Steadfast
By
Imprint
It is always good to feature something different on the Blog
and, as we know, Hip Hop is an all-encompassing culture. Hip Hop music has
spawned many sub-genres of its sound and one of those is Gospel Hip Hop. I hope
that you will stay with me here because music has a lot to say, even if that
music has a more religious foundation, and you might be surprised by what it
says to you even if you are not a religious person.
Steadfast is the debut album by the group Imprint,
who are composed of, and there are a couple of names you might be familiar with
here, Karlow AKA Areli, Reken AKA Eitan and Bruva Smokes AKA Boaz. Now you will
obviously recognize Karlow and Bruva Smokes from their former group T.H.E.M
but, since leaving Northentic Records they have gone on to new horizons and one
of those is Imprint, which is released through Tree of Life, a Lancashire based
Gospel Hip Hop platform.
There promises to be a good mixture of musical vibes across
the album including Hip Hop, Trap and House style beats. The album is produced
by Karlow, except the track ‘Shine on’ which is produced by Ruben Sanchez.
There are also appearances from Theo Matrix and MVRVIN ADHAMA, with STU C on
the cuts, so please keep an open mind as we take a walk alongside Imprint
through the album Steadfast…
The album begins with Emergence, an aptly named track
as the group emerge on to the scene. The sound has this heavy boom bap beat
backed by this music box melody, which brings an almost eerie quality to the
sound. This one really sets the stage for what Imprint are all about, a
positive voice of faith in a world where our faith is tested on a daily basis.
Imprints faith is the word of Jesus and tools are their beats, rhymes, and
wordplay, delivered in a way that shows their unshaken faith in a higher power.
Next up is Remedy which has a trap sound to it but, the sparce drums
organ and piano notes, alongside the soulful sung element does give this one a
vibe which borders on etheric, in a way. The message in this one is how having
faith in something can be the remedy to so many ills. It really is that simple
and it is the personal experiences of how faith has saved them that speak
volumes here. A head nod beat, and keys lay the foundation for the sound of Look
At Me Now, which brings an uplifting vibe which fits so well with the focus
of the track; again we see personal experience taking centre stage as the guys
show what salvation has done for them, taking them from depths of despair to
being lifted up to place of strength and a knowing that their faith has given
them a new life and new way to look upon the challenges of life, from where
they were to where they are now.
No Other Way features MVRVIN ADHAMA and takes the
sound to a more house vibe that has an infectious edge to it. Here the guys
open up about the power in the name of Jesus and how that power is something
that can save you, if you choose to believe, then there is only this way, and
that way is now your way. Shine On, produced by Ruben Sanchez, takes us
back down the Head nod route with keys and the sort of beat that just gets you
moving, with some sampled vocals that keep the positive vibes flowing. This one
concerns the power and strength of the Christ light to shine upon you and to
transform the very essence of who you are. Break The Bind keeps the head
nod vibe going as the drums, bass and keys unite for a sound that has calming
vibe to it. Now whether you have the same beliefs as Imprint or not there are
some powerful words in this track if you choose to listen. There are many
external influences that bind us to a more fear-based way of living and if we
allow these and believe in those more than the power of what is inside us, we
will always be bound to that way of being. Also, the power of the spoken word
is not given as much credit as it deserves, what you say has a direct influence
on your life, just as the track says. So, regardless of your beliefs try
changing the way you speak and see what it does, it’s not easy but, you can do
it. These are the things that can help us break what binds us.
J.E.S.U.S. strings and drums form the boom bap back
drop for the opening to the track as Karlow speaks on the relationship with
Jesus. Then the beat switches to a more easy going sound, backed by organ notes
give this a gospel vibe. That opening really sets the stage for the track which
see’s the guys open up on their relationship with Jesus. Eternal Life
brings a solid Hip Hop sound over which we find STU C on the cut. Here it
really seems to be about the eternal battle of good verses evil and of the
believer and non-believer; it’s about the right way to live your life and
always being careful at what and who you choose to let into your life. Living
your life, the right way can bring you so many rewards in so many ways, while
living your life in a negative way may only lead to you never realising your
true potential. A pounding drum beat, and sampled flute sound are the basis of To
The Abyss, giving a sound that has a head nod element but, also seems tweak
your nerves at the same time. The message here concerns the power of Jesus name
and how there is only one place for you go if you follow a negative path, and
that place is the abyss.
Keys and drums, with a sampled sped up vocal on the bridge,
bring an upbeat sound for Need You. This one speaks on the need for the
love of God in life. That love brings a different outlook on life that has the
power to uplift and keep you on the right path. Next up is the albums title
track, Steadfast, a huge sound with keys and drums that will have your
head nodding for sure. It’s all about remaining steadfast in the face of the
challenges that that are put before you. It is an unwavering belief in God is
what keeps your faith strong on the path of life. Not My King features
Theo Matrix and keeps the solid Hip Hop vibe going with heavy beats, bass, and
horns, alongside some slick cuts. Here we find the guys opening up about who is
their true king, and it’s not Charles but, this is not just about the monarchy,
this track is literally about all that is contrary to their beliefs and there
is only one true belief to get you closer to God.
As we move into the final tracks of the album, the
penultimate track is Take Me, the sound is more chilled here with a
melodic beat and organ notes, giving a sound that invites you to focus on the
words. Here Imprint speak more on their faith, Jesus, God and just what it
means to them to have a strength that comes from a belief in that higher power.
The final track is Never Leave, with drums and keys, this one has a far
more gospel feel to it, especially with the sampled vocals, it all combines to
bring an uplifting sound. This one is a heart felt track that sees the guys
explaining why they will never leave the protective love of Jesus and God.
Now, reviewing can often be a challenging thing, especially
the way in which I approach things but, summing up this album is quite a
challenge in itself!
Looking at this from a strictly musical point of view,
Steadfast is a solid album, with most it focused on a Hip Hop vibe, alongside a
little dash of Trap and House, to mix things up a little, and all that really
does make this a highly enjoyable and very well produced album. Lyrically,
Imprint show some great wordplay skills that are delivered with desire to
deliver a message of just what it means to find God when coming from a dark
place, and those deeply personal stories bring an emotive edge that you can
only have when you are the one who has lived it. The message that the guys
bring across these fourteen tracks is delivered with a heartfelt and unwavering
knowing that it will be heard by those who chose to listen because their own
faith will align with those same beliefs.
After fifty-three years of life experience, I understand
there is a lot to take away from this album, whether your faith is the same as
Imprint or not. That said, there will be those out there who will find this a
little to religious and that the guys are trying to preach to the listener.
This is definitely an album for the true believer and if that is not you then
you have two choices, to listen with an open mind or to give it a miss, the
choice is yours.
As a child I was baptised as Church of England but, I never
went to church, it just seemed to be a thing people did back then because my
family were not religious at all. I have attended Christian, catholic and more
weddings and funerals in my time and I have walked many paths; what I found in
a search for spiritual enlightenment was that, regardless of my beliefs, I
would never judge another person for their own beliefs. I respect everyone for
their own beliefs, faith, spirituality, and that is how I approached this
review, with a respect for these guys who have all found a mutual faith, a
knowing in a higher power that saved them from a life on a downward spiral.
Yes, my own personal beliefs do differ from Imprint’s but, that is not a
discussion for today, and it is OK to have these differing beliefs because
whatever, you believe, if it brings you peace, love, and happiness then it is
right for you.
Overall, Steadfast is a cracking release that will appeal to
some and not others. If you can listen with an open heart and mind then give it
a listen and see what it says to you, because you might be surprised.
Steadfast is out now on Tree Of Life Music with limited CD's available as well.
On that note,
I’m out.
Steve.
LINKS
Listen and grab your copy here:
https://treeoflife4.bandcamp.com/album/steadfast
