OPEN REBUKE

 

 

Jack Radics, a soul-influenced Reggae Singer, released Open Rebuke in 1994 on Heartbeat Records. The album features help from Sly & Robbie and the Firehouse Crew.

~ John Bush, All Music Guide~

 

"One of the more intriguing vocalists to emerge from the '80s dance halls". Jack Radics initially established his reputation with “Lover’s Numbers” but, once the scene shifted, he proved equally adept at penning potent cultural material. “Open Rebuke” is arguably the “apex” of his work, at least on album, and takes its title from the Proverbs verse that open rebuke is better than a secret love.

Radics' reading is literal, and thus he eschews relationships altogether, while a number of songs are precisely what the title suggests.  Naturally, this includes the title track itself, on which he adamantly declares, "It is my business as your brethren to show you if you're going astray," and he proceeds to do just that. "Live Fast, Die Young" intended, as a word of warning, but so anthemia are the chorus that the young gunslingers inevitably chose to hear it as a glorification of their culture. "Step 'Cross the Border" and "Purify" are lessons in ‘Righteousness’, while other songs are devotional offerings, with David's paean to Solomon's Reign and God's glories brought to musical life on "Psalm 72." Two of the most inspired songs, "Let My People Go" and "Puppet Master at Play," pair Radics with Kulcha Knox and Yami Bolo, respectively. On the former, the singer recounts the children of Israel's enslavement in Egypt, while the DJ's rapid-fire rap moves the song into the present day and personal sphere. "Puppet" is an equally impassioned cry against injustice, but musically moves out of the dance halls and into a smoky, brooding blues environment, with a rhythm seemingly inspired by "Town without Pity." Although recorded at a number of Jamaican studios, Open Rebuke producer Richard Bell creates a sharply coherent whole. The album boasts phenomenal rhythms from the likes of Sly & Robbie, Mafia & Fluxy, and the Firehouse Crew; Chico Chin, Dean Fraser, and Dave Madden's horns steam up the songs; and Sharon Forrester and Pam Hall are among the sumptuous backing singers.

"This is culture at its best from one of Jamaica's most unique vocalists"

BY: Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide
Album Details
“Open Rebuke is better than Secret Love”
Title: Open Rebuke ~ Artist: Jack Radics ~ Label: Heartbeat Released: January 1, 1994~Genre: Reggae~Length: 48:08
1. Open Rebuke     2. Let My People Go     3. Live Fast Die Young
4. Even When You Cry     5.  Your Servant Lord      6.  Puppet Master at Play
7. Step Cross the Boarder     8. Purify     9. Blood Dues    10. Psalm 72
11.Time Run Out    12. Delinquent Mind

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Jack Radics Working The

 

Do you remember dance hall hits from the early 1990s such as "Moving Away," "Set My Heart on Fire," "This Time I’ll Be Sweeter," and the UK hit "Twist and Shout"? Well, Jack Radics sang the lead vocals on those songs.

Not much has been heard from this talented singer in recent times, but when we bumped into him recently, he had quite a mouthful to say.   I moved from Kingston and I now live in Negril.

I have been doing a lot of stuff in Europe, particularly in places such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland," Radics explained. Asked why he relocated to the rural areas, he said, "I am an artiste who demands growth from me as an individual and as an artiste. Our music fraternity over the past few years has been very disheartening and I do not wish to be considered a part of something disheartening. So I decided to move in a direction which will allow me to foster the necessary growth that I desire for myself."  Radics further added, "The growth or the development or the lack of it in what we consider our industry (unfortunately some people consider it Dance hall) is limited. As an artiste if you want to try to create something original, someone tell you, "that’s nice, but we want the [popular, trendy] sounds." Now everyone is so afraid, and change is something that needs to be embraced. I am not afraid, so I want to be a pioneer like my predecessors before me. So that’s why I made a move to another level."

Jack Radics has been doing a lot of production work in Germany; EMI signed him up in

Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. His debut album for the label was "Love and Laughter” followed by "Always Around” and a 3rd album for EMI. Since then Radics has released approx. 13 albums, his latest being “Suffer in Silence” by Ajang Music Productions in Jamaica, a new single on its way and working on another album! Any wonder we don’t see Mr. Radics around! "[The album] is taking shape. It is growing. I ultimately want to offer that production scenario to aspiring Jamaican talents in the future."  The singer explained that prior to making a name for him locally; he had already created a niche for himself among European Reggae music lovers. "Even before I was recognized in Jamaica, I had a fan base in Europe. Many people think I come from England. That is not so. It’s just that my talent was always afforded more recognition in those countries."

On the local recording scene, he has been recording with choice producers including Barry O’Hare and Bobby Digital among a few others "not so famous" "If a producer has a good original rhythm, call me. I will come sing a song on it free. We need to make a

better and new music. It’s been the same old stuff."  The singer recommends developing learning institutions to educate musicians and performers about the business of the music industry to effect some changes on the local scene. "We need a learning institution to teach us about the business of music. You are not successful until you get paid. In addition, you cannot get paid unless you know about the business of music. The more you know about something that you are doing, the better prepared you will be for it. If you are playing football, you have to know the rules of the game or else you will get a red card. If you want to be an artiste, you have to know what business of music is about. Unfortunately, it seems that the people in the positions to make these things necessary are not willing. How can they manipulate intelligent and gifted people? The onus is on the practitioners to become more aware. If you cannot read, you have a problem. This is why we need an institution to teach."

"Radical" produced by Jack, Derrick Barnett, and Noel Browne and released in 1990 was his debut album. He has since released 10 albums since then. Shocking Vibes, Penthouse, Digital B, and Stone Love are among the numerous labels that the singer has recorded for over the years.

 

 

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Kevin Jackson is an entertainment writer and publicist from Kingston

He is a freelance writer for the Jamaica Observer and Excess publications.