Avaran

Avaran – Short Rope - ---------- - 1999

After Garnett Silk's passing in 1994, it took a while for reggae music to realise how great a loss it was.

Luciano was almost certainly thrown by it. In reggae music there is a balance going back to the early days. For example in the mid seventies it was Gregory Isaacs and Dennis Brown.

Later it was Sugar Minott and Barrington Levy. Pushing each other on, and also taking the pressure off.

The vocal style of Garnett Silk was too good and strong to just disappear. And in 1999 it came back. First with Garnett's brother Aaron – who debut album is truly excellent.

And this magnificent set from Avaran. Recorded and Mixed in Barbados by Karl Pitterson. Karl's engineering skills had not been heard of for years – you had to go back to the seventies and listen to his work with the Mighty Diamonds, and perhaps Burning Spear. This is also produced by him and Africa Jah Man Soul Jah.

And yet here he was – not sure if Avaran comes from Barbados but it would make sense.

The song-writing skills of Avaran are on par with Garnett. Mixing together reality, culture and love songs with ease and grace.'Short Rope' the title track is an outstanding work. Likewise the other reality tunes such as 'Serious' 'Church And State, and the 'The System'. A magnificent album.