About a year ago Zion High Productions issued the excellent various artists compilation Jah Golden Throne. One of the many highlights was veteran Jamaican singer General Jah Mikey’s Set A Way. Zion I Kings – the producers behind that compilation – has now produced an entire album with this resonant voiced singer.
Zion I Kings is synonymous with well-produced, breezy and soulful productions and General Jah Mikey’s Original Yard Food is no exception. The live-played riddims are superbly executed and the arrangements with jazzy horns, easy skanking guitar and sweet flute and melodica are sublime.
The beautiful harmonies complement General Jah Mikey’s soothing, calm and no-frills vocal style very well. He sounds like a more whiskey-voiced Sugar Minott when he effortlessly rides the riddims.
General Jah Mikey has been in the music business since the mid 80’s and has tried and tested several music styles, including jungle and dubstep. I have not heard much from him prior to this album, but I really hope that he’ll continue in this vein.
Original Yard Food is now available on CD.