Darien Prophecy - Natural Vibes

With its simple take on reggae, Natural Vibes is an instantly accessible album to fans and casual listeners of the genre. The title track is an uplifting, bouncy summertime tune guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of even the most sullen supermarket employee: "I see the birds and the bees give praises… love is all we need." Darien was partly inspired by the Garnett Silk, a rising reggae talent tragically killed in a house fire. The influence of Silk can be heard in Darien's silky vocal style and emotive tone. Based in Ipswich, the urban UK scene has also had an impact on the tone of Prophecy's album: check out the reggae rap on You Better Be Ready. Mama is a beautiful track in praise of Darien's dear old mammy; "no one ain't close to me like my mama, she's my best friend." Such tracks exemplify how Darien has got the right mix of humble reverence and upbeat old school vibes, making the album a great debut release. [Franck Martin]