Reggae Album Reviews

Arkaingelle: Nah Watah Down Album Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Arkaingelle has returned with another new album (officially released on Friday 18 September). And with one of the world’s most exciting production outfits at the helm, it does not disappoint – being an instant triumph of epic proportions. Arkaingelle Nah Watah Down, released via Zion High Productions, sees the legendary Zion I Kings take the production helm. The album sweeps across 14 tracks and interludes. And not only does is serve to showcase Zion I Kings unmistakable talents, but demonstrates Arkaingelle at the peak of his powers. What stands

Lion of Judah Riddim EP Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. It’s undeniable that Micah Shemaiah is one of the most inspiring and insightful artists to emerge from the Roots movement in recent history. Now, he’s back with a selection of other, equally talented musicians across a new riddim. And it really does roar. Lion of Judah Riddim, released via WeGeneration Music, sees Shemaiah at the peak of his powers. The host of artists have done impressive jobs on their individual interpretations. But central to this is Shemaiah’s brooding and affecting riddim – which is classic yet inventive in equal

In Retrospect – Sherieta Lewis: Conversations In Key EP Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. It’s been just over a year since one of the most well-known, respected and prolific backing vocalists in the Reggae scene finally released her own debut EP. And in doing so, Sherieta showed she has a star quality all of her own – giving us one of the best records of 2019 in the process. Sherieta Conversations In Key, released via Ghetto Youths International, sees Sherieta co-write and co-produce the entire project with Sean Diedrick. The pair have historically worked together as part of Damian

Tarrus Riley: Healing Album Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. It’s been a strange, unsettling year for many of us; odd in itself that a virus can alter the collective human experience across the world. Many of us are probably in need of some ‘healing’ right now. So, enter Tarrus Riley to answer our calls. Tarrus Riley Healing, released via JukeBoxx Productions and distributed by Zojak Worldwide, is an album wholly constructed during lockdown. Production comes from Shane C. Brown, Dean Fraser and Riley across all tracks bar one. And it’s perhaps a testament to the talents of these three

Protoje: In Search Of Lost Time Album Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. To finish of In.Digg’s 2020 trio of releases, Protoje has finally dropped his long-awaited follow-up album to A Matter of Time. And it was naturally worth every second of the wait. Protoje In Search Of Lost Time, released via In.Digg.Nation Collective, Six Course Music/RCA Records and Sony Music Entertainment, sees the man himself team up with a glittering array of producers, artists, musicians and even fellow label-mates Lila Iké and Sevana across 10 tracks. To be clear from the off: the sound is impeccable. Stylistically complex and

Various Artists: Hot Step Riddim Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. If you were looking for something full of glistening ‘treasure’, look no further than Treasure Chest Production’s latest riddim. With a host of well-known names on board, it’s a hot move from this team – and one that’s executed impressively. Hot Step Riddim, released via Treasure Chest Productions and Zojak Worldwide, is an ingenious mashing up of genres and styles, drawing on elements of Roots, Dancehall and Reggaeton. The production from the team at Treasure Chest is of a high quality – with keen attention to detail across the

Aaron Nigel Smith and 1 World Chorus: Live in LA Album Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Aaron Nigel Smith is an artist with a career spanning 20 years. So, deciding which songs to perform live as part of a new album couldn’t have been easy. But given his talent and that of his fellow musicians, he could have sung the alphabet and it still would have been superb. Arron Nigel Smith And 1 World Chorus Live in LA was recorded in 2019 at the Broad Stage theatre in Santa Monica, California. It sees Smith joined by the Los Angeles

Arky Starch: Dub Faith EP Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Belgium-based artist Arky Starch’s personal journey has been underscored by both joy and tragedy. So, the release of his debut EP represents a milestone in this artist’s life. And it’s a wonderful dive into conscious Dub with a heavy dose of genre-smashing to boot. Arky Starch Dub Faith is a wholly self-constructed and self-released project from Starch. He’s clearly a talented producer, as the EP is cleverly arranged and engineered to give synergy and consistency across its six, Dub-grounded tracks. Mastering by Dubmatix of Renegade Studios is top-class. Moreover,

Fred Locks and Sabolious: No to Racism EP Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Veteran Roots artist Fred Locks is not one to become idle in the face of political and social adversity. This is demonstrated not least by his new EP with Sabolious, as it tackles the fall-out from the murder of George Floyd head-on. Fred Locks and Sabolious No to Racism, released via Anaves Music (Sabolious’s new record label), sees him, Locks and composer Martin Rothe hone in on a style rarely seen across more Jamaican-based Roots-led music anymore: Steppers, but with its signature four-on-the-floor arrangement taken up

Sevana: Be Somebody EP Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Let’s get the formalities out of the way first. The incredible Sevana has finally released her latest EP, after teasing us with a single earlier in July. In no uncertain terms, it is a triumph. Sevana Be Somebody, released via In.Digg.Nation Collective and Six Course/RCA records/Sony Music Entertainment, sees Sevana put pen, heart and soul to music and paper, with six tracks co-constructed with various producers. From the off, this is her project – not least co-writing all the tracks, being the creative force and co-director of Be Somebody’s first