click the active links to hear samples of Jah Love
1. Jah Love
2. For Jah Me Live
3. Praise Him
4. Colour Blind
5. Nuff Gravelishus
6. Brawta
7. Dancehall Riddim
8. Zion Road
9. Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
10. Tan So
11. Fire Burn
Review by Mark Mohr of Christafari, Lion of Zion Entertainment and gospelreggae.com
ALBUM DESCRIPTION
After one listen to his music, it is hard to believe that this talented young artist is from the great white north. Raised by Christian parents in the small town of Belleville (Ontario, Canada), Tim accepted Christ at the age of four. Before he was a teen he already knew that God had called him to be a missionary in Jamaica. He also had an unquenchable passion for reggae music. At twelve, he purchased his first Christafari album and decided to write a letter to the band. What began as a written correspondence eventually evolved into a deep friendship between Tim and Christafari lead vocalist Mark Mohr. Given his age, Mark gave Tim the name "Jah Pickney," which is Jamaican Patois for "God's Child." By the time he was thirteen it was clear that God had given him a gift for music. But how could the Lord use a little white kid from Canada to minister to the reggae culture? Answer: POWERFULLY!
His musical career began with performances at area schools, churches and guest appearances at local Christafari concerts. God also opened the door for Jah Pickney to DJ his own reggae radio program in Belleville called "Reggaesplash." As a dedicated student of Caribbean music, for years Tim studied the dialect, rhythms and sounds of roots and dancehall.
In 1997, Tim received the commission of a lifetime from his mentor--travel to Jamaica to continue Mark Mohr's ministry of "Jamaica for Jesus" as he could not be there due to Christafari's heavy touring schedule. So at the tender age of fifteen, Tim eagerly departed for his first mission trip to the "Yard." During this trip, he had the privilege of attending Reggae Sumfest, the world's largest reggae festival. With 30 small New Testaments in hand and the courage of the Lord in his heart, he journeyed backstage and dispersed God's Word to reggae's top stars. One of these artists was the legendary Lt. Stitchie. Tim would later learn that the greatest fruit of this trip was Stitchie's eventual salvation.
Shortly thereafter, Tim recorded his first demo, produced by Mark Mohr (Christafari). He then began working on his first full-length album. It is said that "necessity is the mother of invention." This rang true for the youth that was landlocked in the great white north. With no local producers or musicians at his disposal, Tim was forced to write, record, perform and produce the entire album on his own. With a keyboard full of sounds and a heart full of songs, Tim was up for the challenge. The end product was "Jah Love," a promising freshman effort from a young "Jah Pickney," released in 2000.
The album is a musical mosaic of positive songs over original, classic and contemporary reggae rhythms. It begins with the title track "Jah Love," over Bob Marley's "One Drop" rhythm, declaring that God's love is the remedy for sin and its consequences. Next is the multidimensional "For Jah Me Live," that states "Me never deal with slack (sexually explicit lyrics) and me nah go deal with guns..."--a message that is extremely relevant to the often immoral dancehall community. Following this is "Praise Him," a unique DJ delivery over the rootsy "Sadda Massagana" version with some new synth-horn melodies.
"Colour Blind" begins with a thick Jamaican patois intro common in the dancehall genre. It is amazing how well the Belleville native speaks this foreign dialect. His years of studies are evident in this authentic dancehall slam. You can hear the Main Street (Danny Brownie) influence in this production. This song would go perfect on any General Degree album and the vocals in the chorus are enhanced by a nice digital effect. The lyrics promote racial reconciliation and unity in Christ. This is one of my favorite songs on the project.
"Nuff Gravelishus" is a wicked roots anthem with a steppers beat and dancehall mixes similar to past recordings by Tony Rebel. The song has a catchy hook, a powerful breakdown, an awesome organ bubble and a tight ending. Just when you think it can't get any better you get hit with "Brawta," a driving dancehall boom-shot. This is the one song that stuck with me after listening to the album for my first time. I love the serious, yet sometimes animated vocal delivery. In "Dancehall Riddim," Jah Pickney singjays over a reinterpretation of the standard reggae version made popular by Buju Banton's "Love Sponge." The next track is the almost militant "Zion Road." Tim's vocal shouts are further emphasized by orchestra hits and various random drum sounds that drive the syncopated beats.
"Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?" is a roots song with a niyabinghi foundation. Tim sings on the chorus and then deejays on the verses over a familiar bass line. The lyrics address the Job-like tribulations that we often face and offer Scriptural solutions and a glimpse of God's eternal purpose for His children. The album ends on a high-note with two hard-hitting dancehall cuts. In "Tan So" (Jamaican Patois for "Stand So"), Tim chants praises to the Most High and clearly defines his mission statement. "Fire Burn" is a powerful vocal delivery over a contemporary dancehall version made popular by artists such as "Red Rat" and "Goofy." The lyrics give an alternate interpretation of the catch phrase "Fire Burn," that has been spread worldwide by the likes of "Capleton" and "Sizzla."
In the album "Jah Love," Tim chats thicker Patios than many Jamaicans I know, rarely revealing his slight Canadian accent. Upon first listen you may notice a similarity in vocal tone to either General Degree or a young Tansoback (Christafari). But as Jah Pickney continues to develop his delivery in the studio and at performances with artists such as Stitchie and Kay Morris, he is sure to come into a vocal style and sound all his own. Overall, the album is an excellent first effort for this young up-and-coming gospel reggae DJ. I only wish that Jah Pickney could have used some live instruments on some of the roots tracks instead of synth guitar and horns. Although it was recorded in the same manner that most demos are (with one keyboard workstation), the end product is surprisingly better than most Christian reggae albums currently on the market. This project clearly proclaims God's love (Jah Love) for His children and is a bold declaration of Jah Pickney's commitment to Jesus Christ. It is 100% pure authentic reggae and is a necessary addition to any gospel reggae/dancehall collection.