The Message-no Joke Vol 1 – No Joke Records

THE MESSAGE-NO JOKE VOL 1 – NO JOKE RECORDS 2007

No Joke Records leans a little more rootsy and message-driven here than the name might suggest, and that suits The Message No Joke Vol. 1 just fine. The set, released on June 4, 2007, pulls together 15 cuts with a strong cast and a steady, no-frills reggae pulse that gives the singers room to carry the weight of the songs. Luciano’s “Come Home” and “Stay Away” bring that spiritual clarity he does so well, while Mikey General’s “Give Da People” and “This Is the Day” keep the conscious tone moving without sounding heavy-handed. Gyptian and Kayla Bliss get a nice back-and-forth on “Mr. Wicked, ” and the title of Pad Anthony and Mikey Jarrett’s “The Wicked A Ga Burn” tells you exactly where the project is headed. It feels like a mid-2007 roots sampler with purpose, built for listeners who wanted substance over flash.

The Message Tracklist:

1. Althea – Color Of The Wind (Adapted)
2. Gyptian & Kayla Bliss – Mr. Wicked
3. Kayla Bliss & Angel Heartway – Ill Wait For You
4. Luciano – Come Home
5. Luciano – Stay Away
6. Mikey General – Give Da People
7. Mikey General – This Is The Day
8. Nataniel Osburne – Once A Man
9. O’cure – One Day
10. O’cure – Reservation
11. Pad Anthony & Mikey Jarrett – The Wicked A Ga Burn
12. Princess Mennan – This Is How Im Feeling
13. Ras Do – Mamma Africa
14. Ras Do – Top Notch
15. Stricka – Slavedriver (Adapted)
16. Terry Ganzie – Real Friends