Okay so, a big credit goes to Frenchie and company at Maximum Sound Productions who are very active to wrap up 2022 and leading off the new year with a pair of big releases including a brand new track sure to get your attention and a most welcomed blast from the past. If you've followed modern Reggae music at all (of any type really, Roots or Dancehall), then surely you've come across the work of Maximum Sound as they have been amongst the most dependable and consistent stations in the entire genre over the course of the past three decades or so and, as you can see, the work continues.
The Dancehall World Riddim
1. 'Bae-Cation' by Busy Signal
2. 'Bae-Cation' [radio edit] by Busy Signal
3. 'Enjoy Yourself' featuring Delly Ranx by Wayne Wonder
4. 'Combo [Back & Forth]' featuring Supriz by Wayne Wonder
5. 'Real OG' by Pressure Busspipe
6. 'Rivers' by D-Major
7. 'Come Over' by The Kemist
8. 'Rock My World' by Delly Ranx
Having listened to a nice chunk of this one (because Juno... basically lets you listen to the entire damn song as a sample), the Dancehall World Riddim definitely focuses on the "world" bit of it title as it is more of an international vibes (as the cover would also show) and not necessarily more typical traditional Dancehall music. Busy Signal (despite the horrible title of his tune), Delly Ranx and Wayne Wonder (on his both of his tunes) take top honours alongside an all conquering Pressure Busspipe who shines brightest on the Dancehall World for me with the big 'Real OG'. The Dancehall World Riddim releases on the 13th of January, 2023.
The World Jam Riddim De-Luxe
1. 'World A Reggae Music' by Anthony B
2. 'Poor People' by Bounty Killer
3. 'A No Like We No Like Them' by Luciano
4. 'How We Ride' by Vybz Kartel
5. 'My Grade' by Da'Ville
6. 'From Jamaica' by Beenie Man
7. 'All For A Cause' by Richie Spice
8. 'Stand Firm' by Lukie D
9. 'Worldwide Connection' by Ward 21
10. 'Bless Me' by Tony Curtis
11. 'Hard Fi Smile' by Chukki Starr
12. 'Murderer' by Prilly Hamilton
13. 'Too Much Blood A Run' by Future Troubles
14. 'Jah Nah Sleep' by Chuck Fender
15. 'Must Run Away' by General Degree
16. 'Ghetto Youths Fi Rich' by Red Rat
17. 'In The Street' by Baby G
18. The World Jam Rhythym by The Firehouse Crew
19. 'World Jam Dub' by Frenchie & The Maximum Sound All Stars
Even bigger news for me (and likely for you), is the fact that also in the offering from Maximum Sound is the recently [re] released album for, arguably (probably), their most well known set to date, the World Jam Riddim. Originally released on via Greensleeves, via their once mighty Rhythm Album Series (#73), the re-release, billed as a "De-luxe" edition, features a dubbed out version of the riddim not present on the initial drop. It also comes with a curiously slightly rearranged tracklist as the new first track is also the riddim's biggest hit, Anthony B's towering 'World A Reggae' (Anthony B's album carrying the tune, "Black Star", which was wonderful, has also been re-release by Maximum Sound). If you've never heard this one (time to find a new rock to live under, maybe one with better reception), as an ALBUM, it was very impressive; with the likes of Luciano, Bounty Killer, General Degree, Chukki Starr ["If a man hungry, it had to smile!"], Richie Spice, Prilly Hamilton and even a hyper violent Vybz Kartel all joining Anthony B in turning in big tunes on the World Jam Riddim.
Biggup Frenchie and company at the always reliable Maximum Sound from out of the UK who is set to bring forth a pair of big releases early next month in the form of their new piece, the Jah Blessings Riddim as well as the 2014 edition of their signature eponymous compilation.
The Jah Blessings Riddim
We actually hear d a bit of the Jah Blessings Riddim maybe back from mid-May or so and it, now like then, sounds fantastic. As its name would suggest, it is a Roots piece but it does have some versatility and some flexibility to its sound. Perhaps that could be attributed to the well versatile Stephen 'Lenky' Marsden who apparently had something to do with this track (as he receives a credit on the instrumental which Maximum Sound is nice enough to include) (always a nice thing to do). While Lenky plied his monstrous talents behind the scenes, taking on the vocal duties is a very fine quintet of artists. Exco Levi, Christopher Martin, Ce'Cile and Loyal Flames all turn in stellar efforts with their tracks, respectively (and I always love when Ce'Cile does a tune which goes in a different direction than her norm and her selection here, 'War', is definitely such a tune). But to my opinion, from early listens, it is the golden vocals of Jah Cure on 'Save My Soul', which appears to lead the way. I have a very good feeling about this one still and I'm well looking forward to hearing the finished product.
"Maximum Sound 2014"
If you don't actually pick up the Jah Blessings Riddim (shame on you and your entire family) (… and everyone else who you know) (and less they get it themselves) (then not them), you could hear quite a bit of it, including 'Save Your Soul', on "Maximum Sound 2014". You can also have a listen to some of the label's other recent work and hear it placed in the hands of some giant vocal talents. Along with Jah Cure (and Christopher Martin and Loyal Flames), also appearing on "MS2014" are the likes of Tarrus Riley, Anthony B, Luciano, the aforementioned Exco Levi, Mr. Vegas, Vybz Kartel, Romain Virgo & Konshens, Gappy Ranks and others still (like Masicka with a bit new tune, 'After Life'). Big compilations have been a staple from Maximum Sound for… a long time now and this latest set figures to continue the trend.
Take a closer look soon as both the Jah Blessings Riddim and "Maximum Sound 2014, from Maximum Sound are set to arrive on etailers on July 7th.
