Germany isn't exactly renowned for any of the elements associated with reggae music. It's difficult to imagine a Jamaican waking up at the crack of dawn to claim his sun-lounger but listening to Gentleman offers a different perspective on the music from industrial Cologne.
Caan Hold Us Down is classic roots reggae from start to finish, helped in no small part by the vocal contributions of reggae giant Barrington Levy and Gentleman's sometime tour partner Daddy Rings. Although lyrically Caan Hold Us Down is a stereotypical "praise Jah" number it sounds neither dated nor a laboured copy-cat attempt.
Earlier this year Gentleman was nominated for best new reggae artist at New York's Martin Awards, although he was unsuccessful with releases like Caan Hold Us Down - one of the more average tracks on his latest album Confidence - Gentleman is carving out a name for himself in a genre in need of fearless pioneers.
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