Reggae Album Reviews

Snypahtak: Time is Now EP Review – Steve Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Now considered a veteran of the Roots movement, Total Satisfaction Records is one of the smartest labels in the business. Now one of its artists, Snypahtak, is back with an EP. And satisfaction is guaranteed. Snypahtak Time is Now, released via Total Satisfaction Records, is a deep dive into Reggae-based music. Production from Leon Smillie, the label’s founder, is as you’d expect: intuitive, inventive and delicately crafted. Covering a multitude of styles and genres, the EP is almost a lesson in all the derivatives of the genre – and

Stonebwoy: Le Gba Gbe (Alive) Video and Anloga Junction Album Review – Steve Topple For Pauzeradio.com. Stonebwoy has just released the latest video to accompany a track from his Anloga Junction album. Not only is it musically and visually stunning, but it makes some searing political and social points as well. Which, when put into the context of the album itself, is perhaps the best way to encapsulate that, too. Le Gba Gbe (Alive), released via Burniton Music Group (under exclusive licence to KV Online LTD) is a masterclass in how a music video can, if in the right hands,

EXCLUSIVE – Dre Island Now I Rise Album Review – Steve Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Another week, and another long-anticipated debut album has arrived. Having been in the making for around five years, it’s time for Dre Island to present his first full project to the world. And the world needs to make sure it’s ready. Because he has risen to a glorious plain. Dre Island Now I Rise, released via Dre Island Music and Kingston Hills Entertainment and distributed by DubShot Records, is nothing short of remarkable. To call it an “album” does not do it justice. It’s a project,

Addis Records: Reggae Outta’national Review – Steve Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Every so often a very special riddim comes along which has such depth and character that it stands head and shoulders in line with some of the greats. But moreover, the label from which it comes goes that extra mile to make it all the more spectacular. Enter Addis Records. Reggae Outta’national Riddim, released via Addis Records, is not so much a riddim and more a musical theme. There is a basic riddim in place, jointly composed by Thomas Join Lambert and Thomas Broussard (aka T’N’T) on drums and guitar,

Truth & A-Lone Productions: Creation Riddim Review – Steve Topple for Pauzeradio.com. If something was good the first-time round, then quite often it doesn’t need changing. But a delicate bit of tinkering often creates something magical. And a newly reworked riddim, just released on two 7”, is the perfect example of this. Creation Riddim, released via Truth and A-Lone Productions, is a glorious foray in heavy Roots and Dub. It’s based-on Shanti Yalah’s song of the same name, from his 2017 album also of the same name. But producer, composer and engineer Roberto Sánchez with Lone Ark Riddim Force have

Chyna Nicole: Level of Concern Album Review – Steve Topple for Pauzeradio.com. 2020 is already proving a stellar year for women in Roots-derived music. From Lila Iké’s stunning debut EP The ExPerience to the teaser from Nattali Rize’s forthcoming album Worldwide Rebellion – female artists are leading the conscious charge. And now, enter Chyna Nicole. Chyna Nicole Level of Concern, released via Jumpout Production, is Nicole’s third solo album. With production credits from both seasoned and up-and-coming names, it’s an ambitious and bold project – sweeping in its musical expansiveness and daring in its compositions. The album’s executive producer, Gary

Lila Iké: The ExPerience EP Review – Steve Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Debut EPs can go one of two ways. Either they serve their purpose as a fully rounded introduction to an artist, or they actually undermine their credibility by being too much, too soon. But don’t worry. One of the most exciting talents in music’s debut offering fits into the former bracket perfectly. It is, of course, Lila Iké. Lila Iké The ExPerience, released via In.Digg.Nation Collective and RCA Records/Sony Music Entertainment, is nothing short of revelatory. Musically bang up-to-date yet fascinatingly inventive, expertly constructed and with Iké showing the

Iyah Vybz Muzik: Perilous Times Riddim Review – Steve Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Never has a title of a riddim been more apt for the time it will be released. Because Jah Rain’s latest project encapsulates the period of history we’re living through. And moreover, it’s an exquisite musical representation of it, too. Perilous Times Riddim, released via Iyah Vybz Muzik, sees Rain take full control of composition, production, mixing and mastering. It’s no mean feat as an artist to have this level of responsibility over a single track. Jah Rain is no ordinary artist – and he’s pulled it off

Dan Gio: Emotional Tide EP Review – Steve Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Royell Walker aka Dan Gio has been honing his craft for several years, now. But it appears he may have hit the pinnacle of his powers. As his new EP is, not to put too finer point on it, a revelation. Dan Gio Emotional Tide, released via Soulrock Collective, is a furious yet gentle, angry yet touching delve deep into human emotions and their intersections with the system. With all roles (composition, production, mixing and mastering) performed to a top-class level by Gio and his Soulrock Collective label, it’s

Giddimani Records: Angry Beast Riddim Review – Steve Topple for Pauzeradio.com. There’s a lot to be said for taking things back-to-basics with riddims. Authenticity, letting the artists’ messages speak for themselves and accessibility being factors. But there’s also a lot to be said about ones which are musically complex and intricately crafted. And Giddimani Records’ latest release is just that. Angry Beast Riddim, released via Giddimani Records and House of Riddim, is Perfect Giddimani at the peak of his writing and production powers. Credit must also go to Sam Gilly from House of Riddim Studios for the finely tuned mixing,