...Lehbanchuleh first came on the Jamaican recording scene in the early '90s under his real name Norberth Clarke but made his mark as half of the duo Sugar Black and Lehbanchuleh with a series of great Jamaican 7" singles a couple of years back. Claim the Joy ... is his first solo album cd and it's a winner with powerful songs like "Binghi Man," "Heed Jah Words" and "Eyes on the Father," putting him head and shoulders above many of his contemporaries. Lehbanchuleh has a nice voice and he uses it to great effect with conscious lyrics, Rasta imperative and positive vibrations. With production credits including but not limited to Phillip Burrell, Beres Hammond and Henry K, the sound is forward and driving, modern but rooted in the best reggae traditions.

Guests on this disc include Terry Ganzie on "Moving On," Luciano and Mikey General on an alternate version of "Choose Life" and longtime singing partner Sugar Black on the explosive "Behold the Armageddon" and "Stress in the Ghetto" (which also includes dj Anthony B). This is roots with a vengeance, a massive attack on the ills of the established order that goes a good way towards offering a better solution. If you think contemporary reggae is all down-and-dirty dancehall and can't hold a candle to the roots music of old give a listen to Lehbanchuleh and let him turn your head around like reggae itself did a long time ago.
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Former UK based singer Norberth Clarke, now calling himself Lehbanchuleh (pronounce La-bon-ku-lay), has unleashed his long-awaited debut solo album "Claim The Joy". Lehbanchuleh - Swahili meaning "to build upon a solid foundation" - is a spiritual artist who has toured the world with Tony Rebel and oft times spar Sugar Black with whom he scored a string of hits including "I'm Yours", "Start The War", "No Division", "You Are So Beautiful", "Jordan River", "Precious Souls", "Never Get Weary", "Ethiopia Here I Come" and a remake of the well known Bob Marley song "Easy Skanking". Firm rasta consciousness prevails on this 15-piece collection, which contains excellent new material such as "Choose Life" (featured here twice, once in combination with Luciano and Mikey General), "Claim The Joy", "Heed Jah Words", "Welcome To Life" and "Stress In The Ghetto", the wicked combination tune with Anthony B & Sugar Black. The latter also turns up for the superb version of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" and the solid "Behold The Armageddon", both having appeared on 7" singles a couple of years ago. Other memorable tunes we are treated to are the outstanding "Eyes On The Father" and the Beres Hammond produced "Moving On" - again twice, with and without deejay Terry Ganzie.Overall opinion is that Lehbanchuleh has delivered an inspiring and uplifting debut set, not to be overlooked by those who appreciate real good conscious reggae music.
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Lehbanchuleh means build upon a solid foundation in Swahili, which with a placement on the Billboard Reggae charts is certainly what he`s done. More conscious reggae with spirtual overtones from the Stone Tiger label is just what the doctor ordered. With single-worthy tracks like "Choose Life" and "Open Your Eyes", Lehbanchuleh is catchy yet genuine, which is relatively unheard in the mainstream music industry. Check out the fun beats in "Claim the Joy" that will have you up and dancing to the great groove. This is just real good reggae and will have anyone and I mean anyone digging its positive atmosphere.
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... he builds upon the lyrical and musical foundations of the roots reggae of old, and delivers the music to new heights...Lehbanchuleh's debut solo album...The revelation of influences in an artist's music is a great method for determining the level of heart within that artist. Two influences that immediately strike the listener on "Claim The Joy" are Sam Cooke and Garnett Silk. Lehbanchuleh's cover version of Sam Cooke's triumphant "A Change Is Gonna Come," here titled "Change Gonna Come," is as powerfully moving as the original and fits perfectly within the socially conscious themes of roots reggae. Lehbanchuleh again teams up with Sugar Black on this optimistic tune. "Heed Jah Words" sees Lehbanchuleh paying homage to his mentor, the late Garnett Silk, who undeniably defined the essence of the roots reggae tradition...Lehbanchuleh evokes the silky smooth style that Garnett perfected, bringing forth all of the greatness that lived in Garnett's music. Lehbanchuleh's grand spirit is continually expressed on his debut solo album and his devotion to the roots spirit found throughout is no better expressed than in the album's dedication to all listeners inside the album's liner notes. "From Lehbanchuleh to all who listen to music that ‘edutains,' inspires and speaks to the heart. Jah bless." These words perfectly define the music that Lehbanchuleh strives to put forth...educate, entertain, inspire and most of all, speak directly to the heart...proceeds from Lehbanchuleh's Claim The Joy, are given back into the Jamaican communities...donating monies to ... children's homes to preserve the lives of future generations.
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