The Nanang Riddim

The Nanang Riddim [Mink Productions]

1. 'Little By Little' by Chezidek

2. 'Miss You' by Anthony B

3. 'Remnants of Israel' by Mark Wonder

4. 'No More' by Darrio

5. 'See Dem' by Jah Defender

6. 'Did You Know' by Young Garvey

7. 'Guide Us' by T Smallz

8. 'Captain Killa' by Graduate

9. 'System Clean' by Dan I

10. 'Last Song' by Diva Ana

11. 'Good Vibes' by Jah Phinga

12. 'Rebel Soldier' by Preview KClassical

13. 'Never Satisfied' by Bandulu

14. 'Go Fi Dem Hard' by BenJahmin

15. 'Only God Knows' by Lixen Khan

16. 'Better Days' by Dread Max

17. 'Frontline' by E.Z.B.

18. 'Call On His Name' by Clifton Hammond

19. 'The Children' by Vybroc

20. 'Rise Up' by Ghettoman

21. 'Africa' by King Labash

22. 'Hope' by Edgar Reebl

23. The Nanang Riddim 

Wanted to bring to your attention an excellent recent release from an unlikely source and one that I don't think that we've ever dealt with on these pages (probably weren't around when we were fully active) as the excellent Nanang Riddim comes courtesy of Mink Productions from out of Austria. A little research (loosely suggested to me by the album cover) shows that the riddim is so named after the Na Nang Club in Vienna, Austria whose Website says that it:

"is a multicultural place where you can find different people from all over the world. We want you to have fun and enjoy yourself. Forget your sorrows for a little while and feel free while dancing to sweet reggae and dancehall beats delivered by some of the best DJs in town."

What initially got my attention on this one was despite the fact that it does feature quite a few names that I am not AT ALL familiar with, four of the first five tunes come from Chezidek, Anthony B, MARK WONDER and Jah Defender (Defender actually has a new EP out this year, "Jah Movements" from Lion Twin Music. I haven't gotten through it just yet, but when I do, maybe I'll let you know what I think), and all four of them do particularly well as you might imagine with Wonder's 'Remnants Of Israel' probably being the single best tune on  the whole of the riddim in my opinion (though you know I'm partial as hell in his case). With that being said, however, as I got more and more into the Nanang, I started to find myself relatively CONSISTENTLY impressed by some of the under-known names on this almost comedically stuffed set. For example, although his is a favourite amongst Mink Productions, I've only run across the name Young Garvey once or twice ever and didn't too much favour his kind of Hip-Hop heavy style; BUT, his effort here, 'Did You Know', is downright WISE. The tune features Young Garvey given a huge credit to many people of African blood who were noted for making contributions to the world in terms of their inventions. Several of these, like the stoplight and peanut butter, I was well aware of; while others like the first home security system and, technically, VIDEO GAMES were completely new to me. The song is just a flowing tribute to ones to whom society as it exists today (and, likely, will exist for the foreseeable future) owes a giant THANK YOU. 

Also definitely impressing are the likes of Darrio, with 'No More' ["This is a global crisis! A nuh just one nation ah face it. Man ah tek man life fi some numba pon a payslip and ah mek it look basic"], the big-voiced Graduate, Diva Ana, BenJahmin, King Labash, Bandulu and Preview KClassical who, ever so faintly reminds me of the reclusive Sabbattical Ahdah on his solid offering, 'Rebel Soldier'. The riddim itself is a LOVELY one-drop and, thankfully, Mink Productions thought enough of it to place it in the hands of some very capable vocal talents who provide it, thoroughly, with performances befitting its quality.

So, if you get a minute or  two (or a lot more with twenty-three tracks) (seventy-five minutes to be exact) definitely check out what is already one of the better riddims and riddim albums  of this young year, the Nanang Riddim from Mink Productions.... just thought I'd let you know.