Harry Mo

Chuck Foster
The Beat Magazine
Volume 27, No. 4, 2008
Music from the “other Islands” (besides Jamaica) has reinvigorated reggae and particularly Rasta and roots music over the past few years and Back to Africa (Yellow Hill Music) from Harry Mo is an excellent example of why.
Mo easily incorporates existing approaches to reggae - some of which have existed for over thirty years now - into a style all of his own, rooted in the classics while bringing something new to the table. He hails from Dominica, and worked for many years with Boom Shaka in L.A. (they assisted in the recording of his first release, Runaway Slave , which is also well worth checking out). “My Dream”, “Rugged Road”, “Enough is Enough” and “St. Croix Rock” are among the standout tracks on the new release (www.myspace.com/harymo).
New Album: Back To Africa (Review):
The long awaited sophomore cd release by Harry Mo is finally here and it’s excellent. This 14 song album on the Yellow Hill Music label was recorded and mixed entirely on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands at the well known Back Yard Studio and at I Grade Records Studio. It is deeply roots oriented with strong, insightful lyrics flowing over some beautifully crafted and tasty melodies. It is a must have for every roots reggae lover.
The album is titled Back to Africa and contains fourteen tracks which reflect on African heritage, strengths, desires, beauty and struggles. Harry Mo has a strong sense of Afro-centricity and humanity as a whole and this is noticeable throughout the album.
The collection opens up with its title track, a musical portrait of Mother Africa. The song Ithiopia speaks about the affection Mo developed for the country of Ethiopia after he traveled there in 2003. The song Show Her Love is a ladies favorite since it talks about the importance of showing one’s Empress Love and Raspect, as Mo calls it. Natural High has a Hip-Hop/Nyabinghi beat and is the only song that features another artist. Popular St. Croix artist Volcano (Lava) combines perfectly with Mo on that one as he chants away.
The Rastafarian way of life, at its most complete expression, is deeply spiritual and requires absolute self-discipline, austerity and humility as defined by the tune Mystic Man. The song Jah in My Life is the heart of this album because it is the essence of Harry Mo. My Dream is a song that we all can relate to as it explains Mo’s heartfelt desire for peace throughout the world. There is also a track especially livicated to St. Croix the new cradle of roots reggae and Harry Mo’s adopted home. St. Croix Rock is already a hit tune in the Virgin Islands and is ready to cross into the international airwaves. All the songs on Back to Africa are unique and hit hard.
Harry Mo has penned these insightful lyrics except the classic Enough is Enough which was written and produced by Lion former bass player of Dub Mystic and Culture. He sings them with pure clarity and his presence and his aura is positively magnetic. The album is a masterpiece and good spiritual food for all, especially the Rastafarian community. It should not only be read about but listened to again and again. Back to Africa was produced by Harry Mo and Anthony "Lion" Arthur with strong production input from Al Baptiste Sr and Tippy I of I Grade Records. Contributing musicians include the ever blazing Tuff Lion on guitar on tunes like Raging Storm and My Dream etc. The musicianship is top notch, the mix is excellent and the general sound of the album is great. Be sure to add this one to your collection. Back To Africa is being distributed by VIRoots.com and is also available online at cdbaby.com and right here at myspace.
Runaway Slave, Harry Mo’s first cd is also available at local record stores and online.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjdqchWGj4M