It was the movement of disenfranchised youths called `Rudeboys' that most facilitated the transition from the relatively new popular sensation known as Ska to the slower, more laid-back, Rock Steady.

Rock Steady was the immediate preface to the form we now call reggae, a music that has always been an intensely popular expression throughout the Caribbean.

When the seventies came, the Rastafarian movement was not far behind, and when the dreads caught up with reggae, they put it in a headlock and never let go! Rasta ethics have dominated the music ever since, and `conscious' tunes have recently enjoyed a strong resurgence thanks to the likes of the late Garnet Silk, Luciano, Capleton, Buju Banton and the ridiculously prolific Sizzla Kolongi.

Reggae has been Bermuda's favourite sound for as long as many of us can remember, but not many of us can remember too many quality local recordings in that style. All that's about to change ... you see, there's this movement afoot, and it's producing some really good music! I'm speaking about a form of `conscious' reggae that has been formed and launched by a group of Bermudian Christians. The first was Geneman, who dropped the splendid `Righteous in Christ' about two years ago. Now there's Jamba and Septimus, two highly talented artists who are devoted to the Word of the Lord and have chosen to spread it through the music we all grew up listening to. Believe me when I tell you, these brothers are good.

The first installment of this two-part article deals with the sweet-voiced Jamba, a local man who has produced a world-class debut album that must be heard by any serious music lover. On the outside, the CD looks pretty simple, there's no flashy artwork or special effects, just a picture of the man, his name, and the title -- `Hallelujah is the highest praise'. But then you open the disc and unfold the sleeve and find the lyrics to all ten songs and the package becomes that much more impressive. You read that all the songs were written by Horace `Jamba' Watson (except track 5, which Ardella helped with) and that the project was produced locally by Sean Caisey, Steve Easton and Horace Watson, and you think, "Wow!'' to yourself.

But is the MUSIC any good? YES! "Praise Ye the Lord'' opens the disc and immediately reveals the artist's mission ... he is a man of God and is singing his praises from the mountaintops. This song bounces along with the familiar "skeng-eh'' riddim and a very strong bass line -- the first of many.

Next up is `Lord I Give You Praise', which is another upbeat testament to the glory of the Lord. `Bounce' and `bass line' are definitely present here as well, and the combination wins again! `Joy Comes in the Morning' is a slower, mellower track, which sacrifices bounce in favour of a remarkable acoustic guitar played by Sean Caisey. The bass line, however, is thick again.

`Stand Still' is a beautiful song that urges listeners to `stand still and see the salvation of the Lord' over an excellent electric guitar loop and yet another powerful bass line. This will be one of your favourites (trust me). So will `Help', which sounds a lot like Lucky Dube's `Freedom Fighters', with it's soft guitar and deep, slow bass ... this one is tough! You'll be singing La-la-la-la ... La-la-la-la for the rest of the week after you hear this song.

`Nuh Worry' is a message of hope that examines the evils that men do and reaffirms that faith in God will save us all. The music is glorious (I love these bass lines!), and the message in clear and strong. As is the message in `Jesus is Coming Again', a song that kinda makes you sway from side to side involuntarily ... nice.

`Change' is a promise that change will come if we make it -- `change ... it will come, it may take a while but keep on striving'. This is a somewhat political song that is driven along by an aggressive bass line and a ferocious synthesizer loop. There's a certain point when Jamba paraphrases Bob Marley's `Natural Mystic' and he says, `young man you have to get off the wall, it's time for you to stand up tall' that just makes you smile inside. This one will be a hit! `I'm Going Over' gets back to the bouncy reggae that opened the disc and delivers the same determined, devoted and distinct message that Bermuda's new Christian reggae is becoming famous for. This one rides the bass line all the way to the Promised Land and celebrates the journey with the listener ... you will move to this one! Finally there's the title track, which takes a different turn. This one is actually a soca tune (when was the last time you heard a soca tune with a positive message ... or any message at all for that matter). Jamba makes this work because of his commitment to celebrating the greatness of his God, he makes us jump and wave because we love the Lord, and so does he.

This album is an astounding achievement, anywhere in the world, and especially in Bermuda, where the support for such things is not always existent. These brothers have received a lot of love and support from the churches they are a part of, but that's not enough! They deserve a lot more because they are a part of us, and they are good enough to go as far as our support allows. You do not have to be a born again Christian to enjoy these songs, just as you don't have to be a devoted Rasta to love Bob Marley's music, so don't try to use that excuse. Get out there and pick this album up. Carry it with you, and the next time someone asks you about Bermudian music when you're abroad, let them hear this album and be proud.

Congrats to Jamba, Sean Caisey, Steve Easton and the whole just platinum crew ... I'm comin' to see you Steve! The Septimus review is coming very soon (seen?), oh, and people ... support local art!! Vejay Steede REVIEW REV ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINERS ENT