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Review

Album Review: Mortimer - From Within

09/20/2024

by Gardy Stein

"Keep loving. Keep feeling. Keep fighting." (Mortimer)

One of the most emotive and versatile voices of Jamaican modern roots, Mortimer has stirred up international attention ever since releasing his EP Fight The Fight. His new album From Within seamlessly ties in where the EP left us (yearning for more!), and with Winta James in the producer seat once more and credits reading like the Who's Who of current reggae instrumentalists (e.g. Llamar "Riff Raff" Brown, Ian "Beezy" Coleman, Donald "Danny Bassie" Dennis, Hector Lewis, Wayne "C Sharp" Clark, Devon Bradshaw, Stephen "Lenky" Marsden, Sherieta Lewis-Rodney and Tameka "Tammy" Moncrieffe), the musical quality is guaranteed.

Securing three more big names on the first two tracks, the album is off to a great start. Damian Marley joins Mortimer on In My Time (sitting on an impressive, brooding riddim), and Bruises sees Kabaka Pyramid and Lila Iké on the mic. Both songs talk about the traumatic experiences Black people had to endure over the centuries, so listen keenly and learn!

"Don't you be afraid of this world!" In My Child, Mortimer sings out loud some of the things that he would have liked to hear from his parents – both as a reminder to himself and as message to his own children. And the personal stories don't stop here: while Balcony Swing recounts falling in love with his present wife, You And Me describes how this tender shoot has matured into a strong, long-term relationship. Both tracks are less reggae-ish than the rest of the album, thus opening the doors wide to lovers of other genres (Changes falls into this category as well). When listening to Slowly, I strongly advise you to switch to YouTube and watch the animated video by Ikem Smith – not that the song isn't enjoyable on its own, but these visuals are just something else. 

If I were to choose favourites, it would probably be Whole Heap and New Roads. The former because of its stripped-down, almost naked beginning, the fragility of the vocals, the intensity of the lyrics and the sophistication of the visuals provided by Gwaan Films (cleverly switching location from inside to outside when the drums drop), the latter because of its sheer beauty. This decelerated one-drop, this exquisite prudence with which Mortimer places every single word carefully on the exact right note, as if they were made of glass… "How can you know me when to me I'm a stranger?"  

In absence of a title track, which song would embody From Within? For me, it's either My Own Tears, a tender acoustic piece that derives its strength from the combination of the gentle guitar playing of Lamont "Monty" Savory and, again, the incredible pitch range this singer commands, or Not A Day Goes By. Next to its musical brilliance it's such a brave act to open up like this, to be this honest, knowing that hundreds, thousands of people listen to the lyrics once the song is out… My biggest respect for that, Mortimer!

It is this song also, together with the rootsy Heavy and the rockerz-style, faith-full Where Would I Be, that's been chosen by Laurent "Tippy I Grade" Alfred for his three fabulous dub versions that close this intense album. From Within is substantial, heavy stuff, nothing for the faint hearted or those seeking flitting enjoyment – this is deeply reflected life right here, with all the ups and downs there are. Mortimer's talent is undeniable, and the way he calmly counters the dominant image of violent Caribbean masculinity is awe-inspiring indeed. May many more follow your lead!

The review appeared first in the FESTIVILLE 2024 magazine. Click here to download it as free PDF!

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