Reggae Worship: First Fruits

Track Listings

1. Live It Intro

2. Preach the Gospel (Every Day Living)

3. Jah Is Light

4. Blood of Jesus

5. Selah

6. Majesty

7. Jah Yard (Interlude)

8. Jesus First

9. Tribal War (Interlude)

10. Armageddon

11. Daniel

12. Ancient of Days

13. Lift Him Up and Dub It Up Daily [Talawa Dub]

14. Lord I Lift Your Name on High

15. I Holy One

16. Wisdom

17. Once a Man and Twice a Child (Born Again)

18. Preach the Gospel [Instrumental]

Editorial Reviews
Erik Sellin
Musically, the album is just what you might think when you think of reggae. Plenty of horns and steel drums accompany songs like "Majesty," and "Lord I Lift Your Name on High" contains a guitar sound not unlike that found on some of Jimmy Buffett's fun tunes.

If you are intrigued by the sound of reggae music but had trouble finding any that was spiritually-edifying, check out this. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

About the Artist
Pronounced CHRIST-AH-FAR-EYE, in Greek, the original language of the New Testament, Christafari is the name given to "a group of people who collectively represent Christ."

Founded by Mark Mohr in 1989, Christafari has been a trailblazer, pioneering a new genre of Christian Reggae in the U.S. With their blending of traditional Roots mixed with contemporary Dancehall Reggae they have proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly with relevance to this generation.

Christafari displays that... read more --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Album Description
Conceived at a church youth camp in 1989, Christafari was birthed within the Christian church. Their first album, "Reggae Worship Vol. 1" (1993) was the first fruits of the band, an offering of worship for the Body of Christ. "Reggae Worship-The First Fruits of Christafari" is a re-mastered re-release of that album with 7 new (and old) bonus tracks and interludes. So if you thought "Soul Fire" was Christafari's first album...surprise...and if you've worn out your old cassette copy, it's time to upgrade to CD. 1999 marked Christafari's 10-yr anniversary and the albums contains a history of the band (1989-1999).

The highlight of this album is the new and different twist put to many favorite praise and worship songs such as, Praise the Name of Jesus, Majesty, and Lord I lift Your Name on High. Much of the album is original, yet it contains many familiar choruses over original rhythms done "Inna Reggae Stylee."

From its inception, Christafari set out to evangelize the world and edify the Body of Christ by leading them into a new and refreshing style of worship, using Reggae and Dancehall music. "Reggae Worship" was the "First Fruits" of that pursuit. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Reggae Worship: First Fruits

Tracks:

Live It- intro (1999) *
Preach the Gospel (1999) *
Jah is I Light (1993)
The Blood of Jesus (1993)
Selah (original version 1993)
Majesty (1993)
Jah Yard- interlude (1993)
Jesus First (1993)
Tribal War- interlude (1993) *
Armageddon (1992) *
Daniel 7:13-14- interlude (1993)
Ancient of Days (1993)
Lift Him up & Dub it up Daily (1998) *
Lord I Lift Your Name On High (1993)
I Holy One (1993)
Wisdom (1993)
Once a Man & Twice a Child/Born Again (1993)
Preach the Gospel- Instrumental (1999) *
Higher Meditation (1993) *

Album Description

Conceived at a church youth camp in 1989, Christafari was birthed within the Christian church. Their first album, "Reggae Worship Vol. 1" (1993) was the first fruits of the band, an offering of worship for the Body of Christ. "Reggae Worship-The First Fruits of Christafari" is a re-mastered re-release of that album with 7 new (and old) bonus tracks and interludes. So if you thought "Soul Fire" was Christafari's first album...surprise...and if you've worn out your old cassette copy, it's time to upgrade to CD. 1999 marked Christafari's 10-yr anniversary and the albums contains a history of the band (1989-1999).

Customer Reviews:

Mixed Fruit.......2000-11-30

NOTE: Reggae Worship: The First Fruits of Christafari is a repackaged, remastered version of the now unavailable Reggae Worship Vol.1 album. Several tracks, including new and old previously unreleased material are also included.

Reggae Worship: The First Fruits of Christafari is a terrific archive of the history of the group as well as a few new gems- all of which proclaim the gospel message and give praise to the Father through His Son Jesus Christ. However, the collection falls short in that the sound quality of the older material just isn't as good as that of later Christafari efforts, though it's certainly not bad. Remember that this album includes the very first musical offerings of Christafari, so some shortcomings in production are understandable. Erik Sundin and Jai Pach share lead vocals along with Tansoback (Mark Mohr), who handles all DJ vocals. Some standout tracks include the raggamuffin track "Jesus First", "Wisdom" and the African-flavoured version of "Lord I Lift Your Name On High". However, when Pach (who left the group after Soulfire to pursue another ministry) is in the role of lead vocalist, the songs just aren't as effective. This is not to say that Pach doesn't have a good voice, but that it just isn't quite suited for the reggae genre. Vocally, there are certain tonal and textural qualities which add an "authentic" feel to reggae songs. Therefore, "Jah Is I Light", "I Holy One" and "Majesty" (though the socalypso feel is nice) just don't make the impact of the stronger material. Reggae Worship also contain some excellent new material include the roots tracks "Armageddon" which features prophetical lyrics about the end times with Sundin's earthy soulful voice and a crucial dub poetry passage by Tansoback. This tune which was recorded as one the band's very first tunes, has a late seventies/early eighties feel. "Preach The Gospel", a track recorded during the WordSound&Power album sessions is outstanding, including an alternating one drop/steppers riddim, great lyrics and solid playing all around. The lyrics, "preach the gospel/use words when necessary" and "you've got to live it with your life" are as true to the mission of Christfari as anything they've done. As usual, this is a NO COMPROMISE evangelistic, doctrinally sound and confrontational (i.e. not passive, not background music) effort from Christafari. Yes, it's a mixed bag, but the fruits that are the best are well worth the tasting. By the way, the excellent paintings and liner notes that adorn the package are almost worth the investment themselves!

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. Live It Intro
2. Preach the Gospel (Every Day Living)
3. Jah Is Light
4. Blood of Jesus
5. Selah
6. Majesty
7. Jah Yard (Interlude)
8. Jesus First
9. Tribal War (Interlude)
10. Armageddon
11. Daniel
12. Ancient of Days
13. Lift Him Up and Dub It Up Daily [Talawa Dub]
14. Lord I Lift Your Name on High
15. I Holy One
16. Wisdom
17. Once a Man and Twice a Child (Born Again)
18. Preach the Gospel [Instrumental]