Prezident Brown – Son Of A Gun – Review

August 20, 2020

Prezident Brown: Son of a Gun Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com.

Ahead of its forthcoming EP The Message, CKM Infinity Studio has dropped the second track from the release. And if this new cut from Prezident Brown (and the first single from Trudii Harrison), are anything to go by, the full record should be an impressive piece of work.

Prezident Brown Son of a Gun, released via CKM Infinity Studio, sees label founder Cliff Manswell at the production helm again. It follows the same compositional riddim as Harrison’s Black Voice. But what’s lovely to see is Brown’s completely different interpretation – setting it apart from the first release.

The track is heavily Roots-driven, utilising various devices to deliver a recognisable sound – but one that is far from rudimentary or traditional. Heavily staccato keys perform a relentless bubble rhythm, which tonally sits in a predominantly lower area of register than on some Roots tracks – which immediately creates depth. A syncopated drop-beat bass works around diatonic riffs; all very Rocksteady. Its dropping of beats is interesting, not least on the chorus, where it works off two-bar phrases, dropping just the one on the first, then the one and three on the second. This pattern helps create a subtle wind to Black Voice, complimenting the keys.

Drums perform a classic one drop to hammer the Roots’ vibe home further – with the kick hitting the two and four, hi-hats performed dotted rhythms around open and closed techniques and the snare alternating between rim clicks and open skin hits. The occasional cymbal roll compliments these, but the overall arrangement is relentless and helps to maintain momentum across the fairly relaxed BPM.

The fleeting inclusion of what sounds like a synth atenteben (or similar woodwind instrument) at points (with a countermelody) is a clever nod to the Motherland. Electric guitars are present, offering sparse riffs and chords which generally focus on the end of the bars – with their rasping tone nodding to Blues. And the background vocals here are delicately yet pointedly arranged – swerving between harmonised, layered accompaniment and responses to Brown’s main melodic call. And it’s a classy performance from him, too.

Prezident Brown is purposefully reserved across Son of a Gun, never sounding like he’s pushing his voice too hard or over-accentuating the notes. He has a fascinating resulting tone, which is rich yet still crisp and engaging. His range is strong, flipping between the full range of a tenor. Brown also focuses on horizontal embouchure more than its vertical counterpart, enhancing the resonant sound. His use of note phrasing, tightly clipping some while elongating others, makes the lyrical delivery punchy. And his words are equally strong, as he delivers a veritable sermon about the humble, righteous and conscious life we should be living – juxtaposed with those who, under Babylon, don’t.

Son of a Gun is another powerful released from CKM Infinity Studio. It demonstrates how Manswell has created a well-crafted riddim that is versatile enough to elevate different vocal styles and themes. But it also showcases Brown perfectly – at his thoughtful and compelling best. The EP should be an exciting and interesting release.