Single Reviews

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

RCola and Ranking Joe: Champion Selector/Chant Down Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Established UK outfit Totally Dubwise are back with two fresh Jungle cuts – perfect for festival season, but also perfect in their own right. Because the label has teamed up with two legendary names for the release. Champion Selector/Chant Down will be released by Totally Dubwise Recordings on Friday 15 of July. It sees the label team up with Montreal-based RCola and the “legendary lyrical sound killer” Ranking Joe. As always with the label, the quality of the production and engineering is top-notch – particularly the attention

Soul Revivers feat. Ken Boothe Tell Me Why Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. The Pauzeradio shop has some fresh stock. And if you were looking for something fresh that also ‘revived’ the best traditions of Soul-influenced Roots Reggae music, then look no further than the legendary Ken Boothe. Tell Me Why is released via Acid Jazz and available on 7” vinyl in the Pauzeradio shop. Produced by Nick Manasseh and David Hill (known as Soul Revivers), the track is from their recent release On The Grove. To say the track is gorgeous and expertly crafted would be an

Nadia McAnuff featuring The Ligerians: Lock Down Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Sometimes a song is worth revisiting – not least when it was highly pertinent at the time, and still is. A track from Nadia McAnuff’s 2021 EP with The Ligerians fits this bill – and it is perfection. Lock Down featured on McAnuff and The Ligerians’ November 2021 EP. It was composed by The Ligerians, written by McAnuff and produced by SoulNurse Records. The mixing by Gabriel Bouillon is on-point, and the final mastering by Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred of I Grade Records (and Zion I

Ray Isaacs Slave Master Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. To celebrate what would have been Gregory Isaacs’ 72nd birthday, his nephew Ray is releasing a new track – but it’s a reimagining of one of his uncle’s classics. What better way to mark the earthstrong of a legendary singer? Slave Master is set to be released on 15 July (Gregory’s birthday) by Anotha One Productions. It forms part of Isaacs’ new album, due out in December 2022. Called Gregory Isaacs Tribute: Like Uncle – Like Nephew, it will see the nephew team up with Sweden’s Bewarehouse Studio band