Chezidek - Irie Day '2017

Tracks list

Island vibes! With Irie Day, we are invited to get into the sunshine groove and
let our souls hang loose. After his last album Freedom Fighters in 2013, Desbert
Johnson aka Chezidek has mostly concentrated on collaborations (e.g. Cry For The
Youth with Tamari) and single releases, the latest of which were No More War and
Why (on the I Mean It riddim). Almost in contrast to the serious issues treated
in these works, his new album seems to be inspired by light and love alone.

Released under his own label Chezi Berry Records, the ten tracks included are
produced by the artist himself for a big part, with the notable exception of No
Blame by Irie Ites Records (who created some amazing horn sections here) and
Journey (on the Better Days riddim by Oneness Records), which is out on video as
well.

Wayne Unga Thompson and Jason Welsh (Notis Music) have contributed to the
opening track Living In The Sunshine, a song that may appeal to tourists but is
a bit far from Jamaican reality with lines like everything is going fine, and
Rainbow, a sweet sweet rock-along piece with perfectly balanced backing vocals.

Other well-known names on the credits are Devon Bradshaw (former bass-player of
Burning Spear) and Ian Coleman (Ziggy Marleys guitarist) on tracks like Mercy,
Lesson and Jah Jah Bless. The latter, a plea for divine protection, is also the
only feature, with none less than the fireman Capleton enriching both track and
album.

While Come In and Love Says It All are lyrically well-conceived but musically
rather average tunes, the title track, now, is a little runaway genre-wise. In
an almost Bossanova-like style, Irie Day is the perfect soundtrack for a mild
evening on the terrace, the beach or wherever you might enjoy your after hours.
If you listen closely, you will even hear crickets and cicadas chirping in the
background, a sound I have come to love as typical for Jamaican nights.

Overall, Irie Day is a pleasant production in which Chezideks extraordinary
voice harmonizes beautifully with the melodic instrumentals and, especially, the
fine backing vocals. It might not reach the profundity of his previous works,
but its certainly a perfect choice to throw into your system whenever you feel
like enjoying a bit of sweet, relaxing Reggae music.

Tracklist:
01. Chezidek - Living in the Sunshine
02. Chezidek - Come In
03. Chezidek - Jah Jah Bless (feat. Capleton)
04. Chezidek - No Blame
05. Chezidek - Mercy
06. Chezidek - Irie Day
07. Chezidek - Journey
08. Chezidek - Rainbow
09. Chezidek - Lesson
10. Chezidek - Love Says It All

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