Single Reviews

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

Christos DC & The Ligerians Shadow Of Perception Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Christos DC has been bringing his A-Game of late – and this is only set to improve as news breaks of his latest collaboration: a full album with the legendary Ligerians. Now, we get to hear the first single off this project – and it’s a winner. Shadow Of Perception, released via Soul Nurse Records and Honest Music Production, is the first track to be released from the artists’ forthcoming project together – and it shows just what potential the album will have. The first thing

Azizzi Romeo Jah Send The Rain Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Roots royalty has entered the Pauzeradio vinyl shop as a 7″ vinyl, in the form Of Azizzi Romeo – yes, Max Romeo’s son. That’s quite a legacy for ‘Romeo the Younger’ to live up to – but fortunately, he does. Jah Send The Rain, released via Tribe 84, sees Romeo and the Guiding Star Orchestra get guidance from producers Chllngr and Morten McCoy across a track where the mastering is highly slick and effective – making a truly sonic experience, and that’s without the music. The composition is

Jah Mex Rootsman Style Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Jah Mex, a seasoned artist, has finally dropped his first vinyl release – and it was well worth the wait. Rootsman Style, distributed by Creation Rebel Sound System, sees Mex team up with DM Khan and Albert Hurtado. Production is slick, as are the mixing and mastering which bring the main instrumental lines nicely to the fore while maintaining the Roots-heavy rhythm section in the background. Side A has the main vocal version. A smooth, meandering arrangement is grounded in (unironically) a Roots style. Keys run a rudimentary bubble rhythm

AbiYah Yisrael: Yah Will Be There Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Dominican-based artist AbiYah Yisrael has returned with another sumptuous Roots Reggae cut which shows the talents of this accomplished artist immaculately. Yah Will Be There, released via ChaYah Studios, sees Yisrael team up with producer and arranger Hilroy “ObadYah” Alfred (who also provides guitars across the track). For what seems like a small studio and production outfit, everyone involved has aimed high – with excellent results; not least across the mix and master which are both proficient and high quality. Meanwhile, Yah Will Be There’s musical backdrop

JayRyme and Hyh Volume: Money Outta Pocket Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Summer may be nearly over in the northern hemisphere, but that doesn’t mean the summery music has to end. And a new track from a brand-new label will help you slide into fall perfectly. Money Outta Pocket, released via new label More Than Music Productions, is the first release off the brand-new Pocket Money Riddim – with further tracks set to be released soon. More Than Music is a new venture, that will bring together producers, engineers, publishers, musicians, bookers, promoters, and all other music professionals

LawGiver The Kingson – One-Ness Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Well-established artist LawGiver the Kingson is back with a new track – partly to celebrate his earthstrong but also to pay homage to a golden era of Roots. One-Ness, released via Imperishable Uprising, sees LawGiver tackle the influences of several genres head-on, across an upbeat and forward-moving arrangement which barely stops for breath -except when it’s designed to. The mixing by Marvin Jackson and mastering by Jemoi Mothieth (Clearsonic Studios) are very strong – creating a rich and vibrant palette of noise, bringing the component parts of the