TGTreview: Little Harry - Youngest Veteron [Top Smile]
When you hear talk of the revival of reggae, it’s usually focused on the updated 70s roots style championed by the likes of Chronixx and Protoje. Quality indeed. Yet, it’s equally fantastic to see singers from bygone eras returning to the mic for fresh triumphs. Hailing from the early 80s, having found success with both rub-a-dub and digital, Little Harry is a prime example of this type of renewal.
Youngest Veteron by Little Harry & High Smile HiFi
This return has been fueled primarily through his work with Swiss crew High Smile HiFi, who provide the production work here on the singer’s long-awaited first full-length Youngest Veteron (though his rocksteady throwback “Life No Easy” was my own label’s Pomegranate Sounds’ debut). Strictly produced in a forward-thinking, though past-referencing, digital style; the twelve-track features two previously releases, “Hard Life” and “No Friend A Dem” (each available on 7”), as well as ten new tracks including lead single “Kingston City.”
The album opens with the pounding “Nah Lef Di Earth,” which highlights Little Harry’s melodic flow, as well as the fact that this project is no time capsule. Over a booming beat, the singer’s makes it clear he has more work to do. “Youngest Veteron (Hypa)” celebrates himself and other veterans, while lamenting the frustrating realities they can face.
“Kingston City,” shouted out as ‘my place,’ is an ode to not just the Jamaican capital, but also to its vibes and opportunities. Enveloped in positivity and a churning riddim, it’s the hardworking migrants from the country who receive the most love and respect here. Then comes a warning, as “Gunshot” soars in on a siren and shuffling bass. Little Harry continues with his conscious mindset and lyrics, calling out violence as a disgrace, all over a slow simmering vibe.
Switching approach, “So Many Girls” rumbles in to nice it up in a different fashion. “Wine (Wine Wine)” is likewise focused on movement, specifically feet and hips. Both tracks showcase the glossier side of the dance, although the latter’s riddim is more intriguing via its subtle additions to the leading rhythm section.
“Hard Life” is still a stand-out four years after its initial release, when I wrote that ‘the veteran Jamaican singer has the confidence and vocal prowess to address harsh socio-economic realities while still creating a catchy tune’ – read my review for NiceUp for more! Next up features the first of two guests, the equally re-ascendant Junior Cat – if you’ve missed it, check out his scorching live showcase alongside Manudigital. Displaying the pressure of opposites, Little Harry calls for “Unity In Our Community” through ‘no violence or ignorancy; strictly love and militancy.’
Then shimmers in the other previous review of mine for NiceUp – ‘a simple-yet-tough groove, “No Friend A Dem” is led by its thick bass and quirky teasing melody while Little Harry calls out the disloyal and hypocritical.’ “Baby Girl” is hardly the lovers tune one might expect, rather a yearning bubbler defined instead by its catchy hook of ‘miss my baby, miss her very badly… life goes on, life goes on.’
Sammy Gold joins in for “Ghetto Vipers,” his whispered croon cutting nicely across the thickened low-end, providing a dynamic counterpoint to Little Harry. A triumphant tipping of his hat to the genre, “Reggae I Love You” is far more tender and heartfelt than the average send-up: ‘reggae is my honey, reggae is my baby… sweet reggae music, yes I love you; and I just can’t go on without you.’ Hard to argue with an ending like this.
