[Kinda] New From Anthony B!

Okay so, something I've been meaning to do for a little while is to take a brief look at some of the recent material from longtime star Anthony B because, perhaps quietly, he's been stringing together some outstanding songs and today is that. Let's take a look at three or four fresh chunks of quality from one of the greatest to ever do it.

'Who Shall I Fear' [24/7 Music Production]

"Remember seh Jah Jah neva left wi pon di battlefield

So wi nah sell out wi soul fi get no happy meal

Even if wi haffi fight cold and tackle steel

Babylon caan spin wi round like no cottonwheel

Even though every turn you mek it get harder

And the system is design fi wi turn pauper

Still wi nah bow to no slavemaster

That's why everyday wi give praise to The Father

Jah you are my rock and my salvation

So who shall I fear?

Who shall I fear?

You are the light and the strength of my foundation

So who shall I fear?

Who shall I fear?"

Big credit goes to one 24/7 Music Production for lending (I THINK) they're officially still forthcoming beautiful Gavel Riddim to Anthony B who blesses it with one of the finest tunes I have heard from the chanter in a very long time, the downright IMMACULATE 'Who Shall I Fear'. This thing is glowing! For everyone lacking in confidence, self-esteem and basic COMFORT in themselves, Anthony B suggests a major Source for all your needs as the things bothering you in your daily life surely are no match for The Almighty. A tune maybe destined to go overlooked, but it is fantastic and I'm well looking forward to hearing the full Gavel Riddim which apparently includes work from the likes of Luciano, Lutan Fyah and Queen Omega. BOOM! 

'Weed Baby' [Anthony B/Neva Stop Booking]

Check out 'Weed Baby', which has always sounded familiar to my ears (but I don't know where it would be from and I don't feel like figuring out). The song actually comes in a digital set along with 'Save Humanity', a combination with the legendary captain of the Big Ship, Freddie McGregor. That tune isn't very good at all, but the heavy and Hip Hoppish 'Weed Baby' is all kinds of fun. 

"Weed manman, weed crazy

Weed badman, weed lady

Red snapper wid di weed gravy

So everywhere mi go, they call mi weed baby

Weed madman, weed crazy

Weed badman, weed lady

Weed ice cream, weed pastry

So biggup every ganjaman weh smoke weed daily"

'Lying Lips' [Small Axe Entertainment/Rebel Sound Records]

If you're looking for a tune on some lover's type of vibes, you may want to take a listen to the catchy 'Lying Lips'. Vibed by Small Axe Entertainment on their lovely Solace Riddim (Junior X (big tune, 'Mama Nature'), Lutan Fyah and Duane Stephenson are also on board) this tune is one sure to stick with a lot of people, if not for its subject matter then definitely for its sound Anthony B has never really scored a big hit with a love type of song (unless I'm really forgetting something), but he has well scored with some SOLID sets and 'Lying Lips' is another EASILY on that level (there's another decent new one by the name of 'Love Story' for Outlaw Entertainment. It isn't quite as strong as 'Lying Lips' in my opinion, but it's a nice song).

'Progress' [Top Secret Music]

Although quite a bit older than most of these others here, I do want to bring to your attention, in case you missed it, the fine 'Progress' from Top Secret Music. Okay, I know what you're thinking and you're right: That chorus is kind of.... tough. It just is. The rest of the song, however, is really nice though, isn't it ["You sell out your brother fi a Heineken, you betta seek, search and find The King"]?

'Play Me Some Reggae' [Rastaboyz Society]

And finally (not including that other thing, which doesn't count) is the ultra FROSTY 'Play Me Some Reggae', Anthony B's cut of the Peace of Mind Riddim from the Rastaboyz Society. If you hang around these parts for any length of time, or even if this is your first visit (thanks for stopping by in any respect) then I'm sure that you, like me, share in the sentiment behind this track:

"EVERY NIGHT AND DAY PLAY ME SOME REGGAE, SOME REGGAE MUSIC"

"Higher Meditation" [Greensleeves Records - 2007]

No, it isn't new at all. It's far from it, actually, it's a decade and a half old now; but I feel compelled to mention this random, old album released by Greensleeves and worked by Frenchie and his Maximum Sound imprint, "Higher Mediation", because I've recently been listening to it a lot (and it's followup, "Rise Up" (the album before those two, "Black Star", is probably the most well known and best remembered of the group) (that's fair, it was fantastic). Tunes like the title track, 'Real Warriors' with Turbulence, a song I'd forgotten all about, 'Just Can't Live That Way' (on the big, big Jah Powers Riddim), 'Ease Off' [grrrrr!], 'One Chalice' ["Until mi old and grey, still ah burn di herb everyday!"], 'Nah Run From People'... just an excellent album and I HAVE to mention (I'm contractually obligated), the MAMMOTH 'Honour To Marcus' alongside Natty King, probably one of the best tunes either artist has ever done. If it's been a minute since the last time you've picked it up (or an ever since the last time), it might be time to go back and give "Higher Meditation" another spin through - quietly, it may be one of the best albums of Anthony B's entire career.