Reggae Album Reviews

Ras Teo: Up Fi Jah Album Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Ras Teo has been producing some remarkable bodies of work in recent times – and none so more than his upcoming release, which is out officially on 25 October. Up Fi Jah, released via Forward Bound Records, sees this talented musician team up with a Who’s Who of Roots Reggae’s finest across eight sumptuous tracks. Production comes from Teo and Zion I Kings’ alumni David ‘Jah David’ Goldfine, while I Grade Records’ Laurent ‘Tippy I’ Alfred is on hand for mastering duties. The latter is, of course, slick

Mandala x Ghetto Priest x JabbaDub: Savannah EP Review – by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Mandala Sound System may have cemented their status as one of the more inventive outfits to emerge in recent years, with their 2023 riddim that employs myriads of styles and musical oddities to bring the listener something special. Savannah EP, released via Mandala Sound as a 12” vinyl (and available in the Pauzeradio vinyl shop), sees the outfit provide a base riddim which is infinitely fascinating for various artists to then bounce off. Aside from the composition and performances, the mastering is slick with some

Various Artists and Anaves Music: Bass Jam Album Review – by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Anaves Music, headed up by saxophonist and producer Sebastian “Sabolious” Schwager, has already had an illustrious track record since its launch in 2019. Now, the label’s first digital album provides a refreshing retrospective of this – along with some new music as well. Bass Jam, released via Anaves Music, sees Sabolious musically choreograph 12 tracks featuring various artists. It’s a testament to the sheer breadth that the label has covered in the past five years, but also the musicality of those involved. Because Bass Jam

Grubby Mitts: Dem a Fight EP Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. A recent release by the Grubby Mitts label shows what can be done when you take a top-class riddim and turn it into a 12” vinyl release – available now in the Pauzeradio reggae vinyl shop. Dem A Fight EP, released via Grubby Mitts, sees the label team up with some well-established artists, as well as a rising one, across a base riddim which is effective and infectious. Side one opens with Admiral Tibet and Dem a Fight – the base riddim of the record. It’s a classic

Various Artists: Larking About EP Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. A classic Studio One riddim has been reawakened for the 21st century – with a sympathetic makeover and some compelling performances to boot. Larking About EP, released via H2 Recordings, sees various artists give their interpretations across a modern-day version of the classic Studio One Larking About Riddim – with producer Wooligan and executive producer Paul Nash making sure it is all done in style. The reimagined Larking About is a classic Roots track based on the equally classic riddim, but with some twists. The basic principles of the

Ras Teo and The Naturals: Coming Home Album Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Ras Teo is back with yet another release – this time, going home to his roots via an eclectic and visionary project. Coming Home, released via King Solomon Productions and distributed by Lone Ark, sees Teo team up with musicians from Sweden in a highly interesting move. King Solomon Productions told Pauzeradio: “Roughly five years ago Teo reached out to Magnus (Daddy Natural) with the question, why don’t we work together? The reason for that is that Teo would like to come home and do an

Ras Teo: One Fire EP Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. It’s always worth revisiting an immediate classic – because they stand the test of time. So here, we’re looking back at a Ras Teo EP from October 2023 – and it certainly is ‘fire’. One Fire, released via Forward Bound Records, sees Teo team up with members of Zion I Kings. Produced in the most part by Teo and David Goldfine of ZIK with mastering from Laurent Alfred of I Grade Records, the EP is a slick and polished yet a thought-provoking and moving affair – showing the quality

Ras Teo: Ion Man and Ion Man in Dub Album Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Ras Teo is a force to be reckoned with – as are Zion I Kings (ZIK). So, when the two (plus other renowned names) come together the results should be remarkable. And they certainly are with this latest album. Ion Man and Ion Man in Dub, released via Forward Bound Records and Zion I Kings, sees Teo join forces with members of ZIK, Lone Ark, and I Grade. Specifically on the latter, the final mastering from perhaps the most sought-after engineer in the business,

Subajah: Lion Album Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. London-based Subajah has honed his craft for many years – and the results show on his brand-new album, as this talented artist provides us with a consummate release. Lion, released via Dashen Records, sees Subajah deliver nine tracks and a dub across a very well-engineered and mastered album – the latter being done by Noah Priddle. Across the release, quality and skilled musicians join him – however, undeniably there are no big-name producers in sight; all the better, you’d be right in thinking, because Subajah having his own hand at the

Various Artists: Sanity Riddim Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. A well-established production outfit has just released a new riddim, featuring a selection of both legendary and up-and-coming artists – and you’d be mad not to listen to it, as it’s superb. Sanity Riddim, released via Forever Music Productions, sees the label take on some classic Roots sounds – but the background to the release is equally interesting. Forever Music Productions from Portmore Jamaica was the brainchild of Shayne Green – an alumnus of the Sly and Robbie camp where he was an engineer. Green has previously worked with industry