Spain Root Royal Blu Torch
Spain Root’ begins with the title track which is an effective double entendre as Blu spends the song explaining his childhood roots navigating the various bus routes from his school
This debut album was definitely delayed, by at least a few years because of global fallout after the coronavirus pandemic. My reasoning goes in line to what Royal Blu’s trajectory was right at the fated time of March 2020. By that time, Royal Blu was already riding, what many were calling, the new wave of Jamaican acts set to add their voices and viewpoints to the global discourse through the island’s ever-active assembly line of talent. Despite that unfortunate truth, Royal Blu and his team remained steadfast and in 2025 delivered ‘Spain Root’, a deeply introspective release geared informing his fans, both new and old, about his ‘root’, as it were, in Jamaica’s former capital and how that has shaped his present outlook and perspectives for the future.
‘Spain Root’ begins with the title track which is an effective double entendre as Blu spends the song explaining his childhood roots navigating the various bus routes from his school in Meadowbrook (Kingston) back home in Spain (Spanish Town). A few other odes to his hometown: “Come From” and “911” featuring long collaborator Runkus gives a certain reverence Blu has of that place. As despite the challenges and the negative narratives that surround Spanish Town, he still wears his allegiance as a badge of honour. Which in itself is quite commendable but especially so given the nature of discrimination in the present day. Royal Blu’s female fans have plenty to enjoy with “Long Lane”, “Shoulda Love”, “Stranger Twice”, “Forever For Now” featuring Akina Eman and “Arms” featuring D’yani all specially sequenced on tracklist: back to back to back to back to back, giving a feeling of one song pouring into another one. To my ears there are three songs should appeal the most … albeit for differing reasons: “Life From Kingston” featuring Protoje – describing Royal Blu first invitation to perform on stage, coincidentally through Protoje; “Little Brother” – an ode to Royal Blu’s family dynamic which sees him yearning to be closer to those who shaped his upbringing and “Light My Way” featuring Kabaka Pyramid – a ditty about remaining strong despite the obstacles that will appear in the path. Special credit goes out the musicians involved in the production: Guitars – Gideon Etta, Tyler Last, Kevin Tranmer, Alex Mackenzie – Low, Romario Bennett, Almando Douglas, Nnamdi Robinson and Christon Forbes; Trombone – Randy Fletcher; Saxophone – Deshaun Fender; Keyboards – Taylor Kaufman, Organ – Paris Lamont, Trumpet – Okiel McKenzie; Drums – Ian Gaston, Aundre Edwards. Production credit goes to: Runkus, Cuco Fyah, KaleX, RiddimBoss, G-Wav, Yo Christon, Island.Wav, J.L.L, Prodbyross and DelaGroove
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