Check It Vol. 19

“Reggae Jammin Plus Vol. 2” [Tad’s Records/Zojak Worldwide]

First up this week is a release which I’m almost absolutely sure that everyone reading this will enjoy in some aspect. Certainly you’ll recall the final heydays of huge UK Reggae label, Greensleeves, from just a few years back - Those final few years of the label as an independent (and even beyond) features the ”Anthem” albums which checked in as a double release of a whopping FORTY tracks. If you had even the slightest of interest in the genre (and they did one for Roots Reggae and one for Dancehall as well) it was a guarantee that you’d come away with something that you’d enjoy. The same is going to be said for this year’s ”Reggae Jammin” from Tad’s. THERE ARE FORTY-THREE SONGS ON THIS ALBUM. That’s it. That should be all you need to know. Who’s on it? Mavado, Kartel (multiple times each), Beenie & Fambo, Sizzla, I-Octane, Jah Cure, Lady Saw the late and great Sugar Minott, Richie Spice, Shaggy, Maxi Priest, Black Judah, Hezron (big big tunes), Khago and MORE! Hits of all sizes and tunes you may’ve missed along the way. THERE IS SOMETHING ON THIS ALBUM YOU WILL LIKE!

Digital {CD Releases November 24}

Alpha Blondy [VP Records]

Suddenly and without any type of ‘warning’ or . . . Any semblance a holiday or a moment or anything, VP Records is releasing quite a bit of the catalog of Ivory Coast Reggae superstar Alpha Blondy. I know person who claims that, in terms of a worldwide impact, Blondy’s contribution goes further than either Bob Marley’s or Fela Kuti’s and while I’d probably argue against that, what I will say is CLEARLY Blondy is one of the genre’s most beloved and popular worldwide figures and I still don’t know if I can say that he’s gotten his just due. So, even though I’m not the biggest fan of the artist, this project is definitely something that caught my eye. Apparently the plan is to re-release the albums ”Cocody Rock”, “Jerusalem”, ”Apartheid is Nazism“, ”Masada”, ”Jah Glory” and ”The Revolution” over the next few months with the first three already having released this month. So! What a very nice opportunity to replenish and to add to your collections and I definitely am going to be joining in myself.

CD & Digital

[Baby] Cham - ‘Stronger’ featuring Mykal Rose & Bounty Killer (single) [Mad House Records]

Okay so, probably the single ‘biggest’ (in terms of popularity) piece here today is one which wasted absolutely no time at all reaching the digital side, it’s the latest from Mad House and arguably the greatest Dancehall producer of all time, Dave Kelly - ‘Stronger’ - a tune featuring Mykal Rose and Bounty Killer alongside the face of Mad House, Dameon Beckett, bka Baby Cham. There’re obviously so many ways in which one could take the existence of this tune, not the least of which is the (I guess) ending of the few years long feud between the Killer and Mad House AND of course there’s the matter of this being the very first release from the label in . . . Oh I don’t know, two or three hundred years or so. It is definitely a big tune, but I cannot help but wonder what is next to come.

Digital

Ed Robinson - ‘Our Heroes’ (single) [ManMen Productions]

Speaking of big tunes - Next in is, in my opinion, an even bigger one as veteran singer Ed Robinson returns to the scene with has to be considered one of the single biggest tunes of his entire career (already), ‘Our Heroes’. The song has caught on across the globe and is reportedly flying up charts worldwide so what do you next? Of course you make it available for the masses which is what Robinson has done alongside ManMen Productions. This one is an absolutely SPARKLING thanks to the Kings & Queens of Reggae Music and with a beautiful video already in the can, the only thing left now is to sit and wait for the album (which apparently is coming early next year and is titled “Written In Stone)”.

Digital

Tarrus Riley - ‘My Mother’ (single) [Majah Leaguez]

And I thought that I’d wrap up the singles with a mention of Reggae star Tarrus Riley’s latest digital release, ‘My Mother’. Of course, whatever Riley touches pretty much turns to gold these days (as it has been for the last two years or so) and this sublime piece is no different. I recently had the most ridiculous conversation about this song which consisted of someone else (who’ll remain nameless until I mention him again) (probably on Sunday) asserting that this song was SO beautiful that Riley should’ve waited for an occasion, a Mother’s Day, a Birthday . . . Whatever - to release the tune. I, he of at least functional common sense (I THINK), maintained and still do that no one needs a ‘special’ day to thank Mamma, we can and should do it EVERYDAY. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to kiss my Wife and make a phone call. Big tune.

Digital

The Numbers Riddim [Fat Eyes Productions]

No, it didn’t make my list yesterday (and by “yesterday”, I mean tomorrow, because it’s still Tuesday), but for as convoluted and . . . fucking strange it actually is, Fat Eyes’ Numbers Riddim does qualify as a real Dancehall riddim to my ears. Unfortunately neither it nor the vocal acts on top of it are very good, however. Lukewarm efforts from the likes of Natalie Storm, Delly Ranx, Ele and even Spice kind of draw this one down a bit to me, but it’s done fairly well to my knowledge, so have a spin for yourself.

Digital

The 9 to 5 Riddim [Bread Back Productions]

The name Richard Bramwell may not exactly be too familiar to you at this point, but it is almost certain that you’ve heard quite a bit of his work already to date. His most active role, to my knowledge, is engineering for Sizzla Kalonji at Judgment Yard, but in the process he’s also managed to establish his own label, Bread Back Productions and as far as I know, the 9 to 5 Riddim becomes the labels first official release. This riddim, I THINK, is taken from a popular song by the name of ‘I’ll Take You There’, which I think is an American gospel track (don’t feel like doing any research AT ALL). Here, it works pretty well, kind of blending itself somewhere between Roots Reggae and Lover’s Rock for the most part. Of course, with names like Lutan Fyah, Warrior King, Norris Man and even GENERAL DEGREE (whose tune, ‘Love Mi’, is excellent) you’re going to get Achis’ eyes and ears and I wasn’t disappointed with what I heard and I don’t think you will be either.

Digital

The Feels So Good Riddim [Romeich Records]

The Feels So Good Riddim is the latest release from clothing designer-turned producer Romeich Major’s Romeich Records. This is about as PURE Lover’s Rock set you’re going to hear in 2010 and while there’re a few moments when you’ll hear artists taking things in a more rootical and social direction, the heights of this piece rests within the likes of Bad Gyal Ce’Cile, D’Angel and Chris Martin who drop SWEET love tunes for the masses. Probably nothing here is going to have a significant lasting effect, but when you can pick and choose - DO pick and choose.

Digital

The Hammer Riddim [Heavy Beat Records/Zojak Worldwide]

We’ve been enjoying this very nice set from Heavy Beat for a few weeks now and even though it’s just three tunes, it is three VERY nice tunes. Highlighting the Hammer Riddim, of course, is Reggae superstar Beres Hammond with ’Keeping It Real’ and he’s joined with Lindo siblings Kashief and Nikesha as well as ’rising star’ O’neil Peart. Just some very nice and easy vibes and definitely worth checking out.

Digital

The Dance Drop Riddim [No Doubt Records]

I won’t go on this one too much, because chances are that I’m probably going to end up reviewing it Friday or sometime next week, but the world’s greatest Roots Reggae producer is putting out (EVERYTHING HE’S EVER DONE) a new collection of material from his vaults and adding a bit as well. The Dance Drop Riddim is best known as having backed what has turned out to be quite the hit for Sizzla Kalonji, ‘Somehow’ from the ”Speak Of Jah” which, of course, was produced by Kemar ‘Flava’ McGregor, the riddim’s creator. Beat me to it by learning about all the goodies now added (like Pressure Busspipe) by heading over to FlavaMcGregor.com (and I hope you have funds, because like I said, the man has released EVERYTHING).

Digital

Krosfyah [Crossfire]

And lastly this week we look at a pair of releases from stars of the world of Soca, Krosfyah. The Bajan super group is easily one of the most popular Soca bands in all of the world and their releases are truly big deals. First of all is ”The Experience” which is the band’s official album for 2010. It features BIG tunes such as both ‘Neighbour’ and ‘Chrissening’ as well as releases from the band’s other vocalists (outside of Edwin Yearwood, of course), Khiomal Nurse (big tune - ‘Doan Tell Me Nuttin’) and Rebel (check ‘No Cheating’).

The other release from Krosfyah is the band’s recently dropped ”20th Anniversary Special Edition” album. You’ll go back to the top of this post and notice that ”Reggae Jammin” had forty-three tracks, well it’s still quite a ways shy of this three disc monster which checks in at FIFTY-SEVEN of Krosfyah’s biggest moments over the past two decades. Although lacking in 2010 (obviously, otherwise you wouldn’t pay attention that other piece I just told you about), everything else you’d probably want is here. There’re four or five Bajan Road March champions, including, of course, ‘Sak Pasé’. My own personal favourites are here as well like ‘Weekend’, ‘No Behaviour’, ‘Wet Me’, ‘Dushi’, ‘Nah Missing Me’ and ‘French Kiss’ (“I NEVA HAD A FRENCH KISS!”). So you can’t really go wrong here and if you aren’t the biggest fan of the band, it’s full on time you got acquainted - No better time than here.

CD {Digital via iRibbeantunes}