Inna Heights

Inna Heights

by Buju Banton
Inna Heights

Inna Heights

by Buju Banton

CD(Remastered / Bonus Tracks / Bonus DVD)

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Overview

Off-island fans of Buju Banton could only listen in amazement at the transformation the artist underwent during the mid-'90s. Debuting internationally in 1993 with the highly diversified Voice of Jamaica album, two years later Banton offered up the gorgeous, introspective 'Til Shiloh, and by 1997 he had grown into a mature superstar with Inna Heights. "My favorite thing about being able to bring across reggae music as a part of my culture...is sharing the excitement of it, the joy of it, the pleasure and splendor it bring." So Banton explains on one of the "Inter Lingua"s on this set, wherein he briefly meditates on his music and personal philosophy. And with Inna Heights he succeeds beyond most people's greatest expectations, capturing the glory of Jamaican music in virtually all its forms, imbuing it with the excitement of the dancehalls, yet ensuring that its cultural underpinnings shine forth. As with Shiloh, Heights opens with an a cappella prayer, but closes with the striking "Circumstances," another virtually a cappella piece that is an emotive cry against violence and the circumstances that breed it. The 19 tracks in between (including the four "Lingua"s) sweep across the spectrum, both musically and thematically. Reaching back in time, Banton and DJ vet Jah Stitch deliver up the jubilant skafest "Small Axe" (no relation to the Wailers classic), while Banton revisits the reggae age with a soulful Toots Hibbert for a phenomenal version of the Maytals' classic "54-46 Was My Number," and moves into roots territory with the Marley-esque "Hills and Valleys"; all three are standouts amidst a myriad of fabulous tracks. The bouncy "Redder Than Red" has a calypso lilt, while the anthemic "African Pride" and sufferer's "Mother's Cry" both boast Afro-beats. Lush romantic numbers, upbeat, contagious pieces, among them the sparkling hit "Love Sponge," and onto the superb dancehall of "Love Dem Bad," a combination number with Red Rat -- Heights has it all, musically and thematically. The cultural numbers resonate with wisdom and faith, and all are absolutely mesmerizing. The thoughtful "Hills," the lovely, introspective "Destiny," the optimism and strength of "Close One Yesterday," the infectious prayer "Give I Strength," its glowing ambience heightened by Ras Shiloh's emotive vocals, and the heartfelt appreciation of the "Single Parent" -- every one is a classic. In fact, virtually every song on this album is phenomenal; some are deftly self-produced, the bulk expertly overseen as always by Donovan Germain. Banton attained brave new heights, and in the process recorded a masterpiece. [VP issued a 10th Anniversary Edition that included bonus material on both CD and DVD.] ~ Jo-Ann Greene

Product Details

Release Date: 01/15/2008
Label: Vp Records
UPC: 0054645176828
Rank: 94903

Tracks

Disc 1

  1. Our Father in Zion
  2. Hills and Valley
  3. Interlingua
  4. Destiny
  5. African Pride
  6. Cry No More
  7. My Woman No
  8. Small Axe
  9. Interlingua
  10. Redder Than Red
  11. Single Parent
  12. Interlingua
  13. Give I Strength
  14. Close One Yesterday
  15. Interlingua
  16. Love dem Bad
  17. Love Sponge
  18. Interlingua
  19. Mothers Cry
  20. 54/46
  21. Circumstances
  22. Bad Boy
  23. Politics Time Again
  24. Situations

Disc 2

  1. Destiny
  2. [Bonus Material] [DVD] [*]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Buju Banton   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals
Beres Hammond   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Red Rat   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Ras Shiloh   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
King Snitch   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Toots Hibbert   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Jahmali   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Morgan Heritage   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
The Maytals   Primary Artist
Dean Fraser   Guest Artist
Sly Dunbar   Guest Artist
Twiggy   Vocals (Background)
King Stitch   Featured Artist
Steven Stanley   Keyboards
Michelle Jackson   Vocals (Background)
Danny Browne   Vocals (Background)
Dorette Wisdom   Vocals (Background)
Keith Stanley   Keyboards
Juliet Nelson   Vocals (Background)
Pam Hall   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Andrew Thomas   Engineer
A.W. Thomas   Composer
Mark Brown   Engineer
H. Browne   Composer
David Kelly   Mixing
Tony Kelly   Mixing
Andre "Dreddy Ranks" Tyrell   Engineer
Sly Dunbar   Composer
Steven Stanley   Mixing,Engineer
Chris Gehringer   Mastering
Shane Brown   Engineer
Michael Cooper   Engineer
C.S. Dodd   Composer
A. Martin   Composer
Willie Lindo   Composer
Michael "Ibo" Cooper   Engineer
Anthony Rochester   Composer
Buju Banton   Composer
Mark Myrie   Producer,Composer
Steven "Lenky" Marsden   Composer
Beres Hammond   Performer
Ras Shiloh   Performer
Red Rat   Performer
Richard Simpson   Photography
Robbie Shakespeare   Composer
Donald Dennis   Composer
Toots Hibbert   Performer
Donovan Germain   Composer,Producer
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