Single Reviews

Sun Shade: Change Must Come Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Released several months ago, a track from Sun Shade has lost none of its power – and is worth revisiting, given how little has changed recently. Sun Shade Change Must Come, released via Jeanne Music, sees Shade team up with producer Paul “Computer Paul” Henton. The track uses his and Bootcamp Records’ 2011 Sha La Laa Riddim (a reimagining of the classic Coxsone Dodd’s You Should Have Known Riddim), while Shade’s melody is an interpretation of Dennis Brown’s across the cut Caress Me Girl (over the You Should

Arkaingelle ft Kabaka Pyramid and Pressure Busspipe: Light Tha Torch Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Yet more music to stir your soul and lift your consciousness has been gifted to us during the coronavirus pandemic. This time, Arkaingelle, Kabaka Pyramid and Pressure Busspipe deliver some cautious inspiration in droves. Arkaingelle ft Kabaka Pyramid and Pressure Light Tha Torch, released via Zion High Productions, sees Arkaingelle showcase one of the tracks off his forthcoming album Nah Watah Down – out on 18 September. With production from the always sublime Zion I Kings across this track and the whole album,

Junior X: Jah Will Deliver Us Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Being a recording artist with several decades under his belt, Junior X is no stranger to releasing top-quality, inspirational music. But with his first release for a legendary label, he’s taken this to higher planes. Junior X Jah Will Deliver Us, released via Rockers Agency, sees Junior X at the peak of his potent powers. Written by him and produced by Small Axe Productions across the previously-released Paradigm Shift Riddim, it’s a gorgeous, delicately-touched Roots affair with lovely inflections of Soul from Junior X throughout. It opens

Subajah: Back 2 Da Future Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. No time machine in sight when Subajah recently dropped his latest cut and the accompanying visuals. ‘Great Scott!’ I hear you cry. And rightly so. As the track is another power-move from this talented artist. Subajah Back 2 Da Future, released via Dashen Records, sees Subajah and producers First Eye Productions create an interesting and pertinent take around the theme of the late 80s/early 90s film series of a similar name. It’s an ostensibly Roots/Dub affair, with varying levels of musical devices in play that drive the sound

Roadblock Dub Collective: Sepinggungan Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Indonesia has thrown up some inspiring Roots-derived artists in recent years; not least among these being Ras Muhamad and another, fascinating act. Enter Roadblock Dub Collective, with their latest track and accompanying video. Roadblock Dub Collective Sepinggungan, a self-released track, sees Roadblock (Yulius Samiaji and Hidayat Surodijoyo) tread a Dub-led yet musically interesting path which touches on numerous influences to create a wholly unique sound. With vocals from activist and singer Terranova (from Sound System outfit Anjing Dub) it’s brooding, intricate and unsettling – cleverly crafted around several component

Cenza: Thriving Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. At Pauzeradio, we’re committed to thinking outside the Reggae box when it comes to artistic talent and supporting emerging acts. With that in mind, here’s introducing the latest track from New York-based Cenza. And it’s dynamite. Cenza Thriving, released via MGNancy Records, sees Cenza team up with Jean-Luc McMurty and Mike Abiuso across production duties, with the song being penned by herself. It’s atmospheric, brooding and unsettling – and draws on various genres to create a thoroughly modern yet classic sound. Because there’s something of the ‘Jhené Aiko meets James Bond

Prezident Brown: Son of a Gun Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Ahead of its forthcoming EP The Message, CKM Infinity Studio has dropped the second track from the release. And if this new cut from Prezident Brown (and the first single from Trudii Harrison), are anything to go by, the full record should be an impressive piece of work. Prezident Brown Son of a Gun, released via CKM Infinity Studio, sees label founder Cliff Manswell at the production helm again. It follows the same compositional riddim as Harrison’s Black Voice. But what’s lovely to see is Brown’s completely

Lutan Fyah: Never Give Up Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Lutan Fyah must be one of the busiest artists around, because he’s back with another fresh cut. But this time, he’s tackling a subject not often discussed in Roots: mental health and depression. Lutan Fyah Never Give Up, across the Reggae Star Riddim and released via Reggae Vibes Music, sees Fyah and the team at Reggae Vibes put together a highly impressive, utterly complete package – from the composition, to the lyrics and via the accompanying video from Lonewolf Filmz. The track itself is ostensibly Roots, with elements

Akae Beka ft Tiken Jah Fakoly: Everything Bless Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. There’s something inherently moving about hearing Vaughn Benjamin (Akae Beka) posthumously; remembering what an inspiring talent he was. And the latest release, thanks to Zion I Kings and I Grade Music, is no exception to this. Akae Beka ft Tiken Jah Fakoly Everything Bless, released via Schethlya Publishing, Sotigui Editions et Production, I Grade Music, Galactic Soul Music, Haile Tabernacle Music and Haze Street Publishing, is perfection personified. Delicately and intricately arranged, sympathetically produced by Zion I Kings and beautifully performed by Benjamin and Fakoly

Iba Mahr: Fully Advanced Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Conscious artist Iba Mahr has returned with another new track – following quickly on from his July cut Smart and Brave. Those two words sum him up well – as this latest song is both in droves. Iba Mahr Fully Advanced, distributed by 21st Hapilos, sees Mahr team up with the talents at One Time Music and Island Wav (here, its co-founder RiddimBoss) – the team that brought us Kabaka Pyramid’s Babylon Fallin. The track treads a different path completely to Smart and Brave’s Roots and Dub-led flavours. Here,