| 'Til Shiloh | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 18, 1995 | |||
| Recorded | 1994–1995 | |||
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 64:35 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer |
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| Buju Banton chronology | ||||
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| Singles from 'Til Shiloh | ||||
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'Til Shiloh is the fourth album by Jamaicandancehall artistBuju Banton, released in 1995 by Loose Cannon Records, a short-lived subsidiary ofIsland Records.[2] In 2019 the album was certifiedgold by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The album marked a significant change in Banton's artistry, going to a direction closer toroots reggae.'Til Shiloh was widely acclaimed by critics, and is considered to be aclassic album forreggae music.[1]
'Til Shiloh was described as an introspective record.[3] Its themes mainly explore Buju's then newfound faith in theRastafari movement, with songs such as "Til I'm Laid to Rest", and "Untold Stories". This could be seen as a transition from the rude-bwoy style, made of glorifications ofgun violence, to a moreroots-oriented fashion.[4] Jo-Ann Greene ofAllMusic said that the album "consolidated his move into social awareness and adopted a more mature, reflective tone that signaled Banton's arrival as an artist able to make major creative statements".[4]
The title track, which opened the album, was based on an introduction Banton had used in live shows. According to producerDonovan Germain,"'Til Shiloh mean forever."[2]
The track "Untold Stories" was later covered bySinéad O'Connor on her 2005 reggae albumThrow Down Your Arms.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| The Guardian | [5] |
| NME | 6/10[6] |
| Pitchfork | 9.4/10[7] |
| Q |  [8] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [9] |
| The Village Voice | A−[10] |
Angus Taylor ofBBC Music commented that "this is a very listenable landmark, which reminds us that while lyrical topics may differ, musically, reggae is one".[11]AllMusic's reviewer Jo-Ann Greene said that "this is a gentler album than its predecessor, although still very much in a dancehall style. Another masterpiece".[1]Robert Christgau stated that the record is "The most fully accomplished reggae album since the prime ofBlack Uhuru", praising "how he perfectly articulates empathy, vulnerability, and concern".[10]
The album was listed in the 1999 bookTheRough Guide: Reggae: 100 Essential CDs.[12]
In 2002 the album an expanded and remastered edition was released on Island/IDJMG/Universal Records, featuring the tracks "Sensemilia Persecution" and "Rampage".
In 2020, the album was reissued on its 25th anniversary on December 18, including remixes of "Not an Easy Road", "Wanna Be Loved" and an unreleased track called "Come Inna The Dance" as bonus tracks.[13]
On the issue dated August 5, 1995,Til Shiloh debuted at number 148 on the USBillboard 200 chart.[14] The album also debuted at number 27 on the USTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[15] The album was eventually certifiedgold by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for streams and sales equating to 500,000 units in the United States.[16]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Shiloh" | Myrie | 0:19 |
| 2. | "'Til I'm Laid to Rest" | Dixon, Myrie | 4:24 |
| 3. | "Murderer" | Dodd, Myrie | 3:56 |
| 4. | "Champion" | Myrie, Sibbles | 3:59 |
| 5. | "Untold Stories" | Germain, Myrie, Tucker | 4:36 |
| 6. | "Not an Easy Road" | Myrie | 4:01 |
| 7. | "Only Man" | Kelly, Myrie | 2:51 |
| 8. | "Complaint" (withGarnett Silk) | 4:01 | |
| 9. | "Chuck It So" | Myrie, Tucker, Tyrell | 3:57 |
| 10. | "How Could You" | Dodd, Myrie | 3:56 |
| 11. | "Wanna Be Loved" | Browne, Kelly, Myrie | 4:05 |
| 12. | "It's All Over" | Browne, Johnson, Myrie | 4:05 |
| 13. | "Hush, Baby, Hush" | Myrie, Williams | 4:21 |
| 14. | "What Ya Gonna Do?" (withWayne Wonder) | 3:43 | |
| 15. | "Rampage" | 3:46 | |
| 16. | "Sensemilia Persecution" | 4:03 | |
| 17. | "Champion" (remix) | Ice Cube, Life, Myrie, QDIII, Sibbles, Wansel | 4:32 |
| Total length: | 64:35 | ||
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| Chart (1995) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USBillboard 200[17] | 148 |
| USTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[18] | 27 |
| USTop Reggae Albums[19] | 2 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[16] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
