Lucky Dube, Alpha Blondy, Majek Fashek and Ben Okafor are among a handful of artists from Africa who have managed to gain international reggae acclaim. Among others, an artist whose music deserves a greater audience is Ghanaian singer and songwriter Micky Paap. While absorbing the sounds of Jimi Hendrix and Santana and fusing them with the rhythms of his homeland, Paap gained experience playing guitar and recording with the likes of Talal Fatal, Blay Ambrolley, and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation band. Later, after relocating to London, England, he performed with numerous reggae bands, which opened up new avenues of musical exploration for Paap. Show Me The Reason, his third and most recent release, is an impressive reggae offering. With a voice somewhere between Burning Spear and Cat Stevens, only sweeter, Paap delivers a dozen songs that inspire, encourage and entertain. While Show Me The Reason
has an undeniably African reggae feel, the sturdy melodies and English lyrics throughout make this a highly accessible album.
The title track is an emotional plea to God for understanding, direction and strength, filled with subtle African-styled guitar licks and keyboard melodies. As Paap sings, “Show me the reason why I’m here / Show me the reason why I’m here, O Lord / Show me the reason why I’m here,” a mellifluous one-drop rhythm, incorporating a bit of soukous flavor, provides the ideal complement. A lovely guest vocal by Melissa Durazo creates the musical equivalent of sun breaking through clouds. In addition, lead guitarist Adam Hawley adds some wonderfully syncopated soloing.
“Without You” is light and airy lover’s rock with a deep bass line, punchy clavinet and swirling organ flourishes. Lyrically, Paap uses clever similes to illustrate the incompleteness that exists due to separation from his lover. Some deejay vocal passages and cooing background vocals add just the right amount of energy and sweetness in this yearning for “two hearts that beat in a reggae riddim“. With the touching “I Count My Blessings”, Paap ponders the realities of his own suffering and dissatisfaction as largely a matter of perspective. Far from pedestrian, the message here is filled with poetic illustrations and reflections, in which Paap comes to the realization that he is indeed blessed, especially considering the challenges and struggles others are facing. With renewed vision, he expresses gratitude to God for what he has and resolves to reach out to and pray for those less fortunate.
“Devil in a Bottle” is a groovy roots tune that describes the woes of drunkenness and alcoholism. Rather than condemning, Paap comes across like a concerned friend walking alongside one who is struggling, even using a bit of humor in order to expose inherent danger and deception. Durazo’s backing vocals and Hawley's searing lead work effectively to punctuate the musical statements. With astute lyrics such as, “Saying things that you should keep inside / Soon you find yourself kicked outside / Then you get a DUI, yeah / Then you ask Who am I?“, “Devil in a Bottle” is conscious reggae at its best.
In “Rules of Mt. Sinai”, Paap sees himself as an ambassador, encouraging people through pointed social commentary to consider the moral and social pillars that are the ten commandments. African-influenced call and response background vocals are the ideal counterpoint for his admonishment. As he sings “We know You are a jealous God, but we are so weak in the flesh and the mind / Lord, we pray for Your mercy / Help us to overcome and show us the way“, Paap avoids coming across as self-righteous. It is clear that he sees himself as a man in need of that mercy as much as anyone.
Coloring himself unimpressed with technology merely for the purpose of convenience and curiosity, and sounding quite a bit like Burning Spear both vocally and in terms of musical backing, Paap delivers the smooth roots track, “Achieve Peace.” A buoyant and bubbly rhythm underscores the reggae gospel of “Get Behind Me Satan,” which contains lyrics of Christian devotion and commitment to fighting the good fight and rebuking the enemy. Here, as in many places throughout Show Me The Reason, Paap’s approach to the keyboards reveals his Ghanaian roots in a way that nicely complements the reggae flow.
The synth flute, percussion, keyed notes and harmonized vocals which make up the intro to “Gossip Mongers” offer perhaps the most vivid influence of Paap’s African homeland in a tune that wouldn’t sound out of place on one of Lucky Dube’s albums. A cavernous bass line anchors the proceedings in this rebuke to gossipers and warning to those who could be object of their vitriol.
“A Simple Man” offers Paap’s life philosophy with poignant snapshots of dysfunction within the family unit and society at large. Singing, “We say we are grownups and act sophisticated, but we have to learn from our children,” Paap dispenses encouragement as he points to the words of Jesus who said we must become like children if we want to see the kingdom of God. The lively “Don’t Know What You Got” yields an appropriate closing message as Paap expresses the need to appreciate life and relationships rather than allowing them to slip away due to quarreling or neglect.
Clearly, Micky Paap is an artist deserving of more attention from reggae enthusiasts and lovers of positive music in general. Though there are a few flaws in Show Me The Reason, revealed in a couple of weak intros and some less than stellar programmed drum and synth sounds, the overall quality of songwriting, singing and arrangements make this album a winner.
Review by Mike Roots
Rating: 4 Stars (out of 5)
