ALBUM DESCRIPTION

THE PRODIGAL SON HAS RETURNED

In his second solo offering, this former "Prodigal Son" steps up to the mic like a polished veteran to deliver quite possibly the best produced gospel dancehall solo effort to date. This time around he is not only the artist, but also acts as the executive producer and record label (he is the owner of Radikal Communications). Refusing to stagnate, he has changed his name, evolved his sound and developed his image. All of these are changes for the better.

THE NAME:

A few years ago you were introduced to the authoritative voice of a man known as the Prodigal Son. Perhaps you first heard his low boisterous vocal on the Dancehall Baptism or YOW! compilations. This was just the foreshadowing of what was to come. In 2001, the invasion continued with "Radikal Prodigal", his first solo album. He "Recharged" us in 2003 with three more cuts on a compilation (put out by his upstart label Radikal Communications) and gave us a few guest appearances on other artist's albums to tide us over. But before Prodigal would release another solo album, he would go through a major transformation.

Former gang member, Calvin Whilby (a.k.a Prodigal Son) was born in 1976. Raised by his grandmother in a Christian household, he accepted the Lord in his life at the tender age of five, but negative influences in the inner city (Kingston) caused him to leave his faith fifteen. Before long he was a gun toting gang leader until that crucial day when he surprisingly visited a church, repented of his sins and returned into His Heavenly Father's arms (just like the beloved prodigal son that Jesus spoke of).

You know the story. You've heard hundreds just like it. They are true tear-jerking tales of one that was once lost but now is found. They are epic legends of one who steps out of the darkness and into the light. Perhaps you have a similar testimony. If you have experienced such a return then you know what comes next; as a young prodigal and a spiritual baby we often find a large percentage of our identity in the past. As our past discretions are repeated over and over again in our testimony, we become known for what we have done and where we have been rather than whom we are now. However, as time passes, a mature believer goes through a significant, yet gradual transition. The emphasis is no longer put on where he has been, but where he is at present, and even more importantly; where he is going. He realizes that to relive the past is to relinquish the future. He acknowledges that he is no longer a sinner, but a saint. He is no longer a Prodigal Son, but simply a son. He is one that has been welcomed back into the fold and mercifully received his Father's blessings.

After coming to the above realization, Calvin (Prodigal) made a very risky career move--He changed his name. Since he is back in his Father's house and has received such blessings, he can no longer be considered a prodigal. He is now a blessed son, or as they'd typically simplify in Jamaica, "Him Bless!" This name change hit the press just before the launch of Bless' second album, entitled "Still Standing".

THE ALBUM:

For his sophomore effort, Bless is more diverse in both his music and vocals. Gone are his days of galloping over whatever riddim was thrown his way alongside all the other numerous deejays in his former stable. This time around he is riding all original riddims that include dancehall, banging hip-hop, roots, R & B and everything that fits in-between. Reggae aficionados will be pleased to hear plenty of sweet sounding roots reggae cuts with quality musicians capturing the true emotion of each song.

From the very first cut this album strikes you as aggressive and in-your-face hardcore dancehall. Tracks like the ragamuffin Hip-hop "Don't Push Me" (which borrows a chorus from Grandmaster Flash's "The Message") start off at the pinnacle of today's dancehall and somehow manage to take the genre just a bit further. But this album has more to offer than edge. "Still Standing" is a true testimony to what Whilby has encountered in his Christian walk. This honesty is represented in songs like "Used," "Real Life," and "Smile a While." He also uses humor in most of his deejay lyrics and in the voices and sounds of tracks like "He's Jesus Christ" (with it's philhar-dancehall-monic choir) and "Who's That Guy" featuring Danah (in the same vein of "Prodigal Yuh Turn Christian" from his last release).

I have reviewed a wide-array of albums over the last five years, but very few epic CDs. This is one of those long-awaited projects. It's the type of release that you can't wait to pop into your CD player and test out those sub-woofers on. So when you receive this CD in the mail just a few days after you have placed your order, make sure that you set aside some time to really listen to it (and read the lyrics and liner notes).

In every aspect from packaging, artwork, songwriting, lyrics, mix and mastering, this is hands-down the best-produced gospel dancehall album that I have heard to date. Sure there are a few songs that venture a bit too far from the rest, and singing may not be Calvin's strong suit, but what else would you expect from a pioneer that is known for being inventive rather than imitative. Recently Bless said, "I'm sure every single fan will be pleased, whatever genre you fall in". For me the word "pleased" is an understatement. I choose to use the phrase "blown away". Don't try and convince me that you like Gospel Reggae without having this disc at the top of your collection--it is a staple gospel reggae recording. Grab it up today!

Review by Mark Mohr