"Traffic Light" by Smiley [Love & Unity Music]
Really, really big deal this week as one of our favourites is FINALLY set to make his album debut. Not too long ago we told you about another Smiley (who I'm now going to refer to as Smiley Gwada), making his debut with "More Love" (new album, in stores now), but now THE Smiley, from out of Aruba is set to make his loooooong awaited entry with "Traffic Light" and I cannot wait! It definitely did seem as if the artist had slowed down just a bit in 2012, but apparently he was working on something big and in a few days' time it will released. Don't know too much about this one just yet, but you know that you can expect a big review for it next week. BOOM!
Releases on January 22
CD + Digital
{Note: CD releases on March 12}
The Stop That Sound Riddim [Irie Ites Records]
Speaking of finally - The giant that is Irie Ites is finally officially releasing what I believe was their biggest push of 2012 in the form of the single biggest riddim album in this very young year, the Stop That Sound Riddim. The track is actually a new, kind of Hi-Hoppish, version of a much older piece, the Stop That Train, which Irie Ites really did, originally, several years ago now, but it's now been packaged up with, presumably, some new material and is set to be released to the masses as a full riddim album. Of obvious interest here is the ridiculously high level of talent II has assembled for the track and, really at their best they're one of the biggest labels around, so it should come to no surprise that stocking the STS Riddim are the likes of Bounty Killer, Sizzla Kalonji, Lutan Fyah & Spectacular, Perfect Giddimani & Skarra Mucci, Ward 21 and even Lion D.
Releases on January 20
Digital
"Love Zone" by Rankin Scroo [Crucial Youth Productions]
Well respect veteran Rankin Scroo is a name I haven't heard from in… a really long time, but now he's on his way back with what I believe is his very first album in nearly five years, "Love Zone". Rankin Scroo, to my knowledge, is also very active on the production side of things, so that's probably where he's focused his attentions in recent times, but now he's back with the album. As the title would indicate, a rather large portion of the album is, apparently, paid attention to love songs. Scroo is also joined by Ginger and a few names which're new to me. I have an interesting feeling about this one, but I'll reserve judgment until I actually hear it, you can do your own research, however, and pick it up when it reaches.
Releases on February 19
CD [I THINK] [MAYBE] + Digital
"Miss Lily's Family Style Vol. 1" [VP Records]
VP Records, the same label which brought you "Reggae's Gone Country", an album featuring some of the biggest names in Reggae music singing Country music, has once again had a very colourful (and WHOLLY more digestible) idea in "Miss Lily's Family Style", which is an album based on/in tribute to a New York Caribbean cultural shop and restaurant known as… well it's called Miss Lily's. That's fine and, for what it is, it's probably a pretty good idea in my opinion, but our focus is, of course, the music you'll find here and you'll find very popular hits from the likes of Sizzla Kalonji, Mr. Vegas, Buju Banton & Wayne Wonder, Busy Signal, Gyptian, Romain Virgo, Tanya Stephens (who needs a new album) and Queen Ifrica. Also tunes from Tarrus Riley, Gappy Ranks, Kartel, Konshens and even some Soca courtesy of Lil Rick and KES ["and I feel like, I just win a million dollars!"] (did I just name everyone on this album???) (I think I did). It is an album which will surely look nice on store shelves and it's probably not a bad gift for newer fans of the genre.
Releases on January 22
CD + Digital
The Sneak Preview Riddim [Claims Records/Gutty Bling Records]
The knocking Sneak Preview Riddim is, obviously, going to receive (and already has) a great deal of attention based on 'Greatest Gallist', which is a combination featuring Dancehall superstars, Beenie Man and Sean Paul (it's a decent song). It also carries efforts from Ele, Mavado, Chase Cross, New Kidz and others, but my main interest here is the instrumental. I heard the complete piece, produced by Jus Easy, and I REALLY liked it and it's headed to a workout playlist.
Releases on January 22
Digital
"Di Captain" by Freddie McGregor [VP Records]
And lastly, we bring back something we mentioned not too long ago, late last year as the legendary Freddie McGregor readies his latest album, "Di Captain", from VP Records, for a worldwide release. It now has a release date (which is about a week and a half away from now) and, as I said before, I have heard this album and, as you would expect, it is a fine release.
Releases on January 29
CD + Digital
In Stores Now
"Ziggy Marley In Concert" [Tuff Gong]
Reggae star, Ziggy Marley, is back with a brand new live album, the eight-hundredth of his career, "Ziggy Marley In Concert". I've never really been the biggest fan of Ziggy's (Ziggi, on the other hand, I am a fan of) (biggup Ziggi Recado), but you really can't ignore his work which is always a really big deal and sure to bring a great deal of attention to the genre. So if you are a fan (and you likely are), pick up an album which they should probably go ahead and hand the Grammy for next year to right now, "Ziggy Marley In Concert".
CD + Digital
The Animal Instinct Riddim [Techniques Records]
Much like the previously mentioned Sneak Preview Riddim, the Animal Instinct is another set loaded with a whole heap of big names, yet it is the riddim itself which is the main attraction in my opinion. This time, coming from Techniques Records, we have Beenie Man, Mavado, Chino, Demarco, Bramma, Di Genius, Konshens, I-Octane (w/Markus), Popcaan, Voicemail and others (as if you need more), but none of them, not even Beenie and Chino, who take top honours here in my opinion, can outshine the track itself which is madness.
Digital
"Manners & Respeck: You Done Know" by Culture Brown [Akeel Records]
Biggup Bredz who actually already has and ENJOYS this next album as the always ambitious veteran from out Canada, Culture Brown, is backed with a healthy new album, "Manners & Respeck: You Done Know". Brown is, probably, best remembered for a when few years ago, he jumped up with a double album (in the most genuine sense of the word, it was a double album, it had two different discs and you purchased apart from one another) called "Poor", he's had at least one album from then in, "Hot In The Street", and he's back again. The chanter is definitely very talented and skilled and joining him this time out are Yahmeek & Uwe Banton (big new album, "Mental War", in stores now), on the same song, as well as Albeeno. I haven't heard much of this album (though I did hear 'Yadding Iwah', which is excellent), but if you trust Bredz' judgment (and you should), it is pretty good ("solid" he says) (biggup Bredz) so check it out today.
Digital
'Odd Ras' by Chronixx [Digital Vibez Entertainment]
And lastly (because I'm tired) (biggup Midnite) (if you ever want to exercise your brain, listen to a whole heap of Midnite, then chase it with Fay-Ann Lyons) is one of my favourite tunes from later 2012 which finally manifests on an official release. The flaming Chronixx checks in with the MASSIVE and brilliant 'Odd Ras' for Digital Vibez. Chronixx has more talent than he even needs to be successful at making music and is one of the easiest guarantees to be a future star in Reggae right now. The digital release also features a cool Dubbed out version of the song and if you haven't heard it (if you have, then you don't need me to say it), then do not delay and pick it up. Go ahead, I'm done. Yep.
"Mi seh mi nah do wah babylon waan mi do
Dem dress inna straight jeans, mi inna khaki suit
And when mi a di only man wid pants, mi nah follow nobody"
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