{"product_id":"crying-to-the-nation","title":"Crying to the Nation","description":"Recording information: Aqua Sounds Studio, St. Croix; Big Yard Recording Studio,Kingston, Jamaica, WI; Birch Hill Recording Studio, Kingston, Jamaica, WI; Cashflow Recording Studio, Kingston, Jamaica, WI; Chimney Recording Studio, Kingston, Jamaica, WI; CR203 Records Recording Studio, Kingston, Jamaica, WI; Seanizzle Recording Studio, Kingston, Jamaica, WI; Truckback Records, Kingston, Jamaica, WI; Tuff Gong Recording Studio, Kingston, Jamaica, WI.\u003cbr\u003eOne of the most common mistakes reggae artists have historically made is that of overproducing: the minute it becomes clear that they're capable of making hit songs, they immediately embark on a three-albums-a-year regimen that leaves them spent and the public fatigued. I-Octane (ha) has wisely bided his time. Despite a string of hit singles over the past several years, Crying to the Nation is his first full-length album, and it's a solid winner. A variety of Jamaican producers provide a range of rhythms and textures for him to sing over, most of them on the funky but gentle side; his voice is pleasing and his messages consistently uplifting. Although he seems to depend on Auto-Tune a bit more than one might wish, he uses it more subtly than many of his colleagues do, and although he sometimes gets perilously close to the nasal pseudo-gospel whine that makes so many of his roots-and-culture colleagues so hard to listen to, he never crosses the line -- and his ability to jump from crooning to singjay toasting within the space of a beat is both impressive and fun. The songs are consistently strong, but particular highlights include \"Zion Awaits\" and the affecting \"Lose a Friend.\" There are fine cameo appearances from Alborosie, Tarrus Riley, and the excellent deejay Agent Sasco. And he gets an extra half-star for including not a single skit on the program. ~ Rick Anderson","brand":"MovieMars","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47246423097631,"sku":"054645196123","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0679\/7833\/0399\/files\/e159ea27f3527243d14c4cfbdcdce216.jpg?v=1777563801","url":"https:\/\/www.moviemars.com\/products\/crying-to-the-nation","provider":"MovieMars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}