Goddang. Buju is looking fresh to death in this video:
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Chino - Chino (2011)
Artist: Chino
Album: Chino (2011)
Genre: Reggae/Dancehall
Label: VP Records
Release Date: May 31, 2011
RIYL: Bramma, Gappy Ranks
Rating: *****
This album is a project from two sons of legendary reggae artist, Freddie McGregor. The first being "Chino", the artist and vocalist on all the tracks. The second, from behind the scenes, is Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor, arguably the best producer working in Jamaica right now creating dozens of incredible riddims on his Big Ship label. Together they co-wrote all the material with "Di Genius" handling the production. What results is an excellent dancehall record that moves through a variety of styles. The opening song, "Never Change" is a guitar solo driven reggae number. "I Am" is features a dancehall riddim that sounds like little that's come before it. Drum claps and a driving Tetris-like synth line are accompanied by accordion and samples of French that remind one of a stereotypical view of Parisian street life. "Yeah Yeah", is a solid effort from Chino on his brother's bubbling "Pepper" riddim. "Badness" and "God Nah Sleep" features Chino singjaying Rastafarian and conscious lyrics over one drop rhythms--an effective meeting of roots and dancehall that would make Buju proud. But ultimately, its the lovers songs that dominate on this release. "Mus' Come Back" and "Ruff It Up" find themselves comfortably within the ever popular dancehall/r&b/hip-hop fusion. The stand out single, "Leaving (Seal the Link)", is easily one of the best lovers tracks to come out of dancehall in a while. A digital dancehall rhythm that sounds like something from the early 90s shuffles underneath Chino singing the irresistible hook as an almost-too-perfect horn line accentuates every measure. Just like the rest of the album, despite drawing from many points of reggae and dancehall's songbook, in "Di Genius's" hands the song remains undeniably fresh and new sounding. There's even "Driving Me Insane", a throwback to all those amazing 90s lovers dancehall tracks, like Mad Cobra's "Flex" or Shabba and Maxi Priest's "House Call". A few songs fall flat compared to the rest, particularly "Protected" which is a piano driven number with quick toasting and electric guitars that just doesn't quite come together. But overall it's a fantastic collection of songs and likely one of the best reggae releases of the year. Highly recommended.
- Never Change (From Mawning) ****
- Protected ***
- Pon Your Head ****
- I Am *****!
- Yeah Yeah *****
- Build a Vibes (Free Style Skit) ****
- Badness *****
- God Nah Sleep (Rise and Fall Story) ***
- My Soul ****
- Leaving (Seal the Link) *****!!!!
- Ruff it Up *****
- Mus' Come Back *****
- Driving Me Insane *****
- Before Dem Gone *****
- Work ***
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