Coming Soon Vol. 21

Coming Soon

Buju Banton - “Before The Dawn” [Gargamel]

Buju Banton has a new album coming out. Did you know that? Yes, he just dropped the massive ”Rasta Got Soul” last year and I think he’s been incarcerated and awaiting trial in the States since last December (although apparently his wait is nearly over), but he has a new album reaching in a few weeks, ”Before The Dawn”, from his own Gargamel imprint (who else). I’ll just come out and say it flat - I don’t have a very good feeling about this one. It seems to have popped up from out of nowhere and for those of us who’ve become accustomed to waiting the three or four years in between Buju releases, you just get the feeling that it isn’t how the man works and not only that, but we can be sure that he hasn’t ‘worked’ since last December at the most recent. Also, there’re only ten tracks on the album which also seems to indicate that it was hurried together and although some of them (particularly ‘Bondage’ and ‘Struggle Together’) sound VERY strong potentially. Still, it is Buju Banton, which mean you and I will be paying attention and picking it up, but I’m not expecting too much. Call it a Buju bonus.

Potential Rating: 3/5
Releases on September 28
CD & Digital

Duane Stephenson - “Black Gold” [VP Records]

The next most powerful piece of coming soonness (besides Lady Saw, of course, who I told you about last time) comes from probably the third most popular musical export of August Town (after Kalonji and Etana), Duane Stephenson. who is set to bring forth his sophomore effort, ”Black Gold” for VP Records. A couple of years back the very talented singer/songwriter (who’s done extensive work writing for Luciano as of late) dropped the very well regarded ”From August Town” album and set himself in line with names such as Riley and Etana as one of this next powerful group of Roots Reggae artists and because of that, the pressure is on! I’m the idiot who STILL hasn’t given his first album a proper spin (I’ll get to it one of these days, I’m sure), but I’m not at all going to miss out this time around and you can very well expect a review on its release date. Of course the fact that in tow on ”Black Gold” (biggup Toussaint) are names such as Queen Ifrica, Gramps Morgan and Ras Shiloh, joining Stephenson, doesn’t hurt things, but again, all eyes and ears will be on this one as the world, JUSTLY, expects something huge from Duane Stephenson.

Potential Rating: 5/5???
Releases on September 14
CD & Digital

Alpha Rowen - “Born Free” [Ancient Mystic Music]

Do you remember a funky little Reggae label from out of the UK by the name of JetStar Records? You may associate shit like ‘Penitentiary’ and ‘Rude Bwoy’ and ‘Charm’ and ‘Yes’ with the label, but they certainly did have their fair share of good times in their hay-day they definitely made their stamp on the industry for probably all times (and if you’re interested, they’re also, apparently, releasing quite a bit of their back catalog digitally right now, but do tread carefully my friends). Well, of the several casualties who suffered greatly when the label went under two or three years back, one of them had to be the very classy singer, Alpha Rowen whose name became quite synonymous with JetStar like, Lloyd Brown and later Savana and others (biggup Anthony Que). Well, it took him a minute, but apparently Rowen has gotten back together on his own Ancient Mystic Music label and is pushing up a new album, ”Born Free”. I don’t quite know what to make of this album because each of its twenty selections is listed as a mix and some of the tunes have a very ‘Disco-like’ sound to them, so perhaps it one aimed exclusively at the European market. But it is still Alpha Rowen and with TWENTY tracks of his work, you almost HAVE to think that there’ll be something interesting here.

Potential Rating: 3.5/5
Releases on October 15
Digital

Richie Stephens - “Reggae Evolution” [Pot Of Gold]

Certainly no one is going to confuse me for being the world’s biggest Richie Stephens fan, but I do recognize that the man has a very devoted fan base and for you wonderful people, you’ll most definitely be interested in knowing that the singer has a new album, ”Reggae Evolution”, loaded and ready to drop soon. The album comes as the followup to 2008’surprisingly well received ”Come To Jamaica” and, again, it seems as if Stephens is out to grab eyes everywhere, simply based on who he’s employed to join him on the album. Guests include the likes of Maxi Priest, Beres Hammond, Assassin and even Mutabaruka, so if you, like me, haven’t exactly been too high on the music of Richie Stephens over the years, perhaps the ”Reggae Evolution” album is as good as spot as any to jump on the bandwagon.

Potential Rating: 4/5
Releases on September 7
CD & Digital

{Note: I’ve also seen this album listed as ”Reggae Revolution” on some sites (including Amazon), so if you’re looking for it and can’t find it, you might want to search that}

Major & Minor Riddim [Don Corleon]

Okay so, not too long ago I told you about the Major & Minor Riddim drop from Don Corleon and in doing so, I was pretty late in terms of when it was actually released. Thus, the turn around until we get to the re-release has been pretty damn short, but as you can tell, I’m getting to this one EARLY. This release is essentially the previously promised part 2 of the first one, which means that it’s the Minor Riddim. HOWEVER, the Major is also on board (and you’ll notice that you can no longer find it on most digital retailers), so what you have here is a digital double album. Of course, back from the Major are the likes of Bad Gyal Ce’Cile, Lutan Fyah, Tarrus Riley and Jah Cure. But, now also featuring on the Minor are Vybz Kartel (with a pretty nice tune, ‘Ah Like That’), Lutan Fyah again (with the even nicer, ‘Overcome Dem’), Don’s cousin Protojé, Tami Chynn and Pressure Busspipe alongside (CUTIE!) Selena Serrano from out of Miami. This one is absolutely RIPE with big tunes now with the Minor on board (even though we don’t get the clean riddims) and HOPEFULLY sometime in September, you can expect a crazy Achis-style review for it.

Potential Rating: 4.65/5
Releases on September 7
Digital

Sadiki - “Lifeline” [Joe Fraser Records/Zojak Worldwide]

The very reputable Joe Fraser Records is back with another STERLING effort and this time, they’ve brought veteran singer, Sadiki, with them for his latest creation, ”Lifeline”. I have to admit that I certainly haven’t been the most observant of fans when it comes to Sadiki’s career, but his is a voice which is always so welcome on my players and when this album sort of just popped up from out of nowhere, I was definitely looking forward to hear it. If you, too, haven’t been paying a great deal of attention to Sadiki’s music, then it might be news to you that he’s been recording with the Florida, USA based label and they’ve obviously been doing some very strong work together because I already have this album (biggup Zojak) and, although I’m still working with it, so far it is very nice with tunes like ‘Best Life’ (my favourite so far) and ‘Hold Me Tight’ headlining the predominately Lover’s Rock set. So, maybe it’s time you (and me) became reacquainted with the nice vibes of Sadiki.

Potential Rating: 4.10/5
Releases Soon (September 2, I believe)
CD & Digital

Raappana - “Maapallo” [Ylivoma Ay]

Biggup reader and perennial ‘Beautiful Tunes’ participant, Gustaf, for a long time ago recommending an excellent Finnish Reggae band by the name of Raappana (big big tune, ‘Maasta Maahan’) and apparently the band has a new album on it’s way very very soon in ”Maapallo”. Of course it’s all in Finnish, so I don’t understand a single word of this stuff, but the musicianship sounds BEAUTIFUL, so if you’re able to appreciate it from that degree and from the actual harmony of the words, then you should probably be able to have fun with this one and I’m going to do the same because I’m IMPRESSED. Biggup Gustaf.

Potential Rating: 4/5
Releases September 1
Digital (maybe CD, but good luck finding it)

In Stores Now

“Monstapiece: Evolution” [Monstapiece]

So it’s almost September and Cropover is . . . Well its over and you know what that means??? Of course it means that the tons and tons of (official) compilations from Bajan Soca producers have hit the market and one of the first up IMMEDIATELY after Kadooment, as usual, comes from Peter Coppin & co. at Monstapiece, as they bring ”Evolution”. Each and every year you can expect some ridiculously large comp. from Monstapiece and this year is no different at all. ”Evolution”, as is the norm, features some of the biggest names from Bajan Soca like Alison Hinds & Square One, Edwin Yearwood & Krosfyah (yes, 'Chrissening' is on the album) Lil’ Rick/Hypa Dawg, Rupee (who checks in with the infectious ’Everybody’) and Khiomal Nurse. But with twenty+ tracks, it also includes a few ‘outsiders’ such as three-time consecutive and reigning St. Vincy Soca Monarch (and Achis Reggae Favourite), Skinny Fabulous (on two tunes) and Jamaican stars Beenie Man and Konshens, who is back from last year. 2010 wasn’t the greatest of years for Bajan Soca in my opinion, but with so much of it in one place, you’re almost certain to find something that’s going to get you up and waving on ”Evolution”.

CD (and probably digital pretty soon)

Spragga Benz - ‘Shotta Culture’ (single) [BoomTunes]

So, yes we’re apparently going to have to wait longer than until tomorrow, by the time you read this, for Spragga Benz’ new album, the MUCH anticipated ”Shotta Culture” to drop and we’ve been patient and waiting for over a year now, but what we have here, is a pretty good sign. Di Benz has dropped the title track as the official first single for the album and it is now available in full digital release for the masses. You can sit there and say whatever you like about the tune, but the major news here is that, at least seemingly, this means that the album has moved closer to receiving an official release date and in terms of stuff that has me REALLY excited for the rest of 2010, there’s probably nothing bigger than Spragga’s ”Shotta Culture”.

Digital

“Luciano & the Veterans in Action” [Tender Touch Records]

Watch this - Veteran Buckey Ranks’ Tender Touch Records has put out this rather ‘comfy’ compilation ”Luciano & the Veterans in Action” and it’s kind of a riddim album in disguise. First of all, you look at that cover and you IMMEDIATELY think that legendary singer, Luciano, had something to do with it, and he may very well have, but it isn’t on his label and he just kind of sings one song on it. So, it would seem as it Buckey just used the large LUCIANO as a selling point. His is, by far, the biggest of names on a set which also includes the likes of The Congos , Admiral Tibet, of course Buckey Ranks himself, Bunny Lie Lie, Prince Allah, certainly Mikey General and even Achis Reggae favourite Steve Machete. So, while Luciano may’ve had nothing to do with the production of this project, pas singing his song, it’s still a VERY nice piece in many regards.

CD & Digital

“Luciano & The Chosen Stars” [Lion-I Records]

And now he’s competing with himself? - Luciano is FAR more involved with Lion-I’s ”Luciano & The Chosen Stars" compilation. Of the album’s fifteen selections, ‘The Messenjah’ checks in on nearly half of them, with seven pieces. Probably the most noteworthy is ‘We Are The World’, which was apparently the tune Luciano did for fallen international Pop star, Michael Jackson last year. Joining the legendary crooner are Bushman (twice), Mikey General again (twice), Ky-Enie (twice) and Jodian Pantry and Moses Livingston (both with single efforts). Between the two compilations here you’re sure to get your big fix of some solid vibes so, definitely have fun picking through.

Digital

Vybz Kartel - ‘Let It Be’ (single) [Adidjaheim & Notnice/Zojak Worldwide]

I’m one of the first to say when the perhaps TOO talented Vybz Kartel drops something which I feel is below what should be his lofty standards and these days, I find myself saying it just about every time he drops a tune, but I simply can’t do it in this case, because ‘Let It Be’ is BIG! Apparently drawn on the suggestion of his Granny, Kartel dives in old school and goes pretty spiritual, but regardless of the subjectry, the tune is SUPERB so biggup Granny Kartel.

Digital

Lenn Hammond - ‘Talk To Me’ (single) [Kirkledove/Zojak Worldwide]

When your last name is Hammond (whether you chose it or you were born with it) and you sing Reggae music, you better be able to come up with a tune like ‘Talk To Me’ and Beres’ nephew, Lenn Hammond has done just that with what is probably the first official single from his forthcoming ”Raw Soul” album. The Kirkledove produced tune is nearly golden and it’s definitely something his famous uncle would be very proud of. This Hammond is a name that has been around for quite some time, probably going on fifteen years by now, and while he’s certainly risen to very respectable levels, he’s never really crossed the border into stardom, so hopefully this tune and this album (which may already be out actually) is a step in that direction.

Digital

Anthony B - ‘Calm Down Ghetto Youths’ (single) [Kirkledove/Zojak Worldwide]

Also new from Kirkledove this week is an EXCELLENT single from Anthony B, ‘Calm Down Ghetto Youths’ . Yes, Anthony B probably has about a dozen tunes with the phrase ‘ghetto youth(s)’ in the title, but this one isn’t a run-of-the-mill track by any means and it’s a very lyrical piece as well. Anthony B has been returning to a vintage form as of late, so hopefully such a phenomenon can be reflected when he next reaches with a studio album for the masses.

Digtial

{note: Hey Susan!}

Stage Mix Riddim [Romeich Records]

And lastly (despite the fact that I had two more to tell you about, but I’ll save them for the next ‘check it’ post because I’m tired of writing this damn thing, if you didn’t notice, what I just wrote for that Anthony B song was pretty fucking bad, but it’s a big tune still, so go and check it) is a piece which I very well could’ve mentioned about a month and a half ago, if not longer, because it’s been out that long - but better late than never - It’s the big Stage Mix Riddim from clothing entrepreneur turned producer, Romeich Records. Romeich had an older riddim, from earlier this year, the Bank Inna Pocket (which I think I mentioned before) and when the Stage Mix jumped up, everyone said it was basically the same riddim and while the two are similar, this one definitely has its own spice and that largely comes from a few very impressive vocal performances. Joining stars like Beenie Man, TOK and Mavado are BIG BIG tunes from the angriest man in the world Stein (with the SCATHING ‘Kill Himself‘), big voiced Flexx and of course the highlight of the Stage Mix, Mad Cobra with the recounting of his shooting earlier in the year on the WICKED ‘Draw Me Out’. So, if you do nothing with this one, because it’s digital, draw out the Cobra tune, you won’t be sorry.

Digital

{note: This post was compiled over a few days, so a few of these selections may’ve released early on various regional etailers, such as the Major & Minor Riddims and Alpha Rowen’s album}