WERS 88.9 fm - Album Review: Tarrus Riley - Contagious

  August 27^th, 2009                         

On his third release, Contagious, Tarrus Riley proves why he is the next best thing to Mr. Robert Nesta Marley.  In an age of dancehall, it is uncommon nowadays to hear roots reggae from a man preaching old-fashioned positive vibes.  All 18 tracks of Contagious will keep you tapping your foot and feeling good about life.  Just take a listen to "Love's Contagious," where he boldly reworks Bob Marley's "Coming in from the Cold."  If that's not impressive enough, on the following track, Riley transforms Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" into an instant reggae classic. 

 Throughout the album he radiates pure optimism but don't be fooled; he can sing about tough issues as well.  Riley tells the youth to put down their guns in the opening song, "Living the Life of a Gun," and demands the end of domestic abuse on "Start a New."

 More familiar to the Rockers audience is the danceable single "Good Girl Gone Bad."  Konshens adds a nice flavor to the sound but the focus here is Riley's message to young girls growing up to fast.  Any parent can agree when he says, "She don't know what she have, driving the family mad."

 So why should you check out Contagious?  Because Tarrus Riley manages to fit 1 hour and 20 minutes of greatness on a single CD.  So press play and blast your speakers because Riley will have you infected with all that is Contagious.

 - Brian Rosenthal

And for another opinion on the same album...

Tarrus Riley's released his third album earlier this month and it definitely fits its title, Contagious. Like his previous album released in 2006, Parables, Riley worked with producer Dean Frasher. The repeat collaboration proved successful once again by creating an album that mixes dancehall and conscious tracks while still keeping a great flow throughout the album.

Tarrus is known for positive lyrics, which still holds true on this new album. He parallels his single "She's Royal," off of the Parables, with the track "Start A New," which reaches out to women who are experiencing domestic violence; once again expressing the power and respect that woman should have. He also has two tracks, "Living the Life of a Gun," and "Let Peace Reign," that discuss the violence currently going on in Jamaica and the need for peace.

He has appearances on the album from Vybz Kartel, Demarco, Konshens, and Duane Stephenson. Konshens provides supporting vocals on the dancehall track currently in rotation on WERS, "Good Girl Gone Bad."  It is on the Superman riddim, and even though it is a dancehall track, Riley uses no auto tune putting his own vocals to work creating a very catchy hook.

There is also a solid cover of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature". Riley sings the exact words of the original while giving the beat a roots vibe. Directly after this song, he takes it back to the orginal Rockers with "Soul Mate," that has a sample from Joe Gibbs and the Professionals' "African Dub."

On his last track "It Will Come," the song showcases his award winning singing voice and is accompanied by a beautiful guitar lick. This melodic track is about how being an artist and having creative success can be difficult when it comes to personal relationships.

The album is definitely one that can be listened though without skipping a track. I highly recommend listening to it all the way though at least once to experience the trip the albums arrangement takes you on. Contagious is well produced, well expressed, and definitely worth a listen.

-Martika Mercer