Reggae Album Reviews

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

Stone: At Last Album Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. UK homegrown talent is always exciting to hear, especially when the Reggae industry can be dominated by the bigger names from Jamaica. So, does East London-born Stone’s (formerly known as ST1) latest album represent a worthwhile addition to the UK scene? Absolutely. Stone At Last, released independently, sees Stone tread a classic Reggae-derived path. He’s utilised a multitude of producers and riddims across the project – but keeps a remarkable synergy throughout. Classic in its construction but often thoroughly modern in its detail, At Last shows the wide range of

Luciano: The Answer Album Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Luciano is one of the veterans of Reggae. So, any album release from him is going to be closely watched across the industry. Fortunately, his latest project will cement his legendary status. Luciano The Answer, released via Oneness Records, sees Luciano tread a delicate and well-crafted tightrope between traditional Roots and more soulful flavours. Production from Oneness’s always on-point Moritz v.Korff and Benjamin Zecher, and mixing/mastering by Umberto Echo, remove the need for much to be said, except ‘class’ and ‘quality’ (as you’d expect from the label). And the album

Footsteps: Is That Foot Vol.1 EP Review – Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. London-based artist Footsteps’ plans to release his debut EP were thrown off-kilter due to the coronavirus pandemic. Fortunately, not for long – as this highly talented act has finally released it. And it was well worth the wait. Footsteps Is That Foot Vol.1, released via My-iSh Music, is a completely self-assembled album from this technically skilled artist – doing all the compositions, lyrics and production. No mean feat – but he’s pulled it off with class and ingenuity. The EP opens with Intro, and immediately sets the tone