
Saturday, February 28, 2009
VI Reggae's #1 Draft Pick: A Review of Serious Matters by Revalation

Friday, February 27, 2009
Meet Goldee!


(someone wrote an EXCELLENT review on Amazon for that one)
Where she had three tunes featured including a remix for one of her biggest tunes to date, Baby Fly. The original of the song is absolutely stunning riding a Diwali-esque sounding riddim which gets VERY addictive, VERY quickly and was a pretty large Caribbean hit from awhile back.
There was also the STUNNING Pointe Des Nègres
So! If you're a Frenchie and you're maybe looking for something to bridge the gap between Reggae and Zouk, check Goldee.

http://www.goldee.fr/ (THE BEST WEBSITE I HAVE EVER SEEN AN ARTIST HAVE ALTHOUGH IT HASN'T BEEN UP'D IN A YEAR)
http://www.myspace.com/goldeebcaribbean
Thursday, February 26, 2009
A Review Of Vizionary by Batch
today making Reggae music worldwide. These people in whichever way they are involved in the genre have, throughout their time being in the game, distinguished themselves COMPLETELY on the basis of their skill levels: I’m talking PURELY musical MASTERS of Reggae music. The first obvious direction, in my opinion where we would look would, of course, be the actual music making, which would mean the producers. Some of these names such as King Jammy, dating all the way back to King Tubby and Sir Coxsone Dodd also would appear in terms of being pioneers in their specific eras, but I’m not talking about them, I’m talking current producers and artists, so who fits? The first name to come to mind would be someone like Dean Fraser who has been responsible for now going on more than three or four eras of Roots Reggae artists. I find it quite wonderful actually that the same man once responsible for developing the likes of Luciano and Mikey General, then turned the same act for a young Sizzla Kalonji, then again for young Turbulence and Chezidek, all while working primarily as the musical director for the once mighty and now legendary Xterminator label under Philip “Fattis” Burrell (another name who would fit on this list, obviously, but as another pioneer, perhaps). And if that weren’t enough, currently Mr. Fraser can be found doing works for the likes of the brilliant Etana, Duane Stephenson and, most notably, Tarrus Riley who lists the producer/musician/artist/engineer/arranger as his main mentor. Next I would look at someone like Donovan ’Don Corleone’ Bennett who is currently, in my opinion, on the verge of delivering absolute GENIUS as simply becoming PERHAPS the finest modern producer Jamaica and Reggae has EVER seen. Originally just thought of as kind of a quirky producer of pretty odd Dancehall riddims, Corleone has since broadened his horizons and added PURE one-drop Reggae to his arsenal and can be counted upon to deliver some of the smoothest productions this side of Beres Hammond. Speaking of Hammond, his name might headline a list of TRULY masterful vocal artists of Reggae. I would also include the aforementioned Luciano, Sizzla Kalonji, Beenie Man representing the pure Dancehall side, of course and several others who really, even in spite of the fact that they may not be the most consistent (Sizzla), they obviously grasp this whole ‘Reggae thing’ infinitely better than even most of their very own peers and every single time they reach out with something, we are potentially dealing with a masterpiece.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A Review Of Trinidad Stories by David Rudder

Welcome to sometime! There are but a few artists from out of the Caribbean who have genuinely made a powerful impact in the music who I would say that I don’t know a great deal about. The first that comes to mind would probably be Eddy Grant. The Guyana born music superstar might be the most embarrassingly glaring ’gap’ in my musical knowledge and even though I downright SWEAR someday I’m just going to start taking a heavy look into it, I never do (this despite having a Trinidadian Grandmother who grew in Guyana and plays Grant’s music in her house (where I am RIGHT NOW) pretty much endlessly). And another would be David Rudder. This perhaps is even more embarrassing as my own father (another Trini, born and grew) is one of David Rudder’s biggest fans and played his music in his house sometimes. David Rudder is quite easily one of the most respected names in Trinidad altogether, especially musically speaking and worldwide as far as their musical exports as you can literally see him playing in shows at ANYTIME in ANY corner of the globe to packed crowds. I actually, long before I was really paying attention to his more current productions was pretty much DRAGGED to a show of his by my father in (I THINK IT WAS) New York on the weekend of my 20th birthday (I THINK) and back then even though I hadn’t fully opened to Soca music (I was born and primarily raised in Jamaica until I was fifteen and Soca was, more or less, a bad word in my house. So obviously having since then becoming more and more into my Trinidadian side (and LOVING IT) and definitely being bitten by the Soca bug more than a few times over, its probably time I start to get to know about David Rudder. Being an album specialist and seeing as Rudder is still pretty active these days in doing just that, tracking down albums is an EXCELLENT way to catch up. Rudder also gave me quite a ’help’ as he has released tunes now in two seasons consecutively with some of my favourite modern Soca artists and both of them are now released on Trinidad Stories, David Rudder’s new 2009 album and, by my count, his first full studio effort since 2006’s The Cricket Chronicles (which I also now own) and he has released quite a few since the turn of the century, despite missing 2008 and ‘07. Trinidad Stories comes via one of the most frustratingly important labels in all of the world, J&W Records. J&W has some of the WORSE distribution from any label that I’ve come into contact with as they seem to almost REVEL (no pun intended) in the fact that they’re music isn’t at many of the majors distributors. This, despite the fact that they have released albums from ANYBODY who is prominent in Soca, Destra Garcia, Bunji Garlin, Machel Montano (even last year) KMC, Shurwayne Winchester and David Rudder (and if you happen to be from that label, Amazon! Itunes! Etc. . .???) they definitely have a large impact in the business and there are other labels like Faluma (who has done a VERY good job in the past few years or so and happen to be the international home for another of my favourites, Tizzy and El-A-Kru) as well but, generally, my first point of reference for a STRICTLY Soca label (which excludes VP) is J&W Records. Trinidad Stories is a bit more fun and up-tempo and ‘current’ release from Rudder and is a very good time throughout for new fans and old alike.
As I said, the real attraction for me on Trinidad Stories, tangibly, was the fact that over the past two years or so, Rudder has made himself more available to the youthful fans (of which I am) by doing combinations with some of the current Soca royalty and the Soca/Calypso MASTER definitely meshes well with them, some of my favourites. Getting things started on David Rudder’s Trinidad Stories is exactly such a tune and in this year in particular, you couldn’t get any bigger than this one. 3 Colours is a song just generally about Trinidadian pride for this season (which is generally a WONDERFUL theme throughout the album) and joining him are two of DEFINITELY the biggest and brightest lights to be a proud Trini (or half Trini) this year musically, Soca power couple Faye-Ann Lyons (who just officially took Trinidad Road March 2009) and Bunji Garlin. 3 Colours is MASSIVE! The tune is more on a lyrical level as opposed to the jump up and wave variety which Bunji and especially Faye-Ann tend to specialize in. What I thought when I first heard it was that he was attempting to do something on a more current level similar to one of the greatest songs I’ve ever heard which took me FOREVER to figure out that Rudder had actually made, Trini 2 De Bone. 3 Colours isn’t quite on that level (that song is somewhat out in the stratosphere, one of the greatest ever made really) but its GREAT in its own right and definitely the star of Trinidad Stories. Holding the unenviable task of following 3 Colours is a tune which I THINK was on a promo that I had gotten actually with the opener (or it may have just had its own) the very well done Children Of The Flag. Again, as is the majority of the class of Trinidad Stories, this one is basically about Trini pride and also very lyrical as well. Children Of The Flag also has a ’bigger’ vibe to it in terms of the melody and I love how he talks about the diversity of the people on the second verse (I THINK) and it just generally pills a very nice feeling and is an excellent tune definitely. Completing the opening of Trinidad Stories is the other tune which finds Rudder coming through alongside current Soca royalty, Oil & Music from last year which features the legend alongside the soon to be legendary Machel Montano HD. This tune was also featured on Machel’s last album, Flame On (aka Wining Season) and is another very strong piece about loving Trinidad. It has a bit more flare and twists in it than either of the two previous tunes (such is Montano’s style) but really, at it’s core it’s a nice vibe and was quite popular last year (Machel also combined with The Sparrow last year for Conga Man). Very very well done opening for the album.
As someone who is still getting to the point of REALLY learning Soca/Calypso I always find it interesting to look back at the elder artists, because a great deal of them typically don’t really vibe the way the ‘jump up’ artists do today but they tend to specialize more in the finesse than the strength style. Such a downright GLORIOUS display does Rudder put on when giving respect to his hometown and Belmont. This one is just BEAUTIFUL from start to finish and it’s very accessible (I would definitely recommend it to R&B and Pop heads). One of the album’s finest. Things pick up (in terms of tempo) when Down Time rolls through with a slightly more Soca-ish techno style. I do have complaints about this one because of the odd vocals which I can’t tell if they are intentional or by accident but they don’t quite seem to be right. The lyrics are quite nice though and border on funny at times, definitely check out that one, one of the stranger offerings on Trinidad Stories. Speaking of Soca and ODD, check the damn near addictive Carnival Tuesday. I don’t think there is actually ANY music on the tune, instead the ‘riddim’ is composed of 100% mouth noises (dare I even say beat-boxing!???) which provides the backing for a tune which went from annoying as hell, to one of my favourites on the album in a matter of about 5 spins or so. DEFINITELY check out Carnival Tuesday (which was yesterday actually). Trini Prance is a tune with a live feel, I don’t actually know if the entire tune was recorded in Germany or if they just used that intro, although the entire tune does have that feel. This one is a dance song (DUH) with a sweet Calypso vibes for the older heads, I think I like my Calypso (at least sounding) with a more live feel as well (biggup Chalkdust) so at least for me Trini Prance is one of the best tunes on TS. Speaking of SWEET, while I think Lullaby kind of misses the boat on that one, Burma certainly doesn’t have a similar problem with just an EXOTIC sound to it and I don’t know if I want to call it an R&B or maybe even a Gospel type of vibes as Rudder delivers a tune obviously inspired by a recent trip he must’ve had to the Southern Asian country (you literally hear chimes and birds going behind the riddim on the tune). The tune itself is definitely of a social/political nature but that sound (ESPECIALLY! The beginning) is divine. Zimbabwe Mash Up is a similar political vibes on the tune (instead of the other type of mash up, I was hoping for) and definitely not as strong to my ears as Burma, but its still something to check out as well. Trinidad Stories comes to its end at an Oil & Music remix called In De Coil which is essentially a stripped down road mix of the original. It’s okay (as is the Belmot Remix) and a decent, yet expected, end to the album.
Overall, I think I’d go into the fans who I’ve heard quite a bit of saying that when Rudder moves into more of the political and social commentaries music isn’t quite what it is when he goes into the more fun vibes. I like the tunes here which have somewhat of that vibes but does it where its about Trinidad, of course you can’t just tell the man to do songs like that (because he’s a grown ass man and can do whatever he wants) but his history (or just the bit of it that I know) would suggest that. That being said, Trinidad Stories is still a very solid album. Its not just some Soca album so if you’re looking for the jump up and you’re not too familiar with David Rudder’s music then you may want to stay away for this one if that‘s what you‘re looking for. Trinidad Stories is one for the more mature crowds. Its often said that Soca music isn’t a style which exactly lends itself to be very politically structured unlike its sibling Dancehall and Reggae. If you’re looking for something to bridge the gap then Trinidad Stories is for you and join me in digging for the rest and learning the legend that is David Rudder.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Damned If You Do. . . A Review of Mr. Brooks... A Better Tomorrow by Mavado
And then there’s Mavado. Were you to ask me as recently as a year (probably even six months) ago, I would have said NO WAY IN HELL Mavado can crossover. Why? Mavado, at his best has a style which is probably the single most DARK and downright EVIL we may have consistently ever seen in the Dancehall and DEFINITELY for a singer. On his debut album, Gangsta For Life: Symphony Of David Brooks (also from VP), two very very short years ago, Mavado hadn’t reached a level where he could adequately make tunes offering a variety of different vibes. In the time since, Mavado has most notably involved himself in the HOTLY anticipated clash versus the aforementioned Vybz Kartel and regardless of what you may think (or more importantly, who you may think won), the ’Gully Gad’ definitely well held his own, which was remarkable. Musically speaking, to be perfectly honest, Mavado has shown just a hint of evolution in his music but there is still work to be done. He has scored hits outside of the violent tunes (most notably a VERY big one which is on this album) which are at least respectable (as opposed to Squeeze Breast, which was atrocious) but also the long running feud with Kartel at least allowed him to continue to record the violent tracks as well. Now, Mavado is the latest in line to receive a big push from VP Records as they push forth his sophomore album, the MUCH MUCH MUCH more light, Mr. Brooks. . . A Better Tomorrow. The comparison between the two album covers, A Better Tomorrow and Gangsta For Life, tell a story on their own. The very dark cover on GFL told a story in and of itself where you could almost FULLY know what that album was going to be about and was projecting, even if you didn’t know the artist. Whereas A Better Tomorrow, at least in theory, shows something far more ’bright’ and perhaps more importantly, ’bright thinking’ with the brighter (not exactly sunny, there are a few clouds) skies. Mavado has what is apparently an angel shirt on in the cover photo and in the liners there are quite a few other ‘upful’ looking photos as well. Now as far as the music goes? There are definitely more upful minded tunes, more emotionally neutral ones (meaning the sexual ones for the most part) and, of course, A Better Tomorrow is highlighted by a tune which was made for the clubs and is apparently doing damage internationally with the help of a video which is in heavy rotation (which you’ve undoubtedly seen before if you’ve read this far into this review). The interesting thing for me personally is that I was quite vocal of saying that Mavado, when he was able to, would do good to add a different dimension to his vibes: But I think I miss the old evil Mavado!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Review of Mad Cobra's Helta Skelta
combat, all at their peaks, round robin style to see who is the WICKEDEST of the wicked. Spread it out, or take it to a single stage (making it the greatest ‘one night show in Reggae’) on a single night to settle it all. Like it or not, the evolution of the Dancehall clash and, thus, the evolution of the gun tune is something which has held the fascination of fans of Dancehall music ever since the genre itself was born. It almost IMMEDIATELY becomes a required part of any young DJ’s repertoire the second they proclaim themselves to be the ‘next big thing’ and even now, recently we’re starting to see singers and even females getting more and more involved in the situation as well (keep an ear out for one Lady Ali, signed to Assassin’s Boardhouse label). Who could clash who? Well, for starters, I’m sure I’m not the only one who would like to see part two of Mavado and Vybz Kartel. While the winner is STILL being questioned even now (although I favoured and still do Mavado because he kept it close when close was the last thing anyone expected), we could, as part of this miracle tournament throw it in the first round. Speaking of rematches, why not rematch Bounty Killer with a suddenly reinvigorated Merciless. There was a roughly two year period (2000, ‘01) up until the second Sting where Merciless, the famed ‘Warhead’ was definitely far in the lead of his much more popular rival. So much so that, in retrospect, had Merciless been able to maintain his status after Sting 2001, he and he alone may have essentially ended the now well TIRED Beenie Man/Bounty Killer war by taking up far more of the Killer’s attentions. Who else? Of course clash business is NO discussion without involving Ninja Man who took the art of clashing and repainted it, rechecked it’s status and went a very long way to making it an albeit very violent, but still acceptable art of performance. Provided Kartel could get past Mavado, wouldn’t we just love to see who would win this time if a Clash between Ninja and Kartel could actually play out, of course only if Kartel could keep his hands to himself this time. Throw Super Cat back in and rematch the Ninja (maybe even Junior Cat as well), Bounty Killer .vs. Kartel; Merciless .vs. Kartel; Aidonia would be free game as well representing for the new generation with the high-tech skills; Spragga Benz! The possibilities are endless even with Ninja perhaps being the odds on favourite to be the ‘last man standing’.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The International Soca Monarch Finals 2009 (pt. 2)

The International Soca Monarch Finals 2009

Okay so, this yea went representing St. Maarten and didn't see so many SxM flags but probably saw more than Jamaican flags which just never should be. Almost each and every Jamaican flag was attached to a Trini flag or a Grenada flag or whatever. But we were Dutchie this year (A big Jamaican grown ass man, a Jamaican one year old who lives in St. Maarten and a big grown ass American woman), so be it.
Just my own personal take of the performances this year at Monarch, which is, at least for us, the main attraction of the Carnival experience.
First the International Groovy Soca Monarch 2009
1. Tizzy & Richard Trumpet - Wuk Meh: This performance was something out of a Burlesque era Broadway show. I'm kind of partial (read VERY PARTIAL) to anything with Tizzy's name on it so I was kind of surprised to see reaction kind of mixed about the performance. Not really too familiar with Trumpet and DEFINITELY thought the tune was better without him but he helped the performance full on. I thought they did very good and they had the misfortune of going first (even though Patrice turned opening up into a second place showing last year).
Overall Grade - B
Could have done better in - Getting a better draw. Crowd participation was at a minimum, as expected.
2. Patch & Mastamind - Rum & Roti: I was full on neutral on this performance and this tune. It is one of those which is better when done live in my opinion but still this was pretty standard and straight forward. Mastamind is one of the biggest producers in the game and, like they're doing back home, the producers are starting to try to turn into stars now. The tune had just done decent in Chutney Monarch and just decent here as well, I guess.
Overall Grade - C
Could have done better in - . . . Uhmmmmm, hmmm. I don't know.
3. Hunter & Friends - Jep Sting Naina: Probably the most FUN performance in all of the Groovy competition. Hunter brought in his people with Ravi B, Hitman and, of course, Drupatee. My wife called this one as the winner when it was finished but I would have been shocked if they placed (they didn't) but it was very very nice. But they had also just placed in Chutney Monarch as well (4th I THINK). Near the end they started going through older hits (which is technically grounds for losing points) which probably hurt them but Hunter declared himself and co. there to just have a good time and definitely they succeded on that account.
Overall Grade - B
Could have done better in - By just singing the one tune if they wanted to win but that wasn't the point here.
4. Zoelah - Wine Up On Me: Zoelah was on point! With a tune that was absolutely made for a competition like this and dropping the official video (FINALLY!) just a day before (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NSWbimWDXA), Zoelah is starting to tangibly fulfill on all of the potential she showed with Fly Away and such. Highlighted by starting out with and ending with R&B versions of the song and just generally having a good time, Zoelah was one of the best performances of the night.
Overall Grade - A-
Could have done better in - Zoelah got a little tired by the end! Certainly not to the degree of someone who we'll mention in a bit but just a little. And she appeared to be 'carrying' more than she did at Vincy Monarch last year which is the last time I remember really seeing her.
5. Biggie Irie - Big Girls: Biggie will ALWAYS be a threat to take this title whenever he enters. I don't think he necessarily had the best tune this time but he made the most of it, incorporating backing dancers EXACTLY as the title would indicate. He also went off and sang another tune (a Marvin Gaye song I think), which would have hurt him (technically) but a very good performance still.
Overall Grade - B
Could have done better in - Nothing, that was Biggie Irie. MAYBE could have cut it shorter.
6. Nadia Batson - Bumpers Rule: Didn't like this song and the performance was kind of maddening. It wasn't horrible, of course, but it actually made me like the tune less (I'm playing it straight right now and it's not bad really).
Overall Grade - C
Could have done better in - Switching places in competitions with Patrice later. This was a Power performance in a Groovy show and. . . Okay, yeah Nadia talks a little bit too much instead of singing.
7. Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez - Heavy T Bumpers: I think I'm one of the few people who REALLY didn't like this tune (my wife LOVES it) but this performance was WICKED! Decked out in a white gown with her dancers dressed in similar but coloured attire, Fay-Ann presented a set which was the epitome of PROFESSIONAL. The definitive highlight being when she drew up none other than Calypso Rose who HILARIOUSLY played right along.
Overall Grade - A
Could have done better in - As was expected, her voice wasn't as strong as it may have been.
8. Zan - Hold You Down: You see, it isn't always the song. This song, I liked. This performance? Whatever. He didn't like it either!
Overall Grade - F+
Could have done better in - Where do I start? Maybe just faking an injury and not reaching the stage. Keep your performance money!
9. Shurwayne Winchester & Maxi Priest - Make It Yours: From the first time I heard this one I said how cool would it be if Shurwayne could lure the Priest in to perform at Monarch! He did (even got him for a video, which was absolutely HORRIBLE) and I was right! The Red Boyz produced venture (which you can find on their last album Mo' Fire Blazin') BLAZED!
Overall Grade - A
Could have done better in - Getting Maxi Priest's mic tuned.
10. Kerwin Du Bois - 2 Days: EXCELLENT! Didn't expect much here but Kerwin showed up excellently! Energy, energy, energy! If you sing a song, even if its garbage (and it wasn't) but you seem to love it, people will love it also and that's what happened here. Kerwin didn't have the greatest crowd participation but he won the people over (your's truly included) with one of the best performances of the show.
Overall Grade - B+
Could have done better in - That was the best he could have done there. Guaranteed.
11. Benjai - Drunk Again: The former and current again and former and current again member of the HD Camp/Asylum had no problem with crowd participation, I didn't particularly like it too much though. The vocals weren't there and the original song itself, I just am not too high on. But respect goes to him because he didn't employ a soul! Benjai reached the stage with Benjai and Benjai alone with some lazers and some smoke! Less is truly more.
Overall Grade - C+ (I think I'm in a small minority here however)
Could have done better in - As odd as it may sound (because I just gave him a C+) but had Benjai actually spent some money on some dancers and some show and some backing singers, he might've actually took the crown (at the end of his set he proclaimed himself new groovy king and everyone seemed to agree about it).
The official results were
1st - Faye-Ann Lyons
2nd - Shurwayne Winchester
3rd - Benjai
4th - Zoelah
My own list would have been
1st - Fay-Ann Lyons
2nd - Shurwayne Winchester
3rd - Zan (just kidding) Kerwin Dubois
4th - Zoelah