Rising Tide & Mike Love - Together - Review

Shane Laures
Jun 20, 2022
4 min read

Updated: Jul 22, 2024

Artist: Rising Tide & Mike Love

Album: Together (2022)

Genre: Reggae

Length: 4 Tracks (18 Min 53 Sec)

Lyrical Content: 9.5/10

Conscious Content %: 10/10

Originality: 10/10

Personal Rating: 9.75/10

Tempo Range:

Mike Love has joined forces with Rising Tide, and the resulting EP is a masterclass musical commentary on society at large. These 4 tracks embody the heart and soul of reggae music, calling out the issues of the people and encouraging unity and change. This EP has the potential to make big waves in the hearts and minds of all who listen.

The first track, "Medicine Man", is a tribute to the long hard road of a musician spreading his medicine. It's an instant reggae anthem for all medicine warriors. Those who carry the messages of truth, love, and unity, to keep the light alive in this world. Those who have been on the front lines of the spiritual warfare going on. This song speaks of the responsibility they've all accepted, knowing it to be both a blessing and a burden. Until the time comes when All have received their medicine and been healed of the darkness within, these warriors will continue to spread their medicine.

The wind blows heavy and the road is long (and the road is, and the road is long) We got to water the seeds that Jah planted in this song in Jah Song, Oh what a blessing, oh what a burden, to keep this eternal fiya burning, The messengers gather to weather this storm as one This responsibility has been handed down to we the keepers of this covenant Jah Will never break will never Bend no

Musically this song is filled with beautiful harmonies, driven by a steady reggae beat, and mixed with plenty of funky guitar riffs, and jamming keyboards. Clinton Fearon adds an extra layer of vocals to the mix, providing even more depth and power to the song. The song builds up to a climax that embodies the celebration of the victory we are headed towards.

Track 2, "Together", is the most meditative of the four songs on this EP, yet at the same time has a very upbeat celebratory feeling throughout. The chorus is a rallying cry for us to come together and fix the damage we've done to this planet. It asks us to put the responsibility back on ourselves and the choices we make.

It's gonna take a lot of work now, To repair all the damage we've done, It's going to take a whole lot of work now, but if we all come together as one, we're gonna make it, I know we're gonna make it Jah, We're gonna make it, Together.

This is a song of hope and unity. The vocal harmonies throughout it are angelic. With beautiful horns, a driving bass line, and Mike's heartfelt lyrics this song is bound to touch hearts immediately and inspired people to come together and do better.

"Pixel Prison" comes next on this EP, and it immediately grabs your attention, and invites you into a funky jam about the world of pixel prisons all around us. This song truly showcases these musicians' creative potential, taking a social issue and making it into a playful, satirical, and insightful jam that breaks the mold. It highlights how fake social media has become and the influence it has on us and our insecurities.

What do they really see, is it really me? How could it ever be? Naw, They only get a slice, of my perfect life, it's a fantasy Jah. Went for a run, got some sun, now it's time for a Selfie Repost, retweet, share, like, repeat, you're so sweet, don't forget got to tag me, Open the app and in you come, we're having so much fun In this pixel prison

The music blends reggae with funk, rock, and jazz beautifully, making you want to dance. At the same time, the message it sends is culturally relevant, and a wake-up call to all those living in a "Pixel Prison".

Closing out the EP is "Dollar", a very real and gritty look at the side-effects of the monetary system we live in. "Swing that hammer, Mop that floor. Everybody's working for that dollar." Creative voice-play showcases snippets of the exchanges between a variety of relatable characters.

"Hey boss man can you give me a raise?" "Hey, times are tough, you're lucky you're getting paid" "But I've been working here for over 20 years" "Shut up, back to work, did I make myself clear?" "What about the tax can you cut me some slack?" "Actually, it looks like you're not getting a refund back And as a matter of fact, you owe a little bit more I hope there wasn't anything you were saving for"

This song hits on some very real struggles for many people and can even feel kind of dark for conscious music, however, this is an important discussion to have. The monetary system is broken. "There's got to be something better than this rat race. I can't keep up the pace." Capitalism or any other monetary system that encourages infinite profit and expansion in a limited resource environment is bound to collapse. "Dollar" is a powerful musical message, that perfectly rounds out this 4 song EP.

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