My Name Is Gyptian
Artist(s):
Gyptian
Label: Vp Records
Publisher(s):
Vp Records
Studio: Vp Records
Manufacturer: Vp Records
Binding: Audio CD
MPN: 1727
List Price: $15.98
Our Price: $15.98
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Track Listing
1.
Beng Beng
2.
Ma Ma
3.
Beautiful Lady
4.
You Never Know
5.
Around the World
6.
Serious Times
7.
Take Me Higher
8.
Through the Valley
9.
Woman I Love You
10.
School Girl
11.
Take My Money
12.
Keep on Knocking
13.
What Are We Fighting For
14.
Stop the Fussing and Fighting
15.
Holiday
Customer Reviews
Gyptian comes through
Gyptian has a distinctive voice... arguably the best in the business. The fact is, this album is great if you would like to get involved in the whole reggae scene. Everyone wants to hear more of Gyptian. If I could say one bad part about this album, it is the absence of the song Is There A Place, on don corleon's season riddim. That song is a sure hit. Anyway, the whole album is on top of the whole reggae scene!
LOVERS MOOD
MY NAME IS GYPTIAN: Christmas comes early for roots reggae lovers in 2006, with album releases from Lutan Fyah (HEALTHY LIFESTYLE for Xterminator on VP), Natural Black (FAR FROM REALITY on Greensleeves), and Jah Mason (WHEAT & TEARS, also on Greensleeves), plus the next installment of Greensleeves' BIGGEST REGGAE ONE-DROP ANTHEMS expected September 26, and this, the debut long player from new talent Gyptian - or, as his mum knows him, Windel Edwards. Gyptian hit reggae gold last year with the binghi-fired SERIOUS TIMES for the Frenz label, and followed that up with another smash, the heartfelt MAMA on Kemar McGregor's TRIUMPHANT rhythm. (McGregor, a.k.a. DJ Flava, produced most of the selections included on MY NAME IS...) Both singles are included here, though for some reason - not sure why - someone has tinkered with the SPIRITUAL WAR, i.e. SERIOUS TIMES rhythm, adding additional saxophone and a beefed up bass sound.
It's no surprise that Gyptian isn't about to bust any hardcore dancehall business, but you might be surprised by the very laid-back, almost horizontal feeling of MY NAME IS GYPTIAN. Alright, so young Gyptian might not be the most technically gifted singer you'll ever hear, but his voice is super sweet and sincere and he knows exactly what to do with a love song, like the excellent BEAUTIFUL LADY, or the great combination with Teflon, WOMAN I LOVE YOU, which is even better. In fact, just about half the songs selected here are lovers numbers, so if you're not in a romantic mood you might want to think twice. Then again, there are also some worthwhile cultural excursions, including, of course, SERIOUS TIMES, as well as the very majestic BENG BENG and the contemplative STOP THE FUSSING & FIGHTING. I also really like the duet with Keisha on HOLIDAY, which carries the album out on a cool, gentle breeze.
There are certainly a couple of hiccups here, though they're relatively minor, like the over-cooked drum programming on SCHOOL GIRL, and one or two rather aimless vocal performances, as well as Roundhead's more or less pointless appearance on the ganja anthem, THROUGH THE VALLEY. I was also a bit disappointed at the exclusion of the lovely STEPPING HIGHER (for Irievibrations) and the even lovelier BAD MIND (for Amplex) - definitely worth picking up if you come across the 45s. I'd license both in heartbeat. Either way, MY NAME IS GYPTIAN is still a very good, very solid debut, probably a three-and-a-half star effort, but I'm rounding up. Oh, and by the way, keep your eyes peeled for the sound system relick of MAMA as SOUNDBOY DON'T CRY on the classic FULL UP (PASS THE KUTCHIE) rhythm, a recent Wings International 7" release.
That's all for now, except to send blessings to Bramoi for the recent mentions. Bramoi - your reviews are always on point and a pleasure to read!
Serious Times, SERIOUS Expectations. . .
Meet Gyptian! The latest in a long and constantly updated roster of amazing roots voices emanating from Jamaica. The 22 year old from St Andrew follows most recently such artists as Warrior King, Jah Cure, Fantan Mojah and of course, I Wayne. His hype has nearly equalled them all and his debut album for VP, fittingly titled My Name Is Gyptian, has been one of the most eagerly anticipated albums of the year. And it has a hard time living up to its own hype, but ultimately listeners will come away with the thought that young Gyptian isn't going anywhere.
Gyptian was actually discovered by the same individual (known as 'Mr Wong') who discovered I-Wayne and originally marketed as having a sound similar to the earth shattering voice of Jah Cure. Now, I'd actually call him a better (SINGING) version of the underrated Norrisman, with a nasally kind of strong chanting when he's at his best, but it is a voice all his own. He originally attracted attention with his MASSIVE Serious Times single (and didnt we all expect this album to be named Serious Times?)and has maintained the high standards with his subsequent releases for various producers, most notably the wonderful Is Their a Place for Vendetta which is absent here.
Gyptian the album is a piece that will take a while to grow on you. It doesn't actually just blow you away on all levels the first few times you listen to it, probably due to Gyptian's age, as he hasn't yet reached his full level of development lyrically or hasnt yet grown to just do whatever, so a few of the tunes here you can tell he's holding back a little, but that will come with time. Definitely Gyptian, the finished article will be something reggae hasn't seen in awhile.
The best 2 tunes here are produced by the same individual, Kemar Mcgregor. The opener is the best song! Beng Beng is MASSIVE, even moreso than Serious Times (more on that in a second). The song is backed with a beautiful nyah drum riddim which Gyptian digs his claw deep into and mashes so hard! Beng Beng is one of the best songs I've ever heard, simply! The other tune, the obligatory ode to she who gives life, Mama, over the simply magical Triumphant riddim, also with the drum, is one of my favorite tunes by the young artist.
You also have to check Beautiful Lady (which started to grow on me immediately after my girlfriend identified it as her favorite track) just an all around wonderful track. Much of the direction here was done VP and I think at some points they take Gyptian in the wrong direction by putting him over the older sounding riddims, his voice breathes New School and he should have been allowed to identify with his era a little more (and shame elimanating Is There a Place from the fold). Their biggest fumble, however, is the re-do of Serious Times. If you really like the tune (and I love it) you'll notice it has been slightly redone taking it down just slightly, just as they did with Turbulence's Notorious.
But that's the bad (along with a just odd combination with Roundhead on the weed anthem Through the Valley, we know Roundhead is wicked and he loves weed more than oxgen, but those are two artists who should have never met on a song). The album picks wayyyyyyyyyy back up on the nice youth anthem School Girl. Just a really cool 'innocent' record and the rest of the album is fire! Take My Money, Keep on Knoking, What are We Fighting For?, Stop the Fussing and Holiday are all winners. Particularly the nice laid back Take My Money and Keep on Knocking very derivative of Serious Times with a nice message which is very clever. Also love Holiday which does nice in placing Gyptian with a nice female vocalist, the unknown Keisha (love to see session singers getting big opportunities) with a sax backing.
Overall, for a debut and for how young Gyptian is this is a very very nice album. I wouldn't have even minded waiting until early '07 for this one to drop at all, but I'm still happy it's here sameway. What Gyptian represents is some of the wonderful new young talent coming from Iland, and look for that sophomore jinx to miss Gyptian by a mile. This is just the beginning, what follows will surely be magic.
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