Lone Ark Meets The 18th Parallel – Showcase Vol. 2

Lone Ark, the singer alias of Roberto Sánchez, and The 18th Parallel follow up their first Showcase collaboration with another deeply old-skool roots set. It’s available on vinyl, CD and digitally, covering all bases from serious vinyl collectors to streaming listeners.

And if you liked the first volume, there’s little here to suggest you’ll be disappointed. The sound is firmly rooted in late-’70s and early-’80s Jamaican reggae, with heavy bass, tight riddims and tasteful arrangements for horns, flute, synths and vocals. And lyrically, there’s no shortage of substance. These are roots reggae message tunes from start to finish.

The opening combination of Ammunition and its dub version sets the tone immediately. “Rub-A-Dub A Weh Wi Want” pretty much sums up what you’re getting. Lone Ark argues that activism through music is still needed, and the tune delivers that message without losing sight of the music itself. The riddim is strong, the vocals sit perfectly in the mix, and it quickly emerges as one of the album’s highlights.

Man Kill Man takes things a step further. Already familiar from the earlier 7″ single release, this uncompromising song tackles the madness of wars fought or justified in the name of religion. It’s a serious subject, but the tune never becomes heavy-handed. Followed by another well-crafted dub, the reflective Money, featuring some lovely organ work, then turns its attention to the bad side of capitalism.

The B-side opens with Morning Blessing, a warm spiritual tune giving thanks to Jah for life and its blessings. Universal Love keeps that positive energy flowing, celebrating unity, peace and brotherhood across borders and social divides.

Serenity is another highlight. The combination of lead and backing vocals has a distinct Black Uhuru feel, much like Build An Ark (Extended) did on the first album. Once again, the dub version proves more than just an afterthought and provides a fitting finish.

There’s nothing particularly fashionable or trendy about Showcase Vol. 2. And that’s exactly the point. This is roots reggae played with conviction, built around strong musicianship, thoughtful arrangements and messages that haven’t lost their relevance. It doesn’t need gimmicks to make an impression. Give it a few spins and the quality becomes obvious.

Five years was a long time to wait, but Showcase Vol. 2 makes a convincing case that some records are better when they’re allowed to take their time.