Check It #38.5: The Clean Up

So much nice new stuff. So we give it again, and again next week. 

"Love Govern Us All" by Qshan Deya' [Diamond Rush Productions]

'Everything Tun Up'

First up this . . . day is an album which I'm SO looking forward to hearing as Qshan Deya, originally from out of Vincy (so soon!), is back with his very first album in several centuries, the presumably EXQUISITE "Love Govern Us All". Qshan Deya (you'll see a hundred different spellings of that name) had an album, "Journey", which originally reached way back in 2001 and was fairly well received. I want to say that it was re-released just last year or 2010 in some form (probably digital) and that was the last time anyone heard from the outstandingly voiced singer on an album. Add a 1 to each digit in your age, and he's back! Listening through some of the clips, it's a very impressive album - Heavy modern Roots, which is exactly what the singer made his name doing. It's nice to see that while certain things have changed in eleven years, certain others have not and I'm looking forward to hearing it. Lady G, Tony Rebel and Half Pint stop by.

Digital

"My Search" by Edge Michael [Jamz Inc/Edge Michael]

Next we have a piece which came well recommended by a longtime reader, biggup LeClaire (biggup LeClaire), who was very adamant that we check out the latest creation of Edge Michael. Perhaps still best known for being the nephew of Reggae Royalty, Peter Tosh, Michael has strung together quite a nice and sturdy career for himself and his new release, "My Search", has to be album # four or five for him now, which is really remarkable and I know that he has a strong following as well (like LeClaire). The new album doesn't appear to drift too far off course for the singer and is more very solid Roots Reggae music. UK pillar, Macka B and Selvie Wonder join Edge Michael to spice up the vibes as well.

CD + Digital 

Bigga Haitian [Bigga Haitian]

It hasn't been anywhere near as long as the first case on this post, but it does seem like awhile from last we heard from veteran chanter Bigga Haitian from out of . . . Haiti. The heavy voiced artist has released a string of new singles such as 'Jah Children Arise', 'Mama Kush' [both pictured] and a next called 'Coming Home'. All three are very good songs and, I don't know this for sure, but it would seem as if Bigga Haitian is MAYBE preparing for something big which would definitely add even more flames to an already dangerously hot 2012.

Digital 

The World Clock Riddim [Pure Music Productions]

World Clock Riddim Mix

Speaking of flames - We always love to check in with Delly Ranx and co. at Pure Music Productions, because they always have something damn spicy and next up, there is no change. The World Clock Riddim is BIG! And it's not just a big riddim, but it birthed equally big-boned tunes as well. Sizzla Kalonji, Lutan Fyah, Exco Levi and Nikiesha Lindo are just a few names running here (Froggy has an excellent tune as well), but it is the creator of the riddim, himself, taking top honours with the WICKED 'Read The Board'.

Digital 

The Aurora Skies Riddim [So Unique]

I've mentioned this one both of the past couple of days, I think as it appeared on Mr. Vegas' smash "Sweet Jamaica" and we featured the real star of the Aurora Skies Riddim, 'The Real Deal' by Bounty Killer, featured the last full edition of "Check It". The actual riddim itself is a pretty good and colourful composition, but it plays backdrop to several really strong tunes. Joining the Killa are the likes of Agent Sasco, Bugle, Savage, D'Angel, Flexx, G-Whizz, Gyptian, Kibaki, Teflon, Shane-O and others. The Aurora Skies Riddim is split over two releases  (twenty-seven tunes in all) - and you can probably piece together a solid thirteen or fourteen set of nice and better tunes digitally.

Digital 

The Mercury Riddim [Jah Snowcone Entertainment/Chase Millz]

'Activate' by Spragga Benz

Jah Snowcone is, at least in my opinion, still somewhat of an underappreciated producer for the vibes that he actually makes and has made and now he's pushing another one for the catalogs because the Mercury Riddim is clearly one of the most BEAUTIFUL Dancehall riddims of the first half of the year. Spragga Benz and Agent Sasco steal the show, but other big tunes abound from the likes of Kiprich, Delly Ranx, Beenie Man, the all kind of sexy I Shawna and Mr. Vegas alongside Ninja Kidd. Definitely check this one today. 

Digital  

"Change The World" by Macka B [Chinelo Productions] 

And finally today I thought that I'd remind to pick up the latest album from the aforementioned big time UK chanter, Macka B, "Change The World". I've had the opportunity to listen through it just a bit and it seems, so far, like 'standard' REALLY HIGH QUALITY vibes from one of the best to ever do it (big tune called 'Golden Pen' alongside Earl 16). 

Digital 

'+1': A review of "Sweet Jamaica" by Mr. Vegas

Do special things. When it comes to music, not everything makes very much sense all of the time. If it did, I'd probably be a much bigger fan of an artist like Dancehall veteran Mr. Vegas who, perhaps somewhat quietly, has probably installed himself as one of the most memorable names of an entire era of Dancehall music and, also, as someone who history figures to look back on very favourably. For some reason, I just don't pay as much attention to his releases that I should and haven't for quite some time historically, but I'm always looking for a reason to change things up. Maybe two or three years ago the singjay (I HATE that word) (CANNOT STAND IT!) did an interview that I read a part of, where he made a comment on the state of extremely Hip-Hoppified Dancehall music and Reggae and how it basically pissed him off that the music was in that ultra diluted condition. Vegas then went a step up and, essentially, said that he wouldn't be doing any of that type of music, going forth, and that the only thing fans would hear him on, if I recall correctly, would be authentic Dancehall music, authentic Reggae music, Soca and Gospel (which I believe he had previously retired to go and sing exclusively at one point) . Like I said, I don't pay the greatest of attention to Mr. Vegas' work, I'm not his greatest fan, but from how much I do hear - he kept his word. Even if he didn't and even if my memory isn't the best (and it usually isn't), what he's currently occupying his time with has suddenly got my interest as high as it has been in his work in more than a decade ["my name is kokane, I will fuck up your brain. If you know, what I know, you'll flush me down the drain"] (WHAT!). Of course what that is, is dealing with his latest album release - the absolutely TERRIFIC "Sweet Jamaica". Vegas is very fascinating, because he's someone who has both experienced getting the credit that he's due, after spending the better part of the past FIFTEEN YEARS [!] making bonafide hits, and he's also not received that proper recognition at times as well. That's why I feel that so greatly that, in the future, his career will be looked upon in such a great light when you can take ALL of his works into account. And if it happens that this album isn't the crowning jewel of what is looked back upon, well then Mr. Vegas is about to do something even . . . specialer [not a word] [but I kind of think that it should be] than imaginable because this is EXCELLENT.

But if he isn't - DAMN - what a gift he has just given us. "Sweet Jamaica" is a project which comes very fittingly as the SWEETEST place on earth celebrates Her FIFTIETH year in 2012 and to mark the occasion, Vegas delivers an all-encompassing double CD release, with thirty-one tracks in full, which pretty much covers everything there is to cover. Interestingly, the album also comes in a very nice time for the artist because he, himself, has been in a winning form over the course of the past couple of years. So much so has Vegas been on point that we really could have done well with an album even last year, but with such a piece now on hand, the wait seems more than necessary and not at all problematic. As a full scale development, "Sweet Jamaica" is the product of Vegas' on MV Music label as well as longtime producer/arranger/everything-else-you-might-need-done-in-a-studio-er, Mikey Bennett. The discs are split up with the first being Reggae and the second being Dancehall music. What a wonderful idea! In fact, I like it so much, I think that I'll split this review just like it. 

'Sweet Jamaica' w/Shaggy & Josey Wales


Reggae - Disc One

Late last year or so it was announced that Mr. Vegas was part of an initiative attempting to actually tangibly do something to keep foundational Reggae music in Jamaica. In recent years, as you can tell if you look around long enough, Reggae has, like so many of its older practitioners, essentially packed up its things and moved to Europe for the most part. Consider the Reggae disc of "Sweet Jamaica" to be his greatest contribution to his own initiative as the disc is largely comprised of the singer's (much, much better word) take on various older tunes and riddims and melodies from artists and producers of yesteryear and the fresh tunes are also ACTUAL Reggae music as well. Getting things started here is a remake of a classic from Jimmy London's vault, 'A Little Love'. He does do an excellent job with this one, but I do have to say that it may just be a matter of the 'tools' in this instance. I couldn't carry a melody if it had handles and glue stuck to it, but I'm pretty confident I could do a decent rendition of this SWEET song which also appeared on the "Memories" compilation last year from Steely & Clevie. Next, Vegas dives a bit deeper and pulls out 'You've Made Me So Very Happy', from the legendary Alton Ellis. This one takes awhile to get REALLY going properly, but Vegas also shines here as well on this very nice touch for the album. The first BIG EYE moment on this disc is up as Mr. Vegas comes together with Luciano on a tune which is equal parts Roots Reggae and more traditional Gospel, 'Alive & Well'. 

“I Sing praise to Almighty God 

King Of Kings and Lord of Lords

Mi seh no put no one before HIM

Praise to The King, cah love ah di greatest reward

Mi seh mi know my God a no fraud

And pon mi, HIM nah draw bad card

Mi seh mi, haffi adore HIM

No put no one before HIM

Dem caah turn mi ‘gainst the God” 

LOVE this tune, love everything about it. Luciano and Vegas make for one unusual combination, on paper, but there is nothing unusual about this song besides its extremely high quality. My favourite track on this disc. 'The Messenjah' isn't the only guest who stops by, most notably also appearing are Shaggy and Josey Wales on the album's exceedingly popular and STRONG title track. This song reached late 2010/early 2011 and it was BIG from the onset. Given the album which would subsequently carry its name and the direction of everything, it's become even more crucial and a bit of a THEME song now, a year and a half on. You've heard tunes like this before, but not many sound this good. The always colourful Jovi Rockwell chimes in a mighty way on previous hit tune 'Can't Stop Now' across a fresh cut of the old You Don't Care Riddim, while CLASS personified, Nadine Sutherland, makes her presence well known on the outstanding 'Magical', which proves to be one of my personal favourites here definitely ("featuring Nadine Sutherland" is a phrase which usually means GOOD to my eyes) (she is just amazing). 

Jimmy Cliff doesn't actually appear on "Sweet Jamaica", but his handiwork does in the form of the BEAUTIFUL 'Things Ruff' which plays through Cliff's 'You Can Get It If You Really Want'. This song is a pretty straightforward social commentary, but it made me SMILE throughout and I like how Vegas changes the vibes up, he sings, he deejays, he does everything to make this one the sensational piece that it is. The vibrantly immortal Israelites Riddim plays backdrop to the obligatory ganja song for the album, the somewhat funny 'Gimme A Light'. Here, we find Vegas . . . Pretty much sacrificing everything to smoke! His wife has left him, she's taken the kids, she probably isn't coming back and yet STILL the man needs a lift before he eats his breakfast! Vegas also takes on 'Take It Easy', the classic from Hopeton Lewis and while this one may not be a favourite of mine - who cares what I think, I played it for my Mother and she's probably still singing it she enjoyed it so much. I do actually really like this tune, it is hard not to. The riddim from another classic (I find myself using that word very often today), 'Cherry Oh Baby' by Ed Donaldson, zips behind the nice lover's tune 'Roses In My Garden' which is yet another highlight for the album and probably on the higher end in this case. Vegas also runs through 'Sweet & Dandy' from Toots & The Maytals, 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da', which he likely got Desmond Dekker, who got it from the Beatles (which I didn't know). Again, it's pretty hard not to like either of these songs, they're just beautiful renditions of classic (and again) material. That being said, however, I think Mr. Vegas goes to an even higher level on 'Say Yuh Bad' which takes on 'Johnny Too Bad'. This track is one brilliant piece of social commentary and Vegas CLEARS it!

“So now you end up a jail 

Dem seh you nah get no bail 

Because yah badness fail

Watch you ah peep through di rail

Well you seh you no fraid a people

Now a badda man deh inna jail ah beat you

Yah kill people without no reason

Now a life sentence you get inna prison”

Rounding out the Reggae disc of "Sweet Jamaica" is a HEAVY composition in 'Whenever You're Lonely' (that riddim is GOLD) and the electric praising tune, 'Above The Waters'. Both are two more fine additions to an album which really didn't need very much 'help' at all. This disc, again, probably serves more of an actual purpose for Vegas as it shows that he's willing to go to the extent of putting an entire album out on ACTUAL and AUTHENTIC Reggae music. Furthermore, some of these songs are a bit older, going back to as early as 2009 to my knowledge (which surely means that he recorded some of them in the 1980's!), so that shows you that it's not just for an album in mind, but really because this is the type of music he really WANTS to sing! Well done.

'I Am Blessed' org. version


Dancehall - Disc Two

So, after all of that, I guess it's somewhat natural that I feel a bit bad in saying that I like the Dancehall side better . . . because I do. The streak of winners that Mr. Vegas has been enjoying over the past couple of years of so, at least to my ears, has been fueled largely by his Dancehall music and to make my point, I give you the Dancehall disc of "Sweet Jamaica" as evidence. Vegas' cut of the BBQ Riddim, the infectious 'Beautiful Life'. I'll make more of a detail on this later, but this song is just a really good time to be had. It's not GREAT, but it does exactly what it's supposed to and just makes you feel good ["Having the best time of mi life and mi feel like an Afrikan wid twenty wife"]. 'Champagne Rosé' is just VINTAGE late 1990's Dancehall and that is probably largely due to a new version of the old Black Widow Riddim that it taps into (that took me FOREVER to figure out after singing some random piece of a Beenie Man song in my head as soon as I heard the track and as it turns out, Vegas was also on the initial run of the cut with 'Big Tings Ah Gwaan'). This is beautiful REAL Dancehall. There're no Hip-Hop overtones or flavours or shit like that, it's just pure undiluted Dancehall! 

”Shelly Ann no waan mi drink and dash a bottle dung di sink

An she look mi get a next one before she quit

Everyday yah know seh mi an di girls dem ah link 

Dem love di niceness yes, it pretty like a pink

Mi and Rosie, up inna Jacuzzi 

Neighbour waan know ‘wah wah’

How she so nosey

Dis nuh mek ya lousy

It nah mek yuh drowsy

Dis nah have nuh drugs fi mek Merciless seh ‘HOWDY!’”

And then there's 'Certain Law'. So much could be said for this one and not the least would be the KNOCKING Barb Wire Riddim over which it plays. That thing is EVIL and it must be stopped! Over it, Vegas outlines several things which he feels aren't quite in the arena of manliness in a hilarious fashion! 

'Bruk It Down'

Charged with maintaining the vibes set by the openers, the balance of the Dancehall lot of "Sweet Jamaica" doesn't even come close to failing - it is a big album! Check 'Let The Music Play' which is kind of an odd selection because, on the surface, it's the type of song you've heard so many times before, giving love to the music, but this one has more of a BITE to it and it isn't as cool and polished as so many of the others, which is a good thing. While that one may or may not prove to be hit (has a good chance if you ask me), definitely there're are already certified hits here. Arguably at the head of them is the hard to shake 'Bruk It Down', which is still doing damage everywhere it reaches. It's a kind of heavy dance track and normally I don't like those tunes and I'm not calling this my favourite (because that distinction is obvious), but I like it FAR more than I do some of the others, even from Vegas. Another really sizable smash for the singer is the best song I hear on the whole of "Sweet Jamaica" and that is clearly 'Black & Proud'. The anti-bleaching set was one of two tunes that really pulled me back to see that Vegas had pushed himself back up and it was time to take a listen once again (the other is also on this album . . . Kind of). Again, what he does is to take a well done concept in Reggae and Dancehall (particularly when he did the song) and add just a bit of spice and aggression to it which gives the impression (correctly) that bleaching is all kind of FUCKED UP and respecting and appreciating your nature is the way to go ["MI BLACK BABY, FROM A BLACK LADY, SO MI PROUD OF MI COLOUR AND MI NAH CHANGE IT"]. This disc ends with a livened up version of the other biggest track here, the hard to deny 'I Am Blessed'. LOVE the tune in its original form and I wish they would've did it here in that style, but I don't hate like this and it's not hard to imagine why they would want to do a changeup with the very well traveled piece. And Vegas may just have a similar hit on his hands should 'God On My Side' get a run and it just may.

'Black & Proud'

I also like . . .  just about all of the remaining tracks on the album (duh!). There's 'Talk Is Cheap' from TJ's DNA Riddim (Vegas got one of most interesting mixes of that riddim) and 'Honey Girl' which dropped late 2011 or so and has comes through on one of the better compositions of that year, the Dancehall Pull Up Riddim from First Name Music. The Dancehall side doesn't feature a whole heap of remakes like the Reggae, but you will find, along with the aforementioned Black Widow Riddim, the nice 'Something About You' which goes all Ting-a-Ling on the people. That riddim sounds as nice as ever and the tune on top of it lives up to the lofty standards of its history.  Also somewhat lofty is the new to my ears 'Party Tun Up' and 'Call Me' from the recent Aurora Skies Riddim - two very entertaining tracks. And a HUGE highlight also is on board in the woman empowering, downright stirring and Rocky-esque 'Dancehall Queen'. 

“Mi gal nah watch weh dem ah chat

Gwan live out yah dream

Man love yah lak a money machine

Yah arm neva green

Mouth eva clean

Whine like a Dancehall Queen

Bubble like pot weh full a steam

Whine like a Dancehall Queen 

Lovely a mi queen

Whine yah mi queen

Gal you a di Dancehall Queen

Mi gal mi waan describe you in so many words

Mi waan tell yuh something some gal neva heard

You deh a first, dem a second and third

Wid dem skin chippy chippy like when dem roast bird

You hot to di max

Gal you cool and relax

And no one bag a man no run through you like tracks 

So when some gal, baby you no matta dat

Cause a some a dem played out and cah eva come back” 

Rounding out the Dancehall side of the album is a pair of tunes which . . . aren't actually Dancehall (not that I'm complaining) and two combinations as well. 'Get Ready To Whine Up' features Vegas alongside Tifa and Ms. Kitty and it plays over the 40ft. Riddim from the Madmen. You might know this one as Soca star Bunji Garlin FUCKED IT UP and left it for dead with the all kind of wicked 'So & So', but whatever of it was left, these three made the most of. And FINALLY is 'Whine For Me Baby' on which appears Achis Reggae favourite, the wonderful Patrice Roberts. I really like this tune and, to wrap it up, a little Soca never EVER hurt anyone (except your feet) and I'm happy that Mr. Vegas, almost as much as anyone from the Dancehall, has been so active in the genre in recent years. The Dancehall disc won't be looked upon as significant as the Reggae side and I get that. It's fine. But for me it does just as good of a job, if not better because it doesn't go as hard on building upon classics, in exhibiting the music in its GENUINE state, which was the goal for the Reggae side as well. 

Overall, there's not much more to be said. It's difficult to throw around words like "landmark" (even though that literally surrounds this one), so we'll call it HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT. Mr. Vegas is someone who, at such an advanced stage of his career, probably doesn't have much to 'risk' in doing whatever he wants to do at this point - he's made his fans - but I think he's going to make a legacy with SO many more in standing up for Real Reggae music and Real Dancehall music on "Sweet Jamaica". For whatever it's worth he just made another one. Me. AMAZING!

Rated: 4.9999999/5

MV Music 

2012

CD + Digital

Review #367

Check It #38: Singles Edition

'Haïti Chérie' featuring James Germain by Stevy Mahy [B Caribbean] 

First up this week is a song that I've been meaning to mention from since we got back basically and were it not kind of old even then, it probably would've gotten its own post, but here we have Achis Reggae and Earth favourite, Stevy Mahy, with a big single for Haiti, 'Haïti Chérie'. The all kind of beautiful singer from Guadeloupe does the song for Haiti with awesome voiced Haitian singer, James Germain. If you stick around here enough, you know that I'm a huge fan of Mahy's, so I hold her music to a higher standard and even on that inflated of scale of what is 'GOOD', this is nearly GREAT. It would have ranked favourably on her album, "The Beautiful Side of A Kreyol Folk Trip". It's THAT good. I like how the tune is literally three (or four) different styles in one and by the time Mr. Germain jumps in, you've already been through such a journey to one of the sweetest places on the planet courtesy of Stevy Mahy. In addition, Mahy also went to Haiti (and mashed up!) for a video for the single (which hopefully Bredz put up there) and the results, as usual, are absolutely STUNNING! I could say that I'm hopeful that this is a sign of what is to come from Mahy in 2012 . . ., but it's not important at the moment (yes it is), instead, enjoy one of the best tunes I've heard this year. 

Digital 

'J'T'Emmene' by Saïk [G-zup Concept]

Sticking in Gwada, because it's always been so nice to you, next we check in with the potentially devastating Saïk who, though he continues to fail to find the proper combination to give the world a NEW FUCKING ALBUM, also continues to not be very shy, in terms of giving tastes of it and here we have yet another (his fourth, by my count) 'J'T'Emmene'. This album, whenever it gets here and whatever it's name is, figures to be a mighty shift from his debut set from a few years back and it's songs like this and the first single, 'You & Me', which show a bit softer side from the otherworldly gifted DJ. This song has proven to be a nice sized hit for Saïk also and . . . If I haven't stated so in the past (and I most certainly have) I CANNOT WAIT, for this album. 

Digital 

'Toute Une Vie' by Jessye Belleval [Section Zouk Records]

And speaking of even more people from out Guadeloupe who have new tunes and are in desperate need of a new album, there's the STUNNINGLY beautiful Jessye Belleval who, much like Saïk, continues to drop singles from an album which is taking a terribly long time to arrive. The latest (her third, by my count), the lovely 'Toute Une Vie', dropped not too long ago and is another big effort from the Zouk star. Belleval being around means that she makes more good music . . . Yeah and it also means that we get to SEE her more, which is always a very nice thing! 

Digital  

'King Selassie I Alone' by Mikey General [ReggaeLand Productions]

Hopefully I alluded to this yesterday - wonderful singer Mikey General has joined the explosion of Spain's ReggaeLand Productions with a big new spiritual tune, 'King Selassie I Alone'. The General is just a big artist and a big talent and, in recent years, I feel as though the man is becoming even stronger, if that's possible and it's evident ALL OVER this tune. The digital single release also includes a dubbed out version of the heavy riddim by the famed Roberto Sanchez. Definitely check this one out today.

Digital

'Smile On My Face' by Diana Rutherford [Tiger Records/Zojak Worldwide]

'The Tigress', Diana Rutherford is back with a new single on Achis Reggae favourite, Tiger Records, the delightful 'Smile On My Face'. The song is a very clever one on which Rutherford basically tells everyone (in a very coolly complex way) to keep their joy and keep smiling no matter what they may face. The vibe is somewhat folksy and 'dusty' (and I mean that in a good way) and just really something intended to make the listeners smile. Mission accomplished.

Digital

'The Real Deal' by Bounty Killer [So Unique-Mekhai]

When the Aurora Skies Riddim dropped, So Unique Records must've realized that they had something special on their hands as, almost immediately after doing the riddim digitally, they dropped the showcase single for 'The Real Deal', the POWERFUL cut of the riddim by the legendary Bounty Killer. They made an excellent choice. In the current era of Dancehall not too many people, if anyone at all, has been as influential as the Killer and this tune is one which details a great deal of what he has done for the music.

“Tings Killa do some bwoy no have di heart fi dweet

How much youth Killa buss and take up off di street?

Ask dem a Portmore and Cassava Piece -

Who a di real dog who show dem and dem dogs fi eat”

MAD!

Digital

'Lord Evil' by Aidonia [CR2O3/ZJ Chrome]

Someone who knows greatly of the Killer's contributions to Dancehall and beyond, Aidonia, has also a special release of his own as his cut of Chrome's #TNS Riddim, 'Lord Evil', also gets a personal release after appearing on the riddim's digital release. I know what you're thinking - there is no way in hell Aidonia hasn't already had a song with this title! I . . . don't know, but here it is. What is it? I don't have to tell you that, you already know what it is: Ultra OVER aggressive lyrical mastery from the supremely talented DJ. What else is new?

Digital

'Can't Stay' by Aima Moses [Crunchtime Records]

We always love to hear from wicked Dominican born Aima Moses, but unfortunately it's a joy which we don't get to experience too often, but that isn't the case these days. Moses has a big new single out and it's proven to be probably one of his most well known and well regarded pieces in quite some time, the nice love song, 'Can't Stay'.

Digital

'Changes [People Get Ready]' by Richie Spice [Machete Records]

Veteran, Richie Spice, also has a nice new single available this week from Machete Records, the lively 'Changes [People Get Ready]'(which also includes a dubbed out version, which may have too much vocals on it). I'm not the biggest Richie Spice fan, of course, but I recognize when he does well and look to give credit where it is due - this is a good tune. I know I'm in the minority in regards to the singer, so you'll probably enjoy it even more than I do when you pick it up today.

Digital

Coming Soon

'Heart of Mankind' by Zareb [Heartical]

And finally, I thought I'd let you know of a forthcoming potentially very big tune as Heartical Records from out France presents a new tune from a big artist who seems to be woefully under-recorded, Zareb. The former 'Mr. Flash' is back now, however, and he's bringing a tune I'm well looking forward to hearing in its full version, 'Heart of Mankind'. The singer is the type of artist I always try to keep an eye and an ear out for, but you rarely hear much, so when you do, you better make sure you take a heavy listen and you can do just that when this tune reaches. 

Digital

Releases on June 22

'Never The Same': A review of "Warrior Of Jah Army" by Singer Jah

You know, for a genre often thought of and regarded as being somewhat stagnant, unmoving and just not very unique, there sure are more than quite a few very interesting and original individuals and styles in Roots Reggae music. I've heard it and will continue to hear it in messages we get pertaining to the music from newer and potential fans, that the music just doesn't differentiate itself from itself enough to really grab an interest, particularly in the modern era, but again, I just don't see it. On one end of the incredibly distinct Roots artist style would be someone such as Perfect Giddimani, who we recently dealt with in regards to his brand new album, "Journey of 1,000 Miles". I don't know how you can listen to that man and connect his music, besides the riddim, to just about anyone else not only going right now, but certainly from any other age in Reggae music. He is just that different from everyone else and it is something which has become one of his major points of attraction - if you want something different, you listen to Perfect. Also near there, for an entirely dissimilar reason, would be Chezidek and Jah Cure. Their vocals set them apart from everyone else, again, and it's now where you could very well give them the same vibes with the same lyrics, the same melody and the same riddim as another artist and the results will be so different in their case. And to my ears, even if you dive right into the middle of the music and encounter artists like Jah Mason, Junior Kelly, Anthony B and others, if you care enough, you'll find just how incredibly incorrect the notion of 'all of these songs sound the same' is when applied to Roots Reggae of the modern era. It's just wrong. And most fortunately, today we get to deal with yet another artist who, very casually and seemingly without force is breaking that mold by being himself and doing what comes naturally to him musically, the always interesting Singer Jah. The still relatively young singer is going to do a great deal to attract attention, and he already has, but now he's taking things to an even higher order with the release of a brand new album, which turns out to be a pretty nice standout on its own for many different reasons. 

"Dancin' Shoes" by Malijah & "Gimme What's Mine" by Chantelle Ernandez - 2012

The least interesting aspect surrounding the releasing of this project clearly isn't its origins. Over the past year or so, Singer Jah has been one of the talented artists who has taken advantage of the rising of the  burgeoning ReggaeLand Productions from out of Barcelona, Spain. The label has been one of the most active, although somewhat overlooked, European sets of the time and they've made many fans all throughout the world via constantly producing solid Roots music with some big names in the music and thus far, 2012 is proving to be a pinnacle for the label. Previously, ReggaeLand reserved album projects for the likes of Miguel Arraigo, Maia and Jah Nattoh - all Spanish artists who voice, primarily, in Spanish - the latter is probably their most well known artist, but that's all changed this year. Singer Jah was the second of three solid albums, two of which are debuts. First was Malijah, with "Dancin' Shoes" and just last week, the label dropped the first LP from impressive Jamaican vocalist, Chantelle Ernandez, "Gimme What's Mine". Also reportedly in the works for this year, is an album from veteran singer, Anthony Que and they've also done a big new single with Achis Reggae favourite, Mikey General. That's a lot of work, but to my ears thus far, you're looking at what is the crowning jewel of their 2012.

"Warrior Of Jah Army". While Singer Jah isn't exactly what I'd call a household name in Reggae (though if he keeps this up, he may very well be), from a few years back when he first began to garner attention for his work, he's always maintained a very cool level of quality in his music and his results, when at his best, have shown that. A couple of years back, the singer released his own debut album, "Waasskaa", which contained powerful works such as 'Why Are We', 'Youths Been Dying' and 'Right On Time' (there's also a very interesting track on that album called 'Wicked Than Pharaoh' which you should check out). To my knowledge, he released the album, so named after Singer Jah's signature phrase, on his own and exclusively in the digital market and I don't know how well it did commercially but, as I said, it contained a nice number of tracks on which the vocalist has made his name and he's remained active in the time since then as well. Because of that obvious determination in the music and devotion to his craft, I was SO happy to see this album come up and Singer Jah's be in the line of names in whom ReggaeLand has taken so heavy of an interest. And it's proven to be productive in both ways. As stated, having heard all of "Dancin' Shoes" (a nice album indeed) and most of "Gimme What's Mine", "Warrior Of Jah Army" is my favourite of the batch and although it does appear as if the label has decided to push the EXTREMELY marketable, fantastically voiced and stunningly beautiful Chantelle Ernandez most of the three (DUH!), in my opinion, most hardcore Reggae heads will find the most satisfaction in this piece, but you check them all out of course. With that being said, I did base this review partially on the premise of artists who make themselves standout in Roots Reggae and you don't get very far into this album, or any of the good work of Singer Jah without hearing an immediate stream of something different. For what he lacks perhaps in fanfare, the vocalist makes up for in a PASSION for his music and getting the message out there and he does succeed in both arenas with this album. Let's have a listen. 

"Waasskaa" - 2010

The first thing you're likely to notice from Singer Jah is his voice. The clearest comparison, of course, would come to the legendary Garnet Silk and Ras Shiloh and the likes and it's a very fair one also. However, I'd say that Singer Jah has also just a bit of someone like a Mr. Vegas (now that may have something to do with me listening to A LOT of Mr. Vegas these days, but I do hear it) in his voice also. There's a very nice 'looseness' and 'free-flowing-ness' to his delivery, which is definitely something that you're more likely to hear from a Dancehall singer. Nevertheless, you're going to find straight Roots Reggae ideology and themes through the artist's new album from ReggaeLand Productions, "Warrior Of Jah Army", as its title would suggest. But, just to make me look dumb, the album does get up and moving with a sweet love song, 'Only U In My Life'. This song is really the only of its kind on the album, but it does have its place - when is the last time you heard a Roots album with no love song? It's a tribute to the special woman in Singer's life and the Mother of his daughter and he's just so happy that she's with him. I hear dozens and dozens of love songs which don't really do a damn thing for me, but this is not one of those. A nice tune. Next, we go in a more terrestrial direction with a downright scintillating effort, 'Blood Suckers', on which Singer deals with those who endanger the future of the world - children. The riddim on this song, whatever it is and whoever constructed it, is DIVINE! It is so nice and LUSH and the tune on top of it is probably one of the album's best. Speaking of nice riddims and the album's best, it is the gorgeous Cultura Riddim which underpins what is definitely one of the best selections to be found on the whole of "Warrior Of Jah Army", the outstanding 'Prayers 2 Di Most High'. 

“So I pray every night and I pray everyday

Asking The Most High to guide my way 

Guide my steps Oh Jah!

From the wicked, the evil and the backbiter!

Pray every night and I pray everyday

Asking The Most High to guide my way

Guide my steps Oh Jah!

From the wicked, the evil and the backbiter

Come mek wi chase away di locust outta town

Wid Jah by my side, dem caah get I down

HE protect mi in my going in

HE guides mi in my coming in

So praises be, praises be, praise be to thee!

Deliver mi Oh Jah from the wicked

In their heart there is a lot of mischief”

This one sounds directly out of the vault of Garnet Silk - it's a wonderful piece and extremely well done.

'Try & Do Good'

Silk would certainly be proud of a tune like 'Hello Mama' which comes through later as the Mama song for the album. Just like in the case of the opener, I hear these tunes literally all of the time, so they have to do something special to make themselves stand out and this one does that. The sonics on the song are just so high! The legendary singer would also be pleased by 'Never Forget', which just may be the best written tune on the album. Here, Singer speaks of "never forgetting" where one comes from and taking pride in it as well ["Nuff a dem forget and turn round, get left. Inna di wrong trap mi si dem go step"]. The riddim here is a curiously SLIM one-drop for the most part, but when left to bubble just a tiny bit, you hear horns and so many other sublime ingenuities going on the background, that while it IS message music, it gets a flaring treatment upon delivery to the listener! 'Try & Do Good' begins a trend which expands on the second half of the album (more on that in just a second) to a great degree, so I won't ruin it, but I will say that the song, which comes through across ReggaeLand's Dem Talking Riddim, is such a nice piece that it shouldn't be missed. There is a very nice way of writing which Singer Jah has in this portion of the album where it's more basic and easier to take-in concepts, driven home in a very passionate way (it's also the first time we actually hear "Waasskaa!"). Finally here (only for now) is my favourite song on the album named after it, 'Warrior Of Jah Army'. TEARS! 

“I’m a warrior!

I’m a warrior!

I’m a warrior of Jah army!

I will fight for my rights

Fight to stay alive

I’m a warrior!

I’m a warrior!

I’m a warrior of Jah army!

I will fight for my rights

Fight to stay alive

Wi never get scared pon di battlefield

Jah is our guide and shield

Many wanna see us fall

We’re standing firm, against the wall yeah

Dem think dem can shake mi

But dem caan shake mi

MI NO TREE SO DEM CAAH SHAKE MI!

I’m a lion, so try no test me!

One Man mi fear - The Almighty”

It's standing up for His Majesty, it's standing up for righteousness and just common sense! HUGE HUGE tune!

Something very interesting happens near the midway point of "Warrior Of Jah Army" and it was a large part of the reason that I set this review up in the way that I did. If you just looked at the album, the title the cover and the artist, it would most likely never occur to you that, as I alluded to in regards to 'Try & Do Good', the second half of the album just becomes this LARGE sounding display. I hear Pop, I hear Zouk, I hear Reggae-still and a lot of other vibes thrown in and I still enjoy it! A good example would well be the familiar 'No Giving Up'. This song appears on the Reggae Reasoning Riddim and it just energizes the entire set immediately and in a good way, on a song which Singer Jah very much seems to apply to his own life and career. When I tipped into 'Don't Wanna See U & Me' I thought that I had accidentally mixed in some Kaysha into the tracklist ('Si Tu T'en Vas', big tune), because things suddenly Zoukified. This one isn't amongst my favourites and it isn't much of a case of appreciating someone 'doing something different', because it seems like such a natural leap for the singer. The bigness continues on a tune which would receive Ras Shiloh's approval (biggup Shiloh!), the social commentary, 'Life Continues'. 

“Blood been running in the street

Life continuing, getting delete

My Lord!

My God, put a stop onto it

I can’t take a next minute of it

Blood been running in the street

Life continuing, getting delete

My Lord!

My God, put a stop onto it

I can’t take a next minute of it

Where is the love, we supposed to get?

Nuff people dem kill, fling body over bridge

We all come together and a so wi must live

Why can’t we come together?

How come so don’t care for others?

I don’t know why they moving this way

I don’t know why they kill everyday

Some ah kill just fi money and fame

MAN BUSS IT TILL HIM GUN FINGER SPRAIN!”

In the midst of the sound change and all of the other stuff I'm about to tell you about is one SWEET Reggae selection, 'Help 4 Di Youths'. It's a song which very much sticks into Singer Jah's line of thinking and writing throughout "Warrior Of Jah Army", as he very much is about standing up for those who can't stand up for themselves and calling for the betterment of children and this a song which touches, finely, both of those bases. Also I should tell you to pay a nice amount of attention to what's being said in this instance, because the message is HIGH! Also do check 'Hail The King', which is another very BIG vibed tune and I do really like it (though it took about five or six spins to arrive at that point). The prevailing message here being one of unity - saying how so many people come from so many different places and do so many different things and can link together in the name of one common goal - to hail The King. 

'Hail The King' digital single

NOW! The remaining for pieces on the album are all remixes of sorts as ReggaeLand, in a very Soca-like move, added them to the pack. Two of them are versions of the same song, 'Nah Afraid', which gets an acoustic and 'Discomix' washing. Most curious about this song, and it is very good, particularly in the acoustic form, is that the bubbly original version, which is better than both of these, is not on the actual album. You can give it a listen (as well as both of these tunes also), however, should you pick up a compilation called "Hold Di Trinity", which ReggaeLand dropped last month. There's also an exotic sounding remix of 'No Giving Up' and a remix of another tune not on the album, 'Bless Dem', whose original version (which is better than its remix) also appeared on the aforementioned Dem Talking Riddim. The most interesting artifact of information about this one is that is the only combination song on "Warrior Of Jah Army" (you have no idea how many times I have typed that as "Warrior IN Jah Army", NONE!) because it features famed Reggae singer, Ginjah, who just happens to be (in need a new album of his own) Singer Jah's brother. This is an interesting mix of what is a big tune, but I definitely suggest that you do track down the original. 

Singer Jah

Overall, the album, although only sixteen tracks (which seems short these days), is such a FULL project and a powerful statement to Singer Jah's abilities. I would have so enjoyed if he and ReggaeLand could have mixed in a female guest singer just to accompany him on a tune because I think that would make such an interesting sound, but judging the project based on what is actually present, I don't have too many complaints at all. The word that jumps up here is SOLID, but it is better than that and it does have a spectacular moment or two. So, if you saw this release and figured it to be an average album from an average singer, with an (EXTREMELY) average name that you've heard a thousand times before - pickup "Warrior Of Jah Army" from Singer Jah - and prove yourself wrong. Very wrong. 

Rated: 4.25/5

ReggaeLand Productions

2012

CD [I THINK] + Digital

Review #366

'Da Ville!': A review of The ReggaeVille Riddim

Somewhere out there some old Reggae producer who used to make riddims using a big ass stone and . . . another big ass stone back in the . . . Stone . . . age is turning in his big stony grave - pissed off that someone has had the audacity to name a riddim after a fucking website! WHAT! If you haven't noticed (well then you probably aren't reading this right now), Reggae has, rather shockingly, fit itself into the landscape of a technologically advancing society and done so so very well as the point could strongly be made that pretty much from the turn of the century, Reggae has gone to the internet and has done it about as well as any other even semi-established genre of music. For an art form often 'behind the times' or at least thought to be, the music has adapted and continues to and probably even in ways that we're currently unaware of. One of the most obvious ways you can see this is through the proliferation of websites that serve almost exclusively to promote the music. They're not forum oriented or anything like that and you can't even buy music directly from the site. They exist to make people aware of Reggae music and that is just . . . It's amazing and I feel like crying (maybe because I'm listening to new Alison Hinds right now) (biggup Kadooment!) (WHAT!). Now! In my own personal opinion if you wanted to head to the best of these type of sites, I would recommend two places in particular - of course it's UnitedReggae.com and . . . that other one called ReggaeVille.com. I'm partial (as hell!) because I sort of wrote/write for both of them (I still kind of do write for the former, but not now because I had to catch up this blog and was too busy with it and something else, but not anymore - Don't tell Camille though!) (and I was MOST BRUTALLY fired from the latter) and they're just wonderful people involved all around (more on that later). And they both do really big things as well, besides what you would expect in the way of more typical internet journalism, such as reviews, interviews, previews and stuff like that, they also take things to the most woefully clichéd 'next level', as both (at least the last time I checked) also have magazines which you can actually have printed and purchase and other really attractive features as well, such as Festival Guides. Obviously when all of this is what you do, you also get the opportunity to establish and maintain healthy relationships with quite a few different labels as well.

VERY VERY VERY VERY healthy relationships, apparently. Being based in Germany would enable Da Ville (which is what we call them behind their backs) to strike up such associations with a whole heap of burgeoning labels from in and around the country seeking promotion and, as it would turn out, the one with which they have apparently gotten the closest is also the hottest of the day - Oneness Records. Our readers should be well familiar with the boys and girls at Oneness as they've provided us with some of the most memorable moments in the history of this blog which I'm sure we'll cover in some detail in just a moment. However, with that being said, to some degree they've managed to top themselves with their most recent release. 

I don't know WHAT you have to do for someone to get them to name a riddim after you, but someone at Da Ville does because Oneness now returns with the OVERSTUFFED ReggaeVille Riddim! The piece comes as the latest (greatest???) in the line of increasingly impressive compositions from Oneness and a brief scan at exactly what's going on here reveals that they've left nothing undone and gone full-on to make a sterling project carrying the name of their . . . Good friends (someone has to be related to someone in there or . . . Yeah!) (do they have sycamore trees in Germany???). The ReggaeVille Riddim comes as, to my memory, the very first full project from Oneness of the year and although they definitely have something we're looking forward to coming in a few weeks' time, any fan of modern Reggae, new and old, are going to want to take the long dig into this one. The actual riddim, as it turns out, is a remake of an older set from the legendary Paragons which backed a wonderful tune by the name of 'Riding High On A Windy Day' (remember that) for Treasure Isle and Oneness has not only brought it back from the 1970's, they have flung it into the modern era by recording about three thousand different tunes on it - making up for lost time I suppose.  And I should also say that, at least for me, these days Oneness is definitely one of the labels from whom I'm expecting big things. I always say that the proverbial leaders of the pack are the ones who should be counted upon to do the special work and although we can't quite call them that at this point, the string of success they've been on for the last couple of years or so has clearly outlined and defined a certain level of quality which they simply cannot dip below. And they don't dip it here. While I'm not going to call the ReggaeVille Riddim the best work of Oneness Records to date (because every time I listen to the Soul Riddim, I find something new to like about it), it is going to have to rank highly in their catalog. It is a beautiful project! It also demonstrates just how much the label is growing with the very wide net they have cast in picking artists to voice it. The mix is here, and I find myself saying this so often these days - which is a great thing - is one of the most diverse we've seen all year and one of the most such that we're also likely to see for the remainder of it. And if that weren't enough (and it should've been), the riddim also gives Oneness Records, in my opinion, not only their best riddim album to date, but also the best riddim album from anyone so far in 2012. Now let me tell you why. 

ReggaeVille Riddim Mix

Certain riddims, regardless of how they actually sound, just really lend themselves well to make good music. That isn't necessarily a trait of a good (or greater) riddim, although it certainly does help, but it is surely an attribute of a good riddim album and thankfully that's what we have here. You need not venture even beyond the opener of the new ReggaeVille Riddim from Oneness Records which immediately proves to be a lasting highlight here as 'The People's Choice', Ray Darwin, gets us going with the meditative and invocation-like 'Father'. I don't know if I've actually heard a tune from Darwin from since he reached with his album last year, but this is an excellent way to restate one's position as a well talented artist and that's what he does on this tune while seeking the highest form of guidance. Next in is the very first of a few interesting combinations on the ReggaeVille as talented veteran vocalists Warrior King & Bryan Art team up for another spiritually vibed track, 'New Day'. When you place together two singers it's something which is somewhat unique anyway and, ostensibly, these two are singers of such a vastly different variety - with Art being the more traditional type and the King being this kind of 'gentle' type of hybrid singer/chanter - that it even added more to my anticipation of how this tune could possibly sound. It impresses! The track made me smile and for a vibes that isn't corny or sappy, just a lovely song. Bryan Art and Warrior King collectively pass the microphone to Roots Princess, Etana, who continues the magic of the riddim and her own personal magic as well as the star of the finest album of 2011 chimes in with the HEAVY social commentary, 'One Fist'. 

“And all the worries of this world -

Not gonna burden this girl! 

Cause I was made strong!

And I’m gonna trod along!” 

“With fist in the air

My sword in my right hand

My heart full of faith

My eyes fixed on triumph!” 

It is, unsurprisingly, the single finest moment on the ReggaeVille to my ears as The Strong One pushes for a call to action which cannot (!) go ignored (excellent backing singing on that song also! And rounding out the opening quarter (because that's how we do it) of the album, both Rootz Underground and the always serious Fyah T do well with 'Windy Day' and 'Musical Shot', respectively. I've never listened to too much of the former and I guess I need to do something about that because I really liked this song, while the former continues to give me a reason to go back and have a bigger listen to his 2011 set, "Family Wise". Fyah T always sounds kind of pissed off and that's fine because it works well in stretches on this tune which should probably come off as a bit HAPPY were it done by anyone else, but that's just not in Fyah T's range apparently and for him, that's a good thing ["Gimme di mp3 or vinyl or di CD. Gimme words of upliftment cause di people dem well needy, Play 'Songs of Redemption', cuz di people dem fi feel it. Grab a Kette Drum and mek mi beat it"].  

Just looking at it on paper, the star of the next five tracks on the ReggaeVille Riddim is obviously one Mr. Tarrus Riley and he pushes all of that star quality into the brilliant 'The World is A Ghetto'. You listen to this tune more than just a couple of times through because there's so much goodness to be taken in from it and it's not the type of piece which so instantly jumps out and grabs you, but it settles down into this almost dissertation-like presentation that I, personally, was able to tune right in and get into this complete GEM of a song. 

“Don’t you know, that it’s true -

That for me, and for you - 

The world is a ghetto

Everyone hustling, bustling

Same struggle

Everyone suffering, suffering

Spells trouble

And for the finer things in life, we work hard to survive

Night and day, things remain the same

Hey, don’t you judge me, cause I’m just trying

Give thanks for living, still, we all are dying

They made my choices, silence the voices

Only resort is, deadly devices

Who created, sad faces

Broken homes, desolate places

Well it’s a nightmare

I’ve got to state this

Couldn’t be my fate, I must mistake this” 

Iba Mahr (who also appears on the forthcoming 2012 edition of "Reggae Gold"), also has an excellent tune here in 'My Day' which is a solid track, as is the curious 'Love Mi Fi Me' which links together Shag . . . Skarra Mucci & the murderous Kiprich. Just a few years ago 'Kippo' went to the mountain top and got a truckload of skills which hasn't failed him since and Skarra Mucci is also well talented (and has a new album of his own for 2012, "Return of The Raggamuffin", on which this tune also appears). It gets a little funny, which is a penchant of both artists as it progresses and it's just nice in general. Also very nice is the sublime 'Roses For My Baby' courtesy of soulful up and comer and well traveled backing singer, Erica Newell, whose mere presence on the ReggaeVille Riddim is a big addition for both it and Oneness Records. BUT if you look at the other song in this quintet of tracks, 'High & Windy', you notice that it features two artists who definitely have their own star potential, Kabaka Pyramid excellent name) from out of Kingston and some woman named SARA LUGO! WHAT! The favourite of everyone with a pulse continues to BLAZE with quality releases and here, she drops what may just be the best combination I've ever heard her do which is definitely saying a lot. The tune is the first single from the riddim (to my knowledge), a bonafide remake of the aformentioned Paragons tune of a similar title and it's clearly one of the highlights here as both lights combine to form one absolute master class of a track.

'High & Windy' by Sara Lugo & Kabaka Pyramid

The next five tracks on the ReggaeVille Riddim album are marked by combinations and the presence of a Reggae legend. Said legend, Sizzla Kalonji, gets it started with the very strange 'That's Y'. I do not like this song (I don't hate it either), but what I've learned over the years is that the high-pitch voiced edition of Kalonji has more than a few fans who'll probably eat this up. The first duo here is an actual duo as longtime musical brothers Sugar Roy & Conrad Crystal appear with a real winner of a piece in the inspirational 'Don't Give Up On Life'. This song well does have a big message, but I have to say that it's also one of the more sonically pleasing efforts here as well. It sounds lovely! I don't know precisely what is going on with 'The World Is Yours', a link between Danny Ranks & Ganjaman, because it's partially in German, but that doesn't stop it from being a pretty nice set on the riddim to my ears. Longtime Dancehall fixture, Hawkeye & [former Sara Lugo collaborator] Ephraim Juda come together for another nice selection in 'Give Thanks For Life'. Hawkeye has been on a nice streak as of late as he continues to (sound EXACTLY like Bassie from TOK) run in the latest stage of his seemingly infinite career. For his part, Juda just has a great deal of potential and he arguably outshines the Hawk in this, one of the album's finest. Speaking of FINEST and a "nice streak", none in this portion register as highly as its final drop, 'Farmerman', which gives us the very unique pairing of Ras Muhamad from out of Jakarta, Indonesia with the nearly three years BURNING Naptali The Great. LOVE this tune! It has a 'surface' type of  connection, stemming from its title of course, but what it really is about is just the commonalities of life - how one person can come up in Clarendon, Jamaica and have SO MANY mutual everyday experiences as someone from the other side of the world in Indonesia. It reminds one of 'Glory', the big tune last year from Afrikan star, Takana Zion and Reggae supernova, Capleton and it's on that quality level as well as (love how Muhamad mixes things up later on in the song) Reggae music continues to make the entire fucking world THAT much smaller and closer together! HUGE TUNE! 

Gimme!

I have not the slightest of an idea what Nakria is talking about (or who he is) on his tune 'Un Canci Mai', because it's done completely in his native Italian - I do like the chorus, however. Oneness has made a point to add in so many different artists with different styles from different walks of life and Nakria is the latest as his tune definitely spices up the final batch of tunes on the album. Jamie Irie also does that with his 'Marijuana'. I'm not completely new to Irie as he also featured on some of House of Riddim's output as of late, but I don't quite know what to make of him entirely just yet either. He's a very unique artist and this tune will show you a bit of what I mean. The always reliable Professor Teacha Dee comes in with the extremely intelligent 'Sound System', which isn't even remotely what you think it is about . . . but it kind of is. 

“The only good system - 

Is a sound system to me

You see di babylon system -

It ah deal wid di people like leach 

Babylon yah system a evil

And it ah kill off di decent people

Unuh no si how far it ah reach now

No dem ah deal wid people like slave

But when you hear a decent system ah play

The artist voice, they come through dem enraged

When you listen  to di tweeter and di bass

Now music ah hit you, you will feel no pain 

Babylonian - your system a fraud

It hold down di people dem a yard and dem abroad

Wi caah buy nuttin - look how wi work hard

Every other day you hear two inna di morgue

Why dem system so hard?!

Why dem system so hard?!” 

Teacha Dee, as his name would suggest, always brings a fresh and generally colourful way to look at things and this tune is no exception. Also throwing down in this final portion of the ReggaeVille Riddim is the man himself, Mark Wonder, who comes through with track #2 from his forthcoming guarantee of a TOP NOTCH album, "Working Wonders" (also from Oneness Records), the very upful 'The World Needs Love'. This song is another one which just made me SMILE! I don't want to ruin my appetite for it, but it heaped even more anticipation for the album, which I'm suddenly having a great difficulty waiting for (another nearly three weeks!). Oneness, as they usually do (not on the Soul Riddim however), also add a clean version of the ReggaeVille Riddim, so you can try it out for yourself or just really enjoy it. It's such a nice composition and I'm sure I should be using a whole heap of technical words like 'synch' and shit like that, but it is BEAUTIFUL! 

NOW! You'd think that after nearly three thousand words, I'd be ready to quit writing, and I am, but I have to keep going, because Oneness Records has also done a Bonus EP for the album, which I think you can have for free - I'm sure you can find out more about that on ReggaeVille.com. It includes six different tunes and here we go again. The most recognizable of names on the bonus portion is Ky-Enie, whose 'Breathe Again' is also the second best of the bunch. Not far behind him is G-Mac with 'Don't Judge Me', a tune which sounds like it came right out of Buju Banton's catalog. That tune is powerful and you will surely hear more from this up and comer in the future and in a major way. I saw the name Skanky here and thought that it couldn't be the same GRUFF voiced artist from out of Martinique, but that is who it turned out to be and GOOD! He teams up with Simple FX on 'Psychose' and biggup Skanky, he had an album from a few years back called "Que Sera Sera" which was surprisingly very strong. Also check Blade Malachi's nearly BRILLIANT 'Rasta See and Know', which probably shouldn't be free, but you should be thankful that it is because it's a big tune (this is Bredz' favourite tune on the riddim altogether) (biggup sitting on the phone, eating donuts, trying to help your brother-in-law write a review, when you're supposed to be studying for a test). The Reggae Rajahs also tell you 'Make Up Your Mind', while Skillinjah (who I think I have heard of) and Josh Heinrichs (who I'm sure I have not) come together on the somewhat awkward but  still fairly decent 'Call of Duty' - a tune CLEARLY born as a result of a great deal of herb smoking and video game playing. 

And you can have all of that for free. Or at least you could at one point.

Overall, yeah - this is a great project, so go and get the ReggaeVille Riddim. It's something which I would imagine having legs with just about any type of Reggae fan from the old and jaded type (like YOU), to the most casual of Marley heads. With four hundred different songs, it truly has something for everyone. On top of that, definitely biggup Oneness Records for once again showing themselves to be one of the most outstanding relatively newly arrived labels around and, already, one of the strongest European brands. THEY MAKE EXCELLENT MUSIC - ALL OF THE TIME. Period. And biggup and congratulations to Julian (even though he fired me!) and Markus and all the nice residents of ReggaeVille for being such wonderful individuals. If you were going to name your riddim after someone, you could not have picked a much finer set than theirs. The single best damn riddim album I've heard in 2012. Very Well done.

Rated: 4.65/5
Oneness Records
2012
Digital


Review #365