IkushinI

Today THE STAR continues one of its latest features, a weekly review of new songs. Three musical minds with different tastes will analyse each song and will grade it on vocal ability, lyrics, musical arrangement and appeal. The songs that make the grade will be given our stamp of approval, 'Mus Buss'. For those songs that fail, well they will be dumped under the 'Caan Buss' heading.

Artiste: Ikushini

Song: The Rain

Overview: The song is about a man crying for his girlfriend to return. He takes the listener from the point when she was leaving him. He also reminisces on the good things about his relationship with this girl.
Queen: I think the song has the makings of a hit. The 'riddim' matches the lyrics perfectly but I think the vocals need some work though.

TAE: Mi like how the song compose. The vocals, the lyrics all flow smoothly with the 'riddim'. I generally think that listeners will feel the mood that the song is seeking to bring out.

Queen: It is obvious that the artiste and producers of the song put a lot of thought into the project.

TAE: Adding to what you just say Queen, I think the lady in the background vocals adds some amount of refinery to the overall presentation of the song.

Queen: As mi seh before though, I think the vocals require some work. It is too inconsistent. The high notes are not necessary and the voice sounds like it could do with some more melody. Also the title of the song, I think was not fitting. The Rain probably represents something to the singer, but as a listener I shouldn't have to guess the meaning behind the title of his song. I would have preferred a more straightforward title.

TAE: Fi real. The Rain ting as the title of the song was to me inappropriate and the singer had to try too hard to incorporate elements relating to rainy weather, for example the introduction where we heard sounds of thunderstorm in the background.

Queen: Apart from the few criticisms, however, I think the artiste made an admirable attempt to produce a song with a local feel, with a bit of difference with the lyrics. I think with the proper marketing and promotion the tune can buss, so I give it the Mus Buss signal.

TAE: Da artiste yah surprise me still. Don't know him, but the song a gwaan good. So obviously it nuh hard fi gi him di Mus Buss signal round here.

- Jamaica Star

Review:

Name: IKushinI
Genre: Reggae
Sounds like: Traditional Reggae Music
Scores (1 - 10 ascending)
Technical Grade: 6
Commercial Value 8
Overall Talent Level 8
Songwriting Skills 9
Performance Skills: ?
Best Songs: Distance Affection (Rain)
Weakness: Vocals are not strong and music does not sound like live instruments.

Other Comments: Your music sounds like typical Reggae Music which is a good thing. Your vocals, however, are weak. Voice lessons could enhance your performance and vocal techniques. Live instruments would enhance your sound.

Your song Freeway Waterway sounds like authentic Reggae music. "Distance Affection (Rain)" was fun and your lyrics were quite entertaining. "Scenario" had serious vocal strains in it. This song is the one that needs more instrumentation.

Overall, your music sounds like authentic Reggae music. From the experience I have had with going to Reggae shows it's the personality on stage and the bumpin beats of the band that make the show. As long as you got the people bouncing their bodies and bobbin their head's they don't care what's coming out of the performer's mouth, except for the hooks (for which I think your music lacks memorable hooks). So, therefore, I believe your style of music has a chance of making it in the booking business with efforts of self improvement along the way. You mentioned that when you do bookings you look for a band to be put together there. I strongly suggest that you form your own band or have a reoccurring band put together in the states if that's where you want to start performing.

End of Review
- Brower Entertainment