Coming Soon: Sawing!

"Alter Ego" by Lady Saw [Diva's Records]

Big news this week as long sitting matriarch of the Dancehall, Lady Saw, is set to return with her very first new album since… her last new album, "Alter Ego". The album comes via Saw's own Diva's Records imprints and is distributed by VPAL, which finds her reuniting with VP Records. As the album's title would indicate the album reportedly features Lady Saw showing a different side, with little of her legendarily slack side coming through. Combinations which feature the likes of Al Campbell and even Beres Hammond seem to indicate that as well, while further work comes via Hip-Hoppers Estelle and Flo-Rida. Say what you will about her but even at such an advanced stage in her career, Lady Saw still pushes really big deals and, as usual, while 2014 hasn't been very nice to Dancehall albums (although it has been considerably better than others), "Alter Ego" has to be considered one of the genre's biggest releases of the year. Stay tuned.

Releases on November 18

CD + Digital

"Strictly The Best Vols. 50 & 51" [VP Records]

And it is November which means that it is time for the latest pair of episodes from one of Reggae music's most celebrated compilation series, "Strictly The Best" from VP Records. Whether you knew it or not, this year we've kind of arrived at a significant level as "StB" #50 along with #51 are here. So, you have to be expecting something in the way of marking the occasion and that is precisely what VP has done here as both editions are double disc sets. As [almost] always, the even numbered release focuses primarily on  Roots music and Lover's Rock and, here, "StB#50" features the likes of Etana, Jah Cure, Christopher Martin, Romain Virgo and others, while its second disc -- an old[er] school highlighted album -- contains music from Beres Hammond, Cocoa Tea, Luciano, Dennis Brown and Garnet Silk. It's a nice touch from an album which is probably more likely to get the attention of newer fans which makes a lot of sense. On #51 you find tunes from Sean Paul & Major Lazer, Busy Signal (with the first THREE songs on the album), Mavado, Alkaline, Tommy Lee and even rapper Nicki Minaj. The accompanying piece gives you what you expect from Beenie Man, King Yellow Man, Ini Kamoze, Buju and more. Also remaining a staple on the "StB" albums are the signature beautiful covers which feature a fantastically themed piece of art in both cases.

Release on November 25

CD + Digital

"So Mi Like It" by Spice [VP Records]

We go from the undeniable Queen of The Dancehall to its undisputed Princess as the wildly skilled and just as popular Spice is joining the EP route of so many of her peers in 2014 with "So Mi Like It" which also comes courtesy of VP Records. To be honest, I'm somewhat disappointed here and the reason is that we've been waiting on a full album of Spice's for, really, maybe two or three years now and for someone who has been SO active and successful, it's kind of perplexing that she has not had at least one to her credit just yet. Still, I suppose this is better than nothing and it isn't in VP's standing style to just release an EP on its own without loading an album for the near future so, most hopefully, that is what early 2015 brings. Until then, however, this five tracked set features some of the DJ's more popular releases from this year, including the title track, ‘Conjugal Visit' alongside Kartel and the absolutely ridiculous (and I mean that in a GREAT way), 'Like A Man'. Also present are both 'Go Go' and 'Wine Inna Di Dance' but, again, hopefully this is just an appetizer for what would almost surely be 2015's biggest Dancehall album of the year from the ultra focused and flaming Spice. 

Releases on December 2

Digital

"Mission Incomplete" by Tydal [Master One]

Maybe a precedence of what is to come from Spice has been set by Tydal who, in March, released "Journey of A Young Warrior" which was the debut EP from the chanter who is seemingly always striding and now, a few months album, he delivers his highly anticipated debut LP, "Mission Incomplete" for Master One and VPAL. You likely know the name Tydal from his giant hit 'Silent Warrior' which is included here but the album also features EIGHTEEN other selections for you to get familiar with (including all six from the EP). Typically, I'm going to have a problem with so many songs on the album (and though I am about to make a reason why I don't mind so much in this case, just saying it does sound kind of odd) but for Tydal, he's someone who not only trying to make an impact and an immediate one, he's also someone who has to talent to do exactly that and, just listening through the clips, I hear some damn impressive material on this album which is almost entirely compiled with the music he has done over the course of the past few years. So maybe we don't look at it as a 'studio album' and, instead, it has some type of early 'greatest hits' quality about it. In either case, "Mission Incomplete" should be outstanding and I fully expect it to be one of the better albums of 2014 which is saying a lot this year. Not be missed. 

Releases on November 18

CD [I THINK] + Digital 

The Spit Fire Riddim [Star Struck Productions]

A big credit goes to Star Struck Productions with their latest creation, the GORGEOUS Spit Fire Riddim. (and a great cover!). I am not at all crazy about every tune on this track and I may not even feel that way for MOST of them, but the track is HEAVY! It is a deliciously authentic Dancehall composition which makes for a fine backdrop for those who utilise it well. Like who? Though most of the vocalists here choose to go in a very predictable direction (and there's nothing wrong with that), someone bucking the trend is the lyrically EXPLOSIVE Agent Sasco who reigns supreme on the Spit Fire with the towering 'Badman Declaration'. Also doing well is Bling Dawg with the downright skeletal 'Boom' (I do not know why I like that song, but I do so I give him credit) and Busy Signal with a cut of 'Til It Buck'.

Releases on November 18

Digital

The Town Thing Riddim [Fox Fuse]

And just because you cannot have an edition of 'Coming Soon' without at least one representative of the Fox, here it is. Biggup Stadic Studios and Wetty Beatz who come through with their new creation, the blazing Town Thing Riddim which, as you can see, comes via the amazing and unavoidable people at Fox Fuse. This release is, essentially, an EP with just four tunes but it definitely brings in some big tunes. Check more than solid efforts from both Sekon Sta and the Saga Boyz which're sure to get your attention but even if they don't, Dancehall ace, Busy Signal, continues to take over the entire world with his big tune 'Wining Sumn'. Leading the way, however and unsurprisingly, is Skinny Fabulous with the devastatingly infectious 'No Control'. There is also a big tune from Bunji Garlin on the Town Thing which isn't here but even in its absence, this is still a sizable release. Check it out when it reaches. 

Releases on November 18

Digital

The Rose Moet Riddim [Pure Music Productions]

And lastly this week Delly Ranx and his Pure Music Productions imprint continue to pour their back catalogue into the digital medium and this time they've brought forth a gem in the form of the Rose Moet Riddim. The smooth but well infectious plays a nearly perfect backdrop to some well talented vocalists including the Luciano, Sizzla Kalonji, Mikey General, Chukki Starr, Norris Man, Ky-Mani Marley and, of course, Delly himself. You may not find anything here SPECTACULAR but there're some well powerful pieces here and if you missed them a few years back, here's a time to catch up. 

Releases on November 18

Digital

In Stores Now

"Gentleman: MTV Unplugged" [Universal Music]

MAD! We have to give a big look and a loud shot to German star Gentleman who, along with staying ever-present on my radars lately is also in the world spotlight via a new release as the light shines towards a very COOL project with his own "MTV Unplugged" album. Gentleman does VERY big releases be it in the studio or outside of it and though I was happily surprised with the actual existence of this one, in its entirety it comes to no shock that it would be explored and, with how it has played out, apparently, it's been done at the highest level. This one exists in the audio and the visual in a big way and Gentleman, as is his norm, also pulled in some friends for what is, essentially, his second LIVE album. Shaggy, Christopher Martin, the aforementioned Ky-Mani Marley, Tanya Stephens and others make appearances as does some of Gentleman's biggest hits to date such as 'Intoxication', 'Superior', 'Dem Gone', 'Leave Us Alone', 'New Day Dawn', 'Heart Of Rub-A-Dub' and many, MANY more (like 'Changes'). A fantastic release and one, clearly, well worth picking up in both forms and biggup Gentleman. 

CD + Digital +DVD & Blu-Ray

The Stone Wall Riddim [Daseca Productions]

Also biggup Daseca Productions who turns in a new riddim of their own in the form of the MAMMOTH Stone Wall Riddim. In just four tunes (and an instrumental which may make the only riddim album in this post with a clean track), this one does a major damage with tunes from Sagitarr and Bugle who take an unfortunately necessary aim with 'Death Row' and 'Shub Dem', respectively. Dexta Daps also does well on 'Abracadabra' but taking top honours on the Stone Wall, in my opinion, again, is Agent Sasco whose 'Woman We Seh’ is just… damn…

Digital

'Blessings' featuring Kwesi Fontinelle by Berhane Selassie [JahLight Records]

You can't - you just cannot get away from JahLight Records in 2014, no matter how hard you've tried to do it (and you haven't). Thankfully, if you've paid attention (and you have) you won't feel the need as they've not only been experiencing a great run in terms of quantity of releases but their overall QUALITY has been strong as well and it is getting even stronger with their latest delivery, a single featuring cousins and label favourites, Kwesi Fontinelle and the burgeoning Berhane Selassie. The song, 'Blessings' has such a nice free-flowing type of vibes to it that it really draws in the listener and both the riddim and the vocalists turn in excellent performances in giving heavy praises to The Almighty and praying for an scattering of love throughout the world. Fontinelle has impressed and in a big way but I have to say that I am damn curious to see what becomes of the developing Berhane Selassie who has shown a whole heap of promise. So, like me, stay tuned and definitely biggup JahLight Records once again. 

Digital

"Mes Vérités" by Fanny J [Aztec Musique]

And although Bredz likes to keep these at ten (biggup Bredz), I do have to quickly mention the fact that one of my favourite Zouk singers, the all kinds of divine Fanny J from out of Guyane, is back with a brand new album (which I believe is her third), "Mes Vérités". I'm still waiting for Stevy Mahy's album #2 to really get my ears pointed consistently back in a Zouk-ish direction but in listening to "Mes Vérités", I may have to press the gas on that just a bit earlier. I'm not completely finished with this one but thus far, it has put up a few SUBLIME pieces with my trio of favourites being 'Ragot' alongside Jahyanaï King, 'Soley' and the album's first single, the golden 'Dis Le Moi' (which had a fantastic video which hopefully Bredz is nice enough to show you). 

CD + Digital