What I'm Listening To: ...Venom!

"Future Oceans Echo" by Zion I Kings [Lustre Kings Productions - 2022]

First up (it's the third one that I'm writing) is a Dub release courtesy of Achis Reggae favourites, Lustre Kings Productions and the Zion I Kings, "Future Oceans Echo". I'm not going to go too far into this one, but I'm still trying to decide whether or not to slap a full review on it, but just so you know (as if you couldn't have guessed it) (and you could have): "Future Oceans Echo" is GOLDEN. It is an absolutely beautiful release featuring the handiwork of the 'usual suspects' on these sets - Moon, Jah David and Tippy.... but maybe I'll tell you more about it someday.

"Hail The King" by Akae Beka [Higher Bound Productions - 2019]

"But you feel like you been here twice"

Sticking around that same general area and building on something that I most certainly won't write a review about someday (on a technicality - because I already wrote it), a three year old Akae Beka album, "Hail The King", from Higher Bound Productions simply cannot find its way off my players, largely on the strength of its finest moment, the MAMMOTH 'New Race'. I'm slowly building a list which will be up... when its ready, but this tune EASILY has found its way amongst the very best Vaughn Benjamin has ever made in my opinion and I CANNOT stop listening to it. I just can't and I'm not sorry about it.

"Content and satisfied"

The Upful Reggae Riddim [Black African Museum - 2017]

The great Vaughn Benjamin also made his presence known on the Upful Reggae Riddim a couple of years ahead of the "Hail The King" release, with the GOLDEN 'Have in You'. Coming through the Black African Museum, this composition was just LOVELY and it had flown beneath my radars until relatively recently as, along with Benjamin also appearing were the likes of Mikey General, Dre Island, Jah Bouks, a well inspired Ashkenaz (on 'Lion Fear No Foes', a giant tune) and the wholly incomparable Queen Omega. 

"Fireman Hooper Classics" [Hooper Music - 2020]

Something really cool and just helpful happened in late 2020 when one of Soca music's most overlooked and underrated of talents in my opinion, basically just digitally released every single notable tune of his career on a giant forty-two track compilation as St. Vincy firebreather, Fireman Hooper gave us "Fireman Hooper Classics". This downright invaluable collection pulls together... pretty much everything of note that the fireman had done to date and it's a real gem of a release as, previously, pretty much the only place you could hear these tunes was on YouTube! Personal favourites of mine include 'Just Bring Dat' (probably my single favourite song he has ever done), 'Lunatic', of course 'Rags Invasion', the ultra clever 'Madder Than You' and 'Who E Hut, E Hut'. If you love Soca music (or just kind of like it) and have yet to fully dive into the work of Fireman Hooper - here's your chance. 

The Hard Again Riddim [Payday Music - 2020]

I almost broke my hiatus a few months earlier just to tell you about this track, courtesy of PayDay Music, the Hard Again Riddim. The Hard Again was GRIZZLY! It was big and a heavy and ponderous, but it served as a PERFECT background for a few artists (one in particular). Taking top honours, by far, was Capleton with the riddim's namesake (he finished that song and they immediately knew they had to name it after what he had just done). Also doing well were the likes of Sizzla Kalonji, Iyara, Gappy Ranks and Esco and, most fortunately, also included was a BEAUTIFUL instrumental of this grimy, ridiculous gorgeous composition.

The Fireman Riddim [Black Metro Music - 2022]

Just like as was the case for the aforementioned Hard Again (it may actually end up being the one you just read about by the time we get this situated), taking top and naming honours of the Fireman Riddim (definitely most fittingly this time) is Capleton and although his 'lead' on this one isn't as noticeable as it was on the Hard Again, he also, arguably, provides UK based Black Metro Music (I actually don't KNOW that they're from the UK, but based on some of these names, I'm going to assume that they are) with the best tune from their track as well. If it isn't Capleton then definitely its Bounty Killer with a WICKED remake of 'Badman Bible' (listening to it now... yeah, it's probably Bounty). Sizzla also does well as does Goody Gap (a term which means something else to me, he's used it for his name), with the very clever 'Woman' ["Woman you have mi ah plough like tractor. You make mi feel like a heavyweight boxer. Like mi badda than Anthony Joshua"].

The Kingston Venom Riddim [Hyyype Muzik & Mojo Majesty Entertainment Group - 2022]

The single best riddim on this post comes courtesy of veteran artist and Innocent Kru member Benzly Hype, who helms the Kingston Venom Riddim on his Hyyype Muzik label along with Mojo Majesty (which I think is his as well). This one is just FILTHY! With a vicious pounding most befitting of its name, the Kingston Venom very much has the same kind of 'urgent' vibes to it that, for one reason or another, I've come to associate with the Innocent Kru throughout the years and this exhilarating track makes for a compelling backdrop on a few damn impressive tunes. Of course, there's the Innocent Kru, themselves, who turn up fine with 'Ready Fi Buss', veterans Tanto Metro & Devonte and Harry Toddler also turn in solid efforts, respectively, as does up and comer Zinthos (Zinthos.... Zinthos doesn't have it all). The best tune, however, 'Venom', comes courtesy of Wasp, featuring Hype who, clearly, is proud of his latest creation (and he should be). DAMN!

"Fend" by Milton Blake [Lion & Lioness Productionz - 2022]

Veteran singer Milton Blake returns with a brand new album for early 2022, "Fend", and one which may just surprise a few people who give it a chance. Though I have listened to a few of his songs over the years, I don't think I've ever really dug into Blake's music (a quick search says that his name has only ever appeared once on these pages, almost a decade ago now), but in working my through this one, I'm thinking that it might not be the worst idea to go back and see what I've missed. "Fend" is SOLID. It's a very well put together and classy set. Early favourites of mine include 'I Am Safe', the title track, previous single 'Make A Move' alongside J.R. Blessington (which appears to ride a cut of Peter Tosh's Legalize It Riddim) and the HUGE 'Just A Song', a tune not to be missed. If you enjoy that old school sound, you'll find something to love about "Fend", I'm sure. Luciano also guests.

The 90's Swing Riddim [Size 8 Records - 2022]

And finally (I say "and finally", but I'm writing this one first actually), popping up recently on my radars has been the latest creation of veteran Dancehall ace, General Degree (I think General Degree once tried to ditch the "General", but it never quite stuck with people. We just kept calling him General) (biggup Baby Cham same way) and Size 8 Records, the 90's Swing Riddim. Degree has been one of the few artists who have been adamant about maintaining the true sound of Dancehall music and the 90's Swing is another example of that. It isn't (but it is) necessarily 'old school' as it probably goes back to a sound not necessarily of the early 90's but more like the latter years and early 2000's, but it is very nice and to handle the vocal duties, Degree has put together a very eclectic group. Most shocking is the presence of none other than Luciano, who gives us the somewhat awkward (but not entirely horrible) 'Jah Protect Me' (it actually has a decent chorus in my opinion), alongside the likes of Busy Signal (MAD), veterans Hawkeye and Nitty Kutchie (the latter of whom does very well on his 'Links Every Weh), Degree himself twice, Lady G (who shines with the characteristically clever 'Live It Up') and Bounty Killer who, himself, has always made the point of reaching with authentic Dancehall music (probably even more so than anyone else).