Parables

by Tarrus Riley

Overview

Tarrus Riley's contemporized roots reggae comes with a pedigree: his father is the Jamaican singer Jimmy Riley, best known for his early-'80s album Love and Devotion and its classy cover of Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing." The younger Riley stays close to the themes of Rasta, righteousness and romanticism on this likable set, but he's young and worldly enough to go beyond the cliches, both musical and lyrical. The songwriting on Parables is tightly constructed, melodic, smart and accessible, and while the themes are familiar, Riley is willing to inject some pop gloss into his music, avoiding the sanctimoniousness that often drives away non-devotees of hardcore reggae. He doesn't overdo it with the Rasta rhetoric, and although there are more than a few direct references to Bob Marley lyrics in Riley's own, he never gives the impression that he's following in anyone's footsteps. Like most Rasta artists, Riley does rail against Babylon, but then in "Micro Chip," he cautions just as vehemently against worshipping technology, particularly the computer (wonder if he considers the machines in the recording studio technology?). But some of the most satisfying material on Parables has nothing to do with theology or injustice but rather with the heart: Riley's cover of "Stay with You," made famous by John Legend, and Riley's own "Something Strong" are unabashed paeans to romantic love (although the latter may be the first love song to include the word "parasites"), and the title track brilliantly draws lines between classic morality tales of yore and life in the 21st century. Riley's voice is a strong and likable one, equally comfortable within the spiritual and the secular, and he knows where to go for help, too: the ubiquitous Sly & Robbie are among the ace musicians contributing to the album, hitmaker Dean Fraser produces, and the legendary Tuff Gong Studios is one of the venues at which Riley laid down tracks. A voice to carry reggae ahead, for sure. ~ Jeff Tamarkin

Product Details

Release Date:	10/31/2006
Label:	Vp Records
UPC:	0054645233422
Rank:	128150

Tracks

1. System Set (Willie Lynch Syndrome)
2. Haunt You
3. Beware
4. Micro Chip
5. One Two Order
6. Stay With You
7. She's Royal
8. More Than a Million Reasons
9. Lion Paw
10. Parables
11. Africa Awaits
12. Pick up the Pieces
13. Let Love Live
14. Family
15. My Baby (Cyan Sleep)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Tarrus Riley   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background)
Duane Stephenson   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Della Manley   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Dean Fraser   Saxophone,Percussion,Horn
Nambo Robinson   Horn,Trombone
Nikki Burt   Vocals (Background)
Michael Fletcher   Bass
Rochell Bradshaw   Vocals (Background)
Dwight Richards   Horn
Chris Meridith   Bass
Chico Chin   Horn
Paul "Scooby" Smith   Organ,Keyboards
Conradine Campbell   Vocals (Background)
Desi Jones   Drums
Lamont "Monty Rankin" Savory   Guitar
Chris Frazer Smith   Vocals (Background)
Gibby Morrison   Guitar
Errol Hird   Horn
John Williams   Violin
Randevon Patrick   Drums
Ryan Webb   Organ,Keyboards
Sly Dunbar   Drums
Mark Clark   Drums
Mark Dawson   Drums
Kirk Bennett   Drums
Donald Dennis   Bass
Robbie Shakespeare   Bass
Robert Lyn   Keyboards
Melbourne Miller   Drums
Althea Layne Hamilton   Vocals (Background)
Glen Browne   Bass,Guitar
Alvin Haughton   Percussion
Carol McLaughlin   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Dean Fraser   Arranger,Producer,Executive Producer
"Deadly" Headley Bennett   Composer
Superintendent Gladstone Wright   Producer
ONeil Smith   Engineer
Robbie Lynn   Composer
Omar Riley   Composer
Chris Chin   Executive Producer
Jackie Mittoo   Composer
Shane Brown   Mixing
Joel Chin   A&R
Leroy Sibbles   Composer
Rohan Dwyer   Mixing
Tarrus Riley   Composer
Paul Shields   Editing,Mastering