Althea

If you appreciate the great talent of Althea Rene, you will love this cd. The track selections are well produced and performed. The cd has only 9 tracks and is worth the price. However, I think that her fans are going to want to have more tracks on the next cd. Her talent is definately capable of affording her fans of at least 10-12 tracks per cd. You cannot go wrong with this cd. Great job!!!!!!

Uptown Top Ranking.
Best.Reggae.Song.Ever.

This is a great roots album, sounding like much of the roots music from the mid to late 70's. Sly & Robbie riddim section aboard and heavenly harmonies from Althea & Donna. A classic that needs to be in any reggae lover's collection.

Uptown Top Ranking is the Best and Top Ranking reggae song in History period . It is still on the charts in the Caribbean , U.S.A and Europe - still bubbling - still fresh - still roots - still hot - original and still rude gyul style . the new 2000-2002 video that goes with the song is the best video I have seen with the sexiest dancing - moving that waist and shaking those hips [a strong wine]- most attractive dreadlocks roots lady I have seen .

UpTown Top Ranking is a classic song by Althea & Donna which was a BIG hit in 1977. Althea Forrest and Donna Reid were 17 and 18 respectively when the song was bubbling on the charts. This cd is full of the style from the Golden Age of reggae. Althea & Donna helped blaze the trail for other female artists. Produced and engineered with Karl Pitterson at the controls. Musicians like Sly & Robbie, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Bernard "Touter" Harvey, Scully, Tommy McCook, Vin Gordon and Herman Marquis provide the crucial instrumental journey. Even though I already had the classic song (it's included on various complilations) this cd is an essential addition to my collection. This release is an All Time Classic.

It's true...the role of woman in reggae has never achieved much more importance...reggae voices have to be male voices.....but, as everything in life...there are some exceptions...And this is one of them: althea and donna's unique album shows perfectly how to sing reggae, being backed by top ranking musicians. Enough good to buy it, or to download it.....it's worthy!!

There is something pure and honest about these sisters of the roots. Not only do the lyrics grab you and get you moving but the horns keep you dancing. "Uptown top ranking" got me to check these womyn out I would reccomend "Sister Carol" too. We need to hear the womyn sing the tunes of the times.

I'm currently finding out more and more as I venture into making music myself that perhaps the most underrated piece of the music making process is the backup singer. A VERY good backup singer can simply turn a downright BAD song, into one which is not only suitable for listening, but a potential hit. And now, being behind the scenes, its interesting to see how the layers of a song develops with; just the vocals and then the vocals with the riddim and then everything with the vocals doubled and THEN adding harmony singers as well, the entire process is quite complicated (at least to me), but one which is certainly rewarded by the potentially beautiful vibes at the end of the project. In reggae music, its also quite fascinating that the role of backup singers is traditionally one belonging to the female, the actual FACE of that title being the beautiful, almost statuesque Afrikan Woman singing and swinging to the vibes of a lead singer in concert and getting almost as much attention as he/she. Of course, the most famous backup singers we have seen in reggae were those who sang with the KING himself, Bob Marley, the internationally famous I-Threes, consisting of Marley's wife Rita and of course the equally legendary Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt. The I-Threes would go on to become, not only widely respected as a solo unit, but each artist on her respective own as well would (and STILL do) have very respectable and VERY long-lasting success as reggae singers. I would also go to mention that even BEFORE the I-Threes in the original Wailers group, Bob Marley was the lead singer and of course backing him up (although taking a FAR greater role as oft-co-lead singers as well) were the legendary Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. You can go straight from the I-Threes directly to the more modern era and today's singers and on the female side nearly EVERY prominent female (KIND OF) singer has served a role as a backup singer. It almost seems as if it's the sound systems on which the guys earn their keep and begin to make their name, while the ladies take to backing up a more famous and established singer for their apprenticeships. Probably the first time people saw or heard the name Ce'cile it was through her works with the Kings of Kings label which included singing alongside the likes of Norris Man and Chrisinti. The same could be said for Alaine who also sang backup alongside moving to the states for awhile; the currently BUBBLING Etana first got into the contact which would lead her to her current prominence in backup singing for Richie Spice where she first met him; and of course you have the FAR more familiar names of Chevelle Franklyn and Nadine Sutherland who also did backup duties prior to their big breaks. And STILL you have established and respected singers such as Pam Hall, Fiona, Chrissy D, Calibe, Aisha, Diana Rutherford, Malika Madremana and the likes who can be found singing back up and ENHANCING songs for singers who they probably themselves would `outrank' on name value alone (ESPECIALLY Pam Hall, probably the best in the business right now). These artists are to be respected and just like Etana most recently, its always SO nice when they take that next step from the background, to the foreground.

The next name now taking that step is longtime accomplished backup vocalist, lead vocalist, model, representative and basically `Jill of All Trades', Althea (`Althea Da Chic' if you nasty) Hewitt. If you are at all a collector of modern reggae music, say over the past decade or so, you might be downright SHOCKED at just how active she has been as a back ground singer. I myself, having VERY briefly gone through my collection have encountered the phrase `harmonies by Althea' SO many times in such a short look. She has definitely been one of the most active in the game for quite awhile. Also in Hewitt's dossier (which would probably make sense for her seemingly never-ending connections) is that her father is a well known and respected musician both in studio and on the road, which undoubtedly has helped spur on her interests in the reggae business from such an early age as her `outside activities' are quite well known as well, as I mentioned, she has quite a few `caps' which she wears. I don't really recall her breaking out with anything HUGE over the last few years, however, which definitely made the recent news of her signing with VP Records, the largest Caribbean music label in the world, to a multi-album deal (VP's standard three album deal, reportedly) all the more perplexing. However, with the label having seemingly struck gold in the form of three of its most recent signings: Etana from this year, Duane Stephenson and OF COURSE Tarrus Riley, both from 2007, it would seem as if the label (and probably rightly so) believes itself to have the `Midas touch' and being able to sale anyone who they really push. What they're pushing now is Lady Hewitt's debut album, the fittingly titled Introducing... Althea Hewitt and the album is DEFINITELY what the title suggest: A full scale introduction to a talent probably MOST reggae fans are familiar with, yet have yet to really put a face or a distinct voice on as of yet. Perhaps what it was that VP saw in Hewitt was the type of music she is vibed to sing. They have (nor will anyone who the man ever signs with) absolutely NO problem marketing the legendary Beres Hammond's brand of BRILLIANT lover's rock (currently playing on his newest VP release, the TYPICALLY excellent A Moment In Time) to reggae fans and fans of other genres alike and maybe they believed that Althea Hewitt could fill the feminine void of the lack of a current DOMINANT Jamaican female lover's rock singer. Of course, they could have linked with Alaine, but Alaine's tendency (especially given the fact that she works for arguably the best active dancehall producer in the game) isn't to make the TRADITIONAL brand of lover's rock, as she prefers to mix it with PURE dancehall. Hewitt? Althea Da Chic is a lover's rock singer with every fiber of her being.

I didn't actually know about Introducing... Althea Hewitt until maybe a month or two before it was to reach the shelves which didn't give me a great deal of time to anticipate it (and to be perfectly honest I don't think I would have even given proper time), so what I was expecting from listening to the promotion and even the tunes they play here a bit was exactly what I ended up getting actually. Getting things started on Introducing... Althea Hewitt is what proves to be EASILY one of the strongest tunes on the album altogether, So I Go. So I Go is downright LOVELY! The tune is really kind of a microcosm of Hewitt's vibes, in my opinion, in that it isn't REALLY a lover's rock tune (the tune is actually just about life and developing and moving on from things) but it definitely has a lover's rock vibes to it. You can get up and bounce to it a bit and later in the tune it also adds a bit of a more lyrically stereotypical lover's rock vibes to it. Very nice way to start things (and I LOVE that one drop). Next up is one of the changeups for Introducing, Crime Scene. The tune is one of a far more socially serious vibes than I really expected to hear on the album as it relays a (of course) very nice anti-violence message, especially to the youths through a story style of vibes. It isn't my favourite tune here at all, but it is still an unexpected and a strong addition to the album overall. Boom Boom Boom isn't my favourite tune here either, but its up there definitely as it is the first nearly PURE lover's track which finds our starlet building on what is obviously her musical forte. Boom is a tune which really caught my ears because of the very catchy chorus first and foremost, but when you really get into the verses themselves, its just a LOVELY tune throughout. I also love the vibes as well (even what sounds to be a Spanish guitar which emerges later in the tune) so credit be to the riddim builder (probably the album producer, industry veteran Donald Davidson) as well. Another very nice tune at the beginning of the album and probably the most `attractive' of the first three.

Hewitt previously had a bit of dealings with VP to my memory as she sang alongside VP artist Junior Kelly (looking forward to seeing Kelly release something for the label next year or so again) on the BIG Melody Life remake for his last studio album for the label, Tough Life from 2004. I also recall her doing quite a bit of work with US based Total Satisfaction and producer Leon Smillie, so the whole solo spotlight, even recently DEFINITELY wasn't a new thing for her. The REAL bright spotlight shines on the album's first single and real lover's rock CHAMPION, Love That A Woman Should Give to A Man. The tune isn't, again, my favourite on the album, but if you don't like this song, seriously you shouldn't even pick up the album AT ALL! The tune really encompasses everything which I think VP saw in Hewitt as its singer is literally SOAKING in potential. If you could ever find a way to sell this type of vibes to the modern reggae heads, it would be through a song like `Love' and VP is pushing the song big, even with a very nice video (which you should check, if for no other reason than the fact that Ms. Hewitt is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS). While the attention here will definitely be on `Love', my choice for Introducing's strongest tune overall is one which is certain to flow right beneath the radars, the bouncingly ADDICTIVE Unconditional Love. This song has WONDERFUL vibes of lover's rock, roots and a BIG chunk of calypso/soca all over it and maybe because my ear has been stuck in soca ALL YEAR LONG, the tune really stuck with me a great deal. It is, of course, a HUGE lover's tune, but a lover's tune in terms of loving EVERYONE, loving the world and really it was just an EXCELLENT choice of vibes for the tune and it works on a HUGE level! Also, certain to sneak under that radar is an earlier tune which was my favourite for quite awhile actually, the DIVINE Let Them Say. When I talked about the chorus for Boom, I didn't mean it was the best on the album, that distinction belongs to Let Them Say. The entire song really is lovely, but that chorus is WONDERFUL (and, quite appropriate in this case, the backup singers are STRONG throughout). Hewitt changes the vibes up (again) and goes reggaeton actually for Dance For Me, I don't really like the tune too much, really, but it was another case where I'd just give her credit for trying something different, definitely (and not to say that it's a bad tune, it isn't). On the COMPLETELY oppositie end of the spectrum, check Love Forever. I would have LOVED the tune accapella actually, but here, it's a PURE COUNTRY song! Doing her finest Lady Saw impression, Hewitt dips into the country vault for a tune, which isn't for me, but still check the vocals (on which she sounds like Griffiths at times actually). She comes back to more of my style on the following tune, another of Introducing's real highlights to my ears, What Can You Do? The tune is a VERY relatable tune as it speaks of a situation EVERYONE has been in of having a particular eye for someone who seemingly doesn't have the eye for you back. It also goes really DEEP into that thought and wonderfully expands it to the point of even having a conscious vibes in the tune really. VERY impressive. As the album winds down Hewitt keeps things quite reggae-centric (which I love). Check Spread Love, a kind of a worldly loving type of tune on which Hewitt speaks of LOVE not only in the traditional sense, but love in terms of simply performing and supporting positive acts and trampling down negative (and, again, the music on that tune is very nice). Long Way Home is a classically vibed PURE lover's style of vibes (backup singers and all). But it really isn't a lover's tune per se; instead its just a vibes tune, the type you would expect to hear at the end of an Althea Hewitt show, where she`s thanking the people (YOU) just for `showing up`. Its overall harmless, but actually, its still one of the better tunes here. Long Way Home would have been an EXCELLENT way to end Introducing... Althea Hewitt, however, in typical VP fashion, also included is a `Love Mix' of Love That A Woman Should Give to A Man (I actually think the tune is a remake of an older tune). The remix is pretty much filler to my ears, there isn't a great bit of difference between it and the stronger original. In considering Long Way Home the unofficial closer here: A very nice way to end things Ms. Hewitt.

Overall, as I said Introducing... Althea Hewitt is everything I expected going in. What I expected was an album which would show the real talent of the artist (VP will catch a bit of criticism, even by me, but no one can dispute, especially recently, that they are VERY good scouts of talent), but one which wouldn't necessarily COMPLETELY impress across the board. Like Jamelody's (another recent ULTRA talented signee of the label) debut, Be Prepared, Introducing is an album which tends to lack an ultimate focus (as expected for a developing artist`s first album) and it almost seems to try to do too many things at once at times. However, despite what you will here on her debut, do not be `fooled: Althea Hewitt is a PURE lover's rock singer, its where she excels at her absolute best. In my opinion, when she has fully developed to her full capabilities as an artist, we MAY be dealing with a feminine figure which can delight and THRILL fans all over the world in much the same fashion Beres Hammond has done and continues to do. And you'll recall it all started on Introducing... Althea Hewitt.

Uptown Top Ranking.
Best.Reggae.Song.Ever.

This is a great roots album, sounding like much of the roots music from the mid to late 70's. Sly & Robbie riddim section aboard and heavenly harmonies from Althea & Donna. A classic that needs to be in any reggae lover's collection.

Uptown Top Ranking is the Best and Top Ranking reggae song in History period . It is still on the charts in the Caribbean , U.S.A and Europe - still bubbling - still fresh - still roots - still hot - original and still rude gyul style . the new 2000-2002 video that goes with the song is the best video I have seen with the sexiest dancing - moving that waist and shaking those hips [a strong wine]- most attractive dreadlocks roots lady I have seen .

UpTown Top Ranking is a classic song by Althea & Donna which was a BIG hit in 1977. Althea Forrest and Donna Reid were 17 and 18 respectively when the song was bubbling on the charts. This cd is full of the style from the Golden Age of reggae. Althea & Donna helped blaze the trail for other female artists. Produced and engineered with Karl Pitterson at the controls. Musicians like Sly & Robbie, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Bernard "Touter" Harvey, Scully, Tommy McCook, Vin Gordon and Herman Marquis provide the crucial instrumental journey. Even though I already had the classic song (it's included on various complilations) this cd is an essential addition to my collection. This release is an All Time Classic.

It's true...the role of woman in reggae has never achieved much more importance...reggae voices have to be male voices.....but, as everything in life...there are some exceptions...And this is one of them: althea and donna's unique album shows perfectly how to sing reggae, being backed by top ranking musicians. Enough good to buy it, or to download it.....it's worthy!!

There is something pure and honest about these sisters of the roots. Not only do the lyrics grab you and get you moving but the horns keep you dancing. "Uptown top ranking" got me to check these womyn out I would reccomend "Sister Carol" too. We need to hear the womyn sing the tunes of the times.

Uptown Top Ranking.
Best.Reggae.Song.Ever.

This is a great roots album, sounding like much of the roots music from the mid to late 70's. Sly & Robbie riddim section aboard and heavenly harmonies from Althea & Donna. A classic that needs to be in any reggae lover's collection.

Uptown Top Ranking is the Best and Top Ranking reggae song in History period . It is still on the charts in the Caribbean , U.S.A and Europe - still bubbling - still fresh - still roots - still hot - original and still rude gyul style . the new 2000-2002 video that goes with the song is the best video I have seen with the sexiest dancing - moving that waist and shaking those hips [a strong wine]- most attractive dreadlocks roots lady I have seen .

UpTown Top Ranking is a classic song by Althea & Donna which was a BIG hit in 1977. Althea Forrest and Donna Reid were 17 and 18 respectively when the song was bubbling on the charts. This cd is full of the style from the Golden Age of reggae. Althea & Donna helped blaze the trail for other female artists. Produced and engineered with Karl Pitterson at the controls. Musicians like Sly & Robbie, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Bernard "Touter" Harvey, Scully, Tommy McCook, Vin Gordon and Herman Marquis provide the crucial instrumental journey. Even though I already had the classic song (it's included on various complilations) this cd is an essential addition to my collection. This release is an All Time Classic.

It's true...the role of woman in reggae has never achieved much more importance...reggae voices have to be male voices.....but, as everything in life...there are some exceptions...And this is one of them: althea and donna's unique album shows perfectly how to sing reggae, being backed by top ranking musicians. Enough good to buy it, or to download it.....it's worthy!!

There is something pure and honest about these sisters of the roots. Not only do the lyrics grab you and get you moving but the horns keep you dancing. "Uptown top ranking" got me to check these womyn out I would reccomend "Sister Carol" too. We need to hear the womyn sing the tunes of the times.