The Good Love Riddim was released in February, 2011 on Yard Vybz. The actual release only featured four songs, nothing too special. Wayne Marshall's title track and Tanya Stephens' "Reminising" are okay tracks. A few others did record to it, (not sure why they weren't on the album), including Gyptian with "Butterfly" and Jah Cure with my favorite and really only worthy track on this riddim, "Call On Me."
Romain Virgo gained recognition in 2007 when he became the youngest person to win Jamaica's annual Digicel Rising Stars competition at the age of 17. In June 2010, he released his self-titled debut album on VP Records featuring 15 tracks, nearly half of them big hits on major riddims. My top three songs are "Mi Caan Sleep," off the I Feel Good Riddim, "Who Feels It Knows It," off the Serve & Protect Riddim, and "Live Mi Life," off the Boops Riddim. Check out "Love Doctor," (Automatic Riddim), "Taking You Home," (Big Stage Riddim), "Wanna Go Home," (Love Is The Answer Riddim), "Be Careful," (Time Will Tell Riddim), and even the dancehall flavoured "Customer Care," (Duck Riddim). Make sure you don't miss "Murderer," one of my other favorites.
-KT
Donovan Germain and Penthouse Records have been producing some of the best one-drops over the years, (Stop The Fighting, I Feel Good, Automatic, Serve & Protect...), and in 2010 they dropped the Big Stage Riddim. It's a lover's riddim that features a saxophone that really sets the pace, (sounds like Dean Fraser). My favorite track is Queen Ifrica expressing "The Will To Survive." Tony Rebel shows his experience on "Pretenders Paradise," and Romain Virgo tells a love story on "Taking You Home." Busy Signal's voice is soothing on "Comfort Zone," as is Gyptian's voice on "Seek Jah."
In 2005, the Firehouse Crew released the World Jam Riddim as #73 of the Greensleeves 'Rhythm Album' series. The riddim is best known as Damian Marley's "Welcome To Jamrock," but was originally Taxi Records 1984 Ini Kamoze song, "World-A-Music," and also backed by Jammy on the1985 Junior Reid song, "Boom-Shack-A-Lack." Anthony B takes on the original with, "World A Reggae Music," Richie Spice sounds good on "All For A Cause" and Luciano produces a wicked tune in "A No Like We No Like Them." Bounty Killer's "Poor People" and Beenie Man's "From Jamaica" are both good songs, and even Lukie D's "Stand Up Firm," or Daville's ganja tune "My Grade," are decent. Also check out Zuga Zar's "Welcome To England," an interesting version of the song.
-KT
1. Bounty Killer- Poor People
2. Luciano- A No Like We No Like Them
3. Vybz Kartel- How We Ride
4. Daville- My Grade
5. Beenie Man- From Jamaica
6. Richie Spice- All For A Cause
7. Anthony B- World A Reggae Music
8. Lukie D- Stand Up Firm
9. Ward 21- Worldwide Connection
10. Tony Curtis- Bless Me
11. Chukki Starr- Hard Fi Smile
12. Prilly Hamilton- Murderer
13. Future Troubles- Too Much Blood A Run
14. Chuck Fender- Jah Nah Sleep
15. General Degree- Must Run Away
16. Red Rat- Ghetto Youths Fi Rich
17. Baby G- In The Street
18. Firehouse Crew- World Jam Riddim Version
Additional Tracks
Damian Marley- Welcome To Jamrock
Ini Kamoze- World-A-Music
Junior Reid- Boom-Shack-A-Lack
Dynasty Records showed their 'feel good' side with the City Streetz riddim, released in May, 2011. It featured three of my favorite artists, (Lutan Fyah, Sizzla, and Warrior King), showing off their voices on "Hush," "Nah Go Work," and "All My Days." Delly Ranx' "Work Hard" and Gappy Ranks' "Life Goes On," are both good tunes as well.
-KT
AJ Productions released the World View Riddim in January, 2012. It's a simple roots & culture riddim that features some catchy tunes from Sizzla, Tony Rebel, Luciano, Junior Kelly & Queen Ifrica. My favorite song is Queen Ifrica's "Peace," but Sizzla's "Jah Jah Blessings" is just as good. Tony Rebel delivers a "Verbal Attack" and Luciano takes it "All The Way." Don't miss Junior Kelly's "What Is Happening," Natty King's "In This World," and "Murder" from Gal A Day.
-KT
Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley released his second album, Halfway Tree, on Motown in 2001. The album was a roots reggae style blended with dancehall, African, hip-hop, and R&B. Co-produced by Damian & brother Stephen Marley, it won the 2002 Grammy for 'Best Reggae Album'. This is the album that made Damian Marley an internationally known artist along the likes of Beenie Man, Sean Paul and more recently, Collie Buddz. Helping him on the album were Capleton, Bounty Killer, Yami Bolo, rappers Treach (of Naughty By Nature), Mr. Cheeks, Drag-On & Eve. My favorite songs are, "More Justice," a solo track from 'Jr. Gong,' "It Was Written," featuring the blazing Capleton, and "Educated Fools," a hip-hop vibe featuring Bounty Killer and Treach. Don't miss "Still Searchin'" and "She Needs My Love," with contributions from Yami Bolo. 'Jr. Gong' also remakes his father's songs, "Catch A Fire," his version of "Slave Driver", and the 'hidden' track "And You Be Loved," based on Bob Marley's "Could You Be Loved."
-KT
Don Corleon Records released another hit with the Broken Hearts Riddim in August, 2011. Tarrus Riley leads the way with his tune "Bless Me," while Richie Spice continues to produce solid vibes with "Survivor." Pressure's "Stand Firm," and Da Professor's "Listen," are both good tunes as well. Dancehall artists Vybz Kartel and Wayne Marshall produce decent tracks with "Good Father," and "Serpent."
Notice Production released the Heart and Soul Riddim in November, 2011. The riddim is an up-beat one-drop, (sort of reminds me of the Major Riddim), that features an amazing keyboard & violin back-drop. Only a few good tunes on this one but my favorite track comes from Chuck Fender, sending out a "Warning." Busy Signal has grown on me a lot recently, producing another good one with "Missing You," and as we've come to expect, Jah Cure sounds good on, "From My Heart." The only other decent tune is Future Fambo's ganja anthem, "Puff Puff Pass." Not featured on this album is Vybz Kartel's remix, "Not A Love Song."
-KT
1. Hezron- Can't Come Between
2. Jah Cure- From My Heart
3. Chris Martin- Girlfriends
4. Further Notice- In This World
5. Busy Signal- Missing You
6. Future Fambo- Puff Puff Pass
7. D Major- That's What Loves About
8. Chuck Fender- Warning
9. Chevaughn- When You're Here
10. Million Styles- Where's My Wife
11. Richie Loop- Your Love I Miss
12. Notice Productions- Heart & Soul Riddim Version
