Los Angeles, California: Roots legend Jah Mason continues the slow tease of singles previewing his forthcoming album Mi Smoke Mi Chalwa, having already offered up the instant classic “Maneater,” a heavy duty cover of Hall & Oates’ 1982 Billboard chart topper.
His latest release, too, is a stone-cold classic. Written by the Philly International dream team of Leon Huff and McFadden & Whitehead, 1972’s “Back Stabbers” took The O’Jays to #1 on the Hot Soul chart and #3 on the Hot 100 - and there is no reason why Jah Mason’s stunning reinvention of the song should not be similarly successful.
Born in Manchester Parish, Jamaica, in 1970, Jah Mason (or Perry Mason as he was known at the time!) released his first single, “Selassie I Call We,” in 1991. It swiftly became the first in a string of hits spread over the next ten years - not until 2002 did he finally release his first full-lengther.
He certainly made up for lost time, however, with over 20 albums released so far this century - and that despite Mi Smoke Mi Chalwa (titled for another of his biggest hits) being his first new CD/LP since 2020’s Jungle of Life.
A breathtaking blend of old favorites and new classics, Mi Smoke Mi Chalwa includes hot new versions of further past Mason hits “My Princess Gone” and “Ganja For Life”; covers of Bob Marley’s “Buffalo Soldiers” and Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”; and more - a dozen tracks altogether, that add up to one of the most powerful roots albums in years.
“Back Stabbers,” instantly recognizable but drenched in Mason’s signature vocal style and rhythmic instinct, has already been singled out as one of the album’s undisputed highlights . But it’s not alone in deserving that accolade.
SINGLE: https://orcd.co/jahmason_backstabbers
ALBUM: https://orcd.co/jahmason_mismokemichalwa
CD/VINYL: https://cleorecs.com/search?q=jah+mason
