Second full length from Manchester poet J. Chambers deals heavy in reflection and roots. Homecoming is a true journey.

Released: Out Now

Label: Self Released

Format: Digital

ESCAPE THE KINGDOM

J. Chambers is no stranger to our pages. We follow his career with great anticipation. 2021’s Escape The Kingdom (review here) contains many introspective songs and saw biting commentary on the world then. Then, the world was knee deep in a pandemic.

Now, J. Chambers shifts his focus to his heritage and roots, as well as keeping that social commentary clear. In the three years since Escape The Kingdom, there have been an array of singles and plenty of those make the cut for Homecoming.

The backstory to Homecoming is brilliant. Before a show in 2023 that hadn’t sold very well, J. Chambers got word that his bid for funding through the Arts Council had been accepted. From trying to ‘catch a vibe’ to enhancing the vibe, a journey began to Jamaica to record at world famous studios with an array of people.

THE RAIN WON’T LAST FOREVER

Fields opens the album with a gospel like piano motif. It rises and builds over two minutes making for a stunning opening. It sets the tone for the messages of love, care, belief, ancestral pride and having a good moral compass. The mix of sung vocals in amongst rapped verses will draw you in.

Mandela is one of the singles that saw release over the last few years. It’s brilliant bassline, punchy orchestral licks and slinky saxophone line make it a great musical piece. Throw in Chambers’ solid verses about the rain not lasting forever feel apt to the story of Homecoming. With the award of the funding for the album, the mood shifts from rain to shine.

Whilst the sound of J. Chambers has evolved over the past few years to incorporate more reggae roots influences, the hip hop DNA of his sound is always prevalent. Uprising sees bars delivered with pace and clarity atop a reggae beat that will move you.

PROOF

If you needed proof that J. Chambers has the ability to move through the gears of tempo, Proof (Diary) introduces a drum and bass flavour. It is reminiscent of early Adam F and the more intelligent side of drum and bass. Again, saxophone adds the colour over the drums and earthy bass.

“In the lane of growth there’s constant testing,” says J on Rocky Road. Again, the variety is evident on this song of utter positivity and message of paying your dues.

Jah Knows (Heart Cry) is one of the undoubted highlights of Homecoming. A prayer to Jah, emotive vocals and sentiments of positivity and not giving up in the face of adversity are front and centre. It is about placing your faith in a higher power to help you through. It is thought provoking, uplifting and emotional. Back to back with the dubby Never Giving Up, it is a centrepiece of pieces that J. Chambers and his team should be proud of.

OVERSTAND

One of the great traits of Homecoming is that the themes of the project are intertwined throughout. Never Giving Up mentions ‘overstanding.’ The notion is built on in the track of the same name (Overstand). As an idea, it talks of how we need to educate ourselves on causes and events that we support and believe in.

For the positive elements of the record, J. Chambers still has the ability to be spiky and confrontational. Pepper Pot warns of the dangers of society. There is a subtle aggression in the delivery. Small Gunz heightens the harder verses. The beat is punishing and the lyrics bite.

Union Jack is another brilliant standout track that would be a song that this writer would use as an introduction to J. Chambers work. The tempo and the rhythm with the brass is infectious. “There ain’t no black in the Union Jack,” should give you enough of an idea about the themes explored. BlackFlag fits together sequentially on the album with Union Jack before the title track gives thanks to people involved, and allows J. Chambers the chance to reflect on the project. Putting the title track at the end is masterful. It ties everything together superbly.

HOMECOMING.

As well as the aural aspect of Homecoming, J. Chambers has documented his journey in a short film. It shows visits to Tuff Gong, Bob Marley’s house, his ancestral roots, working in various studios and the freedom that was found in working there.

J. Chambers is a humble person. He has a voice that needs to be heard. Credit to the Arts Council for giving J. Chambers the chance to record Homecoming. Hopefully, his chances increase on the back of this project. In the live arena, J. Chambers puts on a great show. It would be fitting to see Homecoming performed live on tour. It deserves it.

For now, enjoy the album. You can watch the film below. Homecoming is available on all streaming platforms now.

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