MARCUS CHEONG listens to Christafari’s Original Love…
Christafari
Original Love
Lion of Zion Entertainment, 2018
www.christafari.com
In A Word: Chilled
“It is a somewhat surreal experience to hear words that would be at home on any pulpit merged with a sound that is straight from the tropical streets of Jamaica. But ultimately these beats are a great reminder that the Gospel’s global reach transcends culture and music genre.”
For nearly three decades, Christafari has been bringing their brand of reggae music infused with a clear message of faith and salvation in Christ to the world. These full time music missionaries travel the globe performing at outreach events and concerts. In 2016-2017, Christafari saw an astonishing 231,000 decisions for Christ at their outreach events. Their new album Original Love is available now and they are scheduled to perform live in Australia October this year as part of the album’s world tour.
As soon as the first track plays, the distinctive percussion-driven reggae beats create an atmosphere that is both relaxing and funky. Horns and synthesizers highlight the tracks with counter-melodies as the vocals boldly proclaim the Word. Some lyrics are directly lifted from the Psalms, others are based on personal testimony and experience. It is a somewhat surreal experience to hear words that would be at home on any pulpit merged with a sound that is straight from the tropical streets of Jamaica. But ultimately these beats are a great reminder that the Gospel’s global reach transcends culture and music genre.
Prime examples of this cross-cultural fusion are Christafari’s cover versions of Chris Tomlin’s Good Good Father and Hillsong’s Beautiful Name. The words and melody will be familiar but the syncopated rhythms of Christafari give these songs a new dimension. As the beats wash over you there is a sense of irresistible peace brought on by the merging of the reggae style with such iconic worship tunes.
The cover art of Original Love hints at what you can expect from this album. The face of Christ crowned with thorns is linked by dreadlocks to a fierce roaring lion. A few drops of blood splatter a page that appears to be a background of ancient Biblical text. This is not a subtle image and the songs on the album reflect that same boldness. Christari’s Original Love is unashamed in its mission: to reach the world, to save the lost and proclaim the word. It is their great commission and they do it with reggae rhythms and beats.
