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music of conscious Dreadlockswoman ZEMA has
touched my heart from the first moment I
heard "Check it out" from this
album. And not only my heart, but the hearts
of many. Roger Steffens calls it
"healing music" and right he is.
This is sounds for the soul! Published
through her own company Melchizedek Music,
Stranger in the Gates comes with 8 Vocal
Tracks and one Dubwise track. Most of the
lyrics that Zema sings come straight out of
the Book of Books, and that makes this album
very uplifting. The lyrics that come from
her own hand are very powerful as well, for
example "Check it out", a call for
consciousness that no one should ignore.
Over all, listening to Zema's music is a
spiritual experience extraordinary.
The music on the disc is upfull and
original Roots/Rub A Dub Reggae with a slice
of dub here and there. It's played by a
tight riddim section based on drums by Sly
Dunbar and keyboards by Zacky Bernard,
original keyboard player from the Twinkle
Borthers. Many keyboards have also been
played by Zema herself, who has shared stage
with many of Reggae's Greats such as Bunny
Wailer and sung backing vocals for Alton
Ellis, Leroy Sibbles (Heptones) and many
more.
Zema's voice is very skillful and
trained. It is a real pleasure to listen to
it, from the top to the very last drop! You
can hear, that she feels very comfortable in
riding any kind of reggae rhythm. I would
recommend this album, and other ZEMA music
as well, to everyone.
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