Hardly & Softley! The Right Mix Up!
5
By Malachi Jomo-Kenyatta
"These are the time you got to ready your mind," says Mortimer Softley aka Natural Black. Blacks been ready for a long time. Whether he gives it to you in his signature gruff voice or smooth delivery, there is no denying Blacks got the right stuff to go all the way. He adds all the natural blend of classic roots and never seeks to alienate his modern day leanings. This is music from the highest order. Unlike some of his peers who stray to far and experiment outside the genre, Blacks keep it balance within the spiritual every time. I get it. He wants to show us that Mortima Hardly is his one way of experimenting using an alter ego playing off of his birth name Mortimer Softley but there is nothing soft about this brother except his songs to mama and his empress. The break out hits are clearly Beautiful Lady & Ethiopia Awaits. Ready Your Mind, Dog Nyammings, Running, Mama Love, Open Your Ears, All Over You and Sunshine Glory are soon to be classics. This artist stands alone. It is wonderful to see the inclusion of Sizzla on the Sufferation track but it does not really add or take away from the album. Sizzla is an always welcome surprise. Straight out of Guyana to Jamaica and to the world, Blacks music continue to mature and strengthen the movement. He leads the pack along with Tarrus Riley, Jah Cure, Gyptian, Richie Spice & Buju Banton. Highly recommended.
