"God & I" by I-Octane [Conquer The Globe Productions]
Okay so, the last time we heard from I-Octane on an album, it was nothing nice. I'm pretty sure I chose his "Dancehall Gift" set as one of the (if not THE) worst release of 2023 and, listening to it now, I'm comfortable with that decision. It was terrible. His 2025 release, on the other hand, is more of what we've come to expect from the ultra-gifted I-Octane while not losing more of the experimental type of edge that he's been working with lately. The sound is varied, which is just fine, and it features moments where Octane SHINES. Highlights are numerous and include 'Thankful', 'Constant War', 'Perception', 'Walk With A Chip', 'Success', the very colourful title track and others. Shane-O guests as does Vershon.
"Jah Over All" by Danny I [Trinity Farm Music]
Biggup Ancient King and Trinity Farm Music for pushing out the new "Oath Of Akae" album which gave me a reason to go back through the recent catalogue of TFM and realize that I had [FOOLISHLY] (and I'm sorry) neglected to mention an EP that they had done almost a year ago now, by the name of "Jah Over All" from a somewhat reclusive favourite of mine, Cruzan vocalist, Danny I. Like virtually everything Danny I has ever done in his career, "Jah Over All" is outstanding. It's an excellent release and it is, again - like everything else that he's done, something else that makes you wish he was more active. Pinnacled by the absolutely glorious title track, the EP features seven songs that were just SCREAMING for a wider round of attention. Here's your notice! Take a listen!
The Door Step Riddim [Train Line Records + EarthStrong Productions]
I hate to say because its creator, Train Line Records (in association with Earthstrong Productions), has been very strong as of late but, to be honest, I wish I could have made more of a big deal about their latest creation, The Door Step Riddim, and I would have if I... liked it a bit more than I actually do. The Door Step (which I'm pretty sure is a cut of the Picture On The Wall Riddim) is OKAY. It's nothing special despite featuring tunes from some of my favourites such as Lutan Fyah, Perfect Giddimani, Pressure Busspipe (whose 'Working Man' is probably the riddim's finest) and even Norris Man. On paper, this one looks a bit better than it turns out though.
The California Riddim [Greatest Friends + Evidence Music]
On the other hand from the aforementioned Door Step Riddim, would be Greatest Friends' California Riddim which also features a stellar lineup of vocalists but, in its case, turns out to be quite strong musically as well. Who's here? In just seven songs, we get the likes of Chezidek, Mark Wonder, Ras Mac Bean, King Lorenzo and even PRINCE THEO (don't know if he's back to going by Prince Theo or is still Theo Nyeemiya these days) touching down on the California, along with Anthony John and Vanzo and EVERYONE turns in at least a solid effort, as you would imagine and hope. There's nothing missing on this one! The riddim's best likely comes from either RMB or King Lorenzo with 'Greatest Friends' and 'I Know', respectively but, again, there's much to be enjoyed here on what is one of the best riddim compilations of the first half of 2025, in my opinion. Also included are a clean version of the California Riddim, as well as a dub. ENJOY!
The Strange Things Riddim [Irie Ites Records]
In a twist for a blast from the past today we go back to the future with a SWEET re-release courtesy of the fine people at Irie Ites, the Strange Things Riddim. It was Mafia & Fluxy who vibed the riddim for II and it sounds as good as ever, about a decade and a half later. All these years later, unsurprisingly, Irie Ites is still supplying fans with outstanding releases and they've also been doing nice sets like this, where they relive some of the classics. Time has been fairly nice to the Strange Things Riddim and it has declared Chezidek's MASSIVE 'Bun Di Ganja' the finest tune here but you'll also find winners from Pressure Busspipe, Lutan Fyah, Sizzla Kalonji, of course John Holt and others (like Spectacular, who has a new album that I'm thinking about reviewing).
"Just Giving Thanks" by Glen Washington [Tad's Records]
1. 'Sweet Loving and Affection'
2. 'Love Will Never Run Away'
3. 'Better Than Before'
4. 'Goodness and Mercy'
5. 'Heart Attack'
6. 'Chant Them Down'
7. 'Oh, To Be Like H.I.M.'
8. 'Loving You Forever'
9. 'Square One'
10. 'Love Knows No Shame'
11. 'Dreadlocks Conqueror'
12. 'Seeking Jah Love'
13. 'A Change Is Gonna Come'
14. 'Are You Ready?'
Okay so, today we have a few problems, a few issues, that we really need to talk about. Venerable veteran singer from out of Clarendon, Glen Washington, is back with a new album this week. That, in and of itself, is pretty big news but he has been quite active in recent times has Washington. Just last year, he released "Feeling Irie" and the year before that was "Mr. Washington" (for the fine folks at Love Injection) and there was a re-release the year prior to that as well for "Wandering Stranger". As I said, the man's been at work (there was also "Jah Children", a strong EP for the Zion I Kings, in 2023). This time, however, things seem a bit different.
On the 30th of May -- this forthcoming Friday -- the singer is set to release yet another album, "Just Giving Thanks" for the always so damn welcomed Tad's Records and I have heard quite a bit of it (courtesy of that wonderful site with the... entire song-long clips) and.... it... it's kinda excellent. I mean it is REALLY GOOD! You're going to hear it and think it pretty much standard fare for Glen Washington. It's fourteen songs about love & Jah across a heap of classic/classic sounding riddims. That's it. That's all it is. He's been doing the exact same thing for the best part of a half a century (literally all of it), but I'm under the impression that, in 2025, he' s mining gold with this latest set.
Highlights are in abundance but particularly highpoints include the all kinds of interesting 'Square One', 'Goodness and Mercy', 'Heart Attack', 'Better Than Before' (which, I THINK, is the first single), 'Chant Them Down', 'Dreadlocks Conqueror'.... I should stop there before I end up naming the entire album.
Sometimes I get these things wrong but I am DAMN confident on this one. What I believe to be a potentially special release from Glen Washington, "Just Giving Thanks" on Tad's Records, is available later this week - but you knew that already.
