Spiritual War by Queen Omega!

"MAN NUH HAVE NO MERCY

MAN IS TOO BLOODTHIRSTY

MAN NOT TRUSTWORTHY

MAMA HAFFI PURGE WI"

biggup Tiwony. Making the cameo

An Encore from Machel Montano

"They say you're only as good as yuh last performance

Road long but wi have endurance

Stamina mek wi last for weeks

NOW WI TURNING MAS TO A MASTERPIECE"

New from Micah Shemaiah & JahSolidRock

 

Okay so, I was sitting here working on a Grammy post (which you should get in the next two or three days) and a Chronixx review (next week for that one) and I decided to go check up on some old emails and, luckily, I stumbled across a link from our old friends from the highest region, JahSolidRock, who let me know that they were in the kitchen, cooking and in the lab... labbing [?] and had a new album forthcoming from the criminally consistent Micah Shemaiah. In fact, they already had the project's first single up and running, 'Not For Sale' which is billed as, "An authentic, deep roots  tune composed and performed by real human beings and recorded in the legendary Tuff Gong studio in Kingston, Jamaica"; and, of course, I was interested (I was interested at "Jahsolidrock", they had my attention right there). When I actually took a listen to it, as expected, 'Not For Sale' was exceptional and I thought YOU wonderful human beings would enjoy taking a listen to it.... and I was right! 

What I'm Listening To: Audio/Visual

 

'Hold On' by Dezarie Phoenix [Dezarie]

Okay so, we have a couple of ANVILS this week and the first up is from someone who many would already deem a legend, the great Dezarie (who is, apparently, going by Dezarie Phoenix these days), who has struck with her first video clip EVER for the song 'Hold On'. The songs ranks as one of the biggest winners from her 2025 set, "Guardian". I actually remember a couple of other VI standouts, Vaughn Benjamin & Ras Batch, going fairly deep into their careers as well before doing a music video, so perhaps this comes as no surprise. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding its creation, the visual side of 'Hold On', unsurprisingly, matches the beauty of its audio. It's an amazing song with an amazing video from a very powerful human being.

'We Are One' by Arkaingelle & Fyahstone [Saj Moor Dub]

Next in is another big winner, courtesy a pair of old favourites of ours. The next [regular] review you'll read on these pages (there's an irregular one coming ahead of that) features work by Guyanese chanter, Arkaingelle who, as I have mentioned in the past, once made one of the greatest songs I have ever heard in my entire life (I'll remind you of that in the review). Now, Arkaingelle links up with a producer that we're well familiar with from out of Morocco by the name of Saj Moor Dub. You may recall his work on a label by the name of West Coast Studios, specifically (PROBABLY), with Ras Attitude. Back in 2014, WCS would set out the LOVELY Kif Kaf Riddim which would include offerings from the likes of Attitude, Perfect Giddimani and even Ras Indio. Also on the Kif Kaf was a tune called 'Rastaman Ah Chant' ["Kill dem wid di love, light shine so bright. Nyabinghi, no time fi no rewrite"].... from Arkaingelle, so this isn't the first time artist and producer have worked together and it doesn't sound like it from the level of musical chemistry we hear on 'We Are One'. Also present is gifted Trini veteran Fyahstone, with whom you are probably most likely to be familiar via his fairly recent work with Lion's Flow Productions, however (small world), about a decade ago, Fyahstone and the Arkaingelle made a song together by the name of 'Lion Can't Cool' so, again, to the surprise of absolutely no one given how well they sound together, the two vocalists on 'We Are One' also have some history with one another. Hopefully all three have some future together as well as 'We Are One' is excellent. 

"We are all children of The Most High

Put away your sadness, don't cry

So stand up tall, be wise and use your third eye

Rastafari go before I"

The song is a unity piece and I do these things and attempt to place meaning into words but, delightfully, that is done for us here. Watch the video to the end and you will see the lovely message at its end. Hopefully there is much more activity from Saj Moor Dub as the maestro has relocated to California and placing himself amongst all of the seemingly never-ending Reggae activity in the area.

'Fling It Up' featuring Davido by Machel Montano [Monk Music]

Didn't take very long to get into the visuals for Machel Montano's 'Fling It Up' (which are exactly what you would expect them to be) before I... suddenly had no problem with it, despite it seeming quite random.The tune is probably coming up on completing its first year in existence and here's a video! Why? Who cares! The actual song, which features Davido, is CANDY, it is GORGEOUS Groovy Soca with a little KICK to it (check the surge about two minutes in) and from, arguably, still the biggest single name in the genre and on his own Monk Music label.

'Ginger' by Sean Paul [Dutty Rock Production]

Dancehall superstar, Sean Paul, may have a legit hit on his hands courtesy of his new tune, 'Ginger', which is outstanding and very OPEN as is Paul's tendency (at his absolute best, he's capable of making songs which fit entirely in Dancehall but are as accessible as anything that you will hear). 'Ginger' isn't quite there but I do expect it do some real damage. The video? The video for 'Ginger' is Ai'd to the gills and make no mistake about it: This video is creepy as hell.

'We Da Do It' by Boyzie [Wetty Beatz]

And lastly this week is a tune that is, easily, amongst the finest that I've heard from Soca in all of 2025, the delightfully over-chaotic 'We Da Do It' by Grenadian supernova, Boyzie. I've said it many times before, Boyzie is one of the 'best kept secrets' in all of Soca and that isn't true from the standpoint of actual fans of the genre but if you're more on the casual side, it's fairly likely, in my opinion, that you probably don't know who he is at all. Be that the case, now is a PERFECT time to become acquainted as he drops one of his finest efforts in years with 'We Da Do It'. Great workout song. 

{Note: I don't know which label actually released this song. I know WB was involved, so I gave them the credit. Thank you and have a nice day}

New Video... BOOM AGAIN!

Next review is done and I already have another song to tell you about, but they made a clip for the recently released 'No More Trouble' by Sara Lugo & Yaksta from Oneness Records and I thought you'd like to see it. As you were....

Cali P Has Jah Blessing

....and with a talent like that, we've already known it for a very long time.

Achis Reggae [and Earth] favourite, Cali P, delivers a tune that is probably one of the best I've heard in 2024 thus far, altogether, the absolutely flooring 'Jah Blessing'. Produced by Randy Valentine, the gorgeous track has now birthed an equally stunning video which is.... also probably one of the best..... You know what I'm thinking about Cali P and 2024 (especially given his recent level of activity, but I'll keep tat to myself and just allow things to develop but, DAMN, he's making it really difficult not to talk about it with big tracks like this one. 

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! 

 

Didn't I by Khalia!

Okay so, apparently I wasn't the only one thinking that a tune called 'Didn't I' was THE gem to be found on the recently released "Stay True" EP from the currently sizzling Khalia as she, Tony Kelly, Ineffable Records and whoever else is in charge of making such decisions have chosen to make it the next tune to be given the spotlight from the project and deservedly so. As I said in the write up for "Stay True", Khalia just seems to have a very fresh take on Lover's Rock, albeit not 'revolutionary' to any degree ("evolutionary" may be a better term, really. She is not angering the Lover's Rock Gods, if such entities exist (and they do), but she is giving them something to think about), and a tune like 'Didn't I' is a PRIME example of that.

As for the video, you are left with one last thought when watching it.... lucky guy.

Ziggi Recado & Oneness Records Reach The Eiffel Tower

Okay so, it's been a mcnute since we've last checked in on a former favourite of ours, the very interesting Ziggi Recado and could you possibly think of a way to become reacquainted than seeing the artist teaming up with a STILL favourite, Oneness Records, on a big new tune, 'Eiffel Tower'. With such a title, I had no idea where this one was headed, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that 'Eiffel Tower' is actually a DELIGHTFUL ganja tune, which features that signature crisp production from Oneness, combined with Ziggi who is in a fine form. The last time I heard from him, I can't say that he was in such a good shape, musically, but it appears that, at least for the moment, he's righted the ship, at least in my opinion. Of course you know where my mind is headed, but we won't go there just yet and, instead, just enjoy this sublime track. BOOM!

"My spliff taller than the Eiffel Tower"

Lila Iké wants Dinero

......and therefore she absolutely SAVAGES this tune! 

'Red, Gold & Green' by Damian Marley & Kabaka Pyramid

Just in case you've been living life under a very large boulder for the past few weeks or so (nothing wrong with that occasionally): Check 'Red, Gold & Green' by Damian Marley & Kabaka Pyramid. Two masters of the spoken word once again link up for a tune EASILY amongst the year's finest and, for what it is, a PERFECT song. 

"Di red a fi di shedding of di blood weh set wi free

Di gold stand for justice and equality

Di green is for abundance and equality

And di Lion stand fi sovereignty" 

Settle Down with Luciano & Lutan Fyah!

Okay so, BIG BIG vibes this week coming courtesy of a trio of familiar sources as Achis Reggae favourites, Luciano & Lutan Fyah team up with the always scalding Oneness Records to deliver a major ganja tune across their fittingly named Ganjaville Riddim, 'Settle Down'. The two do EXACTLY what you'd imagine they'd do and manage to absolutely thrill, but do so in a more chilled register on a topic to which neither are a newcomer. Immediately 'Settle Down' becomes one of the strongest songs that I've heard altogether this year and I was so happy to see that it came along with an accompanying video clip. Of course, you know where my mind is going, looking ahead, but we'll put that aside (hopefully not for too long, however) and just enjoy this and a remarkable week of Reggae music with albums coming from both Sizzla Kalonji and the great Mikey General (who appears here) as well as a new tune from another  pair of favourites: NiyoRah & I Grade Records.

Queen Omega's Thunder Storm!

Simply one of the greatest to ever do it, doing it HUGE all over Irie Ites' brand new ASAP Riddim.

'Pull Up' with Koffee!

The paranoid, crusty old head in me wants to yell at her to be careful

The rest of me wants to thank her for being ENTIRELY FANTASTIC

Thanks Koffee

'The Harder They Fall' by Koffee

Coffee makes me nauseous. It always has. 

Koffee makes me smile. 

She always will.

MAD!

Sara Lugo: Eruption

Not to bother you by telling you way too much of my ghoulish business, but as I've alluded to previously, I'm pretty much a bowl of some type of substance these days when it comes to my health and I definitely have to say thank you to all of the messages we've gotten over the past couple of years or so who have made a mention or some type of concern yeah. Even if we don't respond [LAZY!], it's still appreciated.

HOWEVER, someone who is well indirectly doing her part in keeping my spirits moving by continuously dropping amazing works, of course, is Achis Reggae favourite, Sara Lugo, who has dropped two new videos over the past month.

The first was for the tune 'Pour le Plaisir', alongside Phases Cachées, from out of France (which is apparently where Lugo lays her head these days).

I have to mention, hilariously, my Wife's wonderful first reaction when she saw the video for this tune which was something along the likes of, "when did she get THOSE", and I'll leave that to you to figure out what "those" are there. But the video is a very nice one which well matches the vibes of the song and really does what it's supposed to do, at least in my opinion, and makes the song stand out even greater. GREAT music on that tune and give it another listen.

Secondly and most recently (DUH!) is was the somewhat surprising clip of the MASSIVE 'Learn & Grow' which features Indonesian firebreather Ras Muhamad. The tune originally appeared on an album you already own, Muhamad's "Salam" and has lost not a bit of its shine over the course of the past couple of years. It ranks amongst the best either artist has ever produced to my ears.

Besides being another excellent video, I was just REALLY happy to see this tune be backed up with visuals. You go through albums (or at least I do) and think about how nice it would be if one or two of your favourites might get that type of rinsing but it doesn't always happen and, given the age of the song in particular, this was a big surprise (biggup Queen Omega for mining 'Ganja Baby', which is well over a decade old now).

So, if you're down on your luck or you're just not feeling too well, might I suggest adding a bit of Sara Lugo to your daily rotation. I'm  no doctor, but I've told you this for years: This woman makes music which JUST MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD! 

Both 'Pour le Plaisir' and 'Learn & Grow' can be found on Sara Lugo's latest release, the wonderful "Sara Lugo and Friends", which is in stores now... so go and get it.

REJOICE!!!

This song may just be an too much. It could have been of farrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr less quality and still have been a great one. Achis Reggae and Milky Way favourites Jah9 [BOOM!] and Sara Lugo [DAMN!] team up for a very early contender for Song of The Year 2016 with the Oneness Records produced 'Rejoice'. Linking one of the sharpest pens and wits in all of Reggae music with... essentially an angel (I've spent most of my life learning a lot of big and beautiful words, and pick up a few new ones everyday, but I am struggling to find more ways to describe this woman's voice and music) was an absolute stroke of genius.

Who cares what I think though? Hear for yourself when you pick up 'Rejoice' by Jah9 & Sara from Oneness Records - right now. BOOM!

Sara Lugo & Protoje 'Really Like You'!

Check the video for the latest and second single from Sara Lugo's wonderful new album, "Hit Me With Music", 'Really Like You' featuring Protoje. The Silly Walks produced track follows 'Play With Fire' and was filmed in Jamaica and directed by the great Jay Will. I love the video with several things popping up and if you pay very close attention, you'll even see Lugo giving a chunk of love to Cali P and his EP, "Healing Of The Nation". Also, Oneness Records recently released a digital single of 'Really Like You', which also features a dubbed out version of the song done by the venerable Umberto Echo. BOOM!

And if you have not already, stop being stupid and show a little brainpower and pick up "Hit Me With Music" by Sara Lugo which is in stores now!

Behaving like we "GOING OFF"! with Skinny Fabulous

Avocado, She Love Di Avocado! Avocado, She Love Di Avocado!

Big new video for 'Avocado' from one of the most brilliant minds to reach Reggae music in recent times, the inimitable Jah9.

Taken from one of the best albums you've ever heard, "New Name".