What I'm Listening To: Summa Come!

"God & I" by I-Octane [Conquer The Globe Productions]

Okay so, the last time we heard from I-Octane on an album, it was nothing nice. I'm pretty sure I chose his "Dancehall Gift" set as one of the (if not THE) worst release of 2023 and, listening to it now, I'm comfortable with that decision. It was terrible. His 2025 release, on the other hand, is more of what we've come to expect from the ultra-gifted I-Octane while not losing more of the experimental type of edge that he's been working with lately. The sound is varied, which is just fine, and it features moments where Octane SHINES. Highlights are numerous and include 'Thankful', 'Constant War', 'Perception', 'Walk With A Chip', 'Success', the very colourful title track and others. Shane-O guests as does Vershon. 

"Jah Over All" by Danny I [Trinity Farm Music]

Biggup Ancient King and Trinity Farm Music for pushing out the new "Oath Of Akae" album which gave me a reason to go back through the recent catalogue of TFM and realize that I had [FOOLISHLY] (and I'm sorry) neglected to mention an EP that they had done almost a year ago now, by the name of "Jah Over All" from a somewhat reclusive favourite of mine, Cruzan vocalist, Danny I. Like virtually everything Danny I has ever done in his career, "Jah Over All" is outstanding. It's an excellent release and it is, again - like everything else that he's done, something else that makes you wish he was more active. Pinnacled by the absolutely glorious title track, the EP features seven songs that were just SCREAMING for a wider round of attention. Here's your notice! Take a listen! 

The Door Step Riddim [Train Line Records + EarthStrong Productions]

I hate to say because its creator, Train Line Records (in association with Earthstrong Productions), has been very strong as of late but, to be honest, I wish I could have made more of a big deal about their latest creation, The Door Step Riddim, and I would have if I... liked it a bit more than I actually do. The Door Step (which I'm pretty sure is a cut of the Picture On The Wall Riddim) is OKAY. It's nothing special despite featuring tunes from some of my favourites such as Lutan Fyah, Perfect Giddimani, Pressure Busspipe (whose 'Working Man' is probably the riddim's finest) and even Norris Man. On paper, this one looks a bit better than it turns out though. 

The California Riddim [Greatest Friends + Evidence Music]

On the other hand from the aforementioned Door Step Riddim, would be Greatest Friends' California Riddim which also features a stellar lineup of vocalists but, in its case, turns out to be quite strong musically as well. Who's here? In just seven songs, we get the likes of Chezidek, Mark Wonder, Ras Mac Bean, King Lorenzo and even PRINCE THEO (don't know if he's back to going by Prince Theo or is still Theo Nyeemiya these days) touching down on the California, along with Anthony John and Vanzo and EVERYONE turns in at least a solid effort, as you would imagine and hope. There's nothing missing on this one! The riddim's best likely comes from either RMB or King Lorenzo with 'Greatest Friends' and 'I Know', respectively but, again, there's much to be enjoyed here on what is one of the best riddim compilations of the first half of 2025, in my opinion. Also included are a clean version of the California Riddim, as well as a dub. ENJOY! 

The Strange Things Riddim [Irie Ites Records]

In a twist for a blast from the past today we go back to the future with a SWEET re-release courtesy of the fine people at Irie Ites, the Strange Things Riddim. It was Mafia & Fluxy who vibed the riddim for II and it sounds as good as ever, about a decade and a half later. All these years later, unsurprisingly, Irie Ites is still supplying fans with outstanding releases and they've also been doing nice sets like this, where they relive some of the classics. Time has been fairly nice to the Strange Things Riddim and it has declared Chezidek's MASSIVE 'Bun Di Ganja' the finest tune here but you'll also find winners from Pressure Busspipe, Lutan Fyah, Sizzla Kalonji, of course John Holt and others (like Spectacular, who has a new album that I'm thinking about reviewing). 

Signatures I: Akae Beka

Okay so, I've had this idea for awhile but I've always found myself too stuck on a review or between ideas to actually get to working on it, but now is the time. "Signatures" is very simple: It's an album-style (meaning somewhere in the range of 12-16 tracks) list of my absolute favourite songs from a particular artist. The idea originally came from noticing that, despite the fact that he has... I don't even feel like counting now... DOZENS of albums to his credit, no one has ever put together a 'greatest hits' type of compilation for the great Vaughn Benjamin that I know of and it's understandable why, actually. In general, it would probably require tons of work (and quite a bit of money) to put together, given all the various producers/labels he spent his majestic career working alongside but also... how do we register "hits" when it comes to someone like Benjamin. The only charts you're likely to have ever found his work on would have been very specific album sales and it doesn't appear that he's stacked what we typically regard as 'popular' releases, despite just how oddly passionate and LOYAL his fans are and have been from very early on during the days of Midnite. So, it's my thought that compiling such a list would be most interesting if you individualize  it. The work he left, unlike almost anyone else, is SO personal. I've had conversations with people about songs that I barely even recall, but they literally changed their entire way of thinking or became THAT moment where that light bulb came on in their head and led them to inheriting the KINGDOM of this wonderful music.

And "Signatures" was born. Here is my own personal list of favourite songs from one of the greatests to ever do it. Signatures Vol. 1: Akae Beka.

{Note: The only basis for songs being on this list is how much I enjoy them. That is all}

{Note 2: Songs are listed in absolutely no particular order, although I will say which is my single favourite, as I typically do. I also intentionally did not write them in the order they appear. I jumped around purposefully}

{Note 3: This was VERY difficult and I may do a second disc at some point, but Vol. 2 of this series will be Lutan Fyah}

1. 'Enter'

......for now and forever. The aptly named 'Enter', in retrospect, was probably one of the songs that made everything begin to 'click' for me when came to Vaughn Benjamin's music. Set as one of the gems from the "Jah Grid" album (which was outstanding and also included the truly MAMMOTH 'Before I Lose My Strength'), 'Enter' just had a VIBE about. There was something.... almost mysterious to it with its very focused sound but Benjamin went ALL OVER THE PLACE atop the I Grade produced riddim. For me, 'Enter' is both an emotional ["If you plan fi live good, open Jah door and enter"] and a knowledge ["Dem ah listen and dem ah search the entire universe fi hear Jah voice echo chamber"] offering with the artist saying that if you choose to accept The Almighty, alllllllll of this is available to you. Symbolically, it said that for me in regards to his music. I did accept it and, looking back, it was one of the greatest decisions I ever made... for now and foreverrrrrr ('Enter', EASILY, has one of THE coolest endings to a song that I have ever heard).

2. 'Just Decided'

Perspectives will have to realign. The first of a pair of ganja tunes on this list (and, now that I  think about it, the other is fairly similar in terms of how it's written), I've held 'Just Decided' in increasing standing throughout the years because of a pair of very simple and basic reasons: It is extremely well written (DUH!) and it SOUNDS GREAT! Ignore the first of those for a second (because you know who wrote it) and focus on the latter. 'Just Decided' is DYNAMIC! A quality seldom associated with the music of Benjamin, that Fifth Son Records licked riddim was downright blissful! It hits a plane and just SITS DOWN right there for such a wonderful musical moment. Probably THE most dynamic tune you'll find here and one which has always stuck with me. 

3. 'Black Mamba'

True nature. This list is compiled of tunes which are signature moments for me, personally. Because of that and in the name of pure standouts in terms of recognizability, 'Black Mamba' may just be the single biggest 'hit' you'll see here. The Andrew 'Bassie' Campbell produced drop was the loudest of chimes found on "King's Bell" (which released a truly disturbing thirteen years ago) (time does not "fly". It SOARS) and from the very second I laid ears on it, 'Black Mamba' has stuck with me. Another selection finding a powerful blend of deep and penetrating messages with an overall extremely difficult to shake sound, AT ANY GIVEN TIME IF I AM SINGING AN AKAE BEKA SONG IN MY HEAD.... it's probably 'Black Mamba'.

4. 'In Awe'

....IN AWE. I used to be quite fond of using the term "skeletal" to describe some of the music of Vaughn Benjamin. When I did (and still occasionally do) use it, it was in reference to a song where he didn't.... seem to pay much attention to the riddim going on behind him. Maybe there wasn't a great (or ANY AT ALL) connection between the vocals and the music and it, of course, had some type of an impact on the overall sound of the tune. 'In Awe', the title track of an album from the aforementioned Fifth Son Records from a dozen years ago was definitely SKELETAL. It was also pretty much without flaw and, even to this day, a tune which has this certain vibe about it which I find FLOORING. It is an absolutely DEVASTATING track within a certain simplicity and one where the artist explains his observance of The Almighty and also, coincidentally, explains my observance of the song he is singing. 

5. 'Grapes Of Wrath'

Magma lava.While not new to my ears (and probably the single oldest tune you'll find here) I have to say that it wasn't until fairly recently -- maybe the last... two or three years or so -- when I REALLY became a fan of a tune which might just have one of the biggest supporting groups of any of Akae Beka's the CLASSIC 'Grapes Of Wrath'. Prevously, my interaction with this tune was as a live tune where it, apparently, was a favourite of Benjamin's to perform and you'll find countless instances of him doing renditions of the tune all over the world during his travels. Given the kind of spontaneous and organic nature of the live performances (and of this specific song, in general), I've come to regard 'Grapes Of Wrath' as, EASILY, one of the greatest freestyles ever. That's only in respect to the rest of Benjamin's work, I most certainly could be wrong, but I don't feel like he spent a lot of time actually writing it and what ERUPTED from him when it was created was a cauldron of genius, leaving no stone unturned and covering an endless story of themes in an exceptionally emotional and fiery way from the chanter. 

"Dem lack di counsel of di elder

Lost di reference of di daughta

I man a Rasta, living amongst di people like a waiting disaster

Love dem order

Dem seh dem love di sun, but di sun dry up dem water"

6. 'Sha-tee'

Dilly dally. Buried on an album which wasn't the greatest and has largely gone forgotten -- 2008's "Maschaana" from Natural Vibes -- you will find the TORRENTIAL 'Sha-tee'. You will find a somewhat similar and far more popular tune later on here but, for my opinion, the very clever social commentary with a spiritual core that was 'Sha-tee' will always have a place amongst my favourites as well. Benjamin gives his listeners absolutely nothing in the way of relief (and you deserve none!) in geting his point across and though it may take even more effort than it typically does with his music (and it always does take at least some), the idea behind 'Sha-tee' and the LYRICS are in the stars!

"Jah is the Cab, the taxi driver is the cabbie

Jah is The Ruler over already -

Over twister and tsunami

Over faith and destiny

Over tranquility and without no partiality"

7. 'Same Boat We'

Magnificent edifice. My absolute favourite Akae Beka album ever??? That would require some thought but an album DEFINITELY in the conversation would be the MAMMOTH "Beauty For Ashes" and 'Same Boat We' has become that album's signature offering for me. It's almost difficult for me to slice "Beauty For Ashes" now because it sits so succinctly as a completed unit with Benjamin absolutely DISSECTING the idea of unity... grinding it down to a fine, powdery substance. For its part, in particular, 'Same Boat We' was simple and didn't try to do much with its sound but when you got into its lyrical direction - IT ASCENDED! It grew wings and soared to the heavens. From an incredibly local level, to a continental one, to a one of the highest degree ["MILK WAY GALAXY"], Benjamin would bring everyone EVERYWHERE together and do so in an entirely unforgettable way.

8. 'Hemp Scroll'

Awareness & alertness. 'Hemp Scroll' was kinda mesmerizing. It was. There was a very... 'light' sonic feel to it with the artist adopting an almost robotic delivery and somewhere in the midst of it all, the listener gets LOST and I mean that in the best way possible. All of these years later, 'Hemp Scroll' which featured on the "Free Indeed" set (an album which didn't have a very big release but was delightfully very well regarded in its day if I recall correctly) has only grown in stature, despite starting somewhere amongst the stars. Ever the proponent of the herb, Benjamin (as I alluded to in regards to 'Just Decided') weaves an all-encompassing which climbs so many different mountains. You'll hear ganja tunes and, if you think about, they're either really specific -- as far as maybe covering a single incident than someone went through -- or very broad. 'Just Decided' and 'Hemp Scroll', oddly, were both. They both dealt with a variety of different aspects but did so with incredible detail and both are utter joys to listen to. 

9. 'Negus I Rastafari'

Jah deliver I. As the kids say today, 'Negus I Rastafari' was "built different". This tune had a sense of drama and a seriously high level (by comparison to Benjamin's catalogue) of emotion to it which catches you initially. What keeps your interest along with the vibes (as it always does) are the words you hear spoken. 'Negus I Rastafari' is another track that comes off as a vibe. It is very organic and has the feeling that parts of it are spontaneous and came as much from the heart as from one of the most brilliant minds Reggae (or any other kind of) music has ever encountered. A praising tune to the bone, 'Negus I Rastafari' also touches a wider variety of topics during its time ultimately tying them back to the centralizing theme of bringing honour and praise to His Majesty. This is probably my second favourite song Benjamin has ever done and the only selection you'll find from the Rastar collaboration present here and, to my ears, IT IS MAGICAL!

10. 'New Race'

Content & satisfied. Of course the SHATTERING 'New Race' makes this list and, in terms of quality, it probably makes its top half. These days, I sometimes have ISSUES listening to this gem from Higher Bound's "Hail The King"... emotionally, FOR SOME STRANGE REASON, it does things to me! It makes me happy. It makes me melancholy. It energizes me! There is a very subtle but very powerful and downright ABNORMAL quality to "New Race", simply in terms of the sound of it. It is stunning! When you get into the meat of the matter it doesn't dull either as Benjamin takes the listener on a knowledge-crammed journey which centers around, of course, His Imperial Majesty. There's nothing dissimilar there from, literally, dozens (if not hundreds) of other tunes that Benjamin has done throughout the years, but what does separate 'New Race' was this gorgeous marriage of education & elegance ["Sound barrier bursting into new rays of life. Benevolence of Jah, invite"]. On a list of favourites, you will find nothing that hit the notes that 'New Race' does and does EFFORTLESSLY.

11.'Ever Was So'

Come down fast. 'Ever Was So' featured on the double disc opus-ish "Standing Ground" of Fifth Son Records. I won't waste too much of your time here, I'll be brief. 'EVER WAS SO' IS MY FAVOURITE AKAE BEKA SONG EVER. It's also one of the greatest songs of its kind that I have ever heard and do you know what "kind" it is? 'Ever Was So' is a praising tune. It's a song giving praise and honour to His Imperial Majesty. Have you heard a few of those type of songs? Maybe just one or two or so??? If you've listened to a Roots Reggae album, you've probably ran across at least three or four of them and if you're this interested in reading a post like this, you've probably heard HUNDREDS. The argument could be made (and I would be in support of it) that THE ENTIRE GENRE OF ROOTS REGGAE EXISTS (at least in part) TO PRAISE THE KING. Rare has anyone made praise sound like THIS! There's something exquisitely haunting about 'Ever Was So' (like that COOL and subtle backing singing) that likely gives further weight to the impact that it makes - an impact which will stay with me for the rest of my days.

12. 'Royal Tribe'

Excitement like a fever. 'Royal Tribe' makes this list as somewhat of a surprise to me. When I was planning it out and getting a big list together in my mind, I would have never thought that the tune would have been included in the final group but it belongs here and probably even more so than a few of these other tunes that I so love. 'Royal Tribe' was interesting for several reasons but the one standing tallest these days is the way in which it is written (shocking!). The song is one empowering women and speaking on their importance in society and, even more compelling, how women are THE CENTER of human interaction and PROGRESSION. To accomplish this, Benjamin uses the idea of a TRIBE.... and then, LITERALLY, a HIVE in showing just how nature regards its female figures and in how high of an esteem they are held in. It is a BEAUTIFUL selection and one that has stuck with me mightily in the three years since it was part of "Polarities" a, perhaps, underrated collection courtesy of IGR. 

13. 'The Gad'

Longtime. Were several people to make a list like this one, I would think that the song from my list that you're most likely to see present several more times would be the infamous 'The Gad'. This tune was.... seemingly Benjamin opening his mind and just POURING out everything he could find at that particular moment. What resulted was a wholly overwhelming musical experience for anyone who has ever dared to undertake the task of deciphering what the artist is saying here. A large source of its lasting (and definitely original) interest generated came in the fact that, even more than most of Akae Beka's music, it was pretty hard to comprehend what is being said on 'The Gad'. Vaughn Benjamin has a tendency to mumble and when you combine mumbling with speed, what you get can be (and was).... puzzling. However, as I said, beneath the obvious sound, 'The Gad' had loads to offer and I would argue THAT has maybe not equaled the attraction to it for what is most immediately heard, but has become a significant reason why more familiar fans, like You and I, continue to return to the now nearly TWENTY YEAR OLD tune.

"It's a matter of human pride, how you treat the I

Who nah go hear ahgo surely die"

The song has a heart that is almost entirely spiritual (DUH) but 'The Gad' goes in a variety of deliciously varied directions. The one that's covered deepest, arguably, is just how people relate and interact with one another. He gets into things like family structure in the midst of it all and it is.... CANDY to the ears of someone like myself. I also have to mention something rarely talked about in regards to 'The Gad' - the riddim carrying it. The golden track was typical IGR produced magic and featured, amongst other beautiful moments, a spot where the masterful Achis Reggae favourite, Tuff Lion, is allowed to place his stamp on the tune as only he could. If by some chance you missed this one, even more than any other selection here, 'The Gad' demands patience. It is a trait that, should you have quite a bit of it, will literally hand you the keys to a very large kingdom.

14. 'Let Babylon Go' featuring Danny I

Searching within. Much like the aforementioned "Beauty For Ashes" set, this compilation would be incomplete without some sort of representation from "Portals" (another album in the conversation for being my absolute favourite from Akae Beka) and that question would be between three tunes. There's 'Ideals of The Emperor', 'Like Rhyme' -- both of whom were terribly difficult to cut out here -- and the track that I would ultimately settle on, the GORGEOUS transitional 'Let Babylon Go' featuring oft Vaughn Benjamin collaborator (if such a person exist) and OBVIOUS FAN, Danny I. I love Danny I's music and I always have (Danny I has an old song called 'Lion As A Rulah' which probably sits amongst the top 40 or so tunes that I have ever heard.... from like ANYONE, EVER) and his presence on 'Let Babylon Go' really gives it a very autobiographical texture as he outlines what, personally, brought him to Rastafari.

"Many years with natty dread - half the time a Rastaman

Cause man would be the first to admit: Man did ah do nuff wrong

Many years of search within, til I found The Higher Man

Til I overstood King David's words, with the Songs of Solomon

And I let babylon go

Outta mi heart

Outta mi soul"

BOOM! For his part, Benjamin's approach is broader in saying that, essentially, Rastafari is the way to overcome a variety of issues in one's life ["In war and in peace..."]. Combined, and with a beautifully nearly ever-present horn in the backdrop, the two produce an EPIC selection and one which has always been a standout for me on an album BRIMMING with such offerings.

15. 'Dem Kinda Heights'

A document. These days the "Be Strong" set has kind of become somewhat of a packaged deal with "In Awe". In my memory the two FSR produced sets share pot of tunes and I find myself generally and largely unsure of which of the two exactly contains big tunes such as 'Dandylion', 'Pscyh Ops', the MAMMOTH 'Music To Honour I King' and others appear on... but I do know that I love some of them. Along with both title tracks, definitely 'Dem Kinda Heights' has gone to garner my 'highest' of respect in the eleven years since its release. Though the song comes through with these giant and downright royal sounding horns (almost as if they are signaling the arrival of some type or royalty) (and you can make your own leaps from there) (as have I), 'Dem Kinda Heights' is somewhat ponderous. It's a grind and it takes a while to get where it is going, but it is also SHARP as a razor. What I've taken from it these days is that it stands as an inspirational piece. Benjamin presents the "Heights" as a variety of different things such as love and even knowledge. Though, as you would expect in his work, it doesn't have that stereotypical FEELING that such a vibed tune would normally come with. As I said, 'Dem Kinda Heights' ain't easy! It requires work and a whole heap of attention on behalf of the listener. Give it that and, as you can see with its presence here, it's good enough to literally become one of the best songs you've ever heard. 

Overall, the challenge of doing something like this is infectious. I'm already working on the next installment (will likely be Lutan Fyah) but in this particular case, the unusual nature of the journey I've had to BEGIN my comprehension of this man's amazing work (and I consider myself to STILL be at the beginning of that journey), is reflected here which was my main goal from doing this list. I would expect and HOPE that most people would have drastically different lists as the music of Akae Beka is received in so many ways. These are mine. Agree. Disagree. Flame on (biggup Machel). Do whatever! But when you do think of your own favourites, ENJOY that beautiful trip back through your memory. It is a SWEET time. 

The Lifetime Riddim

The Lifetime Riddim [Lustre Kings Productions]

1. 'Put A Fyah In Deh' by Lutan Fyah

2. 'Yes To Life' by Jahdan Blakkamoore

3. 'Lifetime' by Akae Beka

4. 'All That I'm Thinking Of' by Pressure

5. 'One Day At A Time' by Vanessa Bongo

6. 'It Takes Time [Raining Outside]' by Randy Valentine

7. 'Ancient Great [Tell Her I Need Her]' by Danny I

8. Lifetime Riddim I Grade Dub Mix

And because the wonderful people from the Zion I Kings  CLEARLY refuse to let 2016 go out quietly, we have yet another new project coming forth from the collective as the 'Kings', Lustre Kings Productions, makes the latest contribution (#6) to the ZIK's consistently impressive Riddim Series with the Lifetime Riddim. This 'dreamy' set should be extremely familiar to fans as it just appeared on the latest release from the ZIK, Akae Beka's "Livicated" for Zion High Productions, in support of what would turn out to be the riddim's title track.

Okay, while I am still very early into working this one out, I HAD to let you know about what may potentially be a downright SPECIAL song. There're some really strong selections on the Lifetime Riddim - not the least of which are potentially stellar efforts from the likes of Lutan Fyah, Jahdan Blakkamoore and the aforementioned Akae Beka. And, really, just having had a brief listen through all of the songs as well as the wonderful dubbed out version of the track courtesy of I Grade Records, there does not appear to be a miss here at all.

HOWEVER, with that being said, what Danny I manages to do with his cut of the Lifetime Riddim, 'Ancient Great [Tell Her That I Need Her]' is just... I mean...

"I've been searching for a while amongst the virtuous and the vile

Knew when I met you, you just stood out like a vibe

Time progressed and many noticed just how well we got along -

JUST LIKE TWO SEPARATE VERSES IN ONE SONG

I wanna tell her that I need her

And tell her that respect is due

That I'll never mislead her

That I need her point of view"

That tune is MAMMOTH! Absolutely reminiscent of 'I Know', his dazzling edition of the Songbird Riddim from earlier in this same series, in terms of its quality and its wholly subtle GENIUS. So, I'll stop myself there because I could probably go on and on and on and you know it. You can finish it off for me when you pick up the Lifetime Riddim from Lustre Kings Productions and The Zion I Kings when it reaches stores on November 18th.

'Bright Spots': A review of The Jump For Joy Riddim

Erupt. Though it is something which, for great reasons, we generally deal with in regards to vocal artists, when you look at the life-spans of full labels it can be a tremendously interesting experience. Labels, just like artists, do definitely tend to 'come and go' quite frequently, but the ones that stick around in some way can also make for endlessly entertaining and thought provoking moments for fans as well. We're fortunate today to have a few labels who, even though they may not have been around for decades and decades have already made for such a bright contrast of what they used to be and what they currently are. We can look at someone like Don Corleon who went from producing tracks (albeit producing tracks as a bona fide GENIUS) as the leader of a then up and coming generation to being someone from whom the absolute heights are expected. To watch his growth has been so fascinating over the past decade and these days he exists as one of the finest maestros Reggae music has ever seen. In other examples perhaps the comparison or the turnaround isn't so great and, instead, what becomes most compelling is the blossoming that a label has shown. Of course, in this instance I have to mention the work of I Grade Records (which is a very good reference point for today). That label has evolved from being THE biggest from out of the Virgin Islands (even before anyone knew that's what they were -- and a position they surely still occupy) to being one which records extremely talented artists from all over the world (biggup Toussaint and The Nazarenes) and whose releases are grandly anticipated in any form. For me, that's a prototype of building and developing a brand in Reggae music and they did it the finest way in which it could be done: I Grade Records made great music for a really long time and then… everyone began to notice. Fortunately, IGR weren't the only ones to do that (and I could mention a line of European imprints who have done the same - the Irie Ites and IrieVibrations of the world, in particular) and maybe someone else is ready to take that next step as well. As far as labels from out of the Virgin Islands, though that initial explosion wasn't as great as it seemed to be for the virtual production warehouse of talented artists that we saw a decade or so ago, there were some solid names. Ones such as Mt. Nebo Records who dealt with so much of Bambú Station's early output, Ras Batch's Sound V.I.Zion Records who largely introduced us to Batch, Ras Attitude and Mada Nile and there were others as well such as Groundbreaking Records who managed to make a heavy impact in their respective times (and still are in some cases).

Another label who took a similar trod and did so almost exclusively with one name was Splatter House Records. Up until very recently (two or three days ago) (or whenever I finish this review), I've only known SHR as the label responsible for pushing the projects of Jahman. To my knowledge, Jahman has had four or five releases through the years and they've all been products of Splatter House. Jahman has just always seemed to have his own operation set for what he does and, obviously it's worked well for him.

"Diamonds & Pearls" [2012]

But maybe things could be just a bit… weller (- not a word), and the fruits can be shared which is what, apparently, was the plan for Jahman and Splatter House Records for 2014. The artist released his most recent album, "Diamonds & Pearls" just a couple of years back and instead of following it up in the way I'm sure most people presumed that he would, the latest SHR project goes in a different direction as the label delivers (at least to my knowledge), its very first compilation and riddim album for the golden Jump For Joy Riddim. Going back to the aforementioned I Grade Records, if you do follow their work, you've surely noticed that, along with the Zion I Kings, they're currently doing a Riddim Series (the next installment of which, the Junction Riddim from Lustre Kings Productions, is reportedly coming soon) of their own and it has been very impressive through just two sets thus far and I was damn happy to see SHR not only begin to branch out, in general, but to also take this actual step. And that was just on paper - digging a little deeper it also helped that they chose what turned out to be a big track and one which figures to be familiar to some attentive fans as it appeared in a major way on the aforementioned "Diamonds & Pearls" album (more on that in a second). Furthermore, on top of being a good idea and having a strong 'backbone' in a big riddim, the roster of vocalists involved with the Jump For Joy was absolute CANDY to my eyeballs. I saw names here which just struck me as being smart and although I don't have credits for this one, I got to thinking about just how much help SHR may've gotten in putting together such a release because, although it may be destined to fly beneath the proverbial radar (but I really hope not), this is a BIG project and one which should be respected mightily. I'm also hopeful that it isn't one of a kind and although it may not be the first of a full series, I would love to see the point where we look back at the history of Splatter House Records and see the JFJ as this moment where everything really began to fall in place for them and maybe even help to push future releases from Jahman to an even higher level. Until that point where we are afforded some retrospect, however, what we can right now is appreciate what is clearly one of the best riddim albums of the year. Let's talk about it!

It may not be (it won't be) the case for everyone who runs into this set, but when I first saw it, as I said, I was DAMN impressed by not only what I heard but also by who I saw present. The eclectic but extremely solid selection of artists sits amongst the most striking that I've seen on any track in 2014 and most of those names do at least very well on this track which is pulsing and intoxicating and makes for a fine selection, itself, to be featured on an album. Speaking of "very well", to my opinion things get no weller [WHAT?!] [AGAIN?!] [BOOM!] than on the opening tune on the Jump For Joy Riddim from Splatter House Records, the MAMMOTH 'Today' from Notch, who is apparently a favourite of Jahman's and, singing songs like this, he should probably be a favourite of mine as well. 'Today' is musical inspiration to its core. You'll find better written songs on this track (and that's not to say that this one isn't well written), but you won't find any which make you FEEL AS GOOD as veteran Notch does on what has to be the finest song that I've heard from him in… in an ever! An amazing way to start. Next up is the song which was likely the first time anyone got a taste of the JFJ Riddim, its title track, which featured prominently on the aforementioned "Diamonds & Pearls" album. This song linked Jahman alongside the great Sizzla Kalonji and it was a strong piece as well. The composition here was just about taking value in the things that have going for you in your life and attempting to shrink those things which bring negativity ["Don't get caught up in di hype, waan live a million dollar dream, when you really find out it's just a million dollar scheme"]. Lutan Fyah [new album, "Get Rid A Di Wicked", in stores now] also contributes here with the sterling 'Rasta Won't Fail'. 

“Nuttin no personal, when di Rasta check out

We are all one family - east, west, north and south

One blood - sun shine or cloud

It no matter skin colour

Jah Jah love is profound

Sometime mi feel, I'm on my own

But the Good Lord shout out 'YOU'RE NOT ALONE'

Just to find justice inna town, mi haffi draw fi mi steel and make a sound

"Rasta won't fail

I know my life is brave

Worst will be the same

Mi know seh di world can be a better place!"

"Selassie I seateth inna di secret places of my heart

Elevation - a new faculty of thought

See di world as it is

Nuttin no strange, a just so people live

No one is perfect - 

BUT IF YOU LIVE AND GOT WEALTH AND NO SHARE, IT MEAN WORTHLESS

You could be cursed to death -

Or di people ahgo treat you like mess"

From this track I really just took the concept of being capable of relying on something. Obviously, here the Fyah finds dependence in the absolute highest of sources, but I think that you can take it in smaller situations and apply even to being someone's 'rock' yourself. A lovely tune and one which comes well expected from Lutan Fyah. Fittingly, chasing Lutan Fyah here is Pressure Busspipe (new album, "The Sound", in stores now - best album of the first half of the year) as the two linked on what is one of the best songs that I've heard this year ('This Train', from "The Sound" album). Pressure continues a fine stretch of his own with a big offering here as well, 'When A Door Is Close'. This is a very clever and well-arranged praising piece and a lyrical near masterpiece as the St. Thomas doesn't particularly care if a door is closed in his face because he keeps company with The Locksmith. 

"When a door is closed, another opens wide

I'm grateful to have The King by my side

His name I glorify

Emperor Selassie I!

Race is not for the swift, a just di fit who survive

There's no one beneath the sun to take my pride

Conquering Lion in I

Emperor Selassie I!

RASTAFARI IS THE KING OF ALL KINGS AND A THIS WE WANT THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW

Blasphemers will do just that, but as far as I see they will sink down below

Look how much dem tell di poor man 'no'

As dem get di money dem ah tell mi is a goal

Give and take back and tell mi nuttin nah go so

LIFE ROUGHER THAN THE TIDES BUT MY BOAT STILL AH ROW

Nuff youth make it out di hard way

So di Rastaman give praises all day

Praises to di Incient always

So mi make di fyah blaze!"

BOOM! The downright majestic song would have fit well on "The Sound", which should tell you how strong it is if you have heard that amazing record (and you have) and, surely, it is a favourite from the Jump For Joy Riddim.

Ras Batch

Along with some of the more expected names to make an appearance, such as Lutan Fyah, Pressure and Jahman, of course, I was wholly delighted with some of the other names tapped by SHR to voice the JFJ. For example? Check 'Win' which comes from the previously mentioned and completely brilliant Ras Batch (easily one of my favourite artists, altogether, today). Although he's picked up the pace in recent times (biggup the Zion I Kings), new songs from Batch in between albums still aren't in abundance, so even the opportunity to hear from him is exciting and, because he never does, he doesn't disappoint on the JFJ with another mighty inspirational vibe with fantastic sonic appeal. Junyah P (formerly Junior P) tries to "bring back the culture" on 'How You Doing' - a WONDERFUL selection about… being nice to other people. 

"So how you doing?

How you feeling?

Hey, good morning

Good afternoon

Sometime a greeting can change your day

A little 'bless up' can change your vibes -

When you feeling down and out

Sometime a greeting can change your mood

A 'bless up' make you feel so good

Sometime you feel like you lost your way

Nuff time you need somebody to talk to

Express yourself, yes you need to vent 

Release your anger - before end up inna danger

Nuff ghetto youth need someone to tell dem that we love them

And we care for them"

A terrible, terrible thing it is that Junyah P felt the need to write a song like this, but 'How You Doing' is GOLDEN and I was very happy to see him with a new song as well. The venerable Junior Reid also shows up to Jump For Joy with a solid release, 'Can't Get Over Me'. Reid goes in a different route than most, but he does well with a more relationship oriented vibe. He is in a good form and when he is like this, I could listen to him sing all day long. Cruz Rock finds similar fortunes with the entertaining 'Love Ah Come Down'. Cruz Rock is someone who I probably have never listened to as much as I should and I give credit where it is due with this effort. Credit is also due in the direction of BVI native (biggup Jalena), Ritical, who is pouring out credit and thanks with the praising song, 'Thank You'. This is a fairly straight forward and easy track to my ears, but I did hear things on listens two and three that I didn't initially, so pay it a special attention because it may just be one of the best songs on this riddim altogether. And I should also mention the tune 'Smile' which comes via Maurice. Maurice is someone who doesn't seem to record nearly as much as he should and if you needed further evidence of that (and you didn't), definitely check 'Smile'. Perhaps still best known as the brother of arguably the most talented Dancehall DJ ever, Papa San, Maurice makes beautiful music of his own and 'Smile' is one of his best.

Going even further, there were five artists who appear on the Jump For Joy that really even took more of my attention, just on paper alone and, again, I was so pleased by the work of Splatter House Records to include them. A pair of them come near the tail of the album in the form of Army and Danny I. As I said, Ras Batch isn't someone who, historically, had made many appearances between albums and he hasn't. Army, on the other hand, has been full-on phantom-like, unfortunately. His most recent album, "Dredlocks Time", was a master class of modern Roots music and he keeps it going here with 'Long Long Road'. I saw this piece as something of a 'personal commentary' where Army seems to acknowledge that many people have made great strides but that all of us, collectively, still have a very long road ahead of us and much work to do. 'Long Long Road', as it usually is coming from Army, is an utter JOY to listen to as he melds perfectly to the JFJ Riddim. For his part, Danny I soars with 'Gathering Of Lion'.

"If you feel your burdens extra heavy and you can't bear it all

If the world feels like it can dissolve right in between your arms

If the battle makes you feel like you cannot when the war

I say hold onto your faith - it has gotten you this far"

The song is an amazing one and really helped to solidify something for me - Danny I has been making great music, without exception, for his entire career. He hasn't had any missteps. There weren't any questionable moments. He's been spectacular from his musical origins and he still is. Mada Nile is someone else who you would really like to be a bit more prolific and she also provides a spark to this track with the humbling 'Bending Knees'. Here, we find Mada Nile saying that no matter how smart you may think you are, eventually you'll have to pay for the wrongs of your life in one way or another. It was another female artist who probably got the biggest response from me in seeing her name, Reemah, who continues to spellbind with 'Be Free'. So many artists from the VI seem like they don't tend to be so active (as I've already mentioned here) and when I really began to take in Reemah's music I was so hopeful that she wasn't added to that list -- especially when it comes to women, I don't know if I can even remember the last new song that I've heard from the likes of Lady Passion, Empress Nyingro, Natty Empress and maybe even Dezarie -- because what I heard from her was a supreme level of talent, especially with the written word. She is amazing!

"What a world it will be when -

We give thanks to the birds and the trees and -

Everyone got plenty food there to eat

AND WE BURN THE THINGS THAT MAKE BLOOD RUN INNA DI STREETS

When consciousness increase

When we go stop jealous people for the least

When life is worth more to the human beings

When they start to care and now the cure get released

When none a dem ah step inna di pure white sheets

When I no see no faces on di cold concrete

Now, when children stop carry di AK piece

When di world no want di fighting over in the Middle East

In the test of time

Love will last forever and ever and ever and we-

Will cast our doubts aside and stand in love forever and ever and ever and we will be free

Watch di things that you do to get by

Oh my

Rob another, can you please tell me why?

CAN'T USE YOUR LIFE AS AN EXCUSE NOT TO TRY

CAH DI VERY THINGS YOU DO IS COMING BACK AND BESIDE 

It's up to us to fix the sufferation

And to those weh locked down inna di station -

Keep your head up

Got to stay strong

Know your days long

BUT NO GIVE UP CAH MI TELL YOU LOVE DI HEALING OF THE NATION, YEAH!"

Reemah

BOOM! DAMN! WHOA! And it is effortless! It comes off as if she just walks in the studio and starts talking and the song is what comes out of her mouth! It surely is too early but one of the biggest gifts which will be on my wish list for 2015 is definitely going to be a new album from Reemah. Finally, one of the finest and most surprising additions to the Jump For Joy Riddim is Revalation ["Flame on! Another life down the drain -gone!"] who is someone else who just doesn't seem to be very active (I don't know if I've heard FIVE songs from him following his debut album, "Serious Matters", which was six years ago now) so hearing him anywhere is a big deal for me. 'Bunch of Gold' is his effort for this track and it is another highlight ["dem caan play mi fi no X-Box nor Sony. Impossible to take man fi a ride cause me no pony. Jah Jah you're my shield. You're my guide and my glory. A you know mi bio, every inch of the story"]. I don't know what to expect from Revalation but his talent is huge and anything in the way of a boost of activity can only be a good thing. This is a prime demonstration of that. 

Overall, BOOM! There is so much to enjoy about this set and, again, I'm really eager to see the masses respond to it in such a way. For everyone who has loved the work of I Grade Records and the Zion I Kings, this should find a very healthy audience amongst that same crowd. The Jump For Joy Riddim, itself, is lovely. It does have a strong edge to it as well which helps to make for more than a few dazzling moments when it is placed in the hands of Pressure, Lutan Fyah and the likes. Of course, my one real critique is that the album is sans an instrumental but for what is here, as I said, it is one of the finest riddim albums of 2014. Maybe in a few years we will look back at the Jump For Joy Riddim as that moment when Splatter House Records began a big stretch of releases and became one of the biggest names in Virgin Islands Reggae music. Sublime from beginning to end [even the cover!]. 

Rated: 4.55/5

Splatter House Records

2014

Digital

Review #518

'High Sight': A review of The Songbird Riddim

Stand up! I speak so often about watching the career of a particular artist or a particular type of artist develop as they reach different stages, but the idea of development in music certainly is not one which is limited to the vocalist. Wonderfully it also extends so much further and today we're going to look at the next step in the growth and evolution of what has to be considered one of the more fruitful labels in recent years. Of course, I'm referring to the biggest Reggae music label from out of the Virgin Islands, the glowing I Grade Records. Even before we get into their music they are so interesting, especially now, because it isn't very difficult at all to trace back their output and, in doing so, you not only see an expected but also an excellent level of progression up to today. You see what, in my opinion as a fan, has become the major point in just why the label has managed to be successful in recent times and have already achieved a nice piece of longevity: You see VISION. In terms of having an 'eye' for good projects - you can go back almost a decade to their ambitious 'Fire-Earth-Wind' promotion which found the label releasing three albums almost simultaneously. That remains a very interesting spot because, eight years on, we find ourselves in 2013 and while not necessarily being 'household names' in the genre, in the first four and a half months of the year, two of the three artists involved in that event, Ras Army and Ancient King, have released brand new albums and are still going very strong (and I'll tell you about the third a little later) and certainly I Grade saw that level of lasting talent in all three at the time, which is why they chose to place them in such a roll (now if they could just SEE Yahadanai back, everything would be nice!). And more recently… why not take a traditional soul singer and let him sing over Reggae tracks and make an album called "Black Gold"? It'll work out. And it did. That was excellent and over the past few years we've seen a tremendous amount of vision and just common sense coming from I Grade Records in terms of what they do and who they do it with. Arguably the largest bit of sagacious sight exhibited by the label has brought us to the latest, very active and very productive, stretch of their existence which now has been around long enough, on its own, that we can chart its own development as well which now reaches a very interesting next step.  

The fantastically inescapable Zion I Kings. Just recently the collective which features I Grade Records as its "I" along with Zion High Productions and Lustre Kings Productions teamed up to give to the world the very solid "Original Yard Food" release from veteran General Jah Mikey from ZHP, which was the newest addition to an ever-increasing and just as ever-impressing catalog (which included three of the best albums of all of last year in my opinion). Along with focusing, sublimely, on the work of artists and artist albums, the ZIK have also made a large impact with compilations - beginning with what may just be the strongest Roots Reggae compilation that I have EVER heard, "Joyful Noise" from 2009 and extending to last year's finest piece of its kind, "Jah Golden Throne". So in a year which promises to be yet another fine one from the group (more on that later) and has just recently gotten off to a big start, the Zion I Kings continue to develop and evolve their line of compilations which is now getting A LOT more interesting courtesy of the Songbird Riddim.  

Zion I Kings

'Why not make a riddim album series'? Someone from the Zion I Kings likely posed that question sometime earlier this year and it now comes to fruition with its initial volume and it is called the… well, it's called the Riddim Series (keeping it simple). Apparently the plan is a good one as while the Songbird comes officially via I Grade Records, vol. 2 of the series, the Jah Warriah Riddim, will come later this year from Zion High Productions (who, before then, will also deliver a new album from Cornell Campbell) and if future installments are as 'high' as the first, then truly big things are on the way. For the Songbird Riddim in particular - when I first heard this track I thought a pair of things. The first was that I thought that I had heard it from somewhere before -- a notion which I'm now fairly sure was inaccurate -- and I also thought of just how CLASSY the track was. That has long been a staple of I Grade's music. There is almost always this very comfortable quality to their work, even when it is somewhat of a deviation from what they generally do (again, you really need to hear the aforementioned "Black Gold" album from Toussaint as a fine example of that) (you also need to hear it because it was amazing) and it comes through absolutely saturated in class and quality - a trait which is especially true, as you might imagine, on a track which stars no less than sixteen times on its own album. For the occasion, the label has also tapped some find musicians as the Songbird Riddim, which is produced by Laurent 'Tippy' Alfred of I Grade Records and Jah David of ZHP, features a fine batch of players of instruments including both Tippy and Jah David, as well as the venerable Bassie Campbell, Craig Taylor, Steve Katz and one towering individual who wraps up the album. Also present is the work of a Balboa Becker (great name!) and a Daniel Casares, both of whom are a part of a band called Celebrity Hornz and are really the stars on the Songbird Riddim because the horn pieces here absolutely GLOW in the midst of all types of other intoxicating sounds. As for the vocal stars shining on the track, once again it speaks to the level of vision with this project as I'll be wholly shocked if any composition in 2013 registers with such a strong lineup of Roots Reggae artists (although if you want to shock me, please do!). And I'll probably be even more surprised if the remaining seven and a half months of the year offer a single riddim album or any type of compilation which ranks higher than this one. Let me tell you about it! 

"Joyful Noise" [2009] & "Jah Golden Throne" [2012]

The attraction to the roster of vocalists on this riddim, personally, isn't one where I'm overwhelmed because there're so many big names. Instead it is one which I find myself looking at, as a fan specifically of the works of the Zion I Kings, and just being so damn happy that they made the first set and enlisted the work of about three-quarters of the names here and the others also prove to turn in fine efforts as well. Few names made me happier to see here than Lutan Fyah's who gets things started on the Songbird Riddim album from I Grade Records and the Zion I Kings with his moving 'She's Got Soul'. As the title would indicate, this tune is one where Lutan Fyah really gives love and honour to the good women of the world for going through the things they go through and doing so while receiving very little credit many times. Historically the Spanish Town chanter has made good songs of a similar kind (such as the LKP produced 'Woman of Principle' and 'She's Like the Rainbow') and it has been an area in which he has excelled. This tune has to rank as one of his finest on the subject as it sets a brilliantly inspirational course for what is to follow. Also what is to follow is a forthcoming ALBUM from Lutan Fyah for the ZIK, which is candy to my ears and it should be great. Also reportedly working on an album for IGR is Pressure Busspipe who comes up and next and brings with him 'The Rain'.

"The rain, is no different from my tears

When I look at what my people bear

I swear, I'll never give up the fight and show no fear

And the sun, is reflecting my heart and soul

And it's burning beyond control

My goal, is to see to it the truth unfold

For every action there's a reaction

Whatever you do comes around in a fraction

Here comes vanity - the biggest distraction -

That takes away the true values of a Black man

What if life was sweeter than a honeycomb?

And we never had to work and bring money home?

The would you know what life is worth?

Would you know how the earth cycle works?

That's why the rain, is no different from my tears

When I look at what my people bear

I swear, I'll never give up the fight and show no fear

And the sun, is reflecting my heart and soul

And it's burning beyond control

My goal, is to see to it the truth unfold

Watch the things that you do

Jah is watching over

You live and you learn - 

As you grow older

IF THE TRUTH IS UNFOLDING WHY DO I NEED A FOLDER?

It's a heavy load to carry, I need my shoulder

The people are hungry: The message is food

The children grow without the proper lessons in school

Wicked man is living so cruel

LITTLE DID THEY KNOW SEH RASTAFARI RULE!"

The piece is a HUGE commentary on life and one of the best songs on the riddim. Pressure has this captivating way of writing where he can write in a really broad way about specific things (if that makes any sense at all), which leads to these one of a kind moments in his music where you get the feeling that he's talking about a certain thing, but still it is an entirely relatable and accessible point. 'The Rain' is a song which captures that perfectly and it is not to be missed. How nice is it that so soon we get to hear a new tune from the genius that is Ras Batch, following a 2012 where we saw him release the second best album of the year in my opinion (and do it on the thirty-first anniversary of my birth), "Know Thyself". Batch never seems to be the most active of names which makes his output even more anticipated for me and his cut of the Songbird, 'So Beautiful' does not disappoint at all and lives up to his great standards as he finds beauty in so many different aspects of life (and non-life) throughout the world. The tune has a fascinating quality to it as I've found that every time I've listened to it, it's gotten just a bit better to my ears, so definitely give a little time to grow on you because it will. 

Recent works from some of the artists appearing on the Songbird Riddim

As I alluded to, one of the best things about seeing who appeared on the Songbird was just how familiar some of them were to the work of I Grade Records and the Zion I Kings. Some of those names, including some I've already mentioned obviously, head to the heights of material on the track. Check Glen Washington who also gave us a "Masterpiece" from ZHP just last year and is now back with back with a fitting selection, 'Bumpy Ride'. You know what Washington does, he makes syrupy sweet and golden brown love songs and this is one of them of the highest caliber! 'Bumpy Ride' is outstanding and again I'll tell you to give it a bit of time because it also is a piece which has grown and grown on my tastes as I've gone back more times to hear it. The afore-alluded to NiyoRah (I think he was 'Earth'), who has quietly been having an outstanding 2013 (and is on DJ Frass' new track, the Diamonds & Gold Riddim), returns to I Grade with his striking social commentary 'War Is Not the Answer'. I wasn't completely caught unexpected by it, but it is a nice touch that the well versatile Niyo brings so much passion and BITE to the Songbird and wastes no time in doing it on the dazzlingly heated first verse of the song. 

"We got the victory torch

Upon it the fyah ah scorch

Mi hotta mentality dropping insanity upon di government porch

How come you neva abort

Di shipping of guns in di port?

And making economy pushing di sodomy up in di jail and di court

Manufacturing arms, to market the killing of man

Dem seh 'be all you can be' in di military physiological plan

But when back up a dog -

Inna corner di dog will bite

An infection induced by power-abuse bring truth to light"

BOOM! Chanter Jahdan Blakkamoore who (needs to make a new album and needs to do it on LKP) has been very visible recently is also here with a nice tune, 'Best In Life'. Perhaps a bit more laidback than I was anticipating, we still find Blakkamoore demonstrating his finest quality to the masses - he is and has been for some time now, lyrically dominant and though it may not stand out as far as several other of the more immediately sonically pleasing songs on the Songbird, 'Best In Life' lays a mighty claim to being one of its strongest written compositions altogether. Speaking of those with heavy-handed penmanship we also have the heaviest of them all, Vaughn Benjamin on 'A New Overstanding'. If I recall correctly, Benjamin and Midnite are also set to do another new album for I Grade soon, making it their first one from the MASSIVE "Kings Bell". Until then check (one of their other eight-hundred albums) Benjamin's fine tune on the Songbird, 'A New Overstanding'. As someone now well into Midnite's music (and as someone who has to write a Midnite review, "Be Strong", right after I finish this one), this tune was very welcomed and I don't even need to tell you that I'm looking forward to a new album from Midnite and I Grade, whenever it may arrive. There's also Duane Stephenson who checks in with the gorgeous praising piece, 'Call On JAH Name'. Stephenson appeared on the "Joyful Noise" album where he had a highlighting tune ["Baby I'm sitting in the corner but I'm fine!"] and he does it again here and… I know VP Records does his albums, but one for IGR and ZIK, someday, would be magnificent. Stephenson will likely never get enough credit for it, but his voice has to be one of the best in the genre and he conveys EMOTION nearly without equal when he sings. I was also very pleased to see veteran Junior P back on a I Grade release (he was also on "Joyful Noise, with 'The Reason' which , unfortunately, may've been the last new song I heard from Junior P) and he does just fine with his big social commentary, 'Times Ah Get Hard'. And if you really pay a good attention, then the solid 'Holding Onto Freedom' won't be your introduction to the talented Dushane. Meanwhile, you could have been born and grown beneath the proverbial rock and still know the "towering" artist who closes out the Songbird Riddim, Tuff Lion. I would have complained loudly if I Grade didn't include a clean version of the riddim, so I'll be their biggest of cheerleaders because they take an instrumental to the next level and beyond by placing it in the legendary paws of the lion who gives us the MASSIVE 'Birds of Praise'. A full instrumental experience with one of the greatest on the guitar that the genre has ever heard and HOPEFULLY Tuff Lion is someone else who receives the ZIK treatment at some point in the future (I'll even name the album for you! Call it "Ten More Strings!). HOWEVER [!] with all of that being said and with more to be said still, taking top honours on the Songbird Riddim to my ears is someone else very familiar to I Grade Records and the Zion I Kings, Danny I, who tells us that 'I Know'. I knew that I was about to hear a classic when I heard the opening lines of the song:

"When I hear the songbirds I think of you"

And Danny I goes on to put on a master class of a praising song with this completely unforgettable selection.

"When I hear the songbirds I think of you

When I see the flowers filled with dew

When I see the rain clouds on the hills

I know my Father wills

When I know my prayers are overdue

I can see your image on the moon

When I know your trust I have misused

I still feel my vows being renewed

And I know!

I never ever walk alone!

In Your presence Rasta build his home!

And mi know from mi little and mi grow!"

TEARS! DAMN! BOOM! A couple of years back, the singer turned in his latest set, the beautiful "To Your Majesty" (which featured the aforementioned Dushane) (like I said, you'd know him if you were really paying attention), and as far as I know he has either already or will shortly deliver his next album, his first Spanish release - whatever he does is worth your time. This is one of the best tunes that I've ever heard from him and that's saying a great deal (particularly considering that Danny I was behind one of the best songs I've ever heard from anyone, 'Lion As A Ruler') and it is also saying a bit that I do not hear its equal on this album. The song, like a few others here, is really about appreciating beauty and positivity wherever you may find it - no matter how big or small. 'I Know' is HUGE!

Jah9 & Reemah

As for the remaining quartet of tunes, IGR and ZIK continues to turn in something spectacular in terms of who they got to voice the Songbird. While I do know of Misael, his music isn't something with which I am terribly familiar, but after his strong effort here, 'The Power of Love',  perhaps it's time that I got around to doing something about that because it is splendid. There's also Shay with 'Don't Let Go'. I was confident that I had no idea who Shay was until a bit of research showed that this was the same easy-on-the-eyes Shay who had a popular sweet piece of tune from last year by the name of 'Back In The Groove'. While Shay may very well need to consider a bit more unique name, her music is already at a very high level and I'm expecting big things in the future from her and her crystal clear vocals (that woman could sing an insomniac pure into a coma because her voice is so damn soothing). And Shay is not the sole female vocalist appearing on the Songbird Riddim as she is joined by a glowing pair of lyricists who offer some of their own magic to the track (as if it needed it) (it didn't). Reemah (new album, "Check Your Words", in stores now) steps forth so soon with another gem of a tune in 'JAH Preserve'. 

"Since they've lost their way inna di trenches

How they quickly run to babylon's defense

Seems like a overnight dem lost dem senses

How it no matta that dem willingly be sheep inna pen

Well I have never fought their praises, no-no

I don't want none a dem accolades then, don't want none a dem change me

Cause, til dem get caught up inna babylon slavery -

Surrender to the beast whoa

Jah Jah preserve!

Jah Jah preserve!

Preserve I and I to stand

When they get inna strange land

Dem steady inna plain-sight illusion

Dem neva walk inna dem favour

NEVA WAAN GO LEAD DEM JUST AH WALK AND FOLLOW STRANGER 

Lost inna dem ignorance and nah go si di danger

How they blindly go and now give in to all dem wager

Tell you it's a hard sight to -

To si how they behave

CAAN MAKE NO PEACE WHEN A WAR DEM AH CRAVE

Seh dem neva satisfy and it's so strange

PUPPET PON A STRING AND DEM AH FIGHT TO KEEP DI CHAIN"

Reemah just rips right into every song. Hold on: 

"Go down - go down

Go down - go down

Wi no waan no more corruption deh around now

And a more time dem illusions haffi drown out

Come mek wi find love and then mek wi surround now

Well inna di struggle lion haffi mek a loud sound

No time to sleep, yow a time to wear yuh crown

Well I seh raise up and then stand up your ground

No trepidation, now walk and tell di town

Si dem ah look, ah look already fi go bow down

Well I seh no surrender - a Zion bound!

I seh di righteous ahgo rebound

And watch how babylon ah frown!"

Something like that and I continued to be amazed and impressed each time I hear from her. And lastly who else do we have? The best album I've heard this year remains "New Name" from the same Jah9 who gives the Songbird riddim one of its biggest moments, 'Tension'. 

"There is tension building inside I 

And I'm trusting I spirit to guide I

Even if no one else overstands -

I have got to do what it demands

I eyes and ears might deceive I

Friends and family might leave I

But is a righteous tension ah brew

So I must prepare for what I might have to do 

I don't have a problem in the world

Solution oriented, simple island girl

Passionate, compassionate, with patience as a science 

And also love and unity promoting self-reliance

Balancing I emotion, tempering I temperament 

Maintaining I composure and learning when to vent

But as injustice grips the masses more and more

The pressure makes them numb, but instead makes me sure -

That there is tension building inside I 

And I'm trusting I spirit to guide I

Even if no one else overstands

I have got to do what it demands

I eyes and ears might deceive I

Friends and family might leave I

But is a righteous tension ah brew

So I must prepare for what I might have to do

Misleaders use semantics to manipulate us

Meaning less promises to keep us inna state of -

Catatonic apprehension, empty hands up to di sky

The art of misdirection is to disguise the lie

Telling us decisions made are for our good

By those who we elect -

When in actuality they merely reflect -

An ulterior agenda to profiting their terms

SO THE PEOPLE ONLY MATTER WHEN THE PEOPLE HELP THEM EARN

So dem corrupt system get burn"

That's why there's tension building inside I 

And I'm trusting I spirit to guide I

Even if no one else overstands

I have got to do what it demands

I eyes and ears might deceive I

Friends and family might leave I

But is a righteous tension ah brew

So I must prepare for what I might have to do

But I'm never gonna give Jah up

No matter what

Imagine di morning you awake to find the soldiers on your street

Tanks on every boulevard, police on every beat

Choppers hovering but a stillness in the air

How will you be feeling?

Relieved or filled with fear?

Then the radio announces that the leader's gonna speak 

Adrenaline explodes as your attention speaks

He says, 'you may already notice the plans for your protection

Put in place to neutralize potential insurrection

But have no fear, the force is here, with teargas, bombs and guns

So no undesirables will compromise the flow of funds

Tell me where will you be standing?

What will you plan to do?…

WHEN YOU REALIZE THE ENEMY IS YOU!

Which side of the law are you?

Are you with the masses or are you the protected one?

Tell me which side of the law holds your place

Do they defend you or can they stick that gun in your face?

Tell me where does your allegiance lie

DOES THE STRUGGLE ENTERTAIN YOU OR DOES IT MAKE YOU CRY?

Is it clear where your conscience will reside

ONE DAY YOU MAY HAVE TO DECIDE!"

Jah9 is special and this is a special song which, along with everything else she's done just makes you think about how lucky we are that we're going to get to listen to someone like her for the next few decades! Clearly the label was as impressed by her skills as much as the rest of us and wanted to make Jah9 a part of the project and out of all the wise decision-making that went on in regards to this project, that had to be one of the most prudent.

Overall, this is the best riddim album that I've heard in a loooooooong time and, as I said, it becomes the immediate favourite for being the best type of any compilation this year. The Songbird Riddim has a very unique quality to it which really promotes strong efforts and so many times you'll hear a big riddim backing rubbish, but this is one which manages to bring out the best in just about everyone who touches it. Looking backwards, it stands in a fine way when compared to its predecessors in "Joyful Noise" and "Jah Golden Throne". This total idea, of the Zion I Kings making a riddim series is just a solid one and hopefully they run it a few times a year, in between artist albums, and people like You and I will benefit greatly from such refined work. The ZIK and I Grade Records continue their winning ways with the Songbird Riddim and based on what they've done in recent times - you knew they would. A giant bar of gold disguised as an album. 

Rated: 4.90/5

I Grade Records

2013

CD + Digital

Review #440