Artist: Big Youth Album: Isaiah First Prophet of Old

Year: 1978
Duration: 34:24

Big Youth's Isaiah First Prophet of Old: a of the Album

Reggae music has long been a significant part of Jamaica's identity. This music genre has spread worldwide and captivated the hearts of many music enthusiasts around the world. One of the music artists who have made a remarkable contribution to reggae music is Big Youth. In 1978, he released his fourth album entitled Isaiah First Prophet of Old. This album has garnered numerous positive responses from music critics and enthusiasts alike. In this post, we'll take a closer look at this album, its genre, and the highlights of the tracks that make this album stand out.
Big Youth, born Manley Augustus Buchanan, is a Jamaican deejay and vocalist. He began his career as a deejay in the early 1970s and rose to prominence in the mid-1970s with his innovative style of toasting. Buchanan's popularity grew, and he was known for his social consciousness and political commentary in his songs.
Isaiah First Prophet of Old falls under the roots reggae genre. Roots reggae is a sub-genre of reggae music characterized by its heavy basslines, drums, and socially conscious lyrics. This genre is noted for its soulful and spiritual themes infused with Rastafarian influences.
The album's fourteen tracks are packed with captivating and socially conscious lyrics. Its opening track, the Jah Jah Bless the Dreadlocks, invokes Rastafarian ideology through its lyrics, It was written of us in the book of our fathers, Dreadlocks pon ya! Freedom fighter, never turn traitor, Dreadlocks pon ya! Another notable track, the Whole Lot of Loving, sends a message of love to all people, regardless of their status or race. These tracks uphold Big Youth's reputation for lyrically profound songs.
Isaiah First Prophet of Old is notable for the innovation in its production. The album features multiple set-ups in some tracks, where different musicians take turns to play, making it a rich and dynamic listening experience. The use of percussion instruments and emotive guitar solos heightens the spiritual atmosphere of the album.
However, not all tracks of the album were commendable. The Drums could be considered as underdeveloped in terms of its production and scope, sounding more like a demo than an actual finished track. Some tracks also sounded repetitive, making the album feel a bit dragged as it progressed.
Isaiah First Prophet of Old by Big Youth is an album that showcases the artistry and innovativeness of one of the most legendary deejays in Jamaican music history. The album's socially conscious lyrics, impressive innovations in music production, and Big Youth's trademark toasting style make this album a necessary listen for any reggae enthusiast. The album does fall short of an occasional lack of musical development and a dragged feel in some tracks. However, it still remains an album that delivers sublime moments that will continue to captivate music enthusiasts for generations to come.
Isaiah First Prophet of Old by Big Youth is an album that showcases the artistry and innovativeness of one of the most legendary deejays in Jamaican music history. The album's socially conscious lyrics, impressive innovations in music production, and Big Youth's trademark toasting style make this album a necessary listen for any reggae enthusiast. The album does fall short of an occasional lack of musical development and a dragged feel in some tracks. However, it still remains an album that delivers sublime moments that will continue to captivate music enthusiasts for generations to come.