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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Junior Murvin 'Inna De Yard' Review (Makasound/Soundicate)

After 20 years of silence, the falsetto of reggae and author of the international hit Police and Thieves- produced by Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry in 1977 and covered by The Clash and Boy George- is back with a compelling, if not triumphant ‘Inna De Yard’ session recorded with legendary guitarist Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith.
Police and Thieves sets the stage for ‘Inna De Yard’. It’s as if Junior Murvin never left. His defining falsetto is as butyraceous as it was in 1977. His covers of Curtis Mayfield’s Gipsy Woman and Rescue the Children are superb! Murvin trades in his trademark falsetto on an emulative cover of the Bill Wither’s classic Ain’t No Sunshine. Thankfully, the brilliant and boastful Solomon was part of the session too.
Closer, World Inflation, and the aforementioned Police and Thieves all showcase, not only his incredible singing ability, but also his songwriting prowess.
Junior Murvin is most definitely an everlasting talent!

Track Listing:


1. Police and Thieves (Intro by Danny Dread)
2. Gipsy Woman (featuring next yard’s dog)
3. Badman Posse (Intro by Chinna)
4. Rescue the Children
5. Closer
6. Roots Train
7. Solomon
8. World Inflation
9. Ain’t No Sunshine

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Monday, April 26, 2010

'Classic' Riddim Review

Kemar ‘Flava’ McGregor of No Doubt Records returns with his latest riddim entitled 'Classic'.

'Classic' is a slow-paced, lover’s rock riddim featuring many of the top artists in reggae music. It’s not Flava’s best effort and probably doesn’t quite live up to its name, but it is one those riddims that can nicely complement a lovers rock playlist.

Newcomer Khago supplies a catchy hook and melody on Love Stomach while veterans the likes of Tony Curtis (Golden Eyes), Maxi Priest (Like An Angel), Beres Hammond (No Apology), Singing Melody (Special Love) and Lukie D (Girl I Surrender) all ride the riddim smoothly.

Wayne Wonder (In Your Eyes) sounds rather generic and maybe even a bit uncomfortable on a riddim that you would assume he would be right at home on. Not his best performance.

Duane Stephenson and Ras Shiloh turn in an excellent performance on the conscious effort Soon As We Rise and Etana, Pressure, and Gyptian offer solid efforts on I Know You Love Me, Thinking About You and All I Wish Is Love, respectively.

Overall, Classic is a decent riddim but it won’t necessarily be a memorable one.

Gramps Morgan - Riddim Driven: Classic

Track Listing:

1. No Apology- Beres Hammond
2. I Know You Love Me- Etana
3. Like An Angel- Maxi Priest
4. In Your Eyes- Wayne Wonder
5. Special Love- Singing Melody
6. Soon As We Rise- Duane Stephenson featuring Ras Shiloh
7. Darling It’s You- Gramps Morgan
8. Thinking About You- Pressure
9. Girl I Surrender- Lukie D
10. Love Stomach- Khago
11. Searching- Kashief Lindo
12. Golden Eyes- Tony Curtis
13. Love On The Replay- Nikesha Lindo
14. All I Wish Is Love- Gyptian
15. Which Side Are You On- Fiona
16. Classic Riddim- Kemar ‘Flava’ McGregor