Listening Notes, Ultra-Brief
Protoje, Ancient Future (Indiggnation Collective/Overstand)
Young rasta with the biz in his blood, Oje Ken Ollivierre claims West Indies pop connections on both sides: his ma is Lorna Bennett (“Breakfast In Bed,” 1972), his pa calypsonian Lord Have Mercy. That helps contextualize the equal love for Black Uhuru and Mighty Sparrow, but his roots tendencies have definite dancehall flow. Making room for not just Chronixx and Mortimer but Roger Troutman-style vocoder, his dance track meets Sevana’s smooth contributions with lush guitar, and the cut namechecking Jamaican MP Damion Crawford samples Zap Power’s “Bubblin’ Over”. He decries ballot-stuffing (“Ladi dadi / naa join nuh party”), remembers early days in short pants (“you shoulda seen me in my room / mic stand, it was a broom”). And when he nabs a Prince Buster ska riddim, it’s to tell a story of heartbreak in 1971 Brixton.
Low Cut Connie, Hi Honey (Contender Records)
Philly miscreants tell more lubricious tales, featuring a first-name-basis cast of characters: Danny, Annie, Diane, Dumb Boy. All manner of 60s junk cheerfully incorporated, they hoard Farfisa, fuzzbox, spaghetti western tremolo, and the bass/vibes hook from “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch”. But primary weapons remain stand-up piano and Adam Weiner’s unflagging punch. Meeting Tina Turner on the Nutbush city limits, repurposing Leadbelly’s “If It Wasn’t For Dickie” as frat rock rumble, he’s got no time for the hanky panky because he’s back in school. As for modes of fashion: “I’m a modern dude / I eat all that modern food”.
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