A TITLE track which soulfully rails against hemming in the soul set to the blues. How Long, a tribute to resilience which unfolds like a spiritual. A swinging ska homage to women Over 50. A Latin celebration of the Big Mama. A call for 'Reparation' on a niyabinghi rhythm.
On Borders, Cheryl 'Chetenge' Clarke presents a musical mix which refuses to be confined to the expected. She states her intention clearly on the title track of her 17-track album Borders ('I want to break down all borders, that bog down mankind') and proceeds to speak out against World Policy and situations 'where home feels like prison' (Prison). Sure, there is roots reggae on Mama Africa, a promise to Africa to 'one day to see your face', but then there is also the laid-back praise song Hallelujah just before it.
Good songs, thoughtful arrangement, excellent harmony and lead vocal delivery are littered with striking individual instrumentation, from the stately strings at the beginning of That's Life, which starts the album, through a soft flute in How Long, a restrained electric guitar solo on Sell Out and a superb run of acoustic guitar on Hallelujah.
There also seems to be an intention to break the border of being labelled a festival (or, more appropriately, popular) song contest winner, as the 1999 winner is left for last and is not named, simply titled Bonus Track with 'Festival Song' in brackets. We can still rock to "I want you to show me a country without a problem", though, and be happy to be Born Inna Ja.
FACING TOUGH ISSUES
Chetenge does not shy away from tough issues, asking in How Long 'how long shall my people be embarrassed by the mention of slavery/why is the master's children offended when we ask for recompense?' declaring 'an economic war is going on/and it's been fighting for so long/auctioning their troops into battle' in World Policy and observing 'globalisation demanding growth, having us in circles like a go-go' in Sell Out.
She achieves changes of tone and expression on the album, rising into optimism on the refrain 'me coming me coming me coming' at the end of Mama Africa, sounding celebratory with 'they say wine taste better as it age with time' on Over Fifty and urgent on Caribbean Woman ('stand up beside your man').
Borders steps outside the conventions of expectations without breaking the rules of good music, good lyrics, arrangement and singing. It is produced by Clarke and Paul Palmer, with Patrick Palmer making it a trio for executive producer duties.
Track listing
1. That's Life
2. Long Road
3. Conscience
4. How Long
5. Reparation
6. World Policy
7. Sell Out
8. Borders
9. Poverty
10. Violence
11. Over Fifty
12. Caribbean Woman
13. Big Mama
14. Prison
15. Hallelujah
16. Mama Africa
17. Born Inna Ja (bonus track)
