Alborosie: Unforgiven ft. Raging Fyah
Alberto D'Ascola, the much-admired Alborosie has his eyes on the Grammy. And we hope he and the team of Greensleeves Record, a division of VP Music Group, achieves this milestone in reggae history. Since the release of Alborosie’s twelfth album, Unbreakable - Alborosie Meets the Wailers United, in June 2018, his pathway to the podium seems clearer with every discovery of the well curated track list. And the well-deserved attention of “Unforgiven,” featuring Raging Fyah, and the accompanying video is closing in on the vote.
There are many well deserved contenders competing for our attention. And Alborosie is one of the leaders that grants us the opportunity to savour music. This is a good thing. There are instances, such as this album, when establishing a separation between playing with music and being serious about the art of music is important. Though there is always room for Théophile Gautier’s theory of art for art’s sake, popularity for the sake of it is not art in music. Alborosie’s defiance affirms this concept.
As a talented vocalist, songwriter, guitarist, bassist, drummer, pianist, producer, and sound engineer, Alborosie’s authenticity demands authenticity in return. And as observers it is important to mirror his value driven approach to this art form, which takes an investment in time and attention to detail. Much like observing a painting in a gallery. His work demands surveying from multiple angles, moments of reflection, and a few revisits.
And the latest unearthing is the visual narrative of “Unforgiven” featuring Raging Fyah. Distant from the utilitarian style of popular reggae music videos, this visual narrative reconciles rock’s influence on reggae during the late 70s. It is a renegade approach to conformity even within its own genre. With Kumar "Kumz" Bent of Raging Fyah styled for the rebellion and Alborosie armed with his outrageous M-16 guitar. And the deconstructed setting and voluminous smoke slightly concealing the band compels the viewer to remain focused. Aesthetically shattering the normalized perceptions of conscious reggae in 2018. Respect to the film director and the set and costume designers for their contribution to this master plan.
At this point we do not know what to expect next from Alborosie. But we are certain he will continue to amaze us when he performs at the festival, Closer to The Sun, November 30 to December 4, in Riviera-Maya, Mexico. Also performing during this festival are great artists as UB40, Michael Franti, Thievery Corporation, and King Yellowman. Does it get any better than this?
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