Focus
Publication date : Friday, January 07th 2011 - 19 650 views 2010 Review
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The Reggaefrance team looks back at the year gone by, with the artists, albums, singles and riddims that left their mark on us. Totally subjective, of course.
Buju Banton: Arrested at the end of 2009 for cocaine trafficking and imprisoned in Florida ever since, Buju Banton made the headlines almost all year. At his trial in September, the jury declared itself unable to agree on a conviction. Awaiting a new trial in February, Buju is free, but under watch. In the meantime, he released an album with an intensely roots vibe, and earned a Grammy Award nomination.
Nas & Damian Marley: This was the duo that marked the year 2010. Together, Nas and Damian Marley are worth more than the sum of their individual parts. Same professionalism, same interest in Africa, same taste for meaningful lyrics… Everything brought these two together. The success of the project, so glaring in our eyes, failed to catch the attention of the Grammy jurors.
Gyptian: Six years after Serious Times, the hit that revealed him, Gyptian hit the jackpot with his single Hold you, establishing himself in neighbouring America. After the MOBO, the Soul Train Award rewarded his self-titled album, for which he had prepared the ground with "I can feel your pain" two years earlier. Yet he too is inexplicably absent from the Grammy Award nominations.
I-Octane: Revealed in 2007-2008 (we put him among our hopes for 2009, before bringing him over to France for the first time at the start of the year), I-Octane largely confirmed his promise by placing no fewer than 5 tracks in the charts this year (Puff it, Povery, Think a little time, Nuh love inna dem, My life)… and up to three at the same time! Unanimous comments also hailed his performance at Dancehall Night at Sumfest.
Apple Gabriel: Ten years after his first solo album, 2010 is the year of the big comeback of the former Israel Vibration member, who has been through a long ordeal. A successful album, but a return tarnished by a conflict with the label Jahsolidrock.
The French side: It was reunion time for Big Red and Daddy Mory, who with Raggasonic made the comeback of the year. Pupajim, singer and spearhead of Stand High Patrol, also caused a stir with his old-school style. And always the tireless Danakil and Dub Incorporation, who once again criss-crossed France.
And also:
- Luciano: three albums in the year including the superb "United States of Africa", and two European tours.
- Assassin (aka Agent Sasco): his transformation into Agent Sasco in 2009 had given birth to very good lyrics. A little less productive, he did not disappoint us this year.
- The Jamaican new generation takes shape: we discovered Protoje and his talent as a writer, taken under Don Corleon's wing, with the very good Dread and JA. And also Khago, who confirms with the hit Nah sell out.
The year 2010 was once again dominated by the singles of Mavado and Vybz Kartel, who between them placed more tracks in the charts (and high up) than any other artists.
- Gyptian – Hold you (Ricky Blaze / VP)
- Bruno Mars & Damian Marley – Liquor store blues (Atlantic / Elektra Records)
- Vybz Kartel – Clarks, Clarks again, Straight jeans & fitted (CR203 Records)
- Baby Cham feat. Bounty Killer & Michael Rose – Stronger (Mad House)
- Spragga Benz feat. Marcia Griffiths – No way no how (Salaam Remi)
- Rick Ross, Jah Cure and Mavado – Like I see it (SoBe Ent. / Maybach MG)
- Khago - Nah sell out (Seanizzle)
- Beenie Man – I'm OK (Seanizzle)
- Stephen Marley feat. Damian Marley & Buju Banton – Jah army (Ghetto Youths International)
- Mavado – Stullesha (Big Ship)
- Assassin – Something's gotta give (2 Hard)
- Bounty Killer feat. Elephan Man - How we do it (CR203 Records)
- Nas & Damian Marley - "Distant relatives": Perfect alchemy, sharpened flows, thematic density, masterful production: a meeting at the summit between hip-hop and reggae for an essential album.
- Buju Banton - "Before the dawn": Buju's last album before his incarceration. We had not heard such a roots vibe since "Inna heights" and "Till Shiloh".
- Luciano - "United States of Africa": Frenchie, Sly & Robbie, Chris Peckings… The Messenger surrounded himself well, with the result being one of his best albums in several years.
- Prince Fatty - "Supersize": Old pots and new recipes, Prince Fatty, accompanied by his crew of veterans, has found the ideal compromise between old-school rocksteady and modern roots.
- Tiken Jah Fakoly - "African revolution": new artistic direction and superb arrangements for his tenth album.
And also:
Dub Incorporation ("Hors contrôle"), Clinton Fearon ("Mi deh yah"), Israel Vibration ("Reggae knights"), Gappy Ranks ("Put the stereo on"), Perfect ("French connection"), Romain Virgo ("Introducing Romain Virgo"), Spragga Benz ("Shotta culture"), Dezarie ("The fourth book")...
Another very dancehall year in Jamaica, which was not to everyone's taste. Like Dennis Howard, some even announced the death of the genre, much as happened with hip-hop a few years ago (news of 21/09/2010). While waiting to climb out of the trough, we were glad to see the return of two serious riddim craftsmen: Jeremy Hardings, whose City life is the best reggae series of the year, and Dave Kelly with the Turn it up riddim.
Less productive this year, Stephen McGregor (Big Ship) nonetheless produced a few riddims that stood out: the Catalog, a modernised cover of Dave Kelly's Bounce riddim, which revives the old-school bogle, the Bad people, and the latest arrival, Winnings, with a Mavado who should logically be entering the charts soon.
Very recently, let us also mention the Dancehall EFX riddim produced by Zj Chrome (CR203 Records, already responsible for the Clarks series), on which Beenie Man and Kiprich go after Kartel, guaranteed buzz. And also DJ Frass (Gully bomb, My life).
On the reggae side, Don Corleon produced solid series with the diptych Minor / Major, based, as its name indicates, on the major and minor keys, and his much more syrupy Feelings. Not forgetting his two tracks produced for Ky-mani Marley: the start of a fine collaboration with an album to follow?
It is in the old pots that the best soups are made, and many dipped into the classics this year, such as Frenchie (Dunza, which reworks Johnny Clarke's Blood dunza), Shane Brown (Stalag), Penthouse (Duck) or Joe Fraser, a regular of the genre...
In France too, the trend was not really towards originality but rather towards covers galore. Irie Ites, notably, signed several covers (Billie Jean, Take a lick, Party time), as did Heartical (Far East) or Street Rockaz (Christopher Columbus)... Let us not deny ourselves the pleasure of seeing the French labels in good form, though. Also worth noting is the Things tough riddim by VI Connection, the second series from the label dedicated to artists from the Virgin Islands.
Nas and Damian Marley: On a world tour, Nas & Damian Marley pulled out all the stops, inviting some of the album's guests on stage. What is more, they are doing it all again in 2011. (Our report).
Dub Station(s): King Earthquake, the Mighty Zulu Warrior Jah Shaka (see the report), Zion Gate in Toulouse, Jah Observer in Rennes… Not to mention the Dub Corner of the Garance Festival by Musical Riot (also present at Rototom)… No doubt about it: the dub scene is in rude health in France. As proof, the launch of a new Dub Station in Lyon.
Tarrus Riley: Just because we organised it does not mean we lack objectivity about Tarrus Riley's concert in Paris. The video bears witness: it really was one of the finest concerts of 2010.
Undertaker Trophy: The big return of Soul Stero to the clash scene. Allied with Guiding Star in a tag team set-up, the French had no trouble seeing off the Swiss of Ruffpack and Back Inna Days. Rematch soon!
The French festivals: Two big festivals for France this year. On one side, Reggae Sun Ska in transition, which smashed all its attendance records with 45,000 festival-goers announced over two days, not without a few incidents. On the other, the Garance Reggae Festival, which moved to Bagnols-sur-Cèze, where 35,000 people turned up. One winner: the public. For several years the French had had no alternative when it came to open-air reggae festivals. That is now a thing of the past, and, given the solidity of the two players, it should continue.
And also:
Vybz Kartel was back in Paris. Disappointing: better to have seen Busy Signal (also in Montpellier), even if he too seemed slightly diminished vocally. Still on dancehall, Vegas and Konshens were definitely among the shows not to be missed. 2010 was well served with roots tours (Linval Thompson and the Mighty Diamonds, Israel Vibration, U Roy, Horace Andy, Luciano & Mikey General…) not forgetting John Holt, in France for the first time at the Garance Reggae Festival, Tiken Jah Fakoly, and of course the tireless Danakil and Dub Inc, who criss-crossed France to sold-out venues.
In Jamaica:
A rather dull Sting. Was it the absence of Kartel and Mavado? The abandonment of the clash? Bounty pulling out? Kartel's "counter-party"? Whatever the cause, all the Jamaican commentators agree on the weakness of this year's Sting. In front of only 2/3 of the expected audience.
Arthur Guinness Celebration: A big line-up for a Jamaican night that saw the official reconciliation between Beenie Man and Bounty Killer on stage. The Warlord made his public profession of faith there, declaring that he would now promote "peace, prosperity and progress". Read our report.
The Dudus saga: Jamaica spent the second half of the year hanging on this affair… and has still not got over it. For a full account of Washington's hunt for the baron of Tivoli Gardens, see our Focus.
Bounty Killer's new life: He had really outdone himself: attacking his girlfriend with a hammer was surely not his best idea. Since then, the Warlord has been making amends. Violence as a banner is behind him: he now preaches "peace, prosperity, and progress". Taking part in a UN campaign in Jamaica against domestic violence (sic), reconciliations galore (Baby Cham, Beenie Man, Dave Kelly…), honoured at Sumfest: it is a new Bounty Killer who will begin 2011 with… a trial.
Sizzla's cancellation: How could we forget it? The controversies surrounding the visits of certain Jamaicans to France burst abruptly into Reggaefrance on the occasion of Sizzla's concert in Paris. Publicly accused of homophobia and then of fascism, the editorial team was, for the first time in its history, forced to publish an official right of reply.
The deaths mark the end of an era. In 2010, some of the most important figures of the roots movement of the 70s left us. A sad year.
Glen Adams: A singer in the rocksteady era with Bunny Lee, who came to the keyboards somewhat by chance, Glen Adams took part in some of the finest musical adventures of the 70s with the Hippy Boys and the Upsetters. Author of Bob Marley's Mr Brown, he later left for the USA.
Sonia Pottinger: Almost an exception in an industry dominated by men, Sonia Pottinger, a shrewd producer, passed away on 3 November 2010. In 1974, she bought the catalogue of Duke Reid's Treasure Isle label. Her most famous recordings are probably those of Culture ("Harder than the rest", "Cumbolo" and "International Herb"), but also Bob Andy, Marcia Griffiths, Slim Smith, Alton Ellis, Joseph Cotton, U-Roy and Big Youth…
Gregory Isaacs: A tidal wave of tributes engulfed the reggae world on the news of the death of the Cool Ruler on 25 October 2010. If one can gauge the worldwide popularity of the Jamaican crooner by these reactions, what one measures above all is the many orphans of his music. His ever delicate melodies and moving lyrics made him the finest chronicler of matters of the heart.
Sugar Minott: A famous voice of Studio One and an unmissable figure of the Jamaican music scene, Sugar Minott died on the evening of Saturday 10 July, at the age of 54. A former member of the group African Brothers, where he worked with Tony Tuff, Sugar Minott joined Studio One at the end of the 70s, just as the label wanted to relaunch itself. There he recorded the classic "Live loving" in 1978, then "Showcase", on the riddims of the label's glory days. Beyond an enormous musical legacy, Jamaica and reggae fans lose an endearing personality, a talent spotter with his labels Black Roots and Youth Promotion, a true lover of dancehall culture.
O'Neil Edwards: The victim of an attempted robbery that reportedly turned nasty, shot and wounded, O'Neil Edwards, a member of the trio Voicemail, died in May.
Bobby Melody: Best known as a member of the duo The Prophets, who provided the harmonies for Yabby You, Bobby Melody passed away in London in April. An artist of the Black Scorpio sound system, he had recorded in the 70s for Joe Gibbs (the track Jah bring I joy is his biggest hit), Jah Thomas or Gregory Isaacs.
Yabby You: Health problems and hospital stays were things he had unfortunately known since his youth: the producer Yabby You left us at the start of the year, from a ruptured aneurysm. It was he who introduced the deejays Big Youth, Trinity (the album "Shanty town determination") but also Jah Stitch, Dillinger and Half-Pint. Michael Prophet, Tommy McCook, Michael Rose, Willi Williams, Tony Tuff also passed through his hands… We had seen him again, frail, at the Ja'Sound Festival in 2005, for a landmark concert.
Lyn Taitt: With his group the Jets, the famous guitarist was one of the principal architects of rocksteady, notably arranging Hopeton Lewis's Take it easy. Settled in Montreal since 1968, he passed away on 20 January 2010.
And also: 10 years and 62 issues after its first appearance on newsstands, the bimonthly Natty Dread has taken its bow. A pillar of the reggae press, with superb, well-documented pages, Natty Dread will live on through special issues, its Jamaica Insula collection, and its website.
For 2011, we are expecting, in no particular order:
- A little more reggae
- The big return of Nuttea with his new album "Mister Reggae Music"
- Danakil stepping up a gear with a Zénith de Paris show and a new album
- The new Raggasonic album
- The new opuses from Stephen Marley and Tarrus Riley
- The new Groundation album
- After their fine 2010, we will need to keep an eye on Charly Black, Popcaan, Kibaki and T-Nez, lying in wait.
- Buju free?
Report written by La rédaction
Tags : Beenie Man (197), Bounty Killer (139), Linval Thompson (27), Michael Rose (43), Sizzla (210), Spragga Benz (48), Clinton Fearon (53), Assassin (55), Elephant Man (147), Baby Cham (36), Kiprich (46), Ky-mani Marley (52), Vybz Kartel (227), Israel Vibration (63), Buju Banton (133), Nuttea (36), Tiken Jah Fakoly (100), Luciano (128), Sugar Minott (23), Gregory Isaacs (44), Jah Cure (86), Dezarie (12), Yabby You (14), Perfect (50), Damian Marley (102), Mighty Diamonds (22), Gyptian (88), Busy Signal (174), Mavado (170), Stephen Marley (57), Dub Inc (78), Tarrus Riley (137), Horace Andy (40), Konshens (121), Raggasonic (45), Danakil (94), I-Octane (82), Gappy Ranks (62), Protoje (79), Pupa Jim (34), Romain Virgo (76), Popcaan (64)
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