Check It Vol. 8

Assassin & I-Wayne - Fire Song [Boardhouse Records]

Okay, most attention grabbing this week (and I say that despite the fact that I haven’t finished putting this thing together totally just yet) is this SHATTERING tune, ‘Fire Song’ from Assassin’s Boardhouse and featuring I-Wayne alongside the star. I’ve definitely been quite critical of I-Wayne over the last year or so, but he’s so far having a pretty strong year so far and this tune, for me, becomes the highlight (despite the fact that he also has a tune with Lutan Fyah). This song is just STRONG and a very interesting combination between the two and, of course, Assassin is A+ lyrically while I-Wayne provides a more hyped version of his typical fire and brimstone (but highly highly COY) condemnation and all wicked people and actions everywhere. Definitely pick up this single and we’re hoping for albums from both in 2010.

Saïk - M-10 Strict (Street Album) [G-zup Concept]

I’ve been sitting on this one going on a year by now I suppose and it’s definitely time that I’ve told you about it (it’s actually featured on the big Frenchie site Antilles-Mizik.comtoday, jogged my memory). Of course you know Gwada star Saïk is one of the maddest artists on the planet, crazy lyrics, crazier flows and just a dynamic and winning personality and presentation and, in my opinion, may just be the artist to take the lead for French and Creole Reggae music in the future (along with Mrs. Nasso of course). M-10 Strict was Saïk’s ‘street album’ for 2009 and it was definitely something nice to get us by until the next studio project. Although it wasn’t as ‘tight’ as Face à La Réalité, with a whopping TWENTY-THREE tracks here, it was still damn interesting and impressive to say the least. Featuring spots from the likes of Young Chang MC, Reyel Ay, impressive up and comer Jao Kynx and even Stone J (biggup Stone J every time) add to the shine of this release from one of the most talented artists on the planet and Mortenol District’s finest.

{note: There’s also a digital version of the album available now, in EP form, but if you want the full lot, check Antilles-Mizik.com}

Yeahman’C - Trop Forte EP [Everweed]

Staying with the Frenchies for just a second - Veteran Yeahman’C from out of Nina is set to drop his debut album (I thought he already had an album, but apparently that release too was a ‘street album’) Le Bon in a couple of weeks (this cover is also the album’s cover apparently) and in preparation he’s released an EP for the album, featuring three of the reported nineteen tracks on the album, Trop Forte. On the EP is the title track (for the EP), ‘Ma New Era’ and most interestingly ‘Les Enfants Du Soleil’ which features Tiwony and sounds EXCELLENT. I’ve honestly been pretty high on Yeahman’C for awhile now, although very quietly, and I’m definitely looking forward to getting my hands on it and I’m hoping that the label pursues similar situations when the full album releases (meaning I hope that they release it digitally right away).

Scrappy - The Caribbean Dream [Faluma]

While artists like Krosfyah and El-A-Kru can’t seem to get anything through at this point, Scrappy must be the happiest human being in the entire ever fattening Faluma roster because he, seemingly, has an album released from the label about every half-hour or so. Thankfully everyone’s favourite Soca artist from out of Montserrat (although definitely biggup I Cultural), is well talented, so even though you’ll find many tunes shared between the releases, his is always a welcomed name. Highlighting his latest, Caribbean Dream is the nearly MASSIVE ‘Show Me A Flag’ which probably should’ve earned him another Montserrat Monarch last year (again, biggup Cultural) and is VERY strong, probably one of the strongest lyrical efforts I’ve EVER heard from him thus far. There’re also familiar selections such as ‘Taking Over De Road’, ‘Start To Bounce’ and ‘Carnival SOS’ rounding things out on this very impressive set and I’m sure he’ll have another album in a minute or two (and now here would be the point where I would say something about the Rocket Launcher, but I’m not going to. . . Oh wait. . . ).

Ziggi Recado - Same Difference EP [Rock ‘N Vibes]

Apparently they just couldn’t wait and I can’t blame them honestly with a talent like this. I was definitely hoping that 2010 might bring the world a followup to Ziggi’s EPIC 2008 sophomore release In Transit and while it may just do that still, while we wait Ziggi is bring us an EP, Same Difference which features six tunes. Since the release of his last album, Ziggi has been absolutely on fire and flaming so with some of the material present on this release such as ‘Ganja Smoke In The Air [aka ‘Joka Smoka‘]’ and ‘Pretender’. There’re also new (at least to me) tunes present, with the most eye catching being ‘You’ which is a duet style tune with the legendary Marcia Griffiths of all people. Of course I’m still hoping 2010 will be an album year for Ziggi, but even if it isn’t, Same Difference is sure to do damage. Also doing damage in your search for this piece is the fact that Ziggi recently changed his name to Ziggi Recado, why that and not Ziggi Regatta, the world may never know.

Eric Blowtorch & The Welders [Bopaganda!]

HEAVY! It may very well take me a very long time to get used to some of the vocals from the US based Eric Blowtorch & The Welders, but the music here is OUTSTANDING! The actual craft and the compositions as well, clearly these people (whoever they are), know what they’re doing and it’s to no surprise at all that they’ve also attracted the attentions of the legendary Trombone Man himself, Rico Rodriguez, as well Prince Jazzbo. Between the tunes available on these two releases (apparently there’s also an album and you can also get much of this work digitally, but I’ve found that Ernie B and JUNO both have the physical (and you know if Juno has it, that means that you can basically listen to the entire thing because they’re ’clips’ are pretty much the entire songs, all of the time) releases) I’m absolutely in love with the vibes of ’Vision Of Alpha’ which features Rodriguez. The version for ’Salt Water’ is also very impressive, exemplifying that old and adorably ’dusty’ type of Roots/Dub sound and there’s also ‘Most Dangerous Man’ (which shares a foundation riddim with the aforementioned ’Vision Of Alpha’), 10% of the proceeds of which will reportedly go to Human Rights Watch, which is an organization for protecting and defending human rights, worldwide. Do a good deed today and pick up some big vibes in the process.

Bloodshot Riddim EP [Xconvict Records/Zojak Worldwide]

With only four tunes, ostensibly there isn’t much to mention here, but with two of the four being from Jah Mason and I-Octane and the third, being from the 'up and coming' Little Joe, surprisingly probably being the best of the vocal tracks (the fourth is the clean riddim track). The Bloodshot Riddim itself is a very ‘different’ sounding vibes, sounding like The Godfather theme with the spiraling sound, mixed with hardcore modern Roots Reggae, very interesting to say the least.

Maxi Priest - Too Busy With My Own Problems [Bass Inna Yu Face/Zojak Worldwide]

Maxi Priest apparently is a very busy man and doesn’t have time for much else these days, or at lest that’s the type of person he’d like to tell you about with his new single ‘Too Busy With My Own Problems’ for Bass Inna Yu Face. That same label is apparently the label belonging to Priest’s bassist, Taddy P, from out of Mobay. Taddy has his own single out as well (which you can also get in this digital bundle), ‘Leave The Crumbs Alone’ with veteran Mackie Conscious on vocals. Both selections are very impressive and both artists made an excellent performance at Regatta earlier this month as well.

420 Mix [Zojak Worldwide]

Okay, I mentioned this one last week, but now that it’s been released and I’ve had a bit of time to deal with it more, I thought that I’d bring it back. Perhaps because this “mix” is hardly mixed at all and features a great deal of the tunes on the piece (many of which I love), it’s grown on me greatly where other mixtapes barely even see my players even semi-consistently. I will say that this one is great for newer fans and older ones maybe looking for a bit of nostalgia (call me a nerd, but when ‘Ganja Farmer’ dropped in, I STILL paused) because that’s exactly what I was feeling from it. Just an all around solid idea and some HUGE tunes on this one of varying popularity ranging from Black Uhuru’s ‘Sensimilla’ all the way to the up and coming Baijie with ‘Spliff Long’ (and biggup Ce’Cile getting in on the act as well). Very solid representing nicely for Stonerville.

Anthony B - Rolling The La La La [Bornfire Music/Zojak Worldwide]

And lastly (thankfully because I’m getting tired) (as hell) is a new single from Anthony B, ‘Rolling The La La La’. This one is way too Hip-Hoppish for my tastes, but you may just enjoy it. The tune features an unnamed Rapper also and it isn’t horrible so definitely if you like your vibes half and half, mixed with Hip-Hop, check the tune out, it’s available now.

New Chezidek Album: Judgement Time

Apparently there's a new Chezidek album coming soon, Judgement Time from JahSolidRock, the same label that gave us Benaissa's album, Tables Turn from last year. Have no idea when it's reaching, don't have a tracklist (which is what I really want, but definitely the cover looks promising and I can't wait to get my hands on it. So besides all of that stuff I just told you about in the Classic Review, and Natty King coming in about a week and a half, there's a new Chezidek also yeah!

BIG!

p.s. almost certainly this tune will be on the album yeah

"History In The Making": A Review of Riddim Driven - Classic by Various Artists

I was remarking just last week to a fellow blogger, Dale Cooper, regarding just how wonderful of a time it was that we both found ourselves on this planet at a time where being a fan of Reggae music is proving increasingly fruitful and incredibly entertaining. And in that conversation, while I was speaking mostly about a certain developing trend (more on that later), I’m definitely under the impression that what we are currently experiencing HAS TO be regarded as one of the strongest eras of Reggae music, as a whole, that there has ever been. Of course I’ve placed myself up as a vocal defender of all things Reggae modern, but I even suspect that, particularly given the globality the music currently enjoys, that even the most steadfast of old school heads would have to agree to some degree (although they’d probably credit such popularity to an era gone by). Getting into specifics more and more, of course I’m drawn to the greats in terms of artists and because I’ve covered them endlessly and you know who I’m about to mention, I won’t go there too in-depth and instead what I’m going to do is focus on the producers (obviously). With producers it’s interesting because you’ll RARELY if ever experience or get into the same type of heated discussions that you’ll have when speaking of artists. The ‘debate’ for ‘the best’ artists is ridiculous. They generally quickly escalate into something very negative and wholly unnecessary (and still I have them quite frequently) and you’ll hardly ever sway someone’s opinion that your favourite artist is wickeder than theirs. With producers, however, even if they’re only remotely noteworthy, the conversation will be built upon this kind of respectful type of foundation upon which the notion of ‘agreeing to disagree’ is almost always useless because the ‘disagreements’ are so miniscule. So unlike the discussion of artists, what you end up with is - Yes you may think that producer is the wickedest, BUT you can surely see how someone would think this other is just as accomplished. I say that all of that to go back to my original point of enjoying the moment because, seriously speaking when you look at just how producers are ’measured’ and the very high esteem in which they are held, then in my opinion, Kemar ‘Flava’ McGregor may just be EASILY the clearest choice of being a future all time great (right now) over ANYONE in Reggae music currently whose career has hit the top flight within the past decade or so. Definitely that’s a very big declaration, but to be simple about it, there probably isn’t a single individual MAKING MUSIC who has as much ‘command’ as to the music’s ultimate direction as McGregor as Roots Reggae music from this generation (like every other) will be categorized by the dominant Roots producer from this generation and you already know who that is now.

So who better than such an individual to release a Classic? You know I consider myself fortunate because I get to write these things about four or five times a year or so now. “These things” are of course reviews for Flava produced riddims and lo and behold it’s that time of year again. The Classic Riddim offers quite a bit of firsts for the producer, besides the typical cases of new artists he’s voicing, it’s also (as I mentioned his first of the year), and more significantly, the very first to be released through his new label, Flava McGregor Records. For the last few years I’ve grown quite accustomed to mentioning ‘No Doubt Records’ every chance I got, which was his previous home (and still appears on this album cover), but I do have to admit that the newly christened label is probably going to roll easier off the tongue and fingers and again, it takes THE name in terms of Roots Reggae music from the current era and makes it even more identifiable. So, with the new label locked up and a riddim in hand, of course one would know that Flava’s newest piece (whatever it may be), is now going to come through industry leader, VP Records’, famed Riddim Driven series as thankfully they have caught on and done so seemingly into perpetuity, so here forward I’m assuming that all of Flava’s riddims will receive (fittingly) the greatest light that can be shone on them in the international sense, Riddim Driven. This particular riddim, while not a great deviation is kind of what I’ve been referring to as a ‘Concept Riddim’. Of course the term ‘concept album’ is one which is quite familiar and floated around, but in this case, what you have is a riddim in the Classic, which was either developed with a certain vibes in mind or was named because it, rather easily, has a kind of wonderfully exaggerated old school and classic feel to it. In either case, this thing is I LOVELY! It is absolutely enchanting! And strictly from a sonic standpoint, the Classic becomes one of the strongest of Flava’s career to date and probably one of the strongest as of late from anyone. It doesn’t have the kind of ‘gimmicky’ or ‘strange’ melody that you’ll hear on some riddims (which I have absolutely no problem with at all), but it just has a prevailing sweet vibes and as I say that, I kind of take that as an encompassing trend for the vast majority of McGregor’s compositions - They aren’t the flashiest and they won’t have the most flare to them, but when you take them as a whole, they are gorgeous and they’re currently (and in the process of creating quite a history as I said) the finest in the game, period! His riddims also serve wonderfully as backdrops for some of the finest vocal talents in the game and it’s becoming more and more interesting to see just who McGregor decides to voice. Pretty much anyone who’s anyone within the scope of Jamaican Roots Reggae has voiced his riddims (and he’s started to branch out to Europe with names like Ziggi and Alborosie) and that continues to be the case on the Classic Riddim as my early favourite for Riddim of The Year 2010 produces an EXCELLENT album.

As I alluded to, this album comes in the midst of what is lining up to be a MASSIVE 2010 from VP/Greensleeves with releases from some of the biggest names in the business (including four who appear here) already appearing and many more forthcoming. I’m sure in the lineup, for heavy Reggae fans, this release will be a highlight still. Why? Because of material like the very first tune on the album for Kemar ‘Flava’ McGregor’s Classic Riddim, ‘No Apology’ from the great Beres Hammond. This is probably the best tune on the album and you can call me an idiot for not ‘formally’ declaring it so if you like, because this is absolute MAGIC! Hammond was born to do stuff like this, making just SWEET vibes and really showing what a riddim like this can do in the proper hands with the very inspirational vibes. HUGE opening. Flava favourite (and Achis favourite) (and YOU favourite), Etana, comes through next with ‘I Know You Love Me’. Etana is really becoming quite the ace with these love songs and I’m sure when her own album is released (on VP sometime later this year) that this tune will be a highlight on it, just as it is here, as being amongst so many strong lovers pieces, ‘I Know You Love Me’ (and doesn’t EVERYONE love Etana, I mean SERIOUSLY!) manages to stick out. It doesn’t stick out more, however, than the tune which follows it, the WICKED ‘Like An Angel’ from UK Reggae superstar and poster boy Maxi Priest. The Priest is in an excellent form on the tune and it stands as probably the finest recent effort I’ve heard from him. It’s a very catchy tune and although you could call it sappy at times, I’m not. I’m going to call it a very good because that’s exactly what it is and it’s also a cap on an EXCELLENT start to the Classic Riddim album.

Speaking of sappy and corny, those are words which could also apply to ‘Special Love’ from Singing Melody, but I think a more appropriate adjective for the finest tune on this riddim is AMAZING! Like I said, Beres Hammond essentially hit’s the biggest homerun on the Classic Riddim, but if that’s the case, then consider Singing Melody’s shot an inside the park homerun (and thus more impressive). EASILY the greatest vocal display on the set comes here and you just have to give credit when someone absolutely SINGS THE HELL out of a tune and that’s what Melody does here on this most bonafide of hits. HUGE TUNE! Thriller U is nowhere to be found on the riddim, but Singing Melody’s two other group mates from L.U.S.T., Tony Curtis and Lukie D are present. Lukie D does very good (and I don’t know if I’m starting to warm up to his music in general or if he’s just been doing better, but I’m finding myself more and more complimentary to Lukie D as of late) with his tune ‘Girl I Surrender’ (and we’ll forgive him for the autotune). Curtis, for his part, also doesn’t disappoint with ‘Golden Eyes’. This one isn’t amongst my favourites, but not being the biggest fan of Tony Curtis’ I probably vibe his music with more of a critical ear and honestly this tune is pretty good so if you DO enjoy his music you just may love ‘Golden Eyes’. Playing fill in for an absent Thriller U (thankfully), essentially, is superstar Wayne Wonder who also is paying close attention to the oculars with ‘In Your Eyes’. This one took a minute or two to grow on me, but it’s very very impressive and you shouldn’t expect anything less from such an established and venerable veteran as Mr. Wonder.

On paper I was immediately drawn to two tunes on the Classic Riddim for a couple of different reasons, ‘Soon As We Rise’ and ‘Thinking About You’. The former caught my eye because it’s a most unusual combination between the ‘rising’ Duane Stephenson and the ALWAYS welcomed Ras Shiloh and being one of the only two (if you count the opener and not the closer) non strictly lovers tracks on the riddim, it definitely sticks out audibly as well. I could listen Shiloh all day long and here with Stephenson he exhibits reason number 2,893,563 why his is a talent to pay a special attention to on what proves to be one of the finest outings here. ‘Thinking About You’ also features an always welcomed name, Pressure Busspipe and it didn’t let down either. Pressure just turns up the heart and the passion on the tune which finds him in a downright hopeless position of longing for his special lady and using it to deliver one of the best choruses on the Classic altogether.

The biggest two remaining names on the Classic Riddim, Gramps Morgan and Gyptian, also do well on their own, respectively. Especially Morgan on his excellent tune ‘Darling It’s You’ (despite the fact that ‘darling’ is an incredibly creepy word). This song is just HEALTHY! Definitely it’s a feel good type of a vibes and I almost struggle to call it a ‘love song’ (even though that’s exactly what it is), because it just FEELS like so much more than that. For his part, Gyptian drops the cool ‘All I Wish Is Love’. This tune is apparently missing on his recently release for Flava Revelation (and it’ll probably appear on his VP album I’m guessing), but it’s one of the strongest Gyptian tunes I’ve heard in . . . well maybe ever. Not being the biggest fan of the singer I can say such a thing, but I’m sure his fans will enjoy it very much as well (should they be able to pry themselves away from ‘Hold You‘. There’s also the siblings Lindo with Kashief and Nikiesha both doing decent work. Kashief’s fragile sounding ‘Searching’ is ultimately outdone by his sister’s very clever ‘Love On The Replay’ which is one of the better efforts here altogether. Although somewhat associated with that same group (at least in my mind there’s some kind of connection between that Joe Fraser camp at which she holds court and Heavy Beat where the Lindos do the same) is Fiona with the very familiar sounding ‘Which Side Are You On?’ I’m loving Fiona every time she reaches and this time out is no exception, she’s VERY talented and hopefully she continues to pop up on future Flava riddims because hers is such a nice and serene talent. And I also have to mention the up and comer Khago, speaking of clever, whose HALTING ‘Love Stomach’ is one of the better written tunes on the Classic to my opinion and is definitely something to spend quite a bit of time on (and speaking of up and comers, not too surprisingly not on the album is T Moore’s ‘Losing My Time’, but I’m sure you’re going to be hearing a great deal about her in very short order).

And thankfully there’s also a very nice and very clean version of the riddim on the album as well. This is a practice which is now NECESSARY in my mind, ESPECIALLY when the riddim is as good as the Classic.

Overall, I have to go back to the premise of this review to put this release into context: What you have here is material which, years from now, is probably going be regarded as a ‘classic’ riddim in some way shape or form or at the very least, part of a classic cache of riddims from Flava. That’s not to say that the Classic has suddenly become my favourite of his output (that distinction probably still belongs to the Triumphant), but it should speak to the quality of this work. And this work, in particular, is yet another master class. The Classic has a bit of a built in story to it, as I alluded to, and with that I think that there may be enough of an interest to recommend it to newer fans of Reggae music and, definitely with the roster of artists here, I’m also tempted to believe that new fans of the music will have a good opportunity to enjoy this one. For more familiar fans I think it goes without saying that this riddim has such a SWEET vibes that it’ll definitely hit you on a few levels. The Classic Riddim represents yet another mighty step forward for Kemar ’Flava’ McGregor, the best Reggae producer on the planet. Period.

Rated 4.5/5

VP Records

2010

Flava McGregor

Video Drop Vol. 5: Biggish and Newish

New(ish) videos from some of the genre's biggest names yeah.

Sizzla & Diana Rutherford - New Day [Tiger Records]

Going first this week is this very bubbly new release from Sizzla and Diana Rutherford ‘New Day’, from Achis Reggae favourite Sherkhan’s Tiger Records (and it’s now available on a digital single, so help yourself). The video for this song, although very straight forward, is pretty good actually. The two directions I would have gone in for making the video (and I would have to improve just to be a novice in such a thing), would be to either make something completely outlandish CGI style or to do exactly what they did and just show a colourful video with people just having a great time, showing off the coming “new day dawning”. The video isn’t completely sans pizzazz either with Rutherford apparently working the green screen a bit and the added linguistic ‘boosts’ here and there, which are both nice touches. All in all, very well done (and I’ll go ahead and say it because I KNOW you’re thinking it, Diana Rutherford . . . With the hood over the head . . . Yeah . . .).

Video Rated - 4.25/5

Video/Song Link - 4.25/5

Gyptian - Hold Yuh [Directed by RXTA]

Outside of just going to the level of making pure pornography, I think that this is the best way anyone could have gone with this tune which is quickly becoming a HUGE international hit apparently (and I wouldn’t at all be surprised if the VP album holding both it and the tune I’ll tell you about next kind of jumps in quickly to capitalize on the tune’s appeal). The video for Gyptian’s ‘Hold Yuh’ is a pretty nice and colourful venture as well (the physical eye candy isn’t bad either) despite not being VERY strong, it just kind of is there in a sense. But unlike most tunes on this list (with the possible exception of the final one), it doesn’t really matter what they did for a video here. I don’t think it’s going to get a big time reception in terms of the ‘mainstream’ (oh I don’t know why, maybe something to do with the lyrics) (just a guess), but it’s already well on its way to being a TRULY big hit, with or without the video.

Video Rated - 3.25/5

Video/Song Link - 4/5

Gyptian - Mama Bawl [Directed by RXTA]

Forgive me, I’m a nerd - I remember this tune was released digitally last year by its producers Donsome Records and the digital cover for the piece was the same cover VP Records used for Gyptian’s last album I Can Feel Your Pain, with ‘Mama Bawl’ conspicuously (and Crayola-like) just kind of scribbled in on it (with the actual album‘s name still on the album, but just kind of blurred out) (apparently Google was just fucking broke that day or something)! Well apparently VP took an interest in the tune (more than just wondering why someone was using their cover and incidentally it’s STILL like that, although I’m sure they’re not minding much these days) and they’ve picked it up and it’ll probably be on Gyptian’s forthcoming album as well. I kind of think that it was this tune which was originally going to receive the big support and this video is VERY good, just like the tune. There’re several instances of very powerful imagery (one sticking out is when the child is shot and also when Gyptian is standing on the wall with his friends who disappear one-by-one) throughout the video, which are exceptionally poignant. Have to say that I’m not the biggest Gyptian fan in the world, but this new album, whenever it reaches, I’m definitely going to take a strong interest in it.

Video Rated - 4.5/5

Video/Song Link - 5/5

Richie Spice - Trouble In the World [Directed by VJ Elite]

Speaking of albums, I haven’t liked very much either of Richie Spice’s last two releases, but that certainly isn’t to say that I haven’t been enjoying his releases over that same time (it just seems like when an album reaches, something strange happens to the vibes), because I have. For example, there’s this MIGHTY piece ‘Trouble In The World’ from Master One’s just as MIGHTY First Born Riddim (review coming next week) (probably) which becomes Spice’s latest video (his first since the combination with Alison Hinds I believe, ‘King & Queen’ which was RIDICULOUS) and it’s one of his best I’d say. This video’s main highlight is all of the wonderful imagery - some poignant, some just very visually stimulating. In the process it also gives a visual alternative to ’trouble in the world’, by showing the beautiful scenes and the happy children, which ultimately saves it from being TOTALLY depressing and I also like the usage of the black and white and monotonic scenes - Showing exactly what happens when big tune meets big video.

Video Rated - 4.5/5

Video/Song Link - 4.75/5

Tarrus Riley - Life of A Gun [Directed by Gareth ‘The Truth‘ Cobran]

And I saved the best for last. Tell me this thing isn’t WONDERFUL! The latest single from Tarrus Riley’s big album from 2009, Contagious, ‘Life Of A Gun' births a video which just may be the best I’ve seen in the first quarter of 2010. You have to love the contrast of Riley vs. Riley, the good and the bad and of course the few nice cameos as well. This song so wonderfully sets itself up for a video exactly like this with the kind of ‘dueling’ nature of the actual tune itself and the realization of the video is just as good as you could’ve imagined. The video helps to carry a vibes set by a downright DOMINANT album which continues to run well into the new year and probably beyond. BIG VIDEO.

Video Rated - 5/5

Video/Song Link - 5/5

What A Beautiful Tune 6!

Yow! Nice little list this week yeah. I've decided to let this stand as my constant Sunday post, so if you have any suggestions, beautiful songs (Reggae, Soca or Zouk) (and all that it may encompass - Compas, all that stuff), definitely link me at AchisReggae@hotmail.com and if it's remotely interested, I'll probably use it one of these weeks yeah. And of course, the obscurer, the better! Let's see what you're spinning this week

Okay, first this week is a classic and it's from an individual who I'm kind of sort of related to, so you know it had to be first. Mario, who is married to Ashan, who is my Wife's second cousin (I think that's how it works), chimes in with the legendary 'Cocody Rock' from the inimitable Alpha Blondy. I love this, so do you and I always will and so will you. Biggup Mario everytime.

Biggup Asher for this next one, an excellent choice, thinking somewhat 'out of the box', but not too far - 'Heaven' from Bim Sherman. Very very understated tune and one which just kind of fades into the background. Hadn't heard it in a minute to be honest (and if you want it, and you should, you can find it on the What Happened? album) and it really did a nice thing for the senses and I think that I've never reviewed a Bim Sherman album before. . . Excellent selection Asher.

Of course beautiful tune superstar Dutchie Michiel has to check in and he did so this week in enumeration (and he has for the last 3-4 weeks, so big him up), one of the strongest of his collection this week was this wonderful tune 'Boogie Yagga System' from Rohan Lee (who I knew of) & The Recipe (who I didn't). The tune is captivating, excellent musicianship and just anotehr nice choice yeah.

And lastly is Marlon from out of Brazil who gives us this EXCELLENT tune from Pablo Moses 'Spirit Of Jah' (from the We Refuse album). He actually asked me not to use it and instead use a next tune (which I will next week Marlon), but this tune just hit the spot when I went through definitely. HUGE tune.

ME??? Well since I went four long tonight, I think I'll have a double shot. The first is a tune I've been 'drinking' for about two weeks and I actually had forgot that it had an actual video as well. It's Kenyatta Hill's livication to his 'Daddy', Joseph Culture Hill, yes the tune will make you cry. Join the crowd.

And this one isn't too obscure, but it's probably one of the greatest songs I've ever heard altogether, so you won't mind. Biggup Peter Broggs ITERNALLY!

Stuff . . . April Stuff

Yow!

First of all Happy Earthstrong to the legendary Garnet Silk (it's Friday while I'm writing this) and hopefully that type of attitude is going to carry me through this month a bit, because as far as Borndays go, April is one of the coolest and I'm going to try to remember so throughout the month a bit despite the fact that I am HORRIBLE with dates (Happy belated Earthstrong to Jimmy Cliff also).

Sizzla's Bornday is actually this month (it's on the 17th I believe) and I've been planning to write a very general article on Sizzla and kind of a personal reflection type of an article, so you can expect that on that day (hopefully). There're also a few others that I don't feel like looking up now and it's also my Brother's as well sometime this month (wherever the hell he may be). So you can expect at least SOME observance of various dates of births this month (despite the fact that Busy Signal's D.O.B. album has apparently been delayed until the final week of May) (did you get that? Did you catch it???).

It's also April! In case you haven't noticed. That of course means that within the second half of the month or so, things are going to be jumping up around here, so if I miss a day or two (and I will), forgive me in advance because I'll be hanging with the little one (and on the big Zouk night, I'll be hanging with the . . . larger than little one) (if I called her "the big one", she'd pop me). But that's then, this is now, what's up this week?

• As soon as I finish writing this, I'll pull up the screen and start going on Tuesday's review which is for The Classic Riddim, I don't have any idea what I'm doing on Friday for a review, but the list of potentials/will do's is ever fattening (Ayaaso Band, Midnite, Africa Riddim, First Born Riddim, Alison Hinds, all possibles)

• And speaking of Reviews, I don't know for sure, but MAYBE I'm going to try to fit in Modern Class 19, which will probably be Lava Ground from I-Wayne.

• And speaking of I-Wayne (my segues are DOMINANT this week aren't they?), I'll be doing a 'Check It' maybe on Monday or so and he'll be on it in some fashion or another with a big new release alongside Sassin that you simply must know about. As usual, that'll be a big post in general so definitely stay tuned (and forgive me in advance, if I don't get to until Wednesday or Thursday).

• And speaking of stuff that I should've done a long time ago, I will be doing a 'Video Drop', because I haven't done it in forever. I had a VERY good idea for a one, but I'm probably going to keep that until next week or later in the month and this next edition will be strictly new(er) stuff yeah.

• I'm also thinking about a list and I'll expand on this in a second.

• And SUNDAY is your day, tomorrow you can well expect a Beautiful Tunes post so if you have something in mind, like me RIGHT NOW (AchisReggae@hotmail.com), even though if you do, I might not put it up until next week yeah.

And that's just this week. In general through April, I want REALLY REALLY strange and creative ideas for lists. I'm still going to do the technical stuff (I'll probably do one this week), but I'm trying to think more and more out of the box yeah. So if you have any ideas, definitely link me on that too (AchisReggae@hotmail.com). And HOPEFULLY I can find something Zouk-ish to talk about, Soca definitely won't be a problem and we have some EXCELLENT Reggae releases coming through in April as well, including pieces from Gentleman and Natty King which I cannot wait to get my paws on.

Also I have a very nice idea for random thoughts and although it'll require a bit of (easy) research, you should probably expect that within the next two weeks and then we'll look forward to a May which figures to be very nice as well (Soca Gold 2010, I'm hunting for the tracklist) (and the cover) (dammit!).

I think that's it . . . Biggup all of my friends, you know who you are. Check me out on UnitedReggae.com sameway. Big new article about Toussaint The Liberator up there now that I wrote and everything else around there also yeah and now I'm sleepy! Biggup Camille. Biggup Nate everytime. Biggup Zojak. Biggup YOU.

If you were paying even the slightest of attention then you already know what the tune of the day here is yeah. . . (even though I don't really like it)

"Vibes In Disguise": A Review of I Know by Eljai

I’ve spoken on this in the past, but certainly this artist provides me with the wonderful opportunity to speak on it in the opposite and far more comfortable position. It seems as if when we have artists in Reggae music and particularly singers who show a certain type of a flare or a certain type of style, scribes and fans alike (and labels who promote the album), will take those artists and say things about them like ‘this artist clearly has R&B or ‘mainstream’ vibes’. Basically what they’re saying at that point (and as much as I write, I’m certain I’ve done it before) is that the particular artist sounds like a singer from a different genre. At certain times, this actually pisses me off, because it almost always seems to travel in the ranges of artists who have shown themselves to be superior vocally and in the traditional sense. When you take that concept and apply it to an artist who doesn’t seem to have those types of capabilities, however, you don’t hear those same type of calls. For example, you may very well (by his own doings) hear many people refer to a singer such as Jamelody as an artist who has leanings towards different genres, but you’d almost NEVER hear such things about someone like Ras Shiloh. Who’s more talented between the two? Of course that’s subjective, but to date Shiloh has placed more of an impact on the music (and, in my opinion, had already done so at a similar stage of his career to where Jamelody is now), but even if Jamelody stopped singing right now, the Trini wunderkind’s career would have had more ‘buzz’ surrounding it in the more mainstream sense than the vastly underrated Shiloh’s will even if he sings into his nineties. That’s not cool by me and in response I so do love when talents emerge like Eljai, because what they do, inherently, is present me with an opportunity to talk about an artist who would ostensibly fit into the mold of someone who people would say would seemingly belong more into another genre (from the way he sings, to his actual past accomplishments, even down to the way he apparently dresses), but upon further investigation is SO FULLY and CLEARLY an artist who was made for Reggae music that claiming otherwise would just be downright dishonest (or just wrong as hell). Yes, he’ll make headlines for various reasons and I’m quite sure people are going (if they haven’t already) (and they have been) to describe his style using words like ‘soulful’ or ‘deep’, which typically aren’t linked with Reggae (by people who don’t know any better), but Eljai is Reggae on top of Reggae and he’s quite good also thankfully.

So, who is Eljai and why should you care? Eljai is a singer originally from out of Belize (have a BIG few Belizean artists out there doing amazing works) whose name has been around here and there. I don’t know if he actually lived in Jamaica at one point, but a couple of years ago or so, I believed he struck quite a bit of local successes in doing some shows and making some nice links as well (more on those in a minute) and as you begin more and more to do the research on the artist, you see that, as I alluded to, he well has an international history and one which would definitely leads heads to perhaps see Eljai in a light which isn’t typically shone on Reggae music to the fullest. I believe he currently resides in California in the States and while I would love to see him immerse himself in the Lustre Kings and Itations of the world, Eljai has seemingly done his things in his own way and in doing so has developed himself into an excellent artist capable of producing the very HEALTHY type of output that I’m about to tell you of. Said output, his new album I Know from Jah Mix Entertainment (which I think may actually be his own label, because I‘ve never heard of them to do anything besides Eljai related pieces). This album is (at least) his second, following 2006’s Da Rebirth (which contains a few of the same tunes, in different versions, as this release) and according to his bio he apparently spent time in a group as well, which may’ve produced considerable output as well, so there may very well be a few other pieces from the singer floating around out there, however, I Know FULLY becomes his ‘coming out party’ as his most recognizable and highest profile release to date. And what a wonderful way to introduce oneself to the masses is the album. First of all, there’s the matter of Eljai’s voice which I used as kind of a ‘pillar’ of sorts in establishing the type of discourse artists like Eljai typically seem to ignite - Eljai’s voice is EXCELLENT! It is strong when it needs to be, but at the same time there’s this nice and ever-present ‘fragility’ in it - something like you might experience from singers like the aforementioned Ras Shiloh, Glen Washington (although certainly not as ‘earthy’ as Washington) , Avaran (although not as ‘agitated’ as Avaran) and of course the great Garnet Silk. And that is a very nice quality to have in Reggae music (obviously) and one which is so familiar to my ears that I definitely tend to gravitate towards it when I do hear it and it isn’t the dominant style of Eljai’s, but it’s very present and wonderful. There’s also the matter of the actual music here and the direction of the album. LO AND BEHOLD just who Eljai has come into contact with to provide a bit of the riddims backing the tunes on I Know - the inescapable Kemar ‘Flava’ McGregor. That quality alone would make it worth my interests, of course, and add to it the fact that Eljai seems to have a very sharp pen for himself. He focuses on interests and concerns which are prevalent in the Reggae world and although I wouldn’t say necessarily anything I hear here is ‘GROUNDBREAKING’ (although I may be wrong), what it is, is definitely SOLID. It’s very fine craftsmanship and the fact that I’ve heard some of these topics explored in seemingly every way possible through listening to as much music as I do, I had very much a REFRESHING sense regarding Eljai and his wonderful music by album’s end. That’s why you should care about Eljai.

You should also care about the fact that this wonderful album is currently making the rounds as it’s probably one of the most SOLID efforts through the first quarter of 2010 to my opinion. Despite checking in at just twelve tracks, the album is VERY filling and healthy as well, which is definitely saying a lot (especially these days). Of course that ‘fullness’ is at least partially due to the aforementioned ace producer, Flava, who helms ‘The Leaders’, which opens Eljai’s new album I Know. It took me to identify, but the VIBRANT backing this excellent tune is the same which previously backed Gyptian’s CLICKING tune ‘Take My Money’ from the My Name Is Gyptian album. Eljai actually tops his more popular peer, in my opinion, because this tune is not only very poignant, but it is BEAUTIFUL! Its also clearly one of the better tunes on the album and one which is kind of inspirational. I took the message here to be somewhat odd, because what Eljai is saying that “when” the world comes together (“when the leaders of this world unite”), that it will be a much nicer place, but what he SEEMS to be doing (although I may be wrong), is presupposing that said “uniting” is coming. Either that he’s just really hopeful that it is. Either way, however, what a lovely song to get things going on. While certainly McGregor, in the current aspect, is going to be the biggest named boardsmen on the album, Eljai offers a blast from the past on the next tune, the title track, which reaches to the absolute heights in terms of Reggae producers. The tune rides a version of Bob Marley’s ‘Natural Mystic’ riddim and NO, this time around Eljai doesn’t match the previous known effort (nor has anyone else) (ever), but this is another very strong tune to my ears. I particularly like when the tune has progressed on and Eljai says, “the wicked dem say - ‘How could these powerless people be so strong? I really really think that we have judged them really wrong. How could these illiterate people be so smart? I guess in every man chest, I know there really beats a heart’ “. The tune is excellently placed, because it kind of builds on the social structure of the opener and whilst I was, of course, going to over-think and overanalyze this one into the next dimension given the opportunity, it’s a fairly straight forward vibes, which isn’t a bad thing here. I’m not quite sure as to the vibes of the next tune in ‘So It Set’, (it sounds like a slight version of the World Jam Riddim, I’m pretty sure I know it from somewhere), but I am sure that it’s a next big tune on the album and another which continues the social aspect which has been explored throughout the first quarter of I Know. All in all, a very strong start for Eljai.

There’re many vibes and ‘trends’ which jump up through the twelve tracks here and of course, the one which catches my ear the most are the tunes produced by the greatest Reggae producer on the planet, Kemar McGregor. Not surprisingly (AT ALL) that material also just happens to make up not only some of the most notable vibes on the album, but also the finest tune on I Know altogether. Such a “notable” tune is ‘Blessed’ which is clearly going to be one of the most looked at on the album (okay, THE most looked at on the album), because it just so happens to be the first of three official combinations and it features the biggest name of the three, Reggae superstar Capleton. This one is just BIG tune and a praising tune for His Imperial Majesty and one which runs across McGregor’s lick of the Rudeboy Shuffling riddim. It is excellent and I love the musical chemistry between the two definitely! That being said, a tune which may just fly beneath the proverbial radars follows ‘Blessed’ - ‘Jah Cares [Forever]’ - actually tops the more recognizable tune as the absolute best tune that I hear on the album, period. This SUBLIME selection utilizes the 83 Riddim (which you know for having backed Queen Ifrica’s big hit ‘Daddy’) and it would have to rank as one of the strongest pieces on that stacked riddim. The tune kind of comes as a surprise as, just by looking at the title you certainly have some type of expectation with the direction of the tune and although it doesn’t stray too far from that expectation, it kind of builds upon it and in doing so offers itself up as a type of dual-layered tune of praise (saying - Yes Jah does care and will forever, but perhaps even more importantly we will also love HIM “until the end of time”). And at the same time, it is beautiful and the most beautiful on the album, so definitely while rushing to listen to some of the other tunes here, give a stop at ‘Jah Cares’, the best tune on the entire album in the process. McGregor also serves up the Rock Steady Riddim for another big LIFE commentary on ‘They Don’t Know’ which is probably the best written tune on the album; and fans might also recognize the electrically charged Drop It Riddim which serves backing on the nice jilted lover’s piece ‘Don’t Leave’.

Now that certainly isn’t to say that the balance of I Know, sans McGregor (I THINK) and largely produced by Jasic Records (and the one named Fabian Cooke) is to be ignored because, after all, Eljai is the star here and what he does throughout is BIG. Of course it doesn’t help to have a bit of help either and that’s exactly what happens with ‘The Wilderness’ on which the Belizean taps EASILY one of my favourite artists of ALL TIME [General] Degree, of all people. How this link happened, I have no idea, but I am so grateful that it did because I’m always happy to hear Degree rhyming again. The actual “wilderness” spoken of on the tune is society and Eljai and Degree paint it is a ‘jungle’ of sorts and how important it is to be wise and careful when dealing there (“always remember, this no forget, if you no street smart you gwan regret”). It’s a big combination and one whose mere presence makes I Know a better album. Also check ’Wise Up’ which kind of has this big somewhat old school vibes to it. You can well imagine the direction of this tune (which isn’t too far from ’The Wilderness’ tune), but it places that concept (those concepts) into more of an Afrikan setting and how important it is for the children of Afrika, in particular, to come together and THRIVE in that unity (and not just ‘unite’ as fulfilling some lame cliché). There’s ‘Angel of Mine’ the definitive positive lover’s piece on the album. It would’ve been a damn shame had Eljai gone through the album without giving a love song, given his skillset and when he finally does, it proves to be worth the anticipation. This tune has an old school type of sweaty vibes on it, bump and grind style, and it is a LARGE love tune definitely. The unknown (to me) Trish Love guests on the other love song and the album’s final combination ‘I Just Wanna Know’. This one is probably more of a ‘relationship’ type of song that strictly a lover’s piece, however, whatever you’d like to categorize it as, it works. Trish Love, whoever she is, does a very nice job complimenting Eljai and I suppose I’ll be keeping an eye out for her on future works as well. And closing things out on I Know is the obligatory acoustic number ‘If Only’. This is apparently an older tune (it was on the first album), but it is one whose presence here is apparently livicated to the Haitian tragedy and in that respect it certainly is fitting and really the more and more you vibe this song, the better it sounds. Very nice and definitely appropriate to send the album on its way.

Overall, I want to briefly reexamine my premise for this review because, although I didn’t lean on it heavily, it DEFINITELY proves true. There aren’t any obvious leanings towards an R&B crowd or a Pop crowd here and the subjectry of I Know is PURE Reggae music. I don’t think too many Pop or R&B heads are going to be interested in tunes INHERENTLY calling for the destruction of corruption wherever it may exist, so I’m definitely claiming Eljai and his new album for Reggae heads everywhere. But what type of fans? Well, I don’t have too many reservations in recommending this one for a newer fan. Although the subject matter is definitely streamlined and specific, I Know isn’t something along the lines of what you might hear from the aforementioned Ras Shiloh or someone like such, it’s fairly accessible. More established and longtime Reggae listeners will also have no problem with this one (and we never do) as the lyrics are on point and sonically speaking I Know is EASILY one of the best SOUNDING albums I’ve heard in quite awhile. So taking everything into consideration with this album and Eljai, what you have isn’t the most complex and not the finest album altogether you’ll hear, but just a very nice and uplifting vibes and vibes which are instinctively done in Reggae, so please - Leave our artists with us and we’ll appreciate them. Well done.

Rated 4.25/5

Jah Mix Entertainment

2010

Eljai

Eljai @ Myspace

Completely Random Thoughts Vol. 9: "Achis Does . . . Popular . . . Stuff"

Yow!

Back from a nice little voyage with the in-laws had a truly excellent time, as usual . The little one had an even better time and that’s all that counts ultimately. I only had ONE package waiting for me (biggup Nate), I’m nicely stocked up on VP Records’ releases for awhile now and that’s always a good thing, but now having left, I’m sure there’s a package up there today for me and I won’t get it for like 3-4 weeks.

Oh well. I’m looking forward to it anyway!

But also as usual, I loaded up on mainstream media like stuff because I just don’t do that at home (outside of bi-weekly raids of my Wife’s OBESE DVD collection).

Sports

Okay, I think I watched more sports live last week than I’ve watched probably in the previous six months or so combined. I’m not a big sports fan and suddenly have become less so recently.

My two favourite sports are probably Boxing and MMA and I watched plenty of both, with the highlight of the two being a fight between Andre Dirrell and Arthur Abraham (who looks REALLY REALLY OLD). Dirrell pretty much spanked Abraham. Abraham kept his hands up and tight and looked really slow and Dirrell pretty much shot right hands to the stomach the entire fight and even got a knock down (even though it looked like the guy was off-balance). Anyway, the fight ended with Dirrell, running trying to preserve his lead, slipping to the canvas and then being knocked unconscious by a frustrated Abraham. A lot of people apparently thought he (Dirrell) was faking being knocked out (I’m sure you can find this on YouTube), I didn’t and I place the caveat on it that even if he was (and again, I don’t think he was), Abraham deserved the result, which was him being disqualified, for screwing up so badly.

As far as MMA, my Brother In-Law has become a fan already and it didn’t even take my recommendation for him to announce he was getting the UFC pay-per-view. I used to like UFC and MMA in general more than I do now. I watched it a long time ago and really when it started getting really popular I’ve liked it less (fitting isn’t it), but I still try to follow it a bit. The event (I THINK) was UFC 111 and it was okay. I like more of the submissions and the highlight there was some Brazilian guy seemingly intent on ripping the leg piece off of his European opponent, despite the fact that he had already submitted and the referee was trying to stop the fight. The Brazillian guy (whose name I am looking up now. . . Rousimar Palhares. . . Who was apparently suspended for his 'deep tissue massage' - Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy) is obviously a very good fighter, but a bit of a jackass don’t?

Still, the most fun I had watching sports came watching some random football game from the MLS (Major League Soccer). I don’t remember who the teams were, one of them was wearing green (I want to say one was Philadelphia) (okay further research reveals that it may have been the Philadelphia Union vs. the Seatlle Sounders FC). The game was very good, despite ending at 2-0. It’s been a minute since I’ve just sat down and watched football, so maybe I’m very easily pleased, but definitely looking forward to the World Cup this year.

Of course there was all of the wonderful basketball games as well. But what I've found with basketball, for years, still holds true. Watch the last 5 minutes or so and you're good.

TV

I know what you’re thinking - Achis, weren’t the damn sports on TV??? - Yes, but here what I mean is TV Shows and I don’t have anything to say at all. . . Except a HILARIOUS and dirty mouthed cartoon by the name of Archer. It’s stupid, but it is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen in my life. My Wife has no sense of humour whatsoever, but she thoroughly enjoyed it anyway. So definitely find Archer somewhere (again, I’m sure it’s floating around You Tube (or Daily Motion)).

Movies

And lastly are the movies. I saw quite a few bad movies, thankfully I don’t remember their names, but one which was actually good was called something and Monsters uhmmmm. . . Monsters vs. Aliens. HILARIOUS! It’s a cartoon and me and the little one THOROUGHLY enjoyed it, although she had apparently seen it already (don’t you love it when they just humour you).

I also saw, for the first time, a movie called Twilight which is a pretty big deal. It’s kind of a comedic/pale vampire movie. It was kind of hard to follow, but I think it’s for younger people (meaning older than 2, but younger than 28 apparently) and my brain wasn’t even that active on that day. The highlight of the movie was the delightfully pixie-like ‘Alice’ and her strangely crooked fingers, strong enough to manually decapitate albino vampires with but a single twist (and that dude playing baseball with his scarf on). Still, almost anything with a vampire in it, I'm probably going to like, although I'd probably have to see this one again to REALLY be sure.