Creatively bridging the gap between nostalgic reggae and the contemporary hip hop and alternative pop realms, Jah Sent delivers a five-track EP of originals, which prove as diverse as they are heartfelt and melodically engaging.
Seamlessly uniting his Trinidadian heritage with the crisp sound and style of LA production and hip hop, Jah Sent delivers a modern reggae project that’s both uplifting and evocative in its fusion of storytelling and smooth vibes.
Middle Of The Night as an opener is all of this, a catchy and intimate anthem, but poetic and personal enough to connect on a deeper level. The music rings out with a kind of trap meets RnB progression, occasionally falling away to lay bare an easy guitar and voice pairing, as Jah Sent continues to pay tribute to a significant other.
The title-track Legacy follows and the mood is instantly mellow yet impassioned. A trip hop arrangement of humble keys and bass notes backs a nearly whispered and versatile delivery from jah Sent, blending his cultural background and languages with faultless precision and soul.
The idea is to tell his story, to inspire and uplift, and his conviction at the helm undoubtedly leads to that conclusion. The creative process is Jah Sent’s key to escapism and fulfilment, and on that note, Music is Who We Are marks a classic and timeless reggae hit to hold up the central track of the EP.
We then shift brilliantly into the energetic bounce of One Ganja Spliff – another old school ode to the dawn of the reggae genre, in everything from topic to tone and groove.
Wrapping things up is a crucial return to the drama and emotional intensity that kicked off the project. Never Give Up is an electronic production that commits itself to the inspirational, motivational core of Jah Sent’s music. The track is humble but powerful, a minimalist yet effective backdrop supporting a mildly effected voice, as we venture into an again versatile flow, and a revealing, poetic and empowering story – one that suits the softly immersive nature of the music perfectly well.