“Ricky Is A Young, Very Talented Musician Who Will Be Around For A Very
Long Time”- Optimistic Bliss by Ricky Persaud Jr.
Released On Bongo Boy Records
Hej America!
My friends at Bongo Boy have asked me to review an album they are about to release by Ricky
Persaud Jr. I first heard Ricky on the Bongo Boy compilation album Raw and Reckless, I
remember liking his stuff so it is with some excitement that I cue up this newest album
Optimistic Bliss.
The first thing I noticed is the album cover which is simply
wickedly cool. The second thing, which is apparent from
the cover, is that this album is, if not full on Reggae, at
least has its roots in Reggae. Tell me now, who does not
dig Reggae??
Take Toots and the Maytals for example, when they sing
Country roads take me home
To the place I belong
West Jamaica, my ol' momma
Take me home country road
They totally blow away the original song by John Denver,
which I thought was a pretty lame song. So after listening
to a little Toots and getting primed for some Jamaican Soul
I hit the play button on my music app on my computer.
1. Let Me See - Right from the start you can hear that Ricky is a monster player. His
musicianship is really very good. Ricky has the ability to melodically jam - I mean this song
simply smokes without even using feedback. I like Ricky’s voice, but in all honesty, it almost
sounds like the chorus is “Let me see how you roll tide.” Who knew that the University of
Alabama was filled with Reggae aficionados? (Just joking man, this song is killer.)