Yours truly got to know Berliner Jon Moon in 2018 thanks to the release of his full-length debut 'Trust'. Moon now returns with this 'Brighter Day' EP.
The title track was already released as a single in May of this year and is a heartfelt plea to all those who are struggling in these restrictive COVID-19 times:
InI will see the sunshine if we just keep holding on
And I can see the way is clear now so we must keep moving on
And whenever you're in trouble reach out and take my hand
We're gonna see a brighter day, far away, in the promised land
Truly moving is 'Messenjah', which Jon dedicated to the prematurely departed icon of Virgin Islands roots, Vaughn Benjamin:
Rastaman marching, say the Rastaman is marching
To Mount Zion we are marching
I used to listen to your music around midnite
You always knew just what to say
No one dug deeper had a more precise insight
Of the matter of the day
So many teachings, so much wisdom, overstanding
That took my breath away
Now you continue with the journey to Mount Zion
Oh, how I wish you could have stayed!
Messenjah, rest in Jah!
Oh mighty Messenjah, may you rest in Jah!
You leave a legacy behind that is incredibly profound
Guiding light to many souls that have been lost and found
Where ever you were trodding I say righteousness around
And Rastafari teachings at the center of the sound
It was a rainy afternoon in London city
And I did not know my way
Lost in the concrete jungle, everybody busy
Looked for a place where I could stay
And I passed by the shop of a rastaman
Where roots music still a play
So I listened to the music and the singer
And what he had to say
And I heard lyrics I had never heard before
Teachings of His Majesty that struck me to the core
And if the world is tumbling I know one thing is for sure
Your works will be continued on this realm forIvermore
For now the father has called his prophet home
You helped me to become a Rasta to the bone
Manifest a covenant, to stand with Jah alone
Messenjah, rest in Jah!
Oh mighty Messenjah, may you rest in Jah!
You leave a legacy behind that is incredibly profound
Guiding light to many souls that have been lost and found
Where ever you were trodding I say righteousness around
And Rastafari teachings at the center of the sound
Yeah
Rastaman marching, say the rastaman is marching
Haile I Selassie I
Jah! Rastafari
The influence of Benjamin, and by extension Virgin Islands roots, is also evident elsewhere on the EP, for example in the slow and meditative closing track 'Meditation'.
One of the vocal guests on 'Trust' was South African singer Crosby Bolani, and together with Azania Band, this time he can be heard in 'Economical Crisis', a song that undoubtedly will become the perfect soundtrack to the obstacles awaiting us in the coming months and years.
The EP concludes with two excellent dub versions of 'Praise Jah' and the aforementioned 'Messenjah'.
In our review of 'Trust' we still described Moon as "a promising new German reggae talent" and with this very enjoyable EP we only see our confidence confirmed!