The Cali Roots Riddim 2023 [Collie Buddz + Ineffable Records]
1. 'Open the Door' by The Movement
2. 'A Thousand Times' by Busy Signal
3. 'Leon On Me' by Fiji
4. 'High' by Khalia
5. 'Do It Right' by Gondwana
6. 'Never Give Up' by J Boog & The Green
7. 'Light It Up' by Mihali
8. 'Press Remix' by SOJA
9. 'Shine My Light' by Irie Souljah
10. 'Waste My Time' by Little Stranger
11. 'Life Is A Cycle' by SARA LUGO
12. 'Life' by Hector Roots Lewis
13. 'No Boundaries' by Iya Terra & Dub Inc
14. 'Romeo & Juliette' by Shwayze
15. 'Jah Spotlight' by Luciano
16. 'Marry Me' by Anthony B
17. 'The Butterfly Remains' by Mike Love
18. 'Upside Down' by DISPATCH
19. 'Music Is The Remedy' by Eli-Mac & Inna Vision
20. 'Living In A Brighter Day' by The Expendables
21. 'Hold On' by Cydeways
22. 'Love Your Love' by Claire Wright
23. Cali Roots Riddim - Instrumental
Okay so, something that I simply HAD to tell you about because we've had our eyes firmly on it for maybe a month now is the brand new and GORGEOUS riddim from Collie Buddz & Ineffable Records, the latest installment of the Cali Roots Riddim (which seems to be somewhat of a running series). When I initially saw the lineup of vocalists on this riddim it stung me and long time readers of ours will know exactly why that was the case (so will new ones if they noticed what we did with the tracklist up there) and it still remained the matter of hearing the actual riddim itself (you can have literal deities singing the songs if they track is trash then no one wants to hear that). Fortunately, now that the Cali Roots has made its way forth, the work that Collie Buddz and J-Vibe have done is not only befitting some of the genre's most gifted wordsmiths, on its own, it is simply beautiful! It has a very nice cool vibes to it which, again, when you put it behind the right vocalist, really shines even brighter. Fortunately, Collie Buddz and company were also sure to include a clean version of the Cali Roots so we can all see that, even sans a single word, this thing is golden!
Now, even a cursory glance of the names appearing on this set will do interesting things for you. Names such as Luciano, Anthony B (who had an EXCELLENT tune on a previous version of the Cali Roots that you may remember, 'Chill Out' ['I just wanna dance and listen some rub-a-dub"] which is featured on his latest album, the BIG "Bread & Butter") and Busy Signal will definitely pop out for fans of all experience levels and one or two more, such as J Boog and Grammy winners, SOJA will also be familiar to quite a few ears as well. HOWEVER, readers of ours will immediately recognize the fact that my eyes were fixated on one name in particular amongst the rest.
....Yep..... it's SARA FRIGGIN LUGO! The looooong as hell time Achis Reggae favourite (if we had a Hall Of Fame, she would be in it) (....that's actually a pretty good idea) absolutely blesses the the Cali Roots with what turns out to be its finest moment altogether with 'Life Is A Cycle'.
"Watch the tone you speak in
Is it positivity you are seeking?
If all youi do is argue for no reason, better prepare for winter season
Life could be so beautiful, easier when you're grateful
From now on, focus on the blessings
Watch what happens when you rethink this message"
BOOM! 'Life Is A Cycle' is absolutely gorgeous! What a lovely tune and one which is fully emblematic of the quality levels of.... simply one of the greatest we have ever seen (she's probably like... thirty and I'm already saying that about her, but fully well earned around these parts, definitely). Fortunately, Lugo isn't the only star shining on the riddim as 'Life Is A Cycle' is joined by big efforts from the previously mentioned Busy Signal (who absolutely TOYS with the track on his 'A Thousand Times'), J Boog & The Green and Anthony B, although, SHOCKINGLY, Luciano misses the mark with 'Jah Spotlight' which sounds oddly off-key and just odd at times in my opinion. Iya Terra alongside Dub Inc also turn up nicely with their 'No Boundaries' and the Cali Roots Riddim 2023 also includes several nice surprises from the likes of sweet singing Hector Roots Lewis, Mike Lewis with the curious 'The Butterfly Remains': A tune I was well looking forward to hearing and one which most certainly did not disappoint. Still, I have to say the largest revelation from the riddim comes from the all kinds of impressive Khalia who torches everything in sight with her GOLDEN love song 'High'.
With big respect to Busy, it's probably the second best song here altogether and definitely keep an eye on Khalia going forward (and going backward) as well. Although the man of the moment, Collie Buddz himself, doesn't actually take on his own riddim, as I said he does give us a delicious clean version of the Cali Roots, which we always love to hear.
The Cali Roots Riddim 2023 edition is currently available now courtesy of Collie Buddz and Ineffable Records.
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