Album Review: JonQuan & Associates - Music you can trust to deliver the good vibe results you need
Photo courtesy of Easy Star Records.
Often there is a certain feel in the music made by a musician with years of experience writing, jamming, and most importantly playing on stage in front of audiences. The groove is precise without losing feel, the songs are familiar with just the right amount of innovation, and the vibes are right. Enter JonQuan, a touring musician, DJ, songwriter, and keyboardist who is releasing his first solo project on Easy Star Records. After playing for years as the frontman for Buddha Council and touring with various bands, JonQuan decided to begin making his own music during the downtime of the pandemic. He says, "[I] was inspired over the pandemic to create my own original riddims to cure the boredom and woes of being off stage and locked down...This is my first project where I produced the riddims myself. I wanted to leave the door open for the players of all other instruments for maximum creative input, but within certain parameters. I personally chose who I wanted to play what instrument on what song. I’m most accustomed to live writing with a band while feeling for a groove." Out of this came amazing instrumental tracks, which were then followed by JonQuan finding amazing vocalists and artists to feature on the songs. With this in mind, the project took on the apt name "Easy Star Presents: JonQuan & Associates''. Working closely with two-time Grammy winner Victor Rice of Easy Star All-Stars, the album JonQuan has created is fantastic and is a wonderful sign of his career as a solo artist to come!
The first song on "Easy Star Presents: JonQuan & Associates" sets the tone for the entire project. A chill and nostalgic roots riddim featuring keyboards and drum fills is paired with the smooth tone of Vernon Maytone's voice. Vernon was part of the Jamaican reggae vocal duo "The Maytals" formed in the late 1960s. The track is titled "Spread Love Around" and sends the beautiful message of being good and kind to our fellow human beings.
One of our favorites on the album is "In a Man's Heart". This riddim has an infectious groove supported by tasteful guitar riffs, excellent production, and driving bass. "In a Man's Heart features Sammy Dread on vocals, who uses his style and signature vibrato to take the song to the next level. Regarding Sammy, JonQuan notes, “The late 70s produced multiple heavy hitting JA singers. Sammy Dread should be put towards the top of that list...Sammy is a true boss and a terrific example of a kind human. Working with Sammy was my absolute pleasure, a pleasure I will certainly continue."
The first riddim JonQuan made for the project eventually became the song "One Bright Road" with Elliot Martin of John Brown's Body. The song kicks off with horn melodies that invoke a sense of both longing and hope. Immediately after the verse cuts in with the unique sound of Martin's voice. He utilizes quality melody structure and tasteful harmonies that fill out the awesome riddim JonQuan created. JonQuan says, "Elliot Martin is quite a magnanimous human being. His voice is one of a kind and unmistakable, and turned this tough, punchy song into an anthem to stay the course and keep doing the right thing. His lyrical content always kept me interested on JBB releases, and I’m fortunate to have him as an Associate." A guitar lead follows Martin's first bout of vocals and is just as catchy as the vocals themselves. While every song on JonQuan & Associates is quality, if we had to be left with one song this would be it.
For more info on this release visit www.easystar.com or www.JonQuan.com
"One Bright Road" is the Daily Reggae Song of the Day.
By Chris Lawrie.
