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Review

Album Review: Tydal Kamau - I Become A Man

09/29/2023

by Shrik Kotecha

Almost a decade after his debut album, Tydal Kamau teams up with  Munich-based Oneness Records to deliver his second album I Become A Man. It’s a ten-track album which explores the depth of his creative abilities as a songwriter, whichare perpetually evident throughout all of the tracks, tackling a breadth of topics ranging from the worldwide refugee crisis to tales of relationship woes.

Over the years, Oneness Records have built a reputation for world-class productions focussing predominantly on reggae as opposed to dancehall. This new album keep with that tradition to deliver a tight set of authentic one drop and reggae rhythms with a little experimentation into dancehall as well. As a genre, with an increase in the use of ‘beat makers’, many people within the music industry have commented on the somewhat lacklustre productions in recent times. Rest assured; the musicians involved in this project have excelled to deliver a first-rate project. 

Tydal Kamau has previously contributed to Oneness Records projects including the rhythm projects Nice & Easy (Paradise Lost) and Bambu (Don). Both songs feature on the new album with Paradise Lost demonstrating the strength of Tydal’s patriotism to the land of his birth - Jamaica. Incidentally, Indonesian Reggae Ambassador, Ras Muhamad co-produced the instrumental of the Bambu Riddim.

The album instantly captures the listener with the snare drum featuring in the intro to One World, accompanied by a heartfelt plea from Tydal Kamau singing about the refugee crisis. This is all beautifully backed by the Cantabile Children’s Choir who capture the innocence of the crisis.

“I and I just think there’s too much things in this world really separate us, created by a system, you know sometimes I pray and I just don’t do the normal prayer that people pray every day, no, maybe I just see things are different”

The title track I Become A Man explores the growth and maturity both from a personal and artistic perspective. It’s the first of three heavyweight collabs on the album with Tydal Kamau joined by the UK’s Randy Valentine over a militant drum and bass rhythm.

Affairs of the heart are in abundance on Si Mi and the heart-warming A Love Like This, complete with a rhythm that’s ripe for a juggling project! Tales of living in a 21^st century society filled with gadgets, virtual clouds and social media are plentiful on Modern Generation. I absolutely love Mathieu Bost on saxophone for the rebellious Trouble.

Bobo Ashanti sing-jays Turbulence and Anthony B are featured respectively on Rich Problems and No Bad Vibes. The song Rich Problems is the only song on the album that departs from the more traditional reggae beats we have been accustomed to from Oneness Records as Turbulence and Tydal Kamau exchanges verses with ease over this dancehall beat. No Bad Vibes is a high energy combination featuring Anthony B and a sure-fire hit guaranteed to be played in dances for years to come!

With this release, Tydal Kamau cements his reputation as an accomplished singer and songwriter. In a time where we continue to observe a generational shift in music and the fusion and creation of new musical genres, I Become A Man is firmly rooted in the sounds of real authentic reggae.

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