author: Kay

The cover of City Caravan, featuring a photo of a dark-skinned girl wearing a shawl, hat and big sunglasses, makes it hard to guess what lecca’s newest has in store. City Caravan is the young reggae/dancehall artist’s fourth full album, released in July 2008. The majority of the lyrics, music and arrangements have been composed by lecca herself.

Not one to do something halfway, the album features a total of seventeen tracks, starting off with an introduction featuring a little girl (perhaps the girl on the cover?) singing. Soon, the first actual track begins, and unlike lecca’s former work that is usually upbeat and strong-willed, she manages to surprise the listener by starting with a ballad: unusual in lecca’s repertoire. TAO ~ City Caravan II is a slow paced song with an acoustic vibe, giving lecca lots of opportunity to show off her vocal talent. While it may take fans a while to get used to it and is perhaps not the best way to start the album, it gives the statement that this album will definitely be something different.

The second track goes back to her more known, upbeat style with the track CIRCUIT BUS feat. Voicemail. Not only does the Jamaican reggae/dancehall artist Voicemail participate on this track, it is also produced by the well-known Jamaican producer Christopher Birch. With an eye towards international possibilities, this collaboration will definitely help her spread her name across the globe. The track itself is an upbeat party track with a very groovy rhythm, with vocals alternating between Voicemail's rapping and lecca’s fast vocals - a rhythmical mix between rapping and singing.

The first actual reggae track on the album is When a girl loves somebody, followed by Mirror. Both tracks are laid-back and a little mellow, with a very warm and embracing atmosphere. After a short interlude - fourteen seconds of children laughing - Yoimatsuri barges in. The title translates to "eve of a festival," and somehow the energetic, pounding beat and playful instruments make one think of both a traditional Japanese festival and a reggae party. The song is strongly reminiscent of Natsu Matsuri, a track found on PANG’s first album, which is - unsurprisingly - a collaboration with lecca.

Next up is the first part of two tracks: Ieji hajime ~ City Caravan III, which is the first part of a song it forms together with the track Ieji owari ~ City Caravan III. In the booklet, the lyrics are written as if both are one song, while on the CD they are separated with a track in between. The City Caravan III songs are both very simplistic, but touching songs. Consisting only of vocals and an acoustic guitar, the lack of pretentiousness definitely adds to the beauty of the song. The melody is emotional and a little melancholic, and with just the primitive accompaniment of the acoustic guitar, it is exceptionally touching. Though it is certainly different from her often aggressive style and might not appeal to her older fans, it shows lecca’s diversity and talent.

Sayonara wo iu Mae ni is squeezed in between the City Caravan tracks. The title translates to "before I say goodbye," and the chorus mentions "before I say goodbye to my lover." It is exactly this vibe that carries across: a mournful goodbye. Despite its reggae rhythm, which is often associated with a summery theme, the track is heavy with sadness.

The party mood returns with BELLE EPOQUE, a collaboration with rapper Diggy-MO' of SOUL'd OUT. The title refers to the 'belle epoque' period in France between 1900 and 1914, but that seems to have nothing to do with the song. With a strong, pulsating beat, it is an excellent track to dance to. lecca takes care of the majority of the vocals and sings in her signature style: a fast mix between singing and rapping with a confident voice.

Another laid-back reggae song, Sunset, follows, and it flows into epilogue, which features the same child singing the tune of the City Caravan III songs. Though the title seems to indicate it's the last track on the album, it's not. The saying "the best was saved for last" definitely fits here, because the title-track City Caravan is a very outstanding, powerful track.

The song starts with a sharp staccato and is soon joined by lecca’s singing/rapping. The instrumentals have been kept rather plain, giving room to lecca’s hypnotizing vocals. In the chorus, an organ joins in, and not a stylish, 70’s style Hammond organ, but a complete church organ. The sound of the organ contrasts with the other instruments; despite being played quickly, the notes are stretched and fill up the space that the staccato sounds created, intensifying the song even further. Halfway though the song, a string quartet joins in, building up and providing even more tension to create a wonderful atmosphere.

The album also features a PV of the track ai&lie&wine, and it’s easy to see why this song was chosen for a PV. The flow of the track creates a really catchy, rhythmical cadence, and even though melody-wise it’s not too interesting, the beat definitely invites you to get onto the dance floor!

lecca's newest album shows us an interesting musical journey and perhaps also a personal journey for lecca, as she has strayed from her usual paths to show a much gentler sound. She still keeps the dancehall tracks that she is well known for while reaching out to new listeners, and she is able to satisfy both old and new fans in this way. City Caravan is simply an amazing album that makes you long for more, so hopefully she won’t make us wait long before another new release!