Halfway Tree | Damian "Junior Gong" Marley | The Legend continues . . .

Halfway Tree | Damian "Junior Gong" Marley | SIMPLY THE GREATEST !!!!

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Halfway Tree

	Halfway Tree Damian "Junior Gong" Marley Motown, 2001 average customer review:based on 42 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Covering everything from roots reggae to dancehall, culture to (mild) slackness, and hip-hop to R&B, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley's sophomore offering, Halfway Tree, bridges the gap between several disparate Jamaican sounds. "Where Is The Love?"--set to a slinky American R&B rhythm--juxtaposes the youngest Marley's roughneck toasting against Ruff Ryder Eve's assertive feminist rap. His posh uptown pedigree can be observed in the smooth grooves and salsa-infected vibes of the Sly & Robbie-produced "She Needs My Love," which also showcases graceful vocalization by Yami Bolo. "Catch a Fire," featuring brother Stephen's raw silk harmonies, drops some straightforward African diaspora history in a classic roots reggae style, deconstructing and updating their father Bob's classic "Slave Driver." Overall, Halfway Tree is above average, and "Give Dem Some Way" is the album's most outstanding selection. After opening with a truly funny spoken-word intro, a funky bass-drum-and-flute "wild apache" beat kicks in, and then Jr. Gong and talented newcomer Izzy set it off for the educated rude-bwoy youth. --Rebecca Levine

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The Legend continues . . .

One of the best reggae albums I've heard in some time with its raw, driving, hard and relevant lyrics. I like this one even better than Jamrock. This brother has a style that is his own, and his interpretation of the Marley message will ensure that the word of the Last Known Living Prophet survives . . . If you like hard unfiltered reggae, you'll love this one.

SIMPLY THE GREATEST !!!!

This (Dancehall-Rasta-Rap) album's energy is off the charts. His whole spirit essence is poured into this album. This album never lets up. All songs have substance and meaning in it. This (in my humble opinion) is the greatest album to ever come out Jamaica. These tracks never age, each listen is like you're still hearing it for the first time. Definitely a must have if your a fan of hip-hop/reggae(roots)/dancehall.

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A Must Have...

When I first heard this album, I was blown away. This is not a reggae album, as most ppl describe it. But a classic nonetheless. Jamrock is a little more matured in lyrical content but this album is very deep lyrically as well. If I had to choose between Jamrock and Halfway Tree, I honestly couldn't have one without the other. That's how important this album is. If you have Jamrock, and you don't have Halfway Tree, then you are missing out tremendously. Or you aren't really a Jr. fan.

Solid album...

First of all, this is not the best Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley album. Welcome To Jamrock is. However, this is not bad. It's not quite as conscious as Welcome To Jamrock, but it is still good hip hop/dancehall music produced by his musically gifted half-brother Stephen Marley. And before you buy anything by Jr. Gong, you should realize that he isn't his dad, Bob Marley. Bob didn't play dancehall, he played roots reggae. Damian is all about the dancehall.

That being said, Damian deserves much respect for his delivery on this album (and Stephen for his delivery on the production!). There are some bad songs, but there are way more good ones than bad ones. The best songs are Justice (a Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers cover), Catch A Fire (f/ Stephen Marley)(a cover of Bob's Slave Driver), She Needs My Love (f/ Yami Bolo), Halfway Tree, and Paradise Child (f/ Mr. Cheeks and Jimmy Cozier). One thing is apparent on this album...Damian does better with collaborations than on his own (which is not true of the Welcome To Jamrock album, most of that album is just him and he comes up big). I think Damian really solidified his sound on this album (if you heard his style on Mr. Marley, this is much better). In conclusion, if you don't have Welcome To Jamrock get that first, and after you have that you'll probably want more, so buy this then.

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Not Bad