Coming Soon Vol. 42

Diana King - "Agirlnameking" [ThinkLikeAgirl Music Inc.]

Do you remember Diana King? Surely you do and I don't think it's out of the realm of common sense (not that such a thing matters to me) to call the Pop/Reggae diva (I hate that word) a superstar of sorts - So she's getting the start here! Her first album . . . since her last one, "Agirlnameking" is set to release this week and it should be a really really big deal. I don't know what she's been up to lately, but from listening through the clips for the album, it's pretty much typical for the songstress which should definitely please her HUGE throng of fans.

Potential Rating: 3/5

Releases Tomorrow

CD + Digital

Omar King - "The Journey" [Bonfire Pr]

MYSTERIOUSLY, also back with his very first album since his last one is the son of royalty, Omar Perry, who brings fourth his third (I THINK) studio album, "The Journey". On paper, although HUGE (nineteen tracks long), this one looks full of potential. I was never the biggest fan of Perry's, but having checked his second album, the relatively impressive "Can't Stop Us", I'm definitely going to be paying attention to this release. To add to anticipation, joining Perry are Anthony B, Earl 16, Kiddus I and others. I won't go too far here, but my thinking is that, when fleshed out, there's probably a pretty good 12-13 track album somewhere in here.

Potential Rating: 4/5

Releases November 11

CD [I THINK] + Digital

Derajah - "Paris Is Burning" [Wagram Music]


'Ghetto Youth Fallin Out'

Speaking of Kiddus I - Also on tap later this month is a brand new album from the very respected chanter, Derajah, who links up with the band Donkey Jaw Bone for "Paris Is Burning". I've already had quite a few people tell me how impressive this album is going to be and telling me that I need to check it out. I haven't really gotten into it just yet, although the clips are pretty impressive. Big Youth features on a tune from the album which seems to be just HEAVY modern Roots Reggae music, with an ear towards an old(er) school type of vibes and, given its reputation, I'm looking forward to diving in.

Potential Rating: 4/5

Releases November 14/28

CD + Digital

"The Hit List Vol. 3" [Tad's Records]

It's apparently time for "The Hit List" again! The yearly compilation is (one of) Tad's Records' overstuffed musical 'summary' of the year for Reggae and whatever people refer to as Dancehall these days. This is pretty easy stuff, despite there being TWENTY-FOUR tracks on the album - Expect a lot of Mavado and Vybz Kartel, some Beenie Man, Tony Matterhorn, Khago, Jah Cure and I-Octane. There're a few twists here with the biggest likely being Alaine's sterling year old cut of the Cardiac Bass Riddim, 'Up'. This is definitely one for the casual heads who will likely love it.

Potential Rating: 3.5/5

Releases on November 8

CD + Digital

'Musical Party' by Jah Marnyah (single) [Faya Wurks Records]

Something which really made me SMILE was this new single from Achis Reggae favourite, Jah Marnyah, from out of Montserrat, courtesy of Faya Wurks, 'Musical Party'. I haven't heard the full song and from what I hear, I'm not exactly DAZZLED by the tune, HOWEVER, the very fact that it exists was a nice thing for me. Marnyah hasn't been the most active of individuals in 2011 and hopefully this song is an indicator that 2012 will be different for him.

Releases on November 21

CD + Digital

"Covers For Reggae Lovers Vol. 3" [VP Records]

And finally - Coming soon this week is something which I probably should've left off, because it doesn't reach until next year - It's the latest installment of VP Records' "Cover For Reggae Lovers" series. Again, this is pretty easy stuff with various names in Reggae music taking on predominately tunes from the R&B and Pop arenas. Up this time around, as always, is a nice assortment of artists, including Tessanne Chin, L.U.S.T., Freddie McGregor & Soul 4 Soul and others (including Taddy P twice). Still, I have to say what caught eyes most was the cover of one of my Wife's favourite tunes, 'Kiss From A Rose' by Seal, now done by 'The People's Choice', Ray Darwin. Damn interesting!

Potential Rating: 3/5

Releases on January 24

CD + Digital

In Stores Now

Tanya St. Val - "Tanya Mania" [Natty Productions]


'Oui Se'y'

Definitely the biggest new release we're focused on this week is the latest and 'greatest' from one of the greatest to ever do it as the legendary Tanya St. Val mashes up with the three disc set, "Tanya Mania". Thirty intoxicatingly BEAUTIFUL tracks from the equally stunning Zouk legend appear here including the third disc which is, reportedly, full of never before released material. This is HUGE material here from one of the Caribbean's finest and most refined talents ever. There's even more interesting things going on with this one later this month, but don't mind that, just pick up the album!

CD

Teacha Dee - "Reggae Souljahs: Beating Babylon With Music" [TenFloor Records]


'Smuggling Weed'

I was equal parts excited and surprised when we heard that the impressive Teacha Dee had brought a FULL debut album, "Reggae Souljahs: Beating Babylon With Music". In my head I was definitely thinking that it may be a bit too early for such a project and I haven't heard very much discussion about it, but again, I was just so happy that it had been released! The album features TWENTY tracks and a few of them should be familiar to listeners, particularly 'Smoke & Fly' and 'Smuggling Weed' (over Pow Pow's Ovastand Riddim). I'm pretty interested in this one and should we stick around long enough (and we won't), I may do a full review for it. Beat me to it and check it out now.

Digital

The California Riddim [Studio 91 Records]

I'm not CRAZY about the California Riddim, but in its eccentricity, it definitely has something damn powerful and infectious about it and it's gotten a bit of discussion for it and deservedly so. My main interest here is the presence of both Pressure Busspipe (alongside Fatts) and Wayne Wonder who turn in stellar efforts. I'm also, however, coming around on tracks from the world's angriest man, Stein and Mr. Easy so maybe it's better than I give it credit for - a lot of fun in any case, however.

Digital

'Rave Out' featuring Busy Signal by Skinny Fabulous [Pyramid Music Group]

Just like Jah Marnyah earlier on, also getting a smile from me was the digital release of this tune, 'Rave Out', a wicked combination featuring Dancehall adventurer, Busy Signal, alongside Vincy Soca ace, Skinny Fabulous. The song here is nice but I've heard it dozens of times (literally), so it's kind of worn for me even before they put it out officially. However, the real story here for me is that maybe Pyramid (who I believe manages Skinny) finally has its eyes towards just how marketable he can be in this medium and maybe we'll FINALLY get that album in 2012. I don't know how likely that is, but this is a damn good start.

Digital

Sara Lugo - "What About Love" [Soulfire Artists/Oneness Records]

Have you ever noticed that when you go out, people tend to stare at you and laugh and point? That's because you STILL haven't picked up Sara Lugo's debut album, "What About Love". I don't know what the hell is wrong with you at this point - It's really pathetic! Right your wrongs and take care of that now!

Apparently Sara Lugo had an anniversary of life a few days ago so big her up and pick up her album and a belated Happy Bornday to the wonderful Sara Lugo.

CD + Digital

New From Messenjah Selah!

Okay so, today we were supposed to be doing a post of a pretty interesting (in my opinion) list, but I . . . just didn't do it (and will likely be starting it after this). Anyway, you'll get that tomorrow or whatever the next day is, but today I want to mention a favourite of ours who is, seemingly, in the midst of absolutely FLAMING because quietly, Messenjah Selah has been on a musical roll.

The last time we mentioned his name, it was for 'Wanna Get Away', his excellent effort for the Stringz Riddim and earlier this year, Selah has remained active and consistent with tracks on the Alive, Step By Step and Street Hustle Riddims, respectively. He's also pushed several other tunes and really done everything you would've hoped and HOPEFULLY in 2012 he gives us another album.

While we wait, however, Messenjah Selah has dropped a MIGHTY pair of tunes from another Achis Reggae favourite, Blaak Lung, and his Greensphere Records imprint - 'Criminal Planet' & 'Be My Messenjah'.

Both tunes are, essentially, social commentaries with 'Criminal Planet' definitely being the more 'conventional' of the two although not FULLY straight ahead, with some very adroit historical references.

"It is the layer on the top
That is always where the buck stop
And it's the labours of you and me
That make commercial goods flow free
When controls are set by man
When no exploitation is forbidden
Makes living on earth impossible then -
That becomes criminal!

Back through time it's always been so
From Julius Caesar to the Alamo
The soldier's sword defeats the farmer's hope
From the Vatican smoke to the USO!
We hear the Romans, the Mongols, the Vikings and the Huns-
Find it easier to send their sons
Murdering across the world in search of plunder!

It's a criminal planet!
Pretending democracy
It's a criminal planet!
Run by corporation acting like gang families"

For its part, the sublime 'Be My Messenjah' is just BEAUTIFUL and intelligent.

" . . . A young man who was the child's Dad leans against a rusty shack
He searches for what he once had, but can't seem to get it back
'The country is broken', he says
'There are no jobs!'
'The people are frustrated, they're turning into angry mobs'
So I gave him some juice out of my cart
'There's not much I can do', I said, 'Except to keep you in my heart'
He asked me -

Do you wanna be my messenjah?
Will you spread the word?
Can you make my story heard?
I don't want to go bad and pick up the ways of the gun
I just want some honest work to make a living beneath the sun

OKAY

I will be your messenjah!
I told him this
I will be your messenjah!"

This song, if for no other reason than its punchline and title - I can well see becoming some sort of signature track for Selah. It's the more melodic of the two and at times, completely stunning (the final verse, which I refuse to spoil for you, is just brilliance and in a twisting type of way as Selah turns the tables on the listener!). The music on both tracks is outstanding and features the work of another favourite of ours, the incomparable, Tuff Lion. So check out 'Criminal Planet' & 'Be My Messenjah' by Messenjah Selah - Both big tunes are currently available in digital stores.

{Bredz how can one man be so wicked?!}

What I'm Listening To: November!

Zebi-Lion EP [Andrew Bassie Records/Zojak Worldwide - 2010]

Surely after listening to "Kings Bell" for the better part of a couple of weeks in preparation of ('Black Mamba') writing that review, it would have given me a reason to reignite on "Feel Your Presence" and it did . . . But I kept going. The next step was this WICKED three set release from 'hidden weapon' of producer, Andrew 'Bassie' Campbell, Zebi-Lion from out of Grenada. Present was the striking (and fun) 'More Love' and the sublimely old school 'Babylonian Inna Problem', but this release, which was one of the finest EP's of 2010, carried what has become one of my absolute favourite tunes these days, 'Messages'. TEARS!

“Yeah!

I bring you messages yeah!

Messages

Messages

I bring you messages

Yeah!

Mi tell unuh pray Jah bind us together in love

Bind us together!

Mi ah tell unuh pray Jah bind us together in love

In everyway yeah

The elements light and darkness make water

So mi know seh, THE MOST HIGH RULE!

Tell Mt. Zion sons and daughters: NEVER MEK BABYLON TEK YOU FI FOOL!

Mi neva hear a scientist mek one yam -

Nor a banana!

Because it was done by Jah mighty hands

Selassie I! A mi provider

Jah Jah don’t mek mi lay in green pastures, in which all sheep must feed

I, si seh nowadays fi survive in babylon dem waan fi ah kill fi di tings uno need!”

Digital

The Drum Melody Riddim [Andrew Bassie Records/Zojak Worldwide - 2010]

Zebi-Lion doesn't have a lot of material out now, so the journey to find MORE is a short one. The next obvious stop is this excellent set, also from Bassie, the Drum Melody Riddim. His tune, the shattering 'Shake Babylon' is THE highlight here and while it surely wasn't the best riddim album, it did have other big tunes on board. The signature track is certainly 'Indigenous World' by NiyoRah, but also excellence comes from the likes of Archie, King David, Bless I and Jah Peter.

Digital

The Message Riddim [Don Corleon Records - 2011]


'Rise Up' by Ce'Cile

After 'Shake Babylon' and 'Messages', definitely THE tune catching my ears these days is Ce'Cile's 'Rise Up' across the magical Message Riddim from the incomparable Don Corleon. That song is just POUNDING the senses around now (like right now) and, although it's still very fresh in the memory - There's no problem at all right now with going back to (very recent) times and enjoying the full thing again (especially 'Rise Up').

Digital

"Smile" by Junior Kelly [VP Records - 2003]

Had I written this a couple of weeks ago, this would have well been an album from Natural Black, but that course has lead me to listening to A LOT of (OLD) Junior Kelly and "Smile" has clearly been the crown of the collection lately. This borderline modern classic from almost a decade ago has aged well and it really doesn't sound a great deal different from much of his newer material, at least not to my ears. The class of this album is part of the class of his entire career - Tunes like the title track, 'I Nah Bow', 'Just Another Blend', 'Black Am I' (BOOM!) and 'Can't Meditate' stand favourably to almost anything.

CD + Digital

"Renaissance" by Shurwayne Winchester [SW Limited - 2008]


'Carnival Please Stay'

Shurwayne Winchester has done better and far more memorable albums than "Renaissance" in his career and his next album, whenever it reaches, may just be another one which would carry that distinction. However, for some reason, I always find my way back to this release. I know I say that as if it's some mystery to me, but it IS NOT. This was the album which contained one of the best damn songs I've ever heard in my entire life, 'Carnival Please Stay'. That song was just a perfect piece in its time and while there was other at least decent material to be found here (remixes for 'No More', 'Traffic' [w/Berbice], 'Alequa' [w/Collie Buddz] and 'Best on the Road'), this album will always have a tunnel to my players for its one flaming moment.

CD + Digital