Jesse Royal – Fresh Like The Morning

Besides two not to be missed Showcase LPs by the great late Judah Eskender Tafari, Ras Kush’s Black Redemption label has also released two 12″ vinyl singles for the “Fresh Like The Morning” riddim, which has been expertly built by producer, operator & selector Kai Dub from Bristol, UK, who’s part of the Maasai Warrior Sound System.

The first 12″ single features two vocal cuts af the riddim and their accompanying dubbed up versions by Kai Dub himself. On the A-side there’s Jesse Royal’s lead track for the riddim, “Fresh Like The Morning”. Jamaican artist Jesse David Leroi Grey aka Jesse Royal has managed to become is an internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, performer, and recording artist since he emerged on the scene with releases produced by ‘Fatis’ Burrel’s son Kareem ‘Remus’ Burrell for the XTM.Nation label. Having a militant character and being a profound lyricist, Jesse Royal, who’s also blessed with a distinctive voice, soon captured the attention of the international reggae massive and achieved a breakthrough with the deliverance of noteworthy singles like “Modern Day Judas”, “Feel Your Pain” and “Lion Order”, mixtapes and a full length album. Here he delivers a topnotch effort in his instantly recognisable style across the thumping UK Steppers riddim. It’s followed by Kai Dub’s “Fresh Dub”, which mainly lets the bass drive the powerful riddim and strongly emphasizes on the percussion.

Female singer Wellette Seyon is featured on the flip with “Rastafari”, a real fine song about the strong inspiration and guidance. Although this UK-based conscious reggae vocalist probably isn’t well known outside the sound system culture, she’s featured on releases of labels like Blackheart Warriors, Imperial Roots, Dub Invasion Records and Black Redemption. Kai Dub has again created a dub version, this time letting the vocals coming in and out of the mix.

Worthwhile 33 rpm 12″ vinyl single from the ever reliable Black Redemption label.