Coming Soon
Perfect - French Connection [Tiger Records/Chalice Palace Muzik]
First up is definitely an album that I suddenly find myself VERY much so looking forward to as it marks the return of one of Reggae’s most interesting talents, Perfect. Following the disappointment that was Karma, the king of the Chalice Palace is set to return on what many are calling a potentially HUGE album, French Connection. The album is (probably) so named because it finds Perfect linking with French born, Jamaican based producer Sherkhan of Tiger Records, who has been responsible from some BIG singles from the ST. ANN’Z born chaotic chanter. Expect to see STRONG singles like ‘Son Of Jamaica‘, ‘Trinity‘, ‘I Have A Dream’ and the most recent drop, ‘Absolute Blessings’ across Sherkhan’s lick of the Night Nurse riddim and featuring none other than Sizzla Kalonji alongside Perfect. I don’t actually know when French Connection is coming, but I cannot wait to take it for a spin.
Rated Potential: 4.75/5
Strictly The Best Vols. 40 & 41 [VP Records]
Is it that time already? You look up and the year’s almost over, you’re getting pretty close to halfway through November and that means??? Yep. It’s time for Strictly The Best! Things aren’t simply that cut and dry, however, as it does bring in the rather surprising site of TWO editions of the series ride this year. After last year, which only ran StB Vol. 39, and with VP maintaining the compilation releases of Greensleeves (both The Biggest Reggae One-Drop Anthems & The Biggest Ragga Dancehall Anthems 2009 were recently released), it would seem as if StB would make a single appearance again this year. But NO, the series returns to its usual ways of giving fans two very different releases. Volume 41, the Dancehall half, is pretty standard, featuring the expected names of Kartel, Mavado, Beenie Man and Ele, pretty much what you would expect (although I was surprised to see Wasp on board). But the lovers/Roots piece, vol. 40, is VERY impressive. Besides the expected likes of Beres Hammond, Etana and Queen Ifrica, listeners can expect HEALTHY additions from a very varied ‘supporting cast’ featuring the likes of BUSY SIGNAL (going Phil Collins on the people with ‘One More Night’ which is sensational from the only artist appearing on both installments and he may have a nice argument for having the best tune on both projects), series favourite Bitty McLean, JOHN LEGEND, Greensleeves signee Gappy Ranks (big tune, ‘Heaven In Her Eyes’), BIGTIME up and coming soulful singer Sherieta and smooth Dutchie Maikal X (another BIG ARTIST!). StB 40 this year is the main attraction and may just prove to be THE lovers rock compilation of 2009.
Rated Potential In Full: 4/5
Releases on November 24
Michael Prophet - Gunman [Greensleeves]
And lastly this week: It must be pretty nice having EVERY SINGLE ALBUM EVER MADE at your disposal and while VP/Greensleeves may not have that (yet), they’re pretty damn close and they have the ability to just roll out with almost ANYTHING! Well, now they pull a LOVELY rabbit out of their hats with Michael Prophet’s EPIC Gunman. It’s going to get a nice new gloss on the cover, probably some pretty liner notes, a mix here and there and a remastering session to die for and it’ll be in your players and you’ll be loving classic tunes like the title track, Hold On To What You Got, Upside Down, Love & Unity and Here Comes The Bride. You know what it is, look in your collections, if you have it - whatever, if you don’t - you should.
Rated Potential: 5/5
Releases on December 8
In Stores Now
2 Drop Riddim [Minor 7 Flat 5]
Just when you thought they were gone. . . I’ve been very critical over the past couple of years or so of Minor 7 Flat 5 because of the fact that they made a base of riddims and then spread those riddims out over about 400 albums or so, refreshed the base and made about 50 more and because they haven’t release anything in about two years, well I just figured they were gone. I was wrong. Apparently label head, Brotherman, was just retooling and now he’s ready to roll out again and is doing so with the 2 Drop Riddim. Make no mistake about it: I was critical of them because of what their business model seemed to be, but you can’t be a fan of modern Roots Reggae and have legitimate MUSICAL critiques of M7F5 because their work is general on point. The 2 Drop is certainly no different and in its mere six vocal tracks it features label favourites Josie Mel, Turbulence and Ras Myrhdak alongside Beenie, Sizzla and even Horace Andy (biggup Smokie Benz on board also on the very nice ‘Try Jah Love’ alongside Mel). Perhaps this is a sign they their going in a different direction and this riddim album, as NICE as it is (and it is), isn’t just the start of another stream of seemingly never ending artist album releases.
Rated: 4/5
Louie Rankin - Lethal Weapon [Rhino Atlantic]
Speaking of critical: HILARIOUSLY one of the WORST albums I have ever heard, Louie Rankin’s Lethal Weapon has been re-released, so all of you fortunate souls who didn’t grab it up the first time around can make the biggest fucking mistake of your lives and pick it up this time! Lucky you! Feel free to dive into the hilarity at any point as, after that title, you find yourself walking in on a long ass line of love songs! It’s just funny! We always have to give the Rankin credit for being one of the most doggedly determined artists on the mic, but about three tunes in on Lethal Weapon, you’ll wish it wasn’t the case. He should have just threw in the towel on this one. Don’t get this. Please.
Rated: -1/5
Kickoff Records Riddim Albums [Kickoff Records/Zojak Worldwide]
As usual, the bubbling boys and girls at Zojak Worldwide are busy lining up something special and this time they’ve (as they always do) probably struck gold with the catalogue of the young and up and coming Kickoff Records. Regular readers of my blog will know the label because they also pushed the increasingly popular (and coming soon) Rising Up album from Lutan Fyah. Many of their riddim releases feature tunes from that wonderful album and also features the label’s standout artist (who I believe is their official artist), the SERIOUSLY talented Empress Robertha. You’ll also see efforts from nice lesser known artists like Leopard, Fyah Flames (an aggressive female chanter who is well talented) and even House Of Hits artist Emmanuel Stain. My personal favourite is probably the Recharge Riddim which features an all star cast of vocalists alongside Fyah and Robertha (Luciano, Mikey General, Teflon, Gary Minott, Ras Igel and Guidance) and I also, of course, love the Step Up riddim (PERFECT name for that one) which features Lutan Fyah’s EPIC Family Effort (nice tune from up and comer Jodian Pantry also, Pray To The Father). But pretty much (like in most of these cases), the material in digital so pick what you like and you’re certain to like something here.
{note: I only list three, but in addition Kickoff/Zojak also has four more riddim albums, the Green Leaf, the Bed Rock, the Hard Kick & Side Kick and the Lonelinees, True Soul & Joy Bells}
Rated in full: 4.5/5
Shemaiah - Rastaman Meditation [Shemaiah]
And lastly is one that I don’t actually have yet, but I’m VERY impressed by what I’m hearing. I don’t know much about Shemaiah, I think I may have heard his name before (in reference to music, of course), but there isn’t a song which I associate with him. Anyway, just skimming around (and looking for stuff to put on this post), I was very pleasantly surprised to hear the nice musicianship and nice vocals on this one. Lovely messages same way and just nearly INCREDIBLE vibes (now only if some nice label would send it to me so I could review it **wink wink**), so check it out and tell me what you think, before I break down and pick it up myself. Big potential here ladies and gentlemen.
JAH bless us !
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