Niyorah returns with his second studio album, always a difficult feat, especially if your debut album was a stellar release. However ‘Purification Session’ surpasses all that has come before. The album consists of 18 crucial cuts and not a single one falls below par.

From the opening track ‘Nothing To Prove’ you know this album is something special. Intense, deep roots music, yet unlike Midnite and several other Igrade releases, this album remains accessible, while steering well clear of the commercial market.

The album’s concept explores the many facets of self purification, that of the body, the spirit, one’s community and the purification of the earth.

I can’t begin to pick individual tracks, as each has its own merits. Niyorah deals with a huge range of issues, such as his love for all that is natural on the track ‘Globe all Warming’; the power of the African people on the storming, relentless sing-jay cut ‘African Chant’; his despair at vanity with ‘Caught up Inna the Image’; his love of his heritage on ‘Nothing to Prove’; his love of spiritual growth on ‘Lion have Mane’ with Vaughn Benjamin; and his praise to Rastafari on ‘There for You’.

Niyorah’s lyrics are inspired, insightful and expressive, never letting up the pressure of serious, crucial roots themes in his own unique and individual way. His ability to sing, chant, educate and rouse the listener is evident in every track. Musically this album is tight, expressive and beautifully produced. This is surely the album of 2006.

Review by 'JumpUp'

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