Coming Soon Vol. 4

Chuck Fenda - Fulfillment [VP Records]

Up first this week is the biggest deal of the coming-soon, Chuck Fenda's third studio album (there was a live album in there also), Fulfillment which marks his debut with industry leader VP Records. Fulfillment follows 2007's well received, but largely overlooked The Living Fire (Greensleeves) and I'm looking even more forward to this one. Fulfillment reportedly is produced largely by the best Roots producer on Earth, Kemar 'Flava' McGregor which makes this one DEFINITELY to look forward to and, as if we needed more of them, yet another potential candidate for album of the year. I think it's REALLY Fenda's time to 'fulfill' the promise he's been showing over the years and Fulfillment is potentially his opus of an album.

Potential Rating: 5/5

Releases on October 27

Reggae Anthology: Winston Riley - Quintessential Techniques [17 North Parade/VP Records]

VP opens the 17 North Parade gates for the first time in a minute to my knowledge and out of them they pull a release from the second baddest man of all time, the legendary Winston Riley, whose vault of classics definitely ranks as one of the heftiest in Jamaican music history. This two disc set is absolutely CRUCIAL (as are most of 17NP's output) and features not only material from the said Techniques, but HITS from the likes of Johnny Osbourne, Alton Ellis, Dennis Brown, General Echo and Sister Nancy. But it doesn't stop there, the second disc features earlier work from Tenor Saw, Papa San and Buju Banton.

Rated Potential: 5/5

Releases on October 13

Joyful Noise [I Grade Records]

I've been looking forward to this one for awhile now. Joyful Noise is FINALLY I Grade's release for 2009 (we've missed you) and it's turning out to be worth the wait, apparently. The biggest label from the Virgin Islands releases their first compilation in quite awhile and does so with a STELLAR lineup of artists from all across the board. There are the names you'd expect to see like Midnite, Pressure, Batch, NiyoRah and Danny I; and then there are names like Lutan Fyah, MESSENJAH SELAH (never heard the tune before either), I SASHA, Jahdan Blakkamore, QUEEN OMEGA, ARKAINGELLE, SABBATTICAL AHDAH and even Norris Man and you can WELL expect a review for this one!

Rated Potential: 5/5

Releases on October 13

Reggae Resistance: Supreme Riddim [Blasta Records]

And lastly, this one DEFINITELY caught my eye this morning with its diverse line up. Blasta Records from out of Martinique has a VERY big project on their hands with the Supreme Riddim and, just scanning up and down and seeing who voiced it, I'm well impressed. Imagine a riddim which combines some of the best French Caribbean talents such as Straika D, Sael, Valley, Mighty Ki La and Yeahman C (AND BLENDA IS HERE TOO!) with some of the finest Jamaican talents such as MAX ROMEO, Turbulence and even Lutan Fyah! That's madness! I'm definitely looking forward to digging into this sprawlingly beautiful one drop.

Rated Potential: 4.75/5

Releases on October 26

In Stores Now

Jahdan Blakkamoore - Buzzrock Warrior [Gold Dust]

This one has me with mixed feelings to say the least because the BLAZING hot Jah Blakkamoore, who has been dropping TOP NOTCH singles left and right and making some MIGHTY combinations brings his debut (at least I think it is) solo album, Buzzrock Warrior, and I've been looking forward to it but. . . IT'S NOT A REGGAE ALBUM! So much so is it not a Reggae album that, generally anything which has anything involving anyone with a semi-Caribbean accent and that's present on Buzzrock Warrior, but the vibes are SO STRANGE. I hear Hip-Hop (which is what it is categorized as), I hear R&B, I hear Drum & Bass, I hear a little Reggae and that sound you hear is my sigh of disapproval. Oh well, there's always next year.

Rated 2.5/5 (to my tastes, you may actually like this one)

{Note: Apparently if you are in the US or can get a US network you can download the tune 'The General' through Amazon for absolutely free Here}

The Ultimate 2009 [Tad's Records/Zojak Worldwide]

If you don't pay too much too much attention to Tad's Records (or if you do, but don't know it), you really need to (and I'm about to show you, over and over and over again) because they release a TON of music, compilations and artists albums alike. Well, like any reputable label in Reggae you need at least one (they have more than one, I'm about to show another one next up) BIG compilation and here it is for 2009. 2008's 'Ultimate Reggae Dancehall X-perience' has made way for the better titled, The Ultimate 2009 and this one, checking in at a LUSH 26 tracks is certain to have something for everyone. The album features material from ALL OVER the place (as you might imagine with 26 songs): Gramps Morgan, Buju Banton, Jah Mason, Richie Spice, Vybz Kartel (several times), Beenie Man, Gyptian, Queen Ifrica, Jah Cure, I-Octane, Tami Chynn & Mr. Tami Chynn, Konshens, Vegas and a few more (like Romain Virgo & Ras Penco) (Ras Penco = big artist). Definitely something in there for you if you like Reggae music, even a little. DAMN!

Rated 4.5/5

Riddim Ruler [Tad's Records/Zojak Worldwide]

Walking sideways through the door at the same time are the latest installments of the aforementioned Tad's Records' Riddim album series, Riddim Ruler, the Top Rated, Love Is The Answer and Skylarking riddims.

The Love Is The Answer is a remake of a pretty popular, but just as pretty obscure piece known as the Dance With Me riddim from the 1970's, The piece backed Delano Stewart's tune of the same name

And was rebirthed by (I THINK) Vikings Productions who used renamed it the Love Is The Answer for Jah Mason's tune which appeared on an album he did for them in 2008, No Matter The Time

Of the three, the Love Is The Answer is probably my favourite, it's a very nice remake and joining the Mason are the likes of Lutan Fyah, Glen Washington, Luciano, Norris Man, Half Pint, Jimmy Riley, Perfect, Pinchers and Prestige. BIG riddim album (and I was SO CLOSE to writing a full review for it last week).

The Top Rated riddim is different, to say the least. The PULSING Roots piece takes a minute to grow on you, but the likes of Queen Ifrica, Tony Rebel, Bobby Tenna and even Sizzla (wicked tune named Better Know This) are certainly willing to help you get where you need to be with it.

And lastly, there's the Skylarking which you (should) know. I already know your question and the answer is YES, the original title track is on the album (as is a very nice remake which includes firebrand Ras Brando), as are takes from Sizzla, George Nooks and Anthony B. Again, between the three, you're certain to find SOMETHING that you'll enjoy.

Rated in full: 4.5/5

Goldee - Le Moi De May [Aztec Musique]

It's Goldee! Everyone's favourite Alicia Keys looking Zouk-Reggae hybrid artist from out of Martinique. The artist who I did my very first New Artist feature for now delivers her debut (to my knowledge) solo album and it's just as colourful as I expected. Le Moi De May is a bit more Zoukish than Reggae-ish (quite a bit more actually) and the version of her big tune isn't the Diwali-ish sounding one, but Pointe Des Negres is here, as are quite a few more potential big guns (like the bouncing Chaque Jour).

Rated 4.5/5

Alaine - Luv A Dub [Don Corleon]

And from a pretty girl, to an even prettier one. All of my Japanese readers and my collectors who don't mind paying a finger or two to import an album will be interested to know that Dancehall Angel Alaine has released her sophomore effort, Luv A Dub, just as her first, in Japan and ONLY in Japan, for the time being. The cover on this one is RIDICULOUS and sonically speaking, of course, it's the same LOVELY vibes you've come to expect (and I mean the "SAME", you'll probably know quite a few of these tunes and I love most of them, myself) (okay, all of them), but I'm partial as hell. So, should you want some COOL Dancehall to add to your collections (and you should) then pick up Luv A Dub (or just wait until her ex brings us the Western version) (hopefully they don't change the cover). DAMN!

Rated: 4.99999999/5