BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 4th February 2023

Revisiting the Warriors Don’t Cry and General Penitentiary riddims, plus the Tropical riddim from the late Soljie Hamilton, the Controversy riddim from Blackmetro Music, and new tunes from Morgan Heritage, Lutan Fyah, Inna Vision, Dre Island, Jemere Morgan, and more.

FRANKIE PAUL – Dem A Go Feel It (Power House)
ROOTS RADICS & ALBOROSIE – Midnight Dub Ravers (Dub For The Radicals: Greensleeves)
GREGORY ISAACS – Night Nurse (African Museum)
GREGORY ISAACS – Stranger In Town (Night Nurse: African Museum)
EDI FITZROY – Informer (Check For You Once: Musical Ambassador)
SOUL POWER & SOUND MEETS AL BREADWINNER – Lick Ganja (In Dub Procedure: Hornin’ Sounds)
SOUL POWER & SOUND MEETS AL BREADWINNER – Yard Music (In Dub Procedure: Hornin’ Sounds)
NATIVE MEETS LEE SCRATCH PERRY – Rockstone (Black Ark Showcase 1977: Pressure Sounds)
NATIVE MEETS LEE SCRATCH PERRY – In A Strange Land (Black Ark Showcase 1977: Pressure Sounds)
PATRICK ANDY – Living In Mount Zion (Vivian Jackson & Pressure Sounds)
GLEN BROWN – Away With The Bad (South East Music)
BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Roots (Island)
BOBBY MELODY – Jah Bring I Joy (Joe Gibbs)
GEORGE NOOKS – Tribal War (Joe Gibbs)
DR ALIMANTADO – Zion Steppers (Kings Bread: Ital Sounds)
RAS SHILOH – Hardcore Steppers (Jammys)
JAHMALI – Cry People (Penthouse)
BERES HAMMOND – Warriors Don’t Cry (Penthouse)
BERES HAMMOND & ASSASSIN – Be Bold Be Strong (Penthouse)
BERES HAMMOND & MARCIA GRIFFITHS – Watch Out For That (General Pentitentiary riddim: Idler’s Corner)
ALLEY CAT – True African (General Pentitentiary riddim: Idler’s Corner)
MICHAEL ROSE & EXCO LEVI – General Penitentiary (General Pentitentiary riddim: Idler’s Corner)
TARRUS RILEY – Stop Watch (General Penitentiary riddim: Fat Eyes)
WARRIOR KING – Oh Yeah (General Penitentiary riddim: Fat Eyes)
COOL SHADE & INSANE – Brave Heart (General Penitentiary riddim: Fat Eyes)
NATURE ELLIS – Ready Or Not (Controversy riddim: Blackmetro Music)
LUTAN FYAH – Controversy (Controversy riddim: Blackmetro Music)
LUTAN FYAH – Guide and Protect (Countree Hype)
NATURAL BLACK – One More Cry (Tropical riddim: Soljie)
LUCIANO – Save Us Now (Tropical riddim: Soljie)
JUNIOR KELLY – Trod (Tropical riddim: Soljie)
ANTHONY B – Can’t Stay (Tropical riddim: Soljie)
TENOR SAW & TOK – Ring The Alarm (Sound Boy Murda) (Riley Don Music)
ROYAL BLU & RUNKUS – G (Royal Blu Music, The New Coup, Delicious Vinyl Island)
INNA VISION, JEMERE MORGAN, DRE ISLAND – Life’s Sweet (Self Talk: Reggae Lives)
MORGAN HERITAGE – Just A Number (XTM.Nation)
JAHSHII – Faith (3 Kings Music Group)
BUSY SIGNAL – New Year (Gorillia Music Source)

listen online at https://www.pbsfm.org.au/program/babylon-burning/2023-02-04/17-00-00

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 28th January 2023

Featuring the brand new Popcaan album Great Is He, new tunes from Micah Shemaiah and Medisun, new roots riddim Souled Out, new 90s inspired dancehall riddim Pleasure Tyme, original 90s reggae riddim Piece Of The Blender; and the usual vintage classics.

FREDDIE McGREGOR – Walls Of Jericho (Observer)
WINSTON JARRETT & THE RIGHTEOUS FLAMES – Chucky Hark and Shark Version (Iroko Records)
WILLI WILLIAMS – Daughters of Zion (Unification: From Channel One To King Tubbys: Shanachie)
JOHNNY CLARKE – Dem A Say Rasta
JACOB MILLER – Baby I Love You So (Rockers)
JACOB MILLER – Forward Jah Jah Children (Jam Sounds)
MISTY IN ROOTS – Africa (The John Peel Sessions: Strange Fruit)
THE ROYAL RASSES – Humanity (Humanity: Ballistic)
PRINCE LINCOLN – Live Up To Your Name (Studio One)
CARLTON & THE SHOES – Never Give Your Heart Away (Studio One)
DAWN PENN – No No No (Studio One) –request
JAH LLOYD – Green Bay Massacre (Teem) –request
THE HEPTONES – Love Won’t Come Easy (Studio One)
THE CONSUMATES – Do It Now (Hop)
THE EASY-STAR ALL-STARS – Karma Police (Radiodread: Easy Star Records) –request
TILIBOP – Pirate (I Am Reggae: Marcus Maxwell)
LUTAN FYAH – Hater’s Game (Souled Out riddim: Giddimani Records & House Of Riddim)
RAS FRASER JR – Perilous Game (Souled Out riddim: Giddimani Records & House Of Riddim)
NATTY KING – Herb Fi Smoke (Souled Out riddim: Giddimani Records & House Of Riddim)
MICAH SHEMAIAH – Run Things (Evidence Music)
MEDISUN – Warria Anthem (Hills Of Sainty Records)
LISA DAINJAH & THE SCRUCIALISTS – Compliments (All The Way: Rootdown) –request
BERES HAMMOND – Rose Garden (Star Trail)
EVERTON BLENDER – Piece Of The Blender (Star Trail)
ANTHONY B & TERRY GANZIE – Jah Will See We Through (Star Trail)
COURTNEY MELODY – Carrying A Heavy Load (Star Trail)
ANTHONY B – Rumour (Star Trail)
ANTHONY B – Hurt The Heart (Star Trail)
POPCAAN – Great Is He (Great Is He: OVO Sound)
POPCAAN – Appreciation (Great Is He: OVO Sound)
POPCAAN – 11th Commandment (Great Is He: OVO Sound)
POPCAAN – New Benz (Great Is He: OVO Sound)
POPCAAN – Freshness (Great Is He: OVO Sound)
POPCAAN – Set It (Great Is He: OVO Sound)
IWAATA – 90s Pickney (Pleasure Tyme riddim: Troyton Music & Jerrytal)
BUSY SIGNAL – Mr Fuck And Run (Pleasure Tyme riddim: Troyton Music & Jerrytal)
I OCTANE – Da Wine Deh (Pleasure Tyme riddim: Troyton Music & Jerrytal)

listen online at https://www.pbsfm.org.au/program/babylon-burning/2023-01-28/17-00-00

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 21st January 2023

Revisiting some older riddims, including Sweeny on Blacker Dread, Garden Of Eden on Fire House Crew, and Rough Road from Green Lion Crew – plus new riddims Purity and Storm A Rage, and new tunes from Khalia, and Australia’s own Jah Tung & Sasquatch Sound.

KABAKA PYRAMID & THE UPPER CUT BAND – Light It Up (Upper Cut Band)
JIMMY RADWAY & THE FE ME TIME ALL-STARS – Black I Am (Fe Me Time)
THE PROPHETS – Warn The Nation (Vivian Jackson)
VIVIAN JACKSON & THE PROPHETS – Judgement On The Land (Vivian Jackson)
I ROY – War and Friction (Striker Lee)
TOMMY McCOOK – Death Trap (Prophets)
JOHNNY CLARKE – None Shall Escape The Judgement (Jackpot)
THE PIONEERS – Long Shot Kick De Bucket (Trojan)
THE WAILERS – Funeral (Wail N Soul M)
MICHAEL PROPHET – Trouble Nobody (Greensleeves)
MICHAEL PROPHET – Boom Him Up Now (Greensleeves)
DON CARLOS – Spread Out (Shuttle Records & Pressure Sounds)
PURPLEMAN – Purpleman A Go Boom It Up (Shuttle Records & Pressure Sounds)
YELLOWMAN – Fools Go To Church On Sunday (Hit Bound)
JUDAH ESKENDER TAFARI – Rastafari Tell You (Studio One)
ZOOT SIMMS – African Challenge (Studio One)
SAMORY I – Son Of David (Black Gold: Rorystonelove & Black Dub)
JAH TUNG, YEZA, SASQUATCH SOUND – Fire Blazing (Sasquatch Sound)
ANTHONY B – Higher Heights (Star Trail)
ANTHONY B – Babylon Mission Fail (Sweeny riddim: Blacker Dread)
CLIVE HYLTON – Babylon Keep On Knocking (Sweeny riddim: Blacker Dread)
EEK A MOUSE – Tek Wey (Sweeny riddim: Blacker Dread)
JUNIOR REID – John Law (Sweeny riddim: Blacker Dread)
PINCHERS – Cut Them Down (Sweeny riddim: Blacker Dread)
TURBULENCE & JOSEY MEL – Chant Down Really Ruff (Chant Down dubplate special)
CHUKKI STARR – Mama Song (Ghetto Youth’s Livity: Ariwa)
SUGAR BLACK & LEBANCULAH – Behold The Armagideon (Garden of Eden: Fire House Crew)
FARGO VICE & DON T – Mama Africa (Garden of Eden: Fire House Crew)
AZA LINEAGE & LINEAGE SMILEZ – Plant Up The Herbs (More Life Production) –request
KHALIA – Every Man (Skyscraper Stereo)
DA REAL STORM – Trouble Maker (Purity riddim: Evidence Music & True Move International)
CHEZIDEK – Dem No Deserve No Love (Purity riddim: Evidence Music & True Move International)
LUTAN FYAH – City Get Red (Purity riddim: Evidence Music & True Move International)
GINJAH – Restrictions (Storm A Rage riddim: Konquerin Soundz)
EXILE DI BRAVE – I Will Still Give (Storm A Rage riddim: Konquerin Soundz)
CHINO – Jah Jah Never Fail I Yet (Storm A Rage riddim: Konquerin Soundz)
DRE ISLAND – What Is Mine Is Mine (Rough Road riddim: Green Lion Crew)
CHRONIXX – Life Over Death (Rough Road riddim: Green Lion Crew)
JAHDAN BLAKKAMOORE – Life Is Greater (Rough Road riddim: Green Lion Crew)
KABAKA PYRAMID – Liberal Opposer (Rough Road riddim: Green Lion Crew) –request
POPCAAN & DRAKE – We Caa Done (OVO Sound)

listen online at https://www.pbsfm.org.au/program/babylon-burning/2023-01-21/17-00-00

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 14th January 2023

Paying respect to the late Melbourne-based singer Claire Raine, and featuring new releases from the likes of Royal Blu & Roe Summerz, Marcus Gad, Isha Bel, Treesha, Kristine Alicia, Da Real Storm, and more.

JO MERSA MARLEY & YOHAN MARLEY – Burn It Down (Ghetto Youths International)
DON CARLOS – Plantation Version (Dove)
PRINCE FAR I & BIM SHERMAN*- Jah Love (Cry Tuff) *not actually Bim Sherman
SUGAR MINOTT – Uptown Ghetto (Black Roots)
SUGAR MINOTT – Man Hungry (Black Roots)
GREGORY ISAACS – Extra Classic Version
CLAIRE RAINE – La La La (Reiwnd and Come Again: Moods)
CLAIRE RAINE – I Want You (Reiwnd and Come Again: Moods)
TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS – Soul For Sale (Treasure Isle)
THE WAILERS – The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow (Wail N Soul M)
THE UPSETTERS – Jungle Lion (Upsetter)
DENNIS BROWN – Cassandra (Observer)
CHUCK FENDA – Ruff Out Deh (5th Element)
VIN MORGAN MEETS LONE ARK – Won’t Surrender (Iroko)
BOB SKENG – African Children (Archive)
DELROY DENTON & THE SILVERTONES – Sufferer’s Child (High Note)
HELL AND FIRE – Where Is That Love (High Note)
JUSTIN HINDS – Wipe Your Weeping Eyes (High Note)
ASTON FAMILYMAN BARRETT – Well Pleased (Fam’s)
KRISTINE ALICIA – I and I (Queenz Crown riddim: Galaxy Soundstation)
DA REAL STORM – Jah Will See I Through (Queenz Crown riddim: Galaxy Soundstation)
MARCUS GAD & TRIBE – Long Way Home (Long Way Home: Baco)
TREESHA – Issa Good Look (DJ Densen)
BREETANIA – Bleed (Newave Music)
ISHA BEL & GOLDBARZ – Fret Not (Evidence Music)
MIDNITE – All People (In Awe: Fifth Son)
MIDNITE – Dry Bones Live (Assini: I Grade)
TONY CURTIS – Praise Him (Stingray)
ROYAL BLU, ROE SUMMERZ, THE AUTOS – Artillery (Easy Star)
LUTAN FYAH & ROYAL BLU – Watch Over Me (Touch Di Road: Oneness)
ZIGGI RECADO – Till The End (Liberation 2.0: Ziggi Recado)
JOGGO – I&I Know (Modern Rockers vol 1: Dredda Records)
GROUNDATION – What Could Have Been (Upon The Bridge: Young Tree)
GROUNDATION – Cultural Wars I (We Free Again: Young Tree)
GROUNDATION – Cultural Wars II (We Free Again: Young Tree)

listen online at https://www.pbsfm.org.au/program/babylon-burning/2023-01-14/17-00-00

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 7th January 2023

Paying respects to the late Jamaican engineer Cegrica “Soljie” Hamilton (1953-2022) and the late singer Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley (1991-2022). Plus my annual “best of the rest”, recognising big tunes from last year that didn’t fit into the usual reggae and dancehall genre defininitions.

SUGAR MINOTT – Rough Ole Life (Babylon) (Hit Bound)
THE REVOLUTIONARIES – Now I Know Dub (Hit Bound)
SAMMY DREAD – Rude Boy (Hit Bound)
SAMMY DREAD – Road Block (Hit Bound)
DON CARLOS – Natty Have Him Credential (Hit Bound)
TRISTON PALMER – Joker Smoker (Midnight Rock)
EEK A MOUSE – Anarexol (Volcano/Greensleeves)
DENNIS BROWN – If This World Were Mine (Yvonne’s Special)
JOHN HOLT – Police In Helicopter (Volcano)
JUNIOR REID – Boom Shack A Lack (Greensleeves)
INI KAMOZE – World A Music (Taxi)
PINCHERS – Girls Girls (Soljie)
BUJU BANTON – Move Yuh Body (Soljie)
SIZZLA – Explain To Almighty (Soljie)
SIZZLA – Love Is Always There (Soljie)
JO MERSA MARLEY – Rock and Swing (Ghetto Youths International)
JO MERSA MARLEY & BLACK AM I – Rock and Swing (Ghetto Youths International)
JO MERSA MARLEY – Nothings Gonna Harm You (Ghetto Youths International)
KOFFEE – Defend (Gifted: Promised Land Recordings)
KOFFEE – Gifted (Gifted: Promised Land Recordings)
RANDY VALENTINE – Are You Ready? (Troots Records)
RANDY VALENTINE – Libation (Troots Records)
RUNKUS, ROYAL BLU, MEDISUN – Selassie Calling (Green Lion Crew)
SAMORY I & CHI CHI CHING – Life is Amazing (Zion I Kings)
JAHSHII – Media (Sonovic)
CHRONIC LAW – Wedding Cake (Control Tower Squad)
SHANIEL MUIR – Born Rich (Chemist Records)
RYTIKAL – Vice Versa (Johnny Wonder & Adde Instrumentals)
RASTA PROGREZ – Inspired (18 Karat Reggae)
KONSHENS – Dear Bro Gad (Head Concussion)
SHANE O & CHRONIC LAW – Dark Room (S.O.R.)
NATION BOSS – Calm and Steady (Dan Sky Records & Automatic Records)
POPCAAN & IMERU TAFARI – Elevate (Dan Sky Records & Automatic Records)
POPCAAN – El Gringo (Dan Sky Records & Automatic Records)
BYRON MESSIA – Far (Lee Milla Productions)
HITMAKER – Naked Truth (Hitmaker Muzik & Hemton Music)
TEEJAY & GOVANA – Forgive Me (Top Braff Music & 1ngram Musik)
JAHSHII – Born Fighter (DJ Mac & JanoDon Records) 
CHRONIC LAW – Mind Games (Heights of Heights& Malakhii)
TEEJAY – People (Top Braff Music)

listen online at https://www.pbsfm.org.au/program/babylon-burning/2023-01-07/17-00-00

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 31st December 2022

For more than 20 years, I’ve compiled a list of my favourite reggae and dancehall songs of the preceding year, putting them to air in a countdown format. Last year however, I didn’t put them in any particular order, and I’m doing the same for 2022. Last year I played fewer DJ gigs than usual because of Covid, but this year I played fewer by choice. As such, these lists are more biased towards my personal opinion than ever, so don’t take this as an objective review – it’s entirely subjective – my personal picks for the year, and nothing more.

BEST OF 2022 REGGAE

Bob Marley’s offspring have been a big part of reggae music for decades now, with Damian Marley in particular being one of the genre’s most popular artists. Accordingly, it’s not unusual that they dominated reggae in 2022. What is interesting, is that they did it as producers, not vocalists. The Ghetto Youths International record label was started by Stephen, Julian and Damian Marley in the 90s, but they never had the impact on reggae that they had this year. With Damian himself driving most of the production in recent times, the riddims they put out were mostly pure reggae – a variety of styles, but always interesting, and always quality. They worked with legends such as Beres Hammond and Buju Banton, as well as vanguards of the reggae revival like Kabaka Pyramid, and newer artists such as Black Am I and Christoper Ellis; and they could do no wrong.

Protoje’s In.Digg.Nation Collective also produced a lot of my favourite music once again in 2022, though it wasn’t Protoje himself who was the real star here, but Lila Ike. Though not especially prolific by Jamaican standards, her output was outstanding – and if I was forced to pick a number one song for the year, her song “True Love” would be a clear contender.

Another would be Samory I’s “Blood In The Streets” for Winta James and his Overstand Entertainment label – the kind of song that makes me want to start promoting More Fire again, just so I can play it.

Chronixx – Never Give Up (Forever Living Originals)
Beres Hammond – Hold Yuh Corner (Ghetto Youths International)
Lila Ike – Wanted (In.Digg.Nation)
Lila Ike – True Love (In.Digg.Nation)
Breetania – Sticky Out Yah (NeWave Music)
Khalia – Nothing Can Justify (Digital Cut & Dance Soldiah)
Koffee – Lonely (Promised Land Recordings)
MediSun – Love Is the Way (Young Pow)
Dexta Daps – Blessings (Train Line Records)
Protoje – The Charm (In.Digg.Nation)
Roe Summerz – Good Dayz (Green Lion Crew)
Christopher Ellis – Rub A Dub (Ghetto Youths International)
Kabaka Pyramid & Nathalia – Stand Up (Ghetto Youths International)
Kabaka Pyramid, Stephen Marley, Protoje, Jesse Royal – The Kalling (Ghetto Youths International)
Kabaka Pyramid – Make Things Work (Ghetto Youths International)
Kabaka Pyramid & Damian Marley – Red Gold and Green (Ghetto Youths International)
Kabaka Pyramid & Buju Banton – Faded Away (Ghetto Youths International)
Black Am I & Kabaka Pyramid – Jah In My Corner (Ghetto Youths International)
Kabaka Pyramid & Black Am I – Mary Jane (Ghetto Youths International)
Black Am I – Mr Hurry Come Up (Ghetto Youths International)
Samory I – Blood In The Streets (Overstand)
Lila Ike – Dinero (In.Digg.Nation)

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

Akae Beka – Yad
Anthony B – Sound Killer
Austin James – High Grade
Beres Hammond – American Dream
Beres Hammond, Wickerman, Peter Metro – Dis Ya One Ya Come
Biblical – Ancient Nazarene
Binghi Ghost – Win The Race
Bling Dawg – Facts Of Life
Bling Dawg – Father God A Guide Me
Bling Dawg – Married To Music
Busy Signal – Thank You Jah
Busy Signal – The Mood
Busy Signal & Kananga – Jah Always There for Me
Chezidek – My Life
Chezidek – Nothing Else Matters
Chris Demontague – The Revolution
Christopher Martin – Trust
Claye – Big Gun
Clinton Fearon – The Chain
Collie Buddz & Bounty Killer – Twisted Agenda
Daniel John & Lions Flow – Don’t Run
Derajah – Eternally
DMP & R City – Ready, Set, Go
Dougy – Guide Them
Fikir Amlak – Rastafari Music
Frightnrs – 30-56
Giallo Man – I Know
Groundation, Israel Vibration, Abyssinians – Original Riddim
Groundation, Wiss, Skelly – Iron
Hezron – Smile Today
Hezron – Trouble Tonight
I Octane – Selassie I Work
I-Shua – Inner Eye
I-Taweh – Straight Fyah Bun
Imeru Tafari – Rastafari Student
Imeru Tafari & Addis Pablo – Nyabinghi Mountains
Indubious, Mike Love, Ted Bowne – Ease and Flow (Ted Bowne Remix)
Inna Vision, Jemere Morgan, Dre Island – Life’s Sweet
Iotosh – Skillful
Israel Starr – Beat You Down
Israel Starr & Lutan Fyah – Gods Corner
Israel Starr & TeKahu Rolleston – Keepers of the Flame
Israel Starr, Million Stylez, Riddim Cartel – Cool Calm and Collected
Jah Lil – My Room
Jah Lil – You Teach Me
Jah Tung – Rumours
Jah Tung & Botanist Mr Lamington – Ital Cuisine
Jahdan Blakkamore – Can’t Tolerate Dat
Jalifa – Direction
Jalifa – Hear Ye
Jalifa – Whereas
Jaz Elise – Gratitude
JonQuan – So Far Gone
JonQuan & Danny Rebel – Lean
JonQuan & Kelly Di Filippo – I Am Trying
Junior Natural – Time A Get Dread
Kabaka Pyramid – Addiction
Kabaka Pyramid – EZ Ride
Kabaka Pyramid & Peter Tosh – Mystik Man
Kabaka Pyramid & Tifa – Mr Rastaman
Kenny Smyth – Nobody’s Slave
King Kong & Little Lion Sound – Morning
King Tide – The Cool Place
Koffee – Shine
Koffee – x10
Kristine Alicia – Hold Strong
L’Entourloop & Kabaka Pyramid – Rock Mi Nice
L’Titude – Burnin and Lootin
Lion D – Sheep Clothes
Marcus Gad – Recall the Fullness
Marcus Gad & Tribe – Ready For Battle
Medisun – Escapism
Medisun – The Reign
Nga Han – Temple In A Man
Mista Savona, Micah Shemaiah, PuchoMan, The Gideon, Anyilena – The Fire From Africa*
Norris Man & Anthony B – House of Parliament
OBF, Linval Thompson, Nazamba – Curfew Drop
Olaf Blackwood – Struggle
Protoje – Hills
Protoje – Incient Stepping
Protoje & Jesse Royal – Family
Protoje & Lila Ike – Late at Night
Queen Omega – No Love
Queen Omega, Kushite, Jalifa – Wise Queens
Rasanaii – Cannabis
Reemah – Let Love Lead
Robert Dallas – Go Hard
Roe Summerz – Keep Blazin
Samory I – Love And Mercy
Sevana – Lowe Mi
Shawn Kalieba – Always Love Selassie I
Shy FX & Liam Bailey – Come Around Slowly
Skari – Seven Times Rise
Stranjah Miller – Take I Home
Swashii – Dread and Turble
Tanya Stephens – Not Today
The Push Reggae Band – Call On Jah
The Push Reggae Band – Whip Dem
The Yutes & Govana – Riches and Power
Torch – Conqueror
Torch – My Mission Is Possible
WSTRN & Lila Ike – Never Leave*
Yaadcore – Ghetto Youths

*released 2021

BEST OF 2022 DANCEHALL

This is definitely the most subjective my take on dancehall has ever been, with some particularly notable omissions. The dark trap sound continued to dominate the genre, and as much as I loved it in previous years, I have to admit that I was a bit over it in 2022 – I guess there’s only so much murder music I can stomach.

Skeng stormed in to take 2021, but I found his output a little boring this year. Valiant was the hype new name for 2022, but not much of his stuff connected with me personally – I liked a lot of it, but didn’t love any of it. The most conspicuous absence though is Vybz Kartel. To me, he is the greatest dancehall artist of all-time, so I don’t say this lightly – but I think we’ve already seen the best of Adidja Palmer, and his star is on the wane.

The biggest surprise to me this year was Squash, as I’ve never been a huge fan – Chronic Law always being my pick of the 6ix – but I really enjoyed a bunch of his tunes this year. It may have helped that they seemed almost light-hearted next to so many other gun tunes.

450 first made a name for himself in 2021 with songs like Journey, Imperfection and Gyal Thief, and he continued on that promise with some of my favourites this year – 2 Face, Be Honest, Know Weh You A Do, Save Mi Life, and Mood Vibes. He was definitely the breakthrough artist for me in 2022 (sorry Valiant and Kraff).

In an age where riddim juggling and riddim releases seem less important than ever, Chimney Records continued to deliver, giving us the huge riddim “Upstairs”; a worthy successor to recent hit riddims like Style A Style and Aircraft. Here’s hoping they give us another big riddim in 2023 and help keep proper riddim juggling alive.

Koffee – Pull Up (Promised Land Recordings)
Kranium – Wi Deh Yah (Non Native)
Alkaline – Weekend (Autobamb Records)
450 – 2 Face (Black Shadow)
Alkaline – Static (Black Shadow)
Alkaline – Profile (Black Shadow)
Squash – Foot (World Team Production)
Squash – Lattry (6ix Real & Godspeed Records)
Squash – The Block (East Link Records)
Squash – Ambala (6ix Real & Hemton Music)
Iwaata & Gold Up – Bingo (Gold Up)
Intence – Nuh Bad Like We (Claims Records)
Busy Signal – In Town (Lenky & Bulpus Productions)
Busy Signal – Deh Pon Yuh Own (Jah Snow Cone)
Cham & Bounty Killer – Blood Claat (Mad House)
Bling Dawg & Busy Signal – Tables Turn (Creative Titans)
Govana – Cranberry and White Rum (Emudio)
Teejay – Rage (Extended Play Records & Building Block Entertainment)
Zerimar – Feel Yuh Tuff (Triple O Records)
Chronic Law – Middle Day Crime (Ireland Records)
Chronic Law – Venom (Haikou Music & Brown Ras Entertainment)
Jahmiel – Third Eye (Upstairs riddim: Chimney Records)
Shaneil Muir – Naturally (Upstairs riddim: Chimney Records)
Demarco – Big Speech (Upstairs riddim: Chimney Records)
Shenseea – Dolly (Upstairs riddim: Chimney Records)
Zagga – Vibe Check (Upstairs riddim: Chimney Records)

DANCEHALL HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

10Tik – Don’t Destroy
10Tik & Skillibeng – Activate
450 – Be Honest
450 – Know Weh Ya Do
450 – Mood Vibes
Alkaline – Valum
Alkaline – World Domination
Beenie Man – Cyahh Tame
Beenie Man – So Me Stay
Bounty Killer – Banga Dem
Burna Boy & Popcaan – Toni-Ann Singh
Busy Signal – Tropics
Chronic Law – 6ix Variant
Chronic Law – Bad Tackle
Chronic Law – Empty
Chronic Law – Kill and Pray
Chronic Law – Too Dark
Chronic Law – Trickster
Chronic Law & Crime Flow – High Grade and Migraine
Demarco – Brag and Boast
Dimelo Flow & Chris Marshall – Along Fi De Ride
Ding Dong – Bounce
Ikaya & Dexta Daps – Mi General
Intence – Correction
Intence – Cry Out
Intence – London Drill
Intence – Gangsta Life
Intence – Ring
IWaata – Shoot Out
Jada Kingdom – Dickmatized
Jahshii – 25/8
Jahshii – Dem Nuh Bad
Kalonji – Apply Pressure
Koffee – Where I’m From
Kranium – Section
Kyodi – Wait and See
Laa Lee – Floating
Masicka – History
Masicka – Pack A Matches
Masicka – Umbrella
Mavado – Thunderclap
Moyann – Mad Out (raw)
Munga – Music
Popcaan – Skeleton Cartier
Popcaan – Cocaine Money
Queen Ifrica – Serendipity
Rygin King – Therapy
Rytikal – Insubordinate
Shane O – Yo Dawg
Shaneil Muir – Hype and Boasy
Shenseea & Megan Thee Stallion – Lick
Silk Boss – Surgery
Skeng – Gvnman Session
Skeng – London
Skeng – Rain Like Hail
Skeng & Govana – Gvnman Spaniard
Skeng & Stalk Ashley – Talibhan
Squash – Champion
Stalk Ashley – As A Bad Gyal
Stylo G – Mussi Mad
Teejay – Different Species
Teejay – Make It Out
Teejay – Judas
Tuggawar – Ah Mi Seh Huhhh
Tuggawar – Blud Klaat
Tuggawar – Turnt Up
Valiant – Dunce Cheque
Valiant – North Carolina
Zeebee – Savage
Zerimar – New Intel

BEST OF THE REST

Songs that didn’t fit the traditional definition of reggae or dancehall, but deserve mention.

Koffee – Defend (Promised Land Recordings)
Koffee – Gifted (Promised Land Recordings)
Randy Valentine – Are You Ready? (Troots Records)
Randy Valentine – Libation (Troots Records)
Runkus, Royal Blu, MediSun – Selassie Calling (Green Lion Crew)
Samory I & Chi Ching Ching – Life is Amazing (Zion I Kings)
Jahshii – Media (Sonovic)
Chronic Law – Wedding Cake (Control Tower Squad)
Shaneil Muir – Born Rich (Chemist Records)
Rytikal – Vice Versa (Johnny Wonder & Adde Instrumentals)
Rasta Progrez – Inspired (18 Karat Reggae)
Konshens – Dear Bro Gad (Head Concussion)
Shane O & Chronic Law – Dark Room (S.O.R.)
Nation Boss – Calm and Steady (Dan Sky Records & Automatic Records)
Popcaan & Imeru Tafari – Elevate (Dan Sky Records & Automatic Records)
Popcaan – El Gringo (Dan Sky Records & Automatic Records)
Byron Messia – 12 AM Freestlye (Fatty Beats)
Byron Messia – Far (Lee Milla Productions)
Hitmaker – Naked Truth (Hitmaker Muzik & Hemton Music)
Teejay & Govana – Forgive Me (Top Braff Music & 1ngram Musik)
Jahshii – Born Fighter (DJ Mac & JanoDon Records)
Chronic Law – Mind Games (Heights of Heights& Malakhii)
Teejay – People (Top Braff Music)

listen online at https://www.pbsfm.org.au/program/babylon-burning/2022-12-31/17-00-00

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 24th December 2022

A special Christmas Eve edition of Babylon Burning…

THE VICEROYS – Rise In The Strength Of Jah (Thompson Sound)
EEK A MOUSE – Christmas A Come (Thompson Sound)
HORACE ANDY – Christmas Time (Studio One)
JACOB MILLER – We Wish You An Irie Christmas (Natty Christmas: Top Ranking)
RAY I – Ahmeric Temple (Natty Christmas: Top Ranking)
JACOB MILLER – Deck The Halls (Natty Christmas: Top Ranking)
CULTURE – Jah Pretty Face (Joe Gibbs)
CULTURE – Behold (Harder Than The Rest: High Note & Virgin Frontline)
NEW ESTABLISHMENT – Fire Version (Studio One)
THE WAILERS – Thank You Lord (Wail N Soul M)
GLEN WASHINGTON – One of These Days (Joe Fraiser)
MIKEY SPICE – Jah Jah Never Fail I Yet (Jah Lifted Me: Digital Eclipse Production)
MIKEY SPICE – Born Again (Digital B)
JAHMALI – Victory (X-Rated)
PREZIDENT BROWN – Roots In The Music (X-Rated)
SUGAR MINOTT – Saving My Love (Studio One & Heartbeat)
FREDDIE McGREGOR – Wine Of Violence (Studio One)
CORNEL CAMPBELL – Undying Love (Attack)
BYRON LEE & THE DRAGONAIRES – White Christmas
JOHNNY CLARKE – Mummy Kissing Santa Claus (Christmas Songs: VP Records)
JOE YORKE – Government (Noise and Emptiness: Rhythm Steady)
JOE YORKE – Serious Time (Noise and Emptiness: Rhythm Steady)
HUGH MUNDELL – Stop Them Jah (Blackman’s Foundation: Mun Rock)
IMERU TAFARI & ADDIS PABLO – Nyabinghi Mountains (Green Lion Crew)
MR WILLIAMZ, KABAKA PYRAMID, ADDIS PABLO – Politricks (Green Lion Crew)
INDUBIOUS, MIKE LOVE, TED BROWNE – Ease and Flow (Ted Browne Remix) (Easy Star)
REEMAH – Warriors (Izayoung Boy Production)
CHRONIXX – Santa Claus, Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto (Crime Free Christmas Project)
BUSY SIGNAL – 12 Days Of Christmas (Crime Free Christmas Project)
PROTOJE – Christmas Trees (Mad Decent)
SIZZLA – Dem A Wonder (Xterminator)
SIZZLA, CHINO, TARRUS RILEY, DRE ISLAND – Every Nation (XTM.Nation)
GYPTIAN – Hold Yuh (HRLY Transition)
BURNA BOY – Last Last (Atlantic)
BADDA GENERAL – Burn Badmind (Last Last Remix)
DEMARCO – True Friend (Last Last Remix)
SIDHU MOOSEWALA – The Last Last Ride (Last Last Remix)
CHRONIC LAW – Wedding Cake (Control Tower Squad)
POPCAAN – Friends and Family (Alvin Brown Beats)

listen online at https://www.pbsfm.org.au/program/babylon-burning/2022-12-24/17-00-00

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 17th December 2022

Paying respect to the late singer Milton Henry (1950-2022). Plus new music from artists including Tarrus Riley, Derajah, Nga Han, Exco Levi, and Earl Sixteen… and new home-grown releases from Crown Heights, Quashani Bahd, and Oakley Grenel.

RAS MICHAEL & THE 18th PARALELL – Ride On (Downtown Sessions: Fruits Records)
VERSION – Anambra Dub (Cry Tuff Dub Encounter Chapter 2: Virgin Frontline)
MIKEY DREAD – World War III (World War III: Dread At The Controls)
MIKEY DREAD – Warrior Style (World War III: Dread At The Controls)
SUSAN CADOGAN – Fever (Upsetter)
KING MEDIOUS – This World (Justice League)
MILTON HENRY – Gypsy Woman (Darker Than Blue: Blood and Fire)
MILTON HENRY – Send Me That Pillow (Who Do You Think I Am: Wackies)
MILTON HENRY – Let The Sunshine In (Who Do You Think I Am: Wackies)
MILTON HENRY – Who Do You Think I Am (Who Do You Think I Am: Wackies)
MILTON HENRY – Let Go The Ego (Branches and Leaves: Iroko)
MILTON HENRY – Rastafari Cannot Die (Branches and Leaves: Iroko)
MILTON HENRY – Fish Out Of Water (Channel Tubes)
THE LIBERATORS – Racial Situation Version (Struggle/TRS Records)
BLACK UHURU – Wood For My Fire (DEB)
CARLTON JACKSON – Funny No Money (Ital International Records)
EARL FLUTE & KEITH HUDSON – The Betrayer (Mafia)
EARL FLUTE & HORACE ANDY – Satan Side (Peter and Judas) (Mafia)
AUGUSTUS PABLO – Kiss 14 (Mafia)
3GYPT – Pure Lies (3Y3 Vizion Muzik)
NGA HAN – Abba Chant (The Merchant Records)
DRE Z & BIBLICAL – Jah Give Us Life (Go A Chant Productions)
DERAJAH – Eternally (Romeo Music)
THE YUTES & TARRUS RILEY – Better Days (Cin-Trax)
DANIEL JOHN & LIONS FLOW – Don’t Run (Evidence Music)
DAWEE & LIONS FLOW – What’s Going On (Evidence Music)
EXCO LEVI – Weed Supermarket (Drum Song riddim: Evidence Music)
EXCO LEVI – Collie Farmer (Penthouse)
EARL SIXTEEN & MR WILLIAMZ – Find A Way (Rightful Ruler: Zion I Kings)
CROWN HEIGHTS – My Days (Crown Heights)
OAKLEY GRENEL, KING RU, LOTEK, HLATS – Buss Dance (Central Records)
QUASHANI BAHD – Get On Up (Anoesis Studios)
KOFFEE – Shine (Gifted: Promised Land Recordings)

listen online at https://www.pbsfm.org.au/program/babylon-burning/2022-12-17/17-00-00

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 3rd December 2022

Featuring the El Yahweh riddim from Train Line Records, revisiting the Rightful Ruler riddim on Xterminator, some killer new productions from Green Lion Crew, and new music from Marcus Gad, Reemah, Medisun, Earl Sixteen, Kranium, Shaniel Muir, and more.

ROY SHIRLEY – Leave Babylon Land (Attack)
JACKIE MITTOO – Brain Mark (Hot Blood: Third World)
HORACE ANDY & EARL FLUTE – Don’t Think About Me (Mafia)
DINO PERKINS – Skin Him Alive (Mafia)
PETER TOSH – Arise Blackman (Joe Gibbs)
PRINCE JAZZBO – Weepin and Wailing (Natty Passing Thru: Black Art)
MAX ROMEO – Every Man Ought To Know (Giant)
THE TIDALS – Natty Dread (Great Days: Todal Sound)
ANTHONY JOHNSON, LITTLE JOHN, DON CARLOS – Jordan River (Youth In Progress)
BURNING SPEAR – Jordan River (Marcus Garvey: Island)
BURNING SPEAR – Repatriation (Fittest Of The Fittest: Burning Spear)
EARTH AND STONE – Holy Land Of Home (Kool Roots: Pressure Sounds)
ASTON FAMILYMAN BARRETT – Soul Constitution (Star Apple)
ALTON ELLIS – Too Late (Giant) –request
AUGUSTUS PABLO – Too Late (Impact) –request
EARL SIXTEEN – Rightful Ruler (Rightful Ruler: Zion I Kings)
ROE SUMMERZ – Good Dayz (Green Lion Crew)
IOTOSH – Skillful (Riddim Full Of Culture: Green Lion Crew)
TYDAL KAMAU – Golden (Riddim Full Of Culture: Green Lion Crew)
ROE SUMMERZ – Keep Blazin (Riddim Full Of Culture: Green Lion Crew)
MEDISUN – The Reign (Riddim Full Of Culture: Green Lion Crew)
MEDISUN – Escapism (Grubby Mitts)
MARCUS GAD & TRIBE – Ready For Battle (Ready For Battle: Baco Records)
ZIGGI RECADO – Love Affair (Good Call Records)
LINVAL THOMPSON & SIZZLA – The Only One (Rightful Ruler riddim: Xterminator)
MICHAEL ROSE – Jail House Ram (Rightful Ruler riddim: Xterminator)
TURBULENCE – Rightful Ruler (Rightful Ruler riddim: Xterminator)
REEMAH – Let Love Lead (Feel Line Records)
DEXTA DAPS – Blessings (El Yahweh riddim: Train Line Records)
LUTAN FYAH – Special Place (El Yahweh riddim: Train Line Records)
NORRIS MAN & ANTHONY B – House Of Parliament (El Yahweh riddim: Train Line Records)
YOUNG SHANTY – Cool It Down (El Yahweh riddim: Train Line Records)
PZED & LITTLE HERO – Gunz In The Street (El Yahweh riddim: Train Line Records)
SHANEIL MUIR – Born Rich (Chemist Records)
DEXTA DAPS – Most Wanted (Vent: Dexta Daps Music)
UPPER CUT BAND – Trading Blows (Painting On Silence: Upper Cut Band)
KRANIUM – Early In The Morning (In Too Deep: Atlantic)
KRANIUM – Wi Deh Yah (Chant Down dubplate special)

listen online at https://www.pbsfm.org.au/program/babylon-burning/2022-12-03/17-00-00

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 19th November 2022

Paying respect to the late Wailers keyboardist Tyrone Downie (1956-2022), revisiting the classic Death In The Arena riddim, new riddims Dreaming and Love Easy, and killer new Samory I.

BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – The Heathen (Exodus: Island)
IMPACT ALL STARS – Oh Jah Dub (Impact)
SWEENY & THE WAILERS – Won’t Come Easy (17 North Parade: Imapct)
DENNIS BROWN – Cheater (Imapct)
TOMMY McCOOK – Harvest In The East (Imapct)
LLOYD PARKS – We’ll Get Over It (Impact)
SENYA – Children Of The Ghetto (17 North Parade: Imapct)
SENYA – Roots Man (17 North Parade: Imapct)
THE PSALMS – Rolling Stone (Impact)
BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Who The Cap Fit (Rastaman Vibration: Island)
BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Johnny Was (Rastaman Vibration: Island)
BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Roots Rock Reggae (Rastaman Vibration: Island)
BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Easy Skanking (Kaya: Island)
BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Waiting In Vain (Exodus: Island)
MARVIN GAYE – Healing In Vain (Bangers R Mashed)
RICHIE SPICE – Earth A Run Red (Waiting In Vain Remix) (Al Fingers)
RAS DEMO – Low My Name (Silly Walks)
RAS DEMO – Along The Way (Silly Walks)
GARNETT SILK – Splashing Dashing (Death In The Arena riddim: Digital B)
TONY REBEL – Teach The Children (Death In The Arena riddim: Digital B)
TERRY GANZIE – Who To Trust (Death In The Arena riddim: Digital B)
BOUNTY KILLER – Long Or Tall (Death In The Arena riddim: Digital B)
GLEN WASHINGTON – One One Three (Rocking Time riddim: Heavy Beat Records)
CHUKKI STARR – Survive Everyday (Rocking Time riddim: Stingray)
BUSY SIGNAL – The Mood (Rocking Time riddim: Stingray)
DELLY RANX – Legalize The Herb (Rocking Time riddim: Stingray)
KOFFEE – Lonely (Gifted: Promised Land Recordings)
BERES HAMMOND – No More (Love Has No Boundaries: Harmony House & VP)
BERES HAMMOND – Solid Love (Love Has No Boundaries: Harmony House & VP)
GREGORY ISAACS – Dreaming (Dreaming riddim: Top Secret Music)
ANTHONY B – Progress (Dreaming riddim: Top Secret Music)
TORCH – Conqueror (Dreaming riddim: Top Secret Music)
CHEZIDEK – More Love (Love Easy riddim: Shem Ha Boreh Records)
RAS ZACHARRI – No Easy (Love Easy riddim: Shem Ha Boreh Records)
KABAKA PYRAMID & BLACK AM I – Mary Jane (The Kalling: Ghetto Youths International & Bebble Rock)
SAMORY I – Blood In The Streets (Overstand)
SAMORY I & CHI CHING CHING – Life Is Amazing (Zion I Kings)
RUNKUS, ROYAL BLU, MEDISUN – Selassie Calling (Green Lion Crew)

listen online at https://www.pbsfm.org.au/program/babylon-burning/2022-11-19/17-00-00