SIZZLA
Sizzla has a new album out titled “The Overstanding” released via Kalonji Records / DDMG and KOCH. I’ve heard the album and have to say…it’s a bit of a let down. Tracks like “Just One of Those Days” and “Black Woman and Child” have been re-recorded using mostly a poor studio reggae session band.
Song credits on the album are listed as “produced by Sizzla Kalonji.” Many of the tracks have a crossover/Matisyahu feel to them. But with a versatile talent like Sizzla, there’s also a couple of rock-solid new roots singjay numbers that make the album worth a listen.
RICHIE SPICE
Richie Spice has inked a multi-album deal with US’s VP Records. “In The Streets to Africa” will be released in 2007. The title of Spice’s forthcoming album highlights the struggles as well as the business options that are available within the African continent. “We are trying to help the situation in Africa more than anything else,” says Spice who plans to tour the motherland for the first time in 2007.
His next hot single, already climbing the charts is “Brown Skin” (produced by the consistently chart topping beat master Donovan “Don Corleon” Bennett)–an excellent ode to all ebony woman: Spice sings “brown skin, girl I want to wrap you, want to lock you in my arms again.” Hear more at www.myspace.com/inthestreetstoafrica
INNER CIRCLE
Inner Circle, are back with two brand new singles "Smoke" and "Big Shotta" and a new dual acoustic/electric album 'State of the World' scheduled for release in 2007. "Big Shotta" features a remix with guest vocals from none other than 'One Blood’' Junior Reid.
(it's Bitty!)LOVERS ROCK SINGER BITTY MCLEAN
Check out his dope new single "The Real Thing" at his MySpace page. Videos and nuff more music there as well.
JAHWORKS.ORG
Nearing its sixth anniversary, the international online Caribbean lifestyle magazine, Jahworks.org, has a new look and new features including Discussion boards & chat, Interactive events calendar (self-serve for promoters), plus Video and music clips. In the near future, the site will provide its readers with podcasts, radio, and streaming video.
NEW RIDDIMS OUT PON ROAD
Here’s a listing of some of the better new roots riddims just out:
Kingston Jamaica (aka Love Is Not A Gamble) on Calibud
Minor Mood on Iceberg
Gully Gully on Digital B
Continuation on Penthouse featuring Sly & Robbie
Jah Calling on Palm of Gold
BUSY SIGNAL
Busy Signal’s album “Step Out” is out now on Greensleeves. Featuring three enhanced music videos for the tracks “Step Out,” “Not Going Down,” and “Born And Grow.”
CHARTS
Reggae Top 20—Courtesy of YardFlex.com
— Artiste Name—Song Title—Record Label
01 Mr. Vegas—Hot Wuk—In The Streets—1wk@ #1
02 J.Gong/S.Marely/Buju—Traffic Jam—Ghetto Youths
03 I Wayne—Life Seeds—Loyal Soldiers
04 Sean Paul/Keysha Cole—Give It Up To Me—Atlantic/VP
05 Tanya Stephens—These Streets—Tarantula
06 Movado—Mine How You Dis—Yellow Moon
07 Turbulence—Silly Girl—Tads Records -
08 Capleton—Fourty Sup'em—Blaque Warriaz/Trendsette
09 Chuck Fenda/Cherin—Coming Over Tonight—Birchill
10 Elephant Man—Ready Fi The Video-Natural Bridge
11 Buju Banton—Driver—Taxi—Greatest Gainer
12 Elephant Man—Hot Love—Stainless Records
13 Morgan Heritage—Brooklyn & Jamaica—Juke Box
14 Tony Matterhorn—Goodas Fi Dem—Natural Bridge—3wks@1
15 Cham—Rude Boy Pledge—Mad House
16 Da'Ville—On My Mind-Fashozy—5 wks @ # 1
17 QQ—Stukie—Super Love
18 Da'Ville—This Time I Promise—Fashozy
19 Richie Spice—Brown Skin—Don Colleon
20 Beenie Man—Swing it Weh—Hands and Heart
VIDEOS
Do remember: you can watch videos of many of these tracks at MuzikMedia—ForwardEver’s fave place for dancehall videos.
OTHER BITS
Hear the new Dub ID single (ForwardEver’s production alias) titled “Circling Dub” recorded using Ableton Live 6 at Versionist Music Community. You may have to create a log-in first before listening.
I also highly recommend the work of Earlyworm, Marcus and Ashley, three underground dub producers who know their way around a studio for reals! Go to the Artists Pages section and look them up.
(Natural Black is one of '06's Best)
DJ TOMAS/FORWARDEVER TOP 10 REGGAE ALBUMS 2006
Monty Alexander–Concrete Jungle: The Music of Bob Marley (Telarc)
Natural Black–Far From Reality (Greensleeves)
Roger Robin–Take It Slow (Joe Fraser-VP)
Sizzla–Waterhouse Redemption (Greensleeves)
Jah Mason–Princess Gone...The Saga Bed (VP)
Buju Banton–Too Bad (Gargamel)
Paul St. Hilaire–A Devine State of Mind (False Tuned)
Lutan Fyah–Phantom War (Greensleeves)
Yabba You–Deliver Me From My Enemies (Blood & Fire)
Gyptian–My Name Is...(VP)
