Norris Man (Christopher Campbell) made a powerful debut in 1999 with the solid 'Persistence', and the Greensleeves-distributed 'Home & Away' also remains etched in our memory. However, what followed was a series of more mediocre releases, causing us to lose track of him somewhat. With 'Free Man' on the Tad's Record label, Norris Man makes a powerful comeback.
By Jah Rebel
For the instrumental side of this album, he enlisted the help of veterans like Lloyd Parks and Earl ‘Flabba’ Holt on bass, Kirk ‘Kirkledove’ Bennett, Sly Dunbar and Lincoln ‘Style’ Scott on drums, Robbie Lyn and Franklyn ‘Bubbler’ Waul on keyboards, Dwight Pinkney and Winston ‘Bopee’ Bowen on guitar, and Dean Fraser, Chico Chin, and Nambo Robinson on horns.
Norris Man summarizes ‘Free Man’ as follows: “It’s a roots album, something yuh would hear like back in di 90s. Wi bringing back dat vibration…”.
Tracks built on well-known riddims like Police In Helicopter (opener ‘Righteous’), World A Music (‘Jah Is The Almighty’), and Queen of the Minstrel (‘Jah Love’) provide a sense of familiarity. But for the true aficionados, it’s worth noting that ‘Ahead A Dem’ is based on Chalice’s ‘Righteous People’ or the even more obscure ‘Tell Me What’s Wrong’ by Mighty Diamonds.
In addition to ‘Free Man’, Tad’s Record also released the accompanying ‘Freedom Dub’, which, in our opinion, is more of an enjoyable instrumental version of ‘Free Man’ than a true dub album.
Founder alongside Jah Shakespear who transitioned to this role in late 2014. Previously worked as critic and reporter, balancing passions for music and Haile Selassie spirituality.
August 20, 2024