Uzimon's Showdown album will 'make the critics weep'

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 31: Bermuda’s reggaelutionary Uzimon is about to land his third album and “masterpiece” — Showdown.

Uzi (aka Bermudian actor and off the wall singer/songwriter Daniel Frith), has been busy promoting its launch in the States where he currently lives, and in Canada.

He recently completed a college tour starting in Rhode Island and culminating at McGill University in Montreal where he played to a crowd of more than 2,000 students.

He is also throwing an album release party in New York on November 9 (see end of story for details).

Aside from working on the album, Uzi has been creating quite a stir in the States. He was recently listed as number five in the top ten “fake reggae tunes and faux hall parodies” on www.largeup.okayplayer.com  a hip-hop and alternative music website and community described by Rolling Stone magazine as a “taste maker”.

They described him as “a white deejay who looks like Yellowman, sounds like Collie Buddz and perpetrates like (Canadian reggae artist) Snow.”

Reviewing a track on his first album Ganja Fix Everything the website said: “Proffering sensi as a cure for everything from mental retardation to rickets, the video finds Uzi passing joints around an operating room like a character out of Adult Swim’s Children’s Hospital, miraculously curing a cancer-stricken patient.”

Despite winning the fake reggae accolade Uzi insists he is no spoof. “My lyrics are simply on different plane of existence,” he mused. “Some understand, some cannot. Those who cannot, rob themselves of enlightenment but me never spoof nothing.”

Underground NYC Dancehall Queens Hannah Herberson and Masia One have recently taken an interest in Uzimon. Hannah is known for creating a dance with her crew Blackgold NYC for the viral video Nobody Canna Cross It earlier this year. They are currently collaborating on a new dance style which Uzimon and his crew will debut later this winter.

Also, Champion Sound, the 7” vinyl single from last year’s album Pussy Weapon, was in the top 10 best sellers at the largest distributer of reggae vinyl worldwide Ernie’s Bs Reggae for several weeks.

We spoke exclusively with Uzi about his upcoming album, Showdown.

Can we expect the same Uzimon we all know — shameless ignorance and crudity?

No but you can expect the Uzimon everyone else knows — honest, intellectual, deep, compassionate, sensual, romantic and professional. Professional artist, professional lover.

Tell me about a couple of the songs and some of the lyrics/subject matter — without giving our elderly readers a heart attack.

Subject matters include, in no particular alphabetical order, Columbian prostitutes, tacos, rescuing women from evil, loving your mistresses, battling your enemies and critics without mercy, being a Jedi, being Clint Eastwood, being Uzimon, being a lion, being a rhinocercos, being the best the world has ever known, in general.

Why did you go with the title Showdown?

Because number one, I am Clint Eastwood. Number two, the album is a showdown with all who criticize.

It has real live instruments, real reggae musicians and real notes being sung. Not some idiot guy on a laptop chokin’ on synthesizers and auto tune. I ‘show them all down’ with the realness. I make those kinds of guys cry. I make critics weep on this album and make them doubt their whole lives and ruin their dreams. It’s the little things.

When did you complete the album?

I started in December. Mastering completed yesterday at VP Records. Question complete.

How long have you been working on it?

Since December. But really this is my masterpiece. So all has led to this.

What band do you have on the album?

The band is made up of some of NYC’s best reggae musicians — members of the (New York reggae, ska, rocksteady band) the Full Watts Band and (dub/reggae band) Jammyland Allstars who regularly back artists like Johnny Osbourne, Luciano, Screechy Dan etc. We have members of (the future roots/reggae band) John Brown’s Body Playing Horns on the record and special guest artist Victor ‘Ticklah’ Axelrod on piano/keys. Victor was the keys/piano player on Amy Winehouse’s Back To Black record and plays ‘nuff big artists records.

He really ‘niced’ it up.

Who produced the album?

It’s produced by Brett Tubin at Channel Tubes Records in Connceticut and one of the tracks is produced by Victor ‘Ticklah’ Axelrod at Don’t Trip Studios in Brooklyn. Mastered by Paul Shields at VP records in Queens. Bass player Steve Capecci was also a producer and a huge part of this record.  

Have you been gigging lately to help promote it?

I’ve been giggin’ non-stop, mostly east coast shows. I will focus on the west coast once the album is out.

Will you be having a release party in Bermuda?

Working ‘pan (upon) that now, details to come. Bless. Lock up ya daughtas, prepare for slaughta.

Where and when can we get hold of it?

The album is out November 1 on iTunes and Bandcamp. Hard copies will be available at Rock Island since they are the only ones who are not afraid of my power.

Showdown will be on sale on iTunes from November 1 for around $10 or less. Hard copies will become available in Bermuda at Rock Island Café. The New York launch party will be held on November 9 at Studio BPM, 237 Kent Avenue between North 1st and Grand, Williamsburg Brooklyn. Doors open 9pm, showtime is 10pm. Entry is $10. Also releasing an album on the nght is Menace. Special guest DJ Grace of Spades.