Blick Bassy - Hongo Calling (Camerún, 2011)

Blick Bassy - Hongo Calling (Camerún, 2011)

Blick Bassy - Hongo Calling (Camerún, 2011)

Divina Verdad - Divina Verdad (Argentina, 2014)

Divina Verdad - Divina Verdad (Argentina, 2014)

Divina Verdad nace a fines del 2007 para, rápidamente, arrancar en marzo del 2008 a presentarse en vivo en distintos lugares de la city porteña. "El nombre nace del conjunto de estas dos profundas palabras: Divina Verdad. Esta verdad, generalmente busca la alegría, la armonía y la fraternidad, o bien todos aquellos valores y elementos que conformen su felicidad. Muchos de esos elementos están constituidos por un conjunto de acciones y hechos, personas y emociones. La búsqueda es reafirmar y revalorizar aquello que tenemos siempre y forma parte de nosotros. La divinidad de nuestra verdad va a estar determinada por el grado de certeza, la voluntad y fundamentalmente por la fe que tengamos en eso que queremos encontrar." Entre 2008 y 2012 la banda supo encontrar su lugar en el reggae under de la Argentina. Durante estos años tocaron ininterrumpidamente, escalando y llegando a subirse al escenario de El Teatro de Flores, Ciudad Cultural Konex, Groove y Niceto Club, entre otros. También compartieron escenario con bandas como Riddim, Kameleba, Zona Ganjah (Chile), Dancing Mood, Luis Alfa, Alika y El Natty Combo.

01. Mr Babylon

02. Susurrarte Al Oido

03. Vidub

04. El Artista

05. A Los Mentirosos

06. Divina Verdad

07. The Movement

08. La Voz Cantante

09. Bienvenida A Casa

10. El Erudito

11. Musica

12. Recreo 

Divina Verdad - Divina Verdad (Argentina, 2014)

Joss Stone - LP1 (UK, 2011)

Joss Stone - LP1 (UK, 2011)

1. Newborn

2. Karma

3. Don't Start Lying To Me Now

4. Last One To Know

5. Drive All Night

6. Cry Myself To Sleep

7. Somehow

8. Landlord

9. Boat Yard

10. Take Good Care

Joss Stone - LP1 (UK, 2011)

Midnite - Ride Tru (Islas Vírgenes, 2014)

Midnite - Ride Tru (Islas Vírgenes, 2014)

Midnite - Ride Tru (2014)

01. Calm The Day

02. To Them

03. To Ge Da

04. Restore

05. Credited

06. Conquering Lion

07. Voices of The Remnancy

08. Haile Selassie I The First Time

09. Arise Again

10. I Beseech Jah feat. Pressure

11. Worry Free

12. How I & I Carry On

13. Ride Tru

Midnite - Ride Tru (Islas Vírgenes, 2014)

Midnite - Kings Bell (Islas Virgenes, 2011)

Midnite - Kings Bell (Islas Virgenes, 2011)

01 - Exalt the Crown.

02 - Try That Way

03 - Mongst I & I

04 - Earth is the Lords

05 - Kings Bell

06 - System Peak Out

07 - Jewel Inna Africa Horn

08 - Bittersweet

09 - Pon a Watchlist

10 - On the Broadcast

11 - Peak Tension Time

12 - Black Mamba

13 - What About Sudan

14 - Jerusalem School Room

15 - The Quickening

16 - Torpedo

Midnite - Kings Bell (Islas Virgenes, 2011)

House Of Shem - Island Vibration (Nva Zelanda, 2011)

House Of Shem - Island Vibration (Nva Zelanda, 2011)

01 - Island Vibration

02 - Sweet Love

03 - Move Along Together

04 - Not Gonna Run

05 - Tahuri Mai Ra (Feat. Ruia)

06 - Party

07 - Just Remember

08 - All I Need

09 - Brighter Day

10 - Thank You

11 - Memories

12 - Jah Light

13 - Keep The Fire Burning

Cameron Allen Saxophone

Ruia Aperahama  Featured Artist, Introduction, Rap, Saxophone, Vocals (Background)

Chris Athens Mastering

Errol Brown Engineer, Mixing

John Diamond Guitar

Oliver Emmitt Trombone

Spencer Fusimalohi Guitar

Francis Harawira    Bass

Paul Jeffcoat Art Direction, Design, Layout, Photo Manipulation

Joey Latimer Fender Rhodes

Cameron Mariu Assistant, Engineer

Chris Nielson Saxophone

Sean O'Kane Saxophone

Stuart Pearce Piano

Carl Perkins Art Direction, Executive Producer, Guitar, Guitar (Steel), Percussion, Producer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Isaiah Perkins Drum Programming, Executive Producer, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Producer, Synthesizer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Samuel "Gad" Perkins Vocals (Background)

Te Omeka Perkins Bass, Clavinet, Drum Programming, Engineer, Executive Producer, Guitar (Acoustic), Percussion, Producer, Programming, Ragga Poetry, Synthesizer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Steve Roberts Engineer

Finn Scholes Trumpet

Jordan Stone Assistant

Piahana Tahapehi Guitar

Ben Tawhiti Guitar (Steel)

Marconia "Mako" Tekena Drums, Ukulele

Karl Thomas Organ, Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Putiani Upoko Drums, Ukulele

Roy Venkataraman Guitar

Kaya Webster Drums

House Of Shem - Island Vibration (Nva Zelanda, 2011)

Carmen Souza - Protegid (Portugal - Cabo Verde, 2010)

Carmen Souza - Protegid (Portugal - Cabo Verde, 2010)

One often hears the expression, "It's all over the map." But it's rarely used been more truthfully or appropriately than when applied to Protegid, the third album by vocalist Carmen Souza, born in Lisbon, of Cape Verdean descent, and now residing in London. Singing in a colorful, eclectic Portuguese-based Creole, Souza illuminates, stretches, and snaps back the elastic connections between Latin, African and Arabic music, American jazz and the music of Cape Verde.

Souza conclusively proves that the "world music" evolution/revolution has transformed modern vocal as well as instrumental music. This transformative power breathes new life into the most famous song written by Cape Verdes' most famous native musician, "Song for My Father" by Horace Silver. Her new "Song"—more than mere rearrangement—tosses together a Latin shuffle from piano and percussion that keeps the original's rhythm rocking, with her vocal softly tracing the padded steps of her electric keyboard solo. "I came to discover that the songs that people sang in the fields on Cape Verde have the same pentatonic scale identified with the blues," she marvels.

Souza's half-spoken, half-sung introduction, and subsequent verses, to "Dos Eternidade (Two Eternities)" suggestNina Simone pattering in French surrounded by a carnival of steel drums, a scene that abruptly shifts into jazz piano backed by percolating congas, jingling bells, and whistles. "Tente Midj" jumps out of this production, stewing percussion, acoustic guitar, and vocals together with jackrabbit accordion until thoroughly blended and steaming hot. The piano chords and horn chart of "Kem e Bo (Who Are You)" turn toward yet another time and place, the studied jazz-pop cool of Steely Dan. Unified with fretless bass, piano and percussion, her closing vocal to "Magia ca tem (Passionless)" even seems to whisper the same rarified breath as Flora Purim from Purim's magical tenure inReturn to Forever.

"Afri Ka" and "D'xam ess moment (Worthwhile)" erupt with the wondrously inexplicable joy of vibrant, sunny African rhythms, teased and played out by Souza's vocal, sighing and flying, mewing and cooing, and very much sounding like a prowling cat.

Track Listing: M'sta Li Ma Bo (I'm Here for You); Afri Ka; Dos Eternidade (Two Eternities); Tente Midj; Protegid (Protected); D'xam ess moment (Worthwhile); Sodade; Song for My Father; Kem e Bo (Who Are You?); Magia ca tem (Passionless); Decision (Decision); Mara Marga (Bitter Mara).

Personnel: Carmen Souza: vocals, acoustic guitar, Fender Rhodes; Theo Pas'cal: acoustic bass, double bass, double bass bow, udo, cajon, snare timbales, brushes effects, skin percussion, traditional reco, traditional Agogos, backing vocals, wood and shakers, metal percussion, acoustic steel guitar, marimbas, kisange; Omar Sosa: acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes; Jonathan Idiagbonya: acoustic piano; Claudio Cesar Lima Ribeiro: solo nylon guitar; Tiago Santos: nylon guitar; Pedro Segundo: drums, percussion, kaxixe; Zoe Pas'cal: Funana rhythm, percussion; Sebastian Sheriff: bongos, cajon, timbales, kaxixes, congas, batas, vibraslap, cabaca, guiro, cowbells; Derek Johnson: nylon guitar; Marc Berthoumieux: accordion; Joao Frade: accordion; Victor Samora: acoustic piano; Rick Lazar: cebolo, cajita, shaker, triangle, pandeiro; Lars Arens: trombone, euphonium, horn section arrangement; Miguel Goncalves: trumpet, flugelhorn; Johannes Krieger: trumpet, flugelhorn; Ze Maria: tenor saxophone, alto saxophone; Luis Cunha: trombone, euphonium; Adel Salameh: oud; Naziha Azzouz: vocals.

1. M'sta Li Ma Bô

2. Afri Ká

3. Dos Eternidade

4. Tentê Midj

5. Protegid

6. D'xam Ess Moment

7. Sodade

8. Song For My Father

9. Kem Ê Bô

10. Magia Ca Tem

11. Decison

12. Mara Marga

Carmen Souza - Protegid (Portugal - Cabo Verde, 2010)

Lloyd Brown - 30 (Reino Unido, 2012)

Lloyd Brown - 30 (Reino Unido, 2012)

01. Thank You

02. Tired Fi See Mi Face
03. What Part of No Didn't You Understand
04. Catch the Feeling
05. Get To Know Ya
06. Right There
07. On the Other Hand
08. Got a Thing for You
09. When Will I See You Again feat. Julie Payne
10. Stop
11. Make Time for Love
12. Just so That You Know
13. Sharing the Night (LB'S Remix)
14. Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye
15. Sunshine
16. Better To Have Loved
17. Private Life feat. Grace Jones & Sly 'N' Robbie
18. Pay No Mind
19. Pass It On feat. Don Campbell, Wayne Marshall & Delroy Pinnock
20. Tribute

Featured artists: Sly & Robbie, Wayne Marshall

Lloyd Brown - 30 (Reino Unido, 2012)

Midnite - Beaty for Ashes (Islas Vírgenes, 2014)

Midnite - Beaty for Ashes (Islas Vírgenes, 2014)

The idea of a milestone album is pretty laughable if you'reMidnite. After all, with so many albums so many miles have been covered that marking any temporary resting place as one of special significance makes little sense.

But Beauty for Ashes is a milestone of sorts for those involved. It's the first of a trio of long-players helmed by Tippyof St Croix’s I Grade Records using rhythms by US/VI production troika Zion I Kings - the follow-ups being byPressure and Lutan Fyah (both featured here). Despite a decade old association with I Grade, it's also a landmark in that it's Midnite’s most accessible effort since the up-tempo JA style roots of 2011’s Andrew Bassie Campbell production Kings Bell.

As with Kings Bell Midnite keyboardist and musical director Ron Benjamin is not producing the music and singer/lyricist Vaughn Benjamin’s dense reasonings are laid over less languid, more conventionally classic roots backings. Zion I Kings rhythms possess a meditative depth that can be likened to the Roots Radics with a temperate, distinctly non Jamaican feel. The horns and guitars evoke cool misty mornings in ancient tropical lands – while the drum and the bass pitch and roll like ships on choppy seas.

Midnite’s reputation for prolific issuing of their recorded output is matched by the amount that stays unreleased. Several tracks originally considered for the project have been culled in the process of its making and the final ordering is as sure and flowing as can be.

A theme of Vaughn's thinking is the interconnectedness of everything. And this is a central concept of the record - both in using a network of collaborators and in the lyrics. Songs like Same I Ah One (with Pressure) and Same Boat We stress importance of losing our island mentality. Compassion for all races, especially women and children figure strongly. Generation Again says of man and woman “Separate and equal, are together an equal”. Other topics include technology (All I's On You) and substance abuse (A Healing).

Vaughn’s voice is insistent and haunting, ancient and yearning, as if calling to us from a dream. He is often content to take the chorus in the collabs with Pressure, Lutan Fyah and Ras Batch. Yet even when he has a song to himself he locks with the music and chants his messages at an intense, measured pace. Every thesis, antithesis, digression and dialectic is given sufficient room.

Where musically this might not be as commercial as Kings Bell, it is the next step for people that don’t “get”Midnite. Those that find the majority of their albums impenetrable may have an easier time having heard Beauty For Ashes. For it is surely one of Midnite’s most significant and faultless works – although its true substance is hard to gauge until the Pressure and Lutan Fyah sequels follow.

review by www.reggaeville.com

Midnite - Beauty for Ashes (Islas Vírgenes, 2014)

Incognito - Transatlantic R.P.M. (UK, 2010)

Incognito - Transatlantic R.P.M. (UK, 2010)

Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick and Incognito have become an insitution on the British groove scene, for their jazz-funk and nu-soul hybrid. Transatlantic R.P.M. marks Maunick's 30 years in the music biz and celebrates with 14 new songs, 13 of them originals. Bluey enlisted a slew of friends to join the party. The set opens with the album's lone cover: a convincing reading of Boz Scaggs' "Lowdown," featuring Italian clubjazz singer Mario Biondi and Chaka Khan. The arrangement doesn't differ all that much from Scaggs' version (thankfully) but the meld of Biondi's and Khan's rough-edged lead vocals juxtaposed with a smooth backing chorus, a slightly faster tempo, and a popping bassline after the bridge, distinguishes it. Another notable cut is Bluey's funky name checking homage to the 70s and his youth entitled "75"; it's sung by Joy Rose with a gorgeous horn arrangement by Kevin Robinson. Leon Ware puts in a fine performance on the babymaker, makeup number "Line In The Sand." Bluey's guitar work is, as usual, tasteful and understated, but adds immeasurably. Ursula Rucker sings and speaks on the stepper "Gotta," while Khan gets her own showcaseon the jazzy, string and Rhodes laden, "The Song." Longtime vocalist Maysa shines on the summery "Your Love My Sky," with beautiful guitar work from Bluey and a fine brass arrangement by Trevor Mires. The lone instrumental on the set "Expresso Madureira," mixes Brazilian and Afro Latin rhythms in a heady, funk brew with popping percussion and horns. A Stevie Wonder meets Roy Ayers vibe distinguishes the '70s groove at work in "Life Ain't Nothin' But A Good Thing" sung by Vanessa Haynes. Biondi returns on the breakbeat clubjazz of "Can't Get Enough," backed by Incognito's stellar chorus. Bluey even takes a vocal on the closer, "Tell Me What To Do." While he's no match for the other singers here, the track's breaking, cut time rhythm, breezy atmosphere, and lithe, sensual melody makes it a nu-soul winner. Incognito may not be innovating on Transatlantic R.P.M., but in showcasing the many places they've been, and the wide vein they've mined, they don't need to. This is a summeritme party record with fine songs and good vibes in abundance.

Incognito - Transatlantic R.P.M. (UK, 2010)

Dub Spencer & Trance Hill vs Umberto Echo - Too Big To Fail (2012)

Dub Spencer & Trance Hill vs Umberto Echo - Too Big To Fail (2012)

01. A Fistful Of Dub

02. Rasta Pasta

03. Lychee

04. Golden Parachute

05. Smoke In Missouri

06. Too Big To Fail

07. Im Westen nichts Neues

08. Woodpecker

09. 24h Race

10. Dub App

11. Step Beyond The Huggel

12. Rice And Beans

13. Introverted Monster

14. The World Is Dub Enough

Dub Spencer & Trance Hill vs Umberto Echo - Too Big To Fail (2012)

Lloyd Brown - Rootical (Reino Unido, 2013)

Lloyd Brown - Rootical (Reino Unido, 2013)

English born, internationally-rated singer Lloyd Brown has become a consistent critical favourite for his annual and increasingly biannual album releases. He could have comfortably rested on his laurels for the remainder of 2013 following February’s well-received New Veteran - released via his own production unit Riddimworks.

The same can be said of US reggae producing triumvirate,Zion I Kings, who have already put out a superb Cornel Campbell project this summer. So when Lloyd announced that he and the Kings would be making an album together – a strictly roots and culture record with none of the pop and Studio 1 inflected moves made on New Veteran – the excitement (among reggae nerds at least!) was palpable. Speculation on the sum of its parts would suggest that it be one of the events of the year.

Lloyd has been cutting cultural numbers since the 90s but Rootical, his 17th long-player is 100% dedicated to this vein. Atypically, none of his four combination partners hail from the UK. There are no daring cover versions; just original material. The songs are co-written and co-produced with Jah David Goldfine, Laurent Tippy Alfred andAndrew Moon Bain of Zion I Kings who lend bass, keyboards and guitar respectively. With one source of rhythms behind him, this is the musically restless Lloyd’s most unified effort thus far.

A clever man in an industry that frequently takes artists for fools, Brown’s lyrics often include sharp and witty broadsides against haters and wrongdoers. Rootical is no exception. On the brooding karmic What You Sow he updates his familiar paternal scolding catchphrase for the ignorant “Gwaan A Yuh Bed” to the extra loaded “Gwaan Make Yuh Bed”. Metaphors of trial by court occur more than once. Na Na Na, the sole love song in the romantic sense, deals with betrayal.

Yet the tone of the album is never angry. For each critique is balanced with a request for resilience and forgiveness. Likewise the Kings’ rhythms are not hard and unforgiving but soulful and bittersweet. Against a backdrop of Chet Samuels’ jazzy guitar and bouncy drumming by the great Style Scott, Live In Love asks us not to give up on people in general because individuals let us down. Just In Time reminds that life is too short to bear a grudge. To match the old school feel of the music Lloyd draws on timeless sayings and natural images. On Keep On Keeping On, he calls for level headedness quoting Rudyard Kipling’s poem If, reclaiming its colonial wisdom to a reggae context.

Lloyd Brown albums always keep a certain standard but usually it is possible to select a few highlight tracks. WithRootical the quality is so uniform that it is near impossible. The combination choices are particularly inspired. The title piece featuring Pressure and Keep On Keeping On, with man of many deliveries Jahdan Blakkamore (this time channelling Junior Kelly), deliberately showcase these versatile artists’ deejaying palette for maximum contrast and complement with Lloyd’s voice.

On the Cornel Campbell outing some of the dubby effects felt a little abrupt. Here every mix is pared down and peer reviewed to perfection, every note and backing vocal subtle and precise. Only the synth strings on Queen Omegaduet Together feel superfluous. This is a project where everyone involved has put in and, through your speakers, poured out, a lot of love.

Sometimes, like a boxing match between two pound-for-pound contenders whose styles fail to gel, too much expectation can lead to disappointment. Thankfully, this project delivers on its pairing’s promise. This is Lloyd Brownand Zion I Kings finest album to date – and given the competition on both sides – that is not easy to do. 

Lloyd Brown - Rootical (2013)

01. Live In Love

02. Keep On Keeping On (With Jahdan Blaakamoore)

03. Rootical (With Pressure)

04. What You Sow

05. Not From Me

06. Winds Of Change

07. Have I Got Through To You

08. Na Na Na

09. I Don't Think You Heard Me

10. How Could I (With Yisrael Immanuel)

11. Together (With Queen Omega)

12. Just One Time

13. Can't Lose Sight

Lloyd Brown - Rootical (Reino Unido, 2013)

Incognito - Surreal (UK, 2012)

Incognito - Surreal (UK, 2012)

After collaborating with the likes of Chaka Khan, spoken word artist Ursula Rucker, and Italian soul singer Mario Biondi on 2010's Transatlantic RPM, British acid jazz pioneers Incognito hand over the vocal reins to a younger crowd for their 15th studio album, Surreal. It's an inspired move showing that, 30 years on from their debut album, bandleader Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick still has his finger on the pulse. While longtime singers Maysa and Vanessa Haynes remain a vital part of the setup, the former kicking off proceedings in style with the bass-driven funk of "The Less You Know," the latter channeling the divas of the Studio 54 era on a cover of Queen Yahna's '70s cult disco classic "Ain't It Time," it's the new recruits who steal the show. German-born vocalist Mo Brandis displays a maturity and soulfulness far beyond his 26 years on the John Legend-esque lead single "Goodbye to Yesterday" and the summery jazz of "Don't Wanna Know," while Ronnie Scott's regular Natalie Williams justifies the Erykah Badu/Jill Scott comparisons on the gorgeously slinky chillout of "Restless as We Are" and the dreamy bossa nova of "The Stars from Here." If they can hang on to this highly talented lineup, then Incognito's future appears to be in very safe hands indeed.

• 
  
• 01 – The Less You Know
  02 – Goodbye To Yesterday
  03 – Above The Night
  04 – Ain’t It Time
  05 – Capricorn Sun
  06 – Don’t Wanna Know
  07 – Restless As We Are
  08 – Rivers On The Sun
  09 – Don’t Break Me Down
  10 – The Stars From Here
  11 – To Be With You
  12 – This Must Be Love
  13 – The Way You Love
  14 – Thoughtful Fantasies
• 
  
• Phonographic Copyright (p) – Bluey Music Ltd
• Copyright (c) – Bluey Music Ltd
• Licensed To – Edel Germany GmbH
• Distributed By – Edel:Distribution
• Made By – Optimal Media GmbH
• Manufactured By – Optimal Media GmbH

Jamie Anderson Composer, Flute, Horn Arrangements, Saxophone

Eric Appapoulaye Guitars

Pete Ray Biggin Composer, Drums

Mo Brandis Composer, Engineer, Keyboards, Producer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Richard Bull Bass, Composer, Drums, Engineer, Guitars, Percussion, Producer

Mitchy Bwoy Design

João Caetano Percussion

Nigel Conway Management

Matt Cooper Engineer, Fender Rhodes, Keyboards, Producer

Matthew Cooper Composer

Giuliano Eboulia Photography

Alexei Elfenbein Bass, Composer

Sid Gould Flugelhorn, Horn Arrangements, Trumpet

Vanessa Haynes Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Francis Hylton Bass, Composer, Drums, Engineer, Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion, Producer

Imaani Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Incognito Primary Artist

Jan Kinkaid Drums

José Lasheras Photography

Robin Leggett Staff

Chris Lewis Staff

Arthur Manning Composer

Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick Composer

Takami Maunick Executive Assistant, Photography

Maysa Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Ernie McKone Bass

Francesco Mendolia Drums

Trevor Mires Composer, Horn Arrangements, Trombone

Mo Hausler Engineer, Mastering, Mixing

Dominic Oakenfull Composer

Ski Oakenfull Engineer, Keyboards, Producer

Camilla Pay Harp

Charlise Rookwood Staff

Steve Thornton Percussion

Alistair White Trombone

Natalie Williams Composer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Incognito - Surreal (UK, 2012)

Dezarie - The Fourth Book (Islas Vírgenes USA, 2010)

Dezarie - The Fourth Book (Islas Vírgenes USA, 2010)

01.Jah Know Better

02.Tryin To Be God

03.Ghettos Of Babylon

04.Everyday

05.Children Of The Most High

06.Foolin Yourself

07.Roots & Culture

08.Not Yours

09.Defend Right

10.Holy Of Holies

Dezarie - The Fourth Book (Islas Vírgenes USA, 2010)