Stay Nice & Tahu Dubs – ‘Shine On Them’ [Album Review]

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Shine On Them by Stay Nice & Tahu Dubs is a 14-track project that blends reggae/dub, hip-hop and soul elements seamlessly. Stay Nice, who is behind the music, is a true master of the craft and delivers a variety of thumping, soul-stirring beats while Tahu Dubs weaves rich melodic vocals with conscious raps. The result is a forward-thinking body of work that bridges the past, present and future while giving listeners an entertaining value.

“In The Bay” opens up the gateway into the duo’s fusion of styles. The cinematic start feels like the herald of the heroes who have come to pave the way with their gifts. The laidback groove, soulful keys and dynamic chords all form like Voltron alongside Tahu’s smooth melodic delivery and insightful bars introducing audiences into their world. “When It All Falls Down,” is built on a triumphant horn riff, plucky guitar arrangement and punchy drum foundation and it’s a call to action with lines like “Matrix, spaceships, planetary placements/Align for the final, living in a spiral/Big shifts like it’s tidal/Indigenous cultures, this is the revival/Celebrity mainstream worshipping the idols/Billionaires infleunces running for the title” calling us all to make the right decisions before it’s too late. Tahu’s gentle voice evokes raw emotions as he sings with an effortless vigour on his tracks, and on “Attitude of Gratitude,” he gives an uplifting and hopeful message that is universal for all. Life troubles may never end, but the power of gratitude will always outlive the negative. “Music Therapy” is a heartfelt tribute to the healing power of music. As Bob Marley once sang, “One good thing about music, when it hits you (you feel no pain),” Tahu and Stay Nice carry on the tradition with this beautiful piece that will soothe your soul and ease your pain.

“Lets Go” is an aspirational jam that explicitly says “I don’t want to you waste no time no more/Get our back off up the floor/Get your 10 toes on the floor/Why you moving slow mo, don’t you realize what your life is for.” No truer words were said on wax, and once you hear this, it might just trigger the much-needed force within you to make things happen. The positive vibes continue on the pulsating basslines on “Shine on Them,” reminding listeners to shine their true colours and never dim their God-given life to the world. “Catching Feels” and “Release” dive into the inner spirit and explore life’s true purpose and the power of natural healing and love.

The final tracks, “Vibes” and “Grounded In Roots,” are well-crafted tunes that help bring the project full circle. The former is a bouncy soulful jam with summery textures and heartfelt songwriting and soothing melodies, while the latter goes back to the duo’s roots with a cinematic soundscape and an eternal message of unity in a divided world. Some other notable tracks include the hip-hop-infused “Life Tides” that dives into the unfortunate segregation of conscious music. The anthemic thump of “Beats For Ya Master” is a classic bravado jam laced with Reggae/dub vibes with edgy hip-hop drums and fiery bars and the eternal message on “Keep Ya Head Up’ is exactly what the doctored ordered in these crazy times, and the soulful vibes of “Inside Out” allows listenrs to explore the ethereal plane of their self.

In general, Shine On Them is a cohesive and well-structured body of work that takes itself seriously. The topics are fully fleshed out, and the chemistry between producer Stay Nice and vocalist Tahu Dub is a match made in heaven.