For fans of one riddim albums, the Marley family has released this CD gathering its productions on a boggle riddim, "Educated Fools", composed by Stephen and Damian Marley themselves. These 11 tracks (plus the version) were recorded at the family's home studio (Marley Music Studio) and released on the equally family-run label Ghetto Youths International. Already known for its very original 45s, the label is venturing for the first time (to my knowledge) into the one riddim CD with a very good selection of artists ranging from Yami Bolo to Bounty Killer, by way of Buju and Capleton.
This hardcore riddim, which I find a bit lacking in originality, nevertheless allows the artists to develop conscious themes. We find the duo of Damian Marley and Bounty Killer on the track Educated Fools, present, in another mix, on Junior Gong's album. Buju rides the version in a style that is hardly new but remains effective, Determine for his part delivers a very good tune with a devastating flow, as does Bounty Killer. Note also Yami Bolo on top form, Capleton and Mr Mojo in combination with Laza of LMS. The young deejays, El Pancho, Daddigon and the rapper Sli, do rather well. I also have a soft spot for the rather unusual combination of Spragga Benz and Kymani.
In the end, tunes that are all of good quality for a coherent one riddim. The riddim gets a little tiring in the long run, but you can feel that the artists who turned up (and not the least of them) applied themselves in style and lyrics addressed to the ghetto youths. With this CD, the Marley stable is finding its feet and refining its dancehall/conscious style, showing great openness: roots, ragga, hip-hop and some that defy classification. One to follow closely... with a crew like that they could well do much better still!
