Subajah - Lion (Dashen Records)

For the production of 'Lion', Subajah collaborated with producer and keyboardist First Eye and Don Chandler, producer and bassist for Subajah's backing band, Architects Band.

With keyboardist Cyrus 'Monkites' Richards (whom we know from Rasites), the brothers Henry and Patrick Tenyue on trombone and trumpet, and saxophonist Sarah Tobias, several veterans of the British reggae scene contributed to this project.

The African vibes on 'Architect' have given way to rolling Virgin Islands basslines on 'Lion' (title track and opener 'Lion', 'EQ', 'System Overload'...).

However, it's the duets 'Survival' and 'Rock Easy', featuring Ijah and Harmonie Dèja, that truly captured our attention. The former a robust track with delightful brass sections and Ijah's raspy voice providing a striking contrast, while in 'Rock Easy', Subajah ventures into lovers rock territory.

The somewhat sentimental nyahbinghi track 'Cornerstone' could have been omitted, but, as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait. The standout gem on this album is the aptly titled closing track 'Lioness', an instrumental version of title track 'Lion', where the saxophone of British veteran Sarah Tobias magnificently replaces Subajah's vocals.

'Lion' lacks some of the conviction of 'Architect' but still ranks among the better contenders in its category.