On Stay High, Yaniss Odua revitalizes roots reggae without losing its essence. Accompanied by an eclectic cast, his iteration of the genre—Futu’Roots—is an engaging fusion of traditional reggae dialects, contemporary hip-hop and Latin sounds. Employing an optimistic outlook and alternating between English and French, Odua combines socially conscious lyricism with these infectious rhythms to deliver a project energizing over its 16 tracks. The title track offers encouragement between hypnotic accordion notes (while the remix adds the stellar vocals of Ghanaian singer Kelvyn Boy); elsewhere, “Enfants du monde” carries the unifying message of peace over a ska-infused soundscape. The Martiniquan musician joins forces with Brazilian singer Flavia Coelho for the melodic dub of “Embala La” before rapid-fire flows on the Kiki Lion-assisted “Ready Now” epitomize the album’s energetic impulse.
- 2013
- Danakil & Ondubground
- Taïro
- Volodia
- I Woks
- Broussaï