Marcus Gad
“For All”
(Big Scoop Records – 2026)
An Album every fan has been waiting for: “For All”, the third studio album Marcus Gad created entirely with his band Tribe and his sound Engineer Tamal, came out in June and has been playing on repeat ever since.
Following their self written legacy of profound spiritual messages and deep roots meditation, “For All” not just catches on their previously released music but exhilarates it. The 14 songs sound at the same time beautifully coherent as well as fresh and varied. The styles Marcus Gad, Tribe and Tamal have been experimenting with over the years came together in this album that feels like an upgrade to the mature version of themselves and their craft.
Opening with the tune “Ralley Round”, the album starts musically as imposant and mystical as their album Chanting and immediately captivates the listener with the request for participation in an almost hypnotizing energy. It’s calling us together for what is to come. The second released single, “Fruit And Flower”, is what I would call a Marcus Gad classic: a song with powerful messages of connection, creation and praises to life itself, combined with the uplifting togetherness of instruments by Tribe and mastery mixing sounds by Tamal. It’s one of those songs you wake up to playing in your head and are brightening your way of every day. Give thanks in every way. Strong motivates to be resilient in times of crisis and keep holding it together, even if the world might crumble around us. The thoughtful meaning of this song offers strength and faith.
In “Time Of Prophecy”, Marcus invites to look at the path humanity is taking. Pointing out behind the facade of our system, that isn’t what it wants you to belief it is. The line “What a honor to be chosen as the witness to the last days” feels mor real than ever, looking at the curses humans bring on themselves. The composition is compelling and urgent, yet calm tempered and remind of the forward pushing vibe of “Ready For Battle”.
One of my personal highlights of this album is the song “The Code” featuring Dezarie. Incomparable in flow, this song that seems like sci-fi, explores the outskirts of the universe while referring to the code that binds all existence together. Matched only by lyrical masters like Vaughn Benjamin, the storytelling and profoundness of the theme in this song is as unique as the voices singing it. The rhythms and effects are creatively detailed and vibrate like an upward spiral. If the cosmos we’re facing today had to be described and conserved in one song, it would be this one. To hear Marcus Gad and Dezarie singing together keeps me longing for more of their co-working because this surely is a collaboration that was long written in the stars.
The first release from this album, “Where Me Come From”, is a very unconventional choice for a single because of its style and topic. It features their evolution in sound and reminds the listener of times like “Brave New World”, yet adding unheard and unique elements that support the roots. The topic discussed is a constant pilar in Marcus’ music and knowing his cultural background, it makes chronologically sense to present this single as a historical lesson to all new and old listeners. “Where Me Come From” gives us insights of the past and presence in New Caledonia and serves as an invitation to understand the effects colonialism still has today.
My Dub ear caught it already from the first moment of the song: “Honor Dem” is a special one. One of those tunes that will be played in soundsystem dances for many years to come. Probably even most when we’re all gone. Referring to the inevitable fact of time passing, this song is for all the ones who came before us. With powerful presence and the full potential of his spectacular voice, Marcus sings an ode to the gift of growing old. Honoring, remembering and celebrating the elders and their achievements and wisdom we’re all still learning from.
The title song of the Album, “For All”, is exactly that: for all. The most inclusive lyrics that touch us all. Describing the sentiments that affect us all. Highlighting what makes us all one. Pointing out how much we are all connected. “For All” is an impressive and immersive musical journey everyone with a beating heart will be moved by. Sounds of deep mediation and consciousness sung by Marcus’ angelic voice, remind the listener of what splendor it is to be a human being.
“Come Reason” brings a steady frequency that travels back to the roots and reminds of the “Chanting”-times. With a melody that sounds like calm and tribal vibration, the energy of this song feels like an ancient rock to hold on to. “Shine A Light” illuminates the fact that there is always hope in the dark. While the flow of verses and effects remind of Brave New World, the general buildup of the melody stays slow. The chorus and bridge intriguing with less words yet a powerful message “lead the way so we never go astray”.
The topic of “Nah Identify” circles around the concept of just being, not choosing what to be. It is a call to honor existence as it is, without the pressure to change the being. “Nah Identify” refers to the soul being eternal and its shine being incorruptible by outside factors, even space and time. The rhythm and sounds break the spell of illusive and expand progressively. Looking at the spiritual background of “Nah Identify”, the influences of the Indian teaching Advaita Vedanta, the non- duality of life, becomes apparent and serves as a great inspiration how to perceive the world.
The final song of this album, “Home”, feels like a personal gift to all loyal listeners who have been enchanted by Marcus Gad, Tribe and Tamal’s work since many years. This song really hit home with lyrics that seekers find truth and themselves in. This song is gifting us a home in their music; A place in time and space where we belong. On a variation of the rhythm from “Enter A Space”, this song is the perfect example how the artists open up full new worlds with their music and that we are all invited to this home.
Text: Leonie Pirri, Foto: Tomasz Misztal
