Music Video: Buju Banton - Make My Day (1993)

Goddang. Buju is looking fresh to death in this video:

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.

1. Never Change (From Mawning) ****
2. Protected ***
3. Pon Your Head ****
4. I Am *****!
5. Yeah Yeah *****
6. Build a Vibes (Free Style Skit) ****
   
7. Badness *****
   
8. God Nah Sleep (Rise and Fall Story) ***
   
9. My Soul ****
   
10. Leaving (Seal the Link) *****!!!!
    
11. Ruff it Up *****
    
12. Mus' Come Back *****
    
13. Driving Me Insane *****
    
14. Before Dem Gone *****
    
15. Work ***
    

Upcoming 2011 Releases

Two albums I'm giddy for include Chino McGregor's third album, a self titled, being released by VP records in late May. This album is going to be co-written and entirely produced by Jamaica's best producer and Chino's brother, Stephen "Di Genius" Mcrgregor. Here's a sneak peak:



Also, my favorite deejay out right now, Assassin, may be releasing an album at some point this year. Since beginning his own production company, Boardhouse Productions, the artist has somehow continued to excel with his abilities. Here's recent track:

Elephant Man - Dance and Sweep (2011)

Artist: Elephant Man
Album: Dance and Sweep: Adventures of the Energy God
Genre: Reggae/Dancehall
Label: VP Records
Release Date: Feb 14, 2011
RIYL: Beenie Man, Bounty Killer

Rating: *****

After 2008's rather disappointing crossover attempt, "Let's Get Physical" (released on Sean Comb's Bad Boy records), Elephant Man returns with a purely Jamaican effort for 2011. The album immediately benefits from being shorter than your average dancehall outing (compared to his 2002 album "Higher Level", which had a total of 23 songs clocking in at 76 minutes). These are almost entirely strong tracks--five of which are produced by Jamaica's current hottest producer, Stephen "Di Genius" Mcgregor, including the utterly addictive "Party Up In Here", and the dance anthem, "Step Ova". Also featured is Elephant Man's absolutely crucial island hit from 2008, "Nuh Linga", another massive dance anthem. "How We Do It" is a party boast featuring dueling vocals with fellow dancehall veteran, Bounty Killer. The album stays true to the current dancehall scene, with the only pure hip-hop elements being provided by the rapper, Kardinal Offishall, on the mediocre track, "Clear". Lyrics tend to stay party oriented which has the benefit of Elephant Man avoiding saying anything offensive (likely a well calculated marketing move by VP) but it is a shame one doesn't get any real content from the artist concerning island issues (which is fairly common among his recent island singles). What's left is an album of pure escapism. 40 minutes solid of excellent dancehall music and one of Elephant Man's best records to date.

1. The Genisis (The Energy God's Introduction) [Intro]
   
2. How We Do It (feat. Bounty Killer) *****!
   
3. Party Up In Here ****
   
4. In Jamaica *****!!
   
5. Nuh Linga *****!!
   
6. Dance and Sweep ****
   
7. Clear (feat. Kardinal Offishall) ***
   
8. Sweep **
   
9. Wine and Dip ***
10. Dip Again *****
11. Swing ****
12. Step Ova *****
13. Shake It ***
    
14. Let Me Be the Man ****
    

Music Video: Super Cat - Dem No Worry We ft. Heavy D (1992)

Championship Riddim Mix

I'm a mixing beast. This is a 11 Minute Championship Riddim mix produced by Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor:
http://soundcloud.com/prince-banton/championship-riddim-mix-1

Favorites of the Year (2010)

Last year, I was somehow able to make a list of my favorite albums of the year from a variety of genres. Granted I had only heard one or two albums from each of those genres. This year I've pretty much buckled down on listening to dancehall and reggae; I barely have any idea what's going on in the rest of the world of music. I also realized that I have not even given a total of ten albums a decent number of listens to be able to see if they really are favorites. I've only really done that for eight. So here's my eight favorite albums of the year in ascending order of greatness:

Favorite Albums:

8) Gappy Ranks - Put the Stereo On
7) Sizzla - Crucial Times (reissue of old never before released material)
6) Coffinworm - When All Became None
5) Bobby McFerrin - Vocabularies
4) Daisycutter - Invertebrate 7"
3) Romain Virgo - Self Titled
2) Gil Scott-Heron - I'm New Here
1) Gyptian - Hold You

Here's a list of other albums that I've heard this year which I enjoyed but haven't listened to more than 2 or 3 times: Mulatu Astatke's "Steps Ahead", Carolina Chocolate Drops "Genuine Negro Jig", No Bunny's "First Blood"

I also listened to a lot of stuff off of my good friend's Indiana punk label, Midwestern Decline. In particular I've rocked Karloff's and Close Only Count's EPs multiple times, and those releases have taken a good part in my listener ship for this year. Another highlight from their young discography is Cloud Rat's LP. Considering that they've only been around for a short while it's pretty impressive to think all these releases came out in the last year.

Favorite Mixtapes:

Assassin mixed by Shadyville Carribean - Assassin is Agent Sasco Mixtape
Young Jeezy - Trap or Die 2

Favorite Riddims of 2010:
Bad People Riddim
210 Computer
One Day Riddim
Cosa Nostra Riddim
Baheba Riddim


Favorite Live Shows:
Holy crap. I've been to a lot of shows this year. These are only the particularly awesome/good ones.

-Fresh Ben et al. for Cerebral 1.0 at C2G
God dang people going nutty for Ben's set and getting half naked. I danced SO hard. Worst part was people not showing up until late.
-Close Only Counts Release Show at Dash-In (Support the Troopz, Castles)
First time seeing Support the Troopz and the first time seeing Castles in a long time. A good show.
-Emi Knight and Toby/Theo/Ryan
This shit was touching. Perhaps I need more folk/singer songwriterness in my life?
-Coffinworm, Charnel House, and Slam Dunk at the Bishop
Goddang. Coffinworm was awesome.
-Beast in the Field at Berlin
Probably my 5th or 6th time seeing Beast in the Field. They closed with "Discovered: Large Iron Core" and I head banged real hard.

Harrison House Shows:
-Deep Shit and Pizza Hi Five w/ Sick to Deth, Karloff
I remember the singer for Deep Shit wearing a dope Bell Div Devoe shirt at this show.
-Karloff's Second to Last Show [?] (Balaclava, Bob Denver)
I hadn't seen Karloff for while and all of a sudden they had a posse of fans and kids went nutty at this show like I hadn't seen before
-Desperate Measures and Guide
Both of these bands were sweet.
-Greedy Mistress (an Italian hardcore band)
Those dudes were real goofy, I remember the singer drinking maple syrup between songs. Afterwards we were just hanging so late in front of the house with Fresh Ben reading stupid stuff to us from the internet on his new phone. Good time.
-Inter Arma, Bastard Sapling, and Daisycutter
Inter Arma destroys.
-Grind the Night Away
Ok, it hasn't actually happened yet but yuh already know it's gonna be the best



Fests:
-Culture Shock 2010
Not as good as 2009's but still some sweet acts. Really enjoyed Native. Best Coast was a bit disappointing considering how much hype they have now, I thought they were pretty lame.
-Bayfront Reggae Music Festival--Duluth, MN (Headlined by Michael Rose)
First ever time seeing reggae music live. Danced with this real sweet older Jamaican American in a circle of sorts. Mykal Rose performed "Real Jamaican" and I flipped my shit.
-Free Flow Electronic Music Festival 2010 at CS3
A lot lamer than 2009's (thanks to TRF not funding it) but it was still way fun. Was very flattered when I got hit on by a transvestite.
-XRA Fest at Russian Recording/Bishop
Sweet fest made way sweeter by my dude, my guy Grey coming down for it.
-Stay Young Fest at Pint and Slice
Arguably the best $10 ever only diminished by it's low attendance. Frontier(s) was incredible and Into It Over It was the best dude ever. We chanted some rude women out of the show.

Anyway can't say that the year has been too bad to me musically nor otherwise. Have a happy holidays everybody.