Windrush Baby by Aleighcia Scott & Rory Stonelove
OK, massive and crew, I admit I have been a little quiet lately. There have not been many live reggae gigs in Scotland, and too many new reggae releases for me to keep up with. So, what could have woken me from my slumber? It’s the new album, ‘Windrush Baby’ by Aleighcia Scott & Rory Stonelove. Now, I’m no bandwagon-jumper, just because David Rodigan says it’s “One of the best reggae albums I have ever heard” and Reggaeville called it “a triumph…a classic in the making” doesn’t mean I’m just going to say it’s really good. But it is really good. Every track is a killer, no filler, demanding to be played from the top to the very last drop.
The opening bars of ‘First Love’ should get you hooked, utilizing the ‘Top Ten’ riddim to full effect, with a sultry vocal and lyrical twist on the classic lovers rock style, culminating in a dubbed out trumpet solo from Okiel McIntyre (last heard on the ‘We Remember Bob Andy’ album), reminiscent of a spaghetti western theme, the way the Skatalites used to do. ‘Good Vibe’ is just that, an infectious, finger-clicking, head-nodding, toe-tapping, rocking reggae beat with a positive message, opening with a blast of the ‘Breaking Up is Hard to Do’ horns riff (I think) and stretching out to showcase the talents of Dean Fraser and co in a jazzy, improvised fashion at the end. The only cover version on the album, ‘Do You’, is a faithful rendition of John Holt’s Studio One classic, allowing Ms Scott’s beautiful voice to take centre-stage, complete with sumptuous strings and glossy production, that should make it a crossover hit. ‘Hey World’ uses a funky disco style to push reggae’s conscious social comment, in the vein of ‘Could You Be Loved’ or Dennis Brown’s A&M years. Another single that would be right at home on mainstream radio as well as in a blues dance is ‘In My Shoes’, which showcases the accessibility of reggae music and the pure artistry of the musicians involved.
Next up, as we get up to turn the record over onto side two on the turntable before remembering it’s digital, is ‘Pretty Little Brown Thing’ straight to the head of all sexist, condescending men, with an almost singer and deejay style combination vocal that reminded me of ‘Sensimilia Babe’ by Brown Sugar (I don’t mean it borrows from it, as it sounds totally fresh and original to me, but it could have been recorded by the Queens of lovers rock, which is a compliment, but not in a sexist, condescending way). ‘Maybe’ uses the great technique of a nod to the old school to draw us in with a lyrical reference to Errol Dunkley’s ‘You’re Gonna Need Me’ and the bassline familiar from ‘Six Street’ before reaching out in all different directions with new, catchy melodies and dancing flute, trombone and keyboards. ‘Mr Big Shot’ (not The Beat or the Jean Knight song, but I am sure they would approve) is a powerful affair, with driving bassline, machine-gunfire drumming and swirling organ to complement the anti-racist, sufferer’s message, with some roots-style blood and fire. ‘This Way’ is pure lovers magic, with a glorious, soaring vocal and earthy, pounding bass, segueing effortlessly into ‘My Love’, which sounds like a stripped-back dubplate special, and tops things off in heartfelt fashion.
Apparently, Rory needed some persuading to include this last one, and over the five years this album was in development they worked on and rejected almost as many songs, which goes to show the high standards these tracks had to meet. The more I listen to this album, the better it gets. Rooted in the classics of Jamaican music that Aleighcia was evidently raised on down there in Wales*, but it’s not a nostalgia affair, it celebrates the Black British journey with topical themes and a slick, modern sound, sticking to the basic principles of music, not bowing to passing fads. A great voice, original songs, real instruments played by skillful musicians and classic reggae production, what more could you ask for? Well, a nice vinyl version and a tour taking in Glasgow, please. One love!
* For more reggae-Wales connections, read the chalice-dropping novel, ‘Black King’.
