Same again, then. Buoyed by the success of "Black Star", Anthony B's previous album on Greensleeves, the English label has decided to bet once more on the partnership of the Bobo Shanti fireman and the French producer Frenchie for this "Higher Meditation". From the first listen, one has to face facts: Greensleeves was not wrong.
Frenchie and Anthony B thus go at it again, surrounded by the Firehouse Crew, Christopher Birch and Dean Fraser. The productions are as serious as ever. The title track that opens the album sets the tone well, its crafted melody perfectly carrying Anthony B's voice, which we had not heard so incisive in a while. In the same vein, one will enjoy tracks like Nah run from people or One chalice, but also edgier tracks like Ease off and No passa passa. Even the slightly limp nyabinghi Your time has come manages to win one over with its depth and the vocal performance on offer. Special mention for Tired of waiting in vain, a successful nod to Bob Marley on the same riddim, so dear to Frenchie for years.
With the exception of Just can't live that way on the recent Jah powers riddim, there are no singles on "Higher Meditation". Instead, prestigious guests such as Natty King, whose haunting singing blends perfectly with Anthony B's devastating toast on Honour to Marcus, and a Turbulence on great form on Real warriors, a highly effective track that brilliantly closes the sadly too short tracklisting. With Anthony B at his best, this new opus by the deejay alongside Frenchie is the worthy successor to "Black Star": an unqualified success.
