BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 3rd February, 2024
Featuring the Murda Dem riddim from Irie Ites; new music from Fikir Amlak, Marlon Asher and Eesah; revisiting the mighty Lion Of Judah riddim from I Grade records; and the usual vintage classics.
THE BREADWINNERS & MARCUS I – Burn It On (Lost Tapes Showcase: Breadwinners Records) BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Ambush In The Night (Survival: Island) –request BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Guiltiness (Exodus: Island) BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH – You’re Under Arrest (Rasta: Upright Records) BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH & THE HAZARDOUS DUB COMPANY – Allies (Back To Roots: Acid Jazz) THE VIBRATORS – Rise and Shine (Impact) THE HEPTONES – Haven’t You Any Fight Left (Coxson) CORNEL CAMPBELL & THE ETERNALS – Music Keep On Playing (GGs) JOE GIBBS & THE PROFESSIONALS – Lime Key Rock (Joe Gibbs) KING TUBBY – Beat Them In Dub (Jackpot) –request TAPPA ZUKIE – MPLA (Klik) DILLINGER – Natty Kick Like Lightning (Island) THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS – Jah Will Work It Out (Stand Up To Your Judgement: Channel One) STEPHANIE SAMUELS – Africa We Want To Go (Channel One) THE WAILING SOULS – Jah Jah Give Us Life To Live (Channel One) EVERAL COOPER & THE HIGH TWO – Help Out This Nation (Songhai) TAPPA ZUKIE & LUCIANO – Nuh Fraid A Dem (Bunker Buster: Kingston Sounds) FIKIR AMLAK – Move Different (Move Different: Good Over Evil) ARMY – Skip Deep (Lion Of Judah riddim: I Grade) RAS ATTITUDE – Real From Fake (Lion Of Judah riddim: I Grade) LUTAN FYAH – Too Much Ramshackle (Lion Of Judah riddim: I Grade) PRESSURE – Rastafari Get The Victory (Lion Of Judah riddim: I Grade) DANNY I – Lion Of Ayuda (Lion Of Judah riddim: I Grade) ZIGGI RECADO & STRAWL – Black Lion (Lion Of Judah riddim: I Grade) AKAE BEKA – Conquering Lion (Lion Of Judah riddim: I Grade) MARLON ASHER – Plastic Smile (VAS Productions) JAH9 – Hardcore (9: VP Records) MAD PROFESSOR & JAH9 – The I Of The Storm & Selassie I Dub (VP Records) BARRINGTON LEVY – Tell Them Again (Murda Dem riddim: Irie Ites) TRINITY & BARRINGTON LEVY – Genocide (Murda Dem riddim: Irie Ites) KING KONG – Money Could A Buy (Murda Dem riddim: Irie Ites) PERFECT GIDDIMANI – Reason (Murda Dem riddim: Irie Ites) PEETAH MORGAN – Better World (Soul Rebel Sound) YAMI BOLO – Cease Fire (Grasspiece Productions) DEEP JAHI – Don (Ghetto Rock riddim: TJ Records) VYBZ KARTEL & KYMANI MARLEY – Valley Of Decision (Ghetto Rock riddim: TJ Records) EESAH – Mighty Warrior (Groovewax & Little Lion)
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 27th January, 2024
Featuring new music from Protoje, Akae Beka, Ka$e, T’Jean, Chronic Law, Aidonia, Imeru Tafari & Queen Ifrica and more…
NO FIXED ADDRESS – We Have Survived (Wrong Side Of The Road: Black Australia Records) BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Survival (Survival: Island) PETER TOSH – Feel No Way (Mama Africa: Intel Diplo) PETER TOSH – In My Song (No Nuclear War: EMI) DOUGLAS BOOTHE – Holy Mount Zion Version (Modernize Music) ANTHONY JOHNSON – Let Go This One (Greensleeves) CORNEL CAMPBELL – Follow Instruction (New Star) DELTON SCREECHIE – Mix Up (Moa Anbessa) THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS – Why War (Germain) THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS – Got To Get Away (Planet Earth: Channel One) GARTH DENNIS – Slow Coach (Sydna) IMPACT ALL STARS – Easy Come Dub (Impact) BURNING SPEAR – Lion (Man In The Hills: Island) I ROY – Friday Child (GGs) THE HEPTONES – Pure Sorrow (Studio One) NICKY THOMAS – Lonely Feelin’ (Love Of The Common People: Jogib Records & Trojan) GIDEON ALL STARS – Ixes (Soul Constitution: Dub Store Records) CHEZIDEK & STINGING RAY – Mount Zion (Irie Ites) –request ALBOROSIE & YAMI BOLO – Reggae Music and Love (Step Up: Manudigital) YAMI BOLO – Ethnic Cleansing (Dunza 2010 riddim: Maximum Sound) ARMY – Warmongers (Zion Soldiers Chant: Focal Point) KA$E – Perfect Storm (Cre8ive Tribe) AKAE BEKA – Covenant Ark (Righteous Synergy: Fifth Son Records) –request AKAE BEKA – Who Will Go For Us (Trinity Farm Productions & Go A Chant) DERAJAH & THE 18TH PARALLEL – Babylon A Quake (Fruits Records) –request AHMED BEN ALI – Ana Middaee (Subhana: Habibi Funk Records) –request U ROY, DENNIS BROWN, CHEB AISSA – Half 3 The Hard Way (Tabou 1) PROTOJE – 30 Million (In.Digg.Nation & Ineffable) IMERU TAFARI & QUEEN IFRICA – I Love Rastafari (Koastal Kings) T’JEAN – Lion’s Den (Sifi Music) SKENG – London (Droptop Records & Di Truth Records) –request CHRONIC LAW – Weekend (Bup Bup) (Street Vybz riddim: NotNice) AIDONIA – Bottles (Street Vybz riddim: NotNice) VYBZ KARTEL – Love Mi Give Gyal (Street Vybz riddim: NotNice) POPCAAN – Up Inna Di Club (Street Vybz riddim: NotNice) VYBZ KARTEL – Street Vybz (Street Vybz riddim: NotNice)
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 20th January, 2024
Featuring new music from Nga Han, Samory I, Army, Terry Linen and Anthony Red Rose… homegrown reggae from Ras Jahknow and The Push Reggae Band… and revisiting the Tempo riddim from Star Trail records.
CAPITAL LETTERS – Fire (Vinyard: Greensleeves) CAPITAL LETTERS – Rumours (Headline News: Greensleeves) -request JOE MORGAN – You Let Me Down (Afro Black) DON CARLOS – Black Harmony (Rawse) COUNT OSSIE – Musical Science (Studio One) –request RAS MICHAEL & THE SONS OF NEGUS – Zion Land (Kibir Am Lak: Rastafari) RAS MICHAEL & THE SONS OF NEGUS – Jah Glory (Star Apple) ABE BROADWAY – Take Away (Tradition Records) SLIM SMITH – It’s Alright (High Note) ERROL DUNKLEY – Praise Jah All The Time (Kiss) SUGAR MINOTT – Ghetto-ology (Ghetto-ology: Trojan) THE WAILING SOULS – Ghetto Of Kingston Town (Inchpinchers: Greensleeves) LINVAL THOMPSON – Run Down Vanity (Thompson Sound) FREDDIE McGREGOR – Jah Help The People (Thompson Sound) CORNEL CAMPBELL – Help Them O Lord (Green Door) KING TUBBY – Flag Dub (Vista Sounds) –request JACOB MILLER – Stop Them Jah (Rockers) HUGH MUNDELL – Stop Them Jah (Mun Rock) IMERU TAFARI & ADDIS PABLO – Nyabinghi Mountains (Green Lion Crew) MR WILLIAMZ & KABAKA PYRAMID – Politricks (Green Lion Crew) LUTAN FYAH & TED GANUNG – Real Rastaman (Ted Dun Kno Productions) MAD PROFESSOR – Fast Forward Into Dub (Ariwa) –request CHUKKI STARR – Words Of Malachi (Ghetto Youth’s Livity: Ariwa) CHUKKI STARR – Mark of the Beast (Saxon) RAS JAHKNOW – Can’t Change Jah Jah Man (Jah Sta Li: Ras Jahknow) THE PUSH REGGAE BAND – Call On Jah (Pressure and Time: The Push) NGA HAN – Until War (Temple In Man: Majestic Vision, Roots Unity, Tetra Ark Records) MICAH SHEMAIAH – Lion Heart (Addis Records) –request ARMY – Roses of Sharon (Higher Bound Productions) –request SAMORY I – Harvest (Strength: Overstand & Easy Star) CHRONIXX – Freedom Fighter (Soul Circle Music) TERRY LINEN & ANTHONY RED ROSE – Heathen (Tads) NORRIS MAN & ANTHONY RED ROSE – No Heathen (Star Trail) EVERTON BLENDER – Family Man (Star Trail) ANTHONY B & DERRICK LARA – Nah Have It (Star Trail) MERCILESS – Greedy Fi More (Star Trail) ANTHONY B – How Dem A Flex (Star Trail) CAPLETON – Don’t Dis The Trinity (Star Trail)
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 13th January, 2024
Featuring some classics from the likes of Lucky Dube, Alpha Blondy, Peter Tosh and Bob Marley… revisiting the Gideon Red riddim from Compaq Records and the Hard Times riddim from Gibbo by special request… and new Lutan Fyah, Norris Man, XL Mad, Collie Buddz and more.
NORRIS MAN & LUTAN FYAH – Red In Babylon (Life: E Turn AT) JACOB MILLER – Ghetto On Fire version (Arab) JAH MIKES – Down In The Bottom Of The Well (Jah Mikes) MAX ROMEO – Warning Warning (Open The Iron Gate: Blood and Fire) JACKIE MITTOO – Atom Sounds (In Cold Blood: Third World) GREGORY ISAACS – Never Be Ungrateful (Love) LINVAL THOMPSON – Murder (Star Light) I ROY – Union Call (Whap’n Bap’n: Virgin) –request FRANKIE WILMOT – Why Won’t You Come (Prince Jammys Dub) BARRINGTON LEVY – I Have A Problem (Black & White) BARRINGTON LEVY – Robin Hood (Robin Hood: Volcano) KING TUBBY & AUGUSTUS PABLO – Black Gunn (King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown: Rockers) –request KIDDUS I – Jah Power, Jah Glory (Shepherd) BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – So Much Trouble In The World (Survival: Island) PETER TOSH – Not Gonna Give It Up (Mama Africa: EMI) ALPHA BLONDY – Jerusalem (Jerusalem: Shanachie) ALPHA BLONDY – Apartheid Is Nazism (Apartheid Is Nazism: Shanachie) LUCKY DUBE – War and Crime (Prisoner: Gallo) LUCKY DUBE – Victims (Victims: Gallo) BAMBU STATION – Gunsmoke (Mt Nebo) ANNETTE BRISSETTE & MARCIA GRIFFITHS – Gungo Walk (Tads) –request JAHMALI – Real Issues (Penthouse) –request CHRISINTI – Genocide (Gideon Red riddim: Compaq) JUNIOR KELLY – Gideon Red (Gideon Red riddim: Compaq) JAH MASON – Plan Out (Gideon Red riddim: Compaq) DEZARIE – Justice (Gracious Mama Africa: Afrikan Roots Lab) CAPLETON – That Day Will Come (Hard Times riddim: Gibbo) –request I WAYNE – Living In Love (Hard Times riddim: Gibbo) BLAIZ FAYAH & MANUDIGITAL – Mad Ting Medley (Manudigital) XL MAD – Real Reggae Music (Numa Recordings) XL MAD – High Grade (DJ Vadim) COLLIE BUDDZ – No Bush Weed (Take It Easy: Harper Digital) DUB TERMINATOR, SHOTTAZ, JAH TUNG – Dream Team (Dub Terminator)
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 6th January, 2024
Featuring the Strictly Culture 23 riddim from Blacker Dread, plus more favourites from last year, including my annual “best of the rest” look at tunes that weren’t reggae enough for the reggae review, and weren’t quite dancehall enough for the dancehall review.
FREDDIE McGREGOR – The Overseer (Chant Them Down) (Observer) DIGGORY KENRICK & THE PROPHETS – Oppression part 1 (Natural Bird) ALTON ELLIS & ZOOT SIMMS – Oppression (Sings Rock and Soul: Studio One) JOE HIGGS – Freedom Journey (Micron) OWEN GRAY – Peace and Freedom (Attack) MO KALAMITY MEETS SLY & ROBBIE – Throw Down Your Guns (One Love Vibration: Sofia Théa Records) french based singer of cape verde descent SINEAD O’CONNOR – Throw Down Your Arms (Throw Down Your Arms: Chocolate and Vanilla) BURNING SPEAR – Throw Down Your Arms (Dry and Heavy: Island) BARRY BROWN – Warmonger (City Sounds) PRINCE FARI – Survival (Tamoki Wambesi) –request CHARLIE CHAPLIN – Walk With Jah (Tamoki Wambesi) DHAIMA – Don’t Feel No Way (Ninakupenda) COCOA TEA – If Jah Is For Us (Settle Down: Corner Stone) DON CARLOS – Fight Fight (Hit Bound) DON CARLOS – Strictly Culture (Blacker Dread) DON CARLOS – Strictly Culture (2023 version) (Strictly Culture 23 riddim: Blacker Dread) FRED LOCKS – Nuh Old Nuh Cold (Strictly Culture 23 riddim: Blacker Dread) IZEZZI – Nuh Victim (Stand Strong) (Strictly Culture 23 riddim: Blacker Dread) BUSHMAN – Break Dem (Strictly Culture 23 riddim: Blacker Dread) ANTHONY B – Inna De Revolution (Strictly Culture 23 riddim: Blacker Dread) FIKIR AMLAK – Forward (Move Different: Good Over Evil) PROTOJE – Weed and Tings (In Search of Zion: In.Digg.Nation, Six Course Music, Zion I Kings) PROTOJE & LILA IKE – Still Bloom (In Search of Zion: In.Digg.Nation, Six Course Music, Zion I Kings) KHALIA & TANYA STEPHENS – No Answer (K.Licious) DAHVID SLUR – Stay Alive (Addis Records) VANZO – Officer (Baco Records & Street Machine Production) VALIANT & TEMPLEBOSS – Muhammad (Diplomat Records) VALIANT – Soliloquy (Young General Records) INTENCE – Lesson (Nuh Brakes Recordz) INTENCE – Round 10 (Tru Ambassador) BYRON MESSIA – Dear Dancehall (Dear Dancehall riddim: Tru Believers Entertainment) YAKSTA – Cut and Clear (Dear Dancehall riddim: Tru Believers Entertainment) RUSHAWN – Pulse A Move (Dear Dancehall riddim: Tru Believers Entertainment) CHRONIC LAW – Revenge (Penance riddim: Lee Milla & Scotch Hot) IMERU TAFARI, POPCAAN, CHRONIC LAW – Vibrations (Koastal Kings & Dubshot Records) BIG 12WELVE – Darkest Days (Big 12 Recordz) ELEVATE TODAY – Reach Home Safe (ETM LTD) CLAYE – Ego (Intuition: Rocket Life Records) MASICKA – Broken Home (Generation of Kings: Def Jam Recordings)
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 30th December 2022
Over 20 years ago I first started doing an annual “best of” special, where I would count down my favourite 7” singles of the last year. In those days the countdown rankings were based on a combination of my personal taste and the response that songs got at More Fire and other reggae dances in Melbourne, as well as record sales at Higher Level Records. In recent years I have moved away from a countdown format, as record sales are no longer relevant (most of this music is not released on vinyl at all) and I no longer DJ out as much as I used to, making my yearly review far more subjective. As such, here are my favourite songs of 2023, listed as played on Babylon Burning on 30 December 2023.
BEST OF 2023 REGGAE
I don’t feel like there was any one real standout artist this year, though Samory I would have to be a top contender. His album “Strength” was one of the year’s best, with excellent production from Overstand Entertainment’s Winta James. Kabaka Pyramid makes a few appearances based on combinations with other artists, including Australian singjay Jah Tung (whose album Digital Degeneration was one of the best releases to ever come out of this country). The Protoje songs included here are originally from my favourite album of 2020, “In Search Of Lost Time”, but roots reggae remixes from Zion I Kings gave them a new lease on life this year. Zion I Kings were also behind the brilliant posthumous Akae Beka EP “Glory”, which felt like a real gift. Marcus Gad’s album “Ready For Battle” also deserves mention, though I only included one song from it on my “best of” program.
Marcus Gad & Tribe – Blessed Be The Love (Baco Records & Sudar Publishing) Dezarie – Breathe In Strength (Dezarie & Mr Prez) Derajah & The 18th Parallel – Babylon A Quake (Fruits Records) Stephen Marley & Damian Jr Gong Marley – Cast The First Stone (Ghetto Youths International, Tuff Gong Intl) Iba Mahr – General (Notis) Collie Buddz – Take It Easy (Harper Digital) Sean Paul & Beres Hammond – Rebel Time (Dutty Rock) Prince Levy – Roots and Banner (King I-Vier & Loud City Music) Eesah, Garnet Alkhem, T’Jean – Jah No Dead (King I-Vier & Loud City Music) Micah Shemaiah – Run Things (Evidence Music) Alborosie – Rastazeneka (VP Records & Greensleeves) Alborosie & Kabaka Pyramid – Nah Sell Out (VP Records & Greensleeves) Samory I & Lila Ike – Outside (Overstand Entertainment & Easy Star) Samory I – Crown (Overstand Entertainment & Easy Star) Samory I & Mortimer – History of Violence (Overstand Entertainment & Easy Star) Samory I, Capleton, Kabaka Pyramid – Wrath (Overstand Entertainment & Easy Star) Jah Tung & Kabaka Pyramid – Behave Your Mouth (Jah Tung & Evidence Music) Akae Beka & Kabaka Pyramid – Glory (Zion I Kings) Akae Beka & Reemah – Still Small Voice (Zion I Kings) Protoje & Popcaan – In Life (Zion I Kings, In.Digg.Nation, Six Course Music) Protoje & Koffee – Switch Up (Zion I Kings, In.Digg.Nation, Six Course Music) Lila Ike – Good and Great (In.Digg.Nation)
REGGAE HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Agent Sasco & Qyor – Victory (Penthouse) Akea Beka & Micah Shemaiah – Aqueduct (Zion I Kings) Akea Beka & Michael Rose – Son (Zion I Kings) Alborosie – Viral (VP Records & Greensleeves) Aleighcia Scott – Pretty Little Brown Thing (Rorystonelove) Annette Brissette & Marcia Griffiths – Gungo Walk (Penthouse) Anthony B – Inna De Revolution (Blacker Dread) Anthony B & Irie Souljah – Helping Hand (Ineffable Records) Anthony B, Zamunda, Bramma, Lina Mulin – Revolution (Ineffable Records) Belly – Still Trodding (Miss Mac Records) Benjaminz – Grades and Reggae (Astro Melody Records) Beres Hammond & Buju Banton – We Need Your Love (Penthouse) Blaiz Fayah – Mad Ting Medley (Manudigital) Calibration Alert – Torpedo (Dubophonic) Calibration Alert – White Yam (Dubophonic) Chezidek – Dem No Worry (Irie Ites) Christopher Ellis – Stick Together (Ghetto Youths International) Claye – Clarity (Rocket Life Records) Claye – Disappointment (Rocket Life Records) Claye – Fear (Rocket Life Records) Claye – I Got Your Back (Rocket Life Records) Collie Buddz – High Grade (International Herb) (Harper Digital) Collie Buddz – Mr Wicked (Harper Digital) D’Yani – Live A Little (XTM.Nation & DubShot Records) Damian Marley – My Sweet Lord (Ghetto Youths International) Demarco – Once Bitten (Warrior Musick) Derajah & The 18th Parallel – I Man Beam (Fruits Records) Derajah & The 18th Parallel – Old John Crow (Fruits Records) Derajah & The 18th Parallel – Row Fisherman (Fruits Records) Dub Terminator, Shottaz, Jah Tung – Dream Team (Lurking) Eesah & Randy Valentine – Tired Of The System (Derrick Sound & Evidence Music) Frightnrs – I’d Rather Go Blind (Daptone Records) Hempress Sativa – Freedom (Conquering Lion Records) Hempress Sativa – Strickly Roots (Conquering Lion Records) Hempress Sativa – Time Has Come (Conquering Lion Records) I-Taweh – The Capital (Tap Nat Muzik) Imeru Tafari – Black Heart Man (Koastal Kings) Jah Lil – Can A Man Cry (Out Deh Records) Jah Tung – Ital Generation (Jah Tung & Evidence Music) Jah Tung – Mr Officer (Evidence Music) Jah Tung & Kabaka Pyramid – Behave Your Mouth (Jah Tung & Evidence Music) Jah Tung & Micah Shemaiah – Guidance (Jah Tung & Evidence Music) Jah Tung, Yeza, Sasquatch Sound – Fire Blazing (Sasquatch Sound) Joe York – Life and Debt (Waggle Dance Records) Joe York – Mr Officer (Waggle Dance Records) Joe York – Riding For A Fall (Waggle Dance Records) Joe York – What Kind Of World (Waggle Dance Records) Joe Yorke & The 18th Parallel – End Of The Day (Fruits Record & Evidence Music) JonFX – Rudeboy (FX Music Group) Kenny Smyth – Feel It (JahSolidRock Music) Kenny Smyth – Pagan Land (JahSolidRock Music) Khalia – Every Man (Skyscraper Stereo) Khalia & Tanya Stephens – No Answer (K-Licious) Linval Thompson – Gimme Marijuana (Rick Records) Linval Thompson & Killah Keys – Dem A War (Killah Keys) Lutan Fyah – Bla Bla Bla (Derrick Sound & Evidence Music) Lutan Fyah – Rasta Reggae Music (B-Rich) Marcus Gad & Tribe – Forward (Baco Records & Sudar Publishing) Marcus Gad & Tribe – Jericho (Baco Records & Sudar Publishing) Marcus Gad & Tribe – Sometimes (Baco Records & Sudar Publishing) Marcus I & aDUBta – I-Carnation (Hornin’ Sounds) Marcus I & The Breadwinners – Break The Wall (Breadwinners Records) Marlon Asher, Tarrus Riley, Capleton – Diamonds and Gold (VAS Productions) Marvin Priest – We Pray (Nusantara Records) Micah Shemaiah – Stereo (Evidence Music) Micah Shemaiah & Goldbarz – Real Way (Evidence Music) Morgan Heritage, Alpha Blondy, Capleton – Remember (CTBC Music Group) Mystic Marley – Energy (Ghetto Youths International, Gas Life District, Small Axe) Naâman – Riot (Big Scoop Records) Nga Han – Days Gone Past (Temple In Man: Majestic Vision, Roots Unity, Tetra Ark Records) Nga Han – Jah Hold It Down (Grubby Mitts) Nga Han – Until War (Temple In Man: Majestic Vision, Roots Unity, Tetra Ark Records) Nga Han – When Jah Speak (Temple In Man: Majestic Vision, Roots Unity, Tetra Ark Records) Nhatty Man & Killah Keys – Sweet Memories (Killah Keys) Norris Man – Folly Deeds (E.Turn.A.T) Norris Man & Lutan Fyah – Red in Babylon (E.Turn.A.T) Perfect Giddimani – Never Give In (I Grade Records & Zion I Kings) Phalkon – Miss Nelly Grand Son (Chad Riddim Bad & DubShot Records) Protoje – Wait On The Law (Zion I Kings, In.Digg.Nation, Six Course Music) Protoje – A Vibes (In Search Of Zion: Zion I Kings, In.Digg.Nation, Six Course Music) Protoje – Jah Deliver Me (In Search Of Zion: Zion I Kings, In.Digg.Nation, Six Course Music) Protoje – Wait On The Law (In Search Of Zion: Zion I Kings, In.Digg.Nation, Six Course Music) Protoje – Weed and Tings (In Search Of Zion: Zion I Kings, In.Digg.Nation, Six Course Music) Protoje & Lila Iké – Still Bloom (Zion I Kings, In.Digg.Nation, Six Course Music) Queen Ifrica – Proud Of Me (Nuh Rush) Queen Omega – Fittest (Lions Flow Productions) Ras Roni – Rastafari Is (Astro Melody Records) Royal Blu, Roe Summerz, The Autos – Artillery (Easy Star) Runkus – In Addis Ababa (Global Beat Studios) Samory I – Jah Love (Strength: Overstand Entertainment & Easy Star) Samory I – Stormy Nights (Strength: Overstand Entertainment & Easy Star) Sister Carol – Ganja Bonanza (Rick Records) Sizzla – Dem No Shake Wi (Chad Riddim Bad & DubShot Records) Tarrus Riley – Sissy Badness (Chad Riddim Bad & DubShot Records) Vanzo – Officer (Baco Records/Street Machine Production) XL Mad – High Grade (DJ Vadim) Yeza – Star Of The East (RoryStoneLove & Black Dub Music) Zamunda – Chill Pill (Notis) Zamunda, Capleton, Jah Cure, Kumar – Time Is Now (Sweet Waters Spawn)
BEST OF 2023 DANCEHALL
Again, this is a very subjective take on dancehall. My personal taste tends to skew towards the downbeat and slower side of dancehall, and as I have been playing fewer dancehall gigs in recent years, there aren’t many jump-up party tunes and dancer anthems listed here. Teejay’s “Drift” makes it in though, and when it comes to dancer anthems, it doesn’t get much bigger than that.
The biggest song for the year overall though had to be “Talibans” by Jamaican-born but St.Kitts-raised artist Byron Messia. He was a real artist of note for me last year (particularly with his songs “Far” and “12 AM Freestyle”) so I was happy to see him buss this year, even if a non-Jamaican artist having such big success in dancehall seemed to create a little controversy. If Talibans wasn’t already the biggest song of the year, a killer refix with Burna Boy helped it find even more new ears.
Proper dancehall juggling riddims have become less common in recent years, as so many artists now release true singles only, but we did get some huge riddims this year. The biggest was clearly “Big Bunx” from Zimi Entertainment, which boasted a number of huge hits (my personal favourite being Valiant’s “Mad Out”), while Romeich Records gave us the killer “Inna Dem Head” riddim.
In terms of individual artists, Valiant and Kraff both continued to deliver after breaking through in 2022, and were joined by new names in the trap dancehall sound like RajahWild, JQuan, Pablo YG, Malie Donn, and Najeeriii. As for the more established artists though, Masicka was everywhere, and he currently rules the charts as the year draws to a close. Chronic Law continued to be Jamaica’s most prolific artist, and Skeng’s popularity endured (though he didn’t hold my attention too much personally this year). Popcaan can always be relied on for some huge hits, and this year didn’t disappoint in that regard. The most notable absences from my list this year are Aidonia and Govana (they both had some popular songs, but none really connected with me) and Vybz Kartel (whose best is now behind him it seems).
Busy Signal – New Year (Gorilla Music Source) Nadg – We A Run E Grung (remix) (Seanizzle & Genesis Productions) Alkaline – Boss (Autobamb Records & SartOut Records) Alkaline – C300 (Autobamb Records) Masicka – Tyrant (Def Jam) Masicka – LimeLight (Def Jam) Teejay – Drift (Panda, DJ Mac, Top Braff) Valiant – Rasta (Countree Hype Ent, Millaweek Ent, Big Money Popping Ent) Stalk Ashley – Dutty Casamigos (Inna Dem Head riddim: Romeich) Chronic Law – Choke (Inna Dem Head riddim: Romeich) Ding Dong – Bup Bup Bup (Inna Dem Head riddim: Romeich) Mavado – Stack It N Pack It (Inna Dem Head riddim: Romeich) Valiant – Motorcade (Inna Dem Head riddim: Romeich) Kraff Gad – Audi (Inna Dem Head riddim: Romeich) Kraff Gad – Rum Behavior (Big Bunx riddim: Zimi Ent) Roze Don – Bakshat (Big Bunx riddim: Zimi Ent) Skeng – Shalalala (Big Bunx riddim: Zimi Ent) RajahWild – Wild Out (Big Bunx riddim: Zimi Ent) Valiant – Mad Out (Big Bunx riddim: Zimi Ent) Byron Messia – Talibans (Ztekk Records) Burna Boy & Byron Messia – Talibans II (Spaceship Records, Ztekk Records, Bad Habit) Jada Kingdom & Gold Up – IDG1F (Gold Up) Popcaan & Drake – We Caa Done (OVO Sound) Popcaan & Chronic Law – St Thomas Native (OVO Sound)
DANCEHALL HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Alkaline – If Dem Eva Alkaline – Mek Tingz Happen Byron Messia – 90z Byron Messia – California Byron Messia – Vent Chronic Law – Daaawkness Chronic Law – HK Bama Chronic Law – Natural Talent Deno Crazy – Summer Hot IWaata – Chicken N Fries IWaata – Tun Di Ada Way King Imxge – Bam Bam Bidam Bam Kraff Gad – Amiri Mavado, Jay-A, Dexta Daps – Pain Munga & Bounty Killer – 50 Caliber Popcaan – Set It Roze Don – Bududum Roze Don & Konshens – Unchit Remix Spice – Chat (Waka) Spice – God A Bless Me T’Jean – Last Days T’Jean – Lion’s Den T’Jean, Chronic Law, Sizzla – Worthy Cause Tatik & Valiant – Leggo Mi Ears Trapp Gad – Fraud Valiant – Nah Go In Vybz Kartel – Car Man
BEST OF THE REST 2023 Songs that didn’t fit the traditional definition of reggae or dancehall, but deserve mention.
Alkaline – All Bout Big 12welve – Darkest Days Byron Messia – Dear Dancehall Chronic Law – Revenge Claye – Ego Demarco – So Much Hate Elevate Today – Reach Home Safe Intence – Lesson Intence – Round 10 Valiant – Muhammad Valiant – Expensive Valiant – Soliloquy Valiant – Dweet Yaksta – Cut and Clear
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 23rd December, 2023
Featuring new music from Dezarie, Lila Ike, Damian Marley, Jesse Royal & Yohan Marley, Linval Thompson, Sister Carol, and nuff more.
DEZARIE – Breathe In Strength (Dezarie) THE AGGROVATORS – A Friend Indeed Dub (Next Cut: Pressure Sounds) BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH – Get High (Rasta: Upright Records) BLACK ROOTS – War (The Front Line: Kick) BLACK ROOTS – The System (Nubian Records) BLACK ROOTS – The Father (Black Roots: Kick) –request MISTY IN ROOTS – Viva Zapatta (People Unite) BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – War (Rastaman Vibration: Island) –request THE HEPTONES – Mr President (Party Time: Island) TAPPA ZUKIE & LITTLE ROY – Wicked (Bunker Buster: Kingston Sounds) TAPPA ZUKIE – Pick Up The Rockers (Klik) THE ITALS – Don’t Blame It On Me (Rasta Philosophy: Nighthawk) LINVAL THOMPSON – Gimme Marijuana (Rick Records) SISTA CAROL – Ganja Bonanza (Rick Records) PETER YOUTHMAN – Lonely February (Red Robin Records) ROBERT LEE – Too Much War (Channel One UK) MARTIN CAMPBELL & HI TECH ROOTS DYNAMICS – Can Better Really Come (Reggae Retro Records) MARTIN CAMPBELL – Tears Form (Log On!) –request MIDNITE – YHWH (Jah Grid: I Grade) the larger issue is , if you can, you should MIDNITE – Propaganda (Unpolished: Rastafaria) LILA IKE – Good and Great (In.Digg.Nation) PROTOJE – Wait On The Law (In Search Of Zion: In.Digg.Nation, Six Course Music, Zion I Kings) MEDISUN – Greena Grass (Skyway riddim: Jah T Jr & Travellers) RAS JEM – Highgrade On The Highway (Skyway riddim: Jah T Jr & Travellers) LOUIE CULTURE – Tan Inna Mi Yard (Skyway riddim: Jah T Jr & Travellers) CHEZIDEK – Blind Love (Saga riddim: Dub-Stuy Records) JAH MASON – The Motive (Saga riddim: Dub-Stuy Records) CHUKKI STARR – Mr Fighter (Saga riddim: Dub-Stuy Records) KILLER MIKE & DAMIAN MARLEY – Run (VLNS) JESSE ROYAL & YOHAN MARLEY – Blessing (Easy Star Records) SKYGRASS – Ceasefire (Skygrass International) STEPHEN MARLEY & DAMIAN MARLEY – Cast The First Stone (Old Soul: Stephen Marley & Ghetto Youths International) BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Bad Card (Uprising: Island) DAVIDO & MUSA KEYS – Unavailable (Theory Bad Card Blend)
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 16th December, 2023
Paying respect to the late British reggae artist, poet, writer, actor and activist Benjamin Zephaniah, 1958-2023. Plus new music from Samory I, Lutan Fyah, FYAH & Alborosie, and nuff more.
BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH & THE HAZARDOUS DUB COMPANY – Mornin’ Come (Back To Roots: Acid Jazz) THE SHADOWS – Brother Noah (Black Art) THE HEPTONES & RANKING KING – Mystery Babylon (Black Art) JAH STITCH – Make A Joyful Noise (Attack Gold) JACKIE MITTOO – Drum Song WELL PLEASED AND SATISFIED & JOE BANNA – Open The Gate Bobby Boy (Total Sounds) VIVIAN JACKSON & THE PROPHETS – Run Come Rally (Vivian Jackson) DILLINGER & KING TUBBY – Jah Jah Dub (Soul Jazz) JOHNNY CLARKE – Can’t Keep A Good Man Down (Weed Beat) STEEL PULSE – Rally Round (True Democracy: Weed Beat) STEEL PULSE – Blues Dance Raid (True Democracy: Weed Beat) MWANAMKE MWAFRIKA – Dem Took I Away (African Woman Abroad: African Woman) BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH – Unite Handsworth (The Midlands Roots Explosion vol 1: Reggae Archive Records) BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH – Rasta (Rasta: Upright Records) BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH – Green (Us and Dem: Mango) BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH – Free South Africa (Rasta: Upright Records) BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH & THE HAZARDOUS DUB COMPANY – Palestine (Back To Roots: Acid Jazz) BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH – Stop De War (Upright Records) BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH – The Spirit Level (Belly Of The Beast: Ariwa) MAD PROFESSOR – Marcus Message (Ariwa) BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH & LOGIC – I Am A Revolutionary (Revolutionary Minds: Fane Phonics) ANTHONY B, ZAMUNDA, BRAMMA, LINA MULIN – Revolution (Bread and Butter: Ineffable) KABAKA PYRAMID – Revolution of the Mind (Onward riddim: Silly Walks) CLAY – Chat and Gwaan Bad (Onward riddim: Silly Walks) GENTLEMAN & TORCH – Keep On Moving (Onward riddim: Silly Walks) SHUGA – Onward (Onward riddim: Silly Walks) SHUGA – Good Suh (Soldier riddim: Idlers Corner) PEETAH MORGAN – Guns and Armour (Soldier riddim: Idlers Corner) GRAMPS MORGAN – Part Time Soldier (Soldier riddim: Idlers Corner) LUTAN FYAH – Wanna Be (Notnice) SAMORY I – Stormy Nights (Strength: Overstand & Easy Star) FYAH & ALBOROSIE – I Believe (VP Records) BUSY SIGNAL & RC – Dreams of Brighter Days (Silly Walks)
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 2nd December, 2023
Featuring the usual vintage foundation classics, plus the new “Boxing Around” riddim from Penthouse Records, more from the Protoje release “In Search Of Zion”, and a spotlight on Jesse Royal ahead of his first Melbourne show.
JESSE ROYAL – Greedy Babylon (Iklektik riddim: XTM.Nation) THE ITALS – Inna Dis Ya Time version (Spiderman) THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS – Gnashing Of Teeth (Right Time: Virgin & Channel One) JOHNNY CLARKE – Too Much War (Attack) GREGORY ISAACS – Mr Cop (Mircon Music) GREGORY ISAACS – Black A Kill Black (African Museum) MARCUS I & ADUBTA – Cool Dong (Cut A Wire Showcase: Hornin’ Sounds) MARCUS I & THE BREADWINNERS – Run Fe Cover (Lost Tapes Showcase: Breadwinners Records) THE MEDITATIONS – No Peace (Black Art) CARLTON JACKSON – History (Black Art) THE LINKERS – Bongo Man (Fud’s) THE CLASSICS – Civilization (Punch) DENNIS BROWN – In Their Own Way ERROL DUNKLEY – A Little Way Different (Darling Ooh: Attack) RICO – Repatriation Remedy version (Aggrovator & Shelly’s Power) LEROY SMART – Love In My Heart (Attack) FREDDIE McGREGOR – Make You Mine (Thompson Sound) NHATTY MAN & KILLAH KEYS – Sweet Memories (Killah Keys) THE PAD BOYS – From The North (Where The Are They Now: The Pad Boys) D’MAJOR – Praises Be (Boxing Around riddim: Penthouse) EXCO LEVI – Strive With Me (Boxing Around riddim: Penthouse) AGENT SASCO – Victory (Boxing Around riddim: Penthouse) SHUGA – Boxing Around (Boxing Around riddim: Penthouse) BITTY McLEAN – Brotherman (Sitting and Watching riddim: Taxi & Silent River) –request BERES HAMMOND & SHAGGY – Fight This Feeling (Ranch Ent) BERES HAMMOND – Under Pressure (Harmony House) ROBERT FFRENCH – Calling All Rastaman (Harmony House) PROTOJE & POPCAAN – In Life (In Search of Zion: Zion I Productions, In.Digg.Nation, Six Course Music) JESSE ROYAL & PROTOJE – Lion Order (Easy Star Records) JESSE ROYAL – Modern Day Judas (Overstand Entertainment) JESSE ROYAL & ROMAIN VIRGO – Hope (Easy Star) JESSE ROYAL – Cool and Deadly (Ghetto Youths Entertainment) JESSE ROYAL – Wadada (The Wizard) JESSE ROYAL – Bittersweet (Revolution Time riddim: XTM.Nation) JESSE ROYAL & CHARLY BLACK – Herbalist Party (Wizzle riddim: TJ Records) JESSE ROYAL – Finally (Steamaz riddim: Biggy Music) JESSE ROYAL – Gimmie Likkle (Notis Records) JESSE ROYAL – Feeling So Blessed
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 25th November, 2023
Featuring two killer new albums, “In Search of Zion” from Protoje, and “Strength” from Samory I, plus new music from Jah Lil, Eesah, T’Jean, Marlon Asher, Tarrus Riley, Capleton, Byron Messia, Yaksta, and more.
REEMAH – Don’t Want Nothing (Rymshot Productions) THE GLADIATORS – Mix Up (Trenchtown Mix Up: Virgin) CEDRIC IM BROOKS & THE LIGHT OF SABA – Rebirth (The Magical Light Of Saba: Honest Jons) MICHAEL ROSE – Freedom (Observer) MICHAEL ROSE – Born Free (Vivian Jackson) MICHAEL ROSE – Couldn’t Make It (Roots As I Am riddim: Jah Wise & Nusantara Records) SOLANO JACOB – Chanting (Roots As I Am riddim: Jah Wise & Nusantara Records) JAH TUNG – Adulterer (Roots As I Am riddim: Jah Wise & Nusantara Records) JAH SUCKIE – Peace In A Jam Dung (Ta-Shi) JAH WOOSH – Satta Land (Original Music) JUNIOR BYLES & RUPERT REID – Remember Me (Ja-Man) RUPERT REID – See The Dread Deh (Ja-Man) JIMMY DEAN – Blackman Time (New Flower) JOHNNY CLARKE – The Ruler (aka Cold I Up) (Total Sounds) HUGH MUNDELL – Revolution A Come (Rockers 12″) –request MAX ROMEO – No Peace (Open The Iron Gate: Blood and Fire) MARCUS I & aDUBta – Perfect Collie (Cut A Wire Showcase: Hornin’ Sounds) I-TAWEH – The Capital (Tap Nat Muzik) PROTOJE – Weed and Tings (In Search Of Zion: In.Digg.Nation, Six Course Music, Zion I Kings) PROTOJE & KOFFEE – Switch Up (In Search Of Zion: In.Digg.Nation, Six Course Music, Zion I Kings) PROTOJE & LILA IKE – Still Bloom (In Search Of Zion: In.Digg.Nation, Six Course Music, Zion I Kings) SAMORY I & LILA IKE – Outside (Strength: Overstand & Easy Star) SAMORY I & JESSE ROYAL – Continent (Strength: Overstand & Easy Star) SAMORY I & MORTIMER – History Of Violence (Strength: Overstand & Easy Star) JAH LIL – Can A Man Cry (Out Deh Records) EESAH, GARNET ALKHEM, T’JEAN – Jah No Dead (King I-Vier Music & Loud City) MARLON ASHER, TARRUS RILEY, CAPLETON – Diamonds and Gold (VAS Productions) BYRON MESSIA – Dear Dancehall (Tru Believas Entertainment) YAKSTA – Cut and Clear (Tru Believas Entertainment) RUSHAWN – Pulse A Move (Tru Believas Entertainment)
