Coming Soon #52: Everything!

Coming Soon

The Evolution Riddim [Hemp Higher Productions] 

Riga and the boys at Hemp Higher are back to get us going this week with a brand new riddim, which is a bit of a different vibe than what we're used to hearing from HH on the Evolution Riddim. Typically, Hemp Higher is going to give you some ULTRA intense Dancehall/Hip Hop music, but the perhaps aptly dubbed Evolution is showing some . . . Evolution in the camp because it is a sterling one-drop composition which most of its vocalists use as a backing for Lover's Rock tunes. Which vocalists? Gappy Ranks leads a nice cast which also includes the likes of Jahmiel (whose tune sounds EXCELLENT), the madness of Tiwony, Jah Rain (another big tune), Masicka, Umi Marcano of all people and, of course, Cali P. I do love this development from Hemp Higher which, at the very least, shows that they're changing things up a bit in their music, which is always a good thing and I look forward hearing the full lot of tunes. 

Potential Rating: 4.25/5

Releases on July 20

Digital  

"Touch You Tonight" by Aidonia (EP) [Tad's Records] 

Have to really wonder what took the typically EXTREMELY EP happy Tad's Records to get around to doing an EP for the always interesting, for one reason or another, Aidonia. "Touch You Tonight" is that project and the set which is named after a 2011 hit from the DJ also features the tunes 'Yuh Can Whine', 'Caribbean Girl' and even '100 Stab'. Aidonia is someone who has pretty much done it all, with the most glaring of exceptions being a standing accurate/current album and while I don't see such a thing being on the immediate horizon, if you missed a few pieces this EP, which features both raw and clean cuts of all its tracks, might help you catch up just a little. 

Releases on July 24

Digital 

"Come Wid It" by Denham Smith [Kingstone Records]

'Jezzibell'

Burgeoning vocalist from the most magical place on Earth, Denham Smith, has found an excellent musical home in working alongside the boys and girls at big German label, Kingstone Records, and they're now pushing another 2012 release (following their nice compilation "15 Years Kingstone") (in stores now), Smith's debut album [I THINK], "Come Wid It". Quietly, Denham Smith has become one of the more versatile artists on the scene and just clicking through the clips of his album, it's something that's well reflected on this healthy fifteen track set. Fortunately, flexibility isn't exactly out of the range of musical capabilities of Kingstone and they provide Smith with a wide variety of vibes over which to go to work. This album may prove to be better than a lot of people may think going in to it, myself included, so check it out. The up and coming Treesha Moore guests, as does Bay-C from TOK. 

Potential Rating: 4/5

Releases on July 27

CD + Digital 

"In My World" by Jah Van I [Royal Warriors Muzik]

'Down A Yard'

Royal Warriors Muzik from out of Martinique has very much attached their name to a potentially loaded up and coming singer by the name of Jah Van I and after releasing several tunes from the artist, the label is rolling out a full LP by the name of "In My World". Van I is a very talented vocalist and he's gotten the opportunity to develop in a curious, but obviously STRONG set of circumstances with the label (as have they with him) and he's well made the most of the opportunity. Along with the title track, "In My World" also includes previous singles 'Neva Forget', 'Home Alone' and the MASSIVE 'Down A Yard'. I've got a pretty good feeling about this one and I will be having a listen myself. Beat me to it though and make sure you pick it up when it drops. 

Potential Rating: 4/5

Releases on July 25

Digital 

The Nah Joke Female Riddim [Royal Warriors Muzik]

Also on tap this week from the boys and girls at Royal Warriors Muzik is a brand new riddim release and a truly fascinating one as well. The Nah Joke Female Riddim is RWM's latest creation and, living up to the title, they've brought together nothing but women to voice the track, which is a WONDERFUL idea (another good idea was to use that cover). While they may not be household names (yet) Gaby Gabrielle, Mama Bonzay, Kandas, Sista Breens and, most notably to my eyes and ears, Sista Nayah all push efforts on the Nah Joke Female. Also of note is the fact that the full release features both a clean riddim track as well as a medley styled piece. Well looking forward to this one.

Potential Rating: 4/5

Releases on August 10

Digital 

The J.A. Luv Riddim [Addis Record]

Swiss label, Addis Records, may not receive a great deal of attention and they're not the most active of brands around either, but when they do have something to push forward, you can be assured that it is FANTASTIC! They're latest piece, the J.A. Luv Riddim is no exception, it's another winner in a vault that you definitely wish was a bit more rotund. Taking the honour of voicing this lovely set are the likes of Perfect Giddimani, Cali P, Daddy Rings, Thriller U, Terry Ganzie and others. 

Potential Rating: 4.25/5

Releases on July 20

Digital  

The Roadster Riddim [Weedy G Soundforce]

Staying in Switzerland, one of the country's more well known and definitely more prolific operations, Weedy G Soundforce is back to their usual madness with a big and crazy new riddim, the Roadster. Call this one Dancehall if you like, but it’s some Groovy Soca in there, there's a bit of Pop also and, at its core, this is just another really infectious track from Weedy G. Perfect is back again, as is Thriller U and they're joined this time by Beenie Man, Burro Banton, Teacha Dee & Skarra Mucci, a still surging Grindsman and the MONSTROUSLY talented Blackout JA. 

Potential Rating: 4/5

Releases on July 20

Digital

The Northern Lights Riddim [Stainless Records]

DJ Karim and co. at Stainless Records stand up this week (actually a few months ago) with a riddim which is probably one of the best named pieces that you’re going to come across, the bubbling and SHINING Northern Lights Riddim. First of all, I guess you could call this one R&B in many respects, I'd also call it (because that's just how my brain works) maybe some Zouk. NOW [!], I could sit here and tell you about the Northern Lights having artists on it like TOK and Demarco and Juss Ice, but really all you need to know about this thing is a song called 'Love You 2 Much', by someone in Alaine who really takes over the project with one sweet, SWEET tune. 

Releases on July 20

Digital 

The Feeling It Riddim [Machete Records] 

Esteemed UK based duo, Mafia & Fluxy team up with the just as reputable and downright legendary Dead Fraser to produce the best riddim that I’m going to tell you about today, the Feeling It. This lively composition borrows at least part of its foundation from the old Answer Riddim and it puts it to a GORGEOUS usage behind the voices of Luciano, Chuck Fenda, Richie Spice, Gyptian, Junior Reid, Turbulence, Zamunda and a well inspired Lutan Fyah (big, big tune). Everything about this one is good (look at that cover!) and you don't have an even semi-reasonable reason to not pick up!

Potential Rating: 4.5/5

Releases on July 30

Digital 

"Saël Arawaksound" by Saël [Arawak Sound System/Nirvavibes] 

And finally (not really, just changed it and you would think I would just come back and make it sound better instead of writing all of this bullshit but . . . No) coming soon this week is a nice mixtape from Achis Reggae favourite, Saël who gets us back to Martinique, courtesy of the mighty Arawak Sound. Saël is definitely one of the most consistent acts from out of the FWI and while he may lack some of the star power and publicity of some of his more well known peers, he brings the equalizer musically on just about everything that he touches. It's been more than a minute from last we got an album from the singer/chanter, so while we continue to wait for that (hopefully not too much longer), definitely check out "Saël Arawaksound". Admiral T, Kalash, the Lieutenant, Valley and others make appearances as does as a remake of 'Kingly Character', the classic from the legendary Garnet Silk. 

Releases on July 23

Digital 

'Leave You No More' by PieroDread (single) [Goldcup Records]

And now finally coming soon this week (I mean it this time) (kind of), is an artist who I know almost absolutely nothing about, PieroDread, who is bringing forth a new single whose background DEMANDS that you pay it some type of significant attention, 'Leave You No More'. First of all, if you look at the cover of this tune, you'll notice five different logos. The most crucial of them are the first and the third. Firstly is the always solid Goldcup Records (who thrilled last year with Jah Nyne's big album "Holdin A Vybe"), who is the official label on the project. Of course that means that PieroDread was likely from Italy, like Goldcup, and he is. The other label of immediate interest is Achis Reggae favourite Oneness Records (who has delivered at least the second best album of 2012 thus far, the brilliant "Working Wonders" by the equal sagacious Mark Wonder) who actually lends its own creation, the Redeemer Riddim to the tune. I can't imagine that they'd all just come together to throw this tune together for a one-time release, so there's a pretty good chance, in my opinion at least, that 'Leave You No More' (which is an excellent song), is probably just the first single from . . . Something more. 

Releases on July 27

Digital

In Stores Now

"Full Blast" by Cutty Ranks [Philip Music]

'Full Blast'

The indomitably durable Cutty Ranks continues along his musical journey with a surprising brand new album named after a single from earlier this year, "Full Blast". I don't think there's anyone who might've imagine that, after all of these years, Cutty Ranks would STILL not only be around, but still garnering a bit of attention such as has been the case surrounding this project. The album is pretty much everything you've come to expect from the DJ over his years in the business with maybe just a bit more Hip-Hop mixed in (biggup myself, it took me seven attempts to type "Hip-Hop" correctly just then). Also in the loop are big combinations featuring High Volume, Alana Dacosta and Reggae legends Beres Hammond and Luciano. Biggup Cutty Ranks for a truly halting longevity in Dancehall and congratulations for all of his success. Pick up his new album, "Full Blast", today. 

CD + Digital  

"Krazy Love" by Da'Ville [Fashozy Records Inc/Tad's Records]

You may not have heard the name Da'Ville for quite some time now, but the singer has apparently been retooling and reworking himself to put everything on a full display via his brand new album, "Krazy Love". Da'Ville was definitely once one of the most promising young singers in Jamaica and the former ARP member had a really strong amount of success, particularly in Japan and he's now back to continue building on that (and coming from someone who perhaps isn't the biggest fan of his, I have to admit, he does have CONSIDERABLE talent) and because of a surprising level of consistency that he does have for the type of music that he makes - you can be assured that "Krazy Love" is a very strong album. See for yourself and pick it up today. 

CD + Digital 

"Peace, Joy & Harmony" by Maccabee Royal Son [Maccabee Royal Son]

Antigua native and Tortola head, Maccabee Royal Son, is up next because he's delivering his debut album, the joyous "Peace, Joy & Harmony". Maccabee is someone who hasn't gotten a great deal of attention, but if you stumble upon someone who REALLY knows his music, you’re completely unlikely to hear anything but a good reaction and now, he's going to give you a strong demonstration of exactly why that is. The artist has a very RICH and healthy style and, despite his album being only ten tracks in length, it does seem to give an excellent account of not only his style, but really good and positive Reggae music as well. Check standouts such as 'What's Going On' and 'Serious Thing', in particular. 

CD + Digital  

The Celestial Riddim [Blu-Flame Music] 

Quickly, do check out the very COOL Celestial Riddim from Blu-Flame Music, which is an excellent riddim. Appearing are the likes of Capleton, Lutan Fyah, Lymie Murray (twice), Hyah Slyce, Blu-Flame staple, Wowski and others. 

Digital  

"Champion Soca" [Smokey Joe Music] 

And lastly (unless Bredz sends me something else) - I'm pretty sure that for 2012, the annual Soca compilation (probably the second most popular in the world, "Best of The Best") took a break from releasing itself and that's unfortunate, but all isn't lost. One of several new compilations this year making up for its absence has been "Champion Soca" which really builds itself off of the music from not only 2012, but from 2011 as well. Just like "BoTB", however, it also does an excellent job of mixing itself up and giving the listener a wide variety of artists. Thus, we have tunes from the likes of Machel Montano, Iwer George, Saucy Wow, Tallpree, Blaxx, David Rudder, Peter C. Lewis and others. REALLY, this year, as a whole, you have nothing to complain about because there have already been such fine Soca compilations and here's another.

CD + Digital

{Note: Digital version releases on July 22}