****RAS SHILOH - FROM RASTA TO YOU****

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****RAS SHILOH - FROM RASTA TO YOU****

TRACKLIST


1. Complain (With Garnet Silk)
2. Rolling With Life Blows
3. Who Can't Hear
4. Child Of A Slave
5. It's The Truth
6. Give I Strength (With Buju Banton)
7. Remember The Times
8. Save A Little Love For Me
9.More Than I Can Say
10. Trodding
11. From Rasta To You
12. For Once In Your Life
13. Far Too Long
14. Running Away From Love
15. Men Love Your Women
16. Are You Satisfied
17. Guilty Conscience


From Rasta to You
(VP, 2002)

I must admit, I was becoming a bit concerned that Ras Shiloh's Babylon You Doom was an anomaly in his career. I mean, aside from that masterpiece, Chants and Listen Well don't amount to a spectacular body of work. Well, Shiloh eliminates my fears with From Rasta to You, finally his first major label album (well, major for a reggae release). This album basically picks up where Babylon You Doom ends, forgoing the sterile hip-hop sound of Listen Well in favor of an engrossing blend of pensive roots, tender lovers rock, and light dancehall, all buoyed by his remarkable penchant for crafting sweet melodies. In fact, this album is such a continuation of Babylon You Doom that it contains two tracks from that set, "Child of a Slave" and "Are You Satisfied." It's almost as if the executive producers assumed that no one listened to the earlier album, so this was a way for them to give it some exposure. Needless to say, if you do have Babylon You Doom, you might be a bit peeved to find the repetition of songs. Additionally, if you have Buju Banton's Inna Heights, you'll find "Give I Strength" familiar, and Garnett Silk fans will certainly recognize "Complain," one of the nicer versions of the song that have been recorded. Still, even if you already have a few of the songs on From Rasta to You, there are plenty more to appease your palate. When Ras Shiloh is on top of his game, he's one of the best songwriters around. He molds dulcet -- but not corny -- melodies suited for his airy voice and smooth delivery, while lyrically he's as adept at romantic messages ("Running Away From Love") as poignant messages ("Child of a Slave"), messages of cultural pride ("From Rasta to You"), and social ills ("For Once in Your Life"). As with Babylon You Doom, little on From Rasta to You is fast forward-worthy; Ras Shiloh hits another home run and eases my fear that he might be a one-trick pony.