Reggae Reviews:
A sophomore album is always a tricky proposition, since its nature is such that it will invariably be compared to the album before it, and the sound will invariably not be quite as fresh the second time around. And while Abja's second album, Mahogany Road, may not be quite as fresh for this reason, it manages to avoid the sophomore slump. In fact, it runs all over the sophomore slump with boundless energy, pointed lyrics, and the type of rich roots music we've come to expect from Laurent "Tippy" Alfred, Tuff Lion, and the rest of the gang at I Grade Records. - More

JahWorks.org:
I sThe I Grade crew continues its trod forward with its summer releases. Producer, singjay, and I Grade staple Abja is certainly in lock step with this crew’s cadence. Mahogany Road is his follow up to Inna Red I Hour in 2003. The key I Grade musicians perform on this sophomore effort: Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred; his brother and bassie Kenyatta Itola; drummers Astor Campbell and T Rock Davis, who toured with the Red I Band this past spring; and guitsie/multi-instrumentalist Tuff Lion. The Million7 Horns composed of Balboa Becker, Joel Berhman, and Barret Cobses add another aural layer to several tracks. If you made it to one of the I Grade Trilogy shows in Northern California this past spring, you’ll recognize the vibe.  - More

Reggae Vibes:
Abja's tune "Crucial Confessions" (included on I Grade Records' first compilation album, "Weep Not", released in 2002) provided a glimpse of the unique talent of this artist hailing from St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. With "Inna Red I Hour" -- his first full-length release -- he delivered a much promising and powerful collection of tunes, which brought him to the attention of (V.I.) roots followers around the world. Now here's Abja's long-awaited sophomore CD "Mahogany Road", which not only reaffirms that he's one of the most promising new conscious artists, but this set also fully lives up to expectations raised by Abja's debut album. While listening to Abja's new album it's obvious that he has made a natural progression and thus has taken his musical efforts to the next (higher) level. - More

Reggae Connection: (french)
Amis du ‘New Roots’ réjouissez-vous car cette petite plaque va vous plonger dans un état de confiance absolu. Confiance en l’avenir du reggae authentique mais qui n’hésite pas à s’ouvrir aux ambiances jadis révélées par des artistes tels que Steel Pulse ou I Jah Man …Définitivement inspiré de ses aînés, Abja réussit à introduire dans ce reggae là des éléments de blues, jazz et hip hop. - Encore

VI Roots:
Take a ride down Mahogany Road with one of the VI's most unique and talented artists. On this - his second full length album - Abja takes his rootical singing and chanting to a new level of intensity and originality with soon-to-be classic tunes like "One Shot", "Dangerzone" and the massive title track, "Mahogany Road." Also featured are two big combination tunes, one with label-mate NiyoRah and another with Sound VIzion's Ras Attitude. - More

BigUp Radio:
Abja’s Mahogany Road is another I-Grade production outta Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI. Released in 2006 the album showcases another great roots reggae talent from the island that continues to blaze a new fya of consciousness. Mahogany road pays tribute to the largest island in the Virgin islands. On the western end of St. Croix rising 1096' above sea level is Blue mountain where a lush rain forest of saman, tibet and mahogany trees grow. - More