Never would have anticipated how good Alkaline sounds on these gentler riddims this year, Toll Road in this case--lots of other good versions on this (Tifa, Beenie Man, Chi Ching Ching):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hi7pF3bep0
(that's Block and Delete since embeds aren't working)
― rob, Friday, 12 August 2016 14:15 (eight years ago) link
filthy as hell on a great Equiknoxx riddim: https://soundcloud.com/swingting/equiknoxx-music-ft-devin-d-dakta?in=swingting/sets/swingting010-equiknoxx-music
― rob, Monday, 15 August 2016 23:15 (eight years ago) link
Lol. Devin di Dakta is in the zone these days. He's also a lot of fun on the Horse Tonic Riddim:https://soundcloud.com/madbast/devin-di-dakta-gyal-dem-a-workie-horse-tonic-riddim
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Tuesday, 16 August 2016 06:43 (eight years ago) link
that bangs. glad someone is out there channelling Ragnampiza/Zunguzung verbal gymnastic nonsense
― rob, Tuesday, 16 August 2016 15:38 (eight years ago) link
Playlist is updated.
― thrusted pelvis-first back (ulysses), Thursday, 25 August 2016 16:05 (eight years ago) link
this mix from The Large is banging (and seriously nsfw): http://www.susannahwebb.com/fever
― rob, Wednesday, 31 August 2016 18:16 (eight years ago) link
another great Popcaan track, his hit ratio has jumped so high this year:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Bc3Vf9myNE
― rob, Wednesday, 31 August 2016 21:41 (eight years ago) link
nice find from that Large mix, Konshens' "Gal Gov":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r92hdlI8SfA
been hearing Popcaan's "We Still a Win" all over the place too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpmjdAOfpEo
― rob, Thursday, 1 September 2016 16:53 (eight years ago) link
new video for Aidonia's "Dat A Di Ting", which iirc was the best version on Pile Up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPi5VYfK_D8
― rob, Tuesday, 6 September 2016 17:59 (eight years ago) link
here's another good Alkaline song thread:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVhUB6Bjx_s
― rob, Thursday, 15 September 2016 01:18 (eight years ago) link
Jubilee album could be pretty great? https://soundcloud.com/mixpak/jubilee-wine-up-feat-hoodcelebrityy
― rob, Thursday, 15 September 2016 01:25 (eight years ago) link
Keep up the good work, rob! I'm a bit behind because of... well, first the vacations and now all the work I've been neglecting for so long, but I'll get to posting more soon.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Thursday, 15 September 2016 11:38 (eight years ago) link
heh, no problem, though admittedly I was starting to feel like only forks's intern was reading this thread
Equiknoxx's mix for FACT is excellent: http://www.factmag.com/2016/08/29/equiknoxx-fact-mix/. Anyone listened to their new album, Bird Sound Power? The mix makes me intrigued, but apparently the album is all instrumental, which is kind of yawn and just why? when they obvs know lots of great vocalists.
I don't think any good tracks came out of the Popcaan/Mavado/Demarco/everyone in Kingston according to YouTubers 'feud' so here is Mavado's Progress, which is for some reason on Khaled's new album, instead:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lrdVWbNb24
― rob, Thursday, 15 September 2016 14:51 (eight years ago) link
Mavado seems to have dropped the ball in not positioning himself closer to the Drake/Rihanna/Tropical/Afrothing mainstream when he is in the poisition he is in in the US, imo. Also, what is this beef/feud thing aboutthis time, really? Mavado has had two or three okay, four) good tracks this year but no real hits while Popcaan just keeps on bringing it so it all just seems... weird?
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Thursday, 15 September 2016 16:48 (eight years ago) link
The most I have been willing to learn about the 'feud' was reading this Star article: http://jamaica-star.com/article/entertainment/20160829/deejays-feud-heats-mavado-demarco-and-popcaan-drop-new-diss-tracks, and then listening to a few tracks, hearing a lot more "fish" and "batty" talk than I've heard in a long while sigh, and rmde. There's also this, though I don't know if it really clarifies much: http://urbanislandz.com/2016/09/09/mavado-vs-popcaan-a-timeline-of-their-beef/
fwiw Popcaan seems to have realized he had more to lose than gain: https://www.instagram.com/p/BKKrMkqDOFu/, though internet hardmen are taking that as a sign of his weakness of course. Seems telling that Alkaline didn't really bother with it from what I can tell, even though some wistful youtubers were trying to position that track I posted^ as a diss track when I believe it's about a friend of his being murdered.
― rob, Thursday, 15 September 2016 17:10 (eight years ago) link
Christopher Martin's version on the 47th Floor riddim is just delightful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vtk67WA5aE
― rob, Wednesday, 28 September 2016 00:13 (eight years ago) link
The whole riddim is a good one to rinse
― rob, Wednesday, 28 September 2016 00:28 (eight years ago) link
Definitely. Best new riddim in a good while.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Wednesday, 28 September 2016 10:45 (eight years ago) link
solid ragga vibes on this new Konshens/Rvssian:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcjErWaUHdY
― rob, Sunday, 2 October 2016 19:53 (seven years ago) link
and his new one for Chan Dizzy bangs even harder than that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpOwPbaOOCo
― rob, Sunday, 2 October 2016 20:16 (seven years ago) link
playlist is updated; we're up to 100+ songs and 5 1/2 hours.
ILM's Rolling Dancehall & Reggae Thread 2016 Spotify Playlist
― the notes the loon doesn't play (ulysses), Monday, 24 October 2016 21:44 (seven years ago) link
timely!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqOrQFween8
― rob, Monday, 31 October 2016 17:42 (seven years ago) link
Really enjoying the Loodi riddim atm:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50jyn6_rLFA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2DySaJVD-c
Also, the Feel Good riddim is so much fun:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkJ2WZ7nERY
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Tuesday, 22 November 2016 20:48 (seven years ago) link
oh yeah, Busy is also really good on the Terminal riddim:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWA9PMTQ1HA
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Tuesday, 22 November 2016 20:53 (seven years ago) link
Oh, and Alkaline is just on fire these days: After All, Block and Delete, Spoil You, Extra Lesson, 12 PM...
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Tuesday, 22 November 2016 21:18 (seven years ago) link
Did I forget to post Baby Tash on the Loodi riddim? Sorry, on a bus now but it's real nice.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Tuesday, 22 November 2016 21:20 (seven years ago) link
Here you go:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7MOhYoG33g
My favorite song at the moment is probably Vybz' Emoji though. Has there ever been a songwriter this economical? He invites over with an emoji, she grabs a taxi, and he has sex with her in two different ways before he offers her a soda from the fridge over the course of, what, three lines of verse?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFS5AfEAfJM
Let's hope the recent move to the maximum security prison doesn't mean these will all dry up.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Tuesday, 22 November 2016 21:45 (seven years ago) link
Popcaan's New Fresh Jordans seems to take its cue from the great Nah Idle and also sounds like it's maybe trying to crack the ovo code? I think it's a good look for him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQk0rlqMxuM
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Tuesday, 22 November 2016 21:59 (seven years ago) link
lol, Fresh Jordans, not New Fresh.
Good call on Loodi. Konshens is good on that one too ("It's All Good").
otm re Alkaline. Has he put out a bad track this year? (don't answer that) The video for City is a nice victory lap:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8NKj3-4PEU
As usual I'm only keeping half an eye on Kartel's torrential output, but I dug Real Youth, which I posted upthread, as well as Half Way Tree and I always lol every time Hey Addi pops up on a mix
― rob, Tuesday, 22 November 2016 23:02 (seven years ago) link
also ICYMI: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/vybz-kartel-still-ruling-dancehall-after-years-in-prison-w448510fwiw he still claims he's not recording in prison
― rob, Tuesday, 22 November 2016 23:29 (seven years ago) link
Right. His beef records directed at Mavado and Alkaline were recorded by prophesy, obviously.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Wednesday, 23 November 2016 06:01 (seven years ago) link
That is a really good profile btw.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Wednesday, 23 November 2016 07:52 (seven years ago) link
lol yeah tbh I was sort of surprised he stuck to the story. Interesting to read about the appeal and all the alleged errors in his trial
― rob, Wednesday, 23 November 2016 14:53 (seven years ago) link
Playlist updated for November.
― the notes the loon doesn't play (ulysses), Monday, 28 November 2016 01:18 (seven years ago) link
Interesting year in review from Marvin Sparks--whose podcast (no long talk) is a bit too loose but can be diverting--mostly talking about the disconnect between dancehall's influence on global pop and the lack of global success for JA artists: http://www.factmag.com/2016/12/06/2016-dancehall-domination-charts-underground/
― rob, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 23:55 (seven years ago) link
Not seeing much of any dancehall on other year-end lists (nor soca, afropop...)
― curmudgeon, Friday, 9 December 2016 17:04 (seven years ago) link
yeah same, though I'm pretty sure we've noted the same thing for the past several years in a row.
tbf I can't think of any 2016 dancehall albums that belong on anyone's list (afropop on the other hand...). It is a bit sad but predictable seeing stuff like the Equiknoxx and Jubilee albums, or like Fact has Devin di Dakta's "Bubble" on their "club" tracks list but no dancehall actually produced in JA. In terms of reggae, I thought Chronixx was supposed to put out a full-length this year but nothing materialized, and in general the 'roots revival' was much quieter than years past. I haven't seen many tracks lists but I expect they'll mostly bear out Sparks' narrative. The Fader might be an exception if they're not too distracted writing explainers about white supremacy
― rob, Friday, 9 December 2016 17:47 (seven years ago) link
I just delivered a 2016 albums list with Kartel placing fourth, but I realize other people have terrible taste, so... Anyway I''m getting used to this. The genres I'm into are the ones no one else find interesting. But I did get to review Babes WodumoAnd Heavy-K today in a weekly, and am working on a big Kartel piece for February, so I'm not really complaining.I would be interested in reading something on the best 2016 riddims soon, though. Guessing Moskato will come out on top most places.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Friday, 9 December 2016 21:36 (seven years ago) link
yeah I almost said "maybe with Kartel's album as an exception" but tbh I've never listened to the thing as an album, just heard most if it over time as individual tracks (see also Alkaline's New Level Unlocked). Also for several different reasons I don't realistically expect any US or UK publication to include the new Kartel on a list with like Radiohead...so yeah it's no longer even disappointing really. That said, I would love to see a soca list just to see what I've missed.
longneck, you should link that Kartel piece here when it's out
iirc Large Up usually does a riddims list. I would expect Moskato as well as Cure Pain for sure. Maybe Wicked Wicked too?
― rob, Friday, 9 December 2016 21:59 (seven years ago) link
Sure, and All Inclusive Riddim. I really like Tropical Punch as well - especially the I-Octane. Those, along with the 47th Floor, Club Life, Car Crash, Crown Love, Day Off, Feel Good, House of Joy, Loodi, Ova Dweet, Red Plate, Skelewu, The Champ, The Terminal, Wet Dreams, Yardman and Zen riddims are the ones I end up sticking with. 90s Don Dada was fun for a while but I hardly play it anymore.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Friday, 9 December 2016 22:26 (seven years ago) link
The Soca system of starting the year in september and basically closing it out in february is throwing me for a loop, btw. I can't for the life of me remember which Soca Season 2016 tunes were actually 2016. And I'm just starting to get into the 2017 batch.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Friday, 9 December 2016 22:48 (seven years ago) link
Oh, and Success Riddim.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Saturday, 10 December 2016 18:02 (seven years ago) link
I liked the recent album by Equiknoxx so much, I felt like it needs its own thread: EQUIKNOXX - Bird Sound Power (2016) - exquisite avant-dancehall riddims
Seriously, go check it out now now now
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Monday, 12 December 2016 16:25 (seven years ago) link
(since they got mentioned again I should clarify that Equiknoxx are in fact Jamaican)
Every time I've tried to listen to this I end up getting annoyed that there aren't any vocalists. I actually quite liked their mix for Fact though, do seek that out. I might post some of their vocal productions on the other thread later as I do agree that they're very talented. Just not sure why they wanted to do a riddim-only album, though perhaps the fact it's on Demdike Stare's label is the answer?
― rob, Monday, 12 December 2016 17:46 (seven years ago) link
For some reason Pitchfork has put out a video for Chronixx's "Majesty"; it's nice:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OEaMaO9NfM
and Merry Christmas thread:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siluvHUzy2k
― rob, Monday, 12 December 2016 22:35 (seven years ago) link
oof:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQJz43Hrsow
― rob, Monday, 12 December 2016 22:36 (seven years ago) link
LargeUp's list is out:
1. Vybz Kartel, “Fever”2. Rihanna feat. Drake, “Work”3. Konshens, “Bruk Off”4. Popcaan, “We Still A Win (World Cup)”5. Alkaline, “City”6. Drake feat. Popcaan, “Controlla”7. Jahmiel, “Where Were U”8. Popcaan, “Ova Dweet”9. Vybz Kartel, “Western Union”10. Mavado, “Progress”11. Charly Blacks, “Gyal You A Party Animal”12. Dwayne “DJ” Bravo, “Champion”13. Chi Ching Ching, “Breadfruit (Roast or Fry)”/ Popcaan, “Wicked Man Ting”14. Spice, “Indicator”15. Chronixx, “Sell My Gun”16. Alkaline, “After All”
Plus a bunch of honorable mentions: http://www.largeup.com/2016/12/15/best-dancehall-singles-of-2016/18/
Two mentions of Drake is pretty rmde but this is a really strong list imo. New-to-me DJ Bravo has 33million views on yt
― rob, Thursday, 15 December 2016 21:18 (seven years ago) link
how did I forget how great "Gal.gov" is. are there really no other versions on this riddim?
― rob, Thursday, 15 December 2016 21:28 (seven years ago) link
Well... both of those Drake tracks are pretty undeniable, whatever you might think of Drake. I had simply filed the DJ Bravo track as "yet another Culu Culu track" though. Will have to listen more carefully. And Progress... is not my favorite Mavado track this year. It just sounds old fashioned in the wrong way to me. I much prefer him on the All Inclusive riddim or on Beat & Teach and maybe one or two others. But yeah. Solid list. Curious about their riddims countdown.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Thursday, 15 December 2016 22:21 (seven years ago) link