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Thanks and Praise by Gappy Ranks
Thanks and Praise by Gappy Ranks
A more personal, equally impressive second work.
Sampler
Gappy Ranks’ first album 'Put The Stereo On' was a real crowd pleaser, combining vintage Studio 1, Treasure Isle and Bunny Lee rhythms from Peckings and Stringray with his contemporary lyrical themes. For his second effort, however, Gappy clearly hankered to revisit the current one-drop and dancehall sounds of his EP 'Rising Out Of The Ghetto'. Yes, some will find the treated vocals, slick digital backings and big pop radio choruses of recent reggae harder to swallow. But accept them for what they are, and this is a more personal, equally impressive piece of work.
As with Stereo there is familiar and new material. This time, however, we hear a variety of producers instead of just two. Five of the tracks have already been released as singles (two – the Macro Marco production Stinkin Rich and Special Delivery ballad Long Time appearing on 'Rising Out Of The Ghetto') while a further 9 are fresh.
There are the three acts to the album. An opening one drop segment includes the title track (produced by the UK’s Jazzwad) and Special Delivery’s One Day At A Time (on the Wailers’ Small Axe rhythm, a nod to Stereo’s smash hit on Soul Rebel, Heaven In Her Eyes). On the former, Gappy shows his gratitude for the way he has turned himself around from troubled youth to music star. For the latter he looks back on his life as a work in progress, asking for forgiveness for the mistakes he’s made.
The second act takes us into the cheekily boastful unashamedly commercial world of dancehall. There’s ridiculously catchy single with Russian Tun Up whose thumping beats and lyrics celebrate the excess of being on top. More of a test for the purists will be Animal Sons production The Road which sounds like a flashback to 90s Ibiza. But as a proud member of the internet generation, Gappy sees Jamaican music as compatible with anything, while the accompanying words are worthy reality fare.
Finally, there’s a return to the one-drop for deejay duet Could A Run Away with Delly Ranx, dealing with past hardships overcome. Closing acoustic guitar driven lullaby Better Must Come backs off from the heavily electronic arrangements, telling ghetto people to follow their dreams. If you like modern reggae you’ll love this record. And if you don’t, remember this is the same Gappy who gave you Stereo and give it a chance. You may thank him one day.
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