The Reasoning is a refreshing full length offering from Kenyan-born, Queensland-based Elephant Wise.
The debut album has a good balance of contemporary roots and dancehall, with a conscious message underlying the songs. Rastafarian ideology prevails, making this a real reggae culture album from our very own South Pacific.
Elephant Wise worked hard to make connections with New Zealand producers, and the result of this is two killer tracks, Belly a di Beast and Sugar Nancy over two of Reality Chant’s riddims; and Burning Slow care of Auckland’s High Stakes. There is more from Holland’s Not Easy At All Productions. Elephant Wise has not been shy of vocal collaborations either; making his album international with appearances by Deadly Hunta (UK) and Amsie Brown (Africa) alongside Australian vocalists Lnx Dread and Elijah.
The Reasoning moves across the reggae-dancehall spectrum, with some jump up dancehall tunes, conscious roots and ganja anthems. Elephant Wise has created a well-rounded debut album. He is definitely an artist to keep an eye on as he develops his own style a bit more.
My picks for the album are Sugar Nancy (Reality Chant), Oman and Highest Grade. Overall, I enjoyed listening to The Reasoning and I hope it spurs some more new dancehall to come out of Australia.
Elephant Wise has offered up his album for free download through his myspace page so check it out!
More info:
Das Vibes Records
Misteek
