New Solo Album From One of Trinidad and Tobago’s Finest Roots Artist
Sadiki also known as BuzzRock, releases his new album today, a solo album entitled “Nobody’s Fool” on his own label, Ministry of Dub. BuzzRock released four albums as part of a group but this time he is taking his baritone vocals and conscious lyrics to the world. This article contains an interview we conducted two days prior to the album release followed by an album review. More After The Jump…
“Buzzrockin’ Non-Stoppin” Presented by Wadada Movement/ House of Wadada
I. Interview
Angel: Greetings King
BuzzRock: Blessed Love, Empress Angel
Angel: What an impressive album you are releasing this Friday? How did Sidiki the child become a Mystical Man as Buzz Rock?
BuzzRock: I was born on Lavantile Road in Trinidad. This was kinda of like the ghetto but there was a richness to the community and the people therein. I migrated with my Queen (Mother) to Miami, Florida when I was 6 years old. In North Miami, I was ‘overfed and undernourished” and started getting into real trouble by the time I was a teenager. At 16 years old, I was shot four times and lost full consciousness. When I awoke, I was in the hospital. A year later a close friend of mine was as sentenced to one year in prison. By 18 my juvenile cases were about to be judged as adult cases and my Queen (Mother) told me to take a break and go on a three-month vacation to Trinidad. That’s when the healing process began for me. The first night I arrived in Trinidad it was a Sunday at 11PM my Uncle picked me up from the airport. My cousin and I sat and I was about to pull a cigarette. He invited me to a Nyahbinghi dance at “Static” with herb and reggae music. By 12:30am I was in this party and the people looked the same as my peoples in Miami, with dreads and napps, but the vibe was different. I mostly listened to Bob Marley before this morning, but this night I heard tons of reggae music and I was so relaxed. I felt like my life was changing as I connected with the music lyrics, people, and vibes. From there I looked forward and my walk in life was different.
Angel: Powerful story. What album is this for you?
BuzzRock: I released 4 studio albums with others as BuzzRock after I started the band. But this is my first solo album released on my own label, Ministry of Dub.
Angel: My favorite song on the album is “Dub It Before”- you giving some Barry White like vocals with some Vaughn Benjamin chants, Who are some of your musical influences?
BuzzRock: That’s so interesting you mentioned Barry White, because my father plays bass and pan and played bass for Barry White. Vaughn Benjamin is definitely one of my musical influences along with Leon Thompson and Donny Hathaway. I love various genres of music. My Uncle, Alam also played a pivotal role in my personal and musical life- he guided my music career until his passing recently.
Angel: Sorry about the passing of your Uncle. He would be really proud of this album. Noticed the Song of Solomon book in the “Dub It Before” video, very fitting with the song lyrics because this is one of the most passionate books of the Bible.
BuzzRock: That is the cover for my songwriting book, I drew that on the cover “Song of Sunman” and it is definitely a reference to that part of the Bible. I usually keep it strictly roots but this is like one of the first time I’m delivering a lover’s rock so it’s great to have your feedback. In “Dub It Before,” I speak about relating to a black woman before slavery and colonialism, which lead to a breakdown in the relationship between a black man and woman. Way back in na Africa, that was the first I remember. We were oh so very close dubbing from the mountain to the coast.
Way back in na Africa, that was the first I remember/ We were oh so very close dubbing from the mountain to the coast.
Angel: I love the line ” Written in my genetic memory, everything you were made to be.”
Written in my genetic memory, everything you were made to be/
Angel: “Dub Food” and “The Mirror,” were very interesting songs, lyrically.
BuzzRock: Dub Food is a freestyle expressing my love for dub; the way the instrumentals are spaced out in a way that you can focus and listen carefully to the lyrics. Everyone seems to want to separate themselves, be the stars of their own show. But there is strength in unity and seeing yourself in another. It affects how we connect with others and relate to experiences. For example, when you watch a movie- it may cause you to laugh in some parts, feel sadness or want to cry. This is because your mind creates experiences. What you think in your mind, sends out chemicals through the body which manifest as emotions. So how you relate to the world around you and people affects your life experiences. This is what “The Mirror” is about.
“Everyone seems to want to separate themselves, be the stars of their own show. But there is strength in unity and seeing yourself in another. It affects how we connect with others and relate to experiences. For example, when you watch a movie- it may cause you to laugh in some parts, feel sadness or want to cry. This is because your mind creates experiences. What you think in your mind, sends out chemicals through the body which manifest as emotions. So how you relate to the world around you and people affects your life experiences”-BuzzRock
Angel: Wisdom. Nobody’s Fool! Tell me about the album’s title track and why you decided on this name for the album?
BuzzRock: I chose that title because it encompasses the whole album’s theme, various ways in which I became conscious and aware of myself. Lyrically, “Nobody’s Fool” is my favorite track because it references various topics, from the genetic manipulation of food to police corruption, ways in which we have to make the powers-that-be stop “tek we for fool.”
Angel: What was the inspiration behind “Musical Physicians” and “Gifts from The Sun”?
BuzzRock: I like how you grouped those two songs together because they both were songs about what inspires me. “Musical Physicians” is about music having multiple purposes. Music used to bring rhythm, music used to grow the crops, music used to heal the sick correct the blood flow. I use music as a tool for healing purposes, not just entertainment. Vibrations influence pulses and heartbeats and the buzz is the rock; that same science. “Gifts from The Sun” is a special dedication to Dr. Sebi, who recently passed away. He was a bioscientist who saw the sun as the source of life, food, and growth.
” Music used to bring rhythm, music used to grow the crops, music used to heal the sick, correct the blood flow. I use music as a tool for healing purposes, not just entertainment. Vibrations influence pulses and heartbeats and the buzz is the rock; that same science. “ -BuzzRock
Angel: What do you want fans to know about your new album and first solo album, “Nobody’s Fool.”
Buzz Rock: I put my all into the lyrics and sounds of this album and I hope that they resonate with my brothers and sisters.
Angel: Thank you for sharing with Boomshots Magazine, Sidiki.
Buzz Rock: It was my honor, thank you, Angel.
II. Album Review – Track By Track Analysis of “Nobody’s Fool” by BuzzRock
BuzzRock’s first solo studio album supersedes expectations with superb baritone vocals and deep, soulful lyrics. This 11 track album is a collector’s item, especially for lovers of dub, roots reggae, lover’s rock and rhythm and blues. The music itself captures a mood and focus as it caters to mind, body, and soul. The album opens with an introduction to the “Mystical Man” himself. Buzz Rock considers himself made in the image of The Almighty God and in this light, he shares a natural union with his surroundings. In the video directed by Rachel Charles, Raya Media, the lyrics come to life as The Mystical Man arises to a natural existence and communion with God and nature.
“The Mirror” is a reflective tune about relating to self, life, and others and following this, one can indulge in “Dub Food,” a nourishing freestyle giving reverence to Dub. The album takes it up a notch, lyrically with the impeccable lover’s rock track -“Dub It Before.” The baritone, Barry White like vocals along with the poetic lyrics, makes for a musical masterpiece. Chance Nkosi Gomez captures love with a depth of humbleness, respect, and love, using close-up views and angles, in the video for the song.
“The visual shows a loving couple that always puts the other’s needs first. They share every moment uplifting the other as their relationship is very much old school. After a day spent at the cottage the Mystical Man performs at Kaiso Blues, where he publicly professes his love for his empress through his music; and in doing so inspires other kings and queens at the event to love deeply. “- Chance Nkosi Gomez
The album title track, “Nobody’s Fool,” speaks for itself. “Musical Physicians” and “Gifts From The Sun” are inspirational tracks. The self-produced album ends with four final tracks, “Food Dub,” “Before the Dub,” “Dub Physicians,” and “Mystical Dub” that are special dub treatments. The live instrumentation on this album was exemplary and included: Candace K. Moore on Keyboard; WadiGad on drums; Jon Hussai and Kiwan on guitar, Ira Indie on background vocals and Dominic Gomes on bass.
Apple Music -BuzzRock Nobody’s Fool
Written By: Angel Love @LoveDeepAngel
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