After retiring the Tikiman moniker, under which he graced some of the most memorable releases for Mark Ernestus and Moritz von Oswald’ Burial Mix and Rhythm and Sound labels, Paul St. Hilaire comes correct with the righteous sound on his second solo album. Released on his False Tuned imprint, St. Hilaire – originally from the Dominican Republic – delivers the style of album that Rhythm and Sound could have produced in 2006.
ADSOM finds the reggae artist delivering an eminently superior melding of his Caribbean roots and his Germanic schooling than on his 2003 debut, Unspecified. His background in the Basic Channel camp certainly shines through on the opening track “Little Song’. “Clock A Tick’ and “Humble’ sound like a long-lost 10†from Burial Mix. On “Black Moses’ and “Rootsy’, St. Hilaire’ vocal style soars to the heights of Sugar Minott or the Congos, but with a digital roots feel. “Rootsy’ contains some fabulous off-key organ stabs whilst pleading for universal justice. Much praise is given to the one mos- high, Jah Rastafari, on “Jah Won’ Let Us Down’, “Jah Love’ and “Jah Live Over the Hills’.
“Fortunate’ sees St. Hilaire drafting in his children on backing vox. Granted, it sounds cringe-worthy on paper, but the combination of the infectious rhythm, the early ’80s UK reggae feel and the lyrical concerns make this the stand-out track of the album. St. Hilaire’ plea – “make a joyful sound’, proclaimed over a steppers riddim on “Jah Love’, has certainly been adhered to in the making of this album.
