CD Review: Gyptian - My Name Is Gyptian

Meet Gyptian! The latest in a long and constantly updated roster of amazing roots voices emanating from Jamaica. The 22 year old from St Andrew follows most recently such artists as Warrior King, Jah Cure, Fantan Mojah and of course, I Wayne. His hype has nearly equalled them all and his debut album for VP, fittingly titled My Name Is Gyptian, has been one of the most eagerly anticipated albums of the year. And it has a hard time living up to its own hype, but ultimately listeners will come away with the thought that young Gyptian isn't going anywhere.

Gyptian was actually discovered by the same individual (known as 'Mr Wong') who discovered I-Wayne and originally marketed as having a sound similar to the earth shattering voice of Jah Cure. Now, I'd actually call him a better (SINGING) version of the underrated Norrisman, with a nasally kind of strong chanting when he's at his best, but it is a voice all his own. He originally attracted attention with his MASSIVE Serious Times single (and didnt we all expect this album to be named Serious Times?)and has maintained the high standards with his subsequent releases for various producers, most notably the wonderful Is Their a Place for Vendetta which is absent here.

Gyptian the album is a piece that will take a while to grow on you. It doesn't actually just blow you away on all levels the first few times you listen to it, probably due to Gyptian's age, as he hasn't yet reached his full level of development lyrically or hasnt yet grown to just do whatever, so a few of the tunes here you can tell he's holding back a little, but that will come with time. Definitely Gyptian, the finished article will be something reggae hasn't seen in awhile.

The best 2 tunes here are produced by the same individual, Kemar Mcgregor. The opener is the best song! Beng Beng is MASSIVE, even moreso than Serious Times (more on that in a second). The song is backed with a beautiful nyah drum riddim which Gyptian digs his claw deep into and mashes so hard! Beng Beng is one of the best songs I've ever heard, simply! The other tune, the obligatory ode to she who gives life, Mama, over the simply magical Triumphant riddim, also with the drum, is one of my favorite tunes by the young artist.

You also have to check Beautiful Lady (which started to grow on me immediately after my girlfriend identified it as her favorite track) just an all around wonderful track. Much of the direction here was done VP and I think at some points they take Gyptian in the wrong direction by putting him over the older sounding riddims, his voice breathes New School and he should have been allowed to identify with his era a little more (and shame elimanating Is There a Place from the fold). Their biggest fumble, however, is the re-do of Serious Times. If you really like the tune (and I love it) you'll notice it has been slightly redone taking it down just slightly, just as they did with Turbulence's Notorious.

But that's the bad (along with a just odd combination with Roundhead on the weed anthem Through the Valley, we know Roundhead is wicked and he loves weed more than oxgen, but those are two artists who should have never met on a song). The album picks wayyyyyyyyyy back up on the nice youth anthem School Girl. Just a really cool 'innocent' record and the rest of the album is fire! Take My Money, Keep on Knoking, What are We Fighting For?, Stop the Fussing and Holiday are all winners. Particularly the nice laid back Take My Money and Keep on Knocking very derivative of Serious Times with a nice message which is very clever. Also love Holiday which does nice in placing Gyptian with a nice female vocalist, the unknown Keisha (love to see session singers getting big opportunities) with a sax backing.

Overall, for a debut and for how young Gyptian is this is a very very nice album. I wouldn't have even minded waiting until early '07 for this one to drop at all, but I'm still happy it's here sameway. What Gyptian represents is some of the wonderful new young talent coming from Iland, and look for that sophomore jinx to miss Gyptian by a mile. This is just the beginning, what follows will surely be magic.

Bramoi for Trini Jungle Juice

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My Name Is Gyptian - Gyptian
Release Date: Sep 12th 2006

Track Listings
01. Beng Beng
02. Mama
03. Beautiful Lady
04. You Never Know
05. Around The World
06. Serious Times
07. Take Me Higher
08. Through The Valley - (featuring Round Head)
09. Woman I Love You - (featuring Teflon)
10. School Girl
11. Take My Money
12. Keep On Knocking
13. What Are We Fighting For
14. Stop The Fussing
15. Holiday - (featuring Keisha)