Okay so, look up on the release schedule and.... there're quite a few GIANT names loaded and set to release full projects in the next couple of months or so, thought I'd pack them all in a nice, neat (it'll be messy) little package for you so you won't forget; and even if you do forget, I'll probably tell you about them again at some point. Let's go!
"The I-Grade" by Sizzla Kalonji [Izreal Records & Sonovic Music]
I guess the new good news about the next album from Sizzla Kalonji is that it's a virtual LOCK to be better than the last album from Sizzla Kalonji. In April, the wizard from August Town released "Run Tingz", which may lay a slight claim to being the single WORST album he's ever done. He has roughly two or three million albums or so, so you know that such a statement should carry a lot of weight. "Run Tingz" was absolute trash. So I can extend my 'guarantee' and say that either "The I Grade" will be better (it will be)... or it will be THE worst album he's ever done.
In March, Kalonji dropped a single in collaboration with Izreal Records and Sonovic Music by the name of 'New Year'. That song was average, maybe slightly below even, and it was infinitely better than every song on "Run Tingz" save for one which I don't feel like looking up (I think it was called 'Gallang Bad'). It didn't make me hopeful for anything else that the union might produce, but you look up and they've now come together to make a full album, "The I-Grade". I don't have much in the way of expectations in regards to this one -- unfortunately most of Sizzla's recent complete albums have been underwhelming -- but there're a couple of tiles that seem promising at least and maybe "The I-Grade" will come as a surprise to us and break the recent trend.... and it is still a new Sizzla album and, somewhere inside of me, "new Sizzla album" STILL excites me, all these years later. "The I-Grade) releases on the 11th of August.
"No Destroyer" by Burning Spear [Burning Music]
Now I told you there would be legends. The biggest of them all in this post is the legendary Winston Rodney, Burning Spear who is making a full comeback to the game following an official retirement of half a decade or so. Having returned to the stages ~ 2021, the Spear is now set to deliver his first full album since 2008, "No Destroyer". I can remember thinking it rather odd that a musician retired because although it did happen, functionally, you so very rarely hear it actually announced and, as far as I know, it usually comes as a result of poor health. Thankfully and clearly that wasn't the case here as the near octogenarian Reggae BEAM (without Burning Spear, we'd all be kinda lopsided) did not make a brief check-in type of revival on one of his favourite shows or anything like such. He has truly come back to us.
Ahead of the release of "No Destroyer", Burning Spear has given us a taste of what is to come via the album's first single, 'Mommy', which is excellent. The two-time Grammy winner figures to be also in play this year and, unless I'm really forgetting someone, here is your sitting Grammy favourite of 2023, the moment it comes out. That moment ("it comes out") is nearing as Burning Spear's "No Destroyer" is available from August the 18th.
"Simma" by Beenie Man [MD Music Group]
Though the tracklist that I've seen does not currently list any, supposedly the latest album from long reigning King Of The Dancehall (in my opinion, the Dancehall's final king for the moment, because Dancehall ain't Dancehall any more), "Simma", is absolutely loaded with featured guests: To name but a few of the ones you're likely to be most interested in, Busy Signal (that should be wild), Sean Paul, Louie Culture, Bunji Garlin, Shaggy, Morgan Heritage, Shenseea and Anthony Red Rose. While handling production are the likes of Suku, Jeremy Harding and Tony Kelly. That lot of names has me WELL interested and hopeful that the [actual] Dancehall side of Simma could at least potentially be quite special. Of course I'm also expecting (due to Beenie saying it) a wide variety of mixture in the vibes -- also featured are previous collaborator, R&B singer Mya and the inescapable Stonebwoy.
Billed as 'The Doctor's' seventeenth overall studio release and his first in the seven years since 2016's uneven "Unstoppable", "Simma" comes via his own MD Music Group (earliest rumours that I recall hearing had it coming through VP Records and we'll see if they have any involvement with the project, ultimately. "Unstoppable" was done on Beenie's 357 Records and released by VPAL, VP's distribution arm), which is certainly a big step in a career which has been full of such strides. Though I'm expecting it to be quite 'worldly', I do have a relatively good feeling about "Simma" and I'm expecting the Dancehall portion of it to be considerable... also a LOCK to receive a Grammy nod at the end of the year. "Simma' is set to reach just nine days after Beenie Man's FIFTIETH birthday on the 22nd of August.
"Born For Greatness" by Buju Banton [Gargamel Music + Roc Nation]
Lastly (literally, it's the last one coming out) is Buju Banton who is already back from 2020's Grammy nominated "Upside Down" ["Mi nuh trust phone, mi nuh own, mi like it"] with "Born For Greatness". Like pretty much everything Buju does these days (and has done for a very long time, for the most part), "Born For Greatness" comes via his own Gargamel Music imprint and the same association which was struck for distribution of the aforementioned "Upside Down", with Roc Nation, is still at work here.
With respect to Burning Spear, I'm thinking that "Born For Greatness" will turn out to be the best actual release on this list. It will certainly be varied, it always is from Buju, but it will just as surely carry a few HAMMERS! One of which, 'Coconut Wata [Sip]' has already dropped ahead of the album and it is FILTHY! Longtime friend Stephen Marley, Snoop Dog and Victoria Monet all feature (and I'm also really looking forward to tunes called 'My Microphone' as well as 'Yard & Outta Road' and 'Walked Out') and you know Buju always brings in A+ level talents in production as well. Like the two albums I've mentioned ahead of it, "Born For Greatness" is also a likely Grammy nominee, at the very least, for 2023 as well and September 8th, 2023 is its due date. ENJOY... I'm going to have a nap and I'll see you later.
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