Review

As every year, it’s time to draw up the list of our favourite tracks and albums of the year. 2014 was a good vintage, as our selection of 15 albums and 25 songs proves.   Reactions (2)    Popcaan – Where We Come From (Mixpak Records) After Vybz Kartel, American producer Dre Skull gives Popcaan a distinctive debut album, somewhere between pop and dancehall, fed as much by electro as by hip-hop sounds. In a Jamaica orphaned of its dancehall stars, he hands Popcaan the crown. Read the review. Chronixx – Dread & Terrible (Chronixx Music) It didn’t take Chronixx long to make a name for himself, yet he still had no collection of his songs. That is now done with “Dread & Terrible”, a debut EP packed with hits that shows his versatility without betraying his commitment, as modern as it is respectful of the canons. Read the review. Ward 21 – Still Disturbed (Germaica Digital) The infernal trio has marked its return on the foundations of its success: unapologetic madness, devastating humour and uncompromising dancehall riddims. Gangsta tunes, girls tunes and the inevitable weed anthem, punctuated by hilarious interludes: this new album will delight fans of authentic Jamaican dancehall. Read the review. OBF – Wild (Dubquake Records) “Wild”: a title heavy with meaning and promise when you know that OBF built its reputation on the intensity of its dances. Playing on the variety of the singers (and the female singer) invited behind the mic, the Savoie crew delivers a raw, corrosive album with no dead time. Read the review. Hollie Cook – Twice (Mr Bongo) Joined by her usual accomplices, Hollie Cook continues to explore this sound laden with influences, which she has dubbed “Tropical Pop”, while widening the spectrum: harp, steel drum, percussion, string arrangements and pop sounds. Her ethereal voice glows throughout an album that invites you to travel. Read the review. Clinton Fearon – Goodness (Kool Yu Foot / Boogie Brown Productions) The 10th album from the champion of “proverbial reggae” is the perfect follow-up to “Mi De Yah”, released in 2010. We find the same familiar atmosphere, those rather long compositions built around the bass and inhabited by the personality of Clinton Fearon, whose positivity and humanity shine through in the lyrics. Read the review. Addis Pablo – In My Father's House (JahSolidRock / CRS) Like his illustrious father, producer Augustus Pablo (creator of the famous “Far East sound”), Addis Pablo has made the melodica his sonic signature. A remarkable first effort, “In My Father’s House” is a splendid dub manifesto. Read the review. Raging Fyah – Destiny (Raging Fyah Production) Armed with its “roots rock reggae”, Raging Fyah is the worthy heir to the Wailers or Third World. Between pop arrangements and sharp reggae, their second album “Destiny” has everything it takes to open the doors of the international scene. Read the review. Sizzla – Born A King (Muti Music) Sizzla heads to Australia, where he links up again with producer Jake Savona. The latter leans on the versatility of a Kalonji in excellent form and gives him a musical patchwork worthy of him: nyabinghi, reggae, dancehall, hip-hop… Sizzla is nowhere near stopping. Read the review Midnite – Beauty For Ashes (I-Grade Records) When the prolific band from St Croix reunites with the island label I Grade Records and the Zion I Kings musicians, it is a meeting at the summit: carried by Vaughn Benjamin’s haunting vocals, “Beauty for Ashes” ranks among the masterpieces of this fascinating group. Gentleman – MTV Unplugged (Universal) In the 25 years since its creation, no reggae artist had ever had the chance to take part in the acoustic show MTV Unplugged. Gentleman is therefore the first to take it on, revisiting his biggest hits, reshaped for the occasion. A splendid result. Read the review. Pressure – The Sound (I Grade Records) Five years after his last album, Pressure is back with his fourth opus, made with the label I Grade Records of his friend Laurent “Tippy” Alfred. Never disappointing, Pressure is at the top of his form here, and the riddims of “The Sound” match the sleeve: superb. Various Artists - Gussie Presenting The Right Tracks (VP Records) 40 tracks shine a light on the work of producer Augustus “Gussie” Clarke: between supernatural classics and unreleased tracks, the selection will satisfy the most demanding fan, especially as the reissue work is quite simply remarkable. Read the review. Alpheus – Good Prevails (Liquidator Music) Alpheus teams up again with Spanish producer Roberto Sánchez. In the direct line of “From Creation”, “Good Prevails” even manages to climb higher still: a new gem of rocksteady, ska and early reggae! Read the review. Tarrus Riley – Love Situation (Cannon/Jukeboxx/BSMG Productions) Tarrus Riley returns with an album conceived as a tribute to rocksteady… and to love. His soulful singing, which suits this theme perfectly, marries beautifully with the riddims orchestrated by the untouchable Dean Fraser. Read the review. The playlist Popcaan – Hold On (Mixpak Records) Stephen Marley feat. Capleton & Sizzla – Rockstone (Ghetto Youths International) Yaniss Odua & Friends – Rouge Jaune Vert Remix (Tous Ensemble) (Caan Dun Music) Chronixx – Rastaman Wheel Out (Special Delivery) Gentleman feat. Shaggy – Warn Dem (MTV Unplugged) (Universal) OBF - Who’s Bad (Dubquake Records) Ward 21 – Spot The J (Germaica Digital) Ky-Mani Marley – Get High (Konfrontation Muzik/Lalabela Records) Protoje feat. Chronixx – Who Knows (Overstand Entertainment) Damian Marley – Hard Work (Ghetto Youths International) Aidonia - 80s Dancehall Style (Jag One Productions) Sizzla feat. Errol Dunkley – Champion Sound (Savona Records) Raging Fyah – Brave (Raging Fyah Production) Christopher Martin feat. Busy Signal – Lock Di Endz (Weedy G Soundforce) Midnite feat. Pressure – Same I Ah One (I Grade Records) Capleton – Wah Dem A Do (LTL Records) Ini Kamoze - Hill & Gully Ride (re-remix) (XTM Nation) Jah Cure – Life We Live (Iyah Cure Music Limited) Bounty Killer & Beenie Man – Legendary (Star$truck Records) The Breadwinners - Far As I Can See (Horus Records) Notis & Iba MaHr feat. Tarrus Riley – Diamond Sox (Remix) (Notis Records) QQ – Tweety Bird (Head Concussion) Masicka Ft. Garnett Silk - Keep Them Talking (Don Corleon Records) Pressure – Stand Firm (I Grade Records) Sizzla – Jah Jah Solve Dem (Iron Gate Records) Report written by La Rédaction Tags : Alpheus (33), Sizzla (210), Clinton Fearon (53), Ward 21 (33), Gentleman (116), Midnite (73), Tarrus Riley (137), Pressure (41), Popcaan (64), Raging Fyah (35), Chronixx (47), Hollie Cook (24)   Reactions (2)

Reactions

2 Comments General appreciation : Who Knows, hit de l'année !!! Posted by Farrell Rating :  Tuesday, January 13th 2015 merci ! Posted by rer Rating :  Friday, December 26th 2014