Music: Zion Albert

Zion Albert

All the feels: The area's reggae authority releases full-length Higher Vibrations

Last October we previewed Zion Albert's uplifting Inna Miami Town EP, a 5-track collection of inspiring reggae anthems, including such timely offerings as "Universal Peace" and "All That I Need" which spoke to both the state of the world and the individual yearning for fulfillment. Just a few months later, the prolific, multi-talented tri-state artist is back with the full-length Higher Vibrations, pairing the previous EP with a selection of new tracks and prior singles such as the hopeful "Try Jah Love" and romantic "Love at First Sight." Zion generously packs this latest collection with 15 songs - the pinnacle of which may well be the spine-tingling "Choices In My Life" featuring local songstress/vocal wonder, Cynthia Murray. Seamlessly, their two voices, though wholly disparate in tone, both come together and play off of each other, delivering simple yet profound lyrics that touch the soul: "I've made up my mind to search for happiness/ And I know sometimes it really, really hurts/ 'Cause it's so hard to walk away/ But I'm hoping for one day I will find/ What I've been searching for."

Other highlights include the dark, probing "Bio Engineering" addressing chemical warfare and the blunt "Fake Friends Will Use You," a warning shot to those who trust too much in others. But Zion closes Higher Vibrations out with the previously released "Jah Holy Foundation," a feel-good jam that leaves this impressive collection on a definite high note heading into 2023.

Higher Vibrations is available at zionalbert.com and on major streaming platforms.