This weekend I got my hands on the debut Album of the in Italy Born roots Artist Ras Tewelde. The album that has been released this spring by Italy based Bizzari Records counts 16 songs full of Righteousness and Consciousness. Normally i am not the type that feels like reviewing an album but for this one i just had to give it a try.

Ras Tewelde, born in Italy, started his artistic experience at the age of 14 with one of the first italian reggae band: Living In The Ghetto, where he was one of the three singers. From 1998 to 2002 he has been touring Italy, participating to several festivals, including the Rototom Sunsplash.

Normally when listening to a new album I just put in my player and get to work while listening to the tunes on the album. But not this time. Occasionally I just had to stop working to pull up some tracks to play them again.

The album starts of with some Nyabinghi chanting that immediately catches your attention when it flows over in track one: One way Ticket, an uplifting tune that sets you in the mood for the rest of the album.

Ras Tewelde manages to keep this mood througout the album and kept me listening. Especially the track ‘Oh Squadie’ with the late and great Sugar Minott who next to Josey Wales, Lion D, Louie Culture, Keera Roots, Jamafrica, Stitchie and Sahara Benji collaborated on this album.

This album touches all styles within whats considered reggae music, sometimes it has a more rocksteady flow, sometimes ska-ish, some 90’s dancehall and then again pure roots. Offcourse we all listen different to tunes but in my opinion are tracks like: ‘One Way Ticket’, ‘Everywhere I Go’, ‘Oh Squadie’ and ‘Mama Africa’ tunes you have to listen! Plus, I must not forget that, the outro with an extra bonus track that gave me goosebumps.

As a conclusion for this album: A must have for everyone, Ras Teweldes One Way Ticket To success!