Dadawah - Peace and Love
Feb 6, 2022 (updated Mar 30, 2022)
NR
"Come together brothers, sisters,
For the time is now,
When we must unite and be strong,
That we can put away all the wrong."

"Peace and Love" by acclaimed Jamaican musician Ras Michael, also known as Dadawah, is about just that: peace and love. He was present during the earlier years of Reggae (early '60s) and produced one of the few Nyahbinghi releases available to the world. This special genre is very traditional and important, especially to the Rastafarian community. Though described merely as, "rhythms produced by hand-drumming and vocal chanting" on RYM, you will be pleasantly surprised by the amount of detailed layers present in this genre, or more specifically, this album. The truth is, "Peace and Love" is rare, and not something easy to find. I've searched through roots reggae and Nyahbinghi to find something like this record, and I have found some really incredible stuff, but nothing compares to the exceptionality of this recording. I have found that, personally, the quality and genuine perfection is unmatched among other similar releases, even from Ras Michael himself.

Each song present on this album is beautiful and practically perfect in every way, working in unison to create an album experience unlike any other. Every instrument has a journey that it travels, following the meaningful and pleasant vocals, moving throughout the record like water. Flowing unbelievably freely but keeping an important structure that is necessary for the album. Being able to hear the unbelievable connection between performers is truly one of the greatest factors that sets this album above much else. It is as if each sound is communicating with one another, every time one says something, there is a perfect response. In my opinion, each and every instrument is utilized perfectly in this record. The personal drumming, psychedelic guitar, preach-like vocals, beautiful piano, etc. These fundamental components work toward making this the most psychedelic, mesmerizing, meditative, and hypnotizing reggae album I have ever heard. Each time I turn the record on I listen from start to finish, as it captures me unlike anything else, and each song works so perfectly with each other, it is simply an experience as a whole I must feel every time I think of it. This never lets up in this record, as each sound, from beginning to end, works beautifully with each other.
In fact, one of my favorite moments is in the very end, as the instruments slowly fade away, we are introduced to a catchy bass groove and listen as the piano rocks us to sleep and the guitar wobbles around freely. It is such a great way to end an album as unrestricted as this.

By listening to the feeling in the instruments and the emotion, power, and passion in Ras Michael's voice, you can hear how much this music really means to those who are involved. It is a way for them to escape, to convey their messages of peace and love, to create something beautiful representative of who they are and what they believe. I don't think this could have gone any better, the recording quality being perfect, it creates a capsule of an important culture, available for anyone interested to hear. I am unbelievably grateful to live in a time where I can listen to recordings like this freely, without even paying a cent.

I am also glad to say that I recently obtained this album as a colored vinyl record, which only made me fall in love with it more. Letting this sound flow throughout my room, taking it all in, helps put this record more into perspective. Additionally, it truly feels as if you are there, sitting inside of the drum circle, surrounded by these wonderful performers, existing within their instruments. Though, you do not need to listen to the vinyl to experience this. The album itself creates this immediate personal feeling with its luscious and individualized production. It is nearly impossible for me to fathom how this was made almost 50 years ago, as it sounds as if it was recorded yesterday. I feel that this is an incredibly historic and important album for many to listen to, and I hope that some of you reading give it a chance. It has helped change my perspective on music and acquire my own true taste.

Hopefully you enjoyed reading. I tried to be a little more direct with this review than my others, as it was becoming difficult for me to review due to how long they took me. Have a wonderful day <3

Update (Mar 30, 2022):
I've come to a point of completely accepting how important this album is to me. I find this release to be the greatest of its kind, with the most beautiful meaning, production, musicianship, instrumentals, vocals, and immersion. The amount of passion which can be heard in this album is enough to fuel my hope for months. Exploring the genre of reggae has also made my appreciation for it massively grow, as in my opinion absolutely nothing comes even close. In my opinion, no other record I've heard deserves a perfect score as much as this. I can listen to it at any time and it's just as amazing. If I listen to it in the background, it is wonderfully relaxing and calming. If I listen to it with full attention, the depth and intricacies of the instrumentals show themselves, in a slightly different way each time. I have never gotten slightly bored or sick of it.

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12 Comments
2y
You should definitely check it out soon, huge recommendation @berays
2y
@nxnzn Thank you :)
2y
Lovely review, Tristan! :D
Wow, you really adore this album! I'll make sure to give it at least one or two listens in the near future.
2y
@ra1995 Thank you very much! And yes, I absolutely do. I hope you enjoy it :)
2y
The album was made with peace and love
2y
@yea Absolutely, it is very present in the music. Takes away my worries and relaxes me tremendously
2y
Great to read your wonderful review of this treasure
2y
@ocrakraut Thank you very much, and it is indeed a treasure. Such a unique experience :)
1y
Thanks a lot, Tristan, for your detailed review. To complete the information I would like to add that you are writing about the Jamaican musician
Michael George Henry, also known as Ras Michael - and also known as Dadawah.
Just now I'm listen to a piece of music of him: Seventy Two Nations, pretty good.
1y
@fantasio Thank you for the additional information! I'm glad you liked the review. That is a fantastic song, definitely one of my favorites. :)
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