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The Answer EP-Jah Elect

Reggae music played on mainstream airwaves today usually falls into the category of dancehall or lover’s rock. It’s sometimes easy to forget the roots of the genre, born in the slums of Jamaica as a means of giving voice to the politically, economically, and socially oppressed.

Every so often, however a young artist comes along and reminds listeners of the music’s origins. Jacksonville is home to one such musician, Jah Elect. Produced and written by the artist, his EP, The Answer, is 22 minutes of social and political commentary delivered in a style that can best be described as a mix of dancehall and roots reggae. The Answer packs a lot into a small package and in the process, puts to shame many mass marketed albums today which contain two or three decent songs out of 15.

The six tracks on the EP are tightly produced, thought-provoking musical gems set to quality riddims.  The album opens with the haunting keyboard and vocals of “My Friend” , which deals with false friends and leads into “Slackness”, a critical attack on the slackness trend of dancehall music that plays out over a pulsating, synthesized beat. The hook, “It’s slackness dem a practice on the track, then dey put the woman down and the yute inna casket”, is a concise, glaring commentary on the lyrics of mainstream dancehall songs that degrade women and promote violence.

“Nice and Proper” takes up the controversial issue of marijuana use. Jah Elect questions why society looks down on those who partake of what more and more are coming to view as a natural remedy and form of meditation. The artist’s vocals and songwriting abilities shine on this track, as they do on “Hello”, his appeal for “a real Empress in mi life”. This laidback tune makes wonderful use of background effects and reflects awesome studio mixing.

“Children & Youth” picks back up with the social commentary that Jah Elect does so well. The fastpaced, dancehall deejay tune appeals to society to stop the violence against the youth and make the world a better place for the next generation. Jah Elect saves the best for last with the title track and reminds us that love is the answer. The song is reflective yet hopeful, which can easily be said of the entire album.

An EP is meant to showcase an artist’s best works and wet listener’s appetite for even better things to come. The Answer fulfills both objectives. Jah Elect is establishing himself as an artist of substance who is not afraid to criticize society, while at the same time, putting out a positive message and inspiring hope for the future.  He reminds me of critically acclaimed artist Alborosie, but he has a unique style that makes him even more appealing. Listening to the album gives you the sense that Jah Elect is not trying to emulate any one artist, but rather, is finding his own niche and becoming comfortable in his own artistic skin.  At the same time, his use of the music as a means of social commentary takes reggae back to its roots and pays homage to the legends on whose shoulders the genre rests. For reggae lovers who enjoy discovering underground talent and who yearn for a deviation away from the slackness that seems to have taken over, Jah Elect may indeed be The Answer.

The Answer  EP (Zion’s Garden Entertainment) Available on Itunes

1. My Friend
2. Slackness
3. Nice & Proper
4. Hello
5. Children & Youth
6. The Answer