheer about in an age of our constant bombardment by a political movement bent on humanity’s division. Souljah Fyah’s 2010 album ‘I Wish’ is a perfect contrast to our shared woes. Building on a traditional roots/reggae sound, Souljah Fyah examine new ways to incorporate their own personal spin. ‘I Wish’ is a perfect compliment to music lovers who are new to the reggae sound or those who love the genre and don’t fear change. Our globe may be divided but not the band and certainly not those who are listening.

On the album’s second track, ‘Dirty Hands’ lead vocalist Sista J wastes no time pointing out “so much shame & hypocrisy” of the men who rule over the globe with their “Dirty Hands”. Even the drum track comes soaked in disdain for those who would work toward the destruction of our world, the polluting of our water and the sinning of powerful men. It’s a steady pace toward revealing the truth. The bass pulses along with your heart as you wake up to the reality of our world via brilliant vibes.

“Edmonton is cold but we’re still nice anyway” perfectly frames up the knockout track ‘8 Days of Summer’. Despite Edmonton’s “8 days of summer”, Sista J Ellis and vocalist Dorant ‘Saint’ Ricketts, suggest “8 days is just enough”… Depending on your knowledge of what our ‘festival city’ has to offer, you may agree. Whatever the case, Souljah Fyah will have you moving in the band’s direction. ‘Eight Days of Summer’ is a party anthem meant to make you move, perhaps even to put you in the mind space of our gorgeous sunny city in August. Souljah Fyah is going to warm you up no matter what month you may be listening.

The roots reggae genre may scare some less-accustomed to the West Indian style. The brilliance of the album is the suggestion of bringing the world closer together while literally doing the same for music itself. Drums, pianos, organs, strings, guitars and everything in between are utilized by the Souljah Fyah crew making it accessible to those new to the dance hall sound. Case in point – the magical “Jade’s Lullaby”. The simplicity of acoustic instruments matched with Sista J’s voice and sentiments create a hopeful soundscape to sway along to. The song will leave you with a sense of limitless possibilities. The lyrics will have you longing to be with those people in the universe you love. The rising chorus of voices and subsequent messages to and from lost loves is an inspiration. In “Jade’s Lullaby”, Souljah Fyah has created a space in time where we all come together in the spirit of love & music.

‘Sista J’ Ellis puts her stunning gift to good use over and over on each of ‘I Wish’ 11 tracks. Ellis is calling for a better future for the generations that come after her. “Wake up and fight – it’s your right”. There’s something extraordinarily beautiful about a powerful voice speaking to power for groups of people who may not have the same reach. Souljah Fyah are using their reach to call for a better world - on the album and in what I presume would be a incomparable live scenario. The album’s gorgeous production makes for an amazing soap box to stand upon in the case of the former. The musicians on record and the way in which the production is handled makes ‘I Wish’ imminently listenable. These are serious musicians, making serious music and having a lot of fun doing it.

-- Val Christopher

Listen Now

On Capital City Records!

Listen Now

On Capital City Records!