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| The City Riddim [Oneness Records] |
".... 'Take Me to the Place' SOUNDS so nice. I don't know what the name of that track is, but Oneness may want to consider spreading it around a bit if they haven't already, because it is divine!"
I said that up there in reference to a tune on "The Answer", the 2020 release from the legendary Luciano and firebreathing Oneness Records from out of Germany and apparently I wasn't the only one who thought that it would be a good idea. The track whose name was unknown to me at the time is called the City Riddim and, because it is STUNNING, Oneness has spread it out six other vocalists and a very familiar maestro in Umberto Echo who provides it with an exquisite dubbed out version. If you've followed their history just a bit, you know that Oneness is a label who has consistently not only done fine riddims, but have turned those tracks into sterling compilations as well. When we were at our most active, not a great deal of time went by when we were not dealing with some type of release of theirs and though we slowed down, Oneness, delightfully, kept right along. So, while I was extremely happy to see this set pop up, I was also immediately convinced of its quality... and maybe some of the names they brought in to handle the vocals had something to do with that confidence.... just a little. Let's talk about it.
1. 'Take Me to the Place' by Luciano
Literally (being that it's the first song) and figuratively (it's also the best) Luciano's 'Take Me to the Place' is the skyscraper towering over the City Riddim. As I said in my original look at it, in 'Take Me to the Place' I hear (lyrical) echoes of 'No Night In Zion' which.... just may be The Messenjah's greatest ever. Fortunately, its SOUND resonates just as mightily and what we have here, in my opinion, is THE signature moment of the City Riddim. When you visit, you'll need to stop here first and take many pictures my friends.
2. 'Say That You Love Me' by Yaadcore
While Yaadcore's isn't a name which is entirely new to me, his solid effort on the City Riddim, 'Say That You Love Me', did come as somewhat of a surprise. I hear this tune and I feel a bit of Cali P and maybe even Protoje to a degree. It's a piece which excels largely based on its simplicity (I DON'T THINK THE MAN IS ASKING TOO MUCH! DO YOU?!) and ultimately makes for a very nice 'catch-up' on an artist who we all should probably start paying more attention to.
3. 'Nah Reverse' by Devano
And I could probably say a similar thing regarding Devano and his tune here, the largely political critique, 'Nah Reverse'. He had a nice song that I heard from last year or the year before (further research reveals that it was 2020's 'Say A Prayer'), but apart from that I can probably say that it's been at least a good half-decade that I can recall hearing..... pretty much anything from Devano. Surely that's my fault for not paying a good enough attention and not his for not doing anything for five years but, being that the case, 'Nah Reverse' just may be the single greatest work that I've heard from the artist to date ["Instead of fixing climate-change, they'd rather test their rocket's aim. Instead of hearing the poor man's cry, they'd rather love to see the people ah fight. Remember this: You were elected to work for the people - find a better future for the people. Can't trick the people like the camel through the needle, Devano mi ah burn you for the people. Mi bun di fyah fi purge dem. A through mi chat di truth, mi know it hurt them. I give the people what they deserve then - A forward wi ah forward, nah reverse"].
4. 'She Got Stoned' by Lutan Fyah
Lutan Fyah's cut of the City Riddim, 'She Got Stoned', initially appeared on the chanter's 2020 EP for Oneness Records, "Touch Di Road". It was a somewhat bleak and gritty story about a young lady who had lost her way in life (you're thinking of I Wayne's 'Can't Satisfy Her' and you're not way off). As I've said countless times in the past, Lutan Fyah's one of my favourites, particularly as a writer and, even here, he shows a nice command of melody (which isn't always his strongest suit) while delivering a typical excellently worded effort.
5. 'Nice & Clean' by Queen Omega
Speaking of favourites... The most divine and always welcomed on any damn thing Queen Omega checks in on the City Riddim as well with the pride saturated 'Nice & Clean'.
"Beautiful inna mi heart and a lovely inna mi face
THE MOST HIGH NEVER MAKE A MISTAKE
You see that I am wonderfully made
Sweet and strong and brave
You must love yourself and never hate
When you walk with pride, no one can underrate
SELF-CONFIDENCE WILL MAKE YOU FEEL GREAT-
NO ONE CAN DEBATE
Nice and clean, fit inna di magazine
I know I'm beautiful indeed
Got to love my own
I'm a Black Woman sitting on the throne
Nice and clean, fit inna di magazine
Real raggamuffin queen!
Got to love my own
I'm a Black Woman sitting on the throne"
It isn't her first go-round with Oneness and CLEARLY there is some chemistry there (and you know where my mind is headed) because 'Nice & Clean' is golden! It is an excellent song, simply made to instill some pride, self-esteem and confidence in the masses. Mission accomplished.
6. 'No Vanity' by Iba Mahr
Much as was the case for Lutan Fyah, Iba Mahr's track, 'No Vanity' was carried by his own Oneness produced EP release, "Get Up & Show", from 2018 (which might make it the debut of the City Riddim). Just as was the case there, again 'No Vanity' (which, sequentially, stands next to 'Nice & Clean' very nicely) (well placed in terms of ideology) is a standout on this release. Mahr has such a unique vocal approach with this kind of 'mid-singing' and wailing that he does, but he's perfected it through the years and if you're still not convinced (what the hell is wrong with you), 'No Vanity' might be a nice next stop for you.
7. 'Old Talking' by Vysionaer
Vysionaer is someone who, at least in my opinion, will soon his time come as he has spent the last few years or so churning out some strong material (check 'Hard and Dread', personal favourite of mine), and his piece on the City Riddim, 'Old Talking' does absolutely nothing to diminish my expectations on what is to come from the chanter. This one is a very clever type of a social commentary (in a sorta/kinda way) aimed at those who are fond throwing stones and judging others because they know you can't do the same to them.... because they aren't really doing shit themselves.
8. 'Take Me to the Place' - Umberto Echo Dubmix
Given all he does for the genre, if you're at all a fan of Dub these days, most likely you're also a fan of Umberto Echo's as well (and if you aren't you should be). From his working with Oneness Records, and Sara Lugo in particular, I've been listening to the man for quite some time now and despite being no expert on Dub, I consistently his enjoy his output. Taking on Luciano's 'Take Me to the Place' is easy for him, Echo probably couldn't do something less than stellar with it even if he tried and he does not disappoint. I do like situations like this where I am fully familiar with the tune and can compare the two versions and take a more direct listen to all of the variations the producer makes. This one is fairly straight-forward (with one or two nice deviations) and as infectious and hypnotic as one would hope.
9. City Riddim Instrumental
Take a look and a listen to the City Riddim in its BEAUTIFUL original form. Strictly as a composition, I think that it rates fairly high in Oneness' catalogue (which is saying a lot from with what they've done). It is UPFUL and LIVELY and just pulls a great vibe from you when you hear it. I was really happy that they placed it in this type of release and populated the City with a talented group of individuals from various stages in their respective careers and.... if they wanted to do even more with it in the future, you'd get nary a complaint from these parts.
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