The Roots Reggae Library brings to you Reggae music in unique collections. This edition features Ijahman Levi. The collection is unique because it features an album collection of few songs he released before his known solo career. Besides, it is the most complete Ijahman Levi discography you will probably find.
Ijahman Levi is Trevor Sutherland and was born in a town right in the centre of Jamaica. He followed his parents to England at a young age. Ijahman Levi turned to Rastafari while spending time in a British prison cell. As a free man he released his first album, which became an instant hit. The rest is history. Ijahman Levi has produced a legacy of albums which are very kind to the ears. His Reggae sounds like Soul music, or sometimes Jazz.
This album is an album brought to you by the Roots Reggae Library exclusively. It features a number of songs that Ijahman recorded previous to releasing his first album Haile I Hymn. Putting these songs on Haile I Hymn would be a misfit. The recording quality is rather different and so is the style. Except for the first song, 'Chariot Of Love', the songs he recorded in the early 70's were under the name The Youth. 'Chariot Of Love' was recorded as Ijahman, rather than Ijahman Levi. His father told him to obey the Book of Rules. "Men shall not live by bread alone, the spirit need its daily food to grow". "We are the ones who see the truth" and "we are the ones who speak the truth". "There's nothing new under the sun that's not written from Genesis down to Revelation". Both this song and the next one he would record again later on a different album. For 'Jesus Keepeth My Soul' we speed up our moving because the rhythm of the music is Ska. "At night before I sleep I beg the Lord my soul will keep. With a little prayer to my God father, my sweet Lord". "My love desire, few words at the end of the day, I'm tired, but I have to pray, I can't help it, it's in my soul, he's my saviour I was told". The other side of the vinyl that has 'Jesus Keepth My Soul' on it is 'Fire Fire', also Ska. "Right before my eyes, things that is happening, let me shout for the most high, Lord, world of fire". This song is a very short one, nevertheless it has quite a bit of energy in it. On another record is "come with me to the 'Meadow Of My Love', watch the cotton candy clouds so high above, come waiving with me in the babbling brook of my mind". Ijahman sings "I can take you to a place where troubles disappear" and the place is closer than you think. The other side of the 'Meadow Of My Love' vinyl has the song 'Love Me Or Leave Me' on it. I am still looking to find that song. There is one more vinyl from Trevor Sutherland as The Youth. This contains two tracks called 'As Long As There Is Love' and 'Your One And Only Man'. I am eager to add these last three songs to this The Youth album. it would make the Ijahman Levi discography complete.
Different from conventional Reggae albums, Haile I Hymn consists originally of only four tracks. However, the album is still rather lengthy, due to its long tracks. We will encounter this more often in the library of Ijahman. He is a man of Jah, hence his name, which can be written as I-Jah-Man. He carries a heavy burden, 'Jah Heavy Load'. This very first song on the album was written in prison. The song and this first album are a perfect start to get to know the voice of this singerman. "I walk in his gladness" and "I've got to back up myself against false evidence". He is confident about what he is singing. "I've got to pick up where them say Jah Jah left off and gone". He meditates, has visions and dreams and feels Jah "heartically". "I believe in Jah Jah truth and rights". Even though Jah is no longer walking with us on the earth, Ijahman Levi knows that his throne is in Zion. He continues to sing about Jah heavy load that he carries when declaring that "Jah Jah never yet is a secret". 'Jah Is No Secret' is a song of over ten minutes. "I hail I hymn Haile Selassie" and "funny how love can change a man". There are so many beautiful passages in this song. Halfway we hear a instrumental solo. Then he continues and sings "my father is no secret" as well as "by the rivers of Babylon were we sat down" like The Melodians did. "Ethiopia the land of my father". If you thought that 'Jah Is No Secret' was a long song than wait until you hear the thirteen minute long 'Zion Hut'. "I rides upon the winds that blow, that's how far my spirit flows, there in distance, regions, while in my spiritual searchings, I found the true tree of life within my mouth and this I have to share with friends and strangers no doubt". That is the first message of this song, the reason for singing it in the first place. "I tongue is like a pen of a ready writer, I only speak of things pertaining to my Jah and my King and of the life of Him of whom all things and I dwell and live in". His chanting "Rastafari" is beautiful. Halfway the song he starts narrating: "blessed is the man who walketh not in the council of the ungodly, nor standeth in the ways of sinners, nor sitteth in the seats of the scornful, but his delight is in the Lord God Jah Rastafari, meditate all the days of I life continually". 'Jah Is No Secret' and 'Zion Hut' are said to be divided into a chapter one and chapter two. I have made no attempt to separate the songs as I see them as single entities. More or less explaining his name he sings "'I'm A Levi', I fear Jah and live" in the last song on this album. For him "it must be a chapter a day". In the Bible, Levi is the son of Jacob and Leah and a forebear of one of the Tribes of Israel.
The album Are We A Warrior follows up Haile I Hymn. Ijahman has said that he created the nine tracks all at once. Four of them were used for Haile I Hymn, the remaining ones would later make it to Are We A Warrior. Again we find only few tracks on the album but again these songs are quite long, though never over eight minutes. Ijahman Levi is slightly confused, asking 'Are We A Warrior'? "Why can't be calm like a lamb"? In the chorus he tells Cupid not to shoot his bow but to keep it low instead. To put more strength into his words this song is very mellow and calm, just as calm as he wants us to be. The introduction of the next song is much more vibrant. "The earth needs a 'Moulding', I am going to dig and dig some holes in and bring forth some fruits". He is planting seeds with the singers and players of instrument. They are to be responsible for those who cannot help themselves. Those who cannot help themselves are in need of a solid foundation. Back to calmness again, 'The Church'. For a Rastaman there is no need for physical churches as the body is a church by itself. He sings lyrics in Ge'ez, an Ethiopian language. The track harbours beautiful tunes. He tells us to stay truthful to ourselves, salvation is a must. Before being imprisoned in England, Ijahman was married. He refers to her in his song as 'Miss Beverly'. The song is an emotional one for Ijahman. After being released she had left him. He has thought about it over and over again and he has reached the following conclusion; "it's not who you love, but it's who love you". Love is a true answer and it is the song he sings. He says he hopes she is doing well. He must do good in life, not for her, but at his own request. "How sweet is love" and "love makes the world go round". He steps outside the realms of Reggae for 'Two Sides Of Love'. Love can give a man peace of mind. The song starts with a gospel choir after which Ijahman gives us his account of what love can be like. It is two sided, and will always be that way.
"Don't let what was hidden from you and me be hidden from them, 'Tell It To The Children'". Ijahman has heard many sad stories and reveals that on his next album which carries the same name as this first song, Tell It To The Children. Once again a very long track from Ijahman. "I've got to get through to you, if it's the last thing that I do". For love's sake he's got to get 'Closer To You'. He sings again about miss Beverly, "girls since you have been gone you left me half a man". This time "tell it to the world" that he is 'Jah Watch Man', shouting out Rastafari. Rain can move a mountain, which indeed it might with erosion. To those who don't love Rasta his true words might sound like thunder. Quite a different sound in 'Lend A Hand', likely because of the trumpet. This is one of those Soul Reggae tracks of Ijahman. Frankly, there is not much Reggae in it at all. One of the background vocalists is Gwen Guthrie with whom Peter Tosh sung 'Nothing But Love'. The title of 'Sinner Man' is the same as that of the Ska track sung by Peter Tosh for The Wailers, which you can find on Rude Boy at the Roots Reggae Library. But although the name is the same, the track is different. I Jah Man wants to leave the city where he sees the sinner man dwelling with Jah children. "Sinner man, stop look and live", "stop listen and live". I prefer Ijahman Levi's 'Sinner Man' over songs like 'Lend A Hand' or 'Two Sides Of Love' which was on Are We A Warrior any day. 'Praises In Strange Places' definitely falls in the 'Sinner Man' category. "In strange places I'm giving Jah thanks and praises". The way he sings this is beautiful. His livity is that of a prodigal son, though flat footed and broken, "with a little love sincere". A warning all over the land for all upful 'Tradesman'. In this song he becomes a carpenter, a mason by trade, a plumber, a farmer and a handyman. He comes with his hammer and nails, shovel and cement, spanner and tools and he is sowing his seeds. As the handyman he is a "Jack of all trade and a master of none". This song and the last one are equally good. He sends his praise and thanks again to the Lord for everything around him and his brethren for their contributions, in 'Thank You'. "No man is his own keeper".
The album Africa has for a long time been my personal favourite of Ijahman Levi. A crucial album if you want to know anything about the music of this man. A brilliant anthem is the title track 'Africa' with its pure Reggae opening. "There's a land that's been written up in many a songs, far in the east, and it's my place of rest, take a look at the map of the world, you will see I & I place by far". "Oh oh oh Rastafari, do you remember the time pass by how we save the river Nile, sat in the sun, with our golden locks and smiles, up up up and away we go". "The green herbs are always there in the valley". "On a mission I was sent to tell it to the children". 'To Be Loved By Jah' Rastafari is solid as well. The love of the father feels good and pleasant. Flowing rivers, seas, rainbows, "behold the birds and the bees, flowers and trees. Oh Jah who created this world and put me in, let me live on". Although 'Play Girl' is supposed to be the third track on this album it is often found excluded from the album for some reason. The song is peculiar in that after two minutes and a bit we get a full stop after which the song is turned into an instrumental, or rather a dub track. One of Ijahman's firmest tracks is 'Rise And Shine', "Israel open up your lands", "inna this ya time, Rastaman time". The time is right for all to be free and to let Jah love into your heart, no matter how hard it is to find the right path to follow, no matter how narrow the path. On each album you will find Ijahman singing about love. 'Ancient Lover' "While I was going through the passage of time, I saw things that open minds", "I'm a Rastaman and I know true loving is right", "I believe that Rasta love is send from Zion above". King Solomon and Queen Sheba also knew that true loving is right. A new take of the song we had heard on The Youth, which is actually a single but added to an album created by the Roots Reggae Library, 'Jesus Keepeth My Soul'. He now sings it as 'Jesus Selassi I Keepeth My Soul'. He was not yet in spiritual touch with Rastafari when recording this song for the first time so he took his time to set things right on Africa. Originally the song was recorded with a Ska rhythm but it has changed to a more slower Reggae rhythm. Even more slow is 'Master Of My Mind'. "Reflections of love", "I seek and I & I find". He is now the master of his own mind "in this struggling time". "In this crucial time 'Africa Crisis', oh Lord, all over the world", another song about Africa on the album Africa. "Freedom must come for each and everyone, freedom for the old and the young, freedom for generations to come". The music in this song is beautiful. He prepares Africa for the 21st century. "Oh Africa I can hear the children crying for hunger, bitter fear at night, restless hungry lives, and they can't get a bite, and now in this crucial time living in the waste it's hard to survive". No matter if you are black or brown. "Brothers and sisters, blood sweat and tears for over 400 years, after all that's been said and promised slavery is still not yet abolished".
Here we have an album full of love songs and we begin listening with 'Question Love No More'. Before he used to question it all the time, but since he met his new girl he will no longer question love. His love is brand new. Whereas 'Question Love No More' is quite a calm track I get quite a warm feeling from the haunting rhythm of 'Lilly Of My Valley'. "You make me feel like King David", "you're my lover, the lily of my valley, your love just turns me on". We can already here the female voice in the background of this song. She will feature more on the next album. First "let's pick up the 'Bits And Pieces Of Love'". Ijahman won't give up his hope. "Sometimes you make mistakes, love has a way to play silly games, still I love you, this I know, next time around I love you more". Just give love a chance and see where it takes you, is the message. "The best is still yet to come". Yet another time he wants to give love another change and say "I love you" in 'My Time'. Hearts can be broken and mended again if given enough time. This has clearly happened to Trevor Sutherland. He finds himself on the right line, "this girl is mine, she's mine all the time", 'My Wishes Reply'. In the beginning of the track he sings that their time will come and later on in the track the time to be together has arrived. Now he hopes that love will keep them together forever. The melodies used for these tracks are solid, which makes the love tracks listenable. "In other words 'Stop Playing With My Heart'". Butterflies, sweet dreams, a bouncing heart, all the things that a lover can cause. "Every dream has a lover, oh girl, I don't want to have three dreams alone". A good tune was saved to end this album with the words "my true love is what I have to give, from the depth of my heart". "Let your love be mine, my 'Darling', I love you, I'll flourish you daily with roses, dress you in diamonds and pearls, oh what a wonderful feeling". With "I do love you" we hear a good line to switch on to the next album which carries the title I Do.
This album is especially worth its wile for one of its songs. You will find out soon enough which one it is. It is not the song that has become most known from this album, which is the title track 'I Do'. He sings the complete album with Madge, his newly wed wive. It comes straight from their heart, "I do, I want to be with you". They recorded a clip together for the song as well in which Ijahman brings her flowers at her house. Both this and the previous album are filled with Lovers Reggae, also called Lovers Rock. Neither Madge Sutherland can hide her love and tells us in 'My Love', which is quite good. I do like the vibe of this song, especially its chorus. Three songs on this album were written by Madge, one of which is the third track. For me it is the most outstanding track on this album. Madge sings "When I need my love, I 'Call On You', cause you make me feel on top of the world", then Ijahman comes in with "girl you make my heart beat so fast, I know the reason our love is gonna last". She continues with "your loving ways and true devotion has got me" which he replies with "there's gentleness in your every touch, oh baby". They completely agree that "a house is not a home when you're not around". Loving Madge is Ijahman's dream come true. They will build a 'Happy Home'. "Life's not complete if you're not here with me". The rhythm of 'Hold On Honey' is nice and takes you easily into the track. "I'll wake you up with a kiss on your lips". Madge has a haunting voice when she sings "count to three and think of me". Although the riff of 'Mellow Music' is quite good, the singing is less adorable. Madge has written this track. We then hear 'Chariot Of Love' which Ijahman had sung alone as a single previous to the release of Haile I Hymn. It is on The Youth on the Roots Reggae Library. It is recommended to listen to both versions. In my opinion Madge does help the chorus with her background vocals. 'Freedom' is the third track written by Madge Sutherland. It is nice to hear Ijahman singing "hush, hush" and "freedom". He also mentions Abraham Lincoln and she sings about Queen Victoria. The music in this track is definitely up to a high standard. I have chosen an alternative album cover because it is more pleasing on my eyes.
Although I listened more to Haile I Hymn, Are We A Warrior, and Africa when I was younger, Culture Country currently ranks very high on my list. The album originally contains seven songs, but the last three are live cuts. We will start at the beginning and will see where it takes us. Madge sings background vocals on this album and is not as ever present as she was on I Do. This role fits her well. I think 'Marcus Hero' is the best song that Ijahman Levi has ever written. It is also the song from which the album title was taken. "In the name of heroes, I hail Marcus Garvey, born in Jamaica, in my culture country, he's my hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey". "History has been told great works that he has done, Marcus Garvey, words of wisdom, often spoken by him". Then it comes, the brilliance of "Prophet Garvey, true black liberation teacher, proud to be black, tell me all about Africa, where long live our King, His Majesty". The melodies that you here are equally majestic.Levi continues to shine in "I don't need need 'No Syndicate' I'm a peaceful Rastaman who is working for Jah, no don't need a syndicate while I'm praising only Jah, my father live forever, dwelleth in my heart, he's always in my thoughts". "Many are called, few are chosen, dreadlock Rasta, even baldheads are prepared for the great longetivity, when we'll all get our pay". He preaches love and is a master of his own mind. "I'm a man, a master of my mind, stand for freedom, preach the word of love, how can I serve two masters at one time, not displeasing this heart of mine "Take it easy, don't make no moves I don't like it". "Eviction, overcharging rent, all this harassment", 'Hey Landlord', also turning of his lights. He is fed up with the policy of his landlord and brings it out in his song. He also doesn't like to deal with war. "What's going on my brothers, from the day I was born I hear war, power struggle in the world all over, who's not conquering, getting conquered, 'War Mongers', that's what they are, stay from far, start all the wars". "War lovers, throw down your weapons, stop the war, let's praise Jah and live". This track is magnificent. "Brother man, war is not the answer, live and love, let's praise Jah and live". Originally three more songs which are live takes. They are 'Are We A Warrior', 'Lend A Hand' and 'Jah Heavy Load'. We already know these tracks from Are We A Warrior, Tell It To The Children and Haile I Hymn respectively. Instead I have added the three tracks on the album Ijahman And Friends on which Ijahman Levi sings lead vocals. The other non dub tracks on Ijahman And Friends are sung by Clive Brown, Black Uhuru and His Majesterian. With the first addition on this album we hear "in this time, 'Struggling Times', we are going, search our times, so many tribulation and sufferation, we are struggling for survival, so many youths today they are the men and women of tomorrow, as they can't find a job, they need a better concentration. We are thrown onto the 'African Train' going to the motherland, homeward bound, saying goodbye to all friends and family. You might have noticed that the Ijahman And Friends tracks were added in reverse order and thus ends with 'Master Ideas', in which he gives the same message as on 'Master Of My Mind' on the Africa album.
Feeling irie we start Forward Rastaman with yet another amazing Reggae song by Ijahman Levi, "irie feeling, sweet Reggae music sounds good to my ears, groove with me let's rock to the rhythm, dance with me baby all night long, come we bubble, dancing Jah Jah music, come we bubble, inna style and fashion, come we bubble, if you a bubble 'Bubble On'". "Here I am on the Rootsman corner, dancing to Reggae, so full ah culture". It is hard to imagine any Reggae lover would not like this irie song. The title song 'Forward Rastaman' is what follows. The music of the King should forever be played. With his instruments of strings he plays his songs in all the nations. Physical forms of 'Devil Disciple' are "seeking a body to live in", the "Lucifer worshippers" and the "roots of all evil planted in their hearts". The electric guitar plays a big role in this song. 'Stones, Bullets And Fire' is more easy going despite the seemingly strong title. "Time is tough, going's rough, living in my area". He sees bodies stoned to death and many killed by bullets while a fire is burning down a house. A spiritual 'Gues Who A Jah Jah', the almighty Rastafari. The earth has one rightful ruler, even though its sometimes upside down, and he includes the Americas, England and Russia in his song. "Row mister fisherman row, I'm a singerfriend waiting on the shore, today you've got a very big catch, you need little help to pull in your net, I've got the callie, callie, you got the fish, let's get irie, irie". Yes the 'Fisherman And Singerman Are Friends'. This is a long song title. So is the next, although I have shortened it to 'Thank You Teacher', but it can be given as 'Thank You Teacher For 1.2.3. & A.B.C.'. Ijahman Levi loved his days in school and is genuinely grateful, which he expresses in this song. He could have called the last song 'I Want To Be Free' but instead he went for 'Living On The Street'. "I want to be free like the birds and the bees, the fishes in the seas". But he has to dream his dream while building a hut in the ghetto. Altogether this is a solid album and I am glad that Ijahman produced two good Reggae albums after therefore being more concerned with love songs on I Do and Lilly Of My Valley. The previous Culture Country and Forward Rastaman are more of the style I would like Ijahman to stick too, if it were mine to decide.
We had ended Forward Rastaman with Ijahman Levi building his hut in the ghetto on 'Living On The Street'. With a touching melody he now asks "how long must I live my life in the ghetto". "When I try to reach the top, there's another one try to pull me back". 'Ghetto Living Not Easy', while what he actually sings i "ghetto live is not easy". I have long had a poster on my wall which portrays Jacob Miller, Bob Marley, Ijahman Levi and Junior Murvin sitting next to each other on a wall. Well in 'Bob And Friends Over There' he sees Bob Marley playing guitar and singing 'Kaya' in a dream. In the dream he also sees Jacob Miller, Peter Tosh, Marcus Garvey, Count Ossie and Carlton Barrett. Miller with his bionic voice, Tosh legalizing the atmosphere, Garvey speaking words of prophesy, Ossie and Carlton playing congo drums, and Ijahman himself playing his guitar. This is a beautiful song and pays tribute to some wonderful musicians. The next song is 'Mr. C. B.', or 'Mister Chris Blackwell'. "There's no more rat race, it's a matter of survival" Ijahman sings. Trevor Sutherland had sung songs for Chris Blackwell in a contest when he was a youngster. Later he would sign with him on Island Records. He sings about that in the song, as well as Blackwell speaking on the radio after Bob's death.Baby mothers are risking their lives to have abortion, and people of the same gender are living together, Ijahman Levi is a bit confused and just not that sure about the world anymore. He asks 'Are You Sure', about the very same thing, and of the words you are speaking. We might understand that a man from the ghetto, growing up with people such as Bob Marley, in a constant hassle with people like Chris Blackwell have seen the world around them change. 'Madgie' is his Queen in his kingdom and she pulls his strings and "love me as you please". Singing this song about Madge he gets to idea to do another love track and constructs 'I Fell In Love'. I have previously held that I am not the biggest fan of pure Lovers Reggae and I am therefore pleased that he devotes only two songs to romance on this album, rather than the whole album, which he did twice previously. Very similar to 'Living On The Street' in its lyrics and this time it is actually called 'I Want To Be Free' as I had suggested previously. Ijahman never realised what freedom and captivity really meant until he went to Africa, the land of his forefathers, and saw the sadness with his own eyes. "If this is what they really call my promised land, I'd rather were out living in my island of the sun". This is a unique song in that Jamaicans never really see things this way. It is usually African musicians such as Lucky Dube who are more realistic about Africa, rather than Jamaicans. Why can't black people be free but do they have to live in captivity, he wants to ask the leaders of nations. "When I am gonna pass 'Sanction' in the land of my forefather" and "we want freedom from black slavery", "over in Africa". No longer does he want his people to stay in the ghetto or under the rule of Apartheid in South Africa. Next we hear a new, uptempo, version of 'Jah Heavy Load'. Even though he speeds up the track from Haile I Hymn it is almost as long as the original song. This is not a live version as was originally on Culture Country so it stays on the album.
Another one of those albums of Ijahman Levi that is rather short in terms of the amount of songs. This time the songs are not very lengthy, thus a small album altogether. You will find that all tracks have approximately the same length. That has a peculiar reason. The curious thing about this album is that Ijahman uses the same music for every song. At 'Pillow Talk' you might think that the melody of the song is quite nice, but by the end of the album it has lost its originality. 'Pillow Talk' is a very nice song. But after it stops and 'High Price Crisis' sets in you can't help but feel like the first song is playing over once again. You will not loose this feeling throughout the album. In 'Pillow Talk' he sings there is a lot of love involved but it requires a lot of his energy. 'High Price Crisis' is happening in the island under the sun, which is Jamaica. The prices raise on the streets and on the shelves. Milk sugar, meals, bread and butter. In 'Stop The War' Ijahman Levi sings about the 1991 Gulf War. The album On Track was made in the same year. Levi sings that love should be legalized and the rumours of wars are to be ended. Ijahman is longing for some more love and sings 'Dial 'L' For Love'. If it only were that easy. His looking for love is continued in 'Willow Blue'. The willow tree represents his weeping, and his feeling blue. He is crying and waiting for his woman. Apart from 'High Price Crisis' and 'Stop The War' all the songs on this album are concerned with love. So is 'Love At First Sight', as you could have guessed. You can now ask yourself which song fits the tune the best. I find the idea of having a full album with a single melody interesting, but the final effort is not one that will have me play this album often. I am glad that Ijahman made a second album in the same year, Love Smiles, which we will arrive at now.
The title of the album and thus the title song hints towards Lovers Reggae. The other name often used is Lovers Rock, but I prefer to keep the word "Reggae" in the title, thus Lovers Reggae. But we can't get around 'Love Smiles' on an album which carries that very title. "When you smile, love smiles". There is only one person in the wide world for Ijahman Levi. I am not a fan to Reggae songs that are only concerned with love if they don't have something very special. 'Call On Me' on I Do does have that special touch for me. What I do like is 'Book Of Prophecy'. Although a bit electronic sounding, it is a very good melody. He had previously mentioned the book of Prophecy in 'Tell It To The Children' on the album with the same name. Here he sings"live up your life for Jah, let Jah guides the way, live up your hearts for Jah, let Jah leads the way". From that to a tinkle in 'Looking Holy', where you've got to "show me the love in your heart". For me there is not enough music and swing in the song besides the melody that is played. Watch out! Because Ijahman Levi is a worker for Jah. 'I Art Jah Watchman' "I've got my eyes on you, you're living for the devil, he's got his spell on you". Not Ijahman though, he gets his inspiration from Jah and he sees everything you do. He sees that there is cocaine powder on the table, rather than bread. Another fine track comes along, 'Here Comes The Night'. Ijahman is all alone but he has some sweet inspiration on his mind. He does admit that he is afraid to lose his love. Straight out of 'Here Comes The Night' he takes us into another love ode for his wife, 'Oh Madgie', as he did on Inside Out with 'Madgie'. She is the only one who does everything right in his eyes and is the only one who can please him. She rocks his boat and their love comes natural. Trevor and Madge would have two daughters named Lydia and Shema. With such strong family ties he asks himself 'Why Do I Worry'. These worries come back in his songs often. His fright might be caused by having experienced his first break up. 'I'd Rather Be Loving Jah' "than the honour of men, which is only vanity". The respect of men is only for limited time, but the love for Jah will last forever. He sings some lines of 'Who The Cap Fit' of Rastaman Vibration, or rather the original version,'Man To Man' of More Axe, by Bob Marley. "Man to man is so unjust, sometimes you just don't know who to trust, your best of friends could be your worst enemy". The reality of life has taught Ijahman this lesson as well.
Kingfari, Rastafari, Haile Selassie I. Ijahman Levi released this album to celebrate the 100th birthday of Tafari Makonnen Woldemikael. On the album called 'Sweet Anniversary', the single version of this song is 'Sweet Anniversary To The King', and that is what he sings. King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah. From the line of King David and King Solomon.So a "happy birthday Jah" it is indeed". Ethiopia stretches forth its hand in the beautiful melody that is 'God And Kind'. "Africa needs peace, rights and justice" and no one should be fighting against Jah. This is a very nice song. A good example of why a single rhythm should not be used for a whole album like done on On Track, that would the strength of both the album and the melody. "One a pauper the other a king". But "this pauper became a king". In 'Pauper And The King', waring a crown and sitting on his throne. A fast rhythm and more serious in its tone than 'Africa Is Calling' which sounds upful and bright. Ijahman Levi is getting ready to go to Africa. His first stop is in a hospital, after which he visits a school. Though the grass in Babylon looks green, Ijahman will not be tempted. "Your love is a joy" he realises "when you 'Touch Me'". "If you try to fly the sky I will jump high, if you try to sail the seas I will swim deep, if you are to travel the land I will and run, just to my love to touch me, girl". That is how strong his love is. The good musical vibe makes this a good Reggae love song. On a good day love is in the air and Levi sings his 'Sweet Hello', asking if his wife can remember the first time they met. He had asked her to stay longer in order to get to know her a little better. At first it is as if he sings a new version of 'Rise And Shine' but instead he uses the line to get to 'Mothers World', praising the Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.Whereas he sounds rather serious when he sings this 'Mothers World' he makes the album end with 'Let It Be You', another love song which has a sugary sweet melody, different from 'Touch Me', for example. For Lovers Rock, or rather, Lovers Reggae, it is not a bad track.
As he fooled you on Kingfari using the lyrics of 'Rise And Shine' for 'Mothers World' he now sings Bob Marley's 'Wake Up And Live' on Gemini Man. "Jah 'Amnesty' is peace and love, seven times seven, Jah is merciful, wake up and live, amnesty to all bad man home and abroad'. This is a strong track. "Struggling in the ghetto, gets a hungry man angry", "many on the run, who not run is in prison, badness no pay, guilty or not guilty". Some of the lyrics we hear in 'Earth No Heaven' are "there must be better a better life ahead" and "the Babylon Kingdom, amen". This is a session of angels, playing the "angels sound, heavy and loud". A song that I have always held dear is 'I Who Have Nothing'. This is a sincerely a beautiful track. "My love, I love you, he, he buys you diamonds, bright sparkling diamonds, but believe me dear when I say that he can give you the world but he'll never love you the way I love you, I who have nothing". It is a cover of a song that was originally sung in Italian by Joe Sentieri in the 60's, but translated into English far before Ijahman sang it. Another Reggae version of this song had previously been made by Philip Frazer. Ijahman is a man of few words but lots of action, "action's stronger than words so they say". He shares with us that the love twin is his astrological sign. His Zodiac sign is Gemini, and 'Gemini Man' is the title track of this album but can not live up to the level of other tracks of this album. The previous 'I Who Have Nothing' is very good, as I had mentioned, and so is the song that you will find after 'Gemini Man'. Although I prefer to stick to original song titles, 'I've Got To Carry' is significantly different fro 'Jah Heavy Load'. Even though "It's been a long, long time, I've been feeling Dancehall vibes", "I man is not changing direction". He is just trying to please everyone. Less of a fan I am of 'Let's Get Eclipse' but it is noteworthy nevertheless. Although it is not very good, it is a song you will easily remember. "Let's get eclipse, like my sign Gemini". "Jah is not pleased to see what's going on, man fighting for power with the rainbow colours, colour green like the herbs that I'm smoking, colour red like the sun fire bun". "Put some 'Prayers In Your Heart' and amazing grace, in the sign of the cross, not the mark of the 'X'". Levi is reminded that when he was in school he would be corrected by his teacher with an 'X' in his book. I can not fault him for using the melody of 'I Who Have Nothing' just one more time. He sings 'With You', which you could see as a second part of 'I Who Have Nothing'. "With you all yesterday's dreams come true".
We go back in time several centuries for the song about the first Queen of Babylon, Queen Charlotte, the first black Queen of England. That is something that has not been established beyond the line of proof, nevertheless Ijahman takes a bold step her in 'Black Royalties', even naming the album after it. There is a picture of her on the album cover. Her face has unmistakeable African characteristics, even though her skin tone is white. The house of Israel and all the colours that belong to it. Each month has a colour as its attribute, as well as one of the tribes. Ijahman is a member of that movement, and so was Judy Mowatt. Born in June, Ijahman is a Levi which carries the purple colour, as the nose as a body part, and "will" as his tribe function, as dictated by Vernon Carrington who founded the Twelve Tribes of Israel Rastafari Movement. This is what Ijahman sings about in 'The Twelve Tribes In Colour'. This is part of the Bible prophecy. "In this world there is joy and sorrow, no one knows what comes tomorrow, so while I live I give thanks and praise to the Most High, daily I praise". 'Blessed Ones' is a beautiful song, "Jah Rastafari". Lighting up his chalice and burning his herb he gets very spiritual. 'King Rastafari' is thus a great fit to follow up on this song. In line with the view that the Twelve Tribes of Israel holds, Jah is not partial to skin colour. "If you don't know Rastafari, you can not feel it". "Look like lamb but dem a wolf oh Jah". The words of wisdom are 'I Will Never Let Rastafari Go'. "Everywhere I go I want the world to know, Jah spiritual vibes put words in thy mouth". 'I Will Never Let Rastafari Go' is alright, but 'Humble And Live' is as good as 'Blessed Ones'. "Watch out culture destroyers, get lost, you can't buy Jah cornerstone, tell me what's going on Rastaman, why they're trying to capture my culture". "They that speak against I", Ijahman says "Jah put them out". I am a big fan of 'Humble And Live'. Less enthusiastic I am about 'Lovers Of Yesterday' but that is a simple matter of taste. This is a bit too much of Lovers Reggae for me to feel comfortable with, as well as 'Take Your Time'. But we can not blame Ijahman for being in love. "Today bring you sorrow but tomorrow bring you joy, I still love the way you feel about me, take your time".
I have already referred to the wallpaper I had in my room in Groningen on which Ijahman Levi was sitting next to Bob Marley. Part of that image is used for the album cover of this album, on which he sings cover songs of Bob Marley. Where we have had Bob Marley sing 'Get Up, Stand Up' on Burnin', we had equally strong versions of Peter Tosh on Equal Rights and Bunny Wailer on Protest. The version that Ijahman Levi sings is good and has a brilliant new rhythm. 'Waiting In Vain' is a song from the album Exodus originally. Levi want to know if he can knock some more on the door. Choosing the plural form for the title of 'Crazy Baldhead' I have reverted it back to the original title found on Rastaman Vibration. He chooses the same way to start of 'Rat Race', with "you're too rude". Another song from Rastaman Vibration and one of the best songs Bob Marley has ever sung. Ijahman sings "you got the Indian race, the Japan race, black and white man golden race, all in a rat race". There will be a third song from Rastaman Vibration and you will hear it straight after 'Crazy Baldhead' and 'Rat Race', it is 'War', the famous speech of Haile I Selassie. His version of the Uprising 'Redemption Song' is not an acoustic one such as the one of Bob Marley himself. "Redemption song is all I ever had, another Bob Marley song". It wouldn't be complete if we didn't take 'I Shot The Sheriff' from Burnin', again with a new ring to it. He ends the album with 'Natural Mystic', whereas Bob Marley had started Exodus with this song.
"Name a number, what's your number?". Ijahman Levi finds himself back in prison in his memory. His number was 266701, 'Two Double Six', tells us. The name of this album is sometimes referred to as Two Double Six 701. And a good album it is for sure! Locked in a cell he had a lot of time to think. He then compares himself to Nelson Mandela in 'President Mandela', "he's been to hell and back". This song would be a fan favourite at live concerts. "Congratulations President Mandela, you create history, first black president of your country, now let the hungry be fed, cloth the naked, nourish the sick". A very peaceful and quite 'Ceasefire' comes third on Two Double Six. "Mister President and Prime Ministers, diplomats and all ambassadors, one love, stop the war, brotherly love, give peace a chance all over the world". He asks for wars to be stopped in America, Africa, England, Germany, France, the Middle East, because war is crazy and not good for mankind. 'One Step From Hell', but able to keep out because Jah is his friend. He refers to time in prison, once more remembering his prison number. "He giveth me sweet inspiration, spiritual feeling I get in the time of prison, when I'm feeling lonely I read my bible, I comfort my spirit in the Book of Songs". As the Twelve Tribes Of Israel Rastafari movement suggests, "A chapter a day", "in deep meditation I pray for a better life on the other side". He has changed from his youth to a man and is back again in life. "Guidance in 'Jah Vibes'" he finds and thus will never let go. He tells us to live only for today. "Knowledge is wise, wisdom is my advice, the eyes are the windows to each and everyone's soul". We heard that all wars are crazy in 'Ceasefire', but social structures and violence in the street is just as crazy. We need more love all around the neighbourhoods. 'It's Crazy', yes it is. Playing games and making jokes about Ijahman is not nice, 'They're Trying A Mikki', "the high is low", "playing word games, joking on Jah name". Originally there is an eighth song on this album called 'Ceasefire Part II'. It is exactly the same song as 'Ceasefire'. I don't see a reason for a song to be on the album twice and it has therefore been removed.
The album art of Beauty And The Lion has the same style as that of Black Royalties. A sweet lady, a runaway girl, "'Beauty And The Lion', woman is a woman and a man is a master in the house". Not Beauty and the Beast but a lion instead. His lady is a sweet one though, plays love games on the Rastaman, teases him, and he whistles at her. A first introduction to an album with some good songs. "What you're gonna say when Jah come knocking, 'Knock Knock' on your door, are your praying, are you skylarking". What are you going to say? Jah has got the key to your soul and will know how to get into your heart. "Like a thief in the night", "it's not a door of wooden stone, Jah Rastafari's coming through". I really like the sound they use for 'Signs And Wonders'. "Mankind know yourself inna this ya time, man fight against man, world power strugglings, man loving man and woman liberations, father fight against his son, mother is against her daughters, rape, killing, molesting children, what a tribulation". "Jah Jah warning" and "Rasta chanting" in 'Signs And Wonders'. "In this time, this 'Perilous Time', love no longer smiles, in this "To the heart of Africa I salute oh slavery victory, my forefathers were prisoners in those days, pain, shackles, in chains, one meal to keep us alive, rowing ship ahoy row, cargoes for the Carribean, carry us far beyond the horizon, negroes slaves on sale, trading going on from Africa to Jamaica". 'Trodding' is one of the heaviest loaded songs of Ijahman Levi. One of my favourite tracks for sure. In 'Love In A Bungle' Babylon exposes everyone to drugs and bad things, while the Rastaman spreads love in the struggle, in the concrete jungle. On Africa we heard 'Ancient Lover' and on Beauty And The Lion it is 'Rasta A Ancient Lovers', "Alpha and Omega, King and Queen of Zion, Zion rightful lovers". Ijahman knows a millionaire, Chris Blackwell, willing to spend his money on his talent, "I walk with the rod of God in my hand". Now he sings about the albums he has previously made, 'I Sing The Albums'. He sings Haile I Hymn, Are We A Warrior, Tell It To Children, Africa, Lilly Of My Valley, I Do, Culture Country, Forward Rastaman, Inside Out, Love Smiles, On Track, Kingfari, Two Double Six, Black Royalties and Sings Bob Marley. He also mentions Ijahman And Friends and the compilation album Entitlement, as well as the live albums in Paris and Europe. "Chanting 'Jah Heavy Load, it's nobodies business but my own".
In the concrete city Ijahman Levi sings about the 'Armagiddon Warriors' on an album that has many more tracks on it than what we are used from Trevor Sutherland. Nice album art with pictures of Ijahman in the shape of Africa, including Madagascar, which you will find missing if you have another close look at the album art of Africa. A popular live track with a lot of vibe, 'Bun Bun', "word sounds and power", "what you're gonna do when Jah come with hotter fire". He sings about Marcus Garvey and talks about his roots in Africa. "Play drums of freedom", "fire bun to all Babylon weakheart conceptions". 'Bun Bun' is a nice track but to me, 'Arkart' is many times greater. "Lion roar". "I lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh I help and my help cometh from Jah, who made Zion and Earth", like on Judy Mowatt's 'Strength To Go Through' on Something Old, Something New. The combination of Ijahman singing and the talking of psalms throughout the track on the beat that is wonderful. "Open gate of Zion, let me in", Levi sings. From very spiritual we go to something else, 'Mickey Mouse In The House', "eating up my crumbs". Not the only Reggae track around mentioning Mickey Mouse, although 'Mickey Mouse Freedom' on House Of Exile of Lucky Dube is a lot more serious. 'Woman And A Man In One', "man, a trouble to some woman". "I'm a refugee, treated just like a criminal", "like police and thieve I'm on the run". He also sings that "she's working very hard for her children". You have indeed heard the tune of 'News Flash Courier' before as the melody of 'Trodding' on the previous album, Beauty And The Lion. "How long must I carry heavy load, story tellers, Babylon informers". Money can not buy love and money doesn't grow on trees. "When you think about money, 'Money Woman', you talk about me". He is happy even though there's no money in his pocket. I like the way he sings the line "when you think about money". The misbehaving lady in 'Mischief Lady', "girl of my heart". It is an emotional song. There are a lot of songs about love but they are not as happy as they used to be, since Ijahman has gone through yet another break up, his second. "In a little time a broken heart can be mended". Quite a lot of Lovers Rock, because 'Talk To Me' belongs in that category as well. Levi will not waste any time. "My only wish for today, 'Bring Back Yesterday'". It is clear that Ijahman has not yet lost his love for his ex-wife and he is not afraid to hide it in this song. Even though they both said "I Do", both in the church as in the studio, there was no 'Everlasting Love Affair'. All he wants to do is to cherish and be loved. "What a price we pay in these old slavery days, this I know, 'Slave Drivers', you're wanted. What a beautiful track this is. Together with 'Bun Bun' and 'Arkart' the highlight of this album. "You got to be punished, you're bound to die".
It is funny how the album is named Versatyle Life on the spine of the record but Versatile Life on the front. Levi calls himself the cornerstone, the prodigal son, so you better 'Ring The Alarm'. He was once a family man but those days are over, even though he has over ten children walking the earth. "A natural mystic spirit is in my life" as well as an uptempo melody which brings us a 'Spiritual Healing', for "mind soul and body", a recipe straight from the Holy Bible. Good music, but "too much killing going on". Levi is "living in a country of crime", where there is too much "drugs and guns in my neighbourhood". He is a 'Witness' to a world full of war. Being a witness he is also a 'Victim'. These things do not seem to keep him from making very nice music. "Happy trigger finger, bang bang shot me down, I don't want to be a victim", "gun slingers and drug hustlers, bang bang shot me down, I hit the ground". "Oh me, oh my, life gets so versatile", 'Versatile Life', "drinking smoking, got some money to spend" and he sees smiling faces wherever he goes. Back to Tell It To The Children and find the slow song 'Lend A Hand'. Well, he sings it even slower on Versatile Life. But we are not staying put at this slow tempo, no, 'I Believe' that things must go on slightly faster. "In the beginning was the words and the words they get far and create I and I, so Jah say". He trots on creation and preaches the words of Jah, His Imperial Majesty. "I live like a man but I know I'm an angel in the sight of Jah Rastafari", the spirit lives in him, he believes. Walking through the valley of the shadow of evil, he fears no death and believes in everlasting life and the light of Jah. 'Robin Hood' brings along another sweet tune. "You will never get away, Robin Hood, there's no more bow and arrow, Robin Hood". He mentions the war mongerers again, who we heard off first on Culture Country. Ijahman wants to dance with a girl 'In The Night', a Reggae and Soul fusion. A first date that is a promising start for more to come, "grooving in the night". In another one of those calm tracks he sings about his birth, June 1946. His 'Busy Body' is still going strong and we should celebrate that.
Ijahman Levi Discography
««««¶ (1975) The Youth
««««« (1978) Haile I Hymn
««««« (1979) Are We A Warrior
««««« (1983) Tell It To The Children
««««« (1984) Africa
««««« (1985) Lilly Of My Valley
««««« (1986) I Do
««««« (1987) Forward Rastaman
««««« (1987) Culture Country
««««« (1989) Inside Out
««««« (1991) On Track
««««« (1991) Love Smiles
««««« (1992) Kingfari
««««« (1993) Gemini Man
««««« (1994) Black Royalties
««««« (1995) Sings Bob Marley
««««« (1995) Two Double Six
««««« (1997) Beauty And The Lion
««««« (2003) Arkart
««««« (2006) Versatile Life
Original Date Of Publishing: January 2016
Ijah man levy lifts your soul watch a rasta
ReplyDeleteIn deed ljahman's music is soulful and spiritual uplifting. The first reggae album l by ljahman was Haile l Hym in 1981. Since then, I've never stopped enjoying ljahman Levi's music.
ReplyDeleteLastly, I've noticed that the album by ljahman titled "ljahman and Friends"is not featured on the above list.
ReplyDeleteIjahman Levi takes you deep in thoughts, lots of hidden meanings. One Love Jahman
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for two tracks. One is called Thus love and the other is Who you love. Please assist
ReplyDeleteWho.you love is it not Miss Beverly. My dad a Zimbabwe used to love it and I'd call.it who u love.
DeleteI'm looking for the song that starts 'You step on my shoulders to see far over...' anyone help with it's title please
ReplyDelete