Jah Nyne – Holdin A Vibe

After producing the Unique Reggae Mix Show for the past six years, one thing I have noticed is that there are many great artists who remain underrated. This has certainly been the case with Jah Nyne.

Hailing from Freeport, Bahamas, Jah Nyne has been a regular feature on the radio show since 2007. Better known for tunes such as In The Name Of Jah and Spread Some Love, amongst many others, Jah Nyne does not fail to deliver again with his album Holdin A Vibe.

Right from the start, this album shows huge development, not only in Jah Nyne’s vocal ability but also in the production and overall quality of his music, which has grown tremendously.

The title track, Holdin A Vibe, is smooth and mellow, built around a laid-back Roots riddim and led by a positive spiritual message. It has a natural musical flow that sets us up perfectly for the journey through the rest of the album.

How Do You Feel, on the Mirror riddim, steps up the pace. It is another huge tune carrying an important message about issues affecting the world. Jah Nyne’s vocals immediately draw the ear while delivering a serious message to those responsible for violence and killing. It is a deep song and one that deserves to be heard on more radio stations worldwide.

Hungry Pickney, on the Golden riddim, is another very well-produced track. Jah Nyne’s vocals have real punch here, once again addressing important issues that people around the world are facing. The riddim comes from Goldcup Records and is another quality piece of work in its own right.

I’ll Treasure You shows us the more loving side of Jah Nyne, with velvet-like vocals and a message aimed firmly at the ladies. The sweet, distinctive singing combined with the catchy riddim will have you swaying. It is a big tune and another example of Jah Nyne’s versatility.

Jah Bless Us continues the positive direction of the album and is again very well produced. It is good to hear this level of quality and passion running consistently through one project.

Peace And Love takes things down a notch and features Ras Ijah. Vocally, the track delivers a strong combination. Jah Nyne and Ras Ijah have very different sounds, which is exactly why the pairing works so well.

That combination is backed by solid production on the Ready Right Now riddim, played tightly by Ambassa.

Rise picks the pace back up with a tough, fiery tune, burning down the system while hailing Jah to guide us through difficult times and struggle.

Shoulder To The Wheel brings an uplifting sound, with The Magista handling the riddim and giving the track a strong musical Roots feel. Jah Nyne’s vocal flow is catchy and easy to follow, making this one of those songs that stays in your head long after it has finished.

Take Control, featured on the Eternal riddim, has already become a regular feature on the Unique Reggae Mix Show and has proved very popular with listeners, as have many songs from Holdin A Vibe. The bright, bouncing riddim works hand in hand with Jah Nyne’s vocals and is very pleasing to the ear.

Unity Is Strength, on the excellent Splashback riddim played by Ambassa, features another talented artist from the Bahamas, Peter Runks.

The laid-back, classic Roots Reggae riddim is one of the most musical I have heard this year and is a great example of quality production. Once again, the combination works because Jah Nyne and Peter Runks have such different and distinctive vocal styles.

Rounding off the journey of Holdin A Vibe is possibly my favourite song from the album, Zion I, on the Keep It Clean riddim.

This track has also become a popular feature on the Unique Reggae Mix Show. It opens the listener’s ears to absorb the teachings in Jah Nyne’s words, drawn from life experience and delivered with conviction.

It is safe to say that this album oozes quality from the first track right through to the last.

Choosing a top five is difficult, but according to my ears these are the standouts:

1. Zion I

2. I’ll Treasure You

3. Unity Is Strength feat. Peter Runks

4. Holdin A Vibe

5. Peace And Love feat. Ras Ijah

To summarise, Holdin A Vibe is another great album for 2012/2013.

It is very well produced and covers a broad spectrum of Reggae, Roots and Lovers styles. I think the combination of Jah Nyne, Goldcup Records, Culture Shock, Ambassa and everyone involved in the project makes this a strong release without doubt.

The album combines tight production and riddims with solid vocals, spiritual messages and observations on real life.

It is another must, not only for radio selectas worldwide, but for anyone who loves being uplifted by great Reggae music.

Released by Goldcup Records, September 2011

Jah Nyne Holdin A Vibe review by Gav Pauze, 05/11/2012