NB: Originally written & published in February 2007 for TuggS.T.A.R’s album 
“SEASON OF LOST LOVE”….
More and more in life, I realise how important it is for nothing to happen before its time. There’s a purity about something that happens just at the right moment, which made be completely lost otherwise.
Having missed the listening party for TuggS.T.A.R’s new album “Season of Lost Love”, due teaching commitments, I was keen to take it in and my anticipation made its way to the actual album launch (part 1). Not having the pressure of performing, I was able to kick back and enjoy, and though the beauty of the night was enough to satisfy anyone, I knew I still hadn’t finished my experience with it until I had heard the album for myself. So it was the morning after, on my way home, it was me, my Discman, and the CD. I pressed play, meditated on it and about half way through I knew I had to write this……. Reflection……..
Its an interesting feeling listening to an album from some one you know personally. Those who know Tuggs’ poetry know that you will always get two things: honesty and sincerity. I learnt early that this was not always the case with poets, especially when dealing with LOVE. And this album was about love. Love of self, love between Black man and wombman, love between an artist and their art, and all the issues that lie in between. By rights the brother deserves credit for even attempting to take on such a monumental task, but the mastery as presented in the final product is nothing short of phenomenal. Then again I should not be surprised, for I learnt a long time ago that when TuggS.T.A.R decides to deal with a subject…..he deals with it.
Season of Lost Love, the title track gets you started. Tuggs flows passionately over a beautifully reflective Self Taught beat. Exploring identity, how we see ourselves, the names we answer to and how this effects the characters we bring into our relationships. Relaying the context of lost Black identity and forever battling with ignorance, TuggS.T.A.R spits with defiance: “You a nigga yeah? Well I’m glad to meet yah. Me? NO SIR…!” And finds his own identity through self definition based upon his heritage. You cant help but feel his sense of pride, and dignity with which he seeks to carry himself as man.
The primary strength of this album lies in its ability to provide insight on love and relationships, from perspectives which are seldom – if ever heard. “To Late For My Soul Mate”, is a classic for all those who’ve seen it live. And its fully appreciated in its recorded form. Travel on a journey of how, as a people, our experiences have led to our Brothers, losing the appreciation of the true worth of our Sisters. And ultimately how we have contributed to some of our Sisters negative self image, and disillusionment with us as Brothers. The realness within this piece is undeniable.
The wordsmith is an ever maturing one, who thinks deeply about the circumstances surrounding his art. If nothing else, “A Poets Tale”, will prove this without a doubt. You will see feel this through everything from the experiences relayed to the very delivery. Tuggs adopts a conversational style that compels the listeners ear though the poeticality is never lost, and sits nicely on another contribution from Self Taught (I smiled as heard the beat cuz I swear I was in the studio when YolanDa Brown laid the Sax- 4give if I’m wrong……Anyway….)….. Long standing Spoken Word Artist will relate to the sentiments expressed.
There’s something to provoke the thoughts of all listeners. And further more something for everyone to relate to. “Poetically Personal”, is one of those stand out tracks. The voice guided subtly by the acoustic accompaniment. The story behind this poem will allow you to fully appreciate its inclusion on the album- the brother gets deep… REAL DEEP! And while you’re caught up in the substance of the words, in comes the singer. J’Nay* blesses the track, in such a way that you will be convinced, only he could have done it, like it needed to be done, and you’ll probably be right!
A few years ago I had a manhood Initiation Ceremony and as a gift Tuggs gave me a CD entitled 1st fruits. The artist was Kamau and since then, this brother has been an artist I look out for. The brother has a style of his own lyrically, and musically, so I was pleased to see his input both on the beat and in the Lyrics of “Other side of Fame”. The beat adds something fresh and different to what is already a musically tight album. The lyrics turn out to be a razor sharp encounter between a Poet and an MC, spiting hard about paying dues, gaining notoriety and Staying True After Ryhme. The professionalism shown here may have something to do with the fact that each artist has 1st hand experience with the others chosen discipline. It homogenises kinda like AmeN NoiR and David J on Crimson Ride (AmeN NoiR – snapshots of science album: get to know y’all).
Speaking of AmeN NoiR, I’ve always hailed him for being able to make beats for SPOKEN WORD. So, I have to give maJAH big ups, to the Producers of this album. Building a heavy riddim is one thing. But designing it in such a way to be the vehicle for the poet’s words is another. So it has to be said that the production on this album is a straight lesson in how to do that.
Having said that, Insomniax get topppa top marks for “Too Late For My Soul Mate: The He Mix”. Being a Jazz Lover, I appreciate how music can be used to convey different moods emotions and themes, and they definitely rose to the challenge. There are very few poets who move my soul, and even fewer male poets who can do the same – Tuggs has always been able to do so and this poem was one of the 1st that did it. Recounting what was said earlier about exploring perspectives seldom seen or heard, “Too Late For My Soul Mate: The He Mix” does just that. Looking at how and why Brothers develop some of the attitudes and emotions towards our Wombmen & relationships. This reads not as an excuse for a Brothers behaviour, but rather as that ever necessary component towards healing- Ovastanding! Its not often we get an honest open, in depth reasoning on relationships from a brothers perspective, and in that lies one of its greatest strengths.
I cant overlook “Paradise Found”. In this poem, lives the words that every man would love to say about his wife, but only Tuggs could do it like it was done. And only a Heaven of a Wombman could inspire as much, so incase you were unsure the track list tells you its….”4 Amaya”. This track also features the only contribution from master producer Scratch Professor. Its as if this was to big a task for the Brother to be distracted by anything else, and he brought it to the table. Ever lasting words of Black Love, accompanied by melodies from Ivy Chanel. BEAUTIFUL!
So that’s the album! Heavy, an instant classic! And then you here the bonus material. “Poetmans Pilgrimage” features veteran Spoken Word duo, Poetic Pilgrimage. I listened with serious anticipation, for I was at the Pilgrim Manor, years ago when this concept was born. And was pleased to see how this concept had been manifested. Iron Braydz presents some of his best work on the music, and as for the poetry, left me reaffirming something I already knew Tuggs is a master. Simple!
I love albums I love to see how an artist brings ideas from wherever, together into one effort. And I’ve seen heard many a album spoiled by one to many tracks. So as the Pilgrim track concluded I heard what I originally thought must be just a vote of thanks, and discovered it was entire track. But far from being disappointing, this was the perfect ending to this effort. Not only is this another poem, its done in the style of press conference- pulled off to perfection. Recounting TuggS.T.A.R’s inspirations, reflections, and projections as a poet. I aint gonna lie, I got kinda emotional when it came to the Best Kept Secret part. What can I say…. I feel BKS to my soul.
All in all, this album is a classic. And though the press conference makes it hard to see where he is going next, you cant help but wait in anticipation. But “Season of Lost Love” will be enough to satisfy you for a long while. It’s like a 60’s & 70’s soul album – timeless! But the essence of it all it summed by the poet himself: “If these are the last words GOD Blesses me to write or say…. Then let it be known I gave it my all!”
