Solo Banton – Walk Like Rasta 2009 Reality Shock Records
Courtesy of Kris Kemist and Reality Shock Records, we are pleased to do a 1st hand presentation, of one of the most awaited UK Reggae releases this year, Solo Banton’s debut – Walk Like Rasta!
A true UK soundsystem veteran, since the times United Kingdom was the reference if you were talkin about dance hall and bashment, Solo Banton has been involved in music production for many years now, and always stood in the underground soundsystem scene, due to his MC/Deejay style inspired by Jamaica vintage.
Perhaps, for being part of this particular aspect of British Reggae, Solo Banton never thought very seriously about recording his own tunes, something that has recently arisen, after being encouraged by Reality Shock Records front man, Kris Kemist.
After some work with crews such as Jahtari, Mungos Hi-Fi, Zion Gate Hi-Fi or Urban Sedated Records, his featuring on Reality Shock vol. 1 (2008) compilation, wid the tune Roots Rock Reggae, disclosed a little of the potential this combination with Kris Kemist could have!
Always performing live throughout Europe, wid soundsystems and more recently with Reality Shock studio finest musicians, Upper Cut Band, Solo Banton engaged the challenge to record his long awaited debut album. To be released by the end of 2009, Walk Like Rasta, expose finally, the distinctive talent from this artist, over pure Heavy UK Roots & Dub music!
In a unique and unusual style, Solo Banton mingles oldschool deejay style, British rub-a-dub and toasting wid an original fluent flow, that surely amazes many hip-hop 'stars'…
Direct, humorous, controversial (for some), and above all a ‘mind opener’, Solo Banton presents a great lyrical work, where his vision of the world are offered, in various aspects, without hesitations or clichés. Dealing wid intelligent questions and points of view, Solo Banton does justice to his name, in real deejays finest traditions; he’s definitely a true storyteller!
Politically strong, in tunes like No Way, Revolution Time or Economic Crisis; direct and instructive over the extraordinary Ganja praises, Herb Story and Chalice Haffi Blaze; not forgetting the motherland in Want to go Home, or the music that makes him ‘breathe’, in Old Time Something and Roots Rock Reggae, Solo Banton has plenty of interesting things to say, and follows UK reggae prominent path to do it, where the message has always been the most important!
UK veterans Aqua Livi and Mikey Murka, are two highlight presences in Walk Like Rasta, uniting their sweet voices wid Solo, in the tunes Kingdom Rise and Love & Understanding, respectively.
The title track Walk Like Rasta, presentation 7’’ single by Urban Sedated Records, is already one of the most significant tunes from 2009, where Solo Banton, in a kind of hip-hop roots beat, speaks directly to all those who confuse youth minds and opinions, by mixing love and violence in their music and attitudes, embodying them in the hilarious Gangsta Ras character!
An album with 14 original themes and 5 dub versions, where we can also find the production expertise skills from Mafia & Fluxy, Bush Chemist, Disciples, Zion Gate Music and off course Kris Kemist.
Furthermore, the high production level in Walk Like Rasta, is another essential point, featuring several eras of reggae music!
Over powerful pure Roots Reggae sounds, some Dub and digital Steppers pearls, and lots of UK Roots, Kris Kemist displays his ability to create modern music inspired by the many influences reggae offered over the decades, always featuring a desirable Heavy bassline!
After 2008 surprising debut compilation, Reality Shock vol. 1, last year’s ZonaReGGae number 1 choice from the UK, Reality Shock crew does it again, this time presenting, without any doubt, nowadays best British Deejay, Solo Banton! Whom humbly, righteously and truthfully, walks and talks like a Rasta!