Papa Michigan – Mango Season – Review
Papa Michigan Mango Season Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com.
Papa Michigan – one half of the legendary duo Michigan and Smiley, for whom we have to thank for the phrases ‘Rub-a-Dub Style’ and ‘Nice up the Dance’ – is back with a new track, but this time a cover of one from a long-passed artist.
Mango Season, released via RuffCompany Records, is a cover of the General Echo track of the same name. The latter is, as best as Pauzeradio can tell, unavailable online. Of course, Jamaican police killed General Echo in 1980 at the age of just 24 – when he had already been making his mark as an artist in the late 70s. Questions remain over his seeming murder at the hands of the cops. So, it is good to see Michigan reinvigorate some of his music.
Overall, the track is an upbeat, Old Skool affair that is marked by a stripped-back arrangement that works around just two chords – in keeping with the era that Echo first recorded it in. Keys run a playful bubble rhythm in the mid-range of their register, while the bass runs a drop-beat riff that works around a basic melodic arrangement. Meanwhile, Rocksteady is present in terms of the guitar mimicking the bass’s line.
Drums run a one drop, where the kick hits the two and four, as does the snare but with some additional syncopation, while hi-hats tinker in between. Overall, the rhythm section feels very Rub-a-Dub with its unfussy yet effective arrangement.
There’s a brilliant horn section, which runs harmonised riffs and runs almost working in response to Michigan’s calls at times. There’s some pleasing use of blue notes in there to bring something funky in as well. The backing vocals are well-arranged as well, with some good harmonisation.
Mango Season’s broader arrangement sees intricate use of layering – with each instrument falling away and then coming back in at times, evoking the Dub sounds of the era. Additional reverb builds on the Dub vibes, and overall, Mango Season’s musical backdrop is well-executed – allowing Michigan to shine.
He still sounds solid, with a slightly nasally tone which is both crisp but also somewhat rounded. He approaches the vocal with a sense of pointed understatement – letting the lyrics around teaching children the righteous way in life speak for themselves. However, he has provided some pleasing rhythmic riffs and runs, as well as pleasing melodies across his mid-range tenor. The almost-skat breaks are great – and Michigan sounds on point throughout.
Overall, Mango Season is a great choice for a reworking from Michigan and all involved. The arrangement is strong, Michigan has still got prowess as a vocalist, and the whole thing has done General Echo proud.
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Papa Michigan Mango Season Review by Mr Topple / Pauzeradio PR Services.
