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Mission In Progress - a complete fusion of pop, rock and reggae

Kingston, Jamaica: April 25th 2008
Source: jamaicaobserver.com

Sibling supergroup Morgan Heritage's latest album is a conscious effort that seamlessly merges pop and rock sensibilities with the militancy of reggae.

Aptly titled Mission In Progress, the 14-track release features masterful musical and poetic compositions. it's an in-the-streets anthology that gives credence to the group's New Yorker and Jamaican upbringings with mild references to their Rastafari faith.

Morgan Heritage members Una, Gramps, Peter, Mr Mojo and Lukes have yet again shown that musical talent is definitely their heritage.

Funky guitar stylings and bravado triumphantly declare the opening of Mission, and it's hard not to love the rootsy Cross Wi Border. Gramps laces the track with velvety, Tosh-esque vocals, complementing perfectly his lead singer-brother Peter's more r&b flavoured sound.

The triumph continues on Raid Rootz Dance, with the unapologetic declaration: "They don't love the rootz like I and I". It's a full-bodied sound, complete with heavy electronic guitar backing and is somewhat reminiscent of something perhaps from a 1970s 'blacksploitation' movie soundtrack.

"Steel Pulse done set it; now Heritage a rep' it," forms a catchy refrain as lead singers Gramps and Peter acknowledge those that have graced the stage before them, and their willingness to take up the gauntlet to be a global representation of the local sound, albeit an hybrid version. Mr Mojo, a group member who rarely takes the spotlight, however, does on this track and 'blazes' with a clever rap solo, which seems to find harmony between the urban swagger of a modern day performer like Wyclef Jean and the 'cool-as-hell' activism of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.

Roots-rock-reggae continues on the blatant anti-politico sentiments of Politician and later on Headline.

"Dem have dem new plan a implement/ We're in such a predicament/ They're gonna treat us like s-t again," sings Peter on the former, "It's only injustice and hypocrisy they're setting up for you and me".

The trade-offs between morality and compassion are further highlighted on Yute Dem Share, a basic track that opines slavery of the 21st century. The Fight is a 'straight-outta-Brooklyn'-type vibe and once again, Mr Mojo offers superb rap solos that would make the late Notorious BIG proud.

"Where you at/Sitting back playing Harlem notes whilst the troops gearin' up in they trench coats," raps Mojo on Fight, which segues beautifully into Brooklyn And Jamaica, boasting of the brutality and ubiquity of ghetto life in these two places.

Mission In Progress, the title track is a Wailer-tinged rocksteady number that calls for activism. It's another song which perfectly suits Gramps' vocal tones. and it's hard not to imagine sweat-drenched locks flashing as the body to which they are attached glides across a stage set against red, green and yellow backlight.

The mildly depressing Nothing To Smile About done, the mood changes on the flirty Love You Right and Faithful. The latter features Morgan Heritage's little brother Laza of LMS and though it's not quite as catchy as the group's 2006-released single Your Friend, the song is still entertaining. So too is Be Sure, a breezy mid-tempo joint that would have been perfect had Beres Hammond voiced it.

Notwithstanding, it's the first track on Mission that features the lone-lady of MH, Una whose soft alto adds a feminine appeal to an album full of jeep-beat jammers that might perhaps find more favour among a male audience.

Laza is once again featured on the funky Shotz, which brings punk-rock inspiration to the fore (think Limp Biscuit for black people). The Morgan's are known for pushing the envelope when it comes to mixing and matching genres, but Shotz is a new high and is as impressive as it is creative. The emo sensibilities speak to information within the album's liner notes as the Morgan's thanked their "Punk Friends" - established rock bands "New Found Glory and Good Charlotte". "Oh by the way thanks for teaching us about punk music and making us feel at home in your world of punk rockers. Keep on Jammin".

Along with MH, Mission lists Chris and Randy Chin as its executive producers and is, for the most part, an eclectic collection that should inform listeners of their evolution as a band and their appreciation of all music.