NEW FROM PRINCE THEO!

 Okay so, I was meaning to mention one of these songs by itself and it took me so long to get around to it that another one has popped up. Biggup longtime favourite of ours, Prince Theo, who apparently has been hard at work (building up to something, Theo???) with a pair of big new singles that I thought you might be interested in hearing about, 'Punches' & 'Little Tip Of Love' (I know the title is awful but give me a minute). 

The newly released 'Punches' comes courtesy of the same Reggae Vibes Productions with whom Theo has done quite a bit of work throughout the years (and were he to release a new album, I would at least expect them to be somewhat involved - if not completely responsible) (distributed through VPAL) and is a fairly straightforward tune about dealing with the struggles or "punches" that life throws at you on a daily basis. The riddim is very nice and upful and jovial and it's really just a nice vibes. 

"I said life throws many punches 

But I never give up easily

So I's telling you to believe in me!"

As for 'Little Tip Of Love', it is INHERENTLY of grand interest because it actually features Theo alongside none other than I Lue, who you're most likely to remember from the work he did alongside the similarly vibed Bushman (like 'Sen Dem Come'). I saw this track initially and, even on paper, I was so damn interested as both are large talents who you don't come across very often and here you have them together! The tune is produced by Greatest Friends Records (with Evidence Music) (and if Prince Theo were to do an album and RVP wasn't behind it, the next likeliest suspect would definitely be Greatest Friends) and is a cut of their flaming Ramp Up Riddim (which I just told you about in backing the Queen's latest, 'Spiritual War'. The tune has some Dancehall to it and also some FIRE as the pair deliver a piece well befitting such a large collection of abilities.

I'm always hoping for more work from Prince Theo and he's rewarding fans in 2026 and we're definitely looking forward to what else he has to show... just thought you'd like to know. 

What I'm Listening To: Summa Come!

"God & I" by I-Octane [Conquer The Globe Productions]

Okay so, the last time we heard from I-Octane on an album, it was nothing nice. I'm pretty sure I chose his "Dancehall Gift" set as one of the (if not THE) worst release of 2023 and, listening to it now, I'm comfortable with that decision. It was terrible. His 2025 release, on the other hand, is more of what we've come to expect from the ultra-gifted I-Octane while not losing more of the experimental type of edge that he's been working with lately. The sound is varied, which is just fine, and it features moments where Octane SHINES. Highlights are numerous and include 'Thankful', 'Constant War', 'Perception', 'Walk With A Chip', 'Success', the very colourful title track and others. Shane-O guests as does Vershon. 

"Jah Over All" by Danny I [Trinity Farm Music]

Biggup Ancient King and Trinity Farm Music for pushing out the new "Oath Of Akae" album which gave me a reason to go back through the recent catalogue of TFM and realize that I had [FOOLISHLY] (and I'm sorry) neglected to mention an EP that they had done almost a year ago now, by the name of "Jah Over All" from a somewhat reclusive favourite of mine, Cruzan vocalist, Danny I. Like virtually everything Danny I has ever done in his career, "Jah Over All" is outstanding. It's an excellent release and it is, again - like everything else that he's done, something else that makes you wish he was more active. Pinnacled by the absolutely glorious title track, the EP features seven songs that were just SCREAMING for a wider round of attention. Here's your notice! Take a listen! 

The Door Step Riddim [Train Line Records + EarthStrong Productions]

I hate to say because its creator, Train Line Records (in association with Earthstrong Productions), has been very strong as of late but, to be honest, I wish I could have made more of a big deal about their latest creation, The Door Step Riddim, and I would have if I... liked it a bit more than I actually do. The Door Step (which I'm pretty sure is a cut of the Picture On The Wall Riddim) is OKAY. It's nothing special despite featuring tunes from some of my favourites such as Lutan Fyah, Perfect Giddimani, Pressure Busspipe (whose 'Working Man' is probably the riddim's finest) and even Norris Man. On paper, this one looks a bit better than it turns out though. 

The California Riddim [Greatest Friends + Evidence Music]

On the other hand from the aforementioned Door Step Riddim, would be Greatest Friends' California Riddim which also features a stellar lineup of vocalists but, in its case, turns out to be quite strong musically as well. Who's here? In just seven songs, we get the likes of Chezidek, Mark Wonder, Ras Mac Bean, King Lorenzo and even PRINCE THEO (don't know if he's back to going by Prince Theo or is still Theo Nyeemiya these days) touching down on the California, along with Anthony John and Vanzo and EVERYONE turns in at least a solid effort, as you would imagine and hope. There's nothing missing on this one! The riddim's best likely comes from either RMB or King Lorenzo with 'Greatest Friends' and 'I Know', respectively but, again, there's much to be enjoyed here on what is one of the best riddim compilations of the first half of 2025, in my opinion. Also included are a clean version of the California Riddim, as well as a dub. ENJOY! 

The Strange Things Riddim [Irie Ites Records]

In a twist for a blast from the past today we go back to the future with a SWEET re-release courtesy of the fine people at Irie Ites, the Strange Things Riddim. It was Mafia & Fluxy who vibed the riddim for II and it sounds as good as ever, about a decade and a half later. All these years later, unsurprisingly, Irie Ites is still supplying fans with outstanding releases and they've also been doing nice sets like this, where they relive some of the classics. Time has been fairly nice to the Strange Things Riddim and it has declared Chezidek's MASSIVE 'Bun Di Ganja' the finest tune here but you'll also find winners from Pressure Busspipe, Lutan Fyah, Sizzla Kalonji, of course John Holt and others (like Spectacular, who has a new album that I'm thinking about reviewing).