After
enjoying Terry’s Kingston Logic track on the Rough Trade compilation I was
curious to discover whether she had more little gems up her sleeve on the album
of the same name. The answer is
a resounding yes, but in unusual and interesting ways. The album veers away
from the hardcore dance of the title track and instantly strays into MIA
territory but with a distinctly spicy Jamaican flavour. It’s political,
passionate and there’s lots of gunshot samples.
If the album
was a film it would certainly be a gritty film. Terry covers a range of topics
from poverty, the system, street life, violence and the International Monetary
Fund to name but a few, so this is not one for the feint hearted. But if the
social comment, hard hitting lyrics and pounding rhythms are the meat and two
veg, then the gravy is definitely Terry’s fantastic accent. She refreshingly
makes no attempt to hide her Jamaican roots and her voice adds an authenticity
and realism to these tales of urban decay. If only we had a Yorkshire version
of MIA.
Aside from
the aforementioned title track the pick of the bunch are the soulful
aspirational message of ‘Destiny’, the political economics lesson of ‘IMF’ and
best of all, the guttural growl of ‘Streetlife’ which sees Terry reach world
record levels of broadness in her Jamaican accent. Throw in some decent
dancehall tunes like ‘Stone’ and the odd remix and you’ve got a good value
package.
It’s a different,
intelligent and engaging mix of songs that celebrates the culture of Jamaica.
It’s like MIA, but then again that’s perhaps a lazy comparison as there is so
much more to like about this album that is out of Maya’s frame of reference.
Well worth a listen.
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