Introducing: The Essential 2011 Summer Mix

From DJ Squalsh and DJ Benjah comes this hot hot mix of summer tunes.  All GMMassive crew get this one on your iPod for this weekend.  It's gonna be a hot one out there so get to some water and Jam this one Loud!  Check the track list for your favorite artists. See you the 28th Benjah!!  Bless Up.
-BenJammin'

DOWNLOAD- DJ Squalsh & DJ BenJah- 2011 Summer Mix

Captain Riddim

From Yard Vybz Entertainment comes the Captain Riddim, released in January 2011.  This dark, echo-heavy riddim has conscious tunes that are serious--addressing the appalling conditions and mistreatment so many live with everyday.  Check tracks from Wayne Marshall, Tarrus Riley, Sizzla Kalonji, Jah Cure and Pressure.  'Jah could never give the power to no heathen, no sheathen.'  Listen.  Bless.
-BenJammin'

 1.  Sizzla- Murder Star
 2.  Tarrus Riley- Soul Grabber
 3.  Jah Cure- Feel It
 4.  Wayne Marshall- Captain
 5.  Yard Vybz Entertainment- Captain Riddim Version

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Clearly Riddim

With deep roots in Burlington, VT, Itation Records has seen their early days from spinning at college parties, weekly shows on UVM's 90.1 WRUV, and in between sets of reggae acts around town turn into working with the biggest names in modern roots reggae and producing numerous internationally successful riddims/albums.  Now mainly based out of Northern California, they produced the Clearly Riddim in May of 2010 along with the help of France's Tune In Crew.  It features 17 tracks, a steady one-drop, and a soothing guitar lick in the background that really makes the riddim stand out.  Both big names and reggae newcomers make up the artist list, but my two favorite songs were also the first two singles released.  Building off from previous collaborations, Itation and up and coming Jamaican singer Kali Blaxx work well together again on "Nah Trust Them."  My favorite track is from St. Thomas, VI's Pressure with "Be What You Want To Be."  Others worth listening to are Lutan Fyah's "Jah Will," Fantan Mojah's "Bust The Chain," and Zareb with "Bless The Farmer."  Some high quality reggae that started right down the street!
-EB

 1.  Mega Banton- One Day

 2.  Pressure- Be What You Want To Be

 3.  Kali Blaxx- Nah Trust Them

 4.  Nah Switch- Highest Set Of Weed

 5.  Lutan Fyah- Jah Will

 6.  Fantan Mojah- Bust The Chain

 7.  Al Pancho- The Way

 8.  Zareb- Bless The Farmer

 9.  Ras Matthew ft. Jah Sun- Warrior

10.  Khari Kill- Chant Rain Showers

11. Delly Ranx- Don't Choose Me

12.  Ras Indio- Look In Your Eyes

13.  Lady Passion- No Place Like Home

14.  Messenjah Selah- Higher Ground

15.  Omar Perry- Those Were The Days

16. Reason- Long Talk

17.  Tune In Crew- Clearly Riddim Version  

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DOWNLOAD- Clearly Riddim

Island Vibes Riddim

Not sure about the GMMassive crew, but I have been on a Tarrus Riley kick this summer.  His most recent album, 'Contagious,' was released in the summer of 2009 and his lyrics are consistently conscious and always backed by stellar vocals.  If you don't have it, get it!  Be sure to check the Island Vibes Riddim, produced by Chimney Records and released in January of this year, for another hot Tarrus track.  On "Never Leave I," I have no doubt you'll be singing along to the chorus by the second time around.  Konshens also has a great tune over this laid-back riddim with "Represent" and you can hear him alongside Tarrus on "Good Girl Gone Bad" off the 'Contagious' album.  Feel the good vibes.  Bless!
-BenJammin'

 1.  Bugle- I Don't Worry

 2.  I-Octane- Once More

 3.  Khago- Energy

 4.  Kibaki- Jah Children Beware

 5.  Konshens- Represent

 6.  Serani- Don't Call The Cops

 7.  Stein- Fall In Love

 8.  Tarrus Riley- Never Leave I

 9.  Chimney Records- Island Vibes Riddim Version

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DOWNLOAD- Island Vibes Riddim

Silver Plate Riddim

Juke Boxx Productions released the Silver Plate Riddim in November of 2009 and it featured only five songs.  Out of the five, only two were worthwhile, but I would've loved to see more artists featured over this smooth one-drop because it's one of those riddims that can produce some really creative tunes.  The most popular song is Busy Signal's relationship regret song, "You Never Knew."  My favorite track is from one of my favorite artists, once again Lutan Fyah with "You Got Me."
-EB

1.  Busy Signal- You Never Knew

 2.  Karl Morrison & Tameka Marshall- Choice By Choice

 3.  Lutan Fyah- You Got Me

 4.  Peetah Morgan- Saying Goodbye

 5.  Raw Deal- Wasting No Time 

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DOWNLOAD- Silver Plate Riddim

Stephen Marley Saturday, July 9th @ Higher Ground

Did you have to read that title twice?  Still don't believe it?  Check It!  Stephen has a remarkably powerful sound and vocals that one could mistake for Bob.  His debut album "Mind Control" was released in 2007 and hit No. 1 on the charts.  Richie Spice threw a nice cap on the July 4th weekend this past Monday, The Itals had us jamming in June and NOW we got Stephen Marley playing a SATURDAY night show.  I want to see all Green Mountain Massive crew at Higher Ground.  Show 9:00pm.  Tix $26.  All Ages.

Here's a couple nuggets!  Bless.
-BenJammin'

MH Family & Friends Vol 1/Liberation Riddim

Morgan Heritage is known more for producing songs than riddims, but in 1999 they released the first set of tunes from what later became a three volume series.  Released on the Morgan family record label HMG, Family & Friends Vol. 1, also known as the Liberation Riddim, is most well known for the song "Jah Jah City" by Capleton.  If you don't have this song, you HAVE to get it.  The riddim also features the Morgan family representing on three different levels, beginning with Morgan Heritage's "Liberation," siblings LMS on "Never," and father Denroy Morgan with "Link Up."  Bushman's voice is "Truly Great" on this one--very much resembling Luciano's.  Jah Cure's "Love the Solution" and the slower Ras Shiloh tune "Unto Zion" are worth listening to as well.  Each volume contains a medley track produced by MH.
-KT

 1.  Morgan Heritage- Liberation

 2.  Capleton- Jah Jah City

 3.  LMS- Never

 4.  Stevie Culture- No More

 5.  Jah Cure- Love The Solution

 6.  Ras Shiloh- Unto Zion

 7.  Denroy Morgan- Link Up

 8. Morgan Heritage & Toots Hibbert- Fellowship

 9.  Pinchers- Say Jah

10.  Jahmali- Naturality

11.  Military Man- Give Thanks

12.  Jackwell Miyah- Ethiopian Prayer

13.  Don Marshall- Gretting

14.  Adigun Minkaha- A True Mi Black

15- Prince Theo- Can't Forget The Times

16.  Bushman- Truly Great

17.  Mikal Asher- Chant

18.  Moses I- Natural Beauty

19. Mount Zion Medley- Morgan Heritage, Capleton, Jah Cure, LMS, Ras Shiloh & Bushman

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DOWNLOAD- MH Family & Friends Vol 1/Liberation Riddim

Great Show Last Night!

A couple Richie Spice tunes to cap off last night...enjoy.
-EB

Fire Kloud Riddim

Nastic Music produced the Fire Kloud Riddim in February of 2011 and it only features five songs so far.  With another relaxed lover's rock beat, there are two songs I liked.  The first one is from an artist I've never heard of before, Alkebullan, with his R&B sounding "My Luv."  Jamaican roots reggae artist, Bescenta, provides the best song here titled, "Jah U Rescue Me."  Just a couple more to add to your collection.

-EB

 1.  Bescenta- Jah U Rescue Me

 2.  Natural Black- Ghetto Ut

 3.  Wayne Anthony- So Irrisistable

 4.  Alkebullan- My Luv

 5.  Kananga- Lightening And Thunder

 6.  Nastic Music- Fire Kloud Riddim Version

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DOWNLOAD- Fire Kloud Riddim