Check It Vol. XX

Beenie Man EP [Tad’s Records/Zojak Worldwide]

First up this week is a piece which I certainly should’ve mentioned before as I kind of/sort of knew it existed, but didn’t actually have it (and I still don’t, but definitely the time is past due). For me, in terms of actual skill in Dancehall Music, at the top of the line 2010 has been all about exhibitions of Assassin, Busy Signal and Beenie Man. Certainly there’re others, like the next gentleman I’ll tell you about who have big years, but in terms of the actual craft of making Dancehall music, those three have been at the top (and you can find somewhere to put Bramma in there down the line also). Of course, the standout element of that trio is Beenie Man who’s been around from absolutely forever and is having a year which seems to signal that maybe the longest prime in the history of the Dancehall is still ongoing. This WONDERFUL release is a catch-up of sorts if you haven’t been paying a great deal of attention Dancehall this year or so (and I don’t blame you). The release is highlighted by ‘I’m OK’ and ‘I’m Drinking Rum & Redbull’ and it’s just fun fun fun from Beenie Man and hopefully 2011 will bring up that next LP.

Digital

Vybz Kartel - “Dancehall Hero EP” [ZJ Chrome]

Next in is the always active Vybz Kartel who comes through with an EP built around his latest big hit, ‘Dancehall Hero’. The tune is basically a very BROAD slap to those who rather routinely call his name to catch a hype (and do so at a nauseatingly active rate) and while he doesn’t call names (at least I don’t remember him doing so), if you’ve been paying attention (and you haven’t), you pretty much have an idea who he’s talking about. I kind of like the song, I like parts of it, but I can’t help but think that if he found himself in this situation about five years ago or so (and he wouldn’t have, because he would’ve responded to everything), this song would have been fucking ridiculous. On the EP release fans can get the tune, edited and raw as well as another recent piece, ‘You Mi Need’, also in two forms.

Digital

The Winnings Riddim [Di Genius Productions]

The Winnings Riddim is the latest offering from Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor and although it’s a bit more ‘electric’ than I generally like . . . I do like this one. I do have to say, however, that in terms of riddim albums, this one isn’t GREAT and I think that, in general, McGregor’s riddim albums have kind of plateaued over the last couple of years or so (with only a couple of exceptions). But who cares? It’s Di Genius’ new riddim and that means that you’re interested. With him, McGregor has brought his usual cast of characters such as Mavado, Aidonia, Laden, Bramma, Busy Signal, Beenie Man and of course Chino. Surprises include a very nice tune from Flexxx, going all Peter Tosh on the people with the wicked ‘Stepping Razor’, a big and unexpected combination between T.O.K. & Wayne Wonder and a most unfortunate appearance by the worst named man in the world, Chi-Ching-Ching.

Digital

Congo Judah - “The Crown” [Judgement Yard/David Ghetto Records]

Hopefully I’m not the only one who remembers from a few years ago when Sizzla’s website for Judgement Yard was going strong and doing big things. Nowadays, it’s pretty much ran its course, apparently, but it still serves well as an archive of source. Anyway, one of the coolest things about it, in theory at least, used to be the fact that it was the only place online where you could get albums from some of Sizzla’s protégés, such as Joseph Shepherd and Congo Judah. Judah’s album, ”The Crown”, was the first of the lot, if I recall correctly, and now it is available through most of the digital channels, now a few years on. You might notice that I said, “in theory” when thinking of how cool it was when you could get exclusives off the website - Why did I say that? ”The Crown” is REALLY REALLY REALLY bad. It is AWFUL! So trod carefully my friends.

Digital

Commander Messiah - “Cry of The Sufferer” [Vizion Sounds Records/Zojak Worldwide]

This most most interesting release kind of caught me by surprise I have to admit. Commander Messiah’s is a name which I’ve definitely heard before, but I don’t know that I knew the nice singer from out Ghana actually had an album to his credit. Well, not only does he, but it came (I’m thinking this one may be a couple of years old now) via one of my less-active favourites, Vizion Sounds from out of Guyana and the UK. The album, ”Cry of The Sufferer”, which sounds pretty damn good to my ears (trying to get a copy of it now) is currently available now digitally. Certainly it isn’t the greatest thing in the world, but do give it a quick listen.

Digital (a CD probably does exist also)

“King Juggler” [Vizion Sounds Records/Zojak Worldwide]

Also jumping up this week as we stomping through the back catalogue of Vizion Sounds is this very familiar compilation that I definitely do remember from a few years back, "King Juggler”. What happened here was that the album was essentially a riddim album for Dean Fraser’s version of the old Three Blind Mice Riddim and, looking back, there was some TRULY big material here. Of course, with names such as Tarrus Riley, Duane Stephenson, Luciano, Louie Culture, Gregory Isaacs, Anthony B, Natural Black, Ras Shiloh, Big Youth and surely First Born, it didn’t hurt with stockpiling this EXCELLENT riddim album.

Hard to find CD & Digital

Gabriel aka Levardes - “The Rebirth EP” [Loud Disturbance/Zojak Worldwide]

I remember being so impressed by Gabriel a few years ago from before he mysteriously disappeared, only to return a little while back for seemingly no other reason than to detonate on Merciless’ career. So, technically you could probably say that I’ve been looking forward to an album . . . like thing from him for nearly a decade and here it is, an EP, ”The Rebirth”, from the suddenly very digitally LOUD, Loud Disturbance Records. The release features seven tracks from the DJ, including the well received ‘Check Me’ on the Karmasutra Riddim and the all around WICKED ‘Police Harassment’ on the relicked Duck Riddim. Certainly it wasn’t worth the long wait, but Gabriel continues to be most very interesting after so many people, including me, gave up on him a looooooooooooong time ago.

Digital

The Police Riddim [Own Mission Records]

I’ve fortunately been dealing with the latest from Frenchie label Own Mission Records, the Police Riddim, for a week or so now and I’m definitely well impressed just as I was not too long ago when the same label reached with the nice Bun Up Riddim (which birthed ‘Nah Go A Jail’ from Echo Minott, one of my favourite tunes of the year). While Echo isn’t to be found here, on the whole, the lineup on the Police Riddim is certainly the better of the two and some of the best work done by the label altogether in compiling talent. Voicing this ’moody’ composition are Pressure Busspipe, Cali P, Straïka D, Chezidek and a BIG combination featuring Gwada all-star Tiwony alongside the up and coming Mystikal Heights from out of St. Lucia. Also, longtime fans (of any genre) should recognize the ever present voice of Hip-Hop legend KRS-1 chiming in here and there as well. Very good set.

Digital

Black Lion - “A Better Place” [Black Lion Music/Zojak Worldwide]

Watch me here - I saw this one on a list sheet and it stuck out (amidst a whole heap of material which would normally be far more visually attractive to me, but I’ve known about Black Lion for quite some time now and he is a big artist and a very talented youth. Now, that isn’t to say that you’re going to enjoy EVERYTHING from his debut (and to my knowledge only) album, ”A Better Place”, it certainly does have more than its fair share of soft spots, but to my ears, they’re outweighed by the good. What is good here is the highly addictive and just GORGEOUS big single from awhile back, ‘Push Lady Push’, the big title track, ‘What A Gwaan’, ’Too Late’ (big tune), as well ’My Love’, a combination featuring fellow Beres Hammond disciple, Ginjah. So, don’t expect the greatest and remember I never told you to, but expect a decent vibes throughout.

Digital & Hard to find CD

The Jah Love Riddim Vol. 1 [Ranks Productions]

Should I go into how much of an obvious lack of creativity must be involved in strumming up a riddim and then calling it the Jah Love Riddim??? Normally I might, but the label is called Ranks Productions, so apparently naming stuff isn’t their strong suit. Fortunately, Tony Ranks and company at the label is pretty damn good at making music and the actual riddim is pretty good as is their taste in artists for the most part. [Lady] Spice’s name highlights a very eclectic group which also includes Natural Black, Lukie D, Tyrical, Louie Culture and Red Roze. So, yes - We’ll forgive them for drawing Danny English.

Digital

“Fully Loaded” & “Beat For Beat Vol. 1” [Mr. Roots Productions/Homebase Music]

And finally I close this week with a couple of pretty new Soca releases from Mr. Roots Productions and Homebase Music from out of Grenada which have thankfully gone digital and have immediately strengthened the world of digital Soca music. The first is one which I covered last year, ”Fully Loaded”. Unfortunately the digital release checks in at only ten tracks, which is half the number on the disc, if I recall correctly, but don’t let that stop you from picking up big tunes from the likes of Machel Montano, Patrice Roberts, Mr. Vybe & Mr. Killa, Mr. Vegas and Skinny Fabulous and Kage who was very impressive with the FUCKED UP (!) ‘Colours & Bumpas’ (be very very careful with that tune).

The other release, ”Beat For Beat Vol. 1” features two riddims, the Body Move and the Mango Seed. Here, listeners can find the likes of Patrice Roberts with the Dancehall-ish ‘Give Him’, reigning two time Antigua Soca Monarch Tian Winter and Mr. Dale on the Body Move, while Macka Diamond, Ziggy Ranking and Problem Child carry the Mango Seed.

Digital {Fully Loaded On CD}