“The Gentle Man” ascends Romain Virgo to the top of the game
Daily Reggae readers, I want to first salute you and say that It is a pleasure to join the Daily Reggae team. My name is Yankee Nupe, and I’m brand new ‘round these parts. I’m hoping to bring you more of what you’ve been getting, in terms of news, timely information, and reviews of all the new heat that we as reggae fans clamor for. It’s an honor and a privilege to do so!
If you’re a fan of the man whose album we’re about to get into, your prayers were answered when one-drop megastar, Romain Virgo gave the masses what is arguably one of the most anticipated new releases of 2024, The Gentle Man.
Perhaps no artist outside of his fellow heartthrob, Christopher Martin has dominated contemporary reggae as the St. Ann Parish, born Virgo has. Since dropping his last album, 2018’s Lovesick, all he’s done is release nothing but hits, dominate riddim compilations, and tour internationally while establishing his place among some of the greatest lovers rock singers to ever do it.
I honestly don’t ever recall NOT liking a Virgo chune, as his voice is among one of my personal favorites. Blessed with a honey-sweet delivery, The Gentle Man seeks to capitalize on RV’s absence and set the tone for the approaching transition to spring vibes.
Opening up with the smooth, head-nodding Been There Before, Virgo chronicles his ascension to the top of the game with a blazing assist from Masicka, and instantly reintroduces himself to those who may have suffered a spell of temporary amnesia.
Following that up, Switch You On, much like the opener, shows RV’s versatility without having to instantly lean on his lover’s rock prowess as a crutch, and I can bet the house his fans are here for it. In fact, it’s not until halfway through the album that he even ventures into one-drop territory with the splendid Red Dress.
It’s at this point I begin to shake my head in disbelief at just how ridiculously dope this man is. I honestly didn’t even need to speculate further on how I was going to view this album, but subsequent bangers No Curfew, Take It or Leave it and Just Like That, essentially made my decision for me.
Add to that a few more well-placed collabos in I Believe, featuring Nigerian reggae artist Patoranking, Bridges alongside Jesse Royal, and the closer, You Must Pay with "The Prophet" himself, Capleton, and I’ve already cast my vote for album of the year, not even a quarter of the way through 2024.
I don’t know if I’ve ever pre-judged an album before it even came out, but I can say with certainty once Virgo dropped the incendiary lead single Good Woman (also on this album) I knew that he was going to deliver a gem.
Call it more confidence in him than wishful thinking, but being one of the new leaders of the culture, and adeptly furthering the fire that stalwarts like Sanchez, Beres Hammond, and Singing Melody started before he was even born, I have no issue proclaiming Romain Virgo a legend in the making. I implore you to pick up this sunshine on wax called The Gentle Man, and keep it close by as the cold weather cedes into summer madness.
By Yankee Nupe
