Single Reviews

Prince Livijah Red Alert Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Kingston Echo has made a name for himself producing quality, pleasing and intricate music which always respects the origins of Roots while keeping it fresh. And a 7” vinyl with Prince Livijah is no exception to this. Prince Livijah Red Alert, on a limited release from Dub Up Records and available in the Pauzeradio shop, is a rich and thoughtful track. Like his recent work with Nga Han and the Hi-Flyers, the Emergence album, Echo recorded the entire track on 16 track tape – giving the music an authentic

Sevad: Freedom Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. After the success of his 2020 album Black Man’s Government, Sevad has returned to his genre-defying style of music. And with his latest release, he’s cleverly fused various styles to deliver a powerful message for our times. Sevad Freedom, released via Sevad Music House Records, sees this up-and-coming artist tread a deft and emotive line between Trap (similar to Drill in the UK) and RnB. Sevad has dramatically improved his production skills since Black Man’s Government, with the quality of the final mix and master being on-a-par with many major labels. This

I-Octane: Stop Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. After the success of his woman-focused Moods album, I-Octane has turned his attention from singing female praises to addressing systemic inequality and poverty. And it shows the breadth and depth of his artistic skill – but is also perhaps lyrically his strongest (and given his status, bravest) in recent years. I-Octane Stop, released via Conquer The Globe Productions, sees I-Octane return to his conscious Roots. The track is produced by Troyton Music and Mari Muziq – who have created an effective and engaging musical backdrop, focused around the smooth, RnB-driven end of

Richie Spice: I Use the Herbs (Mott Drum n Bass Remix) Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Totally Dubwise Recordings are back with another fresh cut. But this time, they’ve merged genres with a fresh take on a classic track. And the new interpretation should be a classic in itself. I Use the Herbs from the legendary Richie Spice has been given the Jungle treatment courtesy of Mott and released via Totally Dubwise Recordings. The original track, across the Herbs Riddim from Barefruits Production/Mango Tree Entertainment, was a clever hybrid of Soul (check the rich sax line) and Dancehall

Jae Prynse: Never Change Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Jamaican-based Jae Prynse is back with another fresh cut – and it shows the strength of his collaboration with a UK-based record label. Jae Prynse Never Change, released via JPM Music Group/Defenders Entertainment, is a gorgeous and cleverly arranged piece of modern Dancehall-RnB. Prynse’s JPM Music Group and Defenders Entertainment share the production duties here (the London-based Defenders’ head Corey Johnson having co-produced Drake’s global smash One Dance and usually being responsible for Drill/Hip Hop). The result is fresh, inventive and instantly memorable. The track has Dancehall at its

MediSun: Speak Love Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. The recently-born MediSun meets Zion I Kings with his latest track. And if you think that sounds like a dream combination, then you’d be correct. Because the end result is gorgeous. MediSun Speak Love, released via Lustre Kings Productions, is the epitome of modern conscious music. There’s no need to discuss the production, mixing and mastering quality – because it’s Zion I Kings; so – ‘nuff said’. MediSun noted of the track: “The entire world was in the midst of the traumatic events of 2020 and I was facing a

Nga Han and The Co​-​Operators: Tek a Chance Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Nga Han, hot off the heels of his sophomore album The Living Stream, has for the first time joined forces with The Co-Operators. The end result is a deep-dive into haunting Roots. Nga Han Tek a Chance, released via Waggle Dance Records on a limited 7” press, sees Han and Bristol, England-based The Co-operators team up with producer Eeyun Purkins. The first thing to note is the quality of his engineering and mixing, and Pressure Mastering’s mastering. The attention to detail here has created a

Upper Cut Band feat. Kabaka Pyramid: Light It Up Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. London-based Upper Cut Band will be back with a brand-new album in the autumn. But first, they’ve just released a new single featuring the legendary Kabaka Pyramid. And it’s fyah, as the bun the system down. Kabaka Pyramid Light It Up is the first track to drop from Upper Cut Band’s forthcoming album. Called Painting on Silence, it’s produced by Nick Manasseh and features Big Youth, Kabaka Pyramid, Glen Washington, Luciano, Carroll Thompson, Max Romeo’s daughter Xana, Horseman, Earl 16 and more. So, how

Ras Midas: Let the People Go/Rain and Fire 12” Review by Mr Topple / Pauzeradio PR Services. Some classic Ras Midas tracks have been given a 21st century refreshing. And the legendary artist sounds as good as he ever did. Ras Midas Let the People Go/Rain and Fire, released via Roots Vibration Records, sees Midas at the peak of his powers. With both tracks originally being composed by him, and production from Harry Johnson (along with Midas on Let the People Go), they really are this fine artist in a nutshell. Let the People Go is pure Roots with elements

Treesha: Rehab Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. It would seem obvious that much of Rihanna’s back catalogue would lend itself to Reggae and Dancehall. But to pull it off well would be no mean feat. Fortunately, we have Treesha on hand to show us how to do it with style and flair. Treesha Rehab, released via BuffBaff Records, sees her once again team up with the label after their successful 2020 cover of Eternal’s Angel of Mine. The backstory to the track is as fascinating as the finished result: Treesha heard the riddim on BuffBaff’s live Twitch session