The Eye Of Tha Tiger Riddim

Just wanted to take a break from writing my next review (which you wonderful but awful taste having people should get a look at sometime this week) to mention a fun tune that comes courtesy of Outfytt Records and their Eye of The Tiger Riddiim as, seemingly as a slap to individuals like myself suggesting that his best days are behind him, the great Sizzla Kalonji declares himself 'Bad As Ever'. Just in case you need a little GRRRR! in your life (and who doesn't) check not only this track, but Bounty Killer blessing the same riddim with 'In My Bed'. 

Big Tunes #56

Yeah! Yow, I guess this would be an impromptu (I love that word) edition of 'Big Tunes', because I didn't even know we were going to be going on it this week until a couple of days ago and because of that it's all vets this week, but tunes are everything you would expect. That's it, I'm finished, let's go.

First up this week is everyone's favourite - Remmy - exercising more good taste and unspoken intelligence with 'Expensive Shit' from the great Fela Anikulapo Kuti. I'm pretty sure I know why he's bringing this tune this week, but I'll keep that and instead biggup Remmy and DEFINITELY Fela Kuti.

Next we have a tune coming from a pissed off Leclaire (who, by the way, is turning out to be VERY useful and full of helpful information) who . . . Apparently is just tired of it all because we had a pretty long discussion about certain things and this is what he's feeling. What am I talking about, you'll figure it out when you hear 'Nou Pa Ka Bleach' from big man Admiral T. As a matter of fact, you probably won't even need to hear the tune to figure it out - the title should suffice.

And lastly we have a tune which I absolutely loved from the first time we heard it and apparently, I wasn't the only one because Bredz (who pretty much took care of posting this by the time you read it) is also vibing strong this week on 'One Away' from Liquid which comes across the big City Streetz Riddim from Dynasty Records & Twelve 9 Records (and is currently available on digital shelves now).

As for yours truly - So much Soca coming out this time of year and I'm actually NOT enjoying much of it. Not too much is sticking (although I am liking Tizzy so far in 2k11), one of the very few exceptions, however, comes from someone who brokeout big in 2010, Ambi from out of St. Lucia. Here, I would assume is the followup to his BIG tune 'Push Dem', it's the utterly ridiculous and just as infectious 'Matay You' which has been THUMPING in my brain for the past week or two.

• Reviews this week for Sizzla (!) and blah blah blah
• Big tunes will be here next week, so link us at AchisReggae@hotmail.com
• Biggup Gil Scott-Heron
  

Big Tunes #55

Nice week yeah! If you didn't enjoy it too much then you'll be happy to know that it's over and the next one is here - So do whatever you like. Biggup Bredz for losing his mind in more ways than one (and I'm about to tell you about one of them anyway) (the other one??? No). Besides his madness this week we have another very 'colourful' participant and a new person as well. Let's go.

So, a couple of days ago Bredz sent my Wife (his sister) a picture of his back to show . . . That he has a new tattoo! It's his first (that I know of) and it is hideous, but he seems to like it, so big him up. Anyway, his sister, hilariously on his behalf suggests a tune. It's Kartel with 'Colouring Book'. And just for the sake of . . . . Whatever - I don't hate this song. I'm not terribly fond of the riddim and I'd probably never let someone draw on my flesh, but it's kind of a fun tune and, at least style-wise, it's similar to the old style of Kartel everyone (meaning ME) used to enjoy. And biggup my Wife everytime.

Next we have the infamous Nat (who literally sent us 100 messages last week) who has found herself STUCK on [one of] the latest from the legendary Shabba Ranking, 'None A Dem', which is his cut of Stephen McGregor's GORGEOUS Peppa Riddim from earlier this year. Something about hearing Shabba deejaying HARD will probably always appeal to me in some way or another, but damn I wish he had made an actual (REGULAR) chorus to this song. Incidentally if you do pick up the digital version of the Peppa (and you should), this tune won't be on it because it came later, but you can find it as a digital single.

And lastly this week we have a new reader and an IMMEDIATE participant to this feature, David from Austria. So, of course he's bringing some tune from some big artist from Austria that we've never heard of right??? Wrong - Instead he apparently got struck by our recent "Lyrics!" feature on the brilliant Lutan Fyah, so he thought that he'd chime in with a personal favourite of his own and a song which I haven't heard in some time actually. It's the BIG 'Destiny' from the Babatunde Riddim. Excellent choice David and give me something strange next time.

As for me, everything fairly easy this week. It's BIG new Alison Hinds, 'We Ain't Going Nowhere'. Really really vibrant and LOVELY tune and definitely one of the best I've heard coming for Cropover 2011.

• Big him up for everything, I'm tired of saying his name
• Reviews this week for . . . Chino & Stephen Marley
  

Big Tunes #54

Yup! It's the middle of May, if you haven't noticed - Rapidly approaching . . . The end of May (I guess). Really dumb little week, but now it's over. And these are good things. Okay, this week we have three veterans and a bit of immediate special effects courtesy of Bredz. And, of course, should you want to participate in future week's editions of this ridiculous feature, you'll link us at AchisReggae@hotmail.com. Enjoy!

Okay so, I called Leclaire a veteran, but he isn't really (even though we hear from him at least two or three times a week), I THINK this is only his second time participating on this feature and he does so not with an interesting tune from Guyane, but with one of the greatest songs of all time (so we'll forgive him) (this time). It's the unstoppable, the unbreakable Kassav with 'Zouk La Sé sèl Médikaman Nou Ni'.

Next we have JP who we haven't heard from since . . . BT#44 and who (is currently somewhere in South Carolina attending a Wailers/Duane Stephenson show. And biggup JP because almost every time we hear from him he has good information and is either planning to go to or recently already attended some type of Reggae show, so big him up) goes obscure and about thirty years back (what a horrible number!) for the sweet singing and unfortunately largely forgotten Lion Youth with 'Rat Cut A Bottle'.

Lastly, we have a tune coming from two weeks in the making. It's unreleased Sizzla Kalonji - 'Cleanse My Soul' (I think that's the tentative title). The song, which is produced by John John, comes courtesy of the smartest and the greatest and the bestest musical publishing person in the entire world, Susan [Hey Susan!], and is part of an album which is forthcoming. It's also a very good song and you do agree. Biggup Susan and biggup Bredz because I would'nt have uhmmm - Yeah I'm lazy.

Speaking of meeeeeeeeee! I had a perfect tune in mind this week, but of course I've now forgotten what it was. So instead, I'll just give you what's stuck in my head at the current time (which may've been the original song anyway) it's Achis Reggae favourite and reigning 3x St. Vincy Soca Monarch, Skinny Fabulous alongside another Achis Reggae favourite - Busy Signal - with 'Rave Out'. I'm still not entirely sure what I think of this tune, but listening to it is better than NOT listening to it.

• Reviews this week for X-Man and HOPEFULLY Gappy Ranks
• Cool idea for a list also
  

Big Tunes #53

WONDERFUL! That very strange week is dead and gone and it's Sunday (actually it's Saturday evening) which means Big Tunes. . . . Yeah! That's really all I have to say right now. Big week next week however - And we're nearing 800 posts. Good for us. This week we have three familiar names of varying degrees who all do quite well, even though we had to help one along a bit because we were lazy.

Okay! First we have our good friend Susan who sent us a song by Sizzla which we (and by "we", of course I mean Bredz) were supposed to upload somewhere, but Bredz (who 'officially' has a new girlfriend, so big him up) didn't do it and I . . . Yep. So, we'll get to her tune in a couple of weeks (no Big Tunes next week) (got stuff to do), so instead here's something I'm sure she'd support in one way or another. It's still Sizzla with 'Children Crying' on the Target Riddim from John John - Which, coincidentally, has been recently released as a digital compilation (also on board is Buju, Kartel and Capleton) (I want to say the riddim is from 2007-2008???) (and Ele was also on it). Pretty nice tune actually and biggup Susan [Hey Susan!].

Next we have Ben, continuing his streak of tunes from last week (and I may even put him on the next edition as well) and this week he strikes gold with simply one of the COOLEST songs of all time. Mikey Spice gives us 'Happy Hour'. If the man never sang another tune (and he did) (a lot of them), his legacy as a COOL singer would be secure from the power of this EXCELLENT tune. So biggup Ben, of course, and if you don't like this song feel free to forget how you got here.

And finally from my wonderful readers this week is the Queen of the VI, Deborah, who we haven't heard from in a minute [Hey Deborah!]. She actually did us a really nice thing because I didn't know this one even existed. Not only do we have the full new song from Tanya Mullings, 'Rescue Me' [produced by Dean Pond], but here's a video for it as well! Mullings (and her hips and ass) looks DAMN GOOD and the tune is LOVELY (and currently available as a digital single from Rymshot Productions and the magic workers at Zojak Worldwide). Deborah also left another very nice tune (which was actually for Big Tunes, this one she was just showing the video, but it fit here so wonderfully, I just had to) (and I just did a 'Video Drop' last week), so we should hear from her next time and biggup she and Callax every time.

As for me this week. Everything is nice and easy as I simultaneously look back and look ahead to next week. It's Achis Reggae favourite Tiwony alongside Profa with the HUGE 'Jah Is My Guide' from the "Viv La Vi" album.

• Two VERY LARGE reviews next week and one of them is from Tiwony. On the next - We drop bombs
• April's 'Artist of The Month' will be posted on Wednesday or Thursday
• Nothing planned for tomorrow
  

Big Tunes #52: Big Stinkin Helicopter

Yeah! It's actually the middle of Saturday (little later than the middle actually), but as far as you know, it's Sunday and of course that means . . . BIG BIG TUNES! Apparently there was a little special thing this week with 420 which, as usual, I paid no attention to (although I was on it last year), but we got a few tunes from readers who were definitely celebrating the occasion. So, this week, we're going 4 tunes deep from readers, two regulars and a semi-new participant who're on topic and a ridiculous regular who rolled through last week. Let's go!

First up, we have the return of Ben from California who is an oooooooooold provider of big tunes and we hear from him every three or four months or so. As usual, he chimes in with a bag of tunes which you'll be hearing from for the next 3-4 weeks (including next week, definitely, because he actually recommended one of my own personal favourites). Firstly, however, we have 'Who's Got The Herb' which is from Human Rights who apparently shares a vocalist with the well known Bad Brains group. This song is truly ridiculous, but obviously it was intentionally done so and it's very catchy also. And Ben said that he was going to check out a show with Barrington Levy and Slightly Stoopid so we hope he had a good time and biggup yourself Ben, everytime.

Next we have a tune which comes from a reader who we talk to quite often, but this is his first time participating with big tunes. It's Linton who lives in New York, but was born and raised in Tobago (and he actually said that they were moving back after his Wife gives birth in a few weeks). He brings this tune, which is awful, but he acknowledges that it is - It's Karma with 'Chutney Ganja' (it's better when the singing stops).

Okay and lastly (on subject) is Nat who . . . Alright. Nat sent us about 12-15 songs. But she sent the most OBVIOUS songs in the world. It was 'Come Around' and 'Ganja Farmer' level tunes. So, you know something is crazy when the most random song I can pick is a tune which won two Grammys. Here we have Stephen & Damian Marley with 'Traffic Jam' - We (and by "we", I mean Bredz) (biggup Bredz) changed it and decided to go with the acoustic version of the tune, just to change it up. Biggup yourself Nat and next time I want absolute carnage in your tune!

And lastly, 'bucking the trend' and 'going against the grain' is . . . Of course it's Remmy who stopped by this week and attempted to raid a hard drive for instrumentals. The one he found? It was the one which was the most popular according to the system - It's the Badda Don Riddim from Yard Vybz. Also, Remmy, so inspired, decided to try his hand at some deejaying (also tried to get my Daughter involved only to find out, like everyone else who tries to engage her in just about anything, that she is completely indifferent to all things Earthly) and it was awful, but he did better than I did. Good times and big big riddim.

As for me, I'm going easy this week, I knew my pick as soon as we came up with the format. Mining the vaults we have Bounty Killer with the WICKED 'High Grade Forever' ("ah nah bushweed never"). This song was on Jeremy Harding's crazy Lightning Riddim which was probably one of the most underrated sets in . . . In forever (did you catch that???) (TOK had a MAD tune on the riddim called 'Bun Friend Enemy') and it was a master class from the Killer.

• Happy belated Earthdays to - Sizzla Kalonji, Capleton, Stephen Marley, Bushman, Jalena and my Brother.
• Reviews??? I'm leaning towards the Message Riddim and . . . I have no idea what else.
• Biggup Stefanie
  

Big Tunes #51!

Sunday (Saturday writing this actually, but who cares). Really nice week. Really nice moment right now . . . Yeah. Can't think of anything else to say actually (that's a first isn't it). Songs this week from two regulars, including the greatest in the world and a new person with good taste. It's big tunes, let's go!

First up this week (and any other week in which she chooses to participate) is my lovely Wife who just got caught up in my madness over the last few days on something I'll certainly tell you more about tomorrow. It's 'Let's Go Somewhere' by Sizzla Kalonji. This tune (and a whole heap of others on this riddim) have been going nonstop on my players for quite awhile and apparently one (not named 'Can't Satisfy Her') FELL THROUGH! And now she can be found (completely ignoring me for making fun of her) singing this beautiful song for absolutely no reason. So biggup my Wife, excellent choice, as usual, and I'm not washing your dog, even though it is my turn (and by that, of course I mean that I AM washing the dog).

Next we have our good friend Youstice who WONDERFULLY dug in the crates (but not too far back) to come up with this all but forgotten gem of a tune. It's K-oss with a nice song from a few years back or so, 'Kingston Town' in the place. I think K-oss is still doing the work, but this tune, by far, was one of his best and I don't know what put it in Youstice's brain this week, but glad that whatever it is, it did and big him up everytime for sending it on.

And finally we have a new reader and a new participant (DUH!) here - It's Leclaire (a gentleman) from out of Guyane who says that he found us from the feature we did on Little Guerrier a couple of months back. He's making his presence known very early with a big tune (and he also mentioned that he's thinking about starting on his own blog/site so hopefully he does that so we can link him up), 'Babylon Buildings' from the most esteemed and most venerable Chris Combette. There's just something simmering with Guyane Reggae with the big label who doesn't seem to be too shy about spending money, so maybe we can hear some more big things from Combette, Guerrier, Prince Koloni and others in 2011 and hopefully Leclaire will help us stay up on it all.

I have, at this point, not the slightest of ideas of what I am going to post. What's actually #1 on my mind is something which I think that I've been talking about too damn much as of late, so I'm going to pick a different tune . . . But which tune. Hmmm. OH! Okay here's a preview of the next "Lyrics" feature. But don't think you know what it is because it has a twist (and watch it takes me a month to finish it anyway, so you'll forget about this by then anyway) it's Kartel with 'We Bad From' (over the Kasablanca Riddim which has to be one of the most underrated pieces of the modern era. It is absolutely RIDICULOUS!)

• Absolutely no clue what I'm reviewing this week - So expect something either really early (like Takana Zion or Tiwony) or something from the Vault. Or maybe the Masanto Riddim
• "What I'm Listening To Tomorrow"
  

Big Tunes #50!: Tiny Tunes

Yep! It may have taken entirely too damn long (it did), but because we're reaching milestones this weekend - Here's another one. A really long time ago we started, on the indirect suggestion of someone whose name I forget, a feature where we posted big tunes from my big readers and now we've reached #50. So, to celebrate the TRULY ridiculous nature of this post, I thought that I'd go the opposite way and celebrate the not so big tunes that so often go overlooked. Like I said, it's taken a really long time, because apparently my readers don't listen to bullshit, but here you are.

You'll be happy to know that next week, or whenever the next time we do this is, we'll be back to normal so send your (actual) big tunes to AchisReggae@hotmail.com.

Okay! First up of our not so big tunes this week and first to take the really obvious way out is Nat who suggests the former worldwide smash hit 'Who Let The Dogs Out?' by The Baha Men. Okay . . . I don't hate this song and I actually don't even think it's a bad song, BUT I think it does apply in some regards because clearly it is the most ANNOYING song of all time. Not only that, but if you listen to the entire thing (something I haven't done until just now in a very long time), it sounds like about 5 different songs wrapped up into one and it probably confuses small children - Something which I'll likely check in the morning.

Next we have a selection which I surely helped along in some way but, it was good because no collection of tunes like such could be complete without THE WORST SONG OF ALL-TIME. From big man Callax, who we haven't heard from in a minute - It's LOC with 'Ring Ding Ding'. If he didn't mention it, I certainly would have (and I actually mentioned it to him) because where the previous tune confuses small children, this one scares the hell out of really really grown men.

And lastly from our wonderful readers is someone who probably doesn't read very much because he's too busy running the place - It's Bredz who apparently didn't feel like thinking too hard when he reached back a few weeks or so to the latest album from Reggae star, Anthony B, "Rasta Love" . Of course, when you make enough songs, and he has, you're bound to make a few missteps and the biggest as of late from Anthony B was this atrocious Disco/Euro-poppified 'Time To Have Fun' [oh oh oh uh oh oh oh].

Moi??? Okay - you'll never hear me bashing him and I'm not about to start now, but Serani is probably one of my LEAST favourite artists going today. He just doesn't make my kind of music and that's what it is but, like I said, you won't hear me talking about him in Kartel-like terminology. I am, however, prepared to give you an example of what I don't like about his music and here it is. It's 'All I Need' with Shurwayne Winchester. I don't know if the man was ill when he sang it, but he sounded HORRIBLE on this tune and I guess no one else realized it because it did well a couple of seasons back - But I can't stand this damn song.

• If I (and by "I", I mean Bredz, of course) can figure out how to post it, then tomorrow I'll give you one of the greatest lists you've ever seen here EVER
• Review for Danny I's new album, "To His Majesty", hopefully on Tuesday
  

Big Tunes 49.5: Send Me Rubbish!

Yow! I'll try to make this quick. Each and every Sunday we do Big Tunes here and because we were nearing a milestone of this ridiculous feature, I thought that we'd change it officially just once. SO! What I want is for you to do, my wonderful readers, is to send me BAD songs. Send me songs which are absolutely horrible in your eyes and tell me why you think so if you like. Hopefully next Sunday (although I will postpone if I have to and you'll see "Big Tunes 49.6" next week) we'll have a healthy lot to celebrate or to decelebrate #50! Send your garbage ready tunes to AchisReggae@hotmail.com (preferably Reggae related) (duh!).

And for added incentive in your participation - Here's a picture of Lenora Crichlow!

• Reviews next week for "Wotless" and blah blah blah
• HUGE "Coming Soon" post tomorrow
  

Big Tunes #49

Yep! It's Sunday (or by the time you read this it will be) and that means more big tunes. I hate to be brief (you know I HATE to be brief), but currently I'm kicking ass on this Junior X review which you'll be treated to on Tuesday. So, this week we have a two week superstar, an old friend returning and more madness from Nat.

First up this week is Steven with a VERY interesting piece. It's a taste of what is apparently a new mixtape from 2009's big breakout star, Lion D, "Reap What You Sow" coming from the boys at Bizzarri, of course, on April 10 (the day before Tiwony returns, 8 days before Ziggi) (big big month yeah?). Here we have three tracks, 'Smoke The Best' (which I think is the best), 'Nah Fraid a Police' and 'Neva Smoke Enough'. It's typical 'free' sounding Roots music from . . . Yeah - Lion D. Can't wait for that! And biggup Steven, who's definitely one of my most consistently intelligent readers and who you'll also hear from next week (unless I forget) (and I might).

I never actually solved the question of what the hell was going on with Nat last week, but I told you she'd be back and here she is, with a very interesting tune. The Skalibans are a Ska group from out of Portugal and here they are with 'Mary Marry Me' which is a decent tune (I'm no Ska head) (at all), but a nearly GREAT video, so biggup Nat everytime, as usual.

And lastly it's Allen from Hawaii returning for the first time since . . . the last time he was here (#34 actually). This time he introduces us to a group in The Lambsbread, also from out of Hawaii, who I don't think I've EVER mentioned before. This tune is of particular interest because it features the single name who I've probably mentioned more than anyone, Messenjah Selah. It's 'Can't Stop The Youths' and biggup Allen who, if all goes according to schedule - We'll be hearing from him again on Big Tunes #64.

I had a doubleshot last week so here's the end of it. It's Agent Sasco with the SCATHING 'Run Di Place'.

"But certain things mi nah go do fi market mehself
Mi nah put out no freaky photograph wid mehself"

• Reviews next week for Junior X and . . . something else
  

Big Tunes #48

"Hold a burn. Hold a burn! HD wait your turn. You comeback this year, next year you cannot return!" Yep. I have no idea which number Big Tunes this is anyone know without looking back??? . . . Okay it's #48 which means in two weeks (unless I miss a week) (and I might) we'll be looking at #50 and blah blah blah. That's a lot of tunes and hopefully we haven't repeated, but we may have. This week we a veteran, a MOST welcomed newbie and a tandem tune which I'm entirely too lazy to figure out. Next week we can have you - Link us at AchisReggae@hotmail.com and, as usual, biggup Bredz.

So ummmm . . . Guess who I got an email from last week??? Sara Lugo! Most surprisingly (not really) she linked us and, not unexpectedly, she's a very nice person with a nice sense of humour and certainly this will come as a COMPLETE SHOCK (again, not really) to my readers, but Lugo has a new album coming out in May by the name of "What About Love" and she's set up a nice TASTE of it for your listening pleasure. I'm not going to tell you what else she said . . . You know what - Actually I will tell you what she said, but you'll have to give me a little while and it'll take me about 2500 words to REALLY express it, so stay tuned.

How do you follow that? With VIBES of course. Biggup veteran contributor of big tunes Allan, who I'm pretty sure is from New York by way of Guyana, and I'm also pretty sure is serving up his first tune suggestion of 2011 and doing so in the most interesting form of a cover of a Bob Marley tune, 'Is This Love', by English cutie Corine Bailey Rae. Kind of Reggae-ish (duh), kind of Soul-ish too and just a lovely lovely song. Well done Allan, as usual my friend, and Happy New Year also.

Okay and finally from my readers is Nat . . . Kind of. I got an email from Nat's address but apparently she wrote some of it and a friend of hers (whose name . . . Yeah - Don't feel like it) helped too, but there were a ton of Soca tunes in there and some Reggae also (which she'll have to resend if she wants it on next week's post because there is no way I'll remember to go back and check). Anyway, I exercised my own tastes and pick my personal favourite of the lot they sent and it was DEFINITELY the big hit from Mystik Vibration - 'I Like It' [aka 'C'est Bon'] which CLEARLY comes from Nat's friend so biggup the friend and we'll almost surely be hearing from Nat next week as well.

As for me, I had a tune in my head, but I think I'm going to show it in a different way for tomorrow's post, so that leaves me with no tune, but my overactive brain is taking care of that right now. . . Oh shit (see)! I have two tunes but I'll leave one for next week because it's more popular and it can wait. There's a riddim name the Caicos Gal from Fire Beat Records and it's NICE - Probably my favourite tune on this set is this GEM from Natty King, 'Going Home'.

• Biggup everyone hurt and lost in the tragedy in Japan
• Biggup Jah Woosh
• Reviews next week for Anthony B and blah blah blah [probably Kes]

Big Tunes #47

Yep yep yep! Another Sunday after a most interesting week, so it's time for big tunes. Unsurprisingly, there was a pretty dominant subject this week amongst participants, so I picked a one tune from a veteran who I think was also here last week and one from a rookie (kind of) of sorts. And then we have another veteran with another very timely set. Let's go!

Yes - Everyone had Buju songs this week. Of course whenever Youstice has a tune, he pushes up near the head of the pack and this week he has an excellent one, it's Buju's 'add-on' to the classic 'Ring The Alarm' also featuring the originator, the late and great Tenor Saw. I happened to speak with Youstice this week and he seemed REALLY bothered by Buju being found guilty in his trial. He has one strange piece of sense of humour, so I'm still not quite sure if he was actually being serious or not (although I'm inclined to believe that he was). But big him up in either case.

Next we have a reader who I've been talking to from . . . a long time now - It's Daniel from New York by wave of Roseau in Dominica (who has actually sent us a few packages) (biggup Bredz). He has a pretty obvious tune, but I'm kind of glad he mentioned it. It's Sizzla with 'Free Buju'. Out of all the Free Buju variety tunes, I don't remember one which I still actually like and this tune isn't as bad as I remember it being, so it may just be my favourite of the lot, although certainly there're much much more on the way.

And lastly we have the always welcomed and always looked forward to, Jah Callax, King of The VI who comes in with a tune he GUARANTEED that I would LOVE. It's some Soca St. Thomas, 2010 season, JamBand with 'Regardless'. Well, all that I can say in REGARD to Callax' guarantee is that - as usual - He was right. HUGE TUNE.

As for yours truly, I'm following Callax' EXCELLENT lead with a tune that I've been meaning to work in here somewhere for the past few weeks. It's one of my favourites from the current TnT season and I'm WELL looking forward to MASHING up Soca Monarch stage next week. It's Shal Marshall with the MADNESS that is 'Doh Drag D Flag'.

• We'll be gone all week. Tell you about it tomorrow.
  

Big Tunes #46

"Nobody knows what I did today. Only me. Me and The Most High." LOVE that song! Anyway, biggup Toussaint, we're going to talk about him in just a second. It's another Sunday, another stretch of big tunes from You, my wonderful readers. Nice and easy week this week, with just a little craziness going on behind the scenes and surely we have a nice one to look forward to next week as well. Let's do it.

First up this week is the aforementioned Toussaint, with the title selection from his outstanding debut record for I Grade Records, "Black Gold". The tune actually comes on a semi-recommendation from none other than Tippy from I Grade who sent us a message last week about a friend of his making a slideshow and linking it to the tune with powerful imagery and I knew just what to do with it. The song itself is a very 'visual' one anyway and if you listen to music like I listen to music, you probably had something like this going on in your head when you heard and it's so nice to see that I wasn't the only one (you could also probably take this track and DIRECTLY link it to the video for Tarrus Riley's MASSIVE 'Shaka Zulu Pickney' also). And what really stood out for me was how you take in all of the historical pictures and lastly we see Toussaint's album cover and it doesn't stick out really. You know what it is, but it rather easily falls in line with the rest of the pictures. So biggup Toussaint and Tippy as well as Tippy's friend.

Thankfully, longtime reader Marlon from out of Brazil (who I hadn't heard from since the end of 2010 before last week actually) (biggup Marlon - Man with a ton of random Reggae knowledge) gives us something at least remotely fitting this week to back up the opener and he does so with an artist who I don't believe I've EVER mentioned on my blog before. It's looooooooooooongtime veteran, Fidel Nadal from out of Argentina with 'Haile Selassie'. Fidel has one of the biggest followings from out of South America that I know of and he's definitely big artist so well biggup Marlon for the add and hopefully he won't wait until 2012 to come back again (because we won't be here!).

And lastly we're checking in on our good good friend Youstice from out of Cayman who I've known most of my damn life. This time back, Youstice is LOVING a semi-obscure, but well WICKED tune from Determine (who could probably also be described as "semi-obscure but well wicked, himself), 'Science'. Such a tune, like many from Determine, is just damn frustrating because you can see ALLLLLLLL of that talent and it's crystal clear, but he just doesn't dip into enough these days and looking back, he's one of the main people who I really wish had become more of a star. Nevertheless, big tune Youstice.

Thankfully, we've had three very nice and upful tunes this week, because I forgot my tune and am going with a brilliantly frivolous tune in its place. It's Achis Reggae favourite, Patrice Roberts, with a a Groovy favourite for 2011, 'Mas & Wining'.

• I think I'm going big this week, so MAYBE look forward to reviews for new albums from both Richie Spice & Anthony B.
• Maybe Soca Monarch predictions this week also
  

Big Tunes: Lover's Edition

Okay so, I'm very quick to take ideas and try to develop ideas . . . Except when it's an idea from my Wife - Then I just do what she says. And earlier this week, she had a pretty good idea and she got it on the basis of a tune which was recommended by a reader. So! Because I'm only taking one tune from a 'reader' (in the usual sense), that means that JC and Johnathan and everybody else (I think it was two or three more) who sent in tunes this week - Do it again (except maybe JC because that was a big tune, I should remember it). Here we have the (truly ridiculous) Lover's Rock edition of Big Tunes!

Okay so, obviously my aforementioned wonderful Wife is opening things up this week. Her first tune was far too simple (although a big tune) ('She's Royal') and while I'm not going to hold her to the same standards as I hold you wonderful people - That's just too damn easy! So, after searching her brain (whatever is going on in there), she came up with another pretty obvious one, but one FAR less traveled (at least for the rest of the year), of course it's J-Boog with 'Let's Do It Again'.

Okay and next in is the person who got the proverbial ball (indirectly) rolling on this post, our new best friend, Nat, buzzing around Toronto these days (did you catch that???), who comes in with a PERFECT tune for this post. It's Canada's own underrated songstress Tanya Mullings with 'A Love Thang'. I don't know too much about Mullings, but I always think of trying to involve her in some kind of way, so hopefully she'll give us a big opportunity sometime in the next ten and half months or so, by dropping a new album and biggup yourself Nat and welcome my friend!

Next we have Bredz coming through being all nice and predictable and such with Achis Reggae favourite, Bad Gyal Ce'Cile, with 'Anything'. I thought that this was too easy too, especially for him . . . Until I watched the video again and thought, really who cares. It's a big big tune and Ce'Cile you are SO SEXY and you know it. Don't you.

And lastly - It might be nice if we had some Lover's Rock on board and that's exactly what Ms. Linya is clearly thinking by getting in just in time with . . . Well, some 'Lover's Rock'. It's the incomparable and legendary Sugar Minott who provides just that. LOVE this pick from Linya (even thought it RIDICULOUSLY took her a loooooooooong time to come up with it) - You know we love you Linya.

Okay! Obviously I'm not going to the Semis which are later today, so I thought that in honour of them (you probably have no idea what I'm talking about), I thought that I'd attempt to mix in a bit of Soca and I didn't want to go in a 'usual' direction with something from Fay-Ann, Patrice or Destra or someone like such. SO! Going off radar just a slight bit, I'm going with what was one of the final cuts of my favourite Soca tunes of 2010, it's 'Rub Up' from former TnT Groovy Monarch, Biggie Irie.

• Tomorrow, I'm going to tell you what I love
• Reviews this week for Ele and blah blah blah (maybe the Backstabber Riddim, maybe something else)
• Quite possibly the most ridiculous post in Achis Reggae history coming on Wednesday or Thursday
• Grammys??? I think I might be leaning towards Gregory Isaacs
  

Big Tunes #44

Pretty interesting week yeah??? Pretty interesting group of songs this week to match also. I got so much this week, I literally got 5 Soca songs this week - And I narrowed it down to two of them for . . . Pretty much no reason and I manage to mix in some Reggae and I have no idea what my tune is this week so I'm going to pick some Reggae too to balance it out. But we have one real veteran, one kind of veteran and a completely new person so - Yeah - Let's do it.

Okay, first up this week is Denis from Florida who I'm pretty sure is 'secretly' from Greenz because this is the second song he's ever sent and the first was a combination between Sizzla and Mr. Killa so - Yeah. Anyway, this week he does me a bit of a favour because I never heard this tune from last season. Everyone is searching for Jenny, but only Synnah knows where she is, she's 'Down In De Cocoa' (with a Jab Jab apparently). MADNESS!

We're going to alternate Soca:Reggae this week (so notice the colour changes and also notice the fact that Julian from Da Ville told us how to just get the audio blocks from Youtube so big him up and also biggup Bredz) so next up is by far the most decorated of participants on this list this week, JP (who is either from North Carolina or New York by way of Guyana - I think is North Carolina) (damn I hate being dumb) who comes through STELLARLY (not a word) with a most remote drop from the year I was born: It's Sowell Radics (biggup Matilda) with 'All Nite Jammin'. The vocals on this tune are very nice, but what stands out is actually when they stop and that SWEET (!!!) riddim just continues out. Excellent selection, as usual, from JP. Happy 2011 my friend.

And lastly from my wonderful readers this week is a tune from Nat (a girl) who is originally from Brazil, but is now doing her studies in Toronto. Nat is a rookie to this post, but I 'know' her from longtime - She's a Reggae head who's starting to get more and more into Soca. Hopefully I've had a bit to do with that, but definitely living in Toronto probably has helped as well. This week she doesn't venture out too far by pulling in Shurwayne Winchester along with Collie Buddz on the remix of the former's big hit, 'Allequa'. I still prefer the original (but not by a lot), but biggup Nat who said that she's about to become a regular here and she listens to a lot of strange shit, so stay tuned.

Okayyyyyyyy! I still have absolutely no idea what I'm picking this week and I'm simply writing this to kill time while I'm thinking about it . . . OKAY! I have a good one I think. Because we talked about him this past week and I'm probably going to mention him again tomorrow - It's Prince Koloni with an older big tune, 'Thank You Jah Jah' and if you love (and you might) or you just want to hear more, you can find this tune on his debut (I THINK) self titled album which apparently is on iTunes so enjoy!

• Happy Earthday Robert Nesta Marley
• Reviews this week for Etana and . . . Hopefully Alpheus or maybe Ele
• Biggup Nico The Mighty and biggup Ras Jay
  
• I should probably say something about the Superbowl and here it is: Bredz thinks that Greenbay is going to win 20-10.
• Wanna participate? Link us at AchisReggae@hotmail.com. We do your big tune suggestions each and every Sunday, unless I find something better to do.
  

Big Tunes #43

Yes Yesssssss! (biggup Munga) Back again, another Sunday morning, another round of big tunes from my beautiful readers. To no surprise whatsoever we have a trio of regulars this week who linked me fairly early to let me know what was going on and just to say hello! One of whom even stopped by (guess who that is). We got the second couple of Big Tunes to chrissen it (biggup Edwin Yearwood) and everyone's blah blah blah - Let's go!

First up we have the big big man from out the USVI, Jah Callax (whose name I apparently mistype every other time) who is linking us with tunes from the BVI as Imo brings forth 'Everyday Struggle'. Okay, this tune is from an album, "It's Our Time", which released about a year ago, but it's gotten a bit of a second life now, so you may be able to find it in more places internationally (pretty sure that's what caught Callax' attention). This tune here is pretty nice and biggup Callax and definitely biggup Imo from out of Tortola (Hey Jalena!).

Of course, as I said, we have a couple - So in next in Jah Mrs. Callax - Deborah, who went MINING for this tune from the pretty unquestionable "Living In The Positive" album. It's Nasio absolutely DEVASTATING the people with 'Ithiopia'. I keep meaning to go back and have a listen to some of Nasio's stuff because I just don't think I was able to appreciate it when I was younger. Don't think I'd have that problem now, however. MASSIVE tune Deborah.

Okay so, Remmy (biggup Remmy) has a tune this week and it's Wayne Marshall's 'new' tune, 'Captain', over Yard Vybz' riddim of the same name which is doing a pretty big damage these days. The tune is actually a remake of his old song of the same name which was on his album a long time ago. I'm not the biggest Wayne Marshall fan in the world (don't need to tell you that) so me saying I don't like the tune is not a surprise. HOWEVER, I do think that the first version (which I think was produced by Don Corleon) is MUCH MUCH better, so we post both of them.

I'm easy EASY this week. I'll go on this more on . . . Wednesday I think, but BOTH the divine Destra Garcia AND Machel Montano are going this year for Soca Monarch and it is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS IN EVERY FUCKING WAY! I can play all I like in November, but the truth is that I would literally CRY if I missed this so we'll definitely be there (but, I digress, like I said, more on Wednesday). Anyone, Machel just collapsed and murdered everything this week by dropping what is apparently his tune for Monarch and the Road (where he's probably the current favourite in my opinion), 'Advantage' - MADNESS!

• Artist of The Month tomorrow (hopefully)
• Review of Blaak Lung's new album "Be Ever" on Tuesday
• "Stuff" post on Wednesday
  

Big Tunes!: The Return

Yeah! Yeah. I told you to give me a few weeks, I had some stuff to do and I'd bring back the most interactive portion of this Reggae writing thing. As you can see, I've changed the title, but it's the same feature yeah. So I didn't announce it, because I thought I was going to brig it back next week, but here it is so I've taken tunes from my two favourite regular (or semi-regular) (and easily accessible) participants and I've got a very necessary doubleshot myself this week. After this week, however, if you want to participate, send your BIG BIG (and hopefully at least a little obscure tunes to AchisReggae@Hotmail.com and we'll get it up on a Sunday yeah.

{Biggup Bredz for doing the video work this week because Youtube did not want to play nice with me today (thus the sizes)}

Okay so, I partially had something to do with this tune, because I've gotten sidetracked doing what I've been doing today and my beautiful Wife has apparently become a most intoxicated 'casualty' of it because she's currently LOVING 'Distance' from Aruba ace and Achis Reggae favourite, Smiley. Big tune which we've certainly talked about quite a bit around here so I won't spend too much time on it, only to say that I love that riddim (the Tek A Train) and apparently Hi Kee loves it too (more on that Tuesday).

The aforementioned Bredz, who apparently met a nice girl recently, is of course always around and this week he's going with a tune which is another which isn't very obscure around these parts, but it's definitely BIG, it's Ginjah's cut of the recent Everlasting Riddim from Pow Pow, 'Serpent'. And biggup Bredz HARD everytime.

Okay as for me, like I said, I had two things I wanted to do, very timely. First of all, we say THANK YOU and give big big respect and love to Copper Cat [22!] who everybody pretty much watched grow up as a musician under the mentorship of Richie Stephens. A couple of days ago he was killed, reportedly over a Blackberry which is damn disgusting! Here's an older tune from him, but a very fitting one, 'Things Tough'.

And now, I'm trusting that you're well well depressed at this point. So I timed something to cheer you up, because the Queen is back and she's announcing it so. It's Destra's big tune for 2011, the MASSIVE 'Welcome Back'.

{Reviews this week for Hi Kee's new album as well as Protege or Blaak Lung}

ALSO! Consistent reader, Asher from out of the UK is supporting a contest of sorts and I thought I'd let you wonderful people know about it - It's for up and coming artists and if you are such a person, check the video - Everything you need to know.

Beautiful Tunes #41

Week 41 and the final edition of 'Beautiful Tunes' for 2010. We'll be doing it again next year beginning the second week of the year, so definitely keep the suggestions coming on what is easily one of the most popular posts that I do. So thanks for everyone who's suggested a tune and this week we have 3 more from 3 familiar names including two good friends as well.

First up this week is everyone's favourite contributor and just general king troublemaker, Remmy, who ate with us this morning (Saturday) and behaved himself, for the most part. Anyone, most ridiculously, Remmy recommends this week the 'Banana Boat Song' by Harry Belafonte . . . Be honest - You know you like it. Don't you. Biggup Remmy.

Next up, picking right up where she left off is another good friend, Linya, who popped in with a tune from Ku-J last week with a tune name 'In My Town', which I'm not too crazy about, but she read that and she figured out what I was getting at so she comes right back this week with 'Mr. Customs Officer', which I do like. The artist still had quite a way to go in his career, but I'm sure what needs to be done is being done, so definitely keep an eye out for him yeah and biggup Linya everytime.

And lastly this week from you beautiful people (this year actually) is Allan who comes back after a small break with a tune from SOJA, 'You & Me' alongside Chris Boomer (who I think is new to me and is from Guam (biggup Manny)). Okay, here's the thing about this tune - As you can listen and tell, it's pretty damn strange, it's very unusual and the lead singer has a strange voice also . . . But I think I kind of like it a little. If you vibe it for a second and think it bad, trust me, don't pass on it immediately because it's better than you think and biggup Allan for turning us on to it and Happy New Year, my friend.

Biggup everyone here. For my final tune of the year, I'm not doing anything special at all, it's more like business as usual from me because a couple of weeks back or so, Blaxx dropped his first power tune of the season (or maybe the first one that I liked), of course it's another one word-two syllable piece. After being 'Dutty', 'Breathless', 'Tusty' and 'Huntin' - For 2011 on the road Blaxx is 'Trouble'. MAD!

• Biggup my Father who just got a good health check up. I'm a grown man now, but my Father is still the strongest man in the world.
• Thank you Glen Adams
• Compilations of The Year next week and reviews for Jah Mason and blah blah blah.