Maybe it’s just me. Perhaps I’m starting to lose the air of invincibility that comes from being born, bred and repping to the fullest, my city of Philadelphia, PA, but I’ve bout HAD IT with the cold weather, freezing temps and sparse sunlight that comes with residing in an east coast city. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved experiencing, spring, summer, fall and winter every year of my life. It’s made me appreciate the subtle adjustments as one season melds into the other, but as I sit here at this writing watching the last vestiges of the most recent snowstorm fade away. I find myself longing for a warmer environment and eliminating a season or two. All for the promise of much more agreeable climates and the contentment that comes with needing only to choose a tee shirt or a light jacket when leaving the house. Thankfully, I can be taken away like Calgon with popping on some smash chune and feeling the perpetual vibes that my reggae music brings. The vehicle for such a dalliance this month is songbird Xana Romeo, daughter of one Max Romeo, the legend himself. Blessing the masses with her third long player, The Divine Blueprint, the beautiful songstress seeks to put her stamp on the first quarter of releases.

As always, if I’m not at least comfortably familiar with an artist’s catalog, I make it a point to familiarize myself with prior works. Not only to make for a well-rounded synopsis, but to also make a determination on whether the artist’s music merits repeat play after my review is done. I am after all a fan, and being able to add to my already infinite personal playlist is one of the joys of doing what a music reviewer does. That being said, it’s clear as day that since she hit the scene in 2014, Xana, has been the very definition of musical growth. While on her rookie effort, 2016’s Wake Up, the voice was instantly mesmerizing, she sounded a bit hesitant in her delivery, perhaps not yet self-assured in her ability to deliver a song. In addition, the musical backing was one dimensionally roots driven, with not much variation to flex her skills. Filler dubs added mere fluff to the overall effort. On The Divine Blueprint, you get the complete opposite. A confident, full-throated delivery, coupled with excellent backing immediately evident from the album’s opening track bearing the album’s title. Sonically, XR is on par with many of the games’ current female stalwarts. I certainly don’t like to lump artists into one basket, but comparisons to Lila Iké, Sevana, and Jah 9 are naturally going to occur, especially considering the relative scarcity of roots-based women singers in the genre. That being said, Max’s baby girl totally holds her own. Her message throughout TDB is on brand for what roots fans are looking for and doesn’t come close to pandering. In The Beginning, the next track Xana breaks down the creation of the earth while giving praise to Jah for our very existence. Overall, the next offering blazingly features her father, Max & Addis Pablo (son of ANOTHER legend, Augustus Pablo) over a powerfully produced skank number, which utilizes the same clutch melodica vibes Augustus made famous. But it doesn’t stop there as her brother Azizi makes an appearance on the aptly named Bloodline. Talk about a FAMILY AFFAIR!!

Xana refuses to let up, keeping things lava hot with Message For You, a warning to devalue the material things in life and place more emphasis on the type of life you lead, Carry On feat labelmate Jallanzo, is a perfect keyboard heavy duet and is followed by another collabo to great effect on The Meek featuring Lutan Fyah. The next two cuts Mother and Will The Sun Come Out Today? feat Micah Shemiah are neck and neck for my favorite joints on this album. Lastly Freedom Songs which is epically beautiful with romantic musings that tug at the heartstrings. “Nothing in this world can set apart us never, It’s is you who beat the drums, Within my heart, I treasure, Every moment with you is like art.” Trust me when I tell you that writing the lyrics out don’t do this song justice as Xana’s voice is as intoxicating as a glass of fine Merlot, and only hearing her perform this number will truly do it justice. Lastly a throwaway bonus track, Folie A Deux is a skip it or leave it kind of cut, and really made no difference on my perception of The Divine Blueprint as a whole.

In short, my girl really did her thing on this go round. As mentioned the development is there, the growth, more than evident, and the talent? As good as anyone doing it right now. We certainly need more females in the game, and I’ll be first to lay claim to having discovered quite a few ladies that have acquired me as a new fan. I’m going to add Ms. Romeo to this list and champion this effort to anyone in need of good roots reggae to enjoy this summer, which by the way can’t get here fast enough. I can promise you, these hands are made for holding Red Stripes, not snow shovels. Don’t judge!