Protoje released The Jamaican Situation, which is “Side A” or a preview to a soundtrack for an independent short film he and his In.Digg.Nation Collective are creating.   He has recently left RCA Records and is working with Ineffable Records now, while staying independent.  This is the first project with ineffable. He’s excited about his movement into film but, like always, stays busy with multiple projects going on at the same time. His fans will be happy to know that he is working on The Jamaican Situation, film and full soundtrack and a new full-length album as well with Ancient Future producer Winta James. Protoje recently said of the music and movie; “The Jamaican Situation tells the story of a man returning home and grappling with his identity amidst the complexities of modern Jamaican life. My music intricately weaves into this narrative, enriching the dialogue and themes explored throughout the film”. I’ve been a fan of Protoje for the past few years, a little late to listening to his music, but he has quickly become one of my, not only current, but all-time favorite reggae artists.  His style, music, production, and lyrics are so amazing, hard to ever find a song that doesn’t hit just right! 

The first track is the previously release “30 Million,” a great modern roots reggae vibe. It is the perfect song to start this off with, it represents what the movie is all about, Jamaica today with the inequality, poverty, violence, but also about Jamaica from the past. Protoje, with his meditative lyrics, hit so perfectly in this, his voice flowing along the drop-beat and a really sweet guitar solo from Lamont Savory. You really get the feel where this EP and where this movie will take us. “Mariposa” is next up and a more romantic R&B dancehall groove. This sexy tune flows along nicely with Protoje’s lyrics, the groove has a bubbling stream of thick seductiveness. We are brought back to that modern roots reggae with “Where We Come From” featuring Jahshii and produced by IzyBeats. Jahshii really hits on this track and flows with and compliments Protoje so well. This song is for the yutes, time for them to revolt against the system, “we’re in the struggle, and still surviving, because they don’t want to see youths rising”.  Such a great drum and bass line.

Loving all these songs, but my favorite lyrically is “80’s Wild.” Produced by Will Tee, it’s more of that modern roots reggae but more stripped down with that traditional bubble rhythm, drop beat bass and skanking guitar flowing through the song. It has that Lee “Scratch” Perry sonic groove and sound. That guitar at the ends gives us a nice Bob Marley and The Wailers sound. Has that back in the 80’s groove with the music and the lyrics.  It is a history lesson about Jamaica, taking us to the late 70’s into the 80’s explaining why Jamaica is in the state of affairs it is in. As Protoje says; “They aren’t going to teach you this in school.” We finish off this preview or “Side A” of The Jamaican Situation with “Barrel Bun.” There is a different feel to the music and production to this.  It seems like an uplifting, positive and even playful song.  But the lyrics come in and are, while his flow and mood seem positive, the lyrics are darker and more depressed.  It is a very unique way to do this song.  The song on the album you would most want to dance to, but once you listen to the words, the message; it gets your mind thinking and moving.  There is great horn play on this tack, which helps with that positive vibe, Oshane Love on alt sax, Randy Fletcher on trombone and Okiel McIntyre on trumpet just dance along this entire track. Protoje flowing right along with the horns.  

It is hard to really give this a true review, knowing there will be more coming to our ears, along with a film. But this is true Protoje, this is really good, each song musically done perfectly.  And once again Protoje give us lyrics to make us think, to make understand what is going on in Jamaica, but also entertain. As I listened to this over and over, I just kept thinking, I cannot wait for the rest of this soundtrack to be released and also I can’t wait for his new full-length album to be released (we will need to wait until 2025).  Protoje is on top of his game with his sights on only getting higher and better. 

One Love – Todd Judd