Jahaziel - Ready To Live

by mmog37

First Impressions

Que puis-je dire de cet homme Jahaziel ? Seulement ce cet homme est sur le feu et sa musique est chaude!!! OOOPS! Pardon me, I was gettin caught up in that London heat in the Form of Jahaziel - Ready to Live, let me translate for you. I said “What can I say about this man Jahaziel, other than this dude is on fyah and his music is hot! Meet Jahaziel hailing from London, this kid is makin a stir in the industry. Jahaziel is no new comer to the game and this project “Ready To Live” shows just that! Having shared the stage and tour with a wide range of artist from Craig David to Lemar to Monica and Gospel Legends such as Kirk Franklin and Kim Burrell, without a doubt this kid’s resume is impressive. However aside from any experience he might have gained it is not who he has worked with or toured with that makes this latest project so special. In what he describes as God Inspired” music, Jahaziel takes the heart and intent of the Gospel message and manages to wrap it up in a transparent and heartfelt package that anyone with an ear can hear it. Unlike some artist who either manage to produce music the streets can feel but have a less potent message…or vice versa have a potent message but lack musical feel-ability, Jahaziel comes armed with diverse musical arrangements and explosive impacting lyrics. I kept this CD on repeat for days as I listened to each song repetitively gleaning something new each and everytime I listened. Jahaziel’s Jamaican bloodline come shining through on Ready To Live, and even more so on several of the Reggae/Dancehall flavored tracks. One of my favorite tracks was a bonus track [Solid Rock ] tucked away at the end of the last track, I had to let the braids down and Rock out on that one! The last cd that snatched my attention the same was was Lecrae’s “After The Music Stops.” That’s not to say that I haven’t listened to any good cd’s since…it’s just that like Lecrae’s this one was real, from the heart and yet done on such a personal level that each song could be felt. On so many levels this was just a good CD, it was real, honest, refreshing and relatable to virtually anyone with a pulse.

A Closer Look

From the first track [Power] till the last track [Father I Turn to You], Jahaziel brings nothin but the heat, constantly weaving a theme of Praise to and Dependence on God. One only need to listen to hear the Saul to Paul conversion stories contained in the lyrics, going from pretender to the real thing when confronted with God’s Love and Power. Throughout the CD, Jahaziel makes no attempt to conceal nor offer any apologies for revealing his First love, God. He skillfully rides the beat and changes it up from exhalting and praising God on tracks like [JESUS] to worshiping God in tracks like [God Love], then takin us to the Dancehall with tracks like [Nobody's Fool] as he declares that it is the fool who says in his heart that there is no God (Psalms 14:1, Psalms 53:1) At first listen you will find music you can bounce to, but the lyrics and the messages contained within will speak to ya long after the music stops playin. Those who have been walking with God for a while will find themselves noddin in agreement as they listen, whereas those new to this walk can find encouragement and hope as they listen. Without a doubt this is God Inspired, God Centered Music. I have said it before and will say it again…I am always impressed with those cats who take the message and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, digest it and then skillfully spit it in such a way that it edifies the believer and yet is able to be felt by the non-believer at the same time…Jahaziel is one of those cats..and “Ready To Live” is one of those CD’s

Da Breakdown

One of the things I liked most about this CD was the track versatility. Jahaziel manages to mix it up without sounding like he was all over the place. One of my favorites was [Jesus] a modern day hip hop style worship song lifting up the name of Jesus, and to be honest it is the closest I have heard a hip hop song come to to capturing that feeling/energy that embodies one of those heart felt, hand-clapping, toe-tapping songs sung by a choir. Other tracks like [Father I turn to You] tackles the whole prodigal wayward child issue, knowing we should be one way but allowing the cares and concerns of this life lure us away from the only pure unconditional love we will we ever have or experience. I couldn’t help but appreciate that track came to an end there was a bonus track [Solid Rock] which to me brought the whole prodigal story full circle from crying out that He was returning back to the Father..to firmly recognizing and declaring that God is indeed He steady foundation…His Solid Rock!. Here’s a brief breakdown of some of the content of a few of the tracks on “Ready To Live:”

The Christian life is one of Power, in the words we speak and the way we live [Power]

Building a life around God, everything else is pointless [Ready To Live]

Dependence on God and determination to do His Will, Proclaiming the Gospel[Help Me God]

Life is about the choices you make…choose wisely you one get one [You Got Yours]

This one tackles brotherly love, putting and end to the violence, the two main commandments Loving God with your all, and Loving your neighbor as you Love yourself [In My Neighborhood]

Beautiful song about Hope and Justice, a reminder that we can Trust in God and He wont fail us or let us down…even when people do [Trust]

The name of the track says it all JESUS, you will want to dance and Praise God on this one! [Jesus]

Final Thoughts

This is definitely one for the collection. This CD will not only provide you with some good music you can vibe out to, but it will minister to your hurts, and provide you with some hope at the same time. There some definite bangas and head noddas on this, but the beautiful thing is it is music that you can play around anyone without being embarrassed. Personal recommendation…this CD is one of the ones I would use to share with those who I’m trying to reach..but put up their defenses when they feel me going into the gospel mode..this cd will sneak right past their defenses and hit em with that God Love!

You can find out more about Jahaziel and how to copp this cd at the following places, you can also hear some samples/previews of what to expect from “Ready to Live.”

Visit them at myspace http://www.myspace.com/jahazielmusic

Jahaziel’s Official Website http://www.jahazielmusic.com/