Settled in Europe since June, Joe Gibbs's legendary label is back in the production race with three albums released in succession: a reissue album, a dancehall album and a "rockers style" album featuring plenty of new talent. It is the latter, 'Inner city roots', that particularly interested us.
The album offers a selection of several modern roots riddims, including the original Fire fire, delivered in six versions. Among the artists present are many newcomers with fairly promising first tracks. Some artists are already experienced, such as Kevin Isaacs, whom we have already been able to discover in France with his father, the veteran Sylford Walker, who sits on the Pretty looks riddim, or the young Major Facts, who already has several singles and a forthcoming album.
The result is broadly convincing, with conscious tracks that are easy to listen to. On the Fire fire riddim, we will mainly remember Gabre & Laza, Natty Wellat, who brings his own definition of "fire", or Major Facts's deejay version. On the Zig Zag riddim, Zilgin with his track African Woman in a St Thomas style and Major Facts catch the attention. On the ladies' side, two good tracks from Simone and Rose Marie are worth noting, as well as a deejay version by Raw Raw, in a style close to Natural Black, on the same riddim.
With very good production (as you would expect from Joe Gibbs!), interesting performances and conscious lyrics, this opus brings a welcome touch of freshness. Let us salute the Gibbs family's approach in choosing to give young artists a chance and to expose them as far as Europe. A collection to discover, to give these projects a helping hand.
