Dubroom Star Selections: Mission Epistle

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Mission Epistle ALBUM

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- MISSION EPISTLE - STAND UP -

Out of Trinidad & Tobago comes the versatile Mission Epistle and their debut "Stand Up", an album filled with fresh and spiritually uplifting sounds.

Comprised of founder Keron Thomas and fellow members Jason "J-Square" Joefield, Dwayne 'Silent-Sah" Bedeau and Nicole Thomas this is a vocal group who have recorded numerous singles over the past couple of years including "Teach The People (Them To Listen)", "Mission Definition" and others. As several members of Mission Epistle are children of pastors, it is not surprising that a prominent thread of Christian life experience and biblical inspiration winds its way through the twelve tracks on this nicely varied album.

To begin with, Mission Epistle linked up with rootsman multi-instrumentalist and producer Jah Servant, himself a resident of Trinidad after making the move from Canada last year. It turns out it was a smart move. In this writer's opinion, though Mission Epistle has successfully written and recorded soca and dancehall, it's the roots and culture singles they've cut which have really made an impact on me. So, is "Stand Up" well-soaked in roots riddims or is it more diverse, as Mission Epistle has thus far revealed themselves to be? Well, it turns out the latter is true. Okay, but can Jah Servant pull it off with the soca and dancehall riddims? The answer, surprisingly, is a resounding yes!

Smartly, Jah Servant never seeks to confine Mission Epistle, rather enables them to employ their greatest musical strength, which is variety. When I heard the lead-off single "Meditate" for the first time, I immediately recognized the mellow roots riddim from the instrumental intro on Owen Uriah's latest album, "The Heart Of Uriah". According to ME's J-Square, he was in the studio with Jah Servant when we was working on Uriah's album and when he heard this track he was inspired with what became "Meditate". Backed by a deep bass line, live-sounding programmed drums and tranquil keyboard and guitar sounds, Mission Epistle's contemplative lyrics and combination of chanting and singing make this song a refreshing listen- especially with headphones.

"Worship You" is a track which works in a similar vein. With lush backing harmonies and chanted verses over a roots riddim, accented with beautiful classical guitar picking, Mission Epistle delivers a devotional track unto the the Lord Jesus Christ.

Though Jah Servant programs all of the drums, it's often difficult to tell. There is a natural sound and "live" feel to them, especially on the tracks with a more rootical feel.

"Rocks & Stones" is another roots tune which provides encouragement to the listener with the chorus "Christian people, don't duck from no rocks and stones, don't duck from no rocks and stones, JAH will never leave you". The song is a call to stand up against the attacks of the wicked one, knowing the Almighty is your protector. Voiced on a riddim by the very same title (appearing as a full out instrumental on Jah Servant's "Good Soil" CD) "Rocks & Stones" is yet another winner on "Stand Up”.” Sing Praises" is exquisite roots with bubbling organ, punchy guitar injections and hauntingly sweet melodica. Top it off with the singing of Silent-Sah and the cultural chanting of Keron Thomas and you have another solid tune.

You may be wondering about the soca and dancehall tracks. Well, though as I stated earlier these usually aren't my personal listening preference- Mission Epistle's approach gets high marks. One of my pet peeves with the these styles is I find often the message is lost in the insistent pulse of the beat or the over-the-speed-limit vocal deliveries. Mission Epistle succeeds here because they never try to cram to many vocals in and don't compromise articulation for speed. Therefore, the digital dancehall vibes of "Give Your Life", "Seek His Face", "Judgment" (featuring Antus and Gitta Dan) and "Clear De Way" work nicely. So do the spicy soca vibes of the title track and the infectiously worshipful "King".

Though, as mentioned earlier, Jah Servant plays the majority of instruments and does all the drum programming on "Stand Up", he wisely brings in keyboardist Neil Baboolal and lead guitarist Steve Changoor in to add some rich colours to the aural canvas. Without a bad track on the album, Mission Epistle's "Stand Up" stands as a very impressive debut and what may go down as one the better reggae releases of 2006.

Review by Mike Roots

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