Off Topic: A review of Marijuana Prayer by Chezidek

Tenet. If you really think about it, there is a very finite number of things that capture our attention as human beings. As diverse as we most certainly are... our selection of entertainment, en masse, isn't quite as varied as one might think. Sure, you'll have your moments where you can find a supreme level of joy in something as simple as watching an ant go about his business, when it comes to what you're willing to actually pay for or spend more time doing, things are damn simple. For example, you've probably seen enough movies in your life to have a decent shot at predicting the ending of some confusing film that is currently in production, right now. You can pick up enough clues, here and there, to get relatively close to what its conclusion - and you may not even need to see the entire thing to get there (the next superhero movie that's made... I think the 'good guy' will win at the end) (just my thought). The musical side of this is... well, I was about to say that it's slightly "more complicated" but it really isn't. There's a Dancehall song, what is about? There're the '3 Gs' of Dancehall music: Girls, Guns and Ganja. The exception to this would be a dancing song, which're far less prevalent these days but, for the most part, most Dancehall songs you come across will be about one of the three. This isn't, at all, a critique from me. If it ain't broke, don't fix it and, as someone who LOVES Dancehall (and who is fighting the urge to say something negative about the current state of the genre...), the extent of creativity to which some of these artists can go within that narrow frame of thought can be downright astounding. One of those G's, in a truly major way, is prevalent throughout the entire genre of Reggae music and is so to the point where the argument could be made that the music, itself, has proven to be one of its greatest pieces of advertisements ever. If ganja has a theme song (and it just might), it is a Reggae tune. If it has a spokesperson or a celebrity endorsement... he/she makes Reggae music.

And there would be a nice handful of candidates for that position. Historically, SURELY the great Peter Tosh would have been up for the role but the modern era has also produced a number of healthy, potential candidates. Take, for example, the most honourable Burnhard Spliffington [bka Perfect Giddimani] who has done more than his part in populating the topic with big tunes ["DON'T WORRY OR PANIIIIIIIIIC! Cause my chronic is organic, so take a draw from it!"]. The same could be said for Lutan Fyah ["A just a little bag of herbs fi mi officer. I nah sleep a jail fi no ganja"] or, if you wanted to take a bit more 'mystical', you could even tap Ras Batch ["The root, the stem and the flowers - bring down therapeutic showers. Magnificent medicinal powers"]. That man's dedication to promoting the herb is second to none. If you wanted to grab a spotlight you could go to the likes of Collie Buddz & Marlon Asher who've both score international hits in the field and even personal favourite of mine, the Ganja Baby (although I've heard that sometimes her friends call her Ganja Lady), Queen Omega; or any number of others ensuring that songs about marijuana remain nearly as tied close to Roots music as do songs praising His Majesty.

2010

Another prime choice MIGHT be... oh I don't know.... maybe Chezidek?? It's weird thinking about it now because back when I first began to listen to his music, I don't think that I ever would have expected Chezidek to go this route. No. I am not at all surprised that he has gone on to have a tremendous career; making some of the finest music of his era and becoming a personal favourite of mine but the fact that he has gone on to demonstrate such an incredibly high penchant for making songs about ganja, in particular and in retrospect, was definitely not expected a quarter of a century or so when I first took major note of the St. Ann native. His early works such as the GORGEOUS Xterminator produced debut, "Harvest Time" ["Inna dem mind!"] was devoid of any tunes on the subject if memory serves me well (and it might not), as was its unearthly strange followup from three years on, 2005's "Rising Sun". In fact, Chezi had probably been in the process of making a name for himself for the better part of a decade -- going back to his REALLY early work -- (look up a WICKED tune called 'Congregation' from the late 90's for a taste of that and in a different style) before he made a significant drop out in the herb yard. Since he did plant that seed, however, the proverbial flood gates have been opened and, he has been one of the most delightfully unavoidable proponents of marijuana in all of Reggae music. Because of that and because why not the venerable Tad's Records have put together a specifically loosely themed set and... it isn't the first time. The brand new "Marijuana Prayer" actually follows 2010's "Herbalist" from the same label. That should really tell us something about not only Chezidek's music, in general, but the perception of of those who actually make and put the music together (industry folk!): He now has TWO albums from the same source centered around marijuana. Furthermore, if you take that aspect out of play, the man has just been making some EXCELLENT music and been doing so with Tad's. Along with the aforementioned "Herbalist" was another album Chezidek did with Tad's, back in 2020, by the name of "Hello Africa" which was absolutely fantastic and since then, there was also "Never Stop" for Irie Ites (also fantastic). Chezidek has been on a roll and I'm wondering if that run continues into 2026, with the new release. 

Of course it does [DUH!]. Despite the way I built this review and the title and central theme around "Marijuana Prayer", I don't want to make it seem as if that's all that's going on here - it most certainly is not. This is a... Chezidek album. It's full of the various ideologies that he typically covers in his music (many of which permeate Roots music, in general, just as much as ganja and if not, more) which is just fine by me. Also, there is a compilation effect here as you very well should be quite familiar with some of these songs. The opener for "Marijuana Prayer", 'Ganja Business', however, is new to my ears and eyes. Tackling a classic track whose name I don't feel like looking up, Chezi uses a rather FRAIL chorus to deliver what I'm going to consider a VIBE. I don't think there was a lot going into the planning station of 'Ganja Business' and developed almost entirely organically. That's not a critique at all. For what it is and, specifically, where it's placed on the album -- to kind of set the stage for what is to come -- I have no problem with 'Ganja Business' but better material is to come. I'm even more confident in the freshness of 'Caah Believe' as I'm almost certain it is the first single for "Marijuana Prayer". I can remember when it popped up on my radar initially, maybe a month or so before the album's release and I was damn curious to hear it (because it was a new Chezidek song... had no idea at the time that an album was forthcoming behind it). This tune deals with the persecution and prosecution of this plant and the ridiculous way in which is occurs. If not for the presence of something truly special later on, 'Caah Believe' would be my favourite song on this album. It is FANTASTIC. It's one of the better written efforts Chezidek has turned in as of late and if you want to talk about making a point, that DEFINITELY goes down here and in such a HUGE way!

"A how you run come and demonize, after you say you decriminalize?

Now mi seet clear wid my eyes: You only waan wi buy kush from di big guys

Look how hard di small farmers toil-

Inna di sun, put him suckers in di soil

And dem likkle dream you come spoil

Just to mek di big guys smile

You dun know, he ain't gotta dime

Yet you want come charge him a fine

If him no got it, you waan fi lock him down fi a long, long time

Him neva know, him neva know THERE WAS A LIMIT TO WHAT HIM COULD GROW

From di time that him hear seh ganja free, pure seed him ah sow

Inna di hills and him neva come a road

Mi caah believe, caah believe

Dem still ah lock up farmers fi ganja

Mi caah believe, caah believe

Dem still ah lock up people fi weed

Traditional ganja, farmers inna Jam

It look like dem no waan wi have nothin fi nyam

Dem buy froreign weed from up a Uncle Sam

And wi fi ah plant pure cabbage and yam

Seh dem decriminalize but you si it was a sham

Dem neva legalize and dem neva did ah plan

But food deh haffi eat for each and everyone

Di foreign investors and di natives of di land

Sacramental ganja fi di Rastaman

Medicinal marijuana fi di hospital

Recreation ganja, recreational 

Free Jamaican ganja, international"

CLEARLY Chezidek and Tad's knew that they had something serious on their hands when they wrapped up 'Caah Believe' and they were right; making it an obvious choice for a single for this album. Charged with tailing 'Caah Believe' is the excellent title track which comes pretty close to equaling the levels set by the song just ahead of it. 'Marijuana Prayer' is a lot of FUN and you don't typically use such a term to describe such a tune but that's the one that first came to my mind and stayed there (clearly it's still in there). This one features Chezidek doing exactly what you think he's doing in lifting up the positives of ganja but it's done in a variety of different ways. He sings and he does that wonderful chanting style that I wish he would employ more often and then the song is just afforded a minute (half a minute) to go on its own as the singer takes a step back for a wonderful stretch and a great touch in my opinion.  Previous single, the now... classic [?] 'Leave The Trees' is also on board "Marijuana Prayer", just as it was on the aforementioned "Herbalist" release (and it also appeared on his 2007 album, "Inna Di Road"). This song MIGHT have been the first indication of Chezidek's prowess in this spectrum as the tune, produced by Our Promotion, was a significant and remains one of his most popular to date. 'Leave The Trees', as its title suggests, is more than just a song about ganja ["It's not just about smoking. It's my medicine, my food and my clothing"]; it's also a GREEN song. It stands up for the proper care of the environment, in general, and it definitely made an impact with the masses (and this does appear to be just a remastered version of the original, not a re-recording) (but I could be wrong). 'Let's Stay Together' probably made its first rounds four or five years ago at this point and its appearance on this set comes as no surprise. I've never been crazy about this song (it's almost... kinda country-ish and doesn't have the greatest of direction) but, for whatever it's worth, it does feature an impressive more typical vocal delivery from Chezidek. He just sings the song as straight-forward as you're likely to get out of him and it is pleasant to listen to. Similarly vibed but substantially stronger is the next track in, 'Got To Go Home'. What separates the two, for me, is how well the latter is written. It's a repatriation song but there's something kind of SPICY about 'Got To Go Home'. You listen to its tone and you get one thing from it but if you actually listen to what Chezidek is saying... you can tell that he's a little pissed off!

"Nah build yuhself up like no skyscraper-

Or babylon will crush yuh like paper

The likkle money nuh mek yuh no greater

Yuh laugh now but yuh gonna cry later

Dem got yuh constrained, propaganda campaign

Yuh think yuh escape but dem got yuh contained

Yuh religion nor yuh higher education 

Politics nuh mek yuh more safer

Got dem secret organization 

DI WHOLE SYSTEM AH RUN BY SATAN 

Dem drop di slavetrade but dem still have yuh brain

DEM CONTROL YUH WATER AND YUH FOODCHAIN

Full yuh up a drugs anytime you feel pain

Lock you inna prison if you try-

Wi got to home!"

I call it a song about repatriation and it is but very loosely. Chezidek isn't necessarily saying that we need pack up and go to Africa (although that is an option) but we just need to get the hell outta here. WHEREVER our destination may be, so be it, but the current way things are going is simply unacceptable. 'Got To Go Home' is EASILY a highlight here and the same can be said for the song just behind it, 'One Life'. This one was interesting even before I'd heard it because Chezi has a much older tune by the same name which is downright glorious. It's, seriously, probably one of the best fifty or songs that he's ever done and this version appears to be same one (or very similar to it), just on a different riddim. This riddim is the Party Time (I looked that up, it's the same riddim that backs Cocoa Tea's Good Life, I was about to call it the Good Life before I checked) which goes to make for a more quaint experience. I do still prefer the former but this tune is excellent and, again, another fine example of writing on "Marijuana Prayer" as the singer warns us all to just be a bit more careful in our day-to-day lives ["Mighty men can die from just one mosquito bite"] because we only get to do this once. 

The second half of the album makes a VERY familiar turn (and I ain't complaining about it)  during its second half but its also serves up three more unexpected lights as well. The first of these is also its very first tune altogether, 'Give Me Your Love'. I know what you're thinking and I was thinking the exact same thing: Yes. That title is absolutely abysmal. It's terrible and it, seemingly, portends something... sappy as hell to come. However, while the song bearing that name most certainly isn't amongst the finest that "Marijuana Prayer" has to offer, it also any the bottom of the barrel that you might've been expecting (...you were). It is a lukewarm love song. For something reaching far higher, check 'Memba Good' and the equally delightful closer, 'Stand Up'. The former is just expressing the totality of a ton of acquired life-experience ["It's a learning, learning journey and you're never too old to learn"] and it's fairly broad. Such songs don't typically appeal to me as much as this one does, however; and I'd probably owe that to 'Memba Good' just being incredibly well put together. 'Stand Up, for its part, is even better (my opinion just changed on that within the last ten minutes. I would have rated 'Memba Good' slightly ahead prior to that). It is STERLING Roots Reggae atop a cut of a classic riddim (it's the Invasion Riddim. Who knows what the original name of that thing is). The idea here is fairly simple: You know right from right -- we all do -- and you/we should be willing to put our foot down, take a risk and stand up for what we know is right. You can take this in a billion different ways (and I think that's the intent) but the unifying thought here is damn strong and leads to an outstanding effort. NOW! I mentioned the "Hello Africa" album and the remaining four offerings, in a kinda/sorta typa way belong to that album. The most identifiable is 'Inna Dem Eye' and I alluded to this one previously. 'Inna Dem Eye' is the best song on this album. It's one of the finest songs he's ever done (it's one of the finest that anyone has ever done) but, had you looked through the tracklist, you already knew that. The other three songs do not appear on the standard release of "Hello Africa", instead they featured on its "Vinyl Cut". 'Deliver Me', 'Fool & His Money' and 'Money Move' represented the difference between versions of "Hello Africa". I thought their inclusion here was a very interesting one because OBVIOUSLY they're here to thicken out things, which is fine but there's also a bit of... 'in case you missed it' aspect going on as well. In any case surrounding the thought behind their collective presence, just as was the case for "Hello Africa", their being here makes "Marijuana Prayer" a better album. It's nearly twelve minutes of added outstanding music and that can only be a plus. Despite, if I recall correctly, 'Fool & His Money' and 'Money Move' being singles and more popular ('Money Move' is all kinds of addictive), the best of the trio remains 'Deliver Me' by the slightest of margins. When that song hits a certain level and plateaus, what we get is nearly euphoric work (you can leave that song on for ages and just enjoy over and over again). 

2021

Overall, take a second and remove the centralizing 'reason' as to why we're all here and just take a look at this one for what it is: "Marijuana Prayer" is a solid compilation of music from someone who has been on a roll for the last few years in my opinion. Chezidek is amongst the very few people making some of THE best Roots music currently and virtually any collection of his work is going to get my attention and impress and this is not the exception. Now, when you do add the specific element into things it definitely provides a bit of an extra attraction to things and while what happens isn't a 'ganja album' necessarily, it is, as I said, quite good. A "quite good" album from Chezidek works for me, regardless of how deep this "Marijuana Prayer" may go. 

Rated: 4/5

Tad's Records

2026

Chezidek Caah Believe!

Beautiful new single off the forthcoming "Marijuana Prayer" album for Tad's Records.

BOOM! 

Coming Soon from Chezidek & Tad's Records!

1. 'Ganja Business'

2. 'Caah Believe'

3. 'Marijuana Prayer'

4. 'Leave The Trees'

5. 'Let's Stay Together'

6. 'Got To Go Home'

7. 'One Life'

8. 'Give Me Your Love'

9. 'Fool & His Money'

10. 'Money Move'

11. 'Inna Dem Eye'

12. 'Deliver Me'

13. 'Memba Good'

14. 'Stand Up'

Big and beautiful news today as the scalding Chezidek is set to release a new album, courtesy of Tad's Records, in the first quarter of 2026, "Marijuana Prayer". I'd been seeing a forthcoming single from artist & producer called 'Caah Believe' (releasing a week from today on the 13th of February) and just presumed it to be a part of one of the several projects Tad's had in the works or just a random single. HOWEVER, I was delightfully wrong as a full Chezi album was in the works and, apparently, 'Caah Believe' is its initial single. 

"Marijuana Prayer" is more of a compilation as, although there're a few tunes that are new to my eyes, the majority of of it should be recognizable to fans, pinnacling with a pair of MASSIVE hits, 'Leave The Trees' and 'Inna Dem Eye'. 

Of course, you'll remember what happened the last time Chezidek & Tad's linked up for 2020's MAMMOTH "Hello Africa" and while I don't think "Marijauna Prayer" will register on those lofty levels, I'm definitely looking forward to hearing the full set.

You can join me in doing just that on the 6th of March, 2026! BOOM! 

What I'm Listening To: No Sleep Til Ash Wednesday

"One Degree Hotter" by Machel Montano [Monk Music - 2025]

First up today (as I write this on, literally, THE morning of Carnival Monday), is Trini Soca superstar, Machel Montano, who returns with a brand new album for 2025, "One Degree Hotter" (very clever title because Montano received his degree last year). Anytime Montano reaches with... pretty much anything there is going to be a big response and, at least as far as albums go, I've been very happy to see the early attention being paid to "One Degree Hotter" has been very heavy. As usual, the project contains virtually Montano's entire season with maybe a song or two that either you haven't heard at all or that didn't get much run this year. All of his biggest efforts are here such as 'Home Is Where The Heart Is' with Bunji Garlin and Mical Teja, 'Bet Meh', 'Pepper Vine' alongside Drupatee & Lady Lava and Jus Now & DJ Private Ryan which netted Chutney Soca Monarch 2025 just last night (and is EXCELLENT), personal favourites 'Wave It' and 'Fallen Fetters' with Skinny Fabulous and Road March contender (and I may just wait a couple of days to post this, and come back to change this to RM Winner), 'Pardy' (YEP! He won). We got big names making Soca albums last year like Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons and Kes but 2025 figures to be a slow year with, EASILY, "One Degree Hotter" being the biggest shot thus far. 

"Reggae Frequency" by Tiwony [7 Seals/Evidence Music - 2025]

A couple of years ago, longtime favourite of ours, Gwada fire breather, Tiwony, returned with what seemed like his first new album in an eternity, "Frequency" and now, seemingly to make up for lost time, the man is back with its nearly immediate followup, "Reggae Frequency". As the title would suggest, the new album focuses more on straight Roots Reggae music where its predecessor was more varied and you definitely appreciate the effort to make such a LARGE project, spanning a couple of years. The second half is FUN, featuring helping hands from the likes of Chezidek, King Kalabash, Bobby Hustle and others with standouts including the likes of the remix of 'Long Road' (with Chezi), 'The Plug' (with Bobby Hustle and Yung Tripp), 'Chrysantémes', the mad closer, 'Dread [Reggae Frequency]b and 'Lévé' with BadSam and Jahlia.

'Future' by Sizzla & Bushman [Lockecity Music/Kalonji Music Production - 2025]

Apparently, we're not too long away from the next album release from Reggae legend, Sizzla Kalonji. Over the past few years or so, that hasn't been a very attractive thing to say as Kalonji has put out his fair share of substandard sets but if ever there were a reason to be intrigued by the forthcoming "Scrolls Of Kalonji" (besides the title being REALLY COOL), there's this first single and, on paper, MASSIVE combination 'Future'. The tune actually has the nerve to pair Sizzla with big voiced veteran singer, Bushman which, I THINK, is a first for them and comes courtesy of Lockecity. Just that, alone, well had my attention well before I laid ears on the tune and, as it turned out, the results were pretty strong as well as the two team up to push a vibe uplifting the young people of the world. If this is any indication (and DAMN, I HOPE IT IS), "Scrolls Of Kalonji" just may have a good chance to reverse recent course which would be great because I could really go for a GOOD SIzzla Kalonji album in 2025. 

The Middle East Riddim [Greatest Friends/Evidence Music - 2025]

Biggup Greatest Friends Records from out of France (a label I'm most familiar with for their work with Queen Omega over the years) for their latest release, a cut of the Middle East Riddim, featuring a VERY interesting trio of singers. Last year, GFR would drop "Holding On", a solid set from King Lorenzo (who, suddenly, seems to be VERY popular these days and good for him!), which carried a tune by the name of 'Let Them Try' ["It's a rock road when you ah exalt Jah name. Heavy load, but wi nah go shame"], his tune on the Middle East. Joining Lorenzo are the mighty Chezidek and the woefully under-recorded Zareb (just wish we heard more from him), with 'It's No Crime' and 'Can't Fight Me', respectively. All three are at least very solid pieces of work, with Chezidek taking top honours in my opinion with a SWEET herbalist anthem. 

"Meditation" by The Nazarenes [I Grade Records - 2012]

You can definitely owe this one to "Strength & Resilience", the latest GOLDEN album release from Lutan Fyah, I Grade Records and the Zion I Kings. In doing some backgrounding (yep, that's a verb now too) for that review, I started going back through the relationship of artist and label and got back to this somewhat forgotten GEM of an album, the baker's dozen year old, "Meditation" by Eritrean bros. The Nazarenes. Lutan Fyah would feature on 'It's Too Late' (Akae Beka also makes an appearance), during an album which is just best described these days as SOLID. There wasn't a creaking plank to be found anywhere amongst the fourteen with the biggest winners being the likes of 'Mamy Blues'... I say there wasn't a weak tune on the album and then I start naming songs. Nope! The entire album was, basically, a highlight and I'm of the thinking that YOU may've missed this one. Be that the case, go and do something about that right now because I'm done writing for the day. 

Signatures Vol. IV: Chezidek

It's been a long time since we first made acquaintance with the unusually voiced singer from the sweetest place on the planet and it has been a VERY fun twenty-ish years or so. From his earlier days as, seemingly, the latest find of the mighty Xterminator Productions up to today, where he sits as a full veteran and proven hitmaker; Chezidek has had an incredibly STEADY and compelling career. Relatively recently, he's also become a 'certified' (as if such things are official) (they are not) favourite of mine and a CLEAR choice for a feature like this. So, here's a tiny collection of some of the greatest songs I've ever heard from someone who has consistently provided GEMS throughout the years. Signatures: Chezidek.

{Note: Next? Bunji Garlin}

1. 'Let I In'

Shall forever open. Though not the most obvious selection, I choose to begin this list with a tune called 'Let I In' because.... yeah, it fits, doesn't it?? This downright STUNNING track was carried on the singer's golden Xterminator guided debut set, "Harvest Time" (more on that later), way back in 2002 and while it came at a time while many were still trying to figure out what to actually make of the unusually voiced Chezidek, 'Let I In' SOARED. Aimed at oppression in various forms and seated atop a MAJESTIC track, 'Let I In' not only sought to remove societal barriers but it also, fittingly, helped to firmly place the singer on the radars of many. Myself included.

2.'Bun Di Ganja'

REAL HARD. I was thinking that maybe, just maybe, I was including too many songs on this list of a similar nature but then it occurred to me: It's my list and I can do whatever I wanted to with it. It's damn difficult to leave out this COOL tune from the Irie Ites (told you we might be hearing from them again), on their cut of the Strange Things Riddim, 'Bun Di Ganja'. The song, in total has a big vibes but, in particular, there are stretches of 'Bun Di Ganja' which SOAR! 

"Herb haffi bun

Chalice haffi light

Caan get no herb, wi no have no appetite

Babylon just ride pass, pon di bike

Nah dash weh mi weed from mi know seh dat nuh right

Dem caan lock wi up, it would cause a big fight

Mi nah go a jail, not even fi a night"

3. 'Walk With Jah'

King & Saviour. JSR also worked magic alongside the singer (they should really think about doing another album together at some point) to the tune of what I still regard as the brightest highlight on a set brimming with them, "Judgement Time", 'Walk With Jah'. 'Walk With Jah' was a praise. It's a simple as that. You've heard thousands such tracks and it added nothing at all new to the category, BUT IT WAS STUNNING! There is something so devastatingly and powerfully SIMPLE to 'Walk With Jah' that it, literally, freezes you. It demands your attention and does so today just as much as it did when I first laid ears on it. 

4. 'Inna Dem Eye'

KING MAN COME. As it stands, RIGHT NOW, the biggest tune in my opinion that Chezidek has ever done is the EPIC 'Inna Dem Eye'. The song featured the artist putting on a historical display -- one of the greatest such tunes that I can EVER recall hearing -- in celebration of all things Rastafari. The basics of such a piece were not surprising at all but this tune was of an entirely unusual quality. Chezidek ASCENDED with 'Inna Dem Eye' and he's still going up.

"21st of April, 1966

King Selassie I make that visit

RASTA MEK DI BABYLON DEM LOOK LIKE RUBBISH"

5. 'Kill Dem' featuring Queen Omega

Hot like the equator. NO! I did not forget about this tune (I did forget that it was Irie Ites' though, so my apologies). Never one for doing too much in the way of combination -- at least in my opinion -- Chezidek and Irie Ites did all the world a favour on his most recent full release, "Never Stop" from a couple of years ago, when they pulled in the incomparable Queen Omega to link for 'Kill Dem'. I will continue this series and I will eventually get around to doing one of these features on the Queen and if you have read my work to any degree, you know precisely in just how high esteem I hold her and 'Kill Dem' did not disappoint. She does threaten to steal the show, but Chezi also more than holds his own as the two unite and send one straight to the hearts of oppressors WHEREVER THEY MAY BE.

6. 'Leave The Trees'

And let them be. Chezidek' distinct GREEN TUNE, 'Leave The Trees' was very close to not making the cut until I did a  very basic search to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything... I was. 'Leave The Trees' was this very 'well-ventilated' and OPEN tune touching Chezidek's favourite topic (it's also likely Marlon Asher's favourite Chezidek tune as well). The vocalist would look at things from a variety of different perspectives apart from the typical route; the most interesting of the lot being the harm on the environment committed in the name of the insistence of certain individuals on FIGHTING A PLANT... A PLANT.

7. 'Inna Di Road'

Blood dem ah shed. Despite the undeniable heft of its direction (probably be the biggest social commentary Chezidek has ever done, 'Inna Di Road' probably, most immediately, sticks into your mind (about fifteen years later) for just how DAMN COOL it was. I won't overlook it at all: You could very well make the case that it is the best written tune here, as it comprehensively takes a look at several social topics, namely violence and general crime and does so BRILLIANTLY... but there is a certain confidence and succinctness that came through 'Inna Di Road'. It had the vibes that he had rehearsed (and rehearsed and rehearsed) it a few dozen times before actually recording it. Whatever was done in preparation for arguably the biggest hit of Chezi's career - IT WORKED. 

8. 'All My Life'

All my days. Three years following the release of the twice aforementioned "Judgement Time", Chezidek reached back with JahSolidRock to deliver its mighty followup, "The Order Of Melchezedik" which would have MASSIVE shoes to fill and it definitely did not disappoint. A dozen years on, THE signature of "The Order Of Melchezedik" is the intoxicating praise that was 'All My Life'.

"All my life, in all my days

THE JOY OF MY HEART IS TO GIVE RASTAFARI PRAISE"

'All My Life' presented the actual ACT of giving praise as euphoric. It and it, alone, is capable of bringing good vibes and feelings to people and he wrapped it up in this BEAUTIFUL package which has stuck with me and likely always will. 

9. Ganja Tree

Don't burn down no more!  The sweet, SWEET 'Ganja Tree' appeared on 2010's IMMACULATE "Judgement Time", courtesy of our friends from the highest region, JahSolidRock... 

Let me tell you something: I KNEW I was going to have 'Ganja Tree' somewhere on this list, so when I started gathering song titles, it was in the very first batch, but it had been a while from the last time I heard it. I'm writing it RIGHT NOW (DUH!) and it HIT ME! It broke me down! 'Ganja Tree' is a classic which has set the deepest of roots all over my mind. I was completely and thoroughly pleased with myself for being able to sing the entire thing from memory despite the time it had been.

"CHALICE HAFFI LIGHT BEFORE THE NEWS READ!"

10. 'Call Pon Dem'

Big conference. A massive credit goes to Massive B, whose glorious (and under-voided , in my opinion) Kingdom Riddim played the perfect backdrop for a tune that still sits as one of the largest and most popular of Chezidek's entire career to date, 'Call Pon Dem'. in order to fully appreciate this one, you have to pay it its respect on two levels. Of course, you want to listen to it and respect it, lyrically and the ideology behind it (which is what we do around here), but 'Call Pon Dem' also JUST SOUNDS REALLY GOOD! It's very pleasing to listen to and damn difficult [impossible] to ignore. It's very infectious and, listening to it all of these years later, there can be no surprise at the heights the tune would reach or the damage that it did in its day.... and still is.  

11. 'Harvest Time'

Dinner time. I actually feel quite proud to say that, over a couple of decades later, the title track from Chezidek's aforementioned freshman release is one of a few laying a large and legitimate claim to being THE single best that I have ever heard from him. 'Harvest Time' literally perfect. BIG and DIRECT, but not overstated, the tune had a point to make and it did precisely that in its time with this downright INTOXICATING delivery for the most part. Ranging somewhere between a chant and full-on deejaying, Chezidek delivered a vibe for the ages, saying it was time for things to become more inclusive in the world.

12. 'Who I Am'

Accept me. Given just how productive artist & label have been with one another, such a list would be incomplete (and just WRONG) without at least one contribution from Irie Ites and here it is (I'm actually still putting it together and wouldn't be surprised if I put another one from Chezidek & II in here somewhere) (have one, in particular, in mind). I hate to say it but had I worked on this list as recently as... maybe three or four years ago, 'Who I Am' would not have made it and it would not have even come close. Despite nearing twenty years of age and despite me well being aware of it, 'Who I Am' never really hit me until fairly recently and when it did I heard a certain... quaintness? There's something very COMFORTING about this tune but in a slightly unusual way (it's like finding out someone who you've known for a really long time has twin or something like that). Whatever the case, what was once just a random tune in Chezidek's back catalogue is now a significant favourite of mine and, EASILY, one of the best he's done to my opinion. Certain things that always standout do so here as well but I also LOVE the themes of RESPECT and SELF-RESPECT in a very basic and non-labourious way. It is easy a hell to treat someone decently. It literally requires no effort at all!

"ACCEPT ME FOR WHO I AM!"

13. 'Herbalist'

High grade campaign. Chezidek was one of several big names taking advantage of the SWEET Jam Down riddim from Danger Zone ["I'm waiiitinggggg"], with 'Herbalist', the riddim's obligatory ganja tune. 'Herbalist', sonically, was GOLD. Underratedly (melodically speaking), the song probably features one of the finest vocal performances of Chezi's entire career and he well took advantage of that most 'promotional' of tracks (it wasn't terribly difficult to be good on the Jam Down. It was very well done). The tune also did damage and was a sizable hit and has gone down as one of his most popular releases to the surprise of NO ONE AT ALL. 

14. 'Dem A Dweet'

Inna di open? Finally is this WOEFULLY underappreciated GEM of a tune which appeared on the Bassie Campbell produced "Freedom Fighters" album in 2013, 'Dem A Dweet'. The track took aimed at the more two-faced members of society who spend their time chanting down actions which they, themselves, partake in. Along with being lyrically damn scathing, something that has always attracted me to 'Dem A Dweet' has been its delivery. Originally, Chezidek came up as a deejay and while this one isn't straight-forward in that respect, it is a nearly perfect blend of what Chezidek is known for these days and where his origins lie. 

BOOM!: Energy Level by Chezidek

"Stand up and tell I if you love Jah!

Stand up and sing it loud and clear!

For it should never be no secret

I wanna know, I wanna hear!"

....just thought you might want to hear this tune. Isn't it so nice! 

Label is UTH Music.

 

Chezidek & JahSolidRock are Spiritual People

Okay so, I'm behind. I have quite a few new things I want to take a look at (and a review I need to finish... and maybe another I want to start even though I already know I do not like that album. Think it'll be fun to write about), but today we're jumping yet another new tune to the head of the line because it's bringing together not only a pair of our favourites but a pair who's already proven their stock in working alongside one another over and over again as the great Chezidek returns to the highest region and links, once again, with JahSolidRock. Anytime either artist or label have anything going - I'm interested. When you put them together, it pretty much gets all of my musical attention and this time around, the gorgeous 'Spiritual People' is doing precisely that. 

"Say we all are the same spiritual people

Fighting against the same common evil"

Chezidek does his best (and does an amazing job at it) to bring together positive people from every single background and belief system to a point where, at its core, 'Spiritual People' is a unity song. It's about how people who walk such different paths in life (and maybe even those who take no path at all) can find some semblance of common ground between them. At the tune's peak for me Chezidek lift up various books of faith and, again, no matter which one is for you, he mentions how they all speak the truth and how power and guidance can be found within them all. That's RARE from a lyrical standpoint as though you've heard dozens of hundreds of Roots tunes about unity and will hear many more, you don't hear that side, in particular, very often at all. 

And though you know what I'm thinking now (...a third???), I'll hold off on that (although such a thing would SWEETEN 2024 to a cavity inducing degree), instead I'll just recommend that you lay a pair of ears on a big new tune, courtesy of a pair of increasingly towering entities. BOOM! 

 

The Harvest: A review of Never Stop by Chezidek

Rarity. I do not know a thing at all about actually making music. It is a process which, strangely enough, does not interest me to learn more about but, as you can see, I am most grateful for the finished product. How songs are written does interest me greatly but the act of placing word and riddim together is a process which is beyond me and likely always will be. What I do find myself far more captivated by, however, is the observance and examination of years and years of brilliantly blending those two together and having a successful career in music. This is amplified even more so for me when I have the opportunity to kind of following along actually during the moment and, hopefully, be able to relate the progress to something that sticks out for me, personally; and I am lucky because over all of these years, I feel like I've been on a full-on journey with some of these artists. They're like friends of mine and I can often associate random times and happenings (and sometimes actual people) of my life (I can remember sitting in a car, for example, listening to a Spragga Benz song and kind of 'translating' it for a friend of mine's husband and what started out as a song eventually turned into almost the entire "Thug Nature" album ["Spin yuh roll mi gal!"]) (biggup Dennis) with listening to their music. It was nearly twenty-one years ago now when I came across a very solid debut album called "Harvest Time", from Philip 'Fatis' Burrell and the Xterminator camp for a singer with a most unusual voice from the sweetest place on earth by the name of Chezidek. Though I was all kinds of impressed with what I would hear on that set, I think I would've been pretty surprised had you told a not quite twenty-one year old me that not only would I still be listening to Chezidek's music a couple of decades on (that part wouldn't have been too surprising, actually) but that all of those years later, he would grow into someone whose music I held in just about the absolute highest esteem (at that time, i would've surely thought that about Chezidek's Xterminator labelmate, Turbulence... who fell in love with love songs one day and never came back). I would have been even less convinced three years following that debut when Chezi's sophomore effort, the wildly perplexing "Rising Sun" reached (let's see if it's still weird; I haven't heard it in awhile.... YEP! Still is) and I don't want to make the case that it has been completely 'smooth sailing' over the past twenty years -- it has not -- but given where he's arrived on this day in 2023, though I've never met the man and likely never will, I am proud of the artist that Chezidek has developed into. His name is one just a handful of others (one of which definitely appears on this album) whom I fairly frequently find myself just looking up to see if I've missed anything in the way of new releases because I am that convinced that anything that they drop is at least worth hearing and, potentially, downright special. He is one of the genre's heaviest of hitters in terms of actual quality, at least as far as I'm concerned.

So what happened? Nothing really that I can put a finger on. Chezidek's rise hasn't been a burst or an instant, it's been more gradual. Now, I look back on some of the releases that he's done in his career and I even do it expecting to hear something special and, for the most part, that is precisely what I encounter... so it has me wondering if it's been more of a matter of me changing rather than any type of grand progression in what was already a sizable talent. Along with "Harvest Time" ["Inna dem mind!"], I always go back to a personal few favourites which I mention quite often so I'll refrain from doing it here (but biggup Jahsolidrock anyway) and I find that list growing these days as I go back more often and find such joy on projects that I never rated quite as highly such as "Irie Day", "Mash Dem Down" and "I Grade". At least 'strong' releases from the moment they arrived but I hear them these days with a level of appreciation that I didn't have when they were fresh out of the pot ("I Grade", in particular, is damn near spectacular).

Moving forward, it'll be interesting to see what Chezidek does when it comes to albums and with whom he works, but his present is looking positively sterling. Along with the aforementioned Xterminator and JSR, when you consider some of the various imprints and producers with whom the singer has enjoyed some of the biggest successes of his career, you're talking about the likes of Massive B, Our Promotion, Tad's and a healthy variety of others which would DEFINITELY include one venerable Irie Ites Records from out of France. Given just how prolific both artist and label have been over the course of the past twenty years or so, it almost comes as a surprise - the fact that they haven't linked up together on an official project to date as, along with that general activity, they've also been highly effective together. As far as I can tell, Chezidek's musical relationship with Irie Ites dates all the way back to 2005 at the latest, so we're nearing two decades of them working alongside one another and we're fortunate that, as the first third of 2023 comes to its conclusion... CHEZIDEK AND IRIE ITES HAVE FINALLY MADE AN ALBUM TOGETHER! The much anticipated "Never Stop" is finally here and it continues to build on what has already been a remarkable year for Reggae albums, following releases from the likes of Queen Omega, Anthony B, Chuck Fenda, Mykal Rose, Jah Mali and others - if you are a fan of the music, you have tons to be thankful for early this year. One of the first things that came to my mind in regards to "Never Stop", again, is in regards to just how lofty the expectations for it are going to be given its predecessors -- in general -- but also in its own 'vicinity'. In 2020 Chezi released an outstanding pair of collections in "Timeless" and 'Hello Africa". Though the former was more of an EP (though a very healthy one at thirty-six minutes long), it was sublime and I am well looking forward to him working with the Ligerians at some point in the (hopefully very near) future (there's a song on that album called 'Over the Mountains' which just.... destroys me); while the latter, to put it simply, was rather easily one of the best albums of his career and we scored it a 5/5 and that was probably a little low, actually (a very fair case could even be made that "Hello Africa" was Chezidek's greatest album to date, in my opinion). So he's been on a roll on the fullest side as well, but I had absolutely nothing in the way of concern of its quality when "Never Stop" was announced because, as I said, the track-record of both Chezidek and Irie Ites, apart and together, is unquestionable. For their part, I won't go through their decorated history, but recently Irie Ites has been back on their grind as well in releasing new riddim projects such as the Ina Struggle and ASAP, as well as an album for a delightful Horace Andy influenced singer from out of Spain, George Palmer, and II has also been working on remastering and re-releasing quite a bit of their outstanding back catalogue as well (and when you really begin to get into the work those people have done over the years, it is damn impressive!). It's been business as usual as it has seemingly always been for Irie Ites. Listening through "Never Stop" did several things for me. It made me nostalgic at times and it also continued to build upon the outstanding new material that we had heard just ahead of the album's release. If you're not doing anything else at the moment, I'd love to tell you about it!.

In regards to the album's announcement and pre-release attention, "Never Stop" has been unsurprisingly impressive. I suppose it's becoming more of a concern of an older era (where we routinely saw albums from big artists on decent labels which went entirely overlooked by all besides a dedicated handful of us) as we see a respectable level of publicity garnered prior to these releases more often these days. Even with that being said, however, even before laying ears on it, I knew that "Never Stop" came from a first-class design; featuring a number of highlighted singles ahead of the release date and a steady reminder of what was to come. Thankfully the music does not let it down at all and getting it started is what I believe was the album's initial single, the golden negativity-expunging 'Dem No Worry' which popped up back in late January. This one had such a chilled vibes to it that I think it may've gone overlooked were it not given a spotlight of its own but for anyone who gave it any type of significant listen, you quickly came to the conclusion that you were listening to something pretty special. Thinking about it now, the vibes kind of fit the nature of the song, in my opinion. There isn't any stress here; there is a course and a method for dealing with any adverse situation (or adversary, for that matter) and that's the road we'll take when we get there ["Think a lucky, mi lucky, but a Jah watch over wi"]. Chezidek isn't losing any sleep over it and he's saying that you shouldn't be either via this gorgeous opener, which prevails as one of the lasting biggest moments from "Never Stop". Next in  is a very familiar tune which I think is actually new, at least to my ears, 'Try', which tests a classic riddim. This one will require a bit more effort on our part (figuratively speaking) as, as opposed to 'Dem No Worry', 'Try' isn't a call for relaxation or taking things easy; it's a call for action and perseverance.

"Dem fight mi but dem caan stop mi

Try trick mi but dem caan trap mi 

Place slippery, but dem caan drop mi

Cause Jah Jah is guiding I

I seh dem try blacklist mi pon hitlist

But every obstacle ahgo get dismissed

And mi seh Jah Jah, You art I witness

I seh dem just cant stop mi now!

Neva stop, neva neva stop

Try, try, try, try!

The battle hard, but the victory's mine, mine, mine mine!

Dem ah fight mi, think mi nah know dat

Dem nuh like mi, think mi nah know dat

Set trap inna mi way lke roadblock

DEM CUT DOWN DI TREE, BUT IT GROW BACK

Every blow dem ah throw, mi ah throw back"

The chorus on 'Try' is kind of strange because I didn't recall loving it at first but, well after I'm on to another track, I'm still singing it and not in a frustrating way at all. 'Try' is excellent and I'm thinking the masses will eat it up as it is also a quite exciting piece to hear as Chezidek dusts off the deejaying skills to a splendid effect in the name of maintaining the proper course in life in the eyes of opposition. What I believe was the final pre-album single, the very interesting 'Who Fool You' comes near the head of "Never Stop" as well and it finds Chezidek revisiting another very fruitful link as well. I previously mentioned the "Timeless" drop from a few years back, it was done alongside the Ligerians, who also guest on 'Who Fool You' as well. This tune is just HEAVY! From that perfectly rigid one-drop carrying it, up to Chezidek's vocals which move around it so fittingly, 'Who Fool You' is a fully gorgeous composition and one which should find a large audience especially with the more seasoned of fans, as Chezi says that things are not always as they appear. I thought 'Try' sounded a bit familiar but I'm probably wrong on that. 'Jah Jah Bless', on the other hand, I'm quite sure as it appeared in a different version on an album from several years ago by the name of "Irie Day". That cut of 'Jah Jah Bless' featured Chezidek alongside the legendary Capleton, who is not on board on the track that appears on "Never Stop" and though you cannot replace someone like Capleton, with his explosiveness, Chezidek, solo, turns in a fine effort on a simply beautiful vibes in praise of His Imperial Majesty ["Guide our thoughts and direct our footsteps. Alla wi prayers, Jah accept. When I & I call and make a request, Jah Jah never reject. WHEN I & I CALL AND MAKE A REQUEST, RASTA ALWAYS ACCEPT"].

Even casual heads know how much Chezidek loves to sing about ganja and it is a fascination which he clearly has not sated ahead of "Never Stop' as evidenced by the presence of longtime favourite 'Bun Di Ganja'. Chezidek's blazing cut of II's Strange Things Riddim, 'Bun Di Ganja' represents the first big shot from the annals of artist and label spending so much time making big tunes alongside one another and it has not lost a damn thing throughout the years here as it sounds as good as ever! The same is to be said another past mountain of a tune carried here, the absolutely gorgeous 'Who I Am'. This song, fairly recently, has become one of the best songs I have ever heard from Chezidek! It's fantastic in so many ways and I'd known of it prior to then, but.... for some reason it just recently began hitting on me on such a level, which is strange but so be it! It's so delightful as Chezidek full-on celebrates individuality and the differences that we all have. They are beautiful things and are best used bring us together as opposed to drive us apart. 'Mr. Officer' is another piece your eyes and ears may recognize if they're lucky and they also may appreciate the presence of another favourite of Irie Ites, King Lorenzo (who is credited as the far less Google-friendly 'Lorenzo' here). 'Mr. Officer' was a sublime social commentary with an infectious sound which, again, has not diminished even remotely over the years. Lorenzo was one of those artists like Chezidek, Lutan Fyah, Spectacular and a few others with whom Irie Ites made some of their finest work and, in 2009, the singer had his own album for the outfit, the fine "Movin' Ahead" ('Mr. Officer' was on it as well) which is well worth your time if you have not heard it (.... and even if you have. Might be time for another spin). 'Good Girl' was another one that I hadn't set ears on prior to "Never Stop" and although I cannot rank it as one of the biggest offerings here, it is a strong selection and one which I now have a greater appreciation for after more than a few listens. 'Good Girl' isn't really a 'love song' (Chezidek doesn't do nearly as much of those as (TURBULENCE) you might expect), it's more of a motivational drop for women who are living upstanding and respectable lives..... you know what; if you asked me about this one again in a few months, I might actually love it. It does have a very faint, but curious power about it. This middle portion of the album also serves up another more recent single, 'It's Time' which is problems!

"Can hear it everywhere you are

Listening to the voices everyday youth, star

Never let the system tear you apart

Ah seh a revolution soon start!

Dem think a peace and safety and ah lay back

Di promise and di prophets all find a way back

Seh all di downpressers ahgo get a payback

DI WARRIORS DEM NAH STAY BACK!

Di Empress dem clean di youth dem safe intact

A fi wi liberation dat

Wi climbing to di highest of heights, wi nah stay pon flat

A SEEKING WI REDEMPTION DAT!

Wi gonna burn dem down, wi gonna burn dem down

It's the time!

It's the time!"

Grrrr! The time is now to make some big changes in the world and that is the core sentiment behind this chunk of absolute deliciousness of a social commentary. I missed it? I knew of 'It's Time' and I thought that I'd climbed all over it but... I mean.... I didn't know it was like this. This is something else.

Speaking of social commentaries, Chezidek also takes about four minutes to give his opinion on one of the biggest occurrences in the world over the past year or two on 'Ukraine'. There is a certain simplicity that this one has that I well appreciate. Chezi doesn't approach it from the standpoint of a political scientist or even someone directly involved, but he gingerly makes the point that such a happening is the concern of the entire world and that things need to change. 

"So call the general, tell him:

Call the president, tell him:

No more bombs and no more shelling

NO MORE SHOOTING WHERE PEOPLE DWELLING

And all di long-range missiles that you selling

It only add more to di blood-shedding

Seh it's the wrong direction weh yuh heading

How much innocent life lost already?

It haffi done

It haffi done

It haffi done

It haffi done

I waan yuh build back di bridges

Tear down di fences

Forget di evil - back to yuh senses

Innocent life lost down in de trenches

Woman & children, living in tents

Seh di consequences

Consequences

Whole world ah feel di consequences

Consequences

Consequences

Death & destruction: consequence

They've been bombing hospitals, schools and churches

Kiling di people, they show no mercy

Villages empty, towns are empty

Cities are warzones

There is no ending"

It hasn't been a 'popular' topic in Reggae music that I've noticed so, just in theory, I'm happy that Chezidek chose to make a song about it and it doesn't hurt that the results are of such a high order as well. The Mafia & Fluxy laid Down In Jamaica Riddim ["Caught up inna bad traffic! It's like a money racket!"] backs 'Bad Out Deh' which also features the handiwork of the legendary Mr. musical everything, Dean Fraser (you know how respected you are when you do not utter a single word on a track and get an official credit as a featured artist). Another beaming piece about  the state of affairs in the world, like..... just about all of the other tunes you will find on this album, 'Bad Out Deh' shines (did you catch what I did there? Did you???). In this case, in particular, what really stands out is just how bright the song is (and I'm still doing it). There is a joyfulness here standing on top of everything else! No, things aren't perfect (and they never will be) and they aren't how we would like them to be right now, but certain things exist and are in place for us all to be thankful for and to enjoy ["Without life, mi seh nothing can work"]. Also, I have no idea who they are but I do give a credit to the backup singers who, although it is subtle, really add to what turns out to be one SWEET vibe. The final offering (technically) from "Never Stop" is problematic for me. I have issues with it. 'Kill Dem' just so happens to feature Chezidek alongside the wholly incomparable Queen Omega! What! HUH! Stop playing with me! Fresh off releasing my choice as the sitting album of the year "Freedom Legacy", Queen Omega makes an explosive appearance on another one of the top contenders and she does so with her typical flare and genius.

"Alright, alright mi seh one day, yuh judgment ahgo reach yah

Surely won't miss yah, ahgo meet yuh

Listen to the musical teacher

The statutes, laws and ordinances - is that is what mi feature

Thou shall not kill, it is said by The Creator

The leaders have no love!

That mean seh dem a hater

Dem breeding hate and fraction 

Worshipping their saviour

Rejoice in shedding blood,dem nuh respect how they make yuh

Dis prayer coming differently, it's hot like the equator!"

I had seen what turned out to be a very basic and somewhat confusing tracklist for "Never Stop" and though I'd seen a tune called 'Kill Dem', I had no clue that Queen Omega was apart of it and when I finally did see that she was on board, it made a set that I was already well anticipating even more promising, if that were possible. She doesn't disappoint (she never does) and neither does Chezidek (ditto).

While the physical version of the album stops right there, the digital version of "Never Stop" also brings in more material. Of significant interest would be the presence of dub versions of four of the songs I just told you about with the very first, fittingly, being 'Kill Dem' which is now 'Kill Dem Dub'. When I saw this, there was one track which stood above the rest that I was hoping Irie Ites had taken the time to do a dub of and sure enough it comes in second as 'Who Fool Dub'. I am no dubhead, I am far from an expert on the topic in any way, shape or form, but I just knew that 'Who Fool You' had a sound which made it a perfect candidate for such a mix. It has a certain 'density' to it that I typically am attracted to and I got nowhere into before it brought a smile to my face! Clocking in at only five seconds north of the original version, it even sounds like so much more, making it not only the finest dub on "Never Stop", but amongst the very best altogether. 'Try', relicked as 'Try Dub', and the opener which is now 'Dem No Dub' round things out, providing a notable contrast between an old school sound with more of a modern one and the latter actually manages to also place itself quite highly on the release in my opinion. Lastly, and curiously, also present is another dose of 'Bun Di Ganja'. on the digital list, the first tune is "Burn Di Ganja - Edit" and this one is just "Bun Di Ganja" which makes me think that one is just the remastered version while the other is the original. They're very similar, I hear no appreciable difference but apparently someone (or maybe everyone) at Irie Ites really loved it and... you can't blame them for that. I also want to mention that there are several Chezidek/Irie Ites creations that did not make the cut here and while, clearly, they couldn't have included every single song they've ever done and still have room for new material, I was wondering why something like 'Powers of The Lion' was absent.... but maybe that's just me!

Overall, despite the extremely high and, perhaps, borderline-unfair expectations I had going into it, "Never Stop" still manages to impress and it does so in a way which isn't full of tricks at all. If you've enjoyed much of Chezidek's output over the past twenty years or so, I can all but completely guarantee that you will enjoy it as well. Furthermore, it also comes through in stereotypical Irie Ites style. If you know what they do, you know that quite a bit of it has more of an older Reggae/Dancehall sound; it is what they've always excelled at and they do it just as good if not better than any modern Reggae imprint going today; so if you like what you've heard from them regardless of the vocalist, "Never Stop" is also going to work for you. I would also place the release in the upper portion of the catalogue of the artist; he has made finer, but not many and I wouldn't be surprised to see the quality of this one, like several of its predecessors, only get better with time. If he has shown nothing throughout his career, Chezidek has well demonstrated a 'rising durability'. His music not only ages well - it seems to get stronger. "Never Stop" will be more of the same within a career which has been so much fun to watch, looking back, and is as "strong" today as ever. Well done.

Rated: 4.75/5

Irie Ites Records/Evidence Music

2023

CD + Vinyl + Digital

Chezidek & Irie Ites Never Stop!

"Never Stop" by Chezidek [Irie Ites]

1. 'Dem No Worry'

2. 'Try'

3. 'Who Fool You'

4. 'Jah Jah Bless'

5. 'Burn Di Ganja' [Edit]

6. 'Good Girl'

7. 'Who I Am' [Edit]

8. 'It's Time'

9. 'The Game'

10. 'Mr. Officer' [Radio Edit]

11. 'Ukraine'

12. 'Bad Out Deh' [Edit]

13. 'Kill Dem'

14. 'Kill Dem Dub'

15. 'Who Fool Dub'

16. 'Try Dub'

17. 'Dem No Dub'

18. 'Bun Di Ganja' [Original Mix]

....I mean..... this is just getting ridiculous! Following the madness that is set to unfold this coming Friday, you are going to have exactly THREE WEEKS to recover before yet another potential GEM of an album is set to release as the infinitely impressive Chezidek (seriously, if I named my top 10 favourite artists of all time, Chezidek's name just may be in there somewhere) is set to make his return and do so with one of THE most reliable units in the business, Irie Ites, on a big new album, "Never Stop". Previously, Chezi and II dropped the album's initial single, 'Dem No Worry', which has now been followed up with its second, the excellent 'It's Time'. 

Singer and label have a very long history of working together - a fact which is well reflected in the tracklist for "Never Stop". Along with newer sets, I was very pleased to see some of their older collaborations present as well as such as personal favourite, 'Who I Am' ["Accept me for who I ammmmm!"] [Note: One of the tracklists I found, which I chose for this post, includes the word EDIT after the song titles, I'm going to assume that means remastered versions of the song]. It's almost hard to believe that, despite having worked together so long (probably nearing two decades at this point) and having been so active individually, Chezidek & Irie Ites have never made a full album together.

That all changes on April 14th, when we get what is sure to be one of the year's finest releases, "Never Stop", arrives. CLEARLY someone, somewhere is being kind to us.

And in other Chezidek news, he also has a video for 'Herb Dealer', his cut of the Ganjaville Riddim, where it reigned as THE finest selection. BOOM!