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Don’t you just love the moments when you listen to a new artist or an album and don’t know what to expect and the sound is so powerful you just say “get out of here!”?
Well, I do and I had one of those moments a while ago when I put French youthful deejay Naâman’s debut album 'Deep Rockers – Back A Yard' in the CD player. I had received a promo copy and hadn’t heard about him before and actually thought about shelving it without giving it a listen, but for some reason I changed my mind, and I’m glad I did. Because this album is hip-hop-fueled reggae at its best.
Naâman evolved on the French reggae scene three years ago and was this year voted as Revelation of the Year at French Web Reggae Victories. He has previously only released a mixtape and a successful single on Youtube.
'Deep Rockers – Back A Yard' was mainly produced and recorded in Jamaica by Fatbabs at the legendary Harry J studio together with musicians such as Sam Clayton, Stephen Stewart, Dalton Browne and Sly Dunbar.
The sound is a bit reminiscent of mid 80’s Sly & Robbie or George Phang, especially the severely hard skanking Cutty Ranks combination Rebel For Life.
Naâman has a great sense for strong melodies and he also has a natural, rhythmic and vigorous flow when he rides the pulsating and thumping riddims effortlessly. He should however focus on his deejay skills, since his singing is not as strong.
This potent and explosive album offers a fresh take on hip-hop-influenced reggae delivered with a high dose of passion and youthful playfulness.
Posted by Cérébos on 06.09.2013 | |
I don't agree with this article. Namaan lyrics are very poor and IMO he should learn to speak English because it's not very nice to hear for the moment... Anyway, as he recorded in Jamaica, a lot of people go into extasies listening to Namaan but to be honest I dont understand why... There a lot of artists working for years who haven't the luck to get the same exposure.. Why Europeans/US white reggae artists/singer - like Matysiahu, Groundation..- are often featured like Namaan since few months ? (No racism here, just question) |
Posted by Jahson on 06.11.2013 | |
Cérébos, You express exactly the criticism that this young artist will receive blindness rigid concepts of images that can be done Reggae (and the expression of art in general). The feelings of the people in Naaman, it is precisely this new artistic vibration, fresh, generous and shared (disturbing for some). This young man has absorbed the legacy of reggae 60/70. It projecte us this strength, this vibrational energy and transformation that pushes through his spiritual quest, authenticity, truth and sharing. It appears to us, naked, without camouflage and without cheating with his stick pilgrim and his desire to travel and meetings (I myself crossed his smile and kindness in a studio in Kingston). He just slung his immense talent that oozes everywhere and it twists the guts. What is interesting is that this transmission of values ​​and truths of reggae has made regardless of skin color and origins. This mixed color black and white Bob Marley ... That's why people are attracted to the light from Naaman and do not care about the color of his skin and the English language become. Attention emmergence a great artist in the making and processing, do not miss out on. |
Posted by rootical on 06.15.2013 | |
I have to agree with Cerebros. His english sounds like "allo allo" a television series in the 90's. Dont take the title for your album "deep rockers"if you dont know what rockers stand for.. What a misleading title. Doesnt have nothing to do with colour, but for me it's a BIG NO.. |
Posted by Sam on 06.16.2013 | |
Cerebos and Rootical, stop masturbating you with his English. He is young and it will change. I am a journalist and I was invited to go to his concert at the New Morning on Thursday night. I did not know Naaman. Well, it was great as I would have never imagined. He made everyone agree. My colleagues and I were on the ass. Naaman comes into force by his enormous talent and incredible energy. People were in a trance. It was a moment of madness. So stop talking nonsense and you will see, you will be ok soon, too! Do not miss the train! |
Posted by Rootical on 06.23.2013 | |
Dear Sam. Personal taste is something you can not Discuss. Some people like Naaman and some people don't. In my case I really don't. Simply the title Deep Rockers - Back a Yard.. Sounds like Vanilla Ice saying - Straight outta Compton. |
Posted by Sam on 06.23.2013 | |
OK Rootical. Know that Naaman was born in Dieppe. Dieppe has Deep in English. Deep Rockers is a pun. You do not know the artist and you get trapped. Sam Clayton, Stephen Steward and musicians Sly Dunbar, Daniel "Axeman" Thompson, Dalton Browne will be pleased to have worked with a man in vanilla ice cream. They, who are a little reggae expert claimed talent Naaman. Now, OK, tastes and colors are not discussed and that's fine. But we must be honest and not break an artist simply because they do not appreciate his music. Before criticizing and especially criticize negatively, push your analysis further if you do not want to say bullshit. Another time, wait to see them live to understand the man. |
Posted by MrQuick on 06.27.2013 | |
Fake patwa lyrics, be they on Sly riddims or not are fake patwa lyrics. Tired of these false preachers |
Posted by Fred on 07.07.2013 | |
Last night, I saw Naaman concert in Bordes, it was really great. Stop these fruitless discussions. Naaman will become a very big on the site. You tire me too. |
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