Single Reviews

Mikey General: Hold Strong 7″ Vinyl Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Mikey General is always a solid, reliable artist – and with the latest of his releases to hit the Pauzeradio shop, he has cemented that credibility. Hold Strong, released via Dubquake Records, is an engaging and thought-provoking affair. It’s a strongly-constructed track – with the final mix and master giving a classic, vinyl feel to the proceedings. This is helped along by the excellent B-side ‘Strong Dub’, where O.B.F gives a delicious take on the main track – stark, ambient, and very eerie. So, what of the headline

Ashanti Selah: Never Leave I Alone 7″ Vinyl Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Ashanti Selah’s latest release to hit the Pauzeradio shop is, perhaps, one of his strongest in a while – meaning we’re very humbled to be able to bring it to you. Never Leave I Alone, released via Firmly Rooted, sees Selah transcend the current Reggae cultural tendencies to fuse genres – delivering, instead, a straight yet vibrant and affecting Roots track – albeit with some interesting attention to detail laced across it. The mastering is very strong – not giving prominence to one instrumental line, instead

LawGiver the Kingson: Welcome to Jamaica Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. After a brief hiatus (although it felt too long), LawGiver the Kingson is back with a new project. So, welcome to the first track to be released from it. Welcome to Jamaica is the first single from Kingson’s upcoming album “Creation”, set to be released in the middle of summer. As the artist’s website says: “The album promises to be a powerful and uplifting work, showcasing Lawgiver’s unique blend of conscious lyrics and soulful rhythms. One of the standout tracks on the album is “Alive and Kicking,”

Tony Roots and Russ Disciple: Tired A Di War Vinyl Release Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Pauzeradio is proud to have added to its vinyl shop another, new 7” vinyl release – and with this one the quality is undisputable. Tired A Di War, released via Ras-Guerrilla Music, sees veteran Jamaican/UK artist Tony Roots join forces with producer Russ Disciple across this classy release. Featuring the original plus a Dub version, it shows the quality of Ras-Guerrilla’s selections when it comes to artists and producers. Moreover, it also showcases the talents of Roots and Disciple perfectly. The track is

Deemas J, Jago and Zen Lewis: That Sound Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Totally Dubwise Recordings are back with another fresh track – this time on a frantic yet effective Reggae/Dub Ragga-Hop tip. That Sound, released via Totally Dubwise Recordings, sees the label team up with vocal artists Deemas J, Jago and Zen Lewis. A departure somewhat from the label’s previous work – which was heavy on both straighter Reggae and Dub, and Jungle, – because here, production focuses on Reggae and Dub while bringing in elements of Hip Hop and Dancehall. The production by Ant Henderson from

Dexta Daps Blessings Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. What a way to end 2022 – not only with a new Dexta Daps track, but one which sees him returning to Reggae and something more conscious as well. Blessings, released via Trainline Records, is from the label’s El YahWeh Riddim, which is out on 18 November. It’s a strong move from Trainline to release Daps’s track as the lead (and a coup for them to get him on the riddim, too). Because the track is pure, pure perfection. The riddim itself is soulful yet Reggae-laced – almost classic in

Perfect Giddimani: World Peace Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. The legendary Perfect Giddimani has recently returned with a brand-new track. This time, it sees him go back to a classic Roots Reggae sound – but the subject matter is bang up-to-date. World Peace, released via Earth Strong Productions, sees Giddimani take things back to a classic vibe. The production from Father Ralph at Earth Strong is clean, crisp, and tidy – evocative of the golden days of Reggae. Recording and mixing comes from Trainline Records – who have been making name for themselves recently (including a forthcoming track

Robert Dallas: Tek It Easy/Do Good Brother Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Poor Man’s Friend, the Bristol, UK and Jamaica-based outfit, are back with Robert Dallas for a rich and potent 7” vinyl release – and it’s top-quality, naturally. Tek It Easy/Do Good Brother, released via Poor Man’s Friend Studio Inc and available in the Pauzeradio shop here, sees veteran Dallas (formerly known as Yabba Youth) team up with the Bristol-based outfit – known for their slick production and engineering, and sheer class. Here is no different – notably that both tracks sound almost analogue in terms of

Don Hartley Do You Have What It Takes Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Don Hartley is back with another new track – this time asking us if we have ‘what it takes’, while showing us that him and his team certainly do. Do You Have What It Takes, released via World One Entertainment, is a pleasing Roots track, listen here or watch the video below, which is authentically Old Skool while still feeling fresh. The composition, co-writing and co-production comes from Linval Allison, with production from Hartley himself and the instruments being in the capable hands of Pedro

Simha Roots feat. Princess Linn Rising Sun Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Another fresh vinyl release has hit the Pauzeradio shop – and as always, we’ve selected the best of the best in modern, progressive Roots. Rising Sun, released via Roots Masala Records, is the B side to a great vinyl cut available in the Pauzeradio shop. The A side sees Nia Songbird deliver the track We Rise. Grenadian-born Linn also featured on Rasta Hood Productions’ Timeless Selections Riddim in 2021. Here, she and Simha Roots deliver a broodingly rich and engaging affair. The haunting track is in