REGGAE RUNNINGS -- 23 May 2007By Jesse I
Though her radio show Planetary Chaos (11am-1pm Fridays on 106.7 PBS-FM) has never been a reggae show as such, Systa bb has always been a serious exponent of dub sounds. In celebration of 15 years on radio, Systa bb is presenting a special night called Hyperdrive, June 2nd at the Corner Hotel. Like Planetary Chaos, this show promises to "surpass any expectations of so-called world music", with a diverse lineup including Diafrix, Underbelly, Vardos, Big Fela, and selection from Sista Selekta, DJ Delay, Black Mama White Papa, and Heartical Hi-Fi. Entry is only $10 for PBS members, and $20 for everyone else.
This Saturday I'll be celebrating a milestone of my own on PBS, as Chant Down Babylon celebrates 10 years on the Melbourne airwaves. When I first started hosting the show in May 1997 on SRA-FM (a student station based at RMIT that became SYN-FM) the focus was very much on older "classic" reggae - it has evolved greatly since the early days, but in celebration I'll be going back and re-creating the playlist of the very first Chant Down Babylon broadcast. 5-7pm Saturday on 106.7 FM.
After a busy summer of regular parties and international guests, things have definitely quietened down on the local scene as winter approaches. This Saturday 26th May should be a good one though, as the Pressure Drop crew keep the pressure on at Laundry. Residents Natty Sistren and Nich Power will be joined for this one by bashment specialist Jahred Badman, Ruffiki, and newcomer Lady Banton.
Chant Down's More Fire session is usually on the 2nd Saturday of every month, but the party has been pushed back to the 3rd Saturday for June only. All roads lead to Brown Alley (corner Lonsdale and King) on June 16, as residents Jesse I, Ras Crucial and Damajah are joined by Bonnita, A13, Humdrum, and X-Rated. Pure reggae and dancehall delivered inna soundsystem style til morning!
Plenty of big tunes to talk about this time around, with a slew of quality riddims on both the roots and dancehall front. After giving us two of the biggest roots riddims of the last couple years with their versions of Truths and Rights and Jah Love (aka Warn The Nation), Massive B are back now with No Borders. This one is still on a rootical tip, but also brings some strong dancehall flavour, with a sound reminiscent of the Intercom riddim. We're treated to a big run of quality vocals on this one, including plenty of fresh non-Jamaican artists such as Collie Budz (Bermuda), Ziggi (Holland) Million Stylez (Sweden), and Khari Kill (Trinidad) - but it's the old veteran Burro Banton coming in with the biggest tune of the bunch, with the aptly titled Badder Then Dem .
Italian producer and artist Alborosie continues to establish himself as a major force in Jamaican music, adding three more big tunes to his catalog last month. Kingston Town is a straight-up killer - like his previous hit Herbalist, it combines a sung chorus (that sounds like it could have been written 30 years ago) with rough modern DJ verses, all over a heavyweight Roots-Radics-esque riddim. Slam Bam similarly harkens back to an older era, a nice slice of foundation dancehall vibes addressing pure dancehall concerns; while Guess Who's Coming is based on the Black Uhuru classic of the same name and is another strong tune even if it's not his most original.
Movado has rapidly become one the biggest names in dancehall over the last year, thanks to a string of hits, and a high profile feud with fellow artist Vybz Kartel. His tune Dying (combination with Serani on the Daseca label) is the latest to ride high on the Jamaican charts, and it's one of his best yet - an understated downbeat groove that deserves some crossover success into the R&B/hiphop markets.
French crew Old Capital have come out with one of the toughest roots riddims of the last couple months, a pounding one-drop beat called Togetherness. Lutan Fyah owns this one in my books, with the wicked Dunce Attitude, but Fantan Mojah, Spectacular and Perfect all contribute strong cuts as well.
Shane Brown's Juke Boxx label has just released their latest, a vibed one-drop riddim called Chaos. While it's too early to know if this will have the impact of their massive Confessions, this could be their best yet, with strong cuts by label flagship Chuck Fender, plus Busy Signal, Elephant Man, and Morgan Heritage. Also, don't miss Morgan Heritage's wicked one-off tune Politician on the same label.
One singer who never over-exposes himself is the very talented Jahmali, an artist who clearly believes in quality control. His Burn Dem And Leave Dem is the best of a small run on the Hi-Jah label, over a roots riddim called Wickedness - Lutan Fyah's Scheme Of Things is also well worth picking up.
Other new riddims worth checking include Tears on Arrows, and Senior on Altafan (downbeat and upbeat roots respectively); plus for the more dancehall-minded, Stage Time on Birchill, Super Natural on Hyperactive, Double Kick on Blaque Warriahz, and Drop Draws on Young Legends.