• Jah Love Riddim - Massive B 7"


• Controversy Riddim - NY entertainment 7"


• "Shall Over Come" - Irie Ites 10"


• Rasta Pickney Riddim - Old Capital 7"
  

Jah Love riddim

Burro Banton, King Kong, Richie Spice, Chezidek, Ras Shiloh and other artists

Many current roots dancehall riddims are re-works of classics 60s and 70s riddims... Studio one riddims work a treat, such as the Truth and Rights (actually called "Take a Ride") riddim which worked well for MASSIVE B last year... But 70s cultural anthems, such as Vivian Jackson / Yabby U "Warning the nation" can really work as well... In a more polished mix that the truth and rights, Massive B brought their household artists like Burro Banton and King Kong alongside lower-profile singers such as Jah Bami and Kharri Kil. With such a hypnotic melody, the most soulful rasta cuts of Ras Shiloh "Momma Warning" and Jah Bami "Open the door" are those that we have to pull up each time... They're a Morgan Heritage feel to these two cuts which I just can't get enough of... Bigger singers like Norrisman "Precion", Chezidek "Inna di road", Richie Spice "Open da door" also work well. It's a killer roots cut, respect massive b for updating nicely classic roots music...

Listen to the show containing the Jah Love feature
Massive B website

Augui, May 2006

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Controversy riddim

Natty King, Jah Mason, Turbulence, Mr Perfect, Levardis, Luciano & other artists - New York Entertainment

Hot new riddim on New York Entertainment label. Really upbeat, almost dancehall piece of new reggae. My favourites on it do not include the title track by Natty King. The best version for me is Jah Mason ("Most High") and the Perfect ("Time Get Red") tune. Check this show, around 76 mins, for a mix of my favourites, including a piece by new (to me) artist Levardis
Flex, May 2006

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3 BIG SINGJAYS PON A RIDDIM BY ZENZILE

LUTAN FYAH - "Smug Alert" / SPECTACULAR - "More Herb" / TURBULENCE - "Shall Over Come" (Irie Ites Records 10")

It was not too long ago that the French reggae label Irie Ites revealed the excelent 10" "Big Singers Pon A Riddim By Zenzile" which featured Lorenzo, Chezidek and at the time new comer Ras Mc Bean. To think of it, that release made me start checking French productions and outputs more closely over the years since that rhythm made a serious impact on me. So following up their latest "Zion" rhythm is this brand new 10" named "3 Big Singjays Pon A Riddim By Zenzile" which features the same rhythm as the 10" mentioned above. The title kind of reveals what the listener can expect. Three singjay artists bringing forth lyrics of truth and right with style and grace. Lutan Fyah, Spectacular and the very productive Turbulence, all of which are big names on the Jamaican reggae scene, feature on this vinyl.

Rhythmwise we have Zenzile top french dub band, delivering a tuff steppers with a thunderous bassline acompanied by a organ and hard hitting drums which run drumfills in all the right places. The simplicity of it makes the rhythm's core show in a perfect way. Gimmicks would only destroy the feel that's now present.

First off is Lutan Fyah with "Smug Alert" which also is my favorite of the three. Lutan Fyah delivers a well heavy herb tune about all the bias of marijuana and all that comes with it. As always Lutan's delivery of vocals are rock steady when he the rides a rhythm with the rough singjay style of his. The herb chanting and farmer man hail comes across clearly as he maintains the good vibes all through.

"Them smug alert, smug alert. Mi haffi bun the herbs cuz mi joy comes first..."

Soundclip - Lutan Fyah - Smug Alert

Spectacular delivers a more simple yet effective vocal which is entitled "More Herb". His voice sounds rougher than usual as he chants herb craving vocals. A herb anthem which I think will grow slowly but surely.

"Them ah fight 'gainst the herb man, the man ah plant it still..."

Even on the third time around the rhythm sounds fresh and still got that approving feel like when you hear a solid track for the first time. Rootical vibes reach another level as Turbulence takes his falsetto to use in "Shall Over Come". He's exploring his vocal skills to a plateau where I havn't heard him before. Lyrically Turbulence stays true to the roots music where he originated from. It's a inspiring statement by a sure and faithful rastaman, who reasons that when all is said and done, we shall over come. No more slavery, physically nor mentally, now that Emperor HIM Haile Selassie I have showed us a path leading us closer to Christos.

Soundclip - Turbulence - Shall Over Come

The vibe that the rhythm produce is well kept and present on each of the artists contributions. All in their own way naturally. All to all a good release equally interesting for the roots man as for the dancehall fan. Music and vocal skills in the style of real word, sound and power warriors.

Do check the "3 Big Singers..." release while it's still availble which makes a perfect complement to this one.

The next 7" on Irie Ites Records is due in May 2006... It's a power combination of Turbulence and Spectacular, "High Grade" on a Mafia and Fluxi riddim. Spetacular's "Chant" is on the flip side... Keep your eyes out for that one, more fyah!!

Read more about Irie Ites Records HERE

Jakob Levi
guidelightmovement.com

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MALIJAH - RASTA PICKNEY/LUTAN FYAH - TURBULENT TIME (Old Capital Records)

Straight out of Le Mans, France, comes a new label on the rise named Old Capital Records. "Rasta Pickney" is their first release and also the name of the rhythm it is on. Producer Judi K has done a execellent work on the rhythm which is a mellow one drop with a flute like sound floating around in the background. It's got that real roots sound that really gets you moving. I got hooked on this rhythm the first time I heard it and certainly hope others feel it as well since sounds like these are needed in the dance. Feel it in the one drop as Marley sung.

Malijah is first off with "Rasta Pickney" on the A-side of this 7:inch vinyl. Malijah is new upcoming artist from Kingston, Jamaica, whose singjay style fits perfectly on this good vibing rhythm. Malijah sings of the vibes and music that "Rasta Pickney" brings when passing through the community weither in a yard or abroad. Malijah goes through different scenarios, from being greeted with love and curiosity to dealing with badminded people. This tune certainly brings good vibes unto I. The chorus is of a real sing along type which will most probably have its effect in a dance.

"Rasta pickney passing through, no time at all, we go under curfew, fi true. Rasta pickney passing through, come now people come look pon the view..."

Soundclip - Malijah - Rasta Pickney

On the B-side we have Lutan Fyah giving us another solid tune. Lutan Fyah have certainly made a name of himself with many strong releases in a short number of years. What I like with Lutan Fyah is that he can ride a rhythm, be well articulate and get his point across at the same time. Many similar artists tend to do too much roaring and screaming causing their content to drop in quality. Lutan Fyah who's also a singjay singer rides this rhythm perfectly as well yet in a more ruff way than Malijah's softer approach. "Turbulent Time" reflects on the turbulent times of today. How the system is being run to profit and not to work for better conditions for the people. How the youths although in their suffering shall keep their faith and keep moving in the right direction despite the turbulent situation. A good truths and rights kind of tune.

"We're living in a turbulent time the system never care so the poor them undermine..."

Soundclip - Lutan Fyah - Turbulent Time

The "Rasta Pickney" is certainly one of the top one drop rhythms of the year of 2005. Good solid production and crisp sound. Make sure to check Ras Mac Bean, Lorenzo and Turbulence's versions on the same rhythm. All roots and culture except for Turbulence delivering a good lovers tune. I will most definently check further releases from Old Capital Records since this one really caught my attention. Same goes for Malijah who I only heard once before on the "Zion" rhythm from Irie Ites Records. Don't sleep on this release! Run go check it at the your local reggae vendor.
Jakob Levi
guidelightmovement.com