Be not intimidated or deterred by the album's title - instead prepare for some really easy listening that will possibly put you in cruise control mode. As Freddie McGregor, OD says in the liner notes, "October of 2004 was definitely the right time, the music is moving back to where it once was and the combination of Digital band and Big Ship crew proved well."
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There are some clarion call hymns for patriots, rallying for public morality and decency - Set The Programme, the recently radio friendly Bangarang and Lock It Down - two of the more lyrical originals and my personal favourites on this album:
Right ya now we come fi shut dem down, shut up the slackness and the madness,
All those crazy talk dem a carry roun' town,
Right ya now we come fi lock dat down, yeah,
Clean up your lyrics and spread love around,
Lock It Down - Track #1)
I can remember those days, yes, your vibes were nice, yeah,
Contrary to what some folks may say, Jamaica has gone a long way,
Now looking back from where we were, today is a much brighter day,
So fi free up di land mek di farmer dem go plant,
Production we need everyday now afu yam and yellow yam and what a bam bam, Jamaica yes we are strong,
Sing it now, Jamaica no waan no bangarang,
We no want it, we no need it yeah,
(Bangarang - Track #2)
As is customary with any complete Freddie McGregor recording, there are several lovers rock tracks on this album, including four excellent interpretations - The Gaylads' Red Rose, Brotherhood of Man's United We Stand which features Marcia Griffiths, The Wailers' Love and Affection and Ooh Child made popular by Nina Simone in the early 1970's. Track 16, the tune In Your Dreams, is a very infectious updated version of our traditional Mento song, Evening Time.
A third major theme explored on Comin' In Tough album comes from some conscious Rastaman redemptive songs calling for change to the harsh reality of existence for the underprivileged amongst us - Comin' In Tough, Choices, and Better Way.
Pick Yourself Up, done in conjunction with Morgan Heritage is a great motivational piece in what has now become a classic tradition of this contemporary group.
Can You Feel It has such a catchy vibe instilled by Anthony B's innovative rapping, that its likely by the end of the song you will be tapping your feet, clapping your hands and singing the chorus, "people raving, dancehall grooving, people carrying on from dusk til' dawn."
Sister Marcia Griffiths, OD lends grace and relevance to this album in their duet United We Stand, a popular 1970's song poignant with symbolism of world peace, cultural diversity and harmony.
All told this album represents the best of the foundation and current trends in Reggae music. This is the type of album which music educators, politicians and human resources managers should be listening to and promoting within their various spheres of influence.
Freddie has not shortchanged thoroughness or quality in an attempt to achieve success. The results must be very satisfactory to him and his associates at VP Records. Freddie too must be very proud of his teenaged sons Daniel and Stephen, who produced four of the seventeen tracks included on the album - Choices, You Don't Know, Little Girl and Love On Our Side.
Consummate professional that he has become, he is well known for exhaustive liner notes. It includes some very expressive pictures of Freddie - very characteristic of his upbeat, pleasant personality.
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