What I'm Listening To: January

Errol Bellot

{Note: Got Sick}
{Note 2: Bad!}

{Note 3: We'll get to the messages . . . eventually}

"Know Jah" by Errol Bellot [Reality Shock Records - 2011]

First up this week is a somewhat surprising piece for a couple of reasons. While the name Errol Bellot isn't one which is completely foreign to me, he also isn't exactly a 'household' name for me either - well at least he wasn't. These days I'm not too sure, however, as the UK veteran has well made his way onto my players recently via the release of (I THINK) his SPLENDID debut album release, "Know Jah". Also surprising is the source of the album - Reality Shock Records - hasn't exactly been a favourite of mine over the years either, but I give credit where credit is due because they mine GOLD with this project. If you're looking for a little old school vibes with just a bit of new school BITE, definitely check out "Know Jah", an all-around solid Roots Reggae release from the nearly perfect voiced (for the type of music that he sings) Errol Bellot.

CD + Digital

"Feel Your Presence" by NiyoRah [I Grade Records - 2010]


"No Guts, No Glory" ["I'm a Rasta, not an OG"]

Before talking myself out of it (via a most convenient spell of absolute laziness), I had "Feel Your Presence", the most recent release from the always outstanding NiyoRah, framed up for a 'Modern Classic' review (much like its predecessor "Purification Session") and while I will most likely get around to that someday - these days I'm just taking a listen back and I'm still enjoying what I'm hearing, mightily. Today I'm focusing on three songs in particular -- the opener, 'No Guts, No Glory', which would get a video and become a big single, of course there's the SCATHING 'Bruk Down Barrier' alongside Jah Mason (with the mad verse from Niyo) and a later tune which just recently started doing damage for me, 'From Since When' with the Femi Kuti stylings.

CD + Digital

"Modern Rockers Vol. 1" by Joggo [Dredda Records - 2011]

I absolutely love 'Album of The Year' time! One of the main reasons is because it gives me an opportunity to go back and THOROUGHLY listen a few albums from months and months ago and of the ones which recently jumped back on my players because of that list, definitely it's been "Modern Rockers Vol. 1", the HUGE debut album from Surinamese chanter, Joggo, which has had the most impact. The album was absolutely sterling and, looking back, in terms of what it was, it was rather easily the most overlooked album of 2011 (even more so than "Cité Soleil"). That's a damn shame because had it had even a few more tracks, it may've been without equal last year.

CD + Digital

"A Mon Image" by Lindsey Lin's [Shark Entertainment - 2008]


"Les Beaux Jours"

A direct credit can be given to Njie, whose recent album, "Destination Soleil", has played a large part in turning my ears back to Zouk (biggup Ms. Mahy) and just in time with some big things reportedly on the horizon. One of my absolute favourite Zouk singers is, of course, Lindsey Lin's and I've been well enjoying the trip back through her sophomore release, "A Mon Image". The album just happens to contain one of the greatest Zouk tunes I've ever heard in my life, 'Les Beaux Jours' as well as a handful of other standouts. Anytime now with the new album, Lindsey!

CD + Digital

"The Ultimate Soca Gold Collection" [VP Records - 2011]

And finally is this wonderful compilation which has turned out to be extremely useful, "The Ultimate Soca Gold Collection". Every tune here in which I have interest I already have through other sources, but it's pretty convenient to have them all loaded on the same block. A piece full of some of the biggest tunes (I think my favourite song on the entire thing is 'Display' by Mrs. Lyons-Alvarez) from some of the biggest names in Soca which just goes to remind - It's almost time!

CD + Digital

'And Still Keeping Good Relations': A Review of "In Awe" by Midnite

Did you think things would be any different? Amongst the so many things which are so wholly fascinating about the entity which is Midnite, surely today and many years from now what is/will be focused on is 'their' curiously supreme level of prolificacy. As the great Mutabaruka remarked in an interview with the group's frontman, Vaughn Benjamin, it almost seems like they release an album every week, but you know, if they stopped it'd be even more of an issue. So active is Midnite that their presence, quietly, has very much become a staple on the scene and if twelve months were to come and go with no new release from them - we'd probably have a problem. Thankfully no such a one year period seems to be on the horizon, at least not any time soon, and the band's most fervent fans are thankful for it (as are pedestrian listeners, such as myself). Reggae music arguably, as a whole, may also be much better for such a considerable level of output being maintained by such a popular group. There're definitely fans of Midnite who are not fans of Reggae music or very big fans of the music and tapping into these people with a new release . . . Every forty-five minutes or so is only going to bring more and more attention to the music and more and more commercial successes as well, which is always a great thing. Now, all of this is pretty basic and you'll hear most of it almost any time a new Midnite album hits shelves (but I do enjoy talking about it so much), but these days the circumstances surrounding one of their albums has changed to a large degree and it has done so because of what turned out to be a pretty important year in 2011 for Benjamin and company. When you have well over forty albums it's pretty difficult to 'change up the game' or 'take things to another level' (I hate both of those) (clichés, in general, are just disgusting, but especially in music), but that is exactly what Midnite did just a few months ago - wayyyyyyy back in November when they reached with what was easily one of their most high profile sets to date and one of the best albums of the year, "King’s Bell".

That album, which came through I Grade Records and by virtue of all the talk surrounding it and that it actually gave birth to the very first official video of the career of Midnite, may have been their best PROMOTED album to date from anyone and it was GOOD. It would ultimately prove to contain THE best song I, personally, heard in 2011 and it was very pleasing and accessible as well. When you do that and you put it out to the people, what you do, obviously is to give good music, but you also open things up to more fans who weren't previously on board (as you can tell by virtue of how many people reviewed that album and how many reviewed the one immediately prior to it, "The Way") to become long lasting listeners. And for that new group who has just arrived, here’s their very first opportunity to see if they REALLY want to stick around.

Midnite & Fifth Son Records

"In Awe". Outside of the people at Rastar Records, the label which has garnered most of Vaughn Benjamin's musical attentions and efforts in recent times has been the US based Fifth Son Records. Most notably, the label released the very well received double album, "Standing Ground", back in 2008 and they would also be responsible for that album's dubbed out counterpart early last year. Also to the credit of Fifth Son Records are the "Suns of Atom" album, which was their first release with Midnite (and maybe their first release with anyone for that matter), as well as the very curious "Momentum" - an album which, as its title would suggest, has gained considerable energy from its release date. Having done so much music with Benjamin, it's hard to say that there is any set sound and the projects tend to have their own individual type of vibes, but what that does say is that, OBVIOUSLY, there is so much chemistry here that what you're likely to hear is an album which, at the very least, is of significant quality. And in this case, where suddenly many more people are very likely paying attention that from before, perhaps that's the best thing. Surely I wouldn't have complained at all if Vaughn Benjamin and Andrew Campbell were to have rushed together a sequel to "King's Bell", but in the absence of that, you'd definitely want something more 'dependable' to hold the attention of newer fans (older fans, especially in the case of Midnite, are of no concern whatsoever. As I've said in the past and as has been demonstrated on this very blog, they have some of the most passionate fans out of ANYONE I've ever seen). "In Awe" is definitely dependable and just a little more. There was something about this one from the very first time that I actually got to hear some of the music that really impressed me and this is coming from someone who, while I certainly will listen to just about anything that Midnite puts out, I'm not that fan who loves all of it and immediately hails it as brilliant (thankfully I don't do that with anyone anymore). So you do have to go to some distance at least to impress me and this album kind of surprised me, I have to admit. The word simply does not apply to Vaughn Benjamin's work in the sense of being compared to someone else, but I did look upon "In Awe" as a pretty ’standard’ release in his own terms, and it ultimately may be, but it isn't average and it is also not just another piece for the 'pile' - it is very good. What it most certainly isn't, however, is as accessible as its predecessor. Besides the things going around being "King's Bell", it was also very open musically, so if you caught on there as a bit of an introductory course, here's yet another opportunity for a lesson in advanced studies of Midnite's music for us all. Let us open our textbooks and begin.

Album Preview

As I said, each of the albums birthed in the musical union of Midnite & Fifth Son Records have their own individual course and vibes and I can't really lump them all together and say that they sound like ______ (and you can do that in certain ways. For instance, I can confidently say that Midnite albums produced by I Grade Records tend to be more reachable to fans). But in the case of the ten tracks which comprise this album, they cover a surprisingly large amount of ground with the vibes and are almost sure to light up the players of the more heavy Midnite fans. For example, check 'Wearing Her Crown' which gets things started for the "In Awe" album. The sound on this tune is absolutely STUNNING. It's this incredibly cool mixture of Roots Reggae and a sprawling, smoking Jazzy vibe which backs Benjamin who is in the process of showing a deserved supreme amount of respect to the Afrikan Woman.

“That little Black woman holding this whole thing down

Disgruntled she cheerfully scold them to cheer from frown

She rather you say ‘Yes Mama’ in front of everyone all around

So Mama keep on wearing her crown

Keep on wearing her crown”

Of the thousands of things fascinating about this song, the one which sticks out to me, from a lyrical aspect, is how Benjamin gives the 'crown'. Here, it is a direct result of actions and how SHE carries herself which makes HER royal. It's an absolutely beautiful piece and I'd also like to mention that there is a very subtle sense of melody here as well. You just have to listen. The same would go for the very next tune which is a bit more traditionally Reggae-heavy, '360'. From this one I take a sense of unity, but as usual with Benjamin, you'll have to do your work to get it too. Largely through music he seems to suggest this notion of the world being smaller because of things to bring everyone together. He goes in so many different directions to make the point ["Everyone in reality inna similarity. Look how everywhere you reach, a look-alike you see to somebody"] [BOOM!], but going with him is damn enjoyable! Wrapping up the first bit of songs on "In Awe" is another stellar piece, the pretty straight forward 'Music To Honour I King'. This is one of a handful of times (ever) when you don't really have to hang on every word the chanter says and that’s largely due to the tune being lyrically so direct. It works so well here, but maybe even not as well as the riddim behind it which is huge. So obvious was this fact, apparently, that Fifth Son (which I believe is headed by the one John Juaquin Wilson) just allows it to go for more than a minute well after the final words are spoken and . . . Maybe someday they'll decide to do a Dub version for this one as well.

Clearly the label and Vaughn Benjamin were well full of good ideas in regards to this one. Besides making a good album altogether and making excellent choices such as the one I just mentioned, they also decided to name the album after what subsequently proves to be its biggest moment. The title track on this one is pretty massive and it provides the project with THE signature moment.

“I hold His Majesty in awe”

Benjamin goes into the many creations and journeys of the Afrikan world and in the process he also serves up a small history lesson as well. Things like this, even for as peculiar (and I mean that in a good way) as they may be in the hands of Midnite, are exactly for me because they're able to both challenge the listener and really strike the senses as well. BEAUTIFUL song! And while the album, in my opinion, does pinnacle with the tune named after it, there is very little quality 'drop-off' from it to the other big tunes here. Besides the arsenal which begins "In Awe", you'll also find a nice tune which is somewhat related, lyrically, to the title track and a few others in 'The World Is Beautiful' (in the liners, it's referred to as 'Earth Is Beautiful'). This tune is one which tries to simplify things and Benjamin seems to say that following the set and natural course of things is the best method in most situations, which is a thought often muddled by people's constant desire to attempt to change things for better or for worse. Check the absolutely CRAWLING 'Seek These'. This song is so slow that it may, in fact, be going backwards, but if it is, it's doing so while looking good! For as unhurried as it may be, however, somewhere along here I found myself completely enthralled with tune from what was being said through what becomes an impressive composition on the riddim.

'Psych Ops' is a tune which took a pretty long time to grow on me (not irregular for a Midnite song), but it shouldn't have because it is a wonderful piece and maybe even as high as the second best song to be fond on this album.

“Rastafari The Lord of Hosts, His Pronouncement

When that Dread thunder resounded

Everything for shelter was sprinting

But that man don’t know him haffi humble to The Head

And this is the source of his silence

Dun accept The Trinity and The Godhead

Pound dun some duel and ah grow him dread

Observe the principle first, man said

Inna di city where buss nuff coppa shot pon lead -

None better than none, but must stay ahead”

This is a song focusing on things such as the media and the influence it is (and attempts to have). But no matter how strong it may grow, Benjamin reminds us, it is HIM who is the prevailing authority and influence on the world. The album's closer 'Fallen Soldiers' is its changeup. It comes through with this large sound which turns out to synch up with the more urgent message and delivery of the song (which isn't something that goes without saying because, in the case of Vaughn Benjamin, here is a man who ROUTINELY ignores riddims playing behind him and does what he’s come to do). It definitely does give a different colour and texture to the music and although it doesn't rank as a favourite of mine on "In Awe", I imagine it will so for many others. Finally, check both 'Worth Working For' and 'All The People'. The former, in my opinion, is destined to probably be overlooked on the album which will be a real shame if it happens because it provides a very 'delicate' shift from several of the other tunes present here which, for me, immediately makes it an attention grabber. The song is one for inspiration and upliftment and it literally sounds like it's glowing. The vibes here are so nice and, much like the opener they create a very thin sense of melody. For it’s part 'All People' (yet another big riddim on that one and probably one of the biggest on the entire album) is a nearly dominant lyrical display from Benjamin and pretty difficult to sit still while listening to.

“Memba Jah have the lightening and the wind in safe keeping”

“The lion spirit chariot a wah man go through in

The spirit of life iternally renewing

The earth terrain is fresh and possibility

The Ras got some chocolate mint tea brewin”

Overall, again, I'd like to stress the fact that I'm not that fan whose main requirement for enjoying an album from Midnite is that it . . . Have the word 'Midnite' printed on it somewhere (I'm not particularly bright either, but that's another story), so I'd like to think that my enjoyment of this album might carry just a bit more weight than it might if I were such a fan. This is REALLY good stuff and while it may not get the opportunity to settle as such, because Midnite are probably going to be releasing a new album in the next twenty or minutes or so, definitely, if you're a fan like myself, don't overlook this one. And getting back to the point of this review, while "In Awe" isn’t the same type of an album as "King’s Bell", all of those fans who will jump on the next new Midnite album, even if they're completely new, I don't know that I can say that they'll be TOTALLY lost on this one and in their obese catalog, there're moments which're entirely more confounding. So, here we find Vaughn Benjamin, not observing the moment of the big work he just did and continuing along his musical journey in an immediate way - and continuously leaving many many people 'in awe' - Including me. Very well done!

Rated: 4.25/5

Fifth Son Records

2012

CD + Digital
Midnite Band

{Note: I believe the CD for "In Awe" releases on January 24}

{Note 2: One of the best covers for a Midnite album in my opinion}

Review #344

New Video: 'Si'w Pé' by Stevy Mahy

Stevy Mahy

'Si'w Pé' [Directed by Amic Bedel]

There were fourteen tracks on "The Beautiful Side of A Kreyol Folk Trip", the outstanding debut album from ultra amazing and just as fascinating Gwada songstress, Stevy Mahy, and if you recall that two of the fourteen were non-musical styled interludes, she's now pushed videos for exactly half of the songs on the album as its latest single, 'Si'w Pé', has now gone visual. The tune becomes the album's sixth single in far less than eighteen months and adds even more legs to a trip which, wonderfully, refuses to end. Literally. Things have changed a bit this time around with the biggest difference being the fact that 'Si'w Pé' was actually shot on location in the Ivory Coast and, once again, Stevy Mahy and co. have managed to put together a stunning visual display for the song.

Despite the change of locale, they also managed to stay 'on course' in regards to the way in which Mahy has gone about presenting her music. There is no LARGE shift in this video from its predecessors in the basic look of it (although it is slightly 'heavier' in colours, but I would think that was more a result to the weather at the time as opposed to any type of deliberate choice) and while it does stand out from the pack, it doesn't based on anything which is . . . ridiculous. Two things (actually three) really highlight the video for 'Si'w Pé' to my eyes and the first is the same thing that highlights the actual tune. The 'bridge' (I think that's what it's called in smart music people talk) on this song is spectacular - it just is - and it's observed in the visuals as you start to see more impacting images of the weather and people in it and later, when it returns, it happens again and that's just a case of definitely taking advantage of what you have. At the same thing, one of the other things which really grabs the attention is just how that aspect of the video interacts with the more PEACEFUL setting of it. THE lasting image here is of Mahy sitting on the bench with her two friends and what a coincidence that this most serene of shots is totally without rain or any urgency. It's total enjoyment and relaxation.

Of course, I have to mention that later on in the video she looks amazing walking down the street singing the song and also, earlier on, we see Stevy Mahy (who is, reportedly, making her debut performance in Haiti later this week) . . . resting in bed, listening to the radio while, presumably, writing a song to a riddim. I've said it dozens of times before and I'll say it several dozens more: Stevy Mahy is a VERY sexy human being and she generally looks even more so without trying to AT ALL.

So, while completely unsurprising, Stevy Mahy puts together yet another stirring visual display of her very visual music. It retains prevailing qualities such as its overall beauty and peaceful nature, while adding the large twist of being shot on Afrikan soil and showing just how global this amazing vibe can be.

Coming Soon #46: The Recovery

{Note: Back for about a week. We'll tell you what's up next Tuesday}
{Note 2: Please excuse the horrible writing in this post}

Coming Soon

Sizzla Kalonji - "The Chant" [AfroJam Music]

First up - We have to revisit the biggest shot of the list of names rolling in during the first sixth of 2012 as Reggae legend, Sizzla Kalonji, is now exactly a month away from pushing his latest release, "The Chant", courtesy of AfroJam Music and Caveman. Not much has changed on this one . . . With the large exception of the fact that I've now heard most of it (and we have pictures too!) and, at least so far, it's sounding pretty good and like something fans of the chanter won't want to miss.

Potential Rating: 4.5/5

Releases on February 17 & 21

CD + Digital

I Octane - "Crying to The Nation" [VP Records]

I've also been listening to a lot of I-Octane lately and, to a large degree, that's consisted of his own brand new album, "Crying to The Nation" which also is set to arrive in stores next month. There's some REALLY strong tunes on this one and although I listen to stuff in a different way when I turn a critical ear to it, if/when that point does eventually come, it's almost sure to stand up well and probably even better than I'm going to give it credit for. Excellent album here (and we've had it already for more than a month) and an EARLYYYYYY favourite.

Potential Rating: 4.5/5

Releases on February 14

CD + Digital

Midnite - "In Awe" [Fifth Son Records]

I haven't actually had the opportunity yet to make my way through the first of what will certainly be a several dozen albums from 'Midnite' in 2012, "In Awe" from Fifth Son Records, but I have definitely listened to a lot of the clips and . . . Yeah, I'm impressed. I was happy, although not surprised at all, to see this one getting as much attention as it has gotten, following the well pushed "King's Bell" from late last year and perhaps it's all warranted beyond the standard "it's a Midnite album" - thing. Might end up reviewing this one before we step away.

Potential Rating: 4.25/5

Releases on January 17

CD + Digital

{Note: I believe the digital is on Jan. 17 and the CD comes a week later}

Konshens - "Mental Maintenance" [VP Records]

The first two weeks of this year, at least for me, have flown by and hopefully that continues as a most interesting set is now fully loaded and ready to go about six weeks from now as young veteran, Konshens, is set to make his debut solo release, "Mental Maintenance", next month for VP Records (and hopefully they can put it on their press page already). Listening through the early bites and it, unsurprisingly, it sounds like a few different styles are mixed in, maybe sounding a bit like "Ziggi Recado" from last year (which is saying a lot) (big album) and I just like how this one is presented - like the class and PROGRESSIVE project it figures to turn out to be.

Potential Rating: 4.25/5

Releases on February 28

CD + Digital

Singing Melody - "They Call Me Mr. Melody" [S.H.E.M. Music/Fat Eyes]

By my count (which is almost surely incorrect), "They Call Me Mr. Melody" is the third studio album from the big voiced veteran vocalist, Singing Melody and his very first in about six hundred years. Although not necessarily a fan of Melody's, I was pretty happy to see this one come up. Quietly, perhaps, the singer has been on a roll as of late which, at least in my opinion pinnacled a couple of years back with 'Special Love', his HUGE cut of the Classic Riddim and he's also done well on tracks from Stephen McGregor. When you do good work like that you should be rewarded and I'll consider this album a reward to both artist and fans because it's been a really loooooooong time and he definitely deserves it (and so do I!) (I work my ass off!) (and you do too!) (whoever you are).

Potential Rating: 4/5

Releases on January 17

CD + Digital

Gentleman - "Diversity" [VP Records]

Do you remember like . . . seven or eight years ago when Gentleman put out that album, "Diversity"? Well it's FINALLY gotten an international release date and a final track list (fifteen tunes), so there you go.

See Review

Releases on February 14

CD + Digital

Dub Spencer & Trance Hill .vs. Umberto Echo: "Too Big To Fail" [Echo Beach]

Next we have full on Dub on Dub crime as someone named Dub Spencer & Trance Hill link up with Umberto Echo for "Too Big To Fail". I'm not even going to pretend like I know what's going on here (even though I believe I have a vocabulary large enough to do it) and surely this release makes this list based primarily on the fact that the one Umberto Echo, currently dubbing the world on his dub train, is the main producer of Achis Reggae and Earth favourite, Ms. Sara Lugo. HOWEVER, listening through it, while not being the biggest Dub head, I do like what I hear, particularly a MASSIVE track in 'Dub App', which is absolutely stunning.

Potential Rating: 4/5

Releases on January 27

CD [I THINK] + Digital

The Escadron Riddim [K-One Productions]

And finally coming soon this week: When you start to throw around names like Tiwony and Fefe Typical, you're going to get my attention as K-One did last year when they pushed up their Escadron Riddim. Surrounding those two mighty names are a few familiar names as well as a few others which hopefully become familiar such as Profesy, JahJahMan and, of course, Dragon Davy. But with that being said, I don't actually like this riddim, but I'm pretty sure I was in the minority on that - so definitely check it out for yourself.

Releases on January 19

Digital

In Stores Now

Njie - "Destination Soleil" [Shark Entertainment]


'Te's Pas Net Sur Internet'

Late last year, reaching with what was certainly one of the best Zouk offerings of 2011 was Gwada songstress, Njie, with "Destination Soleil". The album, her first since 2009's "Avec Sincérité" (which probably had one of the best album covers that I've ever seen), is just a stellar effort all around really and definitely one of the most FUN Zouk albums that you'll hear recently. At eighteen tracks, you get a variety of different styles from traditional and modern Zouk, to R&B and a little Salsa and Soca and Merengue and Techno and a few others as well. So, if you, like me, found yourself downright STARVING for good Zouk in the latter stages of 2011, then dio what I did and pick up the latest from Njie, "Destination Soleil".

CD + Digital

Da Professor - "The Laboratory" [Don Corleon Records]

Wasting no time in getting his 2012 started is super producer, Don Corleon, who is already delivering the debut album of his 'secret weapon', Da Professor. The very talented artist has been on a roll, primarily on Corleon creations from since he arrived on the scene and while one would have figured that another year or so might advance before we'd get a full LP from him, here is "The Laboratory". The album is extremely varied and 'different' to my ears, but really top notch material as well. So while 2012 already figures to bring a new album from Protoje and HOPEFULLY a new one from Pressure Busspipe, Da Professor gets things started VERY well from out of the same camp.

Digital

Zebulun De Counselor - "Easy" [GT Empire Enlightenment Music]

Surely the name Zebulun isn't one which should be completely foreign to fans and here we have one of a couple of big artists currently carrying the moniker. Zebulun De Counselor isn't the destructively talented youth from out of Trinidad, but the Guyana native is definitely well equipped on his own merits and as a demonstration of those abilities, definitely check out his brand new album (which may be his first, actually) "Easy". I didn't know this one on the way or anything, but it's full of at least decent tracks. Standouts include the big title song, 'Rage' (which utilizes the old WICKED Purple Ting Riddim) (BOOM!), 'Be Strong' and 'Longtime'. Just big and upful modern Roots Reggae.

CD [I THINK] + Digital

The Reggae Reasoning Riddim [Reggaeland Productions]


Riddim Mix

The LOVELY Reggae Reasoning Riddim comes courtesy of Reggaeland Productions (keeping it simple) from out of Spain and I think this may be our official introduction to them and if that is the case, then they're definitely making big first impressions. Besides building this gorgeous vibe, they've also managed to assemble an equally impressive cast of vocalist. Veteran Mikey General headlines a group which also includes the likes of Jahmali, Anthony Que, Malijah, martian cutie Chantelle Ernandez and others (like Anjelle). Well done.

Digital

'Say Say Say' by Troy Anthony (single) [House of Riddim]

The venerable House of Riddim from out of Austria (biggup Markus) have pushed up a big new single for Reggae/Gospel singer, Troy Anthony from out of Bermuda (biggup Dean), 'Say Say Say'. The tune is a big social commentary and although I'm not the biggest fan of Anthony's, I can probably say that it's the single best tune of his that I've heard to date - so definitely have a listen for yourself.

Digital

'Sunshine Glow' by Jemere Morgan (single) [Dada Son]

Continuing his steady rise to prominence is a member of the next generation of the big family, Jemere Morgan, from the Morgan camp with the sterling new love song, 'Sunshine Grow'. Jemere is the son of Gramps Morgan (and he's voicing for his Father's label) and while previously a lot of the stuff I heard from him was a bit more Poppish with an international flavour, here he is on a more Reggae-centric vibes and doing it well. I'd ultimately expect him to head back towards the Pop arena, but if he can drop a tune like this every now and then, it'd push him in a direction you'd expect more from someone with a name like Morgan. Nice tune.

Digital

Pressure Busspipe

'All I Want'

And finally: An excellent surprise it's been to see Pressure Busspipe's name floating around with the likes of I Octane, Mavado and others who typically dominate random digital single releases. Of his three pieces, two of them - 'All I Want' & 'We Are One' come through Cyclone Entertainment and J-Vibe Music (the latter is the better of those two, it's excellent), while the other tune, 'Turn Me On', is somewhat Soca-fied (it actually sounds like the song of the same name by Kevin Lyttle) and is helmed by Jon FX [bka 'That guy who produced 'Hold Yuh' ']. Always love to see Pressure active and more active and hopefully his priming for a big 2012 which also includes an album.

All Digital