In the six years since Perfect Giddimani released his last album, a monster pandemic called Covid-19 killed thousands of people and caused a global shutdown. During the dreaded 2020-2022 lockdowns, the Rastafarian singjay, best known for the 2004 hit song Hand Cart Boy, wrote and recorded songs for Ah Mi Yard, his 10th album, which was released in August. His previous album, Live My Life Again, came out in 2017. According to Perfect Giddimani, the extended interval did not affect his creativity.
“During that period I was totally lost in deep introspection and self-reflection. I experienced a range of emotions, including gratitude, regret and determination. All my feelings were verbalized and recorded for this album. It was the only painkiller I had,” he said.
Ah Mi Yard contains 14 songs (seven vocals with as many dub versions) and is co-produced by Andrew Moon Bain, Laurent “Tippy I ” Alfred and David Goldfine for the I Grade Records and Zion I Kings labels based in the United States Virgin Islands. In the break between albums, Perfect Giddimani recorded a number of songs for different producers. One of those, Trouble Deh Deh, is produced by Master Recka for the This Is It rhythm compilation.
That song bemoaned the lack of passion in contemporary roots-reggae. Ah Mi Yard, Perfect Giddimani notes, has all the ingredients for an authentic roots record.
“Two of the most important are technology and instant gratification. Roots need oxygen to survive, not just a click and a like,” he said.
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