One of the recent releases is from Prince Malachi titled "Jah Light" on the Mount Ararat/Rising Star imprint. "Jah Light" boasts 17 tracks of Jah-centric tunes from a positive young Rasta. It's nice to see young singers aren't afraid of putting out spiritual albums. And even though the musicians are lesser-known (Kari Bannerman on guitar, Niles Hailstones on trumpet, Winston Rose on sax), the instrumentation is excellent.
On "Step by Step," Prince Malachi croons with emotion and intonation comparable to Anthony B, but with the vocal control of Michael Rose (a resemblence that sneaks in numerous times throughout this album). The lyricism is also well above-average: "Far as my eyes can see, / Destruction is their only friend, / So it's for you and me, / To take the battlefield again."
"Deliver Us" has similarities to earlier Dennis Brown -- a wicked guitar-laden riddim and simple, smooth, well-controlled vocals. More conscious lyrics: "It was a long time ago / Brother Moses stand up on Mount Zion-I, / And get the book of rules, mankind should know, / You've got to give thanks and praises to the almighty."
Another high point is the title track, which is further enhanced through simplicity on an acoustic version later in the disc. Also notable are "Chapter 2," "Riding from the West," and "Johnny," where Prince Malachi even adopts some of the Michael Rose/Junior Reid vocal quirks.
The packaging for this disc is beautiful -- a book with complete album lyrics punctuated by scattered liner shots of Ethiopia and Selassie I. The cover is simple, but powerful, with a solitary wooden door surrounded by foliage and illuminated by a soft, diffused light from within.
Prince Malachi is clearly is a righteous soldier marching firmly into the future, guided by Jah light. He's a voice we're going to hear a lot more from in the future.
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