It's that time of year for the end of year post. I haven't been updating this blog as much as I'd like, but I still have managed to update with a review of every new reggae or dancehall album I listen to (all of two of them this year). Unfortunately, the music industry continues to suffer and reggae has been hit particularly hard. The only publisher I know of is VP records and they continue to cut back on new releases. The internet and mp3 downloads are the only real option for keeping up on what's going on in dancehall. Although dancehall has always primarily been a singles genre, it is still sad to see physical albums not being made.
With that said. Chino's
Self Titled and Elephant Man's
"Dance and Sweep" were both awesome releases we saw this year. The highlights of both albums featured productions by Jamaica's star producer, Stephen "di Genius" McGregor. Chino's album was filled with great lovers tunes and feel good dancehall. The single "Leaving (Seal the Link)" was one of the best songs of the year. Elephant Man reasserted his namesake as Energy God with his best album in years, a perfect dance and party album. The album contained the first album release of the classic, "Nuh Linga" as well as "In Jamaica" and "This is How We Do It" featuring Bounty Killer. An album I was excited about but did not get to hear was British deejay's Gappy Ranks' sophomore effort, "Thanks an Praise". Both singles "Tun Up" and the album's title track were solid. Albums VP put out I didn't hear at all that I could care less about included Richie Spice's "Book of Job", Alborosies "2 Times Revolution", I-Wayne's "Life Teachings", Ziggi Recado's self titled. I would have liked to have heard Etana's "Free Expressions".
Major shifts in dancehall news included Vybz Kartel being charged with murder as he and everything Gaza related continues to fall off harder than a kid on his first bike. Seriously, the best riddim the group put out was Summer Time and I feel like Popcaan sweeped that one from Vybz. Although to Kartel's credit he has tried to release some songs reasserting his lyricism and deejay skill such as "The Lyricist". Unfortunately, that doesn't make up for the mass of ridiculously bad songs with lyrics about his horrible lifestyle and generally being a despicable human being. Hopefully, his mass of insane loyalist fans we start to wane in the coming years. Jah Vinci, who probably was the most talented member of Gaza, left this year and I'm excited to see him be able to participate on the best riddims without the baggage of being in Gaza. He's probably my favorite sing-jay out right now.
Mavado continues to be solid although his output seems to be getting a bit monotonous. I wish he had a few more hardcore tunes instead of pop-oriented songs (his song on the Darkness riddim being a notable exception). Assassin remains my deejay, he can't make a bad tune, and is loyal to true dancehall. "Badda" is probably one of the hardest dancehall songs of all time. Konshens continues to grow as an artist and has also become a favorite. "Buss a Blank" may be the best conscious tune of the year. I look forward to his album dropping in February 2012. Tony Matterhorn was putting out a lot of consistently solid material for the first half of the year, but I personally haven't heard anything from him since (maybe he's on tour). Demarco has really made his name known this year as a feel good ladies man with a score of hits; "I Love My Life" being one of the best singles of the year. Tifa is probably my favorite female deejay this year. Her "Nah Stop Shine" was a massive one. Romain Virgo dropped a few strong singles for 2011, solidifying his position as one of the best in the contemporary lover's arena (especially with Gyptian not having too many good songs). These included "I Am Rich in Love" and "System". Khago has blown up this year. I'm not sure I really get his appeal but, I'm not particularly offended by his existence either. "Tun Up Di Ting" on Overproof Riddim is super catchy. In general, I wish there was a new deejay out who could really do some hardcore toasting. It seems everyone wants to write catchy pop songs. It would be a horrible day when everyone sounded like Popcaan.
My favorite producers this year were Big Ship Productions (Pepper, Bad Acid, Wildlife, Iron Belt) and Good Good Productions (Young Money, Life, XXX). Washroom entertainment also provided two of my favorites (Matrimony and Bubble Gum).
With all that said, here's a bunch of lists:
Best Albums:Best Riddims:
- Pepper
- Iron Belt
- Wildlife
- Bad Acid
- XXX Riddim
- Young Money
- Life Riddim
- Matrimony
- Bubble Gum
- Bus Stop
- Deep Cover
- Overproof
- Summertime
- Belated Earth Strong
Best Singles:
- Assassin - Badda (Wildlife)
- Assassin - Gallis Wine (Blaze Fia)
- Assassin - Talk How Mi Feel
- Busy Signal - We Nah Dweet (Bad Acid)
- Beenie Man - Cah Puff My Chest (Warmonger)
- Chino - Seal the Link (Leaving)
- Demarco - I Love Mi Life
- Di Genius - Bounce a Gyal (Pepper)
- Di Genius - Only God Can Judge Me
- Elephant Man - In Jamaica
- Gappy Ranks - Tun Up
- Gyptian - Wine Slow (Rio)
- Jah Vinci - Mama Love (Eternal)
- Jah Vinci - No Love (Life Riddim)
- Khago - Tun Up Di Ting (Overproof)
- Konshens - Buss a Blank (Fresh Medz)
- Konshens - Represent (Island Vibes)
- Konshens - Forward (Bus Stop)
- Mavado - Tump
- Mavado - Delilah
- Mavado - Settle Down (Overproof)
- Munga - Mi Nuh Know (Young Money)
- Munga - One Call
- Popcaan - Right Now I'm Ravin (Summertime)
- Romain Virgo - Rich in Love
- Tifa - Nah Stop Shine (Mento)
- Tony Matterhorn - Dancehall Duppy
- Vybz Kartel - The Lyricist
- Wayne Marshall - Real Love (Bubble Gum)
Well, that's my take on dancehall in 2011. Might make another year end post for other music, but this is what I mostly listened to.
