Single Reviews

Jahdon featuring Truvice: Here We Go Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. After the success of his inspired and thoroughly pleasing album 369, Jahdon is back with a fresh single and a fresh sound. Because the merging of various styles has created something infinitely likeable and memorable. Here We Go, released via Look Ya Noww Entertainment and distributed by Zojak Worldwide, sees Jahdon team up with Truvice – a lovely pairing if ever there was one. The track is written by the man himself, with sympathetic and glossy production coming from Audiotraxx Productions. Overall, Here We Go is a

Various Artists and Thompson Sound: Channel One Riddims 7”s Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. You can’t beat a classic riddim. Or, in the case of Thompson Sound’s recent release, two plus a brand new one. Because the veteran label has dropped a brilliant reimagining of some legendary beats. The four 7” vinyl (available here), released via Thompson Sound and distributed by A-Lone Productions, sees label founder Linval Thompson revisit two, legendary Channel One riddims. Plus, he’s teamed up with A-Lone’s Roberto Sánchez to bring something fresh to the compositions, too. Of course, Thompson was responsible for the original cuts

Clinton Fearon: Fix It Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Not only is veteran Roots artist Clinton Fearon a living legend, but he’s also a thoroughly lovely individual. And on top of that, he’s a smart and astute political and social commentator – as his latest single shows. Clinton Fearon Fix It, released via Boogie Brown Productions, sees Fearon tread a detailed and musically intricate path across an almost Rub-a-Dub sound. But the stripped-back nature of the instrumentation is deceptive – as musically it is much more complex than that. The track opens with some bold and unapologetic quaver-led

Ras Teo and Pablo Gad: Geddion Bootz Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. You can tell when an artist is performing with one of their personal inspirations: the synergy and chemistry is apparent from the off. And that sentiment sears through Ras Teo’s latest release – with a British Roots legend. Geddion Bootz, released via Forward Bound Records, sees Teo join forces with Pablo Gad. But the latter is not the only stellar artist to have their hand on this track. The rich and detailed production comes from Teo and the incomparable Fred Locks, with Ashanti Selah doing most

Upsetta Records x Loud City: Kings Riddim Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. What happens when you combine Busy Signal, Capital D and Agent Sasco – then add in a quality, infectious riddim to boot? Upsetta Records and Loud City’s latest release is what. Kings Riddim, released via Upsetta Records and Loud City, sees the former’s co-founder JJ “Dante” Vezina join forces with the latter, in Upsetta’s first release in nearly a year. But the wait has been worth it, as the end result is a sumptuous and instantly memorable cut. The basic riddim itself is filled with detail. Central

Akae Beka and Ras Teo: All Hail Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. The incomparable Vaughn Benjamin’s (Akae Beka) posthumous work continues to impress. Not least was his track with Tiken Jah Fakoly, Everything Bless (you can read Pauzeradio’s review here). So, once more the world is gifted with another fine song from this legend. All Hail, released via Jah Solid Rock Music, sees Akae Beka and Ras Teo join forces. Production and mixing are from the always on-point Roberto Sánchez of A-Lone Productions, with the Lone Ark Riddim Force band providing the musical backdrop. The result is a

Jah Bami and Suns of Dub: How it’s Happening (Justice) Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. The first pre-release from Suns of Dub’s forthcoming project has just dropped. And it certainly bodes well for the full release – as it’s a lush, intricate and affecting affair. How it’s Happening (Justice) sees Suns of Dub team up with Jah Bami, across a composition from Aaron V (“AV”). The production outfit have taken an old skool Sound System Dub sound, complete with various devices, and brought it bang up-to-date – making the whole track work extremely well. It’s a heavyweight sound,

Subtifuge: Love Inna Riddim (Escape Roots Remixes) Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Totally Dubwise are one of the more solid record labels on the Roots/Dub scene; consistently delivering quality and unique content. And their latest vinyl release is no exception to this. Love Inna Riddim was originally produced by Subtifuge. Here, Escape Roots take on the remix duties across two tracks with Totally Dubwise Recordings releasing it. Versions of two artists’ previous interpretations have been reimagined. And the resulting cuts are a clever and compelling, with some fine attention to detail. The basic riddim itself is highly attractive.

Micah Shemaiah: Jamaica Jamaica Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. The best artists know that sometimes, less is more – and that musical simplicity is sometimes the most important tool to deliver an important message. Micah Shemaiah has done just that with his latest single. Micah Shemaiah Jamaica Jamaica, released via Evidence Music, sees Shemaiah bring Roots and Dub vibes together with some old skool Hip Hop sensibilities across a stark and brooding track. Produced with Evidence Music, the end result is an intense and searing musical and lyrical analysis of the situation the country is in. There are

Cherine Anderson: Rise Up Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. It’s always worth revisiting something powerful, especially when the timing is pertinent. With that in mind, songstress Cherine Anderson has re-released a track from 2016. And it is, of course, perfect. Rise Up, released via 20 Six Music Group, sees Anderson take on the Andra Day standard, which she originally covered in 2016. But Anderson being Anderson means that instead of a straight interpretation of Day’s track – she’s reworked it, and then reworked it again. The end result is something quite magical. Day’s original was undoubtedly a powerful