Album: Before the Dawn

Artiste: Buju Banton

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Genre: Reggae

'Before the Dawn' is a short dose of positivity from the incarcerated deejay Buju Banton. The 10-track work is the ninth studio album from the 'Gargamel' released during his ongoing drug trial.

In an interview, Banton explained that the 10 tracks, which were released in Europe on October 1, were written before he found himself in his current situation with the law. He told Hip-Hop Weekly magazine: "All the songs on this album were written before I and I found I self in this current situation, yet they all speak profoundly to what I and I am going through right now ... You might can lock up the flesh but you can never lock up the spirit of Rasta."

Since its debut, the album has topped the iTunes Reggae Album charts, proving Banton still has his magical touch. The follow-up to his 2009 Rasta Got Soul album, Before the Dawn is much shorter in terms of the number of tracks that are usually in Banton's catalogue. The album also came much quicker than most expected, as the deejay usually spends years working on his material.

A primarily upbeat album in terms of the rhythms used, Banton tackles a lot of emotional and social issues.

Starting off with Can't Go, Banton talks about rastas being present at different places and events such as the White House where, as he sings, the Rasta makes the security look like 'Mickey Mouse'. Another powerful track, Bondage, talks about the struggles of life as Banton sings, "watch what you doing wid my people/ tears in my eyes could not hold any more/ Cry like a child that has lost his way home/ longing to go to that place where I'm from/ they got I in bondage."

Life seems to be a very personal song, as he sings, "Mark protect your soul don't let dem take it/ the wheel of evil keeps on turning."

No Smoking At All has a rock vibe, while in Innocent, he sings, "Jah Know I'm innocent ... I've been badly singled out by beloved friends and brethren's that sold me out."

Overall ,Before the Dawn isn't a bad album, but lacks the stand- out hits typical for the artiste.

Track Listing:

1. Rasta Can't Go

2. In the Air

3. Do Good

4. Battered & Bruised

5. Bondage

6. Struggle Together

7. Life

8. No Smoking At All

9. Try Life

10. Innocent

-Krista Henry