Album: Dennis Brown & The Inseparable Reggae Family Artiste: Various Artiste Lable: TAD’s Records Genre: Reggae
Unifying the biggest names in Reggae music, Dennis Brown & The Inseparable Reggae Family spins as the perfect cocktail of the golden voices of the genre while effortlessly capturing its pulse and sonic DNA. Boasting a roster of over 30 artistes, the two-disc opus soothingly takes listeners on a musical journey comparable to no other while leaving you yearning for more.
Brilliantly highlighting the impressive smoothness of Gregory Isaacs on So Long Baby and the mesmerising vocals of Freddie McGregor on Name and Number while delivering the masterful vocals of Jah9 on Avocado and finger-snapping-ready instrumentation from Dean Fraser and Rass Brass on MPLA, the opus gives an audio lesson on the pendulum swing of Reggae’s ever-shifting soundscape. Transitioning into the modern touch of Reggae, Beres Hammond, Jah Cure, Tarrus Riley, Alaine and Chronixx carry the swing to new heights and easily complete the diverse mission Dennis Brown had opened the project with.
The album is a great treat to whet your appetite for more; more would of course come in the form of classic reggae cuts that groomed the genre to what it is recognised for globally today.
Ratings
Lyrics: 4.5/5
Shelf Life: 3.5/5
Concept: 4/5
Album: Audiologist Artiste: DJ Nicholas Lable: On The Shout Records Genre: Gospel Reggae
The underlining theme behind The Audiologist is simple; cutting through the religious (more specifically Christianity) barricading tape that binds the faithful and the anathematise alike. Chances are, traditionalists won’t immediately lean towards this album, but listening to the project through and through you’ll realise this compilation was crafted for a younger demography.
Boasting a crisp production that bounces throughout varied genres, paired with catchy yet thought-provoking lyrics, DJ Nicholas baptises listeners with a myriad of topics thatanyone can relate to. The great thing about a project of this nature is the fact that there’s a track for everyone. Whether you’re seeking a traditional hand-clapping, singalongesque single or more of an in-your-face reality check, you’ll find it – with these singles easily breathing new life to your existing playlists.
Ideally the track list embodies the consistent message of unconditional love for Jesus while refocusing millennials, and the church at large, on truly serving God. In all honesty there’s no fault in the album; it’s amazingly woven together from start to finish.
Ratings
Lyrics: 4.5/5
Shelf Life: 4/5
Concept: 4/5
Album: Climb Artiste: Queen Ifrica Lable: VP Records Records Genre: Reggae
Queen Ifrica’s lyrical prowess shines through the 17-track album and gives listeners an intimate glimpse into her outlook on life. Her debut album and sophomore project, Fyah Mama and Montego Bay respectively, saw her not only as a singer and songwriter but also an inflexible social activist whose voice demands your attention. Climb follows suit but with a little more subliminal jabs that may go over a few heads. In a recent interview the reggae chanteuse expressed “Anyone who knows Queen Ifrica knows that my music is always message-based and the topics always have you thinking,” and rightfully so.
Whether she’s tackling the social unrest of victims slathered by police brutality and misconduct on I Can’t Breathe or raising an eyebrow while critiquing varied Jamaican policies on Lie Dem A Tell, Ifrica stands unwaveringly by her thoughts and couples it effortlessly with the production.
Climb, her third full-length studio album, ultimately spins as a diamond in the rough and acts as a must listen for music enthusiasts.
Ratings
Lyrics: 3.5/5
Shelf Life: 3.5/5
Concept: 4/5
Album: Chronology Artiste: Chronixx Label: Soul Circle Music Genre: Reggea Soul
Chronology spins as a perfect reflection of Jamaica’s precarious musical landscape—both present and past—while packaging itself as an amalgamation of penmanship, history and a heavy dose of unpredictability.
With his relaxed vocal delivery coupled with potent lyricism, Chronixx takes listeners on a musical rollercoaster that finds him acknowledging the inaccuracies of society’s norms and values while smiling at the thought of his voice being the vehicle of change. If ever you were blessed to have witnessed the reggae crooner live, listening to this album would leave you with visions of him skankin’ in the studios while recording.
Chronology, in more ways than one, plays as Chronixx’s autobiography. From his birth on Spanish Town Rocking (‘Spain Town original and mi navel string cut over Spanish Town Hospital’ ) and being self-aware on Ghetto Paradise ( ‘Jamaica spiritually irie, pretty and it nice, still a ghetto paradise and mi nah apologise’ ) to dreaming of a better tomorrow on I Can ( ‘Oh every morning I rise, I stare at the sun, I know it is a blessing’ ) and embracing death on Tell Me Now ( ‘I was only fourteen when you pass off, from the day you born, mi and you ah par, did everything together, Jamar, Javar, you are my brother, my soldier’ ).
Easily, Chronology might be the most potent body of work for our generation and years from now will be heralded as one of the greatest albums in Jamaican history.
Ratings
Lyrics: 5/5
Shelf Life: 4.5/5
Concept: 5/5
Album: Stir It Up Volume 11- Family Artiste: Twins of Twins Label: Kingston 13 Music & Zion Room Music Genre: Spoken Word/ Drama
No one highlights the culture of Jamaica and the world at large the way Twin of Twins does. Their social satire has positioned itself as a humour-riddled album that echoes the current societal norms and values, while opening the eyes of many to a new reality they didn’t realise existed.
Stir It Up Volume 11, with its unconventional comedy, finds voice imitations of Elephant Man, Bounty Killa, Mutabaruka, Alkaline and Vybz Kartel among a plethora of other characters that drives a unique message throughout the project. With their unique twist, Twin of Twins gives life to new slangs, metaphors and certainly new characters, but fans will ultimately yearn for the return of older characters from previous volumes to see how well they would gel with the new cast. Just imagine Ian Lyad, Dear Pastor, Ras Whitey or even Mr. Adams’ take on varied topics.
Nonetheless, Stir It Up Volume 11 hits home with its delivery and manages to hold a vice grip on your attention for its entirety.
Ratings
Lyrics: 4/5
Shelf Life: 3.5/5
Concept: 4/5
Album: The Hit List 6 Artiste: Various Artiste Label: TAD’s Records Genre: Dancehall
The beauty of dancehall music lies in its rapid fire of hit singles on a consistent basis. Having Alkaline, Mavado, Popcaan and Vybz Kartel sitting as the current kingpins of the genre, TAD’s Records presents us with a compilation that is perfect for any summer party. From sultry vocals paired with auto tune to irresistible productions, the 21-track project is the perfect fusion of the here-and-now while giving us a glimpse of just how much each artiste has to offer fans.
Do yourself a favour and keep this album on repeat for the summer!
Ratings
Lyrics: 4/5
Shelf Life: 3.5/5
Concept: 3/5
Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #3– July-August 2017
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Artiste: Various Artiste
Lable: TAD’s Records
Genre: Reggae
Unifying the biggest names in Reggae music, Dennis Brown & The Inseparable Reggae Family spins as the perfect cocktail of the golden voices of the genre while effortlessly capturing its pulse and sonic DNA. Boasting a roster of over 30 artistes, the two-disc opus soothingly takes listeners on a musical journey comparable to no other while leaving you yearning for more.
Brilliantly highlighting the impressive smoothness of Gregory Isaacs on So Long Baby and the mesmerising vocals of Freddie McGregor on Name and Number while delivering the masterful vocals of Jah9 on Avocado and finger-snapping-ready instrumentation from Dean Fraser and Rass Brass on MPLA, the opus gives an audio lesson on the pendulum swing of Reggae’s ever-shifting soundscape. Transitioning into the modern touch of Reggae, Beres Hammond, Jah Cure, Tarrus Riley, Alaine and Chronixx carry the swing to new heights and easily complete the diverse mission Dennis Brown had opened the project with.
The album is a great treat to whet your appetite for more; more would of course come in the form of classic reggae cuts that groomed the genre to what it is recognised for globally today.
Ratings
The underlining theme behind The Audiologist is simple; cutting through the religious (more specifically Christianity) barricading tape that binds the faithful and the anathematise alike. Chances are, traditionalists won’t immediately lean towards this album, but listening to the project through and through you’ll realise this compilation was crafted for a younger demography.
Boasting a crisp production that bounces throughout varied genres, paired with catchy yet thought-provoking lyrics, DJ Nicholas baptises listeners with a myriad of topics thatanyone can relate to. The great thing about a project of this nature is the fact that there’s a track for everyone. Whether you’re seeking a traditional hand-clapping, singalongesque single or more of an in-your-face reality check, you’ll find it – with these singles easily breathing new life to your existing playlists.
Ideally the track list embodies the consistent message of unconditional love for Jesus while refocusing millennials, and the church at large, on truly serving God. In all honesty there’s no fault in the album; it’s amazingly woven together from start to finish.
Ratings
Artiste: Queen Ifrica
Lable: VP Records Records
Genre: Reggae
Queen Ifrica’s lyrical prowess shines through the 17-track album and gives listeners an intimate glimpse into her outlook on life. Her debut album and sophomore project, Fyah Mama and Montego Bay respectively, saw her not only as a singer and songwriter but also an inflexible social activist whose voice demands your attention. Climb follows suit but with a little more subliminal jabs that may go over a few heads. In a recent interview the reggae chanteuse expressed “Anyone who knows Queen Ifrica knows that my music is always message-based and the topics always have you thinking,” and rightfully so.
Whether she’s tackling the social unrest of victims slathered by police brutality and misconduct on I Can’t Breathe or raising an eyebrow while critiquing varied Jamaican policies on Lie Dem A Tell, Ifrica stands unwaveringly by her thoughts and couples it effortlessly with the production.
Climb, her third full-length studio album, ultimately spins as a diamond in the rough and acts as a must listen for music enthusiasts.
Ratings
Artiste: Chronixx
Label: Soul Circle Music
Genre: Reggea Soul
Chronology spins as a perfect reflection of Jamaica’s precarious musical landscape—both present and past—while packaging itself as an amalgamation of penmanship, history and a heavy dose of unpredictability.
With his relaxed vocal delivery coupled with potent lyricism, Chronixx takes listeners on a musical rollercoaster that finds him acknowledging the inaccuracies of society’s norms and values while smiling at the thought of his voice being the vehicle of change. If ever you were blessed to have witnessed the reggae crooner live, listening to this album would leave you with visions of him skankin’ in the studios while recording.
Chronology, in more ways than one, plays as Chronixx’s autobiography. From his birth on Spanish Town Rocking (‘Spain Town original and mi navel string cut over Spanish Town Hospital’ ) and being self-aware on Ghetto Paradise ( ‘Jamaica spiritually irie, pretty and it nice, still a ghetto paradise and mi nah apologise’ ) to dreaming of a better tomorrow on I Can ( ‘Oh every morning I rise, I stare at the sun, I know it is a blessing’ ) and embracing death on Tell Me Now ( ‘I was only fourteen when you pass off, from the day you born, mi and you ah par, did everything together, Jamar, Javar, you are my brother, my soldier’ ).
Easily, Chronology might be the most potent body of work for our generation and years from now will be heralded as one of the greatest albums in Jamaican history.
Ratings
Artiste: Twins of Twins
Label: Kingston 13 Music & Zion Room Music Genre: Spoken Word/ Drama
No one highlights the culture of Jamaica and the world at large the way Twin of Twins does. Their social satire has positioned itself as a humour-riddled album that echoes the current societal norms and values, while opening the eyes of many to a new reality they didn’t realise existed.
Stir It Up Volume 11, with its unconventional comedy, finds voice imitations of Elephant Man, Bounty Killa, Mutabaruka, Alkaline and Vybz Kartel among a plethora of other characters that drives a unique message throughout the project. With their unique twist, Twin of Twins gives life to new slangs, metaphors and certainly new characters, but fans will ultimately yearn for the return of older characters from previous volumes to see how well they would gel with the new cast. Just imagine Ian Lyad, Dear Pastor, Ras Whitey or even Mr. Adams’ take on varied topics.
Nonetheless, Stir It Up Volume 11 hits home with its delivery and manages to hold a vice grip on your attention for its entirety.
Ratings
Artiste: Various Artiste
Label: TAD’s Records
Genre: Dancehall
The beauty of dancehall music lies in its rapid fire of hit singles on a consistent basis. Having Alkaline, Mavado, Popcaan and Vybz Kartel sitting as the current kingpins of the genre, TAD’s Records presents us with a compilation that is perfect for any summer party. From sultry vocals paired with auto tune to irresistible productions, the 21-track project is the perfect fusion of the here-and-now while giving us a glimpse of just how much each artiste has to offer fans.
Do yourself a favour and keep this album on repeat for the summer!
Ratings
Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #3– July-August 2017
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