Mighty Joshua with his long awaited album, “Dreaducation,” sculpts a vibrant, socio-political masterpiece that has been seven years in the making. This collection of 14 tracks, running an hour long, showcases a rich blend of reggae influences of funk, blues, and rock-pop, creating a refreshing modern reggae sound.
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Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Mighty Joshua infuses “Dreaducation” with a unique cultural perspective. The album artwork itself speaks volumes, rich with socio-political imagery that sets the tone for the powerful music within. The album features a stellar lineup of musicians, including horn players Samson Trinh, John Charlotte, and Pete Anderson, guitarist DJ Williams (KTdu), Desi Hyson on keys, veteran jazz saxophonist Plunky Branch, reggae guitarist Ras Mel, and the legendary Junior Marvin from the Original Wailers.
The album opens with “Beware,” a track that immediately captivates with its bouncing, groovy bassline and intricate arrangement of horns and astute licks. This sets the stage for what’s to come—a continuous groove that weaves through each song with elastic bass lines and rich instrumentation. “Love Is The Answer” is a heartfelt praise of love, featuring DJ Williams and Desmond Hyson. The track ends with a cool sound that lingers and some funky vibes. “Sometimes,” with Unike Peace, brings a happy aura, spreading positivity and joy through its infectious feel.
The title track, “Dreaducation,” begins with a snappy drum fill and evolves into a groovy reggae anthem, embodying the essence of the album. It talks of the deep socio-political meaning behind dreads. “Iron Sharpen Iron” stands out with its powerful horn section and captivating saxophone licks by Plunky Branch, adding a jazzy layer to the reggae foundation. “Ital Way” with Jah-I-Witness, introduces funky guitar lines that has punch to the track. “Ethiopian Sunrise,” featuring Zak Jawad and Tsegaye B. Selassie, offers Santana-style electric guitar licks.
“Jah Sunset” (featuring Desmond Hyson) maintain the album’s momentum with organic tom based drum fills in the intro. “kNOw,” with Junior Marvin, blends blues, funk, and reggae, showcasing tasty guitar licks, one of the album highlights for me. “Dub Sharpen Iron” is a mostly instrumental track (with few vocal parts) which ahs some phenomenal saxophone playing. The closing track, “Love Is the Answer (Dr. Dubenstein Remix Remix Version),” reimagines the earlier song with beautiful layered vocals and synth elements, offering a fresh remix.
Firmly rooted in solid compositions and grooves, this record takes your breath away. Genres like funk, blues, jazz, roots and world music are baked with reggae to make a delicious musical cake. Every track is seeped in groove and fluid bass lines with colourful horn sections. The drum/percussion/rhythm sound here is to die for!
With “Dreaducation”, Mighty Joshua crafts a modern reggae album that not only honors the musical and social roots genre but also pushes its boundaries. A must-listen for reggae enthusiasts and music lovers alike.
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