Artist: Delroy Washington Album: Rasta

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A Critical Review of the Album Rasta by Delroy Washington

When it comes to reggae music, the name Delroy Washington ranks high up there with some of the greatest. An influential figure in the genre, Delroy Washington's music has touched the hearts of reggae fans across the globe. In this blog post, we'll be taking a closer look at one of his best-known albums, Rasta. We'll go over the history of Delroy Washington, the music genre that the album falls under, the best songs on the album, and the most innovative parts of the album. Finally, we'll offer our critique of the album and give our verdict on whether it's worth a listen.

Delroy Washington was born in Jamaica in 1952 and later moved to London where he became an important figure in the UK reggae scene. He was part of a collective of artists known as The Cimmarons who created some of the most influential music in the genre during the early 1970s. Washington was known for his powerful voice and his ability to write songs that spoke to the struggles of the working class. He released Rasta in 1978, an album that would go on to be considered one of his best works.

Rasta falls under the roots reggae genre, which is known for its socially conscious lyrics and the use of the nyabinghi drumming style. The album contains nine tracks that touch on themes such as spirituality, social justice, and love. One of the standout tracks on the album is Jah Jah We Are Waiting, a song that speaks to the Rastafarian belief that Jah (God) will one day come and deliver them from oppression. Another standout track is Freedom Fighter, which speaks to the need for political activism in the fight for freedom.

The most innovative parts of Rasta come from the use of instrumentation and the arrangements of the songs. The use of horns on tracks such as Give Thanks and Praise adds a layer of depth to the music and complements Washington's vocals perfectly. The song Very Well features a unique rhythmic arrangement that gives the track a lively groove. The instrumentation on Jah Jah We Are Waiting is minimal, but it allows Washington's vocals to shine and gives the song a hauntingly beautiful quality.

While Rasta is a great album, it's not without its flaws. The production quality of the album is not up to par with some of the other albums released during the same time period. Some of the tracks feel like they were rushed or weren't given enough attention in the mixing process. Additionally, while Delroy Washington's vocals are undeniably powerful, some listeners may find his delivery to be too monotone at times.

Overall, Rasta is a fantastic album that showcases Delroy Washington's talent as a songwriter and musician. The album serves as a time capsule of sorts, recalling the struggles of working-class Jamaicans during the 1970s. Though the album is not perfect, it's clear that a lot of heart and soul went into the making of it. If you're a fan of roots reggae or Delroy Washington, Rasta is an album that should not be missed.