A few days before the release of his latest album, Jesse Royal, also known as The Small Axe, was involved in a serious car accident in which his car flipped, leaving him with a broken arm. Thankfully, he emerged from the crash with no further injuries. Reflecting on the experience, Jesse described feeling “tears of joy” instead of sorrow, as the incident could have ended much worse.

Using this pivotal moment, Jesse Royal has taken time to contemplate the power of love, resilience, and faith in the Almighty. In an emotional Instagram post, he shared his recovery journey and expressed gratitude towards first responders, medical personnel, close friends, and, most importantly, his wife for their support during this traumatic time. According to Jesse, the accident and his healing process significantly influenced his decision to release this new project.

He has been working on the album for the past few years, with singles such as “Blessing,” “Light of Mine,” “Hope” (featuring Romain Virgo), and “Your Soul,” which showcase his current mindset. These singles are included in the album, along with six impactful new tracks featuring guest appearances from Canadian singer Melanie Fiona, GRAMMY winner Kabaka Pyramid, and Perfect Giddimani. Titled No Place Like Home, the album reflects Jesse’s love for his native Jamaica and aims to offer wisdom and inspiration, especially to the youth of his country and beyond.

The fun begins with Jesse delivering a staccato flow over a strong bass and beat in “Trod On,” while Royal contributes amazing lyrics. The song concludes with excerpts from a speech by Ibrahim Traoré, the young military leader of Burkina Faso. “Art of Love” offers a poignant portrait of everyday struggles, capturing the quiet battles people face in their pursuit of dignity and survival. Jesse continues with powerful lyrics flowing along a rootsy Reggae rhythm.

Next is a standout track featuring an emotional tribute to Jo Mersa Marley, titled “Blessing,” which includes Jo Mersa’s younger brother, Yohan Marley. The song conveys deep emotion from both Jesse and Yohan, unfolding as a soulful expression of gratitude—essentially a musical prayer filled with warmth and humility. Yohan’s vocals evoke the essence of Jo Mersa, elevating the overall impact of the song.

Another highlight is the powerful collaboration “Jungle Justice,” featuring two of my favorite Jamaican artists, Jesse and Kabaka Pyramid. This hard-hitting track addresses the harsh realities of violence and institutional neglect, while condemning criminals and warning them of the severe consequences of harming women and children. Kabaka delivers impactful lyrics that perfectly complement Jesse’s style, creating a strong synergy between their performances.

“Poor, but we ain’t broken!” This is the powerful message conveyed by Romain Virgo and Jesse Royal in their song “Hope.” Romain contributes his soulful and beautiful voice, while Jesse adds his poignant lyrics that focus on themes of perseverance and divine guidance, all set against a vibrant Dancehall riddim.

The title track, “No Place Like Home,” evokes a deep sense of connection to Jamaica. This song feels like both a meditation and a celebration—a heartfelt love letter to his homeland. The attractive riddim complements Jesse’s voice, which keeps the listener grounded with genuine sentiment.

“Light of Mine” exudes youthful optimism, innocence, and hope, featuring the voices of children from the Bronx Charter School for Better Learning. While this song stays true to its Reggae roots, it delivers a heartfelt affirmation that celebrates the sheer wonder of being alive and loving life, all set against a strong beat and bassline.

In contrast, “Too Late” introduces a different vibe to the album with an old-school, soulful Doo-Wop feel, featuring Canadian soul singer Melanie Fiona. This track explores the pain of romantic loss in a graceful manner, with both artists trading lyrics and harmonizing beautifully. Although it’s a duet, Royal and Fiona embody two different halves of a broken relationship, both content to accept the end of their love story.

“Your Soul” maintains an R&B feel while incorporating Reggae elements and featuring added horns that complement Jesse’s lyrics. His vocals on this track are fantastic, conveying deep emotion and making it a top club-ready love song that encourages listeners to “leave pride at the door” and get “deep down in your soul.”

The album concludes on a vibrant note with an Afrobeat energy, featuring Perfect Giddimani. “Kinda Like Me” will have you jumping out of your seat and heading straight to the dancefloor. This track is all about embracing self-love and celebrating individuality, while tying together the album's spiritual and cultural themes with rhythmic enjoyment.

Jesse Royal, a contemporary roots Reggae artist, excels at blending various musical styles, including Soul, Doo-Wop, R&B, Hip-Hop, and even a touch of Dancehall, into his latest project. He has taken a significant step forward as an artist, focusing on his beloved island of Jamaica and aiming to bring wisdom and inspiration, particularly to the youth of his country and beyond. His lyrics have matured, reflecting this growth in both meaning and depth. This album is undoubtedly one of the top Reggae releases of the year, and we eagerly await what Jesse Royal will create next.

One Love – Todd M. Judd