Single Reviews

General Jah Mikey The Power Of Love Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. General Jah Mikey is another legend of Roots Reggae – having been active since 1985 and being nurtured early on by King Tubby. Moreover, he’s still here, and still going strong – as his latest single shows. The Power Of Love, released via RuffCompany Records, show Mikey at his best as well as demonstrating what he has always done: diversified his sound to maintain relevancy. Here, the track is a Reggae one on the face of it, but there are modern touches thrown in to give it

Papa Michigan Mango Season Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Papa Michigan – one half of the legendary duo Michigan and Smiley, for whom we have to thank for the phrases ‘Rub-a-Dub Style’ and ‘Nice up the Dance’ – is back with a new track, but this time a cover of one from a long-passed artist. Mango Season, released via RuffCompany Records, is a cover of the General Echo track of the same name. The latter is, as best as Pauzeradio can tell, unavailable online. Of course, Jamaican police killed General Echo in 1980 at the age of just 24

Don Hartley Zion Gate Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. The wonderful Don Hartley has recently returned with another glorious track – this time, focusing on smooth Roots vibes that contain pertinent lyrical messages. Zion Gate, released via World One Entertainment, sees Hartley team up with producer I-niverse for this sumptuous Roots Reggae cut. As is always the case with anything Hartley does, the mixing and mastering – here from I-niverse – is spot on: sympathetic to the overall instrumental arrangement, while also giving breathing room for the various lines as well as Hartley’s vocal to come through. The track

Greg Even & YT The Greatest Escape Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. If you feel like you sometimes need to escape from the world (and the toxic system we’re all forced to live under), then what better way to do this (and take inspiration at the same time) than by listening to the latest track from a British Roots icon? The Greatest Escape, released via Raider Records, sees UK-based artist YT team up with producer Greg Even in what is a great collaboration. The track is a glorious and forthright Roots-heavy track – which focuses on some classic elements

Christos DC & The Ligerians Live Right Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. The second single from the forthcoming album by Christos DC and the Ligerians is a change of the expected from the first track that was released – but shows the versatility of the matching of these artists. Live Right, released via Soul Nurse Records and Honest Music Production, is a departure from their previous release Shadow of Perception – an evocative, brooding, and somewhat unsettling track. Here, we’re treated to something gentler but albeit with the same powerful elements. Once again, Christos DC and the Ligerians have

Avaran Love Cry Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Back in November 2024, a stirring and evocative riddim was released – and here, Pauzeradio is pleased to feature one track off it. Love Cry, across the Tears of Life Riddim released via Hungrybelly Records/Cyclone Music Group, is from Bahamas-born musician Avaran – and is a solid piece of work. The riddim is a slick, rich, and potent affair – reminiscent of Lovers Rock of days gone by. All the rudimental Reggae elements are there. The bass is rich and rounded and fairly low down its register. Running a winding melodic

Dreadsquad Yekermo Sew Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Poland-based Dreadsquad has a huge back catalogue – and now, just to add to that mix, Pauzeradio is excited to stock a recent single off the collective’s brand-new album; one that shows how well Roots and Jazz can mix. Yèkèrmo Sèw featuring Don Fe, Craig Crofton, and Piotr Zabrodzki is a smart yet stripped-back affair from the Polish outfit. It is a reworking of the 1970s track Yèkèrmo Sèw (A Man of Experience and Wisdom) by Ethiopian Jazz artist Mulatu Astatke. Featured on the album Reggae From The Desert (also available

D’ Original Reverence x One Culture Jah Will Be There Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. It’s always good to bring a pleasing track back with a Dub version – so, enter D’ Original to rework a release from 2023; oh, and give us the original for a second time as well. Jah Will Be There, released via Third Island Productions, sees D’ Original Reverence work with Virginia-based Roots band One Culture across what is a classic Roots Reggae track that is fresh, meandering, and pleasing in equal measure. All the Roots musical staples are here. The keys run a

Don Hartley Word You Speak Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Veteran Roots artist Don Hartley has been a staple on the conscious Reggae scene for over three decades. Now, he’s back with another superb release – following on from his recent EP Song Of Creation and also cuts reviewed here on Pauzeradio: The Third Day and Black Moses. Word You Speak, released via Don Hartley Music and mixed and mastered by Mighty Drop Productions in Portugal, sees Hartley at his very best: discussing his faith and how it interacts with his everyday life across a classic Roots cut –

Azizzi Romeo Survival Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Roots royalty has entered the Pauzeradio vinyl shop as a 7″ vinyl once again, in the form Of Azizzi Romeo – yes, Max Romeo’s son. As we previously said, that’s quite a legacy for ‘Romeo the Younger’ to live up to – and on his last release he did. So, is it the same this time round? Yes, absolutely. Survival, released via Two Flames Records, is an inspiring and sumptuous affair that’s both respectful to the history of Roots while also incorporating more progressive musical elements into it. The title track features the Two Flames Syndicate. Produced and