Ashaka - Time
The title of Illinois-based singer Ashaka's debut album could just as easily be something like "It's About Time," given how long a while he's taken to get to this point. Born Linval Thomas in Jamaica, he was in his teens when he recorded one Prince Buster-produced song before moving to the U.S. and spending 22 years in the Air Force. That service ended in 1997, but it took a few more years for Thomas to adopt the name Ashaka and give music another try. I'm glad he did. Time has a fresh, punchy modern roots feel to it, with all real instruments including horns storming in support of Ashaka's here-I-finally-am vocals, which have more than a hint of Dennis Brown influence to them. The songs are an impressive bunch and cover a lot of territory- I certainly can't think of another reggae singer who would put songs entitled "Muddy Waters" and "Claude Monet" on the same album, let alone do each subject justice in unexpected ways. Lovers rock gets a nod on the title track and elsewhere, as does an earlier musical era on "Ska Groove," a lyrically loopy bit of pure fun. More serious concerns like "Conflict," "Yesterday" and "Why?" show the depth of an artist who's had plenty of life experiences and now gets to unleash the desire to sing about them. Time is a pleasure from start to finish, but be sure you also latch on to Ashaka's EP entitled Ooh, Ooh Girl, a three-song, three-dub sampler that includes the heartfelt "Save Darfur" and "Belt-Up," a humorous poke at hip hop fashion that's sure to skin a grin. Nice to see a new reggae artist getting his shot no matter how belatedly, and even nicer that the music's as good as it is. - Tom Orr
Singer Ashaka comes full circle
WHILE portion in a United States Air Force, Linval Thomas never mislaid seductiveness in his initial adore — music. After 22 years in a military, he reignited a budding career he left behind and recently expelled his entrance album.
Now in his 50s, Thomas lives in Belleville, Illinois, and goes by a moniker Ashaka. He says his album, Time, has perceived enlivening response in a US Midwest limit segment of Illinois/Missouri ...read more at the link, immediately above.
Over 4 million listeners in New York discovered Ashaka on WVIP 93.5 fm radio, February 20, 2012, with veteran DJ/producer/promoter Tony Cobb. Cobb played 7 songs from Ashaka’s new reggae album “Time” on his “The Tony Cobb Show.” Telephone calls came in from the United Kingdom, Canada, Africa and the USA. During the show, Cobb honored request to replay a previously played song “My Woman” from “Time” as well as on-air requests for copies of “Time,” as he emphasized that this could only have happened on independent radio, WVIP 93.5 fm.The overarching theme of WVIP 93.5 fm radio is to engage the ever-growing Caribbean American Communities in the tri-state region (New York, New Jersey & Connecticut) with Caribbean news, music, culture, and cuisine. The Tony Cobb Show airs 1:00 am - 4 am, Central Standard Time, every Monday. The phone number to his request line is 914-712-0470. Call him up!
Singer Ashaka comes full circle.
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