SIZZLA 50

50 rotations of the sun

50 completely random big tunes

Completely Random Thoughts: Album of The Year

Okay so, a few days ago (actually, yesterday but no way this is going up tonight) they held the Grammy awards and announced, along with everything else, the 2026 winner of the Best Reggae Album Grammy Award. To my surprise, the winner was the least likely of them all as walking away with the bag was Keznamdi for his release, "Blxxd & Fyah". I didn't think Keznamdi would do it but who cares what I though. I'm very happy for him and the biggest of congratulations go in his direction. Also nominated were Vybz Kartel, Mortimer, Jesse Royal and my personal choice, Lila Iké but, again, big respects and congrats to Keznamdi for the win. The Grammy awards have a unique set of circumstances as it isn't ACTUALLY the album of the year because there're cut off dates. They have a committee (I THINK) and it takes awhile to go through all of the potential nominees and to get votes in to count them up so the dates, for example, for this year's awards were limited to anything released between the 31st of August, 2024 and the 30th of August, 2025.

Obviously, the rest of us don't have to deal with such deadlines and constraints, so we're free to count anything from 2025, altogether; including something that may've released on.... the 10th of October, for example.

To the surprise of absolutely no one at all, many outlets have named "Exile" by Chronixx to be either amongst the best or THE best Reggae album of 2025 and while I most surely do disagree (see my review), I'm not writing this to beat up on "Exile" (or anyone who may've enjoyed it). I've already done that. This is more of an observational type of post. Our old friends at Da Ville have named it as their #1 and Reggae Ville doesn't just choose albums; they actually do a poll with some very respected and more knowledgeable people than I (like Angus Taylor, of course Gardy Stein and even John Masouri) (pretty much grew up reading John Masouri) and maybe fifty-ish in all so a very nice mixture of opinions go into their list. Billboard arrived at similar conclusion, calling "Exile" the best album that the Caribbean produced altogether last year (obviously, I disagree with their top spot but Billboard had a very interesting list. It included the likes of Machel Montano, Bad Bunny and even Trilla-G) (Trilla-G's album, "Take Me As I Am: The Album", is fun but it's also kinda brutal. Nearly every song comes in around the same pacing... and it just DOES NOT STOP!). You know what I'm thinking.... nope... I don't get it... but that's fine. As I suspected, I was in the minority in my feelings in regards to "Exile" and the results are demonstrating that. Furthermore, while I expect it'll have some serious competition, I would be pretty surprised if "Exile" isn't nominated for next year's Grammy Award and he'll probably be amongst the favourites to take it home. 

I have been surprised by the lack of one album being present on pretty much every single list that I've come across and that's Dezarie's "Guardian". There is a bit of discrepancy as far as that album's official release, with some attributing to it a 2024 date but you find me a review or any press at all from 2024 for "Guardian". If it is to be counted in last year then the album, which was my #2, being absent from such lists is insanity. HOWEVER, with that being said, I said the same thing in 2023 when my literal #1, "Freedom Legacy" by Queen Omega, was nowhere to be found either. Apart from that, my list is a little more obscure (it always is) with only my #1, Lutan Fyah's "Health & Resilience", being even relatively prevalent on many of the ones that I've seen from my top five. Also from my list, I guess it's clear that I've underrated Lila Iké's "Treasure Self Love" as the album that I ranked at #8 charts at #2 and #3, respectively on Reggae Ville's and BB's lists, while Reggae-Vibes.com had her at fourth (their list actually goes twenty albums deep). And I have to say that, although I don't think its omission is on account to its quality, if I were to make a recommendation to others who may've missed it, the one that I would DEFINITELY suggest that I had that no one else did would be the LOVELY "Andromeda: Sign Of The Times" from Sydney Salmon & The Imperial Majestic Band. I get it: Spectacular can be a little harsh and isn't for everyone (although I did just recently get back into his album, "Stay Up", and it is better than ever) ["PLAY NYABINGHI INNA DI MIDDLE OF THE STREEEEEEEEEET! PLAY NYABINGHI BECAUSE IT SOUND SO SWEEEEEEEEEET"] and neither is even Dezarie, honestly; but "Sign Of The Times" was just such a beautifully put together set that I have a hard time seeing how it doesn't stick itself to the tastes of just about any fan of Reggae.

Hopefully 2026 is just as interesting. I'm thinking that we'll have more "traditional" big names making albums (like Buju & Capleton, for example) and... we'll probably be having a similar conversation about it a year from now. Until then, have a nice day. 

Completely Random Thoughts: An Active...Ancient....King

Okay so, something a bit peculiar occurred to me a week or two ago while I was looking through upcoming releases.... actually that's wrong: What it did was to reinforce something that I'd noticed previously as being some rather strange behaviour.

A month ago (almost exactly to the day), we told you about "Oath Of Akae", the big new album from VI veteran chanter, Ancient King. That album came through Trinity Farm Music & Go A Chant Productions, who work together frequently (and may actually be the same group, who knows). Here's the most interesting part. If you've followed Ancient King's releases over the past couple of years or so, you may've noticed that he's released a couple of singles for GAC, exclusively, NONE OF WHICH appeared on "Oath Of Akae". Going back to 2023, there was a solid combination with Abja, 'Frankincense'.

Not only did 'Frankincense' miss "Oath Of Akae", but it also did not feature on "Journey Of Gratitude", Abja's own album on TFM/GAC, earlier this year. A week prior to that album releasing, there was another Ancient King single for Go A Chant, the CONSIDERABLE 'Word Sound and Consequence' (this song is excellent).

"Meditate not upon di ugly-

Of how ugly people is

If you I-ditate on the ugly, then you draw the energy to yourself

And becoming ugly, like the spirit you have in your head"

Also in there (even a bit more perplexing), was 'Be Soulfull', which was a fully Trinity Farm Music & Go A Chant Productions. Ancient King will never be confused for being the most melodically gifted of artists, but 'Be Soulfull' did a good job in showcasing that he does have more immediately pleasing skills while not drifting away from his typical approach at all.

And all of this happened while they still, steadily, presented songs that would appear on "Oath Of Akae". Tunes such as 'Hites', 'Tender Obedience' and the album-topping 'The Earth is Egziabheer' all reached between November and February. And the work is, CLEARLY, not done. Today (literally today, while I'm writing this), Ancient King and Go A Chant have delivered yet another single, 'Egziabheer Feed Us All'. 

"Hey, it's a connection 

So don't turn your back on the natural food from the land

Remember, dutty food, processed GMO-

Fling dat inna garbage pan"

Hitting on a topic that he also touches on during the brilliant 'Convenient Store Tree' which does appear on "Oath Of Akae", Ancient King takes a heavy look at physical health and nutrition and while you certainly do come across similarly themed tunes from others, I don't know if anyone is currently hitting the topic this hard and definitely not with the passion and detail that Ancient King is. 'Egziabheer Feed Us All' might even be slightly stronger than 'Convenient Store Tree'; I am THOROUGHLY enjoying this tune. 

With a release schedule like this, it might make you think that another Ancient King/Trinity Farm/Go A Chant release is in there somewhere, but it may not be. If that is the case, so be it. So far, just about everything that they've worked on together has been BIG and whether they're building towards another project or just keeping current, I will be listening. Just thought I'd let you know. I'm going back to bed. 

Completely Random Thoughts: 15ish Completely Random Big Tunes! WHAT!

Shouldn't require much of an intro and I'm not writing an outro. Maybe I'll start doing this once a month or so. Here're fifteen completely random big tunes for your approval or.... yeah, whatever else. Have a nice morning, day and evening friends. BOOM!

{The only rule I followed here was that no artist will appear more than once}

'Entering Greenzland' by Bunji Garlin [Xpert Productions - 2023]

Courtesy of the SHOT that was 'Hard Fete', Trini lyrics king, Bunji Garlin, won Soca in 2023. If there was a single prize at stake, it was his this year. That tune immediately became a favourite of mine and pretty much everyone else's and would go on to net the grizzled veteran his very first solo Road March crown. HOWEVER, not to be overlooked at all was some of his other work (would be nice if Bunji could give us a new album one of these seasons (and I'm sure he will)) including this spellbinding track for Spice Mas, 'Entering Greenzland'. Backed by Xpert Productions' delightfully toxic Slam Bang Riddim, Bunji absolutely SCORCHES it to ash as he touches down in Grenada most epically.... and what the hell is this: 

"Boy I get cut yesterday

This morning wake, I ain't have no cut

LIKE THE JAB ON JOUVERT MORNING HEAL MI LIKE IT IS NANOBOT"

This may be evidence of evolution.

'Folly Deeds' by Norris Man [E.Turn.A.T. - 2023]

This tune may've actually been the ignition on this post as I was about to throw it into a 'What I'm Listening To' feature and then decided to maybe give it is own post but I got busy and kind of sat it down before doing anything with it which was a mistake because it definitely deserves a listen. Still just about three months old, Norris Man's HUGE tune, 'Folly Deeds', is still a BEAUTIFUL offering from this great talent. Coming from a link between the Trench Town native and E.Turn.A.T. Records from out of Denmark as part of their Rhythm Of The Ocean project, 'Folly Deeds' is probably one of Norris' best efforts over the past four or five years or so and if you've been paying attention to his output across that time, you know exactly what that says about the quality here. BOOM! 

"Inna every region -

Babylon - unuh betta mek a decision

Cause when dis judgment come-

NO ESCAPE!

And I tell you this: TOTAL ANNIHILATION!"

{Note: Norris Man & ETAT have done another tune by the name of 'Life' (which I don't love, but it's decent). So maybe keep an eye on what 'fully' may develop from this union in the future}

'Dem A Tear Down' by Sizzla Kalonji [Kalonji Music Production - 2023]

Almost as if to cleanse away the stains left by the last pair of albums, the legendary Sizzla Kalonji recently (two days ago as of this writing, probably like five by the time you read this) has released 'Dem A Tear Down which is -- GET THIS -- an ACTUAL Reggae song... and it's GOOD! More importantly, HOPEFULLY, this is a simple sign of what is to come (I could REALLY go for an entire album full of sounds like 'Dem A Tear Down') as Kalonji sets forth a unity track which is easily amongst his finest work of 2023 thus far. 

"Dem no like fi si di progress

Dem ah fight everything, but yuh so blessed

No hate nowhere

Tell dem no stress

They  think I'm hard but Selassie a mi fortress

Dem wi neva help a youth out di dark

For dem to si demselves and know dem true worth"

'Nah Guh See Di End A Mi' by Capleton [Troyton Music + Jerrytal Production]

We've got Capleton who's nearing sixty years on the planet and is still absolutely TRASHING  tracks like he does on his 'Nah Guh See Di End A Mi' via Troyton Music on their Pleasure Tyme Riddim. The Pleasure Tyme was lovely; an old school infectious piece of Dancehall which featured the likes of Busy Signal, Bounty Killer, I-Octane and even Alison Hinds who jumped on the remix of Octane's 'Da Wine Deh' and, at least for me, the best of the lot was 'Nah Guh See Di End A Mi' as the Fire Man still continues to BLAZE all of these years later. 

'Shameless' by Skinny Fabulous [Thirty Two Music - 2023]

"THIS YEAR, I STINK AGAIN

JUMPIN UP ON THE EDGE AND THE BRINK AGAIN"

If you, for some ridiculous and non-existant reason, were still under the impression that Skinny Fabulous gave a damn about.... pretty much anything, there was 'Shameless'. The jewel of the Sine Wave Riddim (which was very, VERY basic and that's a good thing) from System Thirty Two, the tune stands as example #severalbillion as to why the supernova from St. Vincent is STILL very much in the process of establishing himself as one of the greatest Soca music has ever seen. DAMN!

'Click Click' by Shane O [Chemist Records - 2023]

I don't love 'Click Click'. The track, Chemist's 1 Rifle Riddim, isn't anything that would catch my attention on any surface -- it's basically a Hip-Hop tune and that doesn't work for me -- and it's almost hilariously violent, which isn't necessarily a problem (I'm a Mad Cobra fan) (and a Bounty Killer fan) (and an Aidonia fan) (even prefer a violent Kartel), but in combination, again, not necessarily my thing. HOWEVER, the level of wordplay and tangible SKILL put on display by Shane O here is not to be missed or undersold. You could have had this one as an a'cappella for me and I would have enjoyed it just the same (that's wrong - I would have liked it more). I wrote this a few hours ago and I had called Shane O underrated, but he isn't. He's one of those artists who, at his best, is a reward for more heavy Dancehall heads who're likely the only ones who will come across his work consistently. On 'Click Click', he BOILS! 

'Bring Back Ah Vibe' by Terri Lyons [Nu Generation Studios - 2023]

Fay-Ann's little sister turned up the heat for Carnival 2023 with several big tunes to her credit, none bigger than the conquering 'Bring Back Ah Vibes'. This tune has some CRAZY pull to it (especially at the chorus) and, though I don't entirely feel comfortable calling it #1 (but it just may be), 'Bring Back Ah Vibes' EASILY slots in as one of the biggest tunes Terri Lyons has ever done (her sister is perfect -- SHE'S LITERALLY PERFECT -- and it would find a seat amongst her best as well).

'Tea Bread' by Richie Spice

What a COOL one this is. A minute ago, Richie Spice dropped a new album by the name of "Black Man Time". It's pretty good, might tell you about it at some point. The very first selection on the set is 'Tea Bread' which is a delightful acoustic kick of Spice's classic 'Earth A Run Red' (which, I guess we should start properly referring to as one of the biggest tunes in all of modern Reggae) and it sounds DIVINE! 'Tea Bread' is magical and, though I've never been the biggest fan of Richie Spice's, ENDLESS praise is due in this case. TEARS! Just a great idea.

'My Way To Zion' by Turbulence [Xterminator]

'My Way To Zion' just may be THE single greatest song Turbulence has ever done and it's gone largely forgotten, so I make the point to bring it up as often as it has my attention. Now nearing a quarter of a century in age, the Xterminator helmed GEM sounds just as good today as ever and also shows off Turbulence's chronically (biggup Chronixx) underrated singing voice.... maybe they'd have more respect for it if he used it for something else besides love song after love song after love song....

'Woman A Sample' by Buju Banton & Beenie Man [Gargamel Productions]

Recent albums from Buju Banton ("Born For Greatness" & "Simma") leave a bad taste in your mouth?? Leave you a little thirsty for some Reggae and some Dancehall?? If that's the case, check this long buried combination from the two which was carried on Beenie's Grammy nominated "Many Moods Of Moses" set. Produced by Buju (with a helping hand from the great Steven 'Lenky' Marsden). 'Woman A Sample' was kind of HEAVY and a little ponderous, but it was STELLAR! There was a vibe right in the middle of this thing which stuck on you and, over a quarter-century later, it's still attached to me.

'We Know Who They Are' by Bugle & Spragga Benz [Notis Records  - 2023]

Biggup Notis Records for bringing together the always surging Bugle and the legendary Spragga Benz through their literally glowing Free Spirit Riddim for a HUGE combination tune, 'We Know Who They Are'. The tune speaks about those people who may present themselves in one way but in their hearts are someone completely different. Bugle is as solid and consistent as always, but Spragga Benz absolutely TRASHES this tune!

"Nuff a dem no like wi and ah smile up wid wi anyway

Go fi mi machine cah man fi buss it pon dem everyday

Over deh so - dem fi stay 

Wid dem guy deh, man no play

Rubber tire fi a likkle a guy ah try ah talk I back way"

'Elect Of Himself' by Mark Wonder [Black Star Foundation - 2020]

A most interesting set of circumstances set me on a course towards this one: I did a review not too long ago for an album called "Harmonic Therapy" by the great Tuff Lion and, in doing background for that album, I stumbled across a tune the Lion had done that I never recalled hearing by the name of 'Slave Master' along with Osagyefo. It appeared on the Black Star Foundation's Babylon Burning Riddim which also featured quite a few other big tunes from the likes of Marlon Asher, Jah Thunder, King Kong and the great Mark Wonder who would lay it to absolute ruins with the MAMMOTH praising set, 'Elect Of Himself'.

'Upper Room' by Anchants & Empress Charisse

Is "enchanting" just too much? It might be, but if it is not, 'Upper Room' is ENCHANTING. It was sang by an angel and her band whom, if you don't remember them for anything else, you'll remember them for that. SIMPLY ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS I HAVE EVER HEARD. 

'Samson Strength' by Black-Am-I [Ghetto Youths International - 2019]

This GEM - you'll find it creeping in the ranks of Black-Am-I's mightily impressive "Living Dread" EP from a few years back ["IN THE GHETTOOOOOOOOOOO!"] was, easily, one of the fines from anyone that year and it has aged vintage-ly. If you hear 'Samson Strength' and you don't feel like getting up and doing SOMETHING, then you and I are very different people. The vibe here is so damn potent and infectious that you simply cannot ignore and it reaches you in places that even other great tunes on this post do not. 

'Follow Me' by Mr. Killa & Kevin Crown [Mr. Killa - 2023]

Grrrrrr! Grenadian Soca blowtorch, Mr. Killa, teamed up with Kevin Crown (who I don't think I'd actually laid ears on before this track) for the TRULY RIDICULOUS 'Follow Me'. Many many years ago, coincidentally, the previously mentioned Bunji Garlin also had a tune by the name of 'Follow Me' which is probably in my top..... twenty or so favourite songs that Garlin has ever done and, to be completely honest, this song with the same name is almost just as good. This song has absolutely no respect for boundaries or personal space and it BASHES OVER THE FUCKING HEAD IMMEDIATELY! Afterwards, you thank it for the experience and listen again.

Completely Random Lyrics: Most High by Anthony B

"So give thanks to The Most High

He's always around

Jah you never yet let me down

You never yet let me down

Give praise to The Man Who seat up on throne

He never yet let me down

Jah you never yet let me down

So mek wi hail Alpha & Omega, the begin without end

Follow the Commandments, one through ten

Dem sword no mighty like paper and pen

So mi nuh si babylon outta road, and beg friend

Cause everywhere mi turn, mi si danga

Di youth dem now nah no behaviour

BUT STILL SHOW LOVE WHEN YOU MEET STRANGA

CAH YUH MIGHT JUST MEET UPON DI SAVIOUR

And wi marching to Zion, the Holy Mountain-

To take a dip in di Holy Fountain

BLESSINGS SO MUCH, WI CANNOT COUNT DEM

And grateful for everything Jah Jah send

Rastaman nah bow fi vanity

So hail Queen Omega side a mi

Rasta fighting for plurality

Di only way fi save humanity

Wi haffi start face reality

Ah no time fi no partiality

Tell mi mommy and tell mi daddy

Di Most High love everybody!

So mi no inna Big Bang Theory

No tell mi nuttin Google or Siri

I ah give credit to di Almighty-

THE CREATOR OF YOU & ME!"

"New" from Akae Beka & I Grade Records

Okay so, how cool is this?! Something I've been meaning to talk about for awhile now (before life decided to get in the way) was the WONDERFUL occurrence of I Grade Records doing some lovely reissues of the work of the immortal Vaughn Benjamin. From the beginning of his career up until 2015, Benjamin and company recorded under the collective name "Midnite". While "Midnite" once was -- and still largely was in some sense I suppose throughout its existence -- the name of an actual, fully-functioning band, in the recording sense, the name would, essentially, grow to mean Vaughn Benjamin. He did a variety of albums with a variety of different producers and they were all "Midnite" albums, regardless of who played on the music. In 2015, with "Homage To The Land" for Fifth Son Records ["You have seen many heroes in the villainous light. Seen many villains in the hero's light. Set things in order as in 'good ' and 'right'. Realize who really paid the price. Prosecution said 'Your Honour, this ain't right'. Forget the miscalculation, let's all rejoice' "] the name changed from Midnite to Akae Beka and it became a similar situation of.... pretty much everything Vaughn Benjamin touching coming with the new name attached. 

Recently, however, in paying a wonderful tribute to an artist with whom they collaborated very frequently and perhaps more than any other label (which is saying a lot given Benjamin's prolificacy), IGR reissued several older albums under the name Akae Beka that originally released as the work of Midnite; amongst the reissues (which you should be able to see here) are truly unforgettable pieces such as "Beauty For Ashes", "Rule The Time" and others. This is somewhat subtle, I suppose, but it is AWESOME! What a wonderful thing to do! Not only is it a move sure to get the collectors amongst us SALIVATING, but it also helps to maybe snag a few new heads along the way who might've originally missed out on these massive sets. 

Also, it is worth mentioning that this isn't the first time such a thing has happened as, a couple of years ago "New 1000" which first reached way back in 2006 for was re-released for Full Grown Records, made its way back courtesy of Native Fyah Productions. Again, just a wonderful and nice thing to do.

Oh, and by the way, "AN ELEVEN FOOT, SIX-HUNDRED POUND TIGER"

20 Years of Da Real Thing

 

On Tuesday, the 19th of November 2002, the legendary Sizzla Kalonji released an album by the name of "Da Real Thing", which was produced by the even more esteemed Bobby 'Digital' Dixon, on VP Records. Almost immediately when the project reached (and probably even prior to it, in retrospect) word began circulating that Kalonji had, once again, soared to levels previously reserved for his 'dualling' opuses, 'Praise Ye Jah" and "Black Woman & Child", respectively. The latter of those sets (which is my favourite album all time) was also produced by Digital and, if I recall correctly, I once heard Sizzla in an interview speaking on the background of "Da Real Thing" as he had intended to name it after what would become one of its best known tracks; before Digital suggested that they name it "Da Real Thing", perhaps in response to criticism the August Town native was receiving for recording more controversial material. What ended up happening was absolutely remarkable and places it in a very select group. To my opinion this class would include album such as Buju Banton's "'Til Shiloh" and "More Fire" from Capleton - as modern Roots Reggae music which grew to a point where they began to receive more international and, dare I say, 'mainstream' attention. Roots, historically (at least in the hands of anyone not named Marley), has not been as 'transferable' as its sibling, Dancehall, for obvious reasons, but we have seen the odd tune here and there, and the even odder full album, reach that level where the wider-reaching musical world has a very difficult time ignoring, despite the fact that it has made NO concessions at all and sacrificed nothing in its sound. "Da Real Thing" was fairly straight-forward and TYPICAL Roots Reggae for its time. It was also absolutely brilliant.

Three years after its initial release, VP would send up "Da Real Live Thing", a re-release of the original album, containing three more selections including the golden Bobby Digital produced 'Bright Sunshine' and the even stronger 'Be Still' ["Thou shall not kill. Be still. Go hold a sabbath on the hill"] [BOOM!]. "Da Real Live Thing" would also include a DVD which included a pair of interviews and, most notably, a WICKED Kalonji performance from VP Records' 25th anniversary celebration in Miami in 2005 which included, unsurprisingly, renditions of several tracks from "Da Real Thing". I should also mention that the re-release version was EXQUISITE. It's probably one of the finest put together albums that the label has ever done and, holding it in my hands today, more than seventeen it has a certain FEEL of importance to it and, though pretty easy to find still these days, I am very happy to own a copy. 

It has been a minute from the last time I dusted off my copies of the album and took a listen and, these days, I'm being TORTURED (and I mean that in a good way) by songs which don't get the biggest level of attention such as the.... amazing 'It's Amazing', 'Trod Mt. Zion' ["Dem act as if dem don't got no sense"], 'Rejoice' and, in particular, the simply STUNNING 'Bless Up'. This is an album which, from a lyrical point of view (a staple, really, of any piece of work by this artist when he's anywhere near his best), all of these years later, has me thinking of new ideas STILL. I'm literally wondering if it is CHANGED through the years or if I'm now more open to it; either case is just fine with me.

Today we celebrate twenty years of life with one of the greatest albums ever created by (anyone) my personal favourite of all time, the immortal Sizzla Kalonji who, on this day in 2002, once again demonstrated just how potent he could be with the landmark "Da Real Thing" - an album for the ages.

Completely Random Thoughts: Chezidek & Irie Ites

 Okay so, the last review we did was for the ASAP Riddim from Irie Ites (if you're on the main page, you can just scroll down and you'll find it right beneath this one, if you're not then you can check it HERE) and going through and doing research for that review I ran into a wonderful old song that I even mentioned during that write-up. 'The Game' is Chezidek's golden cut of the ASAP and it may be even better than I gave it credit for being so I'll step it up just a bit: The ASAP Riddim has quite a few big tunes, the only one that I consider on the same level as 'The Game' is 'Thunder Storm' by Queen Omega. It is at least a little better than every other tune on the riddim and that is saying a lot in my opinion. Take a listen for yourself!

So obviously you go back and refresh yourself with some older material from Irie Ites and one of the first tunes I ran into was Chezi's take on II's Rocking Time Riddim from a decade and a half ago, 'Who I Am'. Either I completely ignored this one and never really listened to it (unlikely as hell) or it has just grown IMMENSELY over time, because I do not remember Chezidek's song on the Rocking Time Riddim (and I say it like that because, prior to going back, I knew it existed, but I could not have told you what it was or how it sounded) being THIS good.

That got me interested in going back and checking a few more tracks between Chezidek and Irie Ites and I did run into a couple of more truly huge pieces that well deserve another look. The first is from the Strange Things Riddim back in 2010, MAMMOTH ganja tune, 'Bun Di Ganja'.

And the other song that really got me came courtesy of the Borderline Riddim back in 2006, 'Powers of The Lion'. 

I have some big-picture like thoughts on Chezidek and I'll save them for another review that I'm thinking of doing on an older album I missed from him but, as you can see, this is just a small bit of damage he's done and with the same producer. He has been making HUGE tunes with Irie Ites, alone, for well over fifteen years [!] and judging by 'The Game' the end of that fruitful relationship is nowhere in sight. 

Completely Random Thoughts..... I mean COMPLETELY!

 

Okay so, congratulations to SOJA, who took home their very first Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for "Beauty In The Silence". It was their third nomination and as I said in my entirely inaccurate Grammy Preview, I wasn't TOTALLY shocked that they came away with the award, in theory. I've seen some who were FAR less than thrilled that SOJA that won but, in my humble opinion, Reggae music is a music for everyone. It belongs to everyone and no one at all. So biggup SOJA and, again, congratulations (and congratulations to Koffee for her win in 2023 as well). 

For some reason, I've suddenly become re-addicted to this six season old Patrice Roberts tune.

"NOT AN OUNCE OF SHAAAAAAAAAAAME!"

And for nearly a decade and a half I've  been working through my dependency on Fay-Ann Lyons' 'Get On'.... simply one of the greatest Soca songs of all time.

And speaking of Soca: I don't know what the album of the year (Koffee is the current leader of the pack, nine months left to go) or artist of the year or anything of the year for 2022 will be when all is said and done... but I'm fairly confident that I know what the album cover of the year will be. Look at this thing! 

If you're wondering (and you should be), the music on the Timeless Riddim from Advokit Productions (through Fox Fuse), is very nice as well with Destra taking top honours in my opinion with 'Farewell'.

And maybe Lila Iké is taking care of Video Of The Year with her latest, 'True Love'. DAMN!

Da 2022 Grammy Awards

How things have changed! It wasn't very long ago that, when it came to Reggae music, one of the single biggest awards in all of music, The Grammy's, had been relegated to only giving out their annual trophy in recognition of the genre's best album of a particular year to a very select group of individuals and even potential individuals. First was the group of legends, with Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Burning Spear and the likes; then was a group of EXTREMELY popular contemporary artists such as Shaggy, Inner Circle, Shabba Ranks and later, Sean Paul, and then there was anyone named Marley... and that was it. On the one or two occasions when someone who did not fit into either of these categories did win within the first three decades of the existence of the award, you could even make the case that it still did as, in 2001, Beenie Man's popularity had, arguably, risen to the levels of the likes of Shabba Ranks (and he had been nominated in the previous two years), as had that of Buju Banton, a decade later when he took home the prize (and he'd been nominated four times before winning) (and I also think he was convicted of a crime and sentenced to US prison in the very next day or two if I recall correctly). 

All of that clearly changed in 2015 when, Morgan Heritage shocked everyone by taking home the thirty-second Reggae Grammy award with their album, "Strictly Roots" [pictured]. That entire year was an odd one as the full nominees included the likes of Barrington Levy, Luciano and, jarringly, both Jah Cure and Rocky Dawuni. At the time, there was only a single nomination between them (Luciano, in 2002 for "A New Day") (Damian Marley's "Halfway Tree" won that year and deservedly so in my opinion)... and how cool is it that Rocky Dawuni was nominated for a Grammy! Since then, things have changed SLIGHTLY. US based bands have been honoured more consistently with both SOJA (more on them in a second) and Rebelution charting multiple Grammy nods, each, since 2015. Sweet singing Hawaiian, J Boog, has also had a pair of nominations, the Morgans have been back and we've seen a general push towards younger names who haven't necessarily had the global smashing success as Shabba and Sean Paul before them. Still, amongst the winners, things have returned to form for the most part, with a pair of Marleys, Ziggy in 2017 and Damian the following year, winning the Grammy (Ziggy would also be nominated in 2019 for "Rebellion Rises", as would "As I Am", from Julian Marley in 2020). In 2019 the award would go to "44/876", a collabourative effort between Shaggy and Pop legend, Sting, while last year Toots and The Maytals would win their second Grammy with "Got To Be Tough". But something strange happened in 2019 as well. I have no idea when this will be posted, but I am writing it on the twenty-fifth of March (currently it is 8:04PM, because I know you're wondering). Today is the same day on which one of the biggest Reggae albums of the year releases as the BLAZING Koffee has dealt to us "Gifted", her much anticipated debut full album (listening to it while I write this and writing its review will surely be the next thing I turn my attentions to). In 2020, her debut EP, "Rapture", would net the then ninteen year old Spanish Town native a Grammy, marking the very first time a female had won it (and only the fourth time one had been in the running by my quick search) (have two this year, a wonderful first) and although I typically don't like the idea of an EP winning album of the year, I have to give a big congratulations for the Grammy committee for that selection (the other projects up that year came via the 'usual suspects'), looking back. That was wonderful! 

So, as we approach the 2022 Grammy Awards presentation, I though we'd take a quick look at the nominees for Best Reggae Album and make a (sure-to-be-incorrect) prediction (won't have to write one of these for next year, "Gifted" is winning, I assure you) (and Shenseea will also be up next year for her album "ALPHA") (as will, potentially, Beenie Man and, definitely, Sean Paul). 

And the nominees are:

"Positive Vibration" by Gramps Morgan [Halo Entertainment Group]

The Morgans are represented once again this year, via Gramps with his third solo release, "Positive Vibration". I can remember listening to this album and thinking that something about it just didn't 'do it' for me (I think it's a little bit too... Country-ish for me), but I think he has a decent shot at winning the award in this, clearly, wide-open year. The heavily Country-ed aspect of his album may, in fact, endear him to voters even further and, of course, they're well familiar with his name. 

"Pamoja" by Etana [Freemind Music]

Etana's "Pamoja" being on this list brought the biggest smile to my face as, not only is it the second time the golden voiced singer has received such an accolade ("Reggae Forever" was up three years ago), it's also the single BEST album on this list in my opinion.  Her chances of actually winning may not be the "BEST", however (they aren't) but it is a lovely reward given not only how consistent she's been in general, but also for the AMAZING work Etana has managed to string together on albums, specifically. 

"Beauty In The Silence" by SOJA [ATO Records]

Would I be surprised to see SOJA win a Grammy? No I would not. Though I put their chances second lowest on this list (which probably means they'll have the second most votes), if persistence is any indication, SOJA's "Beauty In The Silence" has an excellent chance as it marks the band's third run at a Grammy in the last eight awards. I've never gotten too much into their work (have to do something about that), but what I will say for SOJA is that every time I do run into their music, what I do hear is clear QUALITY and SKILL. It's also generally a very catchy and infectious brand of Reggae and "Beauty In The Silence" was definitely no deviation. 

"Live And Livin" by Sean Paul [Dutty Rock Productions]

2004's Grammy winner and SIX time nominee (every album he's ever done save for his first, which was his best has been up for a Grammy) (biggup "Stage One", one of the best modern Dancehall albums of all time), Sean Paul, can always win this award and if I were a betting man (I'm not), I would say that amongst this group, on paper, he definitely has the highest odds for his "Live And Livin". Unless I'm forgetting something, I'd call "Live And Livin", SP's best work from "The Trinity" in 2005 (what a fun time "The Trinity" was) and with its followup, "Scorcha", already loaded and ready to go in May, you can well expect his name on this list next year as well (I'm just filling up that group for 2023 Grammy, Koffee, Shenseea, Beenie Man, Sean Paul.... Bounty Killer???) (remove Beenie or Bounty if we get an album from a Marley) (oh and I forgot about Burning Spear!).

"10" by Spice [VP Records]

Despite Spice's popularity and the fact that I was absolutely delighted to see her having been given a look here, I'll be pretty surprised should her looooooooooooong anticipated and delayed debut set, "10", managed to actually win. For as much fun as it undeniably was (and it was), "10" was dirty as hell. It was FILTHY. The album featured the gifted deejay at her animalistic and downright primal best. Such a set might not be the most likely to nab her a Grammy, but Spice probably did deliver the year's most FUN release. 

"Royal" by Jesse Royal [Easy Star Records]

Lastly is a bit of a wildcard and a wonderful one as Jesse Royal definitely did the unlikely in grabbing a Grammy look for his "Royal" release. In retrospect. what I really enjoyed about this entry in particular is just how it seemed to grow and Grow and GROW! The attention "Royal" would receive would push it to be, arguably, one of the most talked about releases of the year in Reggae circles, but not very much beyond, which shows you that the Grammy committee, whoever they may be, definitely did their research. 

AND THE WINNER IS.......

"Pamoja" by Etana [Freemind Music]

I'm giving whoever is in charge of voting on these things a big credit in this prediction because this year there is a very obvious choice in "Live And Livin". However, I'm going to assume that the people who do make these decisions have changed course in recent times and, if they have, what they will notice is that Etana's "Pamoja" is an EXCELLENT choice for winning this award. Also, in a year where we do have two women candidates, I think it's likely that one of them take home the prize and a previous nominee who dropped such a powerfully progressive and POSITIVE project definitely fits the bill. 

Am I right [HELL NO!]? Find out when the 2022 Grammy Awards are announced on Sunday, the 3rd of April, 2022. 

Completely Random Riddim Diving: Babatunde

Okay so, you may or may not have seen a review we did for the most recent Norris Man album as of this writing, 2020's "Emerge" from Stingray Records (pretty good album, definitely check it out). That album, because I'm a giant overthinker, got me going through my own mental catalogue of Norris Man tunes and I eventually found my way to becoming fixated with one of my absolute favourites from the Trenchtown native, the FLATTENING 'H.I.M. Never Fail Man'.

I mean.... it's just.... yep. Just a fantastic song and were I to sit down to make a proper list and arrive at the conclusion that 'H.I.M. Never Fail Man' is THE best Norris Man song that I've heard altogether, I wouldn't be surprised in the sligtest. The riddim on this one is a redo of an old Studio One set originally called the Created By The Father Riddim after a Dennis Brown classic of the same name (a song, literally, over half a century old now) and it passed through the palms of a variety of different producers before arriving here as the Babatunde Riddim. Now, I don't have an album with this song on it (a quick bit of research reveals that such a thing probably does not exist, which is a damn shame), but there is another song on the same riddim that I do have an actual disc for and if you'll give me a minute, I'll go dig it up (which will turn into about forty-five because it's going to take awhile to actually convince myself to get up and then another while to actually find it) (see! I typed that like ten minutes ago... still sitting here) (okay I have it, it's probably been half an hour). See, despite how fantastic Norris Man's cut clearly is, he may not have had the best tune on the resurrected form of the riddim as Capleton also laid it to ruins with the destructive, 'Who I Am'. That song did appear on an album which I do own, 1999's combination album with Anthony B, "One Mission".

The tune came via Henfield Records, as did another track on the same riddim that I found, 'Spread Jah Love' by Jah Cure, which appeared on a couple of his albums, one of which, "Freedom Blues" even mentions in the credit that Dennis Brown retains publishing rights of that particular song (and, maybe, others I would think). Anthony B, Luciano (twice), Shadowman (who is given credit for the actual riddim) and others also appear on Henfield's version of the track. But it didn't stop there as, also doing a remake of the riddim was Safire Music, a couple of years later. This one, I'm far less familiar with, and I was shocked to see names such as Jah Cure, Bushman and even Beres Hammond had voiced it. My attentions gravitated towards a pair of selections I'm confident that I've NEVER heard before, 'Destiny' and 'Hail Highly Selassie'. The former comes via Achis Reggae favourite, Lutan Fyah, while behind the latter was none other than a Mr. Steve, who also happens to be a lesser-known favourite of mind and someone who I so often look forward to hearing from but so rarely do, and is better known as Steve Machete.

"Come mek wi hail Haile Selassie I

Don't vote fi dem imposta

Come mek wi hail Haile Selassie i

How dem ahgo fight 'gainst Rasta?"

These songs were produced by Safire Music, who did their own lick of the Babatunde a year or two after Henfield. Safire didn't do too much in their time, but along with a remake of the Created By The Father, they'd also lay down a version of the I Love King Selassie, popularized by Black Uhuru... which may make for a fun sequel to this post some day. Until then, do some mining and check out the GORGEOUS Babatunde Riddim.