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2009 has so far been the year for music releases and this was never more evident than this past weekend when not one, but TWO brand new long-awaited CDs dropped like 10-ton rocks on downtown music venue Sky City.

Closing out yet another great 2009 weekend of music, Jemani played an early set of tunes from their new CD It Is What It Is, Vol. 1: Segregation that went the distance at just over two hours while keeping the Sky City crowd on their toes the entire time. 

Strutting out not only a new set of music, their 4th album in a decade long career, Jemani also ushered in new guitarist Bryan Pryor and the new addition has added additional depth and power to the Jemani sound which by the way has now begun to stretch all over the musical maps of rock, metal, hip hop, blues, and even country.  The sound is all Jemani but the ability to take so many styles and interweave them seamlessly while remaining instantly recognizable as the rip hop faves Augusta know and love is astounding.

Charging forward with the pounding rhythm of drummer Jordan Leopard, bassist Jason Guy, and Pryor, Jemani tore through songs from their latest release showcasing the duel vocal / rap talents of frontman Ike Isaac and guitarist Sonny Won.  While most of Augusta has been witness to Isaac’s vocal flow, Jemani has jumped on to the opportunity to take expanded advantage of Won’s exceptional vocal talents.  Already proven as quite the rapper on previous releases, Saturday night Won exhibited a vocal ability that makes one wonder why it took so long for Jemani to let him loose.  Simply put: Won has one hell of a voice.  Take a listen to closing track “Glitter Bone” on the new CD if you don’t believe me!

With a stage full of ear to ear grins, Jemani brought a set that pleased even the most die-hard fans of the band.  With over twenty songs on the new release this was no easy task.  Any lesser band would have settled playing just half that many but not only did Jemani pull out the big guns to showcase the new album, they topped it all off with an unreleased track and long-time fan favorite “Don’t Know S**t.”

Don’t be the only one that don’t know s**t, get your copy of the new CD now.