What I'm Listening To: See Ya January!.... and half of February

"Path To Success" by Torch [Bad-Hasai Muzyk - 2026]

First up is an impressive EP from an impressive artist; both, currently, receiving an impressive amount of attention as Torch touches with "Path To Success". Torch always seems like he has something going on. It may not be "front page news" but he's always got his hands into something and I was so happy to see the early response to "Path To Success" because it appears that he may've leveled up to some degree with this one. Actually listening to it, I can see what the hype has been about. The first thing that likely jumps out at you is the artillery, in terms of guests, that Torch brings in. In just seven tunes here, Torch works alongside Junior Kelly, Gentleman and Turbulence; so, OBVIOUSLY, someone thought a lot of this project and put a great deal of effort (and money) into making it happen. All three guests turn in fine performances but, to my opinion, Junior Kelly (more on him in a second) stands the tallest as he joins on 'Perseverance', which is the single best thing that I hear on all of "Path To Success". Also check fine solo efforts, 'Don't Give Up' and 'Same Energy' (which is simply outstanding). There's some VERY impressive material on this one and I'm glad that the masses appear to agree. 

 

The Resilience Riddim [Reggae Unite Records - 2025]

Biggup Reggae Unite Records who're back with their ambitious latest project, the Resilience Riddim. Two things about this one caught my attention even before I'd even heard anything from it: The first was the fact that included amongst the five vocal selections was one called 'Ask For' by none other than the ALWAYS welcomed (but damn near reclusive) Montserratian chanter Jah Marnyah. Anytime you attach Marnyah's name to a release, you got me! The other thing that was noteworthy was the fact that, accompanying the Resilience Riddim, was a simultaneously released dub version of the project, courtesy of Sound Guyz & Selekta Zalem. There is some BEAUTIFUL music on this combined set which is well worth a look and listen. Joining Jah Marnyah in handling the vocals are the likes of WELL ESTEEMED veteran, Prezident Brown, Teflon Young King (who is probably almost forty by now), the very young Jah Frozen and others. The Resilience Riddim is a very nice one that reached in late 2025 and figures to be on my players for a bit and should be the same for you as well. 

"Rasta Should Be Deeper" by Junior Kelly [Cleopatra Records - 2025]

Kind of an odd one here but I remember seeing that Junior Kelly has a forthcoming remake of a big older tune of his by the name of 'Rasta Should Be Deeper' and I had no idea why and I also had no idea that it would be, essentially, the first single and title track off of a forthcoming album by the same name featuring several of Kelly's biggest tunes remade for someone named Cleopatra Records (had no idea who they were but they've apparently released this album on a BEAUTIFULLY packaged CD as well if you're still interested in physical media) (and you are). The remake/cover circuit in Reggae has never sat well with me. A few years ago, Luciano release such a set that turned out pretty bad. Back in da day, Bushman sang an album full of old Peter Tosh tunes and I was never a fan of Sanchez' CONSTANT singing of other people's songs with a Reggae washing. HOWEVER, perhaps (probably) due to the fact that I had no expectations AT ALL... "Rasta Should Be Deeper" was better than I was expecting... at least on the Reggae side. Along with redoing some of his own material such as the title track, 'Baby Can We Meet' and, of course 'Love So Nice'. Kelly also does some covers from other artists such as Bob's 'Could You Be Loved', 'Red Red Wine' from UB40 and Eddy Grant's 'Electric Avenue'. Now those??? They're pretty awkward at times but I'm still relatively happy with the Reggae side of "Rasta Should Be Deeper" (and biggup Eddy Grant). 

"Tippy I Meets Nonpalidece: Hecho En Jamaica DuB" by Nonpalidece [Impronta Music - 2026]

Nonpalidece from out of Argentina teams up with the brilliant Tippy I of I Grade Records and the Zion I Kings to make one GORGEOUS piece of music (actually seven pieces) on "Hecho En Jamaica DuB". I won't make this too complicated: If you're looking for some really nice background (and I'm someone who plays music in my house when no one [HUMAN] is here because I think that the plants enjoy it) music, here's your perfect choice. If you want something just to relax to, here's your perfect choice. You want just some NICE sound?? HERE YOU GO! "Hecho En Jamaica DuB" is ABSOLUTELY LOVELY! Along with the instrumentals and production, you'll also recognize some of the vocalists as the likes of Lutan Fyah, Micah Shemaiah, Mykal Rose, Alborosie and others are featured as are the great Bongo Herman & the immortal Sly Dunbar. 

"Better Days" by Chuck Fenda [5th Element Records - 2004]

I'll spare you the details (at least for now) but Chuck Fenda has been back on my radars as of late courtesy of one Jah Garvey (something coming soon) and, STILL, in my opinion Fenda's finest piece of work and the one I most often go back to is his BEAUTIFUL 5th Element produced set, "Better Days" (I hesitate to call it his debut album but I actually think it is). "Better Days" was absolutely loaded and it represented a version of Chuck Fenda who was well within his ascendancy so it was STACKED with big tunes. The biggest draw would have been 'I Swear' ["GIVE I STRENGTH, OH JAH, SO I CAN GO THROUGH! NEVER PRAISED NO ONE LIKE I PRAISED YOU!"] but there was the title track, there was 'The Prayer', 'Jah Sight', 'Mama', 'Serious Times' (which also had a nice run, if I recall correctly), 'Haffi Win' and the MAMMOTH 'Better Days'. Some of this album, I'll admit, hasn't aged necessarily the best (there's a song, 'Show Love' with Luciano, which isn't very good at all, listening to it now) but its heavy class remains just that. CLASS.