Achis' Reggae Blog

Stuff: The End?!

2012-01-25T22:44:00.008-04:00

No. Not really. Well, kind of. Maybe. But, perhaps not. Somewhat. Eh?

Time to go!

Yow!

Longtime since we do one of these and I specifically waited until I was at least 65% unconscious before I began to write it, so I wouldn't write too much. I'm thinking that's a pretty good idea at this point. So before I tell you what's going on around here, two things on the top of my mind.

First of all, I haven't checked the messages today, so I hope she didn't link us again, which will make this seem . . . Kind of late I suppose. But we have a really nice person who deals with us occasionally by the name of Susan. I'm not going to tell you who she is exactly, but she's a . . . Reggae business . . . Type of person. She always has good information and observations and I just wanted to say that she's REALLY the type of person I'm happy to have met in doing this. Just a top class individual! So biggup yourself Susan, we really appreciate everything you do and, like I said, you're such a nice person and I definitely love nice people! And thank you and I do agree about that album cover! But perhaps they were thinking 'less is more'.

Completely Random Picture

Secondly, and this is totally random. Am I so completely socially awkward that I'm the only person who has EVER done this? I recently heard from a friend of mine who I met back in University and she reminded me of an 'incident'. Have you ever talked about someone . . . To that same person without knowing it? I remember sitting in a class once and watching some film or something and this guy next to me had his mouth wide open the entire time and he was breathing like he'd just ran four or five marathons. So I'd lost touch of what I was supposed to be watching and tuned in, almost exclusively, to the noise emanating from the area of this gentleman's face. After the class was over we were walking out, everything got shuffled around a bit and 'someone' asked me how I enjoyed the film and of course I said something along the lines of "it was nice, but I couldn't focus because the man sitting next to me was breathing like he was exhausted" . . . And "someone" was that same guy, with the loud face. So please keep that in mind if you're ever trying to get my attention: Sometimes "my attention" just does not exist!

Wonderful!

Still with us? If not, here's a picture of Lenora Crichlow.

Doing a great job of being human

Okay! Speaking of Lenora Crichlow! The second series of the Canadian version of her wonderful show, "Being Human" is back on the air. It, of course, features the also lovely Meghan Rath. I don't know how many episodes have shown thus far, but Bredz sent us one and . . . Yeah, Rath is a very very attractive human being and I don't really like TV, but "Being Human", either one of them, work for me. And I think that the UK version of the show is back on in March.

And speaking of stuff with vampires in it, I did see a little bit of a new film called "Underworld: Awakening" and I'll have to see the rest of it someday in a theatre, because it looked absolutely outstanding and I did like the first 2-3 movies from that as well. And I saw all of the new "Conan" movie also, but I didn't like it.

Is that all??? No!

Messages. I know we haven't been answering a lot of messages lately, I've been feeling a bit anti-social and I do hope to get to those sometime and we actually did a few. Oh! A looooooooong time ago someone from Canada sent a message asking where they could get the EP for Sara Lugo's new single, 'Locked Away'. They said that it wasn't available in their area, but I believe it's gone global now, so everyone, everywhere pick that up. And biggup Lugo because we did some press releases for her a few weeks ago and we haven't heard back (at least I don't think we have), so apparently they liked the work and everybody also pick up her album, "What About Love" - it is stupid not to.

Now available in your region . . . probably

Is that it??? Fortunately I've forgotten what else I had to say, so here we go: What's going on?

I like this place. Writing this blog is pretty much a form of therapy for me and I need pretty much every drop of therapy I can get, particularly when it's free. But! I have stuff to do and, shockingly, I'm still young enough to try and do a few things - accomplish a few dreams that I've had. And I've never wanted this place to become the type of blog which was kind of randomly updated. I think I distinguish myself from everyone else who writes Reggae because I normally have this MOUNTAINOUS amount of free time and, I can write all day long, and when I'm at my best, I do. So what does that mean? Well in the immediate future it means that we're going on a break, which is what we do in February anyway. I'm not at all thrilled about Soca so far in 2012, but . . . I'm looking forward to becoming thrilled. There will be no Fay-Ann and no Bunji at Soca Monarch this year (at least not competing, but can you imagine if they did a medley at the intermission) (WHAT!), but we'll jump up in their absence (Destra is coming back again, however) and I have actual work to do related to it all now and everything seems to be working out properly (finally) and I'm just looking forward to everything (and someday, hopefully, you'll be sitting in a theatre somewhere in the world, taking in the Carnival experience in 3D).

BUT! We will be back kind of . . . I don't know how it's going to work, but we were talking about perhaps making this page an archive and starting anew on another one. I don't know how that's going to work, but we'll let you know. So that means I won't be around in February, but there is SO MUCH nice music jumping up this month such as:

Coming in February

I'm still working on listening to those, but I can confidently tell you right now that, I-Octane's album is EXCEPTIONAL. It's very very good. And there's a lot more out there too, everybody check out releases from Da Professor and Midnite in 2012.

And that's it! We'll be back in March[ish] with probably a new location. Don't send me anything on a link at least for a couple of weeks because Bredz is coming down. Biggup everyone! I'm tired! Biggup my family! Get to see some people for the first time in a little while. Biggup Susan, like I said, James for sending us the new Fred Locks album (I think that's releasing in February also. Biggup Zojak Worldwide. Biggup Sherkhan, I will take a listen to that when we get back and I always wanted to write a review for Basil's album too, so we'll be doing that also! Hey Heather! Go and check out all of my friends on the sidebar over there. Biggup Dale Cooper, check out his new blog (Dale Cooper I randomly got four tunes from Aima Moses awhile back, one of them 'Don't Come Close', is pretty good. Biggup Nico. Angus the man who I want to be like when I grow up and Camille also, hopefully he'll have me back someday (he better. I'm wicked!). Everybody check out United Reggae. And blah blah blah blah (biggup Nadia Batson). I forgot people, but I'm falling asleep.

Oh! And biggup everyone who reacted to 'Album of The Year' related stuff. Actually it was quite positive. The most interesting bit of info is that someone from Macedonia or Montenegro (some European country beginning with an M) (maybe it was Moldova???) who wanted permission to reprint that madness in their own language so biggup Montenegro or Macedonia.

That's it! Go find something better to do with your time for awhile. Won't be too difficult (AT ALL!).

Here's a song. Favourite old random tune right now!

'Team Up' by Jah Mason

Have fun everyone! We'll see you new and improved when we get back.

Do not respect authority! Do not remember to take your medications! Do nothing productive with yourself! EVER!

BALANCE & No Behaviour - NONE!
RasAchis

Lyrics!: The Roundtable Vol. 1

2012-01-24T23:11:00.006-04:00

A simple celebration of the spoken word.

{Note: Vol. 2, whenever we get there, is all female artists}
{Note 2: Stuff Tomorrow}
{Note 3: Nooooooooooooooooo behaviour}
{Note 4: NONE!}

"My powaz mek the wicked disappear
My powaz manifest and Rastaman seet clear
My powaz mek the wicked disappear
My powaz manifest and Rastaman seet clear
My powaz mek the wicked disappear
Selassie I seh fi harness it and tek good care
Any hour babylon fi disappear
Black Man yah nah fi fraid to acknowledge yah fears!

Clutch in gear!
Clutch in gear!
Pressure haffi, go explode the frontier
Hey babylon, yah destruction get near
Standin on di Afrikan shore, mi ah stare
Chant Nyahbinghi, thump di bass and di snare
Mi seh yu nah fi ask if a turban mi wear
If ya Black, ya Black
Well if not, then what do you care?
So much frustration and tears"
-Pressure Busspipe from 'My Powaz'

"Some juvenile no tek no talk
Inna broad daylight, dem ah walk wid di gun
Skylark wid di gun
Siddung pon sidewalk wid di gun
Serious, nah laugh wid di gun
Dem life ah go dung wid di gun
When Kingfish come, mi si nuff a dem ah run wid di gun
Dem flex wid di gun
Tek fence wid di gun
Talk bout self de fense wid di gun"
- Busy Signal from '2 Much Gun'

"Mi dun si dem move!
Mi dun si dem flex!
Mi get fi ovastand seh nuff ah flex lak Rex!
Mi dun si dem move!
Mi dun si dem flex!
What kind a move dem ahgo mek next!

Mi tell dem live clean and dem gone live dutty
Selassie I commandment?
Dem run go bruk it
Dem heart, it no clean
Dem mind, it smutty
Watch how dem ah move lak a dogs and puppy
Caan escape!
No care how dem lucky
Watch how dem ah flex lak Jason & Chucky!
Well you no si seh dem a walkin duppy!
Dutty livity!
Mi ah beg unuh fi lef it!"
-Jah Mason from 'Si Dem Move'

"Mek gal bend up dem back lak chiropractor
In di Soca thing, I am di Soca reactor
I am bad, lak a nuclear reactor
Mek people wave up dem rag, just like helicopter
IN DI SOCA BIBLE I AM DI FIRST CHAPTER!
Any time I perform, dem bwoy caan perform after!
Soca Monarch night is going to be a disaster!
Shake down stadium, from pillars to rafters!"
-Mr. Killa from 'All Gettonaz'

"I don't want no CD, no MP3
Don't want no love to come download me
So fed up with technology -
Computer lovin is not for me
Let's take it old school, like '83
Put me pon di table, like a record - spin me
I wanna feel ya needle baby (DAMN!)
Scratch it, scratch it, scratch it, scratch it, scratch it for me!

Like a record, spin, spin, spin, spin me yeah
You're my DJ spin, spin, spin, spin me yeah
Love the way you play, spin, spin, spin, spin me yeah
Me yeah, me yeah, me yeah!

Put me on wax, oh yeah I want that
And then you press me and I'll press back
Love when you set me all in your rack
I know that I'm at the top of your stack
And you can pitch it if you wanna go slower
And you can mix cause you got the power
Just when you thought it was gonna end
You wheel me, wheel me, wheel and come again!"
-Alaine from 'Spin Me'

"Carnival in TnT is so special to alla we
Like we need blood in wi veign
That's how wi feel about Port of Spain
When di posse dem come in town
Beating pan and all bongo drum -
It's madness everywhere
Carnival is yah true freedom
Mek a noise or a joyful sound
And jump up in di air!

Everybody tek a jump, tek a jump, tek a jump up now!
Start to wave, start to wave, start to wave up now!
Start to wine, start to wine, start to wine up now -
Because - It's Carnival!"
-Ms. Destra Garcia from 'Carnival'

"Rastafari recognize the root of it all!
This ya iniversal concept is the truth of it all!
You must remember babylon denomination dominate dominion, amphibian, opinion - the spook of it all
Africa levitify and purify earth
I am not doubting my essence, mi nah scrutinize worth
Plant mi okra, mi ganja - maximize earth
Multi-complex
Complexion: Blacker than dirt!
Permedial structure, six pointed, erect and invert
Like locks to Rasta, ferments are antennas of earth
Breath of life, better life inna Kilimanjaro!
Africa strive, gathering might, now the cock it a crow
Trumpet sound! Gather around!
Just lift up unoo voice!
Man anoint ganja joint, the ash give it spice
We got - foods for your belly and the herbs to heal
Plain and simple, know it as it is. WHOA!"
-NiyoRah from 'African Chant'

"There's so much that we can do
And so much that we can say
Everyday that pass by, I keep getting stronger
Morality is fading is away
The children have nowhere to play
Indeed we are here, can't let this go further!
Go tell dem seh:

LION RULE THE EARTH!
And don't send parasites
Tell you all you caan come close!
Mek you know you caan come close!"
-Aima Moses from 'Don't Come Close'

"The earth start shaking, the sky start falling, this is not a place for me
Volcano erupting, the mountain collapsing, it's a calamity
I need to go where the big diamonds shine
Where I can slow down and clear up mi mind
Oh Zion!
Yes, I need to be myself -
Close to my Motherland

I wanna go home!
Oh Jah take me away
All my people they are lost, dem so far away
Go home!
To my island in the sun
4,000 miles away from babylon
I wanna go home!
I don't want to be elsewhere!
Dem gone far away!
Go home!
To my island in the sun
4,000 miles away from babylon

I saw so many places
I met so many faces
Still many more to see
My book have many pages
My life so many stages
It's just my livity
Babylon by bus man, mi caan stop
I'm trodding the world right, round di map
Mi tired but mi legs gonna keep mi right up
Yes I Jah, I shall never give up!
-Alborosie from 'I Wanna Go Home'

"It's all about simplicity
Living in a unity -
With your Brother, your Sister, your Uncle and Auntie
Simplicity!
As a bird in di tree
Fly away impurity
Fyah bun negativity

I could ah live in di old time days
When it's King Selassie I everyone ah praise
Living in the order of the perfect way
No joking, skylarkin, got no time to play
And Mama tek care of the youths so dem nah stray
Together as a family nuff time wi ah pray
Papa work hard to provide everyday -
And so it haffi stay
But the system designed to make things complicated
And everyone seem so frustrated!
Everywhere mi go, it's X-rated
But a you ah create it!"
-Queen Omega from 'Simplicity'

"Would try fi fight mi down
Try fi push I around
I know - Jah is always there
Would rejoice if I drown or get crush by di pound
I know - Jah is always there
In everything I do and in everything I say
I know - Jah is always there
HE brightens up my days
So to HIM I always pray
I know - Jah is always there!

Jah give I di blessing
Wicked heart, you, I'm addressing
Seh neva try to hold I down
I teach yah lesson
Who Jah bless, you cannot be cursing
And Hail Selassie I upon HIS throne
Everywhere I go, I know Jah is always there!
Therefore I know, inna mi goings I must have no fear!"
-Warrior King from 'Jah Is Always There'

"Bwoy no come dis yahso
Nah go live fi tomorrow
Lyrics weh mi have ah fullup a carT and bruk a wheelbarrow
Mind you lose yu marrow
Family inna sorrow
Weh di music constant, cross di world and mi ah run yahso
Claim seh yu ah lock yahso
But mi open up yah tow
Build some more school so ghetto youth dem can teach yah know
Seet deh now, mi have yahso
Right ya now mi rock yahso
Right ya now, I'm talkin to di man weh inna dat mirror

Mi badda dan di rest yah know
Tougher dan di rest yah know
Al dem ah talk, mi seh a mi dem caan test ya know
Good, better, best yah know
Neva let it rest ya know
Good become better and di better becomes best yah know"
-Beenie Man from 'Badder Than The Rest'

"Likkle children live what they learn
No bodda gwan lak a nah your concern
Good example must set for dem today
Doh lead dem astray
Don't mess up dem self-esteem
No bodda tampa wid di youths dem dream
Youths don't change your beautiful skin
Everybody couldn't be a browning!

If a bleach a must di one fi mi clothes
Neva rub mi forehead and mi nah go rub mi nose
I no want fi look like the King of Pop
So mi drop a thunderball inna dem bleaching shop
If a bleach, a must di one fi mi clothes
Mi ask dem why dem dweet and still nobody knows
Some seh dem waan to look like the King of Pop
So mi drop a thunder ball inna dem bleaching shop

Legalize di herb and ban di bleaching cream
Cuz a peer white man mi see ah walk pon di scene
Blue soap ah sell more than rice and sardine
Is like dem forget about Martin Luther dream
I no wear skirt, just look pon mi good
Mi neva wear tights so mi bun Robin Hood
And watch the type of clothes weh you go buy dung at di mall
And mind people think you have ties with Ru. . .
Some bwoy ah wear blouse and ah talk bout dem ah jig
Black woman no cut yah hair fi wear di Indian woman wig
Watch dem!
How dem look like Leprechaun?
Cah dem bleach out dem face and forget to rub dem hand
No colour lak Black, longtime mi know dat
And when mi si di Black puss, mi nah turn back
If I bleach, I mussi tek crack
I rather stay Black, Marcus Garvey love that!"
-Exco Levi from 'Bleaching Shop'

"There's nothing to worry about
Cause he'll be there
I have no doubts

In times like these when you find yourself in trouble
Take it easy, take it slow, don't make it double
In times like these when you find yourself alone -
No matter where you are, you walk in trouble zone
You feel the sky is falling on your head
Don't worry cause He said He would be there
He will guide you, trust me
He will brighten up the dark
Shine His glory on you, help you out when times get hard
No matter how big your troubles may be
With Him by your side, they're always tiny
You need not worry
Need not struggle
Need not fret
Cause all He really wants for you -
Is the best!"
-Sara Lugo from 'Nothing To Worry'

"Dis here a di King, di Prophet and di Higher Priest
There is no better way for me to trample the beast
Mi celebrate Jah Jah victory and Mussolini defeat
The power of Selassie I has no limit
Children be ready fi di Emperor!
Selassie is the Conqueror!
The People Protector
HE is our saviour

Glory!
Glory!
Glory dat wi hail
Haile Selassie I and Marcus and Emmanuel
If you don't love my people and my culture, go to hell
Anyway mi ahgo sing it and ah ring it like a bell"
-Takana Zion from 'Glory' featuring Capleton

"Wreckage, wreckage!
Di system fi crash
Mystery babylon ah go collapse
Di one ya name
Wreckage, wreckage!
Di system fi crash
Bun di babylon flat!
Wreckage, wreckage!
Di system fi crash
Mystery babylon ah go collapse
Di one ya name
Wreckage, wreckage!
Di system fi crash
Biggup all di poor and have-nots

A Rastafari a di first
HIM touch Geneva Conference and HIM utter every words
Peer gun bun up, none of dem couldn't serve
Yow dem man clean, none a dem neva work
That's why dem waan to diss di Rightful Ruler fi di Earth
Seh dem want to, kill off di born and birth
Posion gas dem use kill off di boys and girls
Boom drop!
Yow, mek mi parent dem ah splurt
Di warriah dem ah, fi go dive inna dirt
Slit dem throat because dem coming blood thirst
Watch dem helicopter bust and lite a surge
Caan diss di little children weh inherit di earth
Biggup Nannyville and biggup dung a Dunkirk
Selassie I seh fi put di woman inna dem skirt
Selassie I run di century weh dem call 21st
Alla di enemy haffi get up and splurt
Slaving di people and talk bout dem ah work
Babylon, mek you fi switch and convert
Tell di ghetto youth dem seh praise Rastafari every night and day
Earthquake shake di earth!
-Sizzla Kalonji from "Wreckage"

"Run di place!
Run di place!
How dem a gwaan lak seh Assassin caan dun di place?!
Run di place!
Run di place!
People seh a upside down, dem waan mi tun di place!
Run di place!
Run di place!
Memba seh wi have di fyah tune weh ah bun di place!
Run di place!
Run di place!
'Talk How Mi Feel', yeah da one deh come stun di place!

Well Assassin is a DJ weh di people rate
A lyrics?
You know wi have whole heap fi waste
If a riddim?
Riding like wi deh steeple chase
So mi waan know a wah dem mek wi pree di case?
Hah!
A mussi true mi nah bleach mi face
And true certain thing you caan gimme fi taste
Mi nah buy di charts dem
Nah cheat di race
No, wi nah pick up no freaky ways
Fi wah?"
-Agent Sasco from 'Run Di Place'

“Don’t let the poor and the needy be devour
The chastisement of poverty is in imminence ya
Inna di whole world, mi mean look at the big picture
An eleven foot, six hundred pound tiger
Him get fed up, all of a sudden -
What dem ah pet him mouth fah?
Inna an instant, he remember his true nature
Not to mention black mamba and king cobra
Mek any weh ga, thank ya, for well being oh Jah!
Did distillation of the balance tek iniquity law?

Dem did camp pon diamond and gold inna Africa
And have retirement home down inna Ecuada
Dem did ah flood out media ya wid dem propaganda
Then the dangerous situation need mediator
See wah groove to dis ya riddim ya, no bodda wid dat
Mek di whole Dancehall come alive with what
A riddim of comfort, a riddim of hope, a riddim of niceness out ya
The brightness of a one countenance change another demeanour
Inna one bag a desperate decision out ya
In dis time, neighbour ahgo haffi help neighbour
This ideological divide, way deep down ya
Mek dictator come compel dem supporter
Fe draw hardware, dem ah draw, not pon canvas Jah”
-Vaughn Benjamin from 'Black Mamba'

"No food fi di poor and di hungry
Shootout pon di boundary
Clothes dutty and mi caan go a laundry
If mi get a white shirt, dat a luxury
Big boss, have you any work in the factory?
Cah mi caan find flour, saltfish and ackee
Time past till all mi hair get natty
Mi no waan tun inna John Gotti
So mi juss, hold up mi head high -
High to di sky
Dem caan stop a man weh ah try
Mi nah stoop fi di M-O-N-E-Y
Cah mi doh want a piece of di babylon pie
Jah Jah know is an ocean of tears I cry
Fi di youth dem weh missing and di one dat die
I si how dem bring drugs and boom, bye bye
So mi nah stop bun dem till di day I die!
Is like dem waan mi kill mi bredrin fi a loaf of bread
But I shall not live on bread alone
Mi nah go sellout mi bredda dem fi loaf of bread
Dem waan mi dead, dem waan di john crow fly ova head
Tell dem my heart still beats like an Afrikan drum
Juss words and power from an Afrikan son
You don't have to rich to be happy
Mi si smiles pon poor people face and dem doh even have it"
-Gappy Ranks from 'Peace & Joy'

"Some artists nowadays -

Look like a gaze dem ah gaze
They're making music to gain some fame
But it's all in vain
But when Messenjah and him crew touch down
A strictly worries in town
Wi lick dem with words, power and sound
A roots & culture wear di crown
Some a dem ah push bad vibes and dem nah hold no rem
Dem ah gwan lak dem a di roots, but dem a di branch and stem!
Dem shoulda know wi ruling so from way back when!
Dem know dat Papa Luci is a living legend!
Dem caan tek di fyah weh Jah Messenjah send!
Seh nuff a dem come ya and deceive Jah children!
Dem ah gwan lak dem a mi friend, but dem a bag a heathen!
Mi bun dem and scorch dem again! [SCORCH!]
Well then-

Carry mi music over rub a dub market
And a di music sell off!
Carry mi music over rub a dub market
Even di producer haffi laugh [Ha ha ha ha]"
-Luciano from 'Rub-A-Dub Market'

'And Another!': A Review of "The Laboratory" by Da Professor

2012-01-23T20:32:00.006-04:00

We really do ask a lot of them. Along with what is their main role -- making great music -- we, as fans, whether we want to admit it or not, really do demand quite a lot from producers of this wonderful music. Not only do they have to make great riddims, they also have to link it properly with artists and then they have to do this on a consisted basis. Not only that, but they're also in charge of making sure everything is promoted properly and people like you and me can get our hands on it when we want it. And fans are greedy as anyone, so you also get into rather strange situations where a producer, if he/she is to thought of on big terms, must also have the ability to push HITS and this is so for individual fans - Most ridiculously whether or not that actual fan likes the tune in question - It doesn't even matter. Failure to do all of these things will guarantee the usage of the horrible 'fell-off' around near someone's name and detaching the label can prove to be a career long struggle. Why anyone would want such responsibilities is a mystery to me. Thankfully, however, many do seem to (struggle from some odd sort of mental illness) do want all of that on their plate and those that are able to do it are subsequently afforded a status unlike anyone else in Reggae music. For an example see Don Corleon. Not only has he handled all of that, if you REALLY think about it, he's also very quietly managed to excel in yet another area of note for a big producer - the 'art' of finding and then (even more importantly) DEVELOPING and providing us, as fans, with big new talents. Corleon has been so good at this, in fact, that he's even managed to develop old[er] artists as well (when was the last time you heard Ce'Cile doing a social commentary???) (and a GOOD one?), but when his time is done, the lineup of vocalists with whom his imprint will be linked with is downright STAGGERING. Names like Vybz Kartel, Wayne Marshall, Alaine, Munga Honourable, Pressure Busspipe and Protoje checker the past (and present) of the legendary producer and he's had all of them, arguably, at their absolute bests in terms of their respective skills. He's also brought out the best in people such as Natural Black and Jah Cure and it is no coincidence. With all of that said, it should be no surprise at all that Don Corleon is back at it again and this time he's bringing one of his most colourful and most talented artists to date.

Meet Da Professor. In that list I just ran through you have some of the most interesting background stories and characters in recent Reggae history, but I don't know that I can say that any of them are as musically diverse and wholly CAPABLE at such an early state as Da Professor. I still don't know a great deal of him, but apparently the Kingston native has lived somewhat of a nomadic existence and along his many journeys, clearly he's picked up a taste for several different styles which he's so wonderfully packed together in a bundle of vibes which is damn infectious. And as a result, Da Professor has arrived at a rather strange point in his career where his name may not carry the densest of weights in Reggae circles, but his talents have more than arrived at a point where the next step must be taken.

Enter "The Laboratory" (anyone else think they should've named it "Da Laboratory"???). Although, as I said, he may not have the biggest name, Don Corleon and co. have invested their first big move of 2012 in Da Professor via releasing his debut album. The artist has been on an absolute musical ROLL over the past couple of years and largely based on the music he's done for the ace producer which now, largely, makes up this release. He's proven to be somewhat of a 'secret weapon' as, although he has voice and scored for others, the body of his work and the class of it has come from Corleon and it's clear that two have developed a grand amount of chemistry with each other as, for as varied as Da Professor may be (and he is), his blend matches almost perfectly with the type of STERLING and somewhat R&B tinged productions for which Corleon is known and best at. Also, I think that, perhaps quietly, the case could be made for Da Professor, in terms of actual quality, being the most effective constant figure on those riddims. His work won't receive the same attention as Tarrus Riley, Ce'Cile and others, but he's been churning out work as good as any of them and certainly I'm not the only one who's noticed which has brought us to the door of this laboratory. The album follows another strong debut set produced by Don Corleon, "7 Year Itch", from Protoje just last year and, much like that album, will serve as a bit of a 'formal' introduction for many to the vibes of Da Professor. What they'll find is a very curiously gifted vocalist who is somewhere between a pure singer and a chanter (he kind of reminds me of Ras Attitude to a degree). As you go through the album you'll find yourself (and myself) comparing him to a few different artists. From that - I take a type of style which is so unique that it has no single master and, even more substantially, that Da Professor is so clearly a great fan of the music he makes because he's developed this style which can literally do pretty much anything within the range of Reggae music and throughout "The Laboratory", he puts this all-encompassing talent on full and vivid display. The results are thorough and a fantastic 'hello' from a name not to be overlooked as an up and comer, because should he continue along this road, then he'll have a lot more in common with the big names who've stopped in Don Corleon's studio. Let's take a listen.

Behind The Scenes

Something which may happen here as it often does when you have artists with very dynamic and attention-grabbing styles: What they're actually saying becomes less regarded and sometimes neglected and while I'm not going to go on and on about amazing of a wordsmith Da Professor is (even though you know I want to), don't just pick this album up prepared to feed it to your ears. There is vast amounts of brainfood within as well. A good example of that would be 'Peace & Unity' which gets us started on "The Laboratory" and features Da Professor going all Eek-A-Mouse on the people. The tune has a slight old school feel to it, but it's modern and POWERFUL at the same time and it backs Da Professor launching into some of the best wordplay on the album.

“Bing bada baba bom -

Something must be wrong

What is going on?

Dem ah mash up wi nation

Nuff a move sideways

Some ah worship satan

You haffi, focus yah mind and hold a meditation

Separate yourself from negativity

And you nuh fi walk wid gun a road fi mek di people see

All mi want for fi di youths a long life, prosperity

Unity amongst wi one another

Yow mi seh that’s where the lesson be”

On this album, while definitely a standout for its quality, this tune isn't really out of place at all and it really sets the pace for the subjectry of a large part of the album. Of course you wouldn’t know that from the next two tracks as both 'I'm Yours' and 'Party Non Stop' follow a different course. The former is a sublime old school lover's track which really sparkles, while the latter, as its title suggests, is a tune sure to get heads rocking from listeners. It should probably rank as a favourite of many also as Don Corleon meets Biggie Irie, courtesy of Da Professor. Sweet tune and a most expectedly colourful start from the adroit future star.

'Words'

Within "The Laboratory", there're more than a couple of familiar beakers and experiments in progress and these make up many of the key elements to be fond here, although certainly not all of them. Probably the most familiar of them all is the sizable hit that was 'Words' which came through across the . . . Pretty much PERFECT Messages Riddim. The track finds Da Professor giving thanks and praise to The Almighty and doing so in a very entertaining way. This is exactly the type of tune which can be heard and you can really just find yourself falling into the riddim and the melodies, but if you tune in to what's being said, it opens another wonderful aspect of the wide-reaching song. The recent Antique Riddim underpins 'Touch You', which is one of three official combinations on "The Laboratory", this one linking Professor with the legendary Ken Boothe. It's a fairly straight forward love tune, but it sounds so nice (as does every single song you have on this album) and it does a major damage. 'Wake Me Up' was one of the major lights across the fulgent Monte Carlo Riddim and it isn't difficult to see (hear?) why. This is another love song, but it’s a bit more twisting that 'Touch You'. It's also a bit better to my opinion and probably one of the best on the album. 'Listen' is Professor's cut of the Broken Hearts Riddim and it goes more back towards the nature of the opener as does the also recognizable and quite similar 'Be Careful', which precedes it on the album. Both of the tunes are really strong and show not only that diversity that I mentioned, but that wide scaled ability as well. You can turn out big love songs and draw up these type of pertinent social commentaries - You're really talented and it isn't even debatable (and everybody listen to your Mothers!) (DAMN!). And speaking of big love songs, later we get the glowing and unfortunately relatable for every man on the planet 'Speechless' from the City Streetz Riddim and the almost agitatingly infectious 'Fi Her Type' from the major Major Riddim. I wish you MUCH luck in stripping from your mind either one of them because it just is not happening for me (and I like it significantly more now than I used to).

'Fi Her Type'

And as far as those tunes, in particular, I think that it's really telling about the intended direction of "The Laboratory" that those songs were chosen. They're all slower paced and more calculated than Professor's efforts on the Pulse, Baheba and Bankrobber Riddims, respectively. Yes. He does Dancehall too (more on that thought later).

Things arguably take a step in an even more proper direction in "The Laboratory", when we get a glimpse of the new[er] tests Da Professor and Don Corleon have been hard at work on. Included in this is what is my single favourite tune on the album, (the somewhat familiar) (I think it's just a couple of months from its release) 'Skanking & Rocking'.

“Mi seh, wi skankin and rockin

Reggae music wi droppin

It a mash-up down a yard and it a mash-up a foreign

Any dance wi step up in -

Know wi havin dem poppin

From di big tune dem ah spin, you know wi neva be stoppin”

“So when wi skankin and rockin

All di traffic wi blockin

And from mi likkle and ah grow mi Daddy tell mi seh fi sing

Now mi tune dem ah go hard and mi mash-up every riddim

How mi lovin di music, it come in lak mi medicine”

“Cah dem style yah neva stale

And di melody prevail

And di way di lyrics bad, dem waan fi send mi go a jail

Marley only have mi bail

Da music yah no fail

Selassie I mi hail, like seh a Bunny dem a Wail”

“Dddi riddim so heavy, Don just work it pon di scale

So mi, load up di chalice and then just touch it pon di nail

Mi si, big sound string up and di people dem juss ah rail

Professor tune it so bad til it ah jook dem lak a nail”

The song is completely expected (as far as what it is) as it features the much aforementioned Protoje (and Gregory Isaacs) (not really though) and the two produce total DYNAMITE together. Not as perfunctory, but not unforeseen at all is the rocking 'Treat U Right', the third combination for the album, this one featuring the also very promising J-Boog. This song, for some reason, took awhile to grow on me. It's just a fun tune and definitely there’s nothing wrong with that. Also check the huge 'By My Side', which may be choice as the album's second best tune altogether. Take a photo of this tune and give to anyone who wants an explanation of Da Professor's skillset. Here, he sings, he chants, he deejays, he does it all and the results are shining! We're kicked out of "The Laboratory" right after the album's final selection, the previously released 'Good Times'. In a very Gappy Ranks fashion (he sounds just like him on the song), Professor grips into this one and, again, produces a really big vibed, champion tune.

One thing about this album really prevails for me after going through it for the sake of this review: While it is really really good (and you can skip to the rating and see just how good I think it is), I'm almost left with a feeling that it's just scraping the surface of how effective Da Professor can be. I walk away from it like I did when listening to early albums from Turbulence - that there's just so much potential in there - but at the same time (like a lot of early albums of Turbulence's) it's really strong (now let's all just hope that Professor doesn't start doing mediocre love songs, almost exclusively at some point), which is kind of strange.

Da Professor

Overall? WINNER! I'm not completely in love and overwhelmed by the quality of every song on "The Laboratory", but there're no bad tunes here and, off the top of my head, I'm unable to think of a song from Da Professor's catalog which is complete rubbish. He just makes really good music and, perhaps (I'm over-thinking), where his name came from is how studious he's been in his career to come up with such a style. So, you can add yet another big name to Don Corleon's roster and should this one, in particular, prove even more capable and one day top what is to be found within "The Laboratory", well then maybe he hasn't found "another big name". Maybe he's found the biggest. Excellent.

Rated: 4.35/5

Don Corleon Records

2012

Digital
Da Professor @Facebook

Review #345

What I'm Listening To: January

2012-01-21T18:16:00.003-04:00

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

2012-01-18T22:41:00.008-04:00

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

2012-01-17T21:19:00.005-04:00

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

2012-01-16T19:01:00.007-04:00

{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

Completely Random on 2011

2011-12-30T18:30:00.012-04:00

Why you'd be interested in what I think about 2011 is an unknown to me . . . Actually it isn't: Clearly you have NO standards (NONE!). So if you are interested and cannot find anything better to do - here's a great waste of time - Our slightly detached, completely ridiculous and totally random look back at the madness that was 2011.

The Artists

I-Octane

Reggae/Dancehall Artist of The Year

I-Octane

Female Reggae/Dancehall Artist of The Year

Ce'Cile

Comeback Artist of The Year

Ky-Mani Marley

Surprise Artist of The Year

Da Professor

Singer of The Year

Luciano

New Artist of The Year

Joggo

Underrated Artist of The Year

Wayne Wonder

Underrated Female Artist of The Year

Alaine

European Artist of The Year

Gappy Ranks

VI Reggae Artist of The Year

Vaughn Benjamin

Afrikan Reggae Artist of The Year

Takana Zion

US Reggae Artist of The Year

J-Boog

French/French Caribbean Artist of The Year

Tiwony

Lyricist of The Year

Gappy Ranks

Artist I Didn’t Like But Everyone Else Did of The Year

Iyara

Soca Artist of The Year

Machel Montano

Female Soca Artist of The Year

Destra Garcia

New Soca Artist of The Year

Megan Walrond

Underrated Soca Artist of The Year
Mr. Killa

Zouk Artist of The Year

Perle Lama

Commercial Artist of The Year

J-Boog

Most Controversial Artist of The Year

Vybz Kartel

Poised For A Big 2011 Male

Bounty Killer

Poised For A Big 2011 Female

Queen Ifrica

Producers & Labels

Producer of The Year

Don Corleon

Riddim of The Year

The Show Version Riddim [Studio 53]

Label of The Year

Don Corleon Records

European Label of The Year

Oneness Records

US Label of The Year

Dynasty Records

Surprise Label of The Year

Pure Music Productions

Active Label of The Year

Hemp Higher

New Label of The Year

Dutty Rock Productions

The Albums

Reggae/Dancehall Album of The Year

"Free Expressions" by Etana

Reggae/Dancehall Compilation Album of The Year

"Don Corleon Presents Dub In HD"

Worst Album of The Year

"Fearless" by . . . someone whose music I generally really enjoy

Soca Album of The Year

"Welcome Back" by Destra

Zouk Album of The Year

"Perle L'Amazone" by Perle Lama

Album I Didn’t Like But Everyone Else Did of The Year

"2 Times Revolution" by Alborosie

Album I Liked But No One Else Did of the Year

"Cité Soleil" by Tiwony

Album Title of The Year

"Rub-A-Dub Market" by Luciano

Album Concept of The Year

"7 Year Itch" by Protoje

Delayed Album of The Year

"World Cry" by Jah Cure

Disappointing Album of The Year

"Rasta Love" by Anthony B

Album Cover of The Year

"Miss B" by Nadia Batson

'Cool' Album of The Year
"In The Music" by Jalena

The Completely Random & Ridiculous

Rosy

Best Song of The Year

'Black Mamba' by Midnite

Cutie of The Year

Ce'Cile

New Cutie of The Year

Rosy [Zouk]

Best Video of 2011

'Shaka Zulu Pickney' by Tarrus Riley

Deceased Artist of The Year [Who was dead at the beginning of the year]

Gregory Isaacs

Reggae Site of The Year

UnitedReggae.com

Coolest Artist [to us] of The Year

Sara Lugo

Verse of The Year

Verse #1 from 'Rub A Dub Market' by Luciano

"Some artists nowadays -

Look like a gaze dem ah gaze

They're making music to gain some fame

But it's all in vain

But when Messenjah and him crew touch down

A strictly worries in town

Wi lick dem with words, power and sound

A roots & culture wear di crown

Some a dem ah push bad vibes and dem nah hold no rem

Dem ah gwan lak dem a di roots, but dem a di branch and stem!

Dem shoulda know wi ruling so from way back when!

Dem know dat Papa Luci is a living legend!

Dem caan tek di fyah weh Jah Messenjah send!

Seh nuff a dem come ya and deceive Jah children!

Dem ah gwan lak dem a mi friend, but dem a bag a heathen!

Mi bun dem and scorch dem again! [SCORCH!]

Well then-

Carry mi music over rub a dub market

And a di music sell off!

Carry mi music over rub a dub market

Even di producer haffi laugh [Ha ha ha ha]"

Artist I Spun CONSTANTLY in 2010

Sara Lugo

Artist I’m Most Likely to Spin CONSTANTLY In 2012

Sizzla Kalonji

The Vaughn Benjamin Award of Multiple Releases in 2011

Vaughn Benjamin

All Kinds of Fucked Up 2011

'Who Jump De Sheep' by Gao

Really Bad Idea of 2011

Kiprich .vs. Merciless @ Sting 2011

Goal of 2012

Start our documentary well and jump up EVERYWHERE it takes us

Happy to See You In 2011

Everton Blender

Reggae Journalist of 2011

Angus Taylor

Best Review I Wrote In 2011

"Rasta Government" by Takana Zion

Worst Review I Wrote In 2011

All of the recent ones were rubbish sans the Modern Classics

Prevailing Thought of 2011
"If your mind is gone, the rest of you is chasing it"

Reader of 2011

LeClaire

Blog Reader of 2011

Elena & Cassruby

Last Song I Listened To

'Misik Ka Baw Lov' by Rosy

Last Album I Listened To

"Rub-A-Dub Market" by Luciano

Athlete of The Year

Nicholas Walters

Coolest Person of 2011

Bredz

The Best Reggae Albums of 2011 [#'s 10-1]

2011-12-28T21:36:00.006-04:00

{See #'s 20-11}

Etana

The Best of The Best

#10. "From Creation" by Alpheus [A-Lone Productions]

Live & learn. I'm thinking back to this time last year and what I'm thinking is that if you could somehow have showed me this list at that time - what would have stood out. Definitely somewhere near the biggest surprises would have been this piece from Alpheus which found the singer turning back the clock and doing so with a virtual stroke of genius. "From Creation" is so wonderful for me, personally, because I can easily point to it as the type of an album which I would not have liked very much, if at all, just a few years back, but having aged (A LOT, I am very very old), I'm now to the point where I can not only appreciate it, but absolutely enjoy just how beautiful it was. On top of that, it came from an artist who wasn't particularly close to my listening radar (at all) but that changed in 2011 and in a big way. I'm paying attention now! Make another one!

Best Tune: 'From Creation'

See Review

#9. "What About Love" by Sara Lugo [Soulfire Artists/Oneness Records]

Familiar stranger. What more can I say? A lot! What definitely became the most discussed album around here, "What About Love", from one of the most discussed artists around here, Sara Lugo, did so not only because I thought its star to be absolutely delightful, it did so because it was pretty exceptional and particularly so for a debut set. I went back to listen to every entry you'll see here and while this one didn't require much because it's never really strayed too far from my players, I'm still hearing gorgeous tunes! I'm still hearing crucial messages. And I'm still hearing effectiveness of pushing them in this incredibly infectious and downright brilliant Reggae-fied, Jazzy style. And it's all just the start from an artist in Sara Lugo who skyrocketed in 2011 with one of the most stunning albums to be found anywhere.

Best Tune: 'Part of My Life'

See Review

#8. "The Scriptures" by Sizzla Kalonji [John John]

Lead the way. As of this writing, Sizzla Kalonji seems poised to BOOM early 2012 with the release of potentially massive "The Chant" album, but as we wrap up and tuck away 2011, it's important to remember that he also did pretty well this year. "The Scriptures" album was Sizzla's first actual release in quite some time and even though the expectations are always totally high in his case and so much time had gone by, the album had no problems at all living up to my personal expectations. All things being equal, at least for me, he's ALWAYS the leader of the pack and John John steered him in the proper direction to push an album which, although sterling, seems likely to pick up even more steam as it ages. Still, it had more than enough 'text' to make this list.

Best Tune: 'Music In My Soul'

See Review

#7. "Kings Bell" by Midnite [I Grade Records/Andrew 'Bassie' Campbell]

King cobra. The expected unusal brilliance came shining brightly throughout "Kings Bell" and to my opinion it came shining in a way that it hadn't in a little while. Surely a big part of that was due to the effort of Midnite frontman, Vaughn Benjamin, who continues to dazzle and educate in his storied career (dazucate???), but also this time around on board was the flaming Andrew 'Bassie' Campbell who produced the album. The result was brilliance with vibrance! The album would produce, via its single 'Mongst I & I', the very first video of the career of Midnite, it would become one of their most talked about and well promoted projects ever and prove damn inescapable throughout the final quarter of 2011. OH! And personally I shouldn't forget that buried somewhere on this album is ("an eleven foot, six hundred pound tiger") 'Black Mamba': THE SINGLE BEST SONG I HEARD IN 2011.

Best Tune: 'Black Mamba'

See Review

#6. "Modern Rockers Vol. 1" by Joggo [Dredda Records]

I wonder. 2 things with this one - First of all, like I said, I went back and listened to everything when I decided, basically, what was going to be on this list and how well it compared to others and . . . blah blah blah. In the case of "Modern Rockers Vol. 1", while I'd clearly recognized that it was a 'big' (not really though) album, it was MUCH bigger than I thought! For me, when I hear certain tunes which may be older and what we'd call vintage (and I'm not going to name names, but you know what I'm talking about), I get this really GREAT feeling, it's almost like I'm 'starstruck' and in the presence of something truly spectacular and that happens to me STILL about six times in listening to this new album with the old title. BUT (!) it should've been more. The only real lasting complaint here is that Joggo was SO good here that I'm almost angry that they stopped him at just eleven tunes - three or four more at the same level and there is no position here (NONE!) which is out of the reach of this album, which is probably the best the genre has ever seen from out of Suriname.

Best Tune: 'I & I Know'

See Review

#5. "Ziggi Recado" [Rock 'N Vibes Entertainment]

Still in transit. These days, when it comes to the self titled album from Statian flame-thrower, Ziggi Recado, what I'm really focused on is just how diverse the sound was. There is just SO MUCH going on here and I don't know that it resonated with me like THAT from before, but even for someone whose tastes may be more straight forward than most, it's BEAUTIFUL! The "Ziggi Recado" album was one which I wouldn't call 'landmark' or something like that, but it's moving in that direction and it's doing so for someone who not only is EASILY one of the most talented artists in Reggae music today, but also someone whose journey is just as obviously still very much 'in transit'.

Best Tune: 'New Day'

See Review

#4. "Cité Soleil" by Tiwony [Blackwarell Sound Inc.]

Arise. For an album which arrived and impressed in the first half of the year, Tiwony's sprawling third solo project, "Cité Soleil", spent the mojorty of the second half of 2011 just GROWING and GROWING. It's gotten to the point where I even considered doing a '3a & 3b' situation (but that's even below the absolutely non-existent standards that we have) between it and the 'sunny' selection up next. "Cité Soleil" is MASSIVE, it is a spectacular album and I'm someone who, in certain cases such as with Ziggi and a few others who you'll find on the whole of this list, really puts a great deal of 'pressure' and emphasis on artists like this doing well and Tiwony is one of them. These supremely gifted lights will have a great deal to do in defining the music of this current generation of Reggae music and with ammunition such as what is to be found here - an example of someone really 'stepping up' - a big supporter of the current era like myself has not a thing to worry about.

Best Tune: 'L'Union Fait La Force'

See Review

#3. "Skyfiya" by The Uprising Roots Band [TRU Musik Productions/DP&B Entertainment]

Shining. The Uprising Roots Band were apparently out on a mission to BRIGHTEN the skies of 2011 and did that and more through their blinding debut album, "Skyfiya". This album has become a personal favourite of mine as of late and it's the type of album we usually gravitate towards as, although it didn't generate a great deal of discussion (with the exception of #6, easily less than any other on this half of this list and most on the first half as well), it was a GREAT release. With tunes like the title track, 'Brightest Light', 'Shinin So Bright', 'Krash Like Lightenin' and 'Brighter Days', it was clear what the intent was here and "Skyfiya" left not a leaf or a branch of shade to be found when it was done. LIGHT EVERYTHING!

Best Tune: 'Skyfiya'

See Review

#2. "Rub-A-Dub Market" by Luciano [IrieVibrations Records]

Living legend. Just in case you've forgotten how we've gotten to the point where Luciano has become one of the most revered Reggae artists walking the earth today, he's spent the better part of the past couple of years showing you why that's the case and in the best possible way also - with the music. Following a 2010 which saw him push two fine albums, "United States of Africa" and "Write My Name", Luciano chased it with a 2011 which saw him go even a step higher through "Rub-A-Dub Market". The IrieVibrations produced album is another which has gotten better from the very first spin (and that's saying a great deal in this instance) and now, pretty unarguably in my opinion, ranks as one of the best turns EVER in the amazing career of 'The Messenjah'.

Best Tune: 'Rub-A-Dub Market'

See Review

#1. "Free Expressions" by Etana [VP Records]

The strongest one. The word that comes to mind is 'Halting'. When you come to this portion, everything stops and . . . and not only because there's nothing else after it. Even more so than in the cases of Tiwony and Ziggi, Etana is someone who is largely destined to have this current era of Reggae music attached to her name and a great deal of her legacy. Long after she's gone, people will discuss the music she is doing right now and in this year she was completely without a peer in what she did.

Nothing came 'stronger' than "Free Expressions" in 2011, which released wayyyyyyyy back in February and, at least for me, was the front-running choice for this distinction for pretty much the entire year. At this point Etana has become someone who has 'graduated' to the stage where we should be able to expect something significantly substantial from her each and every time out and while she's only given us two big examples of that as of yet, at her age can you imagine if she were to give us another TWENTY or so years of prime releases? That's something for the ages, but right now in 2011 we're to appreciate what she's already done. "Free Expressions": The Best Reggae Album of 2011.

Best Tune: 'Free'

See Review

The Best Reggae Albums of 2011 [#'s 20-11]

2011-12-27T21:50:00.009-04:00

Danny I

Although I surely complained about it entirely too much, 2011 wasn't actually a bad year in terms of releases. Looking back - for what it lacked in consistent releases from more of the biggest names in the genre, it made up for it via lesser known lights stepping up and doing a significant amount of damage and in some cases (like #'s 20 & 14 on this list) perhaps even setting the stage for themselves to take that proverbial next step. There were also big names who did show up and pushed strong efforts as well as a few returns also who really livened up the year. Despite the fact that I didn't give a 5/5 review this year, I can very confidently say that, now that it's all over (not really though), it was a pretty good year for Reggae albums. How good exactly? Let's take a look back at the best of the best this year: The Best Reggae Albums of 2011.

{Note: No compilations or reissues}
{Note 2: Dancehall - Yes. Soca - No}
{See #'s 10-1}

#20. "7 Year Itch" by Protoje [Don Corleon Records]

Ointment. I'm still very much of the belief that "7 Year Itch", the most interesting debut album from the most interesting, Protoje, is 'only' the initial step of some larger plan, but it proved to be a pretty large step if that it's accurate (and it probably isn't). Regardless of the situation surrounding its future, the album, produced by arguably the greatest all-around maestro in the genre and Protoje's brilliant cousin, Don Corleon, went well to formally introduce to the Reggae world a talent which it seems very unlikely to shake anytime soon and it's certainly a much better and COLOURFUL place because of it.

Best Tune: '7 Year Itch'

See Review

#19. "Rasta Government" by Takana Zion [Soulbeats Records]

Glory. One of Afrika's greatest current Reggae exports, Guinea born youthful fireball Takana Zion, hit a new high for me in 2011 with the release of his third studio album to date, "Rasta Government". To date, Zion has very much been an artist who has received a special amount of attention from the Reggae listening world and it was an album like this, which has gotten even stronger in my opinion from the first listens, which it brought it even further along. Reaching this list with an album is one thing, but at just 25 years of age (to my knowledge), Zion figures to reach several more of them and he MIGHT just end up one of the, if not THE single greatest ever Reggae light from out of The Motherland.

Best Tune: 'Rasta Government'

See Review

#18. "Paris Is Burning" by Derajah & The Donkey Jaw Bone [Chapter Two Records]

A late flame. It definitely helps that this is one of the last album's that I REALLY vibed and I'm still playing it so it's likely the freshest in my mind, at least on this stage of the list, but I've yet to find any major fault in "Paris Is Burning" from Derajah. What I still hear is a very personal and ROUGH modern Roots Reggae set and a very interesting mix of that with at times downright SPECTACULAR riddims from The Donkey Jaw Bone band. Musically speaking, it may've been one of the year's finest and with Derajah added in - the fusioning of the two not inherently very similar styles - was winning all around on this big release.

Best Tune: 'Bun Dem To Rass'

See Review

#17. "Unstoppable" by Cali P [Hemp Higher Productions/Inspired Music]

Inspired. It was a pretty big and WONDERFUL shock when someone who I'd had my eyes and ears on for the past few years, the outstanding Cali P, brought forth his new album, "Unstoppable". I had been definitely looking forward to hearing more from the chanter and the very fact of him having a new project would have been a very large piece of news for me and that's exactly what it was. Even more surprising, however, is exactly what I heard when I spun it. Cali P had gone Dancehall for the most part . . . and he was good at it! A few months on still and I'm still wondering if he was even better than we thought on what was easily one of the most infectious albums of 2011.

Best Tune: 'Jah Rule The World'

See Review

#16. "Plead My Cause" by Junior X [Revolutionary Entertainment]

Listening. I think it's so important to reward to originality and uniqueness wherever you see it in a positive state, particularly in a genre which is often said to not have very much of it in Roots Reggae. If you take a very deep listen to "Plead My Cause", the looooooooooong awaited debut set from impressive veteran, Junior X. What he did on this album was to give his own very unique take on things going on in the world and it really didn't sound like much that I'd heard from anyone else to date. Of course the style is his and just so fascinating to hear develop. This album is also still developing and I wouldn't at all be surprised if deserved to rank in the top half of this list, to me, in a year or two. One of the best lyrical experiences to be had this year.

Best Tune: 'The Pill'

See Review

#15. "Jamaicanization" by Ce'Cile [Kingstone Records]

Reinvention. Unless you're a fan of Kartel, and you might be, there just wasn't much going on in 2011 in terms of big named Dancehall artists releasing albums. In retrospect, that set a brilliant stage for someone like . . . oh, I don't know, Ce'Cile - to come back with a big new and that's exactly what she did with "Jamaicanization". With eighteen tracks on board, it pretty much covered anything and stops from the likes of Agent Sasco, Million Stylez and Chris Martin helped even more as Ce'Cile made having fun look damn good (and SEXY) in 2011!

Best Tune: 'Hey' featuring Agent Sasco

See Review

#14. "Backyard Boogie" by J Boog

Do it now. Not much of ANYTHING ran in 2011 which was as sonically dominant as the much anticipated new album from J Boog. Launched on the strength of the MASSIVE Don Corleon produced single, 'Let's Do It Again', "Backyard Boogie", surrounded that game-changing tune and proved to be most worthy of the moment. Big tunes like 'Hawaiian Pakalolo', 'Mystery', 'Let Me Know' and several others helped to build a SOUND which may've been THE standard this year.

Best Tune: 'Let's Do It Again'

See Review

#13. "Thanks & Praise" by Gappy Ranks

LYRICS! 2011 found UK star, Gappy Ranks, intent on putting on full display the other side of his multi-faceted abilities. In 2010, he gave us the slower side on the "Put The Stereo On" album, but he went completely modern on "Thanks & Praise". Doing so, apparently, gave him a greater vehicle to show a quality which many people weren't necessarily giving him credit for having before - writing - as Gappy put on a linguistic light show which won't soon be forgotten!

Best Tune: 'Peace & Joy'

See Review

#12. "Back For The First Time" by Perfect [Lustre Kings Productions]

One thunder ball. I'd almost forgotten about this album which certainly is going to say much more about my increasingly useless brain that the album, but luckily I got it back in my mind and a VERY enjoyable trip back a few months to one of the year's most COMPLETE releases altogether, the EXCELLENT "Back For The First Time" by Perfect. Listening to it today (and I did listen to the entire thing again), it just so BRIGHT in many spots. Perfect, of course, is an artist who is almost impossible to qualify most times, but throughout this album, particularly at its highest moments, he just puts a giant smile on my face with joyous vibes.

Best Tune: 'HIM Smile'

See Review

#11. "To His Majesty" by Danny I [I Grade Records]

Most royal. Ranking at the top of the first half of this list is someone who will continually be overlooked by a lot of people who know better, wicked St. Croix singer, Danny I. The singer, somewhat surprisingly, returned to his fans in 2011 with his third and most high profile album to date, "To His Majesty", which was also the second time he linked with I Grade Records. The at times STUNNING album more than lived up to its 'situational' potential and although it remains to be just how many more ears and minds were opened up to Danny I because of it, however many there were surely are better fans because of it and this is just as certainly the type of release which will build, so if you haven't really dug into it, do so now!

Best Tune: 'To His Majesty'

See Review

Most Wanted 2012

2011-12-25T17:28:00.004-04:00

So that's pretty much it. 2011 is a wrap and we now begin to look back at the year that was and look ahead to the year that will be. In terms of releases, already set in stone for the first quarter of what is lining up to be an impressive 2012 is a big roster of artists. As we told you yesterday, Sizzla Kalonji now heads up a group which also includes the likes of Midnite, Konshens, I-Octane and even Singing Melody now. But after that? I thought that, as we did last year, we'd go through and dig up a few names whom we hope to hear from in album form next year. It's The Most Wanted of 2012.

{Note: See last year's list}

{Note 2: Specifically tried to avoid mentioning any of those names again}

{Note 3: Also avoided anyone who currently has an album actually scheduled for release}

#10. Lion D

About time. We should say (or hope) that two and a half years or so should be enough for the breakout star of 2009 to have retooled and rearmed himself to deliver a followup to the finest album I heard that year, "The Burning Melody". In between that, the ridiculously gifted Lion D would have also dropped "Reap What You Sow", a fairly well received mixtape which (was probably better than I gave it credit for bein) went best to whet the appetite for another full official set which he'll hopefully deliver in the middle of the year or so.

#9. Kénédy

Recharge. Okay so, I didn't pay a great deal of attention to new Zouk music in 2011 (I didn't write one review from the genre this year which is a damn shame), but you'll excuse me for that, none of my favourites really did too much, with the exception of Perle Lama, and it was just a 'down' year for the genre in terms of big names releasing albums. Of course, that means that 2012 can do nothing but be better and, personally, it could do nothing better than deliver a new set from the best Zouk singer I know of, the divine and all kind of sexy Kénédy. It would be her first from 2009's STERLING "Entre Toi Et Moi" (which I listened back to not too long ago and is absolute GOLD these days) and it would DEFINITELY get our interests flaming again. Of course so would albums from Ludy, Goldee, Lindsey Lin'S, Methi'S . . .

#8. Jah Cure

Uhhmmm. Much like the next entrant on this list, we were expecting Jah Cure to deliver his new album, "World Cry" at some point in 2011, but after about 150 delays, you kind of stopped expecting it and unless it's up later this week (and it won't be), you can begin the prospect of looking forward to it sometime in 2012. They released singles and press releases, but no album. I'm damn looking forward to hearing the completed project at this point, whenever it rises and certainly we'll get to it sometime in the next twelve months . . . Right???

#7. Elijah Prophet

I want to be happy too! In the case of Elijah Prophet, it was even more frustrating. Jah Cure has three or four albums now and, no matter what hapens, you assume that he'll continue to release a steady stream of tunes as he did in 2011. That's not the case for the Prophet and when I saw his "Happy Days" album on the schedule (and actually heard a preview mix from it, I believe) I was VERY excited and then . . . it just . . . never happened. No discussion or anything, but out of anything on this list with any relative 'concrete-ness' to it - if we don't get this one in 2012, I will be MOST disappointed.

#6. Patrice Roberts

Her turn. Quite a bit has changed in the three or four years since Patrice Roberts released her last album, the big "Looking Hot" and it's time that she gave us a next dosage of her most colourful bag of tricks in an album form. This year in Soca, things went big with the likes of Destra Garcia, Machel Montano, Nadia Batson, Kes D Band (twice) and others (like Benjai) all pushing projects and I think it's clearly her time to shine in 2012. Take that and combine it with the fact that she has, like a said, several seasons of material to pick from and she's already got big tunes going for next year and what you potentially have is a GREAT Soca album from Patrice Roberts.

#5. Beenie Man

Call it overdue. As ridiculous as it sounds to actually say - Should he get to September without having done so (and he probably will, it will have been SIX YEARS from last Beenie Man actually released a studio album. Sooooooooo much has changed from then and especially for 'The Doctor'. Also, there hasn't been a year after 2008 when he hasn't had a strong rumour of releasing a project (most recently there was "King In Control" from earlier this year), so if we keep guessing, one of these years we'll get it correct. Hopefully Beenie and VP Records do something for later in the year and a lot of us will be 'correct'.

#4. Queen Ifrica

Back to Mobay. Three years Queen Ifrica dropped an album in "Welcome To Montego Bay" which was widely called the best album of that year and while I didn't rank it so (biggup Lion D), it was definitely right up there with the best of the lot (I believe I had it third). On top of that, she's spent her entire career doing absolutely nothing but pushing big tunes and that well continued in 2011 and she also scored a few hits also. She's a big named artist and I can't imagine that VP will get through a year without calling on her name and we're well looking forward to it.

#3. Pressure

Showtime. I remember hearing an interview or reading one in which Don Corleon mentioned that he had been streaming a steady supply of riddims in the direction of outstanding VI chanter, Pressure Busspipe and that the resulting album, which was intended, should be a pretty large work of art (I think he also said that there was absolutely no schedule for its release). That was sometime in the first half of 2011 and I know that they have a lot to do, but DAMN wouldn't a fresh project from Pressure, produced by Don, have a potential 'Album of The Year' title waiting for it?

#2. Queen Omega

Mother. Despite the fact that she may not bring about the same amount of discussion these days as many names you'll find on this list, Trini Reggae Empress Queen Omega will never be too far from our players and attentions and hopefully she makes that the case for fans everywhere in 2012 by dropping her very first project from 2008. I'm putting her in the same position as someone like Batch - There's no way whatever she does next will be anything less than BIG (and in Batch's case, I believe his next album will be an I Grade project) and it's getting pretty hard waiting for her to come and prove it so.

#1. Busy Signal

One more. And finally, topping our wishlist for albums in 2012 is definitely the currently scalding Busy Signal. If I recall correctly, Busy was supposed to have a couple of albums this year, with one being more straight forward Dancehall and another being a showcase of Busy's increasingly and infectious oddities and I would've settled for either, but the fact that neither showed up wasn't a big shock. However, given the fact that he managed to string together an OUTSTANDING 2011, it's going to be difficult imagining VP not putting him up again and if/when they do, I'm not only expecting his best album to date, but maybe even one of the best album's from anyone in the Dancehall in a very long time.

"The Chant" by Sizzla Kalonji

2011-12-24T20:09:00.004-04:00

"The Chant" by Sizzla Kalonji [AfroJam Music]

1. Chanting Rastaman

2. Jah Made It Possible

3. How Come featuring Jah Seed

4. Put Away The Weapons

5. Zimbabwe

6. Hungry Children

7. System Crash

8. Look What's Happening

9. Smoke Marijuana featuring Wippa Demus & Halloway

10. Love Selassie I More

11. A She Mi Love

12. Something Special

13. Chant

The already LOADED first quarter of 2012 just made itself even more attractive by adding what has to be, at least in my opinion (although Midnite fans . . . yeah), its crowning jewel as set to release studio album #3,653 is the incomparable Sizzla Kalonji with "The Chant". The album comes via the international label, AfroJam Music from out of Germany (with Groove Attack also on the distribution), but has its roots in an entirely more familiar source, Caveman with Everton 'Dr. Cave' Moore. The same structure which helped originally give the world what has become one its most powerful musical gifts EVER, returns to also deliver one of Sizzla's increasingly most anticipated sets in a very long time.

"Caveman Culture Sound Vol. 1"

A couple of ago, the label pushed "Caveman Culture Sound Vol. 1" which was a compilation set featuring recordings from Sizzla, Lutan Fyah, Norris Man, Natural Black and the likes and both of Sizzla's offerings from that set, 'Hungry Children' & 'Zimbabwe' are also featured on "The Chant" (as well as one or two other familiar pieces). Also and even more importantly, fans can look forward to music which, at least presumably, will show hints of that original and vintage, classic Kalonji style. If this does happen, if you even approach it, well then what we have here will be special - without a doubt. It is that very possiblity which makes this one an album not to missed. Reportedly the physical release will also include lyrics to each tune and a word from esteemed writer, John Massouri as well.

I have a VERY good feeling about this one and I'm well looking forward to getting my hands on it. Exercise good common sense and do the same if you're still on the planet on February 17 when Sizzla Kalonji's new album,"The Chant", reaches stores.

{Note: We've also seen February 21 as a release date and I usually go with the latest date}

{Note 2: Bredz . . . MADNESS!}

Rewind!: A Second Look & Listen to "Black Gold" by Toussaint

2011-12-21T21:59:00.009-04:00

"Black Gold" by Toussaint [I Grade Records]

Today we take a look back to what was definitely one of the most interesting (and perhaps THE most) and best releases of 2010 and an album which I hadn't picked up in a minute until quite recently. This was an album which, wonderfully, got quite a bit of attention and, looking back, in terms of being what it was and when it was released, it was probably one of the most gripping albums of its time and it also figures to have a nice 'charge' to it as well as we'll still occasionally get messages from readers not only interested in the music, but still VERY passionate for it, nearly a year and a half on. "Black Gold" by Toussaint.

Toussaint The Liberator

1. 'Nobody Knows'

Still the best. While it was surely well received, I don't know that I ever read anything from anyone who appreciated this song as much as I did. For me, it is the 'title track'! If you come here looking "GOLD", you'll find it as soon as you start listening to this album in the form of this absolutely DAMAGING opener, 'Nobody Knows'. All this time later - what really sticks out now is the kind of 'broadly personal' nature of the tune. It now comes off as a presentation of thoughts more so than a written out and performed tune (which is what is actually is). Of course, there's a spiritual element to it, but that side is even active primarily in the mind. Very, very UNIQUE song.

"Nobody knows what I did today

Only me and The Most High"

2. 'This Song'

And from that conversation with "The Most High" was born -'This Song'. Here's another one which I recall immediately enjoying from the very first spin through. This tune is just full of discussable points and moments, not the least of which is the examination of the actual subject of the song, 'this song'. The "song" can be called a few different things in my mind. It's a song, it's an idea, it's a memory, it's a theme - So many different words fit into it and allow the song to still make perfect sense and I think what is at the song's core is INSPIRATION. It's a song very much about seeking inspiration and acting upon it as well.

3. 'Roots In A Modern Time'

In terms of the music on the album, I think that 'Roots In A Modern Time' so wonderfully expresses the situation of the album (and I believe it was the original title of the project also) in terms of how an album which sounds like this comes to be in the spectrum of Roots Reggae music (more on that later). But in digging deeper (because that's just what we do around here), the most fascinating word here is "Roots" because when you listen to the tune, it's clear that it's a synonym here for LIFE. The song isn't an examination of the world in reference to the music (or is it?) - but it's making a musical link between those Roots and to life and that is a MIGHTY notion.

4. 'Be You'

'Be You' has gone onto become the signature tune from this album and it's no surprise why. It was the first single from the album and there was a video (which should be in here somewhere) and it was just a very nice and vibrant song. Past the obvious, it also brought in concepts of inspiration and ORIGINALITY and, at least for me, it was a celebration of uniqueness and you could take that in so many different directions, but the one I go to is the idea of beauty and how wonderfully fucking beautiful the world is because everyone is at least a little different from everyone else.

5. 'Sunshine In Morning'

'Sunshine In Morning' is a song which will make a quick impact on the listener because it's a GLOWING tune. On a superficial level, it's easily one of the most sonically pleasing tunes on the whole of "Black Gold" (and that riddim is SPECTACULAR!). When you're able to get passed that, however (if you're able to), the message here is just as vivid as the 'aesthetics' of the tune. Be patient!

6. 'Hello My Beautiful'

We can call this one a "love song" because that's what we do with this kind of tune, but it's so much more. For me, I don't know that I ever paid as much attention to the sound of 'Hello My Beautiful' - it's . . . very odd and I mean that in a good way. It sounds worn and kind of rough at times, but in there somewhere is a polished and repolished tune which almost sounds like something out of some kind of movie. It's very BIG and dramatic and one of the most shocking moments on the album.

7. 'Black Gold'

The album's title track, now, is one which I find just almost over-filled with a sense of pride. The premise of the song and the title of the song are both concepts which are built on it.

"The faces I see starring at me-

In Grandma's collection of pictures

A treasure-trove to behold, nuggets of gold

And there lies the reason for my existence"

Toussaint will mention bad things and situations ["I come from mental anguish, malnutrition"], but they're COMPLETELY overthrown by this pride which is inborn and a birthright! This song is amazing and if it were set sans music at all (even though I do like the music), it would still be - it's a very message-driven beauty in this case.

8. 'Look Up'

I haven't gotten much further on 'Look Up' because I . . . pretty much overthought my way through it the first few times I heard it. It's a song for the Afrikan Woman and I'm still so very much interested in the way the tune is constructed and arranged. It's almost like Toussaint is apologising to the Woman (who has done her part) on behalf of the man who hasn't handled his responsibility and he's doing it without condition. But it is his hope and belief that this will be corrected and soon which ultimately gives the song a very positive bend.

9. 'Conquering Cocaine'

Here we have a song which I definitely liked when I heard it, but I don't know that it's ever been as strong in my mind than it is these days. 'Conquering Cocaine' is very personal (despite the very 'free' nature of it - when you think of such a tune, I think the vision is of someone sitting in a room playing a guitar, singing and crying about their problems, but that isn't what happens here at all), very unique in the spectrum of Reggae and a song which has become a late highlight from the album for me.

10. 'Rise & Fall' featuring Jahdan Blakkamoore

Jahdan Blakkamoore wasn't far away from delivering his own set which would be nice for a "Rewind!" someday, "Babylon Nightmare", when he, expectedly, popped up on the only combination on "Black Gold", 'Rise & Fall'. What I'm focused on now is one of the verses in the song from Toussaint where he speaks on Haiti and a reawakening of Haiti which is something somewhat unexpected, but when you frame it into the balance of the tune, it's well situated. Between the two, Jahdan goes more on a broad level where Toussaint dives into specifics and between both sides is a HUGE track.

11. 'Marching'

Next we go 'Marching' with Toussaint. This song is interesting because I can remember not liking it all that much and while I still wouldn't rank it amongst my favourites here, slowly it's starting to pick up a little steam to me. If you take the premise of the song - this call to action and call to movement - the style of the song, which is what I didn't like, makes more sense. If you want to get someone up to do something and take an action, you're probably not going to be easy about it. There'll likely be a great deal of urgency in your voice and that's exactly what you hear on this one . . . and I'm still working on it!

12. 'Patient'

TEARS! 'Patient' is and always was the second best tune on "Black Gold" to my opinion. It was absolutely GORGEOUS! And the tunes punchline:

"Please be patient with me

I am not through with me yet"

Resonates with me so much that it's such an identifiable tune with me, personally. As someone who's done a TON of really stupid stuff in they're life, I listen to this track and I wish I would've had the words in my head in . . . so many different situations that I found myself in, in my life. Particularly gripping is "Can't worry bout the apathy, though it's CRIPPLING" - DAMN! It's like the man wrote the song with me in mind. But that's wayyyyyyyy too much of my business. Excellent tune!

13. 'Unforgettable'

Toussaint goes all Nat King Cole on the people (not really) with the second single from "Black Gold", 'Unforgettable' which, again, is much better than I think I originally gave it credit for being. It's pretty much an R&B song and one which is just so beautiful that I'm wondering if it ever got an opportunity to be appreciated in those circles because I think that it would have done very well.

14. 'Changing'

Although somewhat buried on the album and pretty laid-back I've paid a great deal of attention to 'Changing' and while it isn't really hard to follow along and it's low on metaphors and is very straight forward, I think that I'm getting to a point where I can better appreciate this one. The main thing which interests me, much like in the case of 'Marching', is this wonderful marriage between vibes and messages and how it now sounds like an old school Jazz tune but . . . ask me again in a year.

15. 'Rain Again'

FINALLY (although it really hasn't taken a long time to write this one - maybe 60-70 minutes of actual work) (combined with about four hours of downright masterful procrastination) is 'Rain Again' and after all of this time - I like it. I was wrong, it's much better than I gave it credit for. Youssoupha Sidibe produces the tune which is very stringy and kind of hard to really grab or do anything with. BUT somewhere in the middle of listening to it, it lit up. I now hear a melody and a musical direction and it's not there yet, but I see the intent and in terms of a single tune, I can't actually think of more of a change that I've had than here. Beautiful and growing.

Okay, here's what's sticking with me from "Black Gold", in full, today. The album was pushed on the concept of how Toussaint brought together Reggae and more traditional Soul and Jazz and R&B for a genre which was called "Soul Roots". I wrote about it, pretty much everyone else did as well and that was a big point surrounding interest on the album as many people from the Reggae side just hadn't heard of Toussaint very much. Now? I don't even care about it slightly. That aspect of the album has relented a lot for me and while I won't go in the direction of saying that genre doesn't matter to me at all (clearly it does, I LOVE categories, they make things really convenient), I really like how this album has 'progressed' from being this project which was, to a large degree, interesting because of the background of the artist, to being just as interesting and arguably even more because of the music. Going forth that's what is most easily accessible. You'll have to do research to learn/remember the story of Toussaint and the background story of the album, but all you need to do to realize just how special "Black Gold" is - is push Play.

'Room For Him!': A Review of "Higher Heights Revolution" by Everton Blender

2011-12-19T23:24:00.002-04:00

We've been waiting. There are certain artists who, when their names pop up on a release schedule or a bill, just make me excited and not for the typical reason. If you haven't noticed - I often get extremely emotionally involved and attached to a great deal of this music and it is definitely refreshing when I can just take a small piece of that out and really just enjoy the music for the music itself. The obvious direction here is Zouk which certainly does steer me in a course which requires far less of a mental connection for me to enjoy because, at its best, it's just this kind of crystallized and GLOWING art form which can be appreciated for its beauty on a very easy level. And because of that I list some of the finest Zouk singers such as Kénédy, Tiny Ly and Goldee But there're other times when I experience this in regards to Reggae music with, as I said, this very small group of names. These are artists whose quality is essentially guaranteed. There is absolutely no question what you’re dealing with and although their names may or may not be listed amongst my immediate my favourites if you were to ask me, they are sometimes far more consistent and dependable than the names you would surely hear. The two most instantaneous names that come into play here are veteran singers Mikey General and Yami Bolo. Over the course of the past few years or so, I've grown to appreciate both of their music so much more than I previously did and, attempting to explain why, I think a large part of that has to do with the quiet amount of quality control they exercise. General and Bolo have been around for very long times and they've done so much work that you're going to find material in their catalogs which isn't top notch, but you're also probably going to find dozens or so which are for every one that is not. They'll never get the top amount attention of some of their more famous peers, but when I see either 'approaching', I know that something at least above average is on the way. Also in this category would be someone like Mark Wonder and a bit of a 'wildcard' with Etana. These are artists, predominately singers, who just don't make a great deal of 'questionable' music and if you enjoy the genre of Reggae (and you do), making a case for not also enjoying their music, specifically, is pretty impossible.

Now, also in that group and near its head - if there exists such a thing - would be . . . One of the greatest Reggae singers EVER, Everton Blender. The Blender has made a legend out of himself by singing some of the most UPLIFTING tunes in a form of music which prides itself on inspiring the masses. He is a King here and, along with Luciano, his had been one of two voices to really rise to the top in terms of Roots Reggae singers in an era which was one probably one of the most crucial for the advancement of the music in its entire history. And apparently he's still ready to continue advancing it in 2011.

"It's My Time" - 2005

Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that I hadn't heard much from Everton Blender in recent times, but I can remember being SO excited and happy when I first heard the news that he had something new coming and even though it's taken me awhile to get to it, I was definitely going to get to it. "Higher Heights Revolution" becomes the very first album from the Clarendon born singer in more than SIX years. His last, "It's My Time" from 2005, was very very good and has since gone largely forgotten by many fans which is really unfortunate, but I'm assuming that a similar fate isn't awaiting this latest release. As far as the music here, it goes without saying (and I'm going to say it, anyway) that Blender hasn't lost his way. If you've been a fan at any step along his wonderful journey, this isn't the album that will shake you from that and, instead, it is a piece which is likely to find a large audience amongst many of the very same people who have supported him thus far. However, what is very interesting about the actual vibe of the album is that it is more straight forward than I may've thought. Not that Blender makes music like . . . Vaughn Benjamin or someone like that (is there really anyone else "like that"?), but I think that the focus on this project was to really turn up and tune up on the message and go about pushing that directly, musically. The result is an album largely of the 'no frills' variety, but one which still manages to take advantage of the considerable prowess of its star (more on that in just a minute) and when you take its title into consideration, maybe it makes even more sense as a whole. "Higher Heights Revolution" comes via the US based Island Splash Entertainment and, I believe, it becomes their first official release and it seems as if they've done fairly well with promoting it, although with a name as big as the Blender's I don't know that something which is actually realistic (in the world of Reggae where pretty much everything is under-promoted all of the time) is going to enough promotion in his case - but they've done good. That’s all of the parts 'behind the scenes'. In front? Even if I hadn't made the premise of this review what I did, it wouldn't be too hard to catch on. While not his finest release to date, "Higher Heights Revolution" is full of positively delightful vibes and tunes which once again go to reaffirm so many encouraging things about Everton Blender's music - even at this state of his career. I'm really looking forward to seeing if, in a few years or so, this is the type of album which kind of grows 'legs'. Everton Blender's music, because of his style, is easily appreciated by a wide variety of people, but this piece in particular struck me as the type which just may, wholly or partially, begin to pick up steam as it ages. That doesn’t mean at all that we can't appreciate it and talk about it today, however, so let's have a listen to the latest from one of Reggae's greatest.

'Hold On In Deh'

The Blender, himself, is the executive producer of the album which is no surprise. In some of the press for the album I can recall him saying something along the lines of having to wait a really long time to put this one out before ultimately deciding to take it in his own direction. Presumably that means that he had absolute control here and everything was nearly exactly how he wanted it. If that is actually true then it's no surprise at all how Everton Blender begins his new album, "Higher Heights Revolution" with the semi-self-titled/autobiographical 'Bubaru'. SWEET! The tune really goes through and covers some of the highlights of the Blender's career, as well as some of his motivations, inspirations and what he's gone through to become who he’s known for being today. This track is an excellent one and although I won't go as far as to proclaim it a 'hit' (even though you know I want to), in terms of just the pure sonic appeal, it has nary a peer on this album . The next tune up, however, is an even stronger song. 'Hold On In Deh', I believe, was the first single for this album and from the way it blends a very powerful message with a vibe which is nearly golden, it's not very difficult to hear why it was chosen for the first promoted track from the album. As Blender does at his best, the song inspires and unites and really places a bright, but not unrealistic picture on what can be a very harsh situation. Rounding out the first group of tracks from the album is the common-sense anthem 'When You Wrong'. When you listen to tunes like this (or when I do), I always just want to say it's a matter of stating the obvious, but how many people do you know, no matter the situation, just have an extremely difficult time admitting when they're wrong [LIKE MY W . . . What??? I didn't say anything]?

“You vexed - with your Sister

You don’t want I to talk to her, no

You vexed - with your Brother

You don’t want I to talk to him, no

Don’t vex with your Sister without a cause

Don’t vex with your Brother without a cause

And when you wrong, you’re wrong!

And when you right, you’re right

Don’t you know you are my bredrin?

Now you gonna mek our bredrinship end”

On the highest end of "Higher Heights Revolution" are tunes which are nearly exceptional in spots and just, again, really emblematic of the work of Evertons Blender's career and someone of his accomplishments. To my ears, the 'tallest' of them all, by the slightest of margins, is probably 'Conference Table'. This song so wonderfully illustrates a strong combining of the tangible and spiritual realms, and does so directly, and because that's something that I always speak on, it definitely caught my attention as the Blender says that you can get nowhere in your talks until you give His Majesty a spot in the negotiations! The tune, obviously, makes references in other directions as well, but at its core - it is such a MIGHTY and INTELLIGENT song and not to be missed! Ranking not too far behind that stellar selection is my second favourite track on the album, the repatriation anthem, 'Calling Us Home'. This track is kind of disguised as a love song of sorts and that's kind of what it is, but instead of professing his love for an individual, the Blender speaks on the splendour of Afrikan soil and how important it is to someday return to HER. Also on that level is a tune which figures to create a nice amount of buzz, the HUGE praising tune, 'Lion Crown'. Not only is the actual SOUND of this tune fairly spectacular, but it also features Isha Blender . . . Everton Blender's own daughter. While the younger Blender doesn't receive the full spotlight and sings (an infectious) backing instead, this wonderful tune surely puts her in more of a point of interest and hopefully more people will hear what I hear on this big tune (and she's done nice material in the past as well). I know the song 'Ali Ali Ho' and I know it pretty well. The song, another very good one, comes through on the relicked Jah Jah Give Us Life Riddim from a couple of years back (Glen Washington had a nice song on it as well). Somewhere in the middle of this tune, when Blender goes biblical, it reaches another level altogether with the looming 'spectre' of the vocals returning strong in there! When they do it's heads rocking, it's LIFTING UP HEADS and really just enjoying such a wonderful vibe (really reconsidering my choice of the album's best tune now)! And also check the vibrant 'Free Up Yourself', another of the several standouts on "Higher Heights Revolution".

'Ali Ali Ho'

As for the remaining tracks on the album, there're also good things to be found in some of them as well. The best of that lot is likely 'The Greatest Thing Is To Know', with 'No Bargain, No Deal' being not far behind. The latter may just have the single best chorus on the album and built around it, is a solid track also. The former is only faintly behind the album's best.

“In this ya great tribulation

Money mek man go through nuff frustration

You better head di right direction

So many youth - incarceration

Facing some long, long conviction

Youthman, mi seh you betta be wise

A youth man, seh you betta be cool”

It's really just a social commentary of sorts and one which is really, as I alluded to before, very casually straight forward, which makes it very easy to follow, despite its somewhat urgent vibes. And speaking of being "straight forward", I don't know that you can get more of that on a title than 'Love All These Girls'. Not one of the best moments on the album, but I found it kind of funny at times, which isn't a bad thing. Of a similar nature, but much better, is 'It's All About You'. This song kind of feels like it's due for an EXPLOSION or just a giant moment which never materializes ultimately, but it's a pretty nice lover's set. And a step ahead of that even would be both 'Tonight' and 'We Need Love' - two tunes which may sound like love songs, but are more along the lines of social commentaries and somewhat spiritually vibed tunes. I really like 'Tonight' and that one is one which might enjoy some sweeping success if given the opportunity. Finally, "Higher Heights Revolution"wraps up the only changeup, 'Conserve'. This one is different only in terms of sound, it's pretty much a Dancehall song, but it sounds like Everton Blender singing a Dancehall track - the upful messages are still intact. Also, the tune features the Blender alongside his label mate, the ULTRA agitated Engee Dadon. Dadon is well talented and he makes very exciting a tune which is about 'conserving' the world's most precious resource - the youths - and monitoring some of the more negative influences they may encounter, particularly within listening to the music.

Everton Blender

Overall, that not holding this one back very much, this is a very solid addition to the exquisite catalog of Everton Blender. As I said, he's very much the type of singer who I just look forward to hearing from, first of all, and on top of that, he’s such a well accomplished and well esteemed artist that it makes his output a big deal. EVERTON BLENDER HAS A NEW ALBUM! That's a big deal for people like You and I and it's made 2011 just a bit more interesting and colourful as well. It also helps that the album is very good and just another reason why we should be celebrating such a valuable person to our music like Everton Blender more and more often. Hopefully it's not another six years until he gives us this type of an opportunity again because "Higher Heights Revolution" shows that he hasn’t lost a thing and is still capable of churning out top flight vibes - but we already knew that.

Rated: 4/5
Island Splash Entertainment
2011
CD + Digital

Review #343

"Steppin Out": The Magical World of Busy Signal

2011-12-17T20:18:00.006-04:00

Some might call me a bit of a purist and that would be fair in some respects. I find that I've become the same type of person that I've spent the last decade or so complaining about - the older listener of music who complains that 'things just aren't the way that they used to be' - and that does bother me, but - Yeah, I'm kind of right about it. 'Dancehall' isn't Dancehall anymore, it is now, sadly, the neglected child of what used to be called Dancehall and . . . some other shit. However, with that being said, in my old and jaded and disgusting ways, one thing has still prevailed - I biggup ORIGINALITY wherever it exists and these days, in anything resembling Dancehall music, it exists most brightly and vividly inside the mind of Reanno Gordon. No one even comes close to having taken as many musical risks in the name of potentially and often spectacular results. Thus, today we're 'Steppin Out' with ten of the most ADVENTUROUS tunes from the reigning Daredevil of the Dancehall - Busy Signal.

{Note: Tunes appear in no particular order}
{Note 2: List was cut down from twenty-two tracks}

'Pon Di Pole'

Wining outta control. We probably should've known something was different about this one when this much earlier tune dropped. 'Pon Di Pole' was just a HYPE Soca song and it was good! It wasn't a tune that had a Soca riddim playing behind straight forward and normal Dancehall deejaying, it was a Soca tune in every way and even when it first reached it got a great deal of respect and fittingly so. MAD!

'Da Style Deh'

Ehlelelele. Speaking of madness - it's definitely a work of mad scientry which created the insanity which reigns supreme on 'Da Style Deh' which is probably one of my favourite Busy tunes ever. The song combines a more traditional Afrikan chant with a few different styles and an IMMENSE level of skill. It's maddening in just about every single way possible and imaginative on a level that only Busy can deliver.

'Double Rhyme'

X2. Speaking of imaginative - This tune may not rank alongside the others in terms of PURE oddness, but it is DOMINANT level of applied skill. Somewhat reminiscent of Beenie Man's 'Reverse Di Ting' (to me at least), 'Double Rhyme' was just an exciting exhibition of WAY too much fucking talent!

"Mi gun no have no license, no warranty

So mi war bredda, sista, uncle and mi war auntie!"

'The Gambler'

Risk taker. 'The Gambler' might be a nice nickname of sorts for Busy were it not . . . this thing instead. What can I say? Over the years artists like Lady Saw and Bushman have taken interests in country music and that's strange as hell. Even more odd, however, is Mr. Step Out, Mr. Badman Place turns into someone remaking a Kenny Rogers track. What the fuck!

'Tempted To Touch'

Busy Hammond. Names like Alaine, Romain Virgo, Duane Stephenson, Lukie D, Tarrus Riley and others seemed like natural for "Our Favourite Beres Hammond Songs" - a tribute album from VP Records to the coolest man in the world from earlier this year. Completely unnatural, however, was Busy Signal who, instead of making some hype remake, took on 'Tempted To Touch' in a very straight forward manner that still has us puzzled!

'Sweet Love [Night Shift]'

Giving ya. You might even expect something more like 'Sweet Love' than the previous entrant on this list. This tune featured Busy building a remake with his own verses and added pieces. Of course it was of a song originated by an old Motown Band, The Commodores. Again, I'd be willing to bet that you probably wouldn't hear Aidonia or Bounty Killer or Kartel or even Mavado (or even Wayne Wonder for that matter), but not only did Busy Signal make it work, he made it a bonafide hit!

'Bye Bye'

??? I don't know who - or anything. Where the idea came from for 'Bye Bye' is a mystery to me, but it came off as damn weird, yet increasingly WICKED. This song, like a few others on this list featured REALLY high level material and, if you could manage to cut through the musical aesthetics (slowly, because they're a large part of the fun), there was gold somewhere in there.

'Get Outta My Way'

Count me in. If 'Pon Di Pole' left you unconvinced (shame on you), then certainly 'Get Outta My Way' wrapped up all doubt as to exactly how proficient Busy could be in Soca music (and he has several others as well if you're still not sure). I LOVED this song and for awhile I ranked it even higher than the more famous tune which shared its SLU Records vibed riddim, 'Consider It Done' by Fay-Ann Lyons. It was ABSOLUTE madness and one of my personal favourites from the 2011 season.

'The Letter P'

Platinum phrases. Probably pretty proudly this prime player presented 'The Letter P' which promptly preceded to pull up prominent passing points provided by perpetually partial and polarizing patrons of Dancehall pieces. This was perhaps particularly precise when pertaining to plenty people pointed on the pure and possibly peerless proficiency and prowess performed on this piece and the permanence that this production was positively PRICELESS!

'One More Night'

A million more nights. And lastly Busy Signal also struck gold when he turned in what would become one of his biggest hits to date, this captivating redo of a song originated by PHIL COLLINS (!), 'One More Night'. BOOM! The results were spectacular and, at least in my opinion, really helped to establish this look at the DJ in terms of being something more than the (albeit insanely gifted) 'templated' bad boy that we thought he was at his beginning. Instead of developing on those terms, Busy Signal melted the mould and created his own as an artist willing to try absolutely ANYTHING for a vibe and the Dancehall's most inventive presence in a very long time.

Destra 2012!

2011-12-16T22:40:00.006-04:00

We have a lot of work ahead of ourselves which is a fact that I'm not terribly thrilled with because I'm lazy, but I have to say that when I saw this, it got my blood running just a bit. Carnival 2K12 is well on its way and it's damn time to get excited about it! To mark the occasion, the reigning and defending World's Most Wonderful Human Being, Ms. Destra Garcia has redone her website and everything else apparently. It's Destra 2.0 with the new look and I'm waiting and waiting for that big tune to drop. So definitely check out Destra's blazing website, MyDestra.com (not yours, mine!) and also pick up some of her recently erupted catalog which is all over the digital scene now - Which means you don't even have to get off your ass to make it happen.

{Note: Fun things tomorrow}
{Note 2: We actually got a press release from Destra's PR people}
{Note 3: WHAT!}

'Time & Timely': A Review of "Paris Is Burning" by Derajah & The Donkey Jaw Bone

2011-12-15T22:27:00.005-04:00

Somewhere, in the back of my mind, I'm pretty damn upset that we didn’t get our annual dosage of veteran UK singer Lloyd Brown this year. Typically, somewhere in the middle portion of November is a reserved block of time for 'Mr. Brown' to bring forth his latest creation, but this time around we'll have to wait until February and, like I said, I'm not very happy about that. Following a pretty good stretch of releases which included pieces from the likes of J-Boog and Warrior King, things have just slowed down to a large degree, making for one of the least memorable final quarters of any year in recent memory in terms of Reggae albums with just a handful of standouts and a Lloyd Brown album would have looked damn excellent leading into the madness of January. But, before we say goodbye to 2011 completely, there're a couple of nice pieces to have a look at and today we look at one which is probably going to be a 'sleeper' of sorts for the entire year altogether.

We can always make room for STRONG Roots music, no matter how it registers and while, looking back, 2011 hasn't exactly been the fittest example of it, we have definitely had a nice collection of big and uplifting album releases this year. Arguably THE best album of the year, Etana's still top ranking "Free Expressions", was such a project, as were several other tall pieces from the likes of The Uprising Roots Band, Luciano, Danny I, most recently Midnite of course and several others. Within that type of a group are tiers and variations of the genre and when you look at Etana and Luciano, for example, you're REALLY dealing with an ultra-refined type of vibes. It sounds like something which was planted in the grown years and years ago and was only displayed when matured by nature. Though I love it so much, obviously - this isn't that type of stuff. What we find ourselves having a listen to today is a GRIMY and rough around the edges brand of modern Roots Reggae music, far closer to someone like Ambush than to Luciano or even Danny I. Theoretically speaking, such an album could possibly capture the attention of someone like You and I and push a mighty album as we wrap up 2011.

"Inna De Yard" [specifically the installment with Derajah's work]

And that is precisely what occurs on "Paris Is Burning" the surprisingly already much-celebrated release from veteran Jamaican chanter, Derajah. This album is straight forward DUSTY and MUCKY Roots Reggae. It isn't the type of project people latch onto from seeing it on the schedule and ostensibly actually, it doesn't seem to have much to distinguish itself from . . . Literally hundreds of others projects and dozens from this year alone. HOWEVER, that being said, what it does have going for it is that where it actually matters - musically - a case can be made that this album quickly proves to be one of the better albums of the year. If you are completely unfamiliar with the name, Derajah - He made his biggest progress a few years back on the retrospectively very successful and popular "Inna De Yard" series with Earl 'Chinna' Smith (I've never written a thing about any of those albums, but for something which I haven't mentioned, we've gotten quite a lot of messages about them). And it wasn't as if he was all over the series, to my knowledge he only had a single tune or two, but that was all it took and even back then, Derajah was in the process of generating a nice buzz for himself. A few years on and while he certainly hasn't been the most active of names by any stretch of the word, what he has done is continue to maintain his following which has lead up to the moment of "Paris Is Burning" - and album which I think was much more anticipated than anyone would have imagine - or maybe that's just me. Whatever the case, I've been very happy to see the album not only well covered, but well received as also and it follows, for me, very nice instances like last year's "Genuine" album from Bescenta, as a project which you wouldn't think would receive as much attention as it ultimately did which is very good for the genre. In Derajah's case specifically, clearly it's helped him more than a little that he's made a substantial name for himself in European Reggae circles. This album features the chanter with Donkey Jaw Bone which is a very esteemed and respected band from out of France who he apparently linked with while involved with "Inna De Yard". The meshing here of artist and backing is very interesting because, as you'll notice here at certain points throughout the album, Donkey Jaw Bone is very straight forward and often PRISTINE in their work and, as I tried to establish, Derajah is so coarse as an artist that you almost get the feeling at times that if things just suddenly got a little more crazy, he'd be right at home. That's only in terms of the vibes and the delivery. What becomes crystallized very early on during this flame show is that lyrically speaking is EXACTLY where band and vocalist cross one another's paths, respectively and it is the other small crosses here which give "Paris Is Burning" its sound to me. So, while a superficial spin of the album might not yield an immediately gripping sonic experience, a few listens down the line and what was missing initially becomes very evident. The album comes courtesy of a label that I've NEVER heard of, Chapter Two Records. This is very worth mentioning because the imprint behind "Inna De Yard", Makasound, is no more (they also did work with Takana Zion, who we looked at earlier this year), so perhaps Chapter Two may be someone to keep an eye on for the future. That is, of course, after you manage to pry your attentions from this album which, after COPIOUS amounts of listens sprouts into a very strong release.

Listening to Derajah and trying to draw some type of comparisons vocally, I'd probably say that he reminds quite a bit of well talented Vincy born singer/chanter, Ossie Dellimore. They both have this kind of 'loud' tone to their voices and while Dellimore does go more in the way of actual singing than Derajah, who chants more, they definitely sound similar and both also have a very impressive and free nature to their vibes as well. Derajah comes to free-up a bit of thinking and consciousness in his listeners on his brand new debut album, "Paris Is Burning" which gets up and flaming on the HUGE title track. The tune is a pure social commentary which draws the backdrop of Paris, but is clearly one aimed at the entire world. Most striking here is, as I alluded to, the interesting marriage between vocals and riddim. Derajah attacks it full on, but the riddim - very MOODY and somewhat spectacular - is awfully elusive so what you end up with is almost the two running next to one another initially, but more spins bring them together and do so in a devastating fashion with one of the album's finest tunes. Another big big composition from Donkey Jaw Bone underpins what is my own personal favourite tune on the album, 'Bun Dem To Rass'. Until much later on in the album, this is the best sonic experience to be had in the earlier stages of the album and it even is kind of 'fun' to a degree, but the real star is Derajah's verses which are some of the finest I've ever heard from him.

“Siddung pon mi cornah and bun mi spliff

Di highest grade marijuana a dat mi sip

Di system lick a ghetto youth wid some long fyah stick

Bookam! Bookam!

Then a peer blood start pitch

It wasn’t a pretty sight so mi tek weh mehself

Cuz - A fi mi life and mi ah protect mi health

The people dem seh dem waan justice

GUNSHOT GUH RUN OUT, GUNMAN AH GET MOBBED WID CUTLASS!”

“Election time - a peer hits and doubts

Constituency money yes, it spend out

A peer guns and bayonet

Di ground - dem stay in it

Wid blood, any politician it send out

That’s why mi tell di youths dem fi keep di peace

Dem ah deal wid Jamaica lak di Middle East!

Rastafari set I free!

Congo, Bongo seh Tafari set I free!”

MAD! The song is one of powerful imagery and lyrics and it was at this point where I kind of began to link Derajah to another flaming artist, the lyrically dominant Lutan Fyah. It would take more listens to his work to solidify him on that level, but Derajah does draw similarities in that direction. Next up is a familiar track, 'Oh Yeah Yah', which was his tune from the aforementioned "Inna De Yard" project. This version has been re-recorded with a bit added in the way of pace and obviously someone wanted to give it more of an edge than in its original form. I can't quite say that I favour one or the other at this point, but this is clearly another big tune.

Along with 'Oh Yeah Yah', "Paris Is Burning" does manage to offer up a few other familiar moments. The tune 'My Sista' is another. This song originally appeared on the Ruff Times Riddim from a few years back (big riddim, also included pieces from Lutan Fyah, Luciano and Mikey General), but it has also been redone and this time a little slower actually. The tune is clearly a very personal one for Derajah as he speaks, very openly, about the tragic death of his own sister. We definitely love when artist write tunes from the heart and it cannot possibly get more sentimental than on this tune. On that same note, although not familiar to my eyes and ears is a later selection by the name of 'Mario' which, again, speaks on a death of someone in Derajah's life. The song is just BIG!

“Mario, I’m so sorry yow

You are not here for us to play cards and domino

Even though you have passed, you have not been forgotten

In my heart, Derajah still carry you”

Between those two songs, you can see just how much passion Derajah has for not only this album, but his entire musical life. Well done! And getting back on topic, the other tune on the album which I recognized from previously is the WICKED 'Set Di Pace'. You'd know this one from the KNOCKING Godfather Riddim and it doesn't appear as if it has been relicked for the album, but if it has, it's been done so minimally. This one is just infectious and is sure to have heads rocking around the world, while also offering up a very important message.

'Ghetto Youth Falling Out'

"Paris Is Burning" isn't short at all on crucial messages, it's practically built on them and in a very Reggae-centric type of way. It doesn't get more on target and more straight away than on the song which is sure to capture a great deal of attention, being the only combination on the album. 'Run Run' features Derajah alongside the legendary Big Youth. Interesting here is that, reading through his bio, Derajah used to be known as 'Jah Youth' which is also a former name of Big Youth and the two apparently linked quite some time ago. This tune is just a COOL track and while it goes through its motions, eventually it just latches on to the listener. 'Ghetto Youth Falling Out' seems familiar for some reason to my ears and it's another nice song. In this case, we have another song which so excellently exemplifies how nicely you can take these riddims and place it with Derajah's edgy vibes. This track just right in seamlessly and it really is one of my favourites by album's end. Even stronger is a step-up tune, 'Righteousness Just A Flow'. I call it a "step-up" because that's exactly what it discusses. Everyone needs to better and when we do - righteousness just a flow.

“Well wi haffi fifififit

Well mi haffi physical

Fyah mi ah spit spit spit

Well mi seh it natural

Congoman so slick yeah

Moving very surgical

And we don’t have to go to dem hospital

Have wi owna place

Selassie do di medicals

Haffi have di faith

Inclined well spiritual

Nuff a dem ah waste

Dem order fi burial

Dem nyam too much meat, no herbs

Never flex ital”

The composition on this one is CRAZY, it's probably the single best riddim to be found here and just a big song! Another sizable sound is found on 'Work'. The very first time I heard this one I thought that it sounded like something from out Tuff Lion's catalog and that's saying a lot. The song, itself, is pretty simple - Derajah basically just pushes everyone to bite down and do the hard work that's necessary in our lives and to be able to enjoy the rewards for it as well. Both 'I Rastaman' and 'Did You Know' strike in on spiritual notes. The former clearly has some help of sorts and I'm not completely thrilled by the tune, but it's growing on me (that riddim . . . Damn!). The latter, however, mines GOLD. It is a lushly vibed tune giving praises to His Imperial Majesty with Derajah going in a slightly biblical direction, but also going back and echoing sentiments expressed on 'Work' as well. As I always say, I love when a truly talented artist/writer can combine the spiritual with the tangible and that's exactly what happens on this song. And lastly a Roots Reggae album after the year 1995 or so would just be . . . Kind of naked without a ganja tune and the one on this album, 'Herbs Is For The Service of Men' has been been working on me a great deal as of late. I can still confidently say that it isn't amongst my favourites, at least for the moment, but were you to ask me a month on from now - I'd probably have a different opinion!

Derajah & The Donkey Jaw Bone

Overall, I'd like to run with that last thought just a minute. In NO WAY AT ALL, unless you are a great deal more intelligent than I am (and if you have the knowledge of a rock, you probably are), should you listen to this album one time and pass judgment on it, be it good or poor. It just isn't the type of album that can be taken in, in that way. I'm not going to go back and say that it's on the level of "Random Midnite Album" as far as how long it may take to fully 'crack', but there's just so much going on in these thirteen tracks that something will be missed somewhere if you don't give it a great deal of time. Because of that, I'm going to recommend this album, primarily, to more experienced listeners of the genre (although a lot of newer fans will probably buy it, thinking that it's Capleton on the cover). "Paris Is Burning" is an journey of an album conducted by an artist in Derajah who seems to have really found what he does well. Listening to him synch that up with what Donkey Jaw Bone does well makes for a big release and a well needed kick in the ass of late 2011.

Rated: 4.35/5

Chapter 2 Records

2011

CD + Digital

Review #342

Check It Vol. 34

2011-12-14T19:15:00.003-04:00

{Biggup Bredz for coming back and giving us videos . . . unlike our last post}
{Watch him take this out!}

"Trini Love For Japan" [LIME Records]

'Fetting For Days' by Michelle X

First up this week is a very interesting release which has been around for a minute or two but has definitely retained its lustre. "Trini Love For Japan", as you might expect, is a compilation set full of predominately Soca and Reggae music from out of Trinidad which is in tribute to the earthquake disaster of earlier this year on Japanese soil. It's more inspirational music for the most part, but you do well get tunes which are just for . . . MADNESS. So, mixed in between tunes from the likes of Zebulun (with the MASSIVE 'Better Will Come' from a few years back), you get the 2011 sizzler, 'Fetting For Days' by Michelle Xavier & Imij. Also present are Mr. Slaughter, Kes D Band, Rikki Jai and even Edwin Yearwood. Also, there're a few Japanese sets on board. The country is well known as being a hotbed for Reggae music, but they've also a mighty taste for Soca as well. Do pick this one up because, as the cover says, the proceeds of its sale will go to a very good cause.

CD + Digital

"Certified Boomshots Vol. 1" [21st Hapilos]

The eternally active 21st Hapilos is delivering one of its biggest sets of 2011 in the form of "Certified Boomshots" which seems to be a 'greatest hits' styled release from its many (MANY) releases of this year. I THINK they did something similar to this last year, but whatever it was (if it even actually existed) it's been given an official name (which you can tell by the presence of the "Vol. 1" in the title) and hopefully it sticks around annually, because I do think it is a pretty good idea. Musically speaking, you do know what to expect and more importantly, WHO to expect. Names like Buju Banton, Tarrus Riley, Beenie Man, Kartel, Mavado, I-Octane, Shaggy, Sean Paul and others are on board. So many times you get compilations which're obviously more for the casual crowd, but I think this one would be a step more towards the hardcore fans (not COMPLETELY) and, therefore, an even stronger release for the casual heads, in my opinion.

Digital

Monty G - "King's Highway" [Lion of Zion]

Following album releases earlier this year from both Peter Runks and Jah Nyne, arguably the biggest name in current Bahamian Reggae music, Monty G, is adding to the lot with his own brand new project, "King's Highway". Monty G is an artist who has always combined Reggae and Dancehall with a more traditional brand of Gospel music and I've never REALLY tuned him and probably for that very reason, but honestly as I listened through the clips on this new album, I was VERY impressed and definitely plan to give it a further listen. You can beat me to that, of course, and pick up "King's Highway" today (the title track, in particular, sounds very strong).

CD [I THINK] + Digital

The Musical Rebels Riddim [Supersonic Sound]

Unfortunately, we don't get to hear too much from Supersonic Sound from out of Germany - they don't appear to be very active, but what they do manage to bring is always damn interesting and very good also. They're latest set, the superhype and ultra-colourful Musical Rebels Riddim, is no exception. This thing might take awhile to rise above the standard (at least it did for me), but when it did I saw it was downright hypnotic. Supersonic also chooses a very nice cast of characters to handle the vocals as joining Etzia from out of Sweden, Lion Face and a combination featuring Hollow Point alongside Geoffrey Star is a pair of tunes - one coming from Aidonia in a pretty good form and another coming from a favourite of the label's (and mine), Soca ace, Bunji Garlin.

Digital

"The Over Proof Riddim: Full Strength" [JA Productions]

Riddim Mix

Next in we have the over-stuffed release of the Over Proof Riddim from JA Productions - now at "Full Strength". The riddim itself, I believe, dropped just a few months back and it was released in two different installments in August and September. Here, they've put the two together (and loss the clean version) and here you go. With TWENTY-FIVE tracks in full now you know you can expect pretty much everyone and that's exactly what happens between the likes of Beenie Man, Ele, Gyptian, Bounty Killer, Munga Honourable, Demarco, Mavado, Aidonia, Wayne Marshall, Khago and even Shurwayne Wnichester. I was never terribly interested in this one - it's kind of Poppish/Hip-Hoppish to me - but obviously I was in the minority there so do check it out for yourself.

Digital

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

Really cool is the fact that for the first time (I THINK) Pyramid Music Group - one of the managers of St. Vincy Soca fire breather, Skinny Fabulous - has actually released a digital single from the artist. 'Rave Out' was popular this year and was so, definitely, because it linked Skinny with the wonderfully very Soca active and friendly Indiana Jones of the Dancehall, Busy Signal. The tune was insanity and seeing it released is somewhat of a surprise because it just doesn't happen that much, but the fact that it was chosen, if anything was to be selected, shouldn't be a surprise to anyone with its clear 'star-power'. Of course the question now becomes . . . will they deliver an album from Skinny anytime soon? Stay tuned.

Digital

Coming Soon

The Royal Flush Riddim [Madrigal Musique]

And lastly this week, FINALLY, is the official releasing of a riddim that we've been listening to for some time now (maybe from late last year?) it's the aptly named Royal Flush Riddim from Madrigal Musique from out of France. This is probably one of the better Roots sets you'll find anywhere recently and Madrigal enlists a very varied group of artists to deal with the all-important vocals. Lutan Fyah headlines a group which also includes Natty King, Wild Life, Ras Nyah, Black Warrior (big tune), Kimanda Cunningham, Tidal and a whole heap of others.

Digital

"Di Fiesta" by Izaline Calister!

2011-12-12T21:17:00.007-04:00

"Di Fiesta" by Izaline Calister

Okay so if you haven't noticed, in terms of big new releases, we've pretty much depleted 2011. It was nice while it lasted, but it's over now and with the schedule for the first quarter of 2012 already looking pretty loaded and it only figures to add more, it's essentially time to say a healthy "goodbye" to this year. That being said, however, there do remain a few late comers to the party that was 2011 and here we have DEFINITELY one of the most interesting and colourful of them all.

One of my absolute favourite singers, the angelic Curaçaoan songstress Izaline Calister (yes - her name is spectacular), is back with her brand new album . . . since her last one (2009's "Speransa"), the somewhat seasonal, but no less potent "Di Fiesta". I wasn't really expecting this album anytime soon, the last I had heard Calister was taking an extended break due to the birth of a child, but apparently she's been hard at work in the studio from then and is back so soon with a next release.

"Speransa" - 2009

If you aren't familiar to her work, Izaline (I wonder if her friends call her 'Izzy'. Biggup my Wife's friend, Israel, who we do call Izzy) makes a style of kind of Caribbean Jazz with blends of more traditional type of vibes. She'll never go full on Reggae or Soca or Salsa or pretty much anything, but the music has so much TEXTURE to it that, at times, you're likely to hear some of it all throughout one of her releases. In the past I've said that her music always sounds like a score for a dramatic movie to me. It takes the listener through so many different emotions and ranges of emotions that you feel downright EXHAUSTED after listening to a full album of Calister's. For "Di Fiesta", in particular, as I said - it's seasonal, so you'll hear XMas songs, you'll hear New Year songs and, as you might imagine, the mood is predominately upful and joyous throughout. Her voice sounds as amazing as ever also and while I'm still working my way through it, I'd definitely say that the early favourite is the title track, but I also REALLY like 'Bendishoná'!

So, before you kick out 2011 to make room for I-Octane and Konshens and whoever else we're saying hello to in early 2k12. Say greetings to Ms. Izaline Calister whose excellent new album, "Di Fiesta", is in stores now.

CD + Digital

The Vault Reviews: "Many Lives" by Iba

2011-12-10T21:57:00.006-04:00

So many wonderful things in regards to Reggae music tend to happen outside of just about any spotlight at all and sometimes it's so nice when, for whatever the reason, we can shine some light in the direction of something which is most deserving of it. Specifically, one of the coolest definitely arises in a situation when an artist does a thing so remarkable that it basically opens up an entirely different aspect of their career to so many different people and suddenly fans like You and I take a greater interest. For example, in a far more broad manner, we can look at artists like Sean Paul and Elephant Man who when they made their headway, respectively, to the more 'mainstream' side of the music - suddenly had not only the project(s) at the time gain popularity, but also their entire catalogs as well as they saw so many new listeners coming to the music. The best example, on a smaller scale, would certainly be someone like a Sizzla Kalonji or a Midnite - those who literally have dozens and dozens of albums to their credit. I can't even tell you how many conversations with people who discovered either and say something like, "Well I found this album and I really liked it. Which one is similar to this one that you think I might like?" Their music is an absolute JOURNEY which opens it itself to new eyes and ears everyday. Something like that is pretty rare for me these days (it usually happens more with labels that we'll find who have considerably more work than I knew about), but what does occur for us a situation where, as I said, someone will do something SO great that it almost forces a look back at previous material and more than just for research. FOR INSTANCE - Last year veteran St. Croix chanter, Ras Iba, dropped what was, in my opinion, one of the best albums of 2010, the HEAVY "Matsahyel". For me, this album was just so FULL of so much amazing material and, somewhere along the way in listening to it, it transformed from something people like me like to call 'solid' into something else which was just a spectacular set. Now, that piece surely wasn't Iba's first release, he'd had two prior to it, but nothing had hit me on that level from his work, but it did beg a second listen!

"Matsahyel" - 2010

Iba's first album, "Jah Lion: Children of The Nile" reached in 2003 (and you know I'm working on listening to it again right now) and he would follow it up with a very interesting set three years later, "Many Lives". Both of those albums, even when I first listened to them, showed Iba to be a very skilled and just downright INTELLIGENT artist, but like I said, I didn't think them GREAT albums, well I was wrong (for the billionth time) at least on one case because after having my ears opened in a very pleasant way last year via the aforementioned "Matsahyel" album, going back it's pretty clear in 2011 that the second of the two was a VERY large release.

"Jah Lion: Children of The Nile" - 2003

Like its predecessor, "Many Lives" was released on Mt. Nebo Records, which means that it was produced by Bambú Station (almost January) and it also means, as you know if you're at all familiar, that the musicianship is TOP NOTCH throughout. The album also features work from the incomparable Achis Reggae favourite, Tuff Lion who (contributes on every one of the album's fourteen songs in one way or another) produced "Matsahyel" also. Clearly the two have a fine amount of musical chemistry and it, again, becomes crystal clear on the album. Having had such a nice amount of time to reflect on Iba's work, the one thing I think that is his best musical quality is his intelligence. His music also challenges the listener to be on such a level that they can comprehend certain concepts and even if they can't at the time, it's like what he's saying is that 'this is the level to aspire to'. So, in saying that, obviously his music is for more experienced listeners of Reggae music and even better if you've experienced his vibes in particular because they are, very subtly, incredibly unique in my opinion. What's also apparent again here is just how impressive he can be lyrically. The 2010 release was, in part, so good because it was just such a complete body of work and I didn't get at all very far back through "Many Lives" before that became evident here as well. Iba's method of writing is so strong, to my ears, because he just covers so much. It may not be the most melodic (it isn't), but what it is - is knowledge based music, but not too rigid and mechanical that opinions and are neglected and it becomes difficult to have a good time - that's not the case. I'm almost tempted to use the (horrible) phrase 'easy listening' in reference to this album because, although it definitely does confront the listener to bring something to the proverbial table in terms of comprehension, it comes through in such a SMOOTH and generally delightful manner that it doesn't seem like that at times. In that, also, I can maybe see an avenue through which a newer listener can enjoy this one more so than "Matsahyel", but the more familiar fans will surely have an advantage in finding the gold hidden in "More Lives" (even if it's unfortunately taken you, like myself, half a decade to figure that out) (better late (as hell) than never). From beginning to end it is just a powerful release and one which, going backwards, would have been such an excellent 'preface' to the even better album which was to come. Taken together, it's clear that Ras Iba has not only been on a musical ROLL, but once you get past that you have a hard time (especially for someone with only three albums) (and the first one . . . Very good also) not arriving at the conclusion that he is one of the most skilled faces around on the VI Reggae music scene today. Just how capable was he back when this album release?

Very. Unsurprisingly, the focus and direction on this album aren't at all different from those of its successor (and predecessor). Ras Iba, again, pretty much covers all bases: He writes with a spiritual lien, but about tangible and real-world issues and he does so with confidence and great effect. For example, definitely check the opener to his second studio album, "Many Lives", the COOL 'Stay In The Right'. The song’s subjectry is pretty obvious from his title - it is a tune urging the listeners to maintain a positive lifestyle and behaviour and it does so in a few different ways. This is one of the best songs on the album and it would've ranked highly on "Matsahyel" also. Combined with the message is a stellar riddim highlighted by a SWEET guitar which develops later in the tune and is not to be missed. Next is another of the album's standouts in my opinion, the stirring 'Love Life' (biggup Ras Attitude). This tune makes for an excellent followup to the song which precedes it because what it does is to broaden (and specify in some aspects) the very same message, essentially.

“Love Life!

Love Life!

And ah hate the war

Love Life!

And ah hate the war

Cause love is life and hate is war

Whether you White or you Black like tar

The height of their wickedness - it gone too far

So much innocence dun get scarred I say -

You look round the world, you look on the news and all you see is violence

So tell me what you gonna do

Sink the ship or solve the problem?

Now its affecting the minds of the children

They’ve become desensitized to violence

The value of life, they do not recognize

But love must win this fight!

Rasta tell dem before, now we tell dem again

Man it’s a serious problem

Too many guns are in the streets

And now the children killing children

So many lives dun gone asunder

Out of the wrath of the world warmongers

The value of life, they’ll be forced to recognize

Cause love must win this fight”

An easy case can be made that 'Love Life' is THE best song on "Many Lives" and I'm . . . currently reconsidering my choice on that. Big tune. Wrapping up the opening lot of tracks on the album is 'World Crisis' which slows us down just a bit, but manages to keep the quality levels elevated after it gets going. It's just BEAUTIFUL song and despite its focus, which kind of clashes with its serenity, it is ultimately one of the songs on the album which is most immediately identifiable because of its sonic appeal.

Interestingly, my absolute favourite song on "Many Lives" also is one which has an excellent amount of sonic appeal and it is the song after which the album is named (first time that's been the case in a while I believe). I can remember being so interested and curious as to what the title of the album meant actually and when you put it together with the album's COVER (which is gorgeous), it really makes a great deal of sense. Iba sings about the Afrikan Diaspora and it was one of my areas of major studies in school, so it's always been an interest of mine and the way he puts it together is just BRILLIANCE!

“Arrived in shackles

Arrived in chains

Took our cultures and they changed our names

Imagine the pain and misery

In a foreign land to face more atrocities

Built up their countries with our blood, sweat and tears

Forced to work a lifetime without pay

Reparations could never repair 400 years of torture and pain

But we’re still singing songs of old

Never again with our backs against the ropes

So don’t you forget your history

SHOW SOME RESPECT TO YOUR ANCESTRY!”

BOOM! I can go into so many different details about this track and so many things that Iba says which I so much agree with (especially the nature of time "not too long ago"), but even I don’t have that type of time (I actually do, I just don't want to in a review). Similarly, check a tune which kind of finds us going in the opposite direction, the repatriation anthem - 'Afrika'. The song is one of a couple of combinations on "Many Lives" - this one featuring rough chanter Ijah Menelik from out of Montserrat (nephew of the late and great Mighty Arrow). When Menelik is good, he's very good and this tune, fortunately, found him a very good form and the two make a powerful pair on the track. The album's other guest, Rafijah Siano from the Star Lion Family, features on an arguably even better selection in 'Babylon Don't Like'. I just LOVE the way this one is arranged with Siano and Iba going through various positive and neutral things and entities which the system frowns upon ("they don't like when Black man gather and unite. Dem only waan si wi fight"). As usual, Siano does bring the fire and it goes just a little odd at times in his sections, but when you hear it as a combination (because it is) and take it fully, his delivery makes more sense and his passion becomes well appreciated when linked directly with Iba's tact (especially near the song's end). Another HUGE set is 'Dont Talk' and this one used to be my favourite before I really tuned in "Many Lives" and it’s still a sizable tune. There is just so much COMMON SENSE emanating from the song (if it had a smell - it would smell like fruits or something like that) and it all sources from punchline: "DON' TALK IF YOU DON'T HAVE NOTHING USEFUL TO SAY".

'Jah Teachings'

Around that is a tune which, again, just uplifts positivity and pushes far away negativity and negative thinking and acts. The very lofty titled 'Save The World' also highlights the album. The tune really goes into different things that everyone can do to help 'save the world' in a very direct way and it also features a few of the most stirring moments on the project. Also, the sound of the song is just BIG and it isn't big in a more general way, but for Reggae music - it's spectacular if you’re able to take it all in. 'Jah Teachings' eases up just a bit, but as you can likely tell from the title, we're going in a more spiritual direction and a nice one. This is another gem and one of the finest lyrical displays from Ras Iba here as, like I said, he blends the spiritual and tangible and does so, here, in a single tune (and sometimes in a single verse, like the first). And to build on that, later is the album's fine closer, the HEAVY 'Zion Trail'. I mentioned the relation of the cover to the album's message and it's never more clear than on this journey.

“We’re on a Zion trail

Get your trip ready to sail

Just like Moses and Abraham

Just like King David and King Solomon

Selassie taught Jah plan

And this yah knowledge gives inspiration

Cause out of the land that grew the Black man

There‘s no questions, this is the foundation

All studies of life - that’s where it all begun

Whether medicines, astrology, mathematics or religion

Around the River Nile, the knowledge was abundant

I beg my people dem fi get up and skank

For Kings and Queens and Afrikan Savants

We‘re toppa rank, toppa rank!”

And lastly, as I alluded to, "Many Lives" does have its share of more easy going tunes and songs which aren't so HEAVY like many of those I've mentioned thus far. One such song is definitely the obligator Mama song, the sterling 'Strongest Woman'. It’s a very pleasant song to vibe and the message, although very important, is one which is so universal (LOVE YA MAMA!) that you can just appreciate it whether you spin Reggae day and night or just TODAY. Later there's 'Smile' which I swear has a bit of the old Slow Down The Pace Riddim in it [Gregory Isaac's 'Tune In'] and is something sweet enough to deserve such accompaniment if it is so. This one is so easy and it does give a message and one which is somewhat complex, but at its heart is so easy: I want to feel better. I want my people to feel better. I want everyone to SMILE. Of course the tune 'Vibes' also fits in here as well. Here, Ras Iba just pushes the music itself and its greatness. He mentions some of the greats of past eras and even goes into the very popular notion of how when VI Reggae really began to bust - everybody called it a reawakening of the days and vibes of old. It's a very fascinating song and one of my favourites present here. And there's also 'On The Road' which has a different sound and dynamic (almost the opposite) from the other three tunes I bring in here. While the sound here is quite soothing, it's really the message that makes this one so nice and effortless. I would imagine that he wrote it or came up with it during a tour from the way it goes and you also get the feel that Ras Iba feels that his constant journeying is well worth it for himself and his family and to just get the message to the people. A wonderful song!

Ras Iba

Overall, "Many Lives" should've been a 'warning' that something HUGE was on the horizon from Iba because it isn't far from that grandest level itself. This album is just a strong project and also one which goes above and beyond a label like 'solid' - It is so solid that it’s something else. In many aspects, it's as fine an album as "Matsahyel", although for me that remains his best piece of work, but this isn't far behind. It's just all around, all-encompassing and well done Reggae music from start to finish and there isn't even a hint of a bad song anywhere. I will reiterate that, like all of Iba's music most likely, this album is best in the ears and minds of those more experienced in the genre, although I have shown and seen how it can be well appreciated by newer fans to some extent as well. Regardless who you might be, if you are someone, like me, who was absolutely dazzled by Ras Iba in 2010, then maybe you too would like to travel back to 2006 to have a second listen to another masterpiece, "Many Lives". Excellent.

Rated: 4.75/5

Mt. Nebo Records

2006

Ras Iba Music

Check It Vol. 33

2011-12-08T21:49:00.005-04:00

Destra 2012 [Krazi Music Records]

'The Baddist' w/Kerwin Du Bois

First up we have the most outstanding and wonderfulest Ms. Destra Garcia who is getting a jump on the business side of Carnival 2012 by releasing a couple of her early shots from the season on the digital platform, 'Keep On Wukkin' & 'Baddist'. The former is an infectious Poppish type of set which, hopefully, is going to go to show a great deal of diversity from the Soca star this coming season. The latter features veteran Kerwin Du Bois alongside Destra and is just a big tune in any way you look at it. Of course, we always love Destra around here and definitely looking forward to what she brings next year.

Digital

'Make Yuh Rock' by Machel Montano (SINGLE) [Ruf Rex Records]

Much like Destra, Soca supernova Machel Montano has also fell in love with the digital medium and he's also bringing a bit of his plans for next year to that side with 'Make Yuh Rock'. I've already heard quite a few big tunes from Montano (well loving 'Mr. Fete' right now) and while I didn't originally count 'Make Yuh Rock' as one of the biggest, it's definitely grown on me over the past week or two. Machel's contributions are always top notch and, again, well looking forward to what he has in store.

Digital

'Carnival Is Here' by Michelle X (SINGLE) [Michelle X]

And finally on the Soca side (unless we find something else to put in here) (and even if we did, I'd just put it before this one anyway) - Also catching on to the digital trend is one of the big breakouts for me in 2011, Michelle X[avier] whose 'Fetting For Days' STILL causes a major damage on my players. She's wasting no time for 2k12 and getting started with the cool 'Carnival Is Here'. Surely she should probably go back and do the same thing with her tune from last year, but this is a good start. It's also a good start to her season - a solid and infectious Groovy tune.

Digital

The Icycle Riddim [ Aleada Records]

Icycle Riddim Mix

Next in is the KNOCKING Icycle Riddim from Aleada Records. LOVE the strength on this one and how well it translates to big performances from more than a few artists (some of whom, seemingly, even overachieve on the riddim, in my opinion). This one, for the most part, just breeds GRIMY deejaying and highlighting the piece are the likes of Ward 21 (duh), a SCALDING Esco, Fyakin, Erup, Rholin X and even Wayne Marshall does a good job. Check it out.

Digital

The Monstar Riddim [Watch Da Hype Recordings]

The Monstar Riddim comes via Watch Da Hype Recordings and with its name and with the name of its creators, it probably sounds exactly how you might've imagined that it would. The somewhat slightly Soca-ish and very colourful set (biggup Mongstar) is pretty nice to my ears and even nicer is the fact that it contains a new tune from the always wlecomed, well known these days, yet somewhat elusive (and WICKED) Magazeen. Also on board are Chevaughn, Nefatari and others.

Digital

'Meant To Be' featuring Lia Live by Leylani (SINGLE) [Leylani Music/Island Def Jam]

I don't know much about Leylani at all, but one of our more eccentric readers (Hey Nat!) mentioned this one to us a little while ago and here it is! Apparently Leylani is from the Reggae hotbed of Hawaii and we can always use another big name from out of Hawaii and she's making her case for the next starring position with the GORGEOUS lover's piece, 'Meant To Be'. The tune also features Lia Live, another name to keep an eye on as well.

Digital

{Note: DAMN Laylani!}

'Bounce' by Busy Signal (SINGLE) [Equiknoxx Music]

Dancehall space traveler, Busy Signal, is back again this week with 'Bounce' which features him going all Jim Screechie on the people via Equiknoxx. It's usual crazy talented Busy, going in crazy directions for one crazy . . . mess of brilliance.

Digital

"24 Hours: One Team. One Target" [Toussaint]

Finally this week is a bit of a bonus. "24 Hours: One Team. One Target" is apparentlly a documentary about auto-racing and they made a soundtrack to the movie - okay. The music here seems to be . . . Well I don't know what to call it. "Mood music"? I'm sure there's a name for this very odd genre and I'm just as sure that if I started to listen to it, I'd probably like some of it. What is also clear is that buried at the end of fourteen tracks on this album is a song called 'Night Race' (biggup Bredz for finding this in a very very cool way) (and big him up anyway) by a young singer from out of Germany by the name of . . . SARA LUGO! And suddenly, you're interested.

Digital + DVD

What I'm Listening To: December!

2011-12-06T22:56:00.004-04:00

"Break Down Babylon" by Taffari [Digital Link International/Zojak Worldwide - 2009]

'Break Down Babylon'

Making its way FINALLY back to my players late last month (via WICKED house-cleaning) was album #1.5 from sterling voiced singer, Boris 'Taffari' Silvera from Al.Ta.Fa.An. fame, "Break Down Babylon". This album was originally released on CD and released back in 2004 as "Addicted To Music" and a half decade later (who knows why???) Tad's brought it back with a new cover, added four tracks (lost one) and gave it a bit of a second wind. If you never got either edition - This was a very good album. I hesitate to go further with the acclaim out of fear or overrating it, but it was nearly excellent. Check the title track and surely guest spots from the likes of Anthony B, Gentleman and Junior Kelly on this SWEET SWEET album.

CD [as "Addicted To Music"] + Digital

"Black Gold" by Toussaint [I Grade Records - 2010]

'Be You' by Toussaint

WONDERFULLY, one of our favourites from last year, "Black Gold" by Toussaint, is definitely back on our radars and in a big way. Listening to this one today, nearly a year and a half on after its release, and I STILL hear exactly what made it such a fascinating and colourful release on the initial spin. What is gone, however, is the 'melding' of genres (or at least the interest in that specific point) and remaining is just a 'who gives a damn what genre it is' GOOD album. Big songs also remain big songs, but I find myself taking a bit more of a 'careful' interest in a song like 'Sunshine In Morning' and 'Conquering Cocaine', both of which are probably bigger than I thought which is saying a lot because they were also very sizable.

CD + Digital
{Note: Might 'Rewind!' on this one if we stick around long enough}

"Soca 758 Vol. 1" [SLU Records - 2008]

'Pressure Boom' by Ricky T

I'm ALWAYS on the lookout for any sign at all that Soca music is paying attention to the movements of the rest of the world and making itself more and more accessible and in doing so in many different ways. After seeing some of Trinidad's and Grenada's finest, earlier this year, jumping to the digital side, the biggest augury that St. Lucia might also be on board has jumped up with the digital release of "Soca 758 Vol. 1" from SLU Records. The album is probably the signature Soca compilation from out of St. Lucia and that's largely so because it contains the biggest Lucian hit in . . . a really long time, 'Pressure Boom' by Ricky T. Joining Ricky are the likes of Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons, Farmer Nappy, Q-Pid, Alpha and others. Hopefully they'll continue with it the excellent idea as there're quite a few years of hits from SLU Records.

CD + Digital

{Note: The actual CD has a different cover. This is the backcover}

{Note 2: What the hell?}

"Caribbean Girl" by Nadia Batson [Nadia Batson - 2008]

'Caribbean Girl' by Nadia Batson

And lastly, I definitely have to mention an album with a tune which just BROKE DOWN EVERYTHING a few days ago for me (and I wasn't the only one). You'll find on Nadia Batson's big album "Caribbean Girl", probably my favourite tune that she's ever done, 'My Possee' from a few years back and just a few nights ago I had this song on repeat for a couple of hours and just had a CRAZY time (and like I said, I wasn't the only one). So, if you needed any reason to pick this one up, let that be it. Also, take a listen to what was just a LOADED set which included bonafide hits like 'Caribbean Girl', 'Mind Yuh Business', 'My Joy', 'One Island', 'Start De Race' and more and I'm well looking forward to seeing 'Ms. B' with Sass in 2012 ("I WANNA SEE YAH!").

Digital + CD

Coming Soon 45

2011-12-05T18:54:00.006-04:00

Coming Soon

Midnite - "In Awe" [Fifth Son Records/VP Records]

First up this week is a very VERY expected release. The first of the year is nearly upon and what does that mean? It means a lot of new Midnite. Surely you didn't think that the recent BIG release "King's Bell", their most high-profile in quite some time, would slow them down because each and every year 'they' frontload the calendar and here is the first sign of that for 2012. "In Awe" becomes Midnite's fifth (by my almost certainly incorrect count) release through Fifth Son Records from out of New Mexico. That lineup also included the very well received double set "Standing Ground" from a few years back and - Yeah, it's Midnite which means you know what to expect and people will be very interested.

Releases on January 24

CD + Digital

Konshens - "Mental Maintenance" [VP Records]

"Mental Maintenance" - album teaser

Next up we have another pretty big deal as Reggae star, Konshens, is set to deliver his debut solo set (I was pretty surprised to read that, actually) and do it for and increasingly sagacious VP Records (snatched up both this album and I Octane's, which were set for release through other labels), "Mental Maintenance". With nearly three months to go until it is released, this album has already managed to generate quite a buzz and early words are that both Tarrus Riley and Sizzla Kalonji are to be featured. Very much looking forward to this one - Konshens has proven to be very talented over the years and this album figures (HOPES) to find him putting his best forward on such a LARGE release.

Releases on February 28

CD + Digital

The Antique Riddim [Don Corleon Records]

'Antique Loving' by Tarrus Riley

FINALLY bringing his latest creation to an official release is the man himself, Don Corleon. The Antique Riddim is now set to drop before the end of 2011 and with it, you can well expect the typical STERLING composition Corleon always pushes. You can also expect a pretty familiar cast of characters as appearing are the likes of Protoje, Kartel, Da Professor, Tarrus Riley and others (although curiously absent from this release is 'Green Light', the big tune from another Don Corleon favourite, Ce'Cile) and surprising is the fact that he also includes a clean version of the riddim - Very un-Don Corleon-like.

Releases on December 27

Digital

The Ooh Baby Riddim [Necessary Mayhem]

Also back at work is Curtis Lynch Jr. & Necessary Mayhem who are working on the Ooh Baby Riddim as a release for next week. This set is typical throwback niceness from the flaming UK imprint with, as you can tell, a focus on the Lover's Rock arena and they've enlisted capable vocalists to push fine tunes (just not too many of them). Appearing are Machaco, Massicker, Saffire's younger sister, Lea Anna, UK veteran Shola Ama and the man himself, Maxi Priest (more on him in a minute).

Releases on December 13

Digital

Stamma Kid - "Nah Stop" [Warning Records]

While his isn't a name totally foreign to me, I don't know a great deal about Stamma Kid, but if you do, you'll be happy to know that he's pushing an album (possibly his first) early next year, "Nah Stop". It's all modern/new-school Dancehall (actual Dancehall) and that's something that's always welcomed. The only recognizable tune here, at least for me, is 'Blackberry' and, as you might imagine, the other songs don't stray too far from that vibe.

Releases on February 1

CD [I THINK] + Digital

The Bellyfull Riddim [FuryBass Sound]

FuryBass from out of France (duh!) is back with the very nice Bellyfull Riddim EP which features three tunes over this excellent composition (I mean . . . yeah). You might recall the label from their work with the outstanding Million Stylez who is back here with another big tune as is the always welcomed Yami Bolo and Virtus from out of Italy.

Releases on December 16

Digital

"Phantom Series Vol. 1" [Digital Link Inc.]

Lastly, coming soon this week is something which is just a pretty good idea from Digital Link Inc., "Phantom Series Vol. 1". This compilation links together four of the hottest young Reggae artists today, I-Octane, Khago, Zamunda and Jah Vinci on a twenty-three track release. Definitely if you're a more casual listener of the music - this is for you and it just may be one of the more crucial such comps. of the year. Unsurprisingly, its Octane leading the way with eight of the album's tracks. Khago and Zamunda both have six and Vinci has three and they're all a mix in terms of more and less known tunes so definitely check it out when it releases. Very nice!

Releases on December 9

Digital

In Stores Now

Maxi Priest - "Time of The Year" [Maxi Priest/Level Vibes Records]

I'm going to call this one somewhat ODD . . . I guess, but it is a Maxi Priest album so - there you have it. "Time of The Year" is an Xmas album from Maxi Priest. I've increasingly become more and more of a fan of his over the past couple of years or so and I'm definitely anxiously awaiting the next full studio album release, but until then I suppose, here's the best you can do.

{Get it here}

The Hiroshima Riddim [Head Concussion]

Hiroshima Riddim Mix

I'm mentioning this one, the Hiroshima Riddim, almost solely on the strength of a single tune here, 'Nuh Suh Di Ting Work' by Bugle, which is the best song from the artist that I've heard in a nice amount of time! Bugle always has the capacity to be wicked and here's the most glaring example of just how much precision he has when at or near his best. Other at least decent tunes from the likes of Jemineye and Chan Dizzy abound, but Bugle is clearly the biggest star here.

Digital

The Premonitions Riddim [Friendly Fire Music]

Much like the entry before it, the Premonitions Riddim grabbed my interest largely because of one tune here, 'Make Contacts' by the unfortunately not too active Murray Man. That's a big tune and I also have my eye on a couple of others - one featuring Peter Spence and another starring Ras Tweed. Beat me to on this one and have a listen.

Digital

The Faithful Riddim [Cashflow Records]

'Love Gets Sweeter' by Wayne Wonder

The sparkly Faithful Riddim is the latest from Cashflow Records and it's pretty good in a certain 'fresh' kind of way (actually the best way to describe this one, definitely, is, as I said, "sparkly"). Not my favourite riddim, but there're some excellent performances on this piece which is, most surprisingly, sans any participation from Alaine. In her stead are the likes of Wayne Wonder, Chris Martin, Ginjah, Denyque (who sounds excellent) the previously mentioned I-Octane, Khago and Zamunda and a showstopping Ce'Cile.

Digital

BONUS

'Caribbean Jabb' by Busy Signal [Truckback Records/Turf Muzik]

And finally is a new tune from the always adventurous and just FUN, Busy Signal who is, once again, going in a Soca direction (after offering, at least in my opinion, one of the biggest tunes of the 2011 season, 'Get Outta My Way') - this time a bit groovy - with the very colourful and very nice 'Caribbean Jabb' for Truckback Records. I saw the title of the tune and got excited for the same reason you did, but it isn't a jab jab. WICKED tune still and, again, you can't really help but appreciate Busy Signal just making music fun - always willing to do something different!

{Note: I don't actually know when/IF this is going to be released officially}

{Note 2: Hey Heather!}

{Note 3: Thanks Heather!}

The Xterminator!

2011-12-04T18:10:00.005-04:00

And sometimes we feel like saying some things - Until we realize that so many others say them much better.

'Taking Over' by Sizzla Kalonji

'Feel The Power' by Cocoa Tea

'Lord Give Me Strength' by Luciano

'On My Way To Zion' by Turbulence

'In This Time' by Luciano & Sizzla Kalonji

'Jah Is Our Guide' by Prince Malachi

'Celebrate We Life' by Tony Rebel

'Sweep Over My Soul' by Luciano

'Never Dis The Man' by Sanchez

'Praise Ye Jah' by Sizzla Kalonji

Thank You Philip 'Fatis' Burrell

Rewind!: "The Beautiful Side of A Kreyol Folk Trip" by Stevy Mahy

2011-12-03T17:47:00.007-04:00

"The Beautiful Side of A Kreyol Folk Trip" by Stevy Mahy [BCaribbean]

Today we take a look and a listen back to an album which is simply one of the best non-Reggae albums that I've ever heard and one of my favourites, regardless of genre, in quite some time. Simultaneously, we also take a look 'back' (not really, we've been looking at her for about eighteen months now) (damn, it's always nice to look at that woman) at that album's most interesting and vivid star, who has become a household name around here. Now, more than a year later, the album has only increased and is DEFINITELY a 'modern classic' release and just . . . one of the most fascinating projects we've ever had the privilege of covering. "The Beautiful Side of A Kreyol Folk Trip" by Stevy Mahy.

1. 'Something About You'

This tune was the second single from the album if I recall correctly and while, for some reason, I just hadn't played it in some time but now - all is well. This thing is GORGEOUS and it even offers one of the more stirring moments on the entire album when it seems to EXPLODE in its latter stages, taking an already sparkling song and raising it to somewhere in the cosmos.

2. 'Yenki Pou Vou'

'Yenki Pou Vou' hasn't gone anywhere, on the other hand. It was musical divinity the first time I heard and has remained so ever since. If anything, I probably like it even more these days (which surely has something to do with that video). A smile is still BRUTALLY forced out of my face when I hear this song (especially that ever so slight still pan on the chorus) and I don't think it'll EVER change!

3. 'Divine Magic Joy'

Why not? Just name a song 'Divine Magic Joy' and see what happens. What happened was . . . well, divine magic joy.

4. 'San Vou'

Another song which I probably have an even greater appreciation of (if that's possible) after watching a visual version of it. 'San Vou' kind of hits me these days as a 'dance song' (which is why I'm currently dancing in my chair listening to it). The vibe on the track is just so LUSH and it builds throughout so that, by song's end, you have so much going on in the riddim and are just lost in the midst of this absolutely stunning musical experience.

5. 'Beautiful'

You

Came into my life

I thought that I was dreaming because YOU

Showed me a new dance of life

A new way to breathe

Call it 'Kreyol', call it 'Zouk', whichever is really fine to me. 'Beautiful' is probably the best of either genre that I have EVER heard, particularly for a much slower song and it's also, quite possibly, the most deservedly named song that I have ever heard also. A MODERN CLASSIC of a tune and for the ages.

6. 'Fame Is Gone'

These days I'm hearing m ore and more Jazz in 'Fame Is Gone'. With a backdrop almost as 'wonderfully agitated' as that of 'San Vou', you really take this tune in on so many different levels. When it blows up, I heard Fela Kuti, I hear chanting, I hear dancing (how can you HEAR dancing) (Achis, what the hell???), I hear a sterling vibe.

7. 'Most High'

This song is compelling on the first level because of its intention. From the title, people like you and me are automatically thinking one thing, obviously, and with words like "testimony" being thrown about, we're even more secure in that. However, somewhere in the back of my most ridiculous mind, I'm thinking that it may just be a bit more simpler and 'terrestrial' than I'm thinking. In any case it's a beautiful song and thinking passed that, once you do allow yourself to grab this one on a superficial level, it becomes downright exotic and more and more sonically addictive than I initially gave it credit for.

8. '4:37 PM Harlem [N.Y.C.]' (Interlude)

Going to New York.

9. 'Falling In Love Again' featuring AB

I now consider the old-schooled Jazzified 'Falling In Love' to be the changeup on this "Trip" and I think that's pretty much what the intention was on this one. A year on and I'm very curious what the reaction might be to this tune if it ever got turned over to more traditional R&B circles. I'm inclined to think that it would do VERY well.

10. 'What's Going On?'

Stevy Mahy follows the R&B set with another which, in terms of its subject, is of a similar type, but whose vibes are all kind of exotic. 'What's Going On?' sounds SO GOOD that even now, I don't know that I've really given it the type of actual attention that it's due, but . . . DAMN it just sounds so good.

11. 'Shine On Me'

Speaking of sounding good. The MASSIVE 'Shine On Me' remains one of my pwrsonal favourite tunes on the whole of the album and I've grown and grown in my love of this song. It makes an immediate impact on my senses these days and one which, probably even more so than the 'main event' on the album, just LIGHTS me up ('Beautiful' takes a second or two to get going, but when it does, it never ever stops). A twisting and turning tune which is downright CRACK for the ears.

12. 'Si'w Pé'

Yeah. It's taken me entirely too long to see it, but 'Si'w Pé' is ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR! This song is HUGE! It has a vibes surrounding it that is just so SPRAWLING and accessible, that I'm almost a bit embarrassed that it's taken me this long to realize it (while I definitely knew it was damn good, I didn't know it was that good). But now that I'm there - I think it's your turn, pay special attention to this one.

13. 'Mon Cœur Mon Ange'

The bright ending of our trip is another track which has grown on me considerably over the year and it grows even right now still. The chorus on this thing is hypnotic and somewhere, while listening to this song and only this song, on repeat, I'm pretty sure I lost about an hour of time that I'll never be able to get back. I'm not complaining about it either. LOVELY.

14. '3:55 PM Les Abymes [Guadeloupe]' (Épilogue)

Trip wrapped up - time to go home and relax.

I think it's also time to REALLY have a listen to this album. We can hear individual songs and make assessments of them and the album stands well in that respect, but as a complete and functioning unit, I just haven't heard many non-Reggae albums which were this good (and not a TON of Reggae albums either actually). Take that and combine it with the inherent and organic ORIGINALITY and UNIQUENESS of the artist in question and you have an album which looses non of that kind of new glow that even a good new album has, this one was great and it still feels like it released yesterday. Also, the rarity of Stevy Mahy well bleeds into "The Beautiful Side of A Kreyol Folk Trip", giving it its own very different and ultimately compelling feel and making it a trip which will not soon be forgotten (SEQUEL!).