What [ELSE] I'm Listening To

'Addicted' by Khalia [Ineffable Records]

Ladies first this week as, headlining a number of big names is the deliciously (and I do mean DELICIOUSLY!) difficult to avoid Khalia who is back, already, with another lovely single, this time for Albion Muzic, 'Addicted'. If you've been following the work of Khalia lately, then you'll know largely what to expect from 'Addicted' as it is just another syrupy sweet piece of modern Lover's Rock which finds the vocalist tackling a classic riddim which sounds like a cut of the Queen of The Minstrel Riddim to a near perfection. Khalia is quickly cornering the market on just.... BEAUTIFUL, SENSUAL (though not necessarily sexual, although she does have her very clever moments) (it's never completely obvious, it takes a little thought) Reggae music and there's nothing wrong with that. Earlier this year she blessed us with "Stay True", her wonderful EP and I wouldn't be surprised at all if its followup (maybe even in full form) is set to follow sometime in the remaining six and a half months of 2024. 'Addicted' is sublime. 

'Tear No Man Down' by Perfect Giddimani [ChinaMan Yard]

Next we have a single that definitely had to work on me quite a bit before I really began to tune it in, 'Tear No Man Down', which comes from the always welcome and always most compelling Perfect Giddimani, alongside ChinaMan Yard, who is literally out of China, as part of their Higher Grounds Riddim. Okay, I'll tell you what I heard initially that I didn't particularly care for: The.... pacing of this tune?? I write it as a question because I'm not entirely sure if I'm explaining it correctly (highly unlikely). 'Tear No Man Down' had (and still has) an unusual kinda 'hitch' to its sound to my ears (and maybe (probably) I'm the only one of that opinion but it's something that took a bit of overcoming. What helped in that is an unmistakable CHARM that the tune also carries. You know how you can talk to someone on the phone and you can still kind of HEAR them smiling when they talk? It isn't exactly the same, but there're portions of 'Tear No Man Down' which just gives the vibe that Perfect FELT REALLY GOOD IN SAYING WHAT HE IS SAYING at that given time. It radiates throughout this one and, from personal experience, I can tell you it is a quality that takes a song that I'm rating as "okay" early on and transforms it into... something maybe a little special.

'Dem A Murderah' by Anthony B [Green Lion Crew]

I probably could have put the whole of the outstanding Extra Heavy Riddim for this next one (but TECHNICALLY it hasn't released yet as a full unit) from the increasingly venerable Green Lion Crew but, instead, we're focusing on the track's finest moment (but they're all really good), Anthony B's 'Dem A Murderah', which finds the original fyah man putting the golden track to the sword... I'll probably do a track by track for the Extra Heavy when it releases. It is absolutely lovely!

'Trust H.I.M.' by Lutan Fyah [Truesounds]

A big credit goes to one Truesounds for laying down their very creative Roll Call Riddim for the great Lutan Fyah to provide vocals over and, listening to this one.... MASTERFUL! There is an infectious flute that dominates the vibes here and the Fyah uses it with this style darting back and forth in his delivery with a fittingly fiery lyrical display. 

'Yeah, while you're living hail The King cause that's di thing

If you're corrupt, you get di judgment and di fyah that it brings

Dem ah put on a show fi go tek picture

Fi a while now dem skanking but now dem style it up fi wealth but that a babylon thing"

I don't know if Lutan Fyah has a bigger fan than I, PARTICULARLY OF HIS WRITING, over the years and my attraction for his words has not diminished in the slightest. At his absolute peak, the chanter from Spanish Town has VERY FEW equals.

'Nuh Afraid A People' by Pressure Busspipe [Digital One Music]

If you're stocking up a bit of frustration and need to it let out somewhere in this post, I'm sorry, no, you'll find no Soca here, but check this SCALDING tune from Pressure Busspipe and Digital One Music, 'Nuh Fraid A People'. The tune was recently (relatively recently) released as part of DOM's "Trichotomy The Album" which featured a trio of well solid Dancehall tracks (two of them, especially) and it showed a more AGGRESSIVE side of the chanter who also continued to display a level of ultra-heightened skill, regardless of the topic at hand. 

The Seasons Riddim [Don Corleon Records]

Perhaps you can figure out why the roughly two decades old Seasons Riddim has come back to my radars and if you can't, I'll gladly let you know whenever I finish my next review (as it now takes me one (or TWO) weeks worth of attention to write something which, not too long ago, literally just took a few hours) (getting old..... no fun!), but I've been enjoying this set which probably should be regarded as a classic these days. The Seasons Riddim, along with the Drop Leaf helped to put its creator, Don Corleon into a different stratosphere and he went from one of the most influential Dancehall producers of his day (and that era would have been a mighty one with the likes of Steven 'Lenky' Marsden and Di Genius also shining at the time) into being the same for the entire genre of Reggae music. Absolutely saturated in hits, these days tunes like 'Love Is' from Jah Cure, Alaine's STUNNING 'No Ordinary Love', 'Thanks & Praise' by Fantan Mojah and DEFINITELY 'Far From Reality' from Natural Black rank as not only genuine hits of the time period but... really some of the finest work from those particular [well decorated] artists entire careers.... and that's what I'm listening to. 

Didn't I by Khalia!

Okay so, apparently I wasn't the only one thinking that a tune called 'Didn't I' was THE gem to be found on the recently released "Stay True" EP from the currently sizzling Khalia as she, Tony Kelly, Ineffable Records and whoever else is in charge of making such decisions have chosen to make it the next tune to be given the spotlight from the project and deservedly so. As I said in the write up for "Stay True", Khalia just seems to have a very fresh take on Lover's Rock, albeit not 'revolutionary' to any degree ("evolutionary" may be a better term, really. She is not angering the Lover's Rock Gods, if such entities exist (and they do), but she is giving them something to think about), and a tune like 'Didn't I' is a PRIME example of that.

As for the video, you are left with one last thought when watching it.... lucky guy.

"Stay True" by Khalia!

"Stay True" by Khalia Ineffable Records

Next?? I'd like to think that I'm at least a little discerning so it doesn't happen very often at all, but if you look at the history of these pages, you'll notice several things. The first, obviously, is that I talk entirely too fucking much; another thing you might notice is that, every so often, I'll come across an artist and IMMEDIATELY become a fan of theirs and turn into one of their more vocal supporters online anywhere. Think back to individuals such as Messenjah Selah (an odd example, I know, but I'm still relatively confident in saying that no one has still written as much about his music than I have), the brilliant Reemah and, of course, Funky Comfort herself, Sara Lugo. Well, though it may have been a long time since last we encountered such an individual (or has it??? I should probably also include the likes of Vaughn Benjamin, Norris Man and Mark Wonder), I'm thinking that I've recently come across the latest example of someone whose music is going to be receiving a whole heap of my attention on these pages and already has, the incredibly interesting Khalia. 

(....Yes, I know what you're thinking and I agree. She is stunning!) Khalia, in her best form for me, might make the most refreshing form of Lover's Rock Reggae music that I've heard in a very long time. There is a very smooth and organic vibes to her work and as someone who wouldn't describe themselves as the hugest of Lover's Rock heads, she's the greatest thing to happen to Reggae love songs, again, in a very long time. She isn't a one-trick pony either and Khalia will routinely touch the typical topics terrestrial to Reggae music (like that, didn't ya), but when the Jamaican born UK grown songstress makes a song about that special someone, she SOARS virtually every time and it caught me! So, you know what I wanted and while that full blown project remains something to wait for, Ineffable Records have done something wonderful and released "Stay True", the debut seven-track EP release from Khalia. Not only has she shown great promise on her own, but she's done so under the guide of one of the greatest maestros the genre has ever seen in Tony 'CD' Kelly whose handiwork is delightfully all over "Stay True". So just to recap: We have someone who is quickly becoming one of my favourite artists today working alongside someone who has long become one of my favourite producers of all time, doing a brand of infectious music which she is in the process of making her own. You know I'm interested and, if you've read this far, I think you might be as well. Let's talk about it a little. 

1. 'Waiting On You'

The first tune on "Stay True" is probably its very single that I heard after learning that the set was forthcoming and with its captivating old school bounce, by its end, it sits as one of its highest of highlights and I probably have an even greater appreciation for the tune today than I did when I first laid ears on it a few weeks ago now. 'Waiting On You' very quickly finds a groove that it settles into that is in the STARS somewhere and Khalia maximizes it to its full potential. This track is unfortunately quite short but, if you think about it, it's really an exercise in patience as Khalia finds herself waiting on her special someone and, CLEARLY, the girl just got tired of waiting. BOOM!

2. 'Didn't I'

I'm pretty sure 'Didn't I' was a completely new song to my ears and... the things that it does to my ears.... DAMN. What a truly GORGEOUS creation 'Didn't I' is. For me it establishes itself as the clear winner here early and though it is chased by some excellent work, by the end of "Stay True", it reigns supreme. The song also fully captures what I meant when I said that Khalia had a "refreshing" take on Lover's Rock as though I don't think anyone is going to find it as revolutionary or something they've never ever heard before, there's something so delightfully and comfortably MODERN about 'Didn't I'. My absolute favourite Khalia song is one you won't find here, the Collie Buddz produced 'High', but 'Didn't I' is definitely in the process of making a challenge to it. 

3. 'Tings & Times' featuring Mortimer

The first of a surprising four combinations finds Khala linking up with Mortimer (who, at least at times, sounds a bit like Serani) and doing so in an ever so slightly different tpe of tune. At its core, 'Tings & Times' is surely a love song but, specifically, it's one about persevering through hard times and maintaining the love and the relationship. It also, at least for me, has elements which seem to reach between a romantic relationship as you could  very well apply these concepts to.... friendships or family ties as well. It's just about DEPENDABILITY. However it sizes up for you though, I think we'll all be able to agree that 'Tings & Times' is also EXCELLENT.

4. 'Double Trouble' featuring Shaggy

If you were going through the first three tunes and came to the conclusion that maybe you needed a little BITE to the vibes of "Stay True", Khalia pulls in the great Shaggy for just a bit of spice on the all kinds of fun 'Double Trouble. You should know what to expect here, you've heard it dozens of times before but, as is the case here, when songs like this are done WELL, they are damn catchy and infectious and I would expect 'Double Trouble' to be one of the, if not THE most listened to selection on "Stay True". 

"Worries and problems again

Yeah we make good lovers but we're terrible friends"

5. 'No Answer' featuring Tanya Stephens

There are very few bona fide geniuses in music --or in anywhere else in the world-- but Tanya Stephens is definitely one of them. The longtime Dancehall veteran lays claim (EASILY) to being one of the most intelligent minds the genre has ever come across and, even on paper, a combination between Stephens & Khalia is a big deal. In actuality it did not disappoint as the two come together on a GORGEOUS social commentary where they seek explanations for the way things are and, ultimately, come away empty-handed with 'No Answer'.

"Everybody know seh wah yuh fertilize di most have di highest probability fi grow

So why dem investing in crime and ignoring education?

Khalia, ask dem. 

Wi waan know"

The  vibes of the song are also top notch with a 'dramatic' scene painted around an old school set and what we end up with is definitely amongst the heights of "Stay True".

6. 'Stay True'

The severely R&B/Pop infused title track isn't a favourite of mine, but I won't completely dismiss it because of the message behind it. I'm going to tell you what to do if you hear this track on a superficial level and don't love what you hear; just do one thing. Go back and listen to the second verse on 'Stay True'. Listen very carefully and then cast your judgment on it. I don't think the tune is going to reach a lot of heavy Reggae heads (it won't) who'll not give it a chance, but when you skip it, you'll be missing out on a little lyrical gem (somewhat reminiscent, coincidentally, of Tanya Stephens' tune by the name of 'Do You Still Care', where you have a message built on different stories), but you do what you want.

7. 'Go' featuring Blvk H3ro

I also don't see 'Go' tapping too many people who come here seeking Reggae and Reggae all the time but, to its credit, it's even better than the title track in my opinion. This song, which features the helping hand of Blvk H3ro, is an inspirational trip which kind of grew on me a bit, especially during its middle portion. Khalia and Blvk H3ro deal with all the things they've grown through to reach their standings in life and how they still have to struggle to maintain it and to set a proper example for others who are to follow them. Again, I'd tell you to not just take what you hear on the surface before passing through 'Go'. It isn't a GREAT song, but there is DEFINITELY substance here and, should you give it a chance, you will find that substance damn hard to shake.

SO! I really hope you enjoy Khalia's music because if you hang around these parts (you have hideous taste in reading material, you're probably [you are] going to be hearing about her work quite consistently and you already have. This set gives a nice little bite of very impressive talent and one who we will surely be keeping an ear on in the future. "Stay True" is available right now on Ineffable Records. 

Khalia & Shaggy Are Double Trouble!

Okay so, I wanted to quickly tell you about a tune that I had meant to from a little while ago (and because I didn't finish my next review, now seemed like the perfect time), but if it's flown somewhere off of your radar, you probably want to check out 'Double Trouble', an all kind of fun new track from the flaming Khalia, alongside the legendary hot shot himself, Shaggy. The song is the latest single from the former's forthcoming EP, "Stay True", which is set to release later this month and like much of the work you're likely to come across from Khalia, it comes courtesy of the equally certified Tony 'CD' Kelly. To date, the Jamaican born, UK raised Khalia has dropped a variety of different songs, but she's recently struck with some of the Lover's Rock she's done such as the 'Waiting On You' and personal favourite, the Collie Buddz helmed 'High' (which is probably one of the best tunes I've heard this year altogether) and I damn enjoyed how 'Double Trouble' brings in a bit of a different vibes. At times, it flames: 

"It's nice to pretend and it's nice to be friends

But who wanna be sittin in that zone all again?

OUTTA FIVE, IS A TEN

Fire light, mi ah send

Di passion weh wi have, nobody can comprehend"

And, just in general, the song is very infectious and catchy (pretty much like everything Kelly produces), the Khalia & Shaggy make for a wonderful duo and it got me to thinking that maybe we're getting to a point where an EP from Khalia just isn't enough. Until then, however......

"Stay True" by Khalia is available on the 27th of October via Ineffable Records

Khalia's debut EP: Stay True

"Stay True" by Khalia [Ineffable Records]

1. 'Waiting On You'

2. 'Didn't I'

3. 'Tings & Time'

4. 'Double Trouble'

5. 'No Answer' featuring Tanya Stephens

6. 'Stay True'

7. 'Go'

Okay so, though it's still quite a bit off (not too far, about a month and a half), I thought you'd be well interested in learning that someone who is in the process of becoming a favourite of ours around here, the EXTREMELY impressive Khalia, is set to deliver her debut EP via Ineffable Records, "Stay True". The seven-tracked set has been greatly anticipated on our end as Khalia has been positively FLAMING as of late with BIG tunes such as 'No Answer' alongside Tanya Stephens  and the MAMMOTH Collie Buddz produced 'High'. Her style is a LOVELY modern Lover's Rock centered type of vibe which Khalia has spent the past half-decade or so developing into the absolute MARVEL that it is today (aided by the genius hands of Tony Kelly). 

A couple of weeks or so ago, Ineffable and the Jamaican born, UK grown songstress dropped 'Waiting On You', the SWEET, CLEVER and SEXY first single from "Stay True" and the reaction has been extremely positive. 'Waiting On You' is gold. Hopefully the balance of the tracks live up to that level (and I'm sure they will) and I'm particularly interested in hearing 'Tings & Time' whose title is giving me all kinds of cool ideas as to what it could possibly be about and how it could sound. 

One the year's most anticipated EP releases, Khalia's "Stay True" is available on Ineffable Records from the 27th of October. Time to get excited.