Magic Rocker CD Review

MAGIC ROCKER - RESTORED MY SOUL

Reviewed by Steve Serpiente

If Alpha Blondy is the African Bob Marley, then Magic Rocker is the Buju Banton from the Mother Land.

Bursting onto the scene with his debut release, Restored My Soul, Ghana native Richard Essien (aka Magic Rocker) serves up a tasty stew
of African, modern roots reggae, dancehall and hip hop. Deejaying in a gruff baritone, Magic's delivery is firmly rooted in the tradition of
Buju and Shabba Ranks.

Among the standouts on the disc are: the African groove "Love 'U' to the Maximum;" the conscious cry "Wake Up Africa;" the bubbling
reggae cut "Listen;" the get up and dance "Oh No No I;" "Yonuvii" (another heavy African groove with lyrics voiced in the Ewe language
spoken by the Ewe tribe in Ghana, Togo and Benin); the suave "What's Your Name;" the self explanatory "Ganja Anthem;" and "Praise
Him."

Sprititual themes ("Restored My Soul," "Temptation Pressure" and "Praise Him"); and love songs ("Love 'U' to the Maximum," "Hola My
Bonita," "Beautiful Cinderella," "What's Your Name" and the slack but not crude "Nice & Slow") dominate much of the album.

Magic enlists the help of renowned Waterhouse vocalist Michael Rose of Black Uhuru fame on "Rude Boy," an upbeat combination
tune urging the youth "whatever you do, boy, you gotta do it well." (Yes, Michael augments the track with his patented "tu tu twain" and
other scats.) Frankie Paul also joins Magic on "Temptation Pressure," a catchy number about inner spiritual struggles.

"It was great to work with both of them (Rose and Paul), as they are such talented artists in their own right, and I was honored they would
share their talents with me, a newcomer," Magic said in an email interview. "They were both easy to work with; they liked my music and
lyrics, which made it easy for them to contribute."

Essien immigrated to the United States with his mother in 1988 at the age of 18. Driven by a profound love of music, Magic began
deejaying in various clubs throughout Chicago. He has also worked a number of jobs for his daily bread, including driving a taxi and
working in construction. He is currently a partner in a construction firm.

As for his future, Magic said he hopes to continue to forward "educating the world through my music, specifically waking up all Africans so
they will stop fighting each other, and of course, to serve Jah Jah, our mighty Father."

For more info. or to purchase the CD, contact Magic Rocker at djmajicrocker@yahoo.com

Contact reggae addict Steve Serpiente at serpiente97@yahoo.com