Time by Food, Clothes & Shelter: A Roots Reggae Punch to the Gut
Alright, let’s get real for a second. Time isn’t just another album—it’s a vibe grenade thrown straight at your soul. This Jamaican trio, backed by Dennis Fearon pulling double duty as arranger and producer, delivers some serious roots reggae heat that punches harder than most stuff out there today. No gimmicks, no fluff—just raw, unfiltered vibes with enough grit to make you wanna grab a spliff and rethink life.
First off, the track “Never Give Up” slapped me in the face from the jump. That bassline? Pure thunder. It rolls in like an earthquake, shaking everything loose while the vocals ride smooth on top. The lyrics hammer home resilience without being preachy about it—a mantra for anyone grinding through the daily grind. You can tell this wasn’t made in some sterile studio; it feels lived-in, like they bled into every note. Honestly, I found myself humming it days later when shit got stressful. Not bad for a song that could easily be background noise if it weren’t so damn good.
Then there’s “Reggae Dance.” Oh man, this one hits different. If “Never Get Up” is the heart of the album, then this is its pulse. It’s infectious as hell, with grooves so tight you’ll feel guilty sitting still. The rhythm section locks in like a vice grip, and the horns hit right where they need to. Like, how do you not move to this? It’s impossible. Every time it comes on, my living room turns into a makeshift dancehall. And yeah, maybe I look stupid waving my arms around alone, but who cares? This tune doesn’t ask permission—it demands action.
The rest of the tracks ain’t slouches either. “Jah Will Guide You” brings spiritual depth without sounding corny, and “Step Up Your Love” has hooks sharp enough to snag even the coldest hearts. But what really ties this whole thing together is its authenticity. This ain’t music made for TikTok trends or Spotify algorithms. It’s music made because it had to exist. You can hear the sweat, the struggle, the passion dripping off every beat.
And here’s the kicker—this album came out under their own label, Food Clothes & Shelter. Self-released greatness always hits harder, doesn’t it? Like, these guys didn’t wait around for someone else to validate them. They built their own lane and ran with it. Respect.
So yeah, Time might not change the world, but it sure as hell changes your afternoon commute. Or your smoke sesh. Or whatever moment you’re lucky enough to press play during. Just don’t overthink it—let it wash over you like a warm Jamaican breeze. And hey, if you ever meet Dennis Fearon, buy him a drink. Dude deserves it.
Now go listen to it before I start quoting lyrics at you. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Unless you hate good music, in which case… why are you even reading this?
