Kes starts summer early with “Man With No Door”
Photo courtesy of Ineffable Music.
Perhaps no other genre of music is as closely associated with sunshine, good vibes, and my favorite place on earth, the beach than reggae music.
Like impatient elementary school kids, fans like myself gaze out the window waiting for the moment when the chill of winter months gives way to the long days of warm weather, good times and indelible memories that the summer inevitably brings.
I’ll be honest at times I find it hard to listen to Caribbean music regularly in the cold, only because my heart yearns to enjoy the chunes while sipping a rum cocktail in the islands with nary a care in the world.
Reggae artists know this for a fact and the savvy ones, gear up their new music to meet the fans with their feet in the sand.
Kes, the Soca collective hailing from the vibrant isle of Trinidad and Tobago, have done that with their new long player “Man With No Door”. This effort for me was both my introduction to them, and a chance to know what’s gonna be popping as we move into everyone’s favorite time of the year.
From the first track “Tack Back”, I was instantly intrigued. I love singers who don’t just deliver lyrics, but pull you in, open your ear canals, and make you want more. Kees Dieffenthaller, the groups insanely talented lead singer knew the assignment and did just that with aplomb.
With each track I found it increasingly difficult to sit still in my chair as, musically, Kes’ production is top notch delivering “wine yu waist” worthy beats, and party inciting choruses. “Liki Tiki”, “Jub Jub”, and “Talk to Me”, lend a continuity to this album without the need to pander to the audience with throwaway tracks that serve as filler. Each song is so well crafted that I have now promised myself to dig further into Kes’ catalogue for my own benefit to get more acclimated with them as a group.
What generally makes a reggae album great is the ability to touch multiple styles without overdoing it. Dancehall, (Honey Comb feat Busy Signal & Mood alongside Shaggy) Afrobeats (It’s Enough & Jolene) and of course Carnival appropriate Soca (Miracle) are all done marvelously by this crew. So much so that I can’t remember when I have been so hooked by a group upon a first listen. Man With a Door in short is literally a perfect album.
There’s not one skip on it, and I as well find it nearly impossible to choose a favorite among the 16 tracks. Okay, arm twisted, I’m going to go with the outrageously beautiful “Yes Please”. Resplendent with a subtle mid-tempo burn, mango sweet production, and Kees’ buttery smooth vocals. It’s already singed into my brain and locked in for me as the absolute song of the summer.
As a critic who prides his self on listening to music with a clean impartial ear, I don’t like to get too crazy when I hear an artist for the first time, and usually look for things to be somewhat cynical of. That intent was an epic fail with Man With No Door. This album is as essential to your summer vacation plans as suntan lotion, sandals, bathing suits, and your beverage of choice. For me that’ll be an Appletons and Coke, and a heaping dose of Kes of the side. Bottoms up folx!
By Yankee Nupe
