Reggae Album Reviews

Various Artists: Night-in-Gale Riddim Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. 2022 is already going to be off to a flying start in the Reggae scene – as one of (if not the) first riddim of the year sees some of the biggest names in the culture deliver stunning interpretations across a deft musical composition. Night-in-Gale Riddim, released via Train Line Records on 1 January, sees founder of the label Real Mckoy bring some lush Reggae vibes to the new year. The production and engineering are all first-rate, as would be expected from him and his outfit. Particularly good attention to

Dub On Mars Colors EP Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. After the success of the single Drunk with Sweetness featuring Awa Fall, Italy-based producer and bassist Dub on Mars has released a new EP – and it’s filled with vibrant musical colours. Colors EP was released on 22 October. Mars told Pauzeradio: “The concept behind the EP is how colours can affect us and touch our souls with different impressions. For example, how black can communicate strength or how blue is often related with sadness and red with love and passion. That’s just to name a few of the

Nga Han and The Hi-Flyers: Emergence Album Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Nga Han has gone from strength-to-strength recently. From his sophomore album The Living Stream Chapter One, to the vinyl release Tek A Chance with The Co-Operators, he’s proving what a refined artist he is. And with the addition to the Pauzeradio shop of yet another vinyl album, Han has cemented his status as an artist to watch. Emergence, released via Bona-Fi Records, is a collaboration between Han, Belgium-based producer Kingston Echo and band The Hi-Flyers. The 12” limited press vinyl consists of eight tracks, four on each

Ruff Times Riddim EP Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. I-Sight Records’ latest release is an apt riddim for the ‘times’ many of us have been living through. And with a roster of stellar artists, the project is almost pitch-perfect. Ruff Times Riddim, released via I-Sight Records, is a rich and cleverly-arranged track. Here, the focus is on the mantra ‘less is more’. As I-Sight have created an attractive riddim that is stripped-back to give a pleasing platform for the artists to bounce off. The basic composition is a soulful affair, opening with a nice bass glissando and a pleasing

Brown Bones: Brown Bones Album Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. The eponymous album from Brown Bones (the pseudonym for Roots musician and producer Andrew ‘Moon’ Bain) is quite the departure for an artist most-known for his complex and highly skilled work in Reggae and Dub. But it’s certainly a welcome one – as the record shows the length and breadth of his talents. Brown Bones, released via Single Cell Records, is an overly Folk Rock affair. Yes. The Zion I Kings legend has gone Folk Rock. But connoisseurs of ZIK’s sound will realise this is not shock, as such

Awa Fall: Free Your Mind EP Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Anaves Music is one of the more exciting labels to have emerged in recent years. And its forthcoming release showcases the outfits diverse talents perfectly. Free Your Mind is set to be released  digitally on 10 September by Anaves Music. The project will be pressed to vinyl in November 2021 and delivered in January 2022 if the goal of 100 vinyl orders can be reached within the stated time, available to pre-order here (so get in quick as this campaign will run to mid October 2021). The four-track

Various Artists: Time & Place Riddim EP Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Youngheart Productions is rather like its namesake: young, but equally skilled and up-and-coming. Because the outfit and its founder are releasing a brand-new riddim. And the whole package is a pleasing offering from this burgeoning label. Time & Place Riddim, released via Youngheart Productions, sees the labels founder Niko Youngheart continue to make his mark on the German Reggae scene. He has a grounding in music, having started playing the trumpet aged 8 and then learning piano, guitar and drums. Around ten years ago, Youngheart began releasing

Various Artists: Emblematic Riddim Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. A stellar line-up of acts has delivered a brand new riddim, which in itself is one of the stronger works so far of 2021. And it’s thoroughly ‘emblematic’ of the producers’ and artists’ talents. Emblematic Riddim, released via Earth Strong Productions/Train Line Records, is a gorgeously constructed affair that has attention to rich detail at its heart. Both outfits have skill when it comes to compositions. Because the riddim is pleasing and well-arranged. The background vocals from Twiggi and Krysie Webb across the EP are strong and sympathetic to the

Nga Han: The Living Stream Chapter One Album Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Nga Han is a gifted singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist. His debut album, David Stone, showcased this well. Now, with his second full release he takes his musical and spiritual journey another step further. Nga Han The Living Stream Chapter One (referred to here as “Chapter One” throughout), released via Roots Unity Music, sees Han team up with Dutch talent Uta Maruanaya from the label, as the pair co-created the album. The latter also performed much of the instrumentation: drums, piano/Rhodes, guitar, bass, organ, percussion, melodica, synths and trombone. Other

Jaesinco: Jaephoria EP Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Meet Jaesinco: a brand-new artist to emerge from Jamaica. She’s recently released her debut EP. And if it’s anything to go by, then there could be a star in the making beginning to shine brightly. Justina Sinclair (AKA Jaesinco) was 16 years-old when she released her first songs in November 2020. Raised in Portmore, Jamaica she is from a family of six children (three brothers and two sisters) and credits her maturity to “loving and caring parents” whose tolerance has allowed her to eye a career in music while focusing on