SOJA: New Jack Reggae, Oldschool Philosophy
by delarue
“I wonder if you know what I’m saying when you sing along?” SOJA frontman Jacob Hemphill asks his audience during a rare lighthearted moment on the band’s new album, Strength to Survive. As much sarcasm as that line may have, it carries just as much sincerity. This is a deep record. The vernacular, the accents and the music are a lot different than they were when roots reggae was reaching critical mass in Jamaica around 1972, but the vibe is the same. The Rasta artists of that era were looking for philosophical and spiritual answers, not to mention solutions to the same mundane earth crisis problems that have only multiplied since then, and SOJA are the same. Most people think of reggae as lighthearted party music, and a lot of it is – and there’s nothing wrong with that – but this band goes deeper, not only lyrically, but also musically.
SOJA’s not-so-secret weapon is keyboardist Patrick O’Shea. The band’s sonic architect in the same way that Richard Wright was to Pink Floyd, he shifts between an endless, lustrous series of glimmering, echoing, twinkling, purring, soaring and swirling electric piano, organ and synth textures. Hemphill’s smart, thoughtful guitar playing echoes his lyrical sensibility: rather than assuming the lead, he takes a conversational role, with O’Shea in particular. Bassist Bobby Lee Jefferson and drummer Ryan Berty make a purist, fat yet strikingly stripped-down rhythm section that goes all the way back to rocksteady for its source; the harmonies of trumpeter Rafael Rodriguez and saxophonist Hellman Escorcia often add a potently plaintive, or anthemic, or triumphant edge, depending on the song.
There are many different grooves here. Among the slower ones, Slow Down examines the toll alienation takes on the spirit; Be With Me Now is a moody attempt to fend off an impending breakup that builds to a powerful, anthemic swell which the audience probably feeds off of at live shows. There’s the funky, faster Everything Changes, a trio of reggae-pop songs with 60s soul tinges, and a straight-up, catchy backbeat rock song that closes the album’s twelve tracks. But the best songs here are the serious ones. Gone Today ponders a carpe diem theme, synthesizer oscillating quizzically over its upbeat bounce, while It’s Not Too Late offers a hopeful message, with a tasty mix of blippy horns, twinkling keys and the album’s single guitar solo (which is a good one). Not Done Yet works an unexpectedly stripped-down groove with hints of jazz in the chords. The two strongest tracks here are both big, biting anthems: the first is the opening cut, Mentality, which calls out trouble spots all over the world, BP Oil poisoning the planet along with the war profiteers: “Forwards never, backwards ever,” Hemphill muses sarcastically. The other is the Peter Tosh-inspired, apocalyptic title track: “Does the dollar really matter when the whole world’s gone?” Hemphill asks, “Our world will recover in a billion years, but fuck it if we’re not here.” Words of wisdom from a band who deserve to be taken seriously. SOJA are on tour this summer and are likely to move a ton of these smartly and warmly produced albums at shows; the entire schedule is here.
This is a joke, Have you ever heard a SOJA album previous to “Strength to Survive” ? The new album is a shell of the previous 3 you give a great breakdown of their talent but this particular album is watered down with over production by the new Dave Mathews Label. Do a little research on their previous 3….”Peace in a Time of War, Get Wiser and Born in Babylon. The message of “Jah” has been stripped from their music for a main stream push and i find it truly sickening that one of my favorite bands of all time would go from every song being incredible to on this album out of the 12 only about half are reminiscent of who they are as a band. This album is a platform to push JACOB HEMPHILL on the unheard listeners. Why do you think known second volcalist and Bass Player “Bobby Lee” does not have a SINGLE verse on this whole album…..like I said…Its a Joke…a very unfortunate one. Not to mention the bonus 4 tracks at the end of the album 13,14,15 & 16 are basically a Jacob Hemphill EP and believe me if one of those made it to the radio thats all the next album will sound like too. I will always Love SOJA but I will not stand by silent as they trim their Rastafarian roots for the flipping Dave Mathews Label…..its a tragedy.
I believe Bobby Lee’s vocals were left off of the album because they are planning on releasing an EP for him…
Did you ever consider that maybe the album is different from past albums because the band wanted it to be? How have their Rastafarian roots been trimmed? Because they don’t say “Jah” in every song? Is spreading the message of “Jah” defined by how many times a band can fit that word into an album or more so by the actual message in the songs? If you wanted Peace, GW, or BIB, you should just go back and listen to those albums. Respect a band’s right to grow and evolve. I love STS for the very reason that it’s not any of the old albums. I think Peace was released like 10+ years ago, GW 6 or more years ago, and BIB was 3 years ago. What do you expect?
Tracks 4 – Don’t Worry and 12 – When We Were younger..and even the groovy track 5 -”Tell Me” is clearly a reach for Pop listeners……It can not be denied…..the layering of the percussion is key….its way low tempo….most reggae listeners want those congo’s busting up with the brass and bass player….not just holding up the lead singers Voice……..this is not Country….
If you look back in history, people said a lot of these same things when Marley put out Kaya – and that’s not to say that SOJA are on the level of Jah Bob, only to make a comparison. I agree with a lot of what you’re saying – Bobby Lee is a great talent and it’s a shame his presence has been muted on this album. I also personally prefer the spiritual message of the previous albums to the love songs here. But there’s also a political message here, and the music is strong. And they’re still a great live band.
I wish more reggae bands would stay true to the organic, classic production sound of Marley, Steel Pulse, Scratch Perry, Peter Tosh, all the great ones, but in this digital Babylon the computers make everything sound slick. If you’re looking for something more uncompromising and philosophical, and old school, check out Taj Weekes & Adowa, who I think is the best songwriter in reggae right now. Or Meta & the Cornerstones.
I can see where Cole is coming from but I don’t think this album is a joke. Just because they are changing their style and reaching out to a different audience doesn’t mean they’ve lost their roots. They are changing the game when it comes to reggae. They’re growing their fan base and making reggae known. I can’t imagine Jacob Hemphill wanting to get his name out there over his band mates that he’s practically known all of his life and spends every waking minute with….he’s too humble. Their talent and message will always be the same if not better. Times change and with it so do people, trends, styles, and especially music. I think what they’re doing is brilliant, reaching new generations with something similar that makes them want to listen.
Ok I hear to much political correctness about the music industry, I wrote my review of the album in their own words ” I know one mans opinion doesn’t Bring back Truth but I Tried and I Dony Want to Wait for you to Decide You’re Gone cause You and Me Used to Matter but Here I Am battling Devils and Bleeding Through, Losing My Mind but Don’t Forget to Be Aware and Strong For Them cause Faith Works through Thunderstorms and it is My Life Alone regardless of if you’re By My Side cause I am just now Waking Up. You Don’t Know Me but you helped to Open My Eyes now I Got Time to the Strength to Survive for the Rest Of My Life!!!!!
A few grammatical errors but I was making Art lol.
Listen to the lyrics for “when we were younger.” it explains everything
White Rastas: please find another band to make you feel accepted. Soja is no longer singing in your defense. Jacob doesn’t want to sing about religion cuz it divides humanity, as you see from these idiotic comments. Peace in a time of war is OVER.