BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 7 February 2026
After a false start due to a fire alarm at PBS, some classic 70s roots reggae, and then a very special live studio interview with Jamaican artist Norris Man.
NORRIS MAN & LUTAN FYAH – Red In Babylon (Life: E.Turn.A.T) WINSTON McANUFF – Hypocrites Dub Parasites (What The Man A Deal Wid: Makasound) BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Rat Race (Rastaman Vibration: Island) BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Gonna Get You (JAD) THE WAILERS – Soul Shake Down Party (Beverley’s) THE SOUND DIMENSION – Jamaica Underground (Studio One) JAH LEVI aka HUGH MUNDELL – Zion A Fe Lion (Rockers) THE ROCKSTONES – Oh Jah Man (Observer) JOHNNY CLARKE – Jah Love Is With I (Striker Lee) PABLO GAD – Riddle I This (Blood Suckers: Celluloid) THE BLACKSTONES – We Nah Go Suffer (Daddy Kool) THE MEDITATIONS – Rome (Message from the Meditations: Ballistic) THE UPSETTERS – Nuh Fi Run It Down version (Black Art from the Black Ark: Pressure Sounds) PAT KELLY – It’s A Good Day (Ossie Sounds) SUGAR MINOTT – Black Roots (Black Roots: Island/Gorgon) GREGORY ISAACS – Tune In (African Museum) GREGORY ISAACS & LOUIE CULTURE – Tune In (Tune In riddim: Cali Bud) WARRIOR KING – Never Go Where Pagans Go (Tune In riddim: Cali Bud) CHRISINTI – Say Jah (Tune In riddim: Cali Bud) BUJU BANTON – Nah Live Too Right (Tune In riddim: Cali Bud) NORRIS MAN – She Never Knew It (Tune In riddim: Cali Bud) NORRIS MAN – Bad Road (Kings of Kings) < interview with Norris Man > NORRIS MAN – Bun Babylon (Free Man: Tads) < interview with Norris Man > NORRIS MAN – Jah Jah Is The Ruler (Digital B) NORRIS MAN – Cool Meditation (Digital B) < interview with Norris Man > NORRIS MAN – Persistence (Kings of Kings) < interview with Norris Man > NORRIS MAN – Park Your Guns (Digital B)
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 31 January 2026
Paying respects to the legendary Jamaican drummer and producer Lowell Fillmore “Sly” Dunbar (1952-2026) with two hours of songs he played on, produced, or both.
JUNIOR ROSS – Babylon Fall (Stars) SLY & THE REVOLUTIONARIES – Marijuana (Trojan) BLACK UHURU – World Is Africa (Sinsemilla: Island) INI KAMOZE – Wings With Me (Taxi) INI KAMOZE – Trouble You A Trouble Me (Taxi) THE TAMLINS – Baltimore (Taxi) THE GLADIATORS – Mix Up (Trenchtown Mix Up: Virgin) PRINCE ALLA – Heaven Is My Roof (Stars) THE REVOLUTIONARIES – Roots Man Dub (Trojan) GREGORY ISAACS – Word Of The Farmer (Cool Ruler: Virgin/African Museum) PETER TOSH – Bush Doctor (Bush Doctor: Intel Diplo) PETER TOSH – Buk-In-Hamm Palace (Mystic Man: EMI) BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Punky Reggae Party (Tuff Gong) CULTURE – Two Sevens Clash (Joe Gibbs) MARCIA AITKEN – I’m Still In Love With You (Joe Gibbs) ALTHEA & DONNA – Uptown Top Ranking (Joe Gibbs) GREGORY ISAACS – Night Nurse (African Museum/Island) AL CAMPBELL – Can’t Take The Pressure (Taxi) LUCIANO – Road Of Life (Taxi) BITTY McLEAN – The Real Thing (Taxi) DENNIS BROWN – Hold On To What You Got (Taxi) DENNIS BROWN – Have You Ever (Been In Love) (Taxi) DENNIS BROWN – Sitting and Watching (Taxi) BUJU BANTON – Driver (Taxi) ANTHONY RED ROSE – Gi Mi Di Weed (Taxi) CAPLETON – Be Like This (Taxi) BERES HAMMOND – Step Aside (Mr Tipsy) BERES HAMMOND – Putting Up Resistance (Tappa) GARNETT SILK – Green Line (Taxi) BERES HAMMOND – False Preacher (Star Trail) EVERTON BLENDER – Create A Sound (Star Trail) NORRIS MAN & ANTHONY RED ROSE – No Heathen (Tempo riddim: Star Trail) ANTHONY B – How Dem A Flex (Tempo riddim: Star Trail) CAPLETON – Don’t Dis The Trinity (Tempo riddim: Star Trail) SIZZLA – Greedy Joe (I Know Myself riddim: Star Trail) COCOA TEA – Repatriation (I Know Myself riddim: Star Trail) LUCIANO & BERES HAMMOND – No Gabbon (I Know Myself riddim: Star Trail) SANCHEZ – Praise Him (Xterminator) BUJU BANTON – Not An Easy Road (Til Shiloh: Penthouse) BEENIE MAN – Foundation (Taxi) PLIERS – Bam Bam (Bam Bam riddim: Taxi) CHAKA DEMUS & PLIERS – Murder She Wrote (Bam Bam riddim: Taxi) CUTTY RANKS – Chop Chop (Taxi) BOUNTY KILLER – Fed Up (Taxi) BOUNTY KILLER – No More Suffering (Big Up riddim: Taxi) GENERAL DEGREE – Di Music (Big Up riddim: Taxi) WAYNE MARSHALL – Big Up (Big Up riddim: Taxi) BRENDA NAVARRETE, DAYAN CARRERA FERNANDEZ, RANDY VALENTINE – Siempre Si (Havana Meets Kingston pt 2: Mista Savona & Baco Music)
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 24 January 2026
Paying respects to the great guitarist, cellist, singer, songwriter and founding member of Third World, Stephen “Cat” Coore (1956-2026). Plus new riddims Manuka Honey from Giddimani Music & Sinky Beatz, and Heart Beauty from Riva Nile, and great new music from Protoje & Damian Marley, Xana Romeo, Irie Love, Shenseea, Haile Celestial, Dactah Chando, Benjammin and more.
THIRD WORLD – Jah Glory (96 Degrees In The Shade: Island) THIRD WORLD – Satta Amasa Gana Dub (Third World Deluxe Edition: Island) THIRD WORLD – People Can’t You See (Clan Disc) THIRD WORLD – Brand New Beggar (Third World: Island) THIRD WORLD – Saturday Evening (Arise In Harmony: Island) THIRD WORLD – Journey to Addis (Journey To Addis: Island) THIRD WORLD – Third World Man (96 Degrees In The Shade: Island) < Cat Coore interview excerpt > THIRD WORLD – Uptown Rebel (Arise In Harmony: Island) < Cat Coore interview excerpt > THIRD WORLD – 1865 (96 Degrees In The Shade: Island) THIRD WORLD – African Woman (live) (Reggae Ambassadors: Island) THIRD WORLD – Now That We Found Love (Journey to Addis: Island) –request THIRD WORLD – Yim Mas Gan (More Work To Be Done: Ghetto Youths International) THIRD WORLD & DAMIAN MARLEY – Not The Only One (More Work To Be Done: Ghetto Youths International) CAT COORE – Queen of Sheba (Napthali Koyah & Evidence Music) XANA ROMEO – In The Beginning (The Divine Blueprint: Charmax Music & Xana Romeo Music) BENJAMMIN & ROBERTO SANCHEZ – Sons and Daughters (Sons and Daughter: A-Lone) LONE ARK RIDDIM FORCE & ROBERTO SANCHEZ – Sons and Daughters Dub (Sons and Daughter: A-Lone) DACTAH CHANDO – Mercy (Achinech Productions) IRIE LOVE – Reincarnation (Reflections: Bost & Bim) DYLLANO – Freedom (Manuka Honey riddim: Giddimani Music & Sinky Beatz) YOUNG SHANTY – Every Little Step (Manuka Honey riddim: Giddimani Music & Sinky Beatz) RAS ATTITUDE – Living For The Love of You (Manuka Honey riddim: Giddimani Music & Sinky Beatz) PERFECT GIDDIMANI & PRESSURE BUSS PIPE – Get It Girl (Manuka Honey riddim: Giddimani Music & Sinky Beatz) SINKY BEATZ – Dub of Manuka Honey (Manuka Honey riddim: Giddimani Music & Sinky Beatz) SHENSEEA – Time For Me (Columbia Records & Shengyeng Inc) MEDISUN – Abundance (Heart Beauty riddim: Riva Nile) JAH LIL – Granny Hands (Heart Beauty riddim: Riva Nile) HAILE CELESTIAL – Chariot (Kongz) PROTOJE & DAMIAN MARLEY – At We Feet (In.Digg.Nation) PROTOJE & POPCAAN – In Life (In.Digg.Nation, Zion I Kings, Six Course Music) NORRIS MAN – Rastaman (Opera House)
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 17 January 2026
Featuring the new riddims Africa Movement from Conquering Lion Records and Hi and Low from Ajang Music.. revisiting the late 90s riddims Persistence and Babatunde… new albums from Xana Romeo and Shanti Yalah… version excursions on the What Kind of World and Far East riddims… and the usual vintage classics.
SHANTI YALAH & ROBERTO SANCHEZ – Liberation (Creation: A-Lone Records) EARL SIXTEEN, THE OPERATORS, CORNERSTONE HORNS – Up Halfway Tree (Concrete Rockers: Waggle Dance Records) SHANTI YALAH & ROBERTO SANCHEZ – Creation (Creation: A-Lone Records) ERROL CAMPBELL – African Queen (Tempus) THE JOLLY BROTHERS – Babylon A Fight Rasta (Conscious Man: Seven Leaves) THE HEPTONES – Temptation, Tribulation and Boderation (Deep In The Roots: Heartbeat) PRINCE FAR I – Jah Will Provide (Jamaican Heroes: Trojan) THE UPSETTERS – Croaking Lizard (Super Ape: Island) –request PRINCE JAZZBO – Natty Pass Thru Rome (Black Art) LITTLE JOHN – The More We Are Together (Live & Learn Records) HALF PINT – Don’t Let It Fade Away (Feel The Beat) SISTER NANCY – A Na Any Man Can Test Sister Nancy (The Yellow, The Purple & The Nancy: Greensleeves) BARRINGTON LEVY – 21 Girl Salute (Volcano) THE CABLES – What Kind of World (Studio One) SUGAR MINOTT – Change Your Ways (Studio One) SUGAR MINOTT – Jah Jah Children (Studio One) BARRY BROWN – Far East (Studio One) BUJU BANTON – Murderer (Penthouse) CAPLETON – Cold Blooded Murderer (Black Scorpio) PAN HEAD – Put Up Di Lighter (Roof International) BEENIE MAN – If You Live By The Gun (Roof International) DAWEH CONGO – Amharic Verse (Africa Movement riddim: Conquering Lion Records) DAHVID SLUR – Wisdom Over Hype (Africa Movement riddim: Conquering Lion Records) T’JEAN – Guidance (Africa Movement riddim: Conquering Lion Records) XANA ROMEO, MAX ROMEO, ADDIS PABLO – Over All (The Divine Blueprint: Charmax & Xana Romeo Music) XANA ROMEO & LUTAN FYAH – The Meek (The Divine Blueprint: Charmax & Xana Romeo Music) XANA ROMEO – Holy (The Roots of X: Charmax Music) ANTHONY YOUNG – Struggle (Hi and Low riddim: Ajang Music & Blue Steel) PEEKY J – Watch Yuh Friend (Hi and Low riddim: Ajang Music & Blue Steel) VANITY – Miss You Bad (Hi and Low riddim: Ajang Music & Blue Steel) SHELL DAN – Wealthy (Hi and Low riddim: Ajang Music & Blue Steel) NORRIS MAN – Persistence (Persistence riddim: King of Kings) CHRISINTI – Cry of the Needy (Persistence riddim: King of Kings) SIZZLA – Show Us The Way (Persistence riddim: King of Kings) NORRIS MAN – HIM Never Fail I (Babatunde riddim: Henfield) PINCHERS – Deliver Me (Babatunde riddim: Henfield) ANTHONY B – Give Thanks (Babatunde riddim: Henfield) JAH CURE – Spread Jah Love (Babatunde riddim: Henfield) CAPLETON – Who I Am (Babatunde riddim: Henfield) LUCIANO – Slew Another Soundboy (Chant Down dubplate special)
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 10 January 2026
Starting with the usual vintage classics, before showcasing some new music with a vintage sound, and then revisiting some late 90s and early 2000s riddims. Plus the brand new Roots Rock Reggae riddim, and a new killer from Kartel.
THE TWINKLE BROTHERS – Chant Down Babylon (Chant Down Babylon: Twinkle Music) JUNIOR DELGADO – The Half version (DEB Music) THE TWINKLE BROTHERS – Dread In The Ghetto (Love: Twinkle Music) THE LOVE JOYS – Chances Are (Lovers Rock Reggae Style: Wackies) –request THE LOVE JOYS – Chances Dub (Lovers Rock Reggae Style: Wackies) THE LOVE JOYS – Let Me Rock You Now (Lovers Rock Reggae Style: Wackies) MATUMBI – Jah Movements (Testify: Solid Groove Records) ASWAD – Natural Progression (Aswad: Island) BURNING SPEAR – Resting Place (Marcus Garvey: Island) SUGAR MINOTT – Hard Time Pressure (Black Roots: Island/Gorgon) EVERTON DACRES – Jah Jah Ah Come (LTD) THE HEPTONES – Cool Rasta (Cancer) ISRAEL VIBRATION – We A De Rasta (Unconquered People: Tuff Gong) ARCHIE McLEAN – The Ruler (Integrity Records) SHANTI YALAH – Humble Yourself (A-Lone & Evidence Music) THE SKA VENDORS – 70% Cocoa (Good Love Bad: Transmitter Records) MALIK MOORE – Going In Circles (Soul Side Productions) ALPHEUS – In Time (From Creation: A-Lone Productions) NYLE BANKS & LUTAN FYAH – Glass House (Rock and Come In: Nyle Banks Music Group) JUNIOR KELLY – Black African Star (FP Records) JUNIOR KELLY – Save My Soul (King of the Nile riddim: Addis) NATURAL BLACK – Strong Decision (King of the Nile riddim: Addis) NORRIS MAN – Bright Days (Star Trail) ANTHONY B & IYAHSHANTI – Nah Go Hide (Star Trail) JAH MASON – Never Stoop Down (Star Trail) GOLDIE NATCH – Hotta Fire (Star Trail) YEZA – Likkle Wine (Star of the East: RoryStoneLove & Black Dub Music) CATHY MATETE – We Won’t Be Silent (Roots Rock Reggae riddim: Nature’s Way Entertainment) ZAMUNDA & FANTAN MOJAH – Roots Rock Reggae (Roots Rock Reggae riddim: Nature’s Way Entertainment) IBA MAHR – Heavy Load (Roots Rock Reggae riddim: Nature’s Way Entertainment) JAH VINCI – I Don’t Care (Melodies riddim: H2O Records) I OCTANE – Study Your Friend (Melodies riddim: H2O Records) I OCTANE – This Is Real (Pressure) (Bomb Drop riddim: Head Concussion) TARRUS RILEY – Talk Is Cheap (Bomb Drop riddim: Head Concussion) MR VEGAS – We Nuh Beg Friend (Bomb Drop riddim: Head Concussion) GYPTIAN – Better Day (Bomb Drop riddim: Head Concussion) KONSHENS & DELUS – Chalice Load (Bomb Drop riddim: Head Concussion) VYBZ KARTEL – Marie (Bomb Drop riddim: Head Concussion) VYBZ KARTEL – 2026 (Greedy Lion & Vybz Kartel Music)
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 3rd January, 2026
Starting the program with the usual vintage classics, before running through the biggest and best dancehall songs of 2025.
I don’t think there’s ever been a bigger gulf between reggae and dancehall than there has been in recent years, and I really don’t play much new dancehall on the program at all these days. I do still listen to everything that comes out, and there are still plenty of tunes that I love, but I don’t feel much desire to play a lot of the new dancehall on air generally. That said, people always ask me for my take on dancehall every year, and I do enjoy looking back at what made waves in dancehall – not just in Jamaica, but here in Melbourne and also for me personally. I normally avoid playing excessively violent or sexually explicit songs on air – and I have found it particularly hard to enjoy songs about killing and murder in the last couple years while the world is witnessing multiple genocides – but there is no filter for today’s program, and it comes with a strong explicit lyrics warning.
Vybz Kartel is still the undisputed king of the dancehall, and after being released from prison in 2024, he made the most of 2025 as a free man. Though I rate him as the greatest dancehall artist of all time, I have to say I was pretty underwhelmed by most of his new music in 2025, and it was interesting to see that one of his biggest hits for the year (“God Is The Greatest”) was actually a reissue of a song from 10 years ago.
Masicka, on the other hand, I found far more consistent and exciting, and he was the dancehall artist of the year for me personally, while the incredibly-prolific Chronic Law was the most-streamed artist in Jamaica once again in 2025. Surprisingly, one of the most popular artists in Jamaica for the year was relative newcomer Skippa. His song “Hugo” was released in April 2024, but it was hugely popular in Jamaica for most of 2025. Skippa’s “WYFL” is probably the biggest song in dancehall at the time of writing, helped by production from DJ MAC, who also cemented his place as one of the big names in dancehall in 2025.
Other new names on the list this year are Jamal and Ayetian. Jamal’s “Ballandor” was released in September 2024, but was one of the biggest songs in Jamaica all year, while Ayetian (who comes from Mo Bay but has Haitian roots) had a number of hits.
Looking beyond Jamaica, it was interesting to see a continued trend towards retro sounding dancehall riddims. European producer Kybba was particularly noteworthy, and it was great to see him working with big name Jamaican artists like Buju, Busy and Bounty. French dancehall artist Blaiz Fayah had another big year, and he seems to occupy a unique place in the global dancehall market. With clear references back to more classic 90s dancehall vibes, I found a lot of this music to be a welcome answer to the dark trap-dancehall sound of modern-day Jamaica.
PRINCE MALACHI – Burning (One Perfect Love: Blakamix) THE GLADIATORS – No Wrong Idea (Back To Roots: Jam Rock) JUSTIN HINDS & THE DOMINOES – Book of History (Travel With Love: Nighthawk) JUSTIN HINDS & THE DOMINOES – The Rainbow version (Travel With Love: Nighthawk) THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS – Have Mercy (Right Time: Virgin & Channel One) DILLINGER – Bionic Dread (Channel One) DILLINGER – The General (CB 200: Island) I ROY – Fresh and Clean (Observer) DENNIS BROWN – Wolves and Leopards (Observer) JAH CURE – Chatty Mouth (Yard Vybz Entertainment)
JAH LIL & JAHMIEL – One Gift (Out Deh Records) KRANIUM & MASICKA – Cut The Link (TJ Records & Out Deh Records) KEZNAMDI & MASICKA – Forever Grateful (Blxxd & Fyah: Keznamdi Music Group) POPCAAN – Nothing Without God (Droptop Records & Unruly Ent) ROYAL BLU – Little Brother (Spain Root: G.Wav & Easy Star) RUNKUS – 3310 (Easy Star) DING DONG – Work (From Ding Dong To World Ding: Ding Dong) AIDONIA – Agony (Di Genius) MOLIY, SKILLIBENG, SHENSEEA, SILENT ADDY – Shake It To The Max (Fly)(Remix) (Gamma) SKIPPA & DJ MAC – WYFL (DJ MAC & Crash Dummy) CHRONIC LAW – Badness Upgrade 2.0 (DJ MAC & CrashDummy) CHRONIC LAW – NY Girls (cjthechemist) VALIANT – All Ova (cjthechemist) VALIANT – Passenger Princess (Story Book riddim: Head Concussion) MASICKA – Rich Sex (Story Book riddim: Head Concussion) MASICKA – La Cabra (Dunwell) DING DONG – 2K Era (Dunwell) MASICKA – Mute (Def Jam) JAMAL – Ballandor (Cash Code)* SQUASH – Know Bout Dat (6ixReal Records & Salkey Records) KRAFF – Ikation (Kraff Gad & 10K Projects) VALIANT – Down (DJ MAC)* AYETIAN – Balance (DJ MAC & Trap Milli Ent)* AYETIAN, GOVANA, NVTZZ – Wah Yo Deh Pan (TrapMilli Entertainment, Spaj Phoenix Records, LifeStyle Musik Group) KLASSIK FRESCOBAR – Dansa (Klassik Frescobar) LILA IKE & MASICKA – Romantic (In.Digg.Nation & Wurl Ike Records) VYBZ KARTEL & KALASH – X-rated (TJ Records) BLAIZ FAYAH & TRIBAL KUSH – Joke (Creepy Music) MR VEGAS & JMAX – BXCKSHXT (Gold Up) BAMBY & BUSY SIGNAL – Shattaz (Carthage Music & Muse&Music) BUJU BANTON & TRIBAL KUSH – 16 Shots (Basshall Movement) BOUNTY KILLER, KALASH, BUSY SIGNAL, BARRINGTON LEVY – 90s (Basshall Movement) CHRONIC LAW – Happy Times (Droptop Records) CHRONIC LAW – Diamond In The Rough (Collect Di Bred & Blamdem) ORIGINAL KOFFEE – Koffee (Promised Land Records)
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 27 December, 2025
My pick of the best new reggae releases of 2025, as aired on Babylon Burning. 2025 was a strong year for reggae music, with many excellent album releases. My pick for album of the year is Chronixx’s “Exile”, which comes as a bit of a surprise – partly because he has been notably absent in recent years, but also because I found the album a bit underwhelming on first listen. Somehow I came to enjoy it more and more on repeated listens, until it became a favourite. It’s not exactly the album I was hoping for, as it’s a different Chronixx sound compared to that of 10-12 years ago, but I love how it hearkens back to older eras of reggae music – some songs sound like they could have been produced by Joe Gibbs in the mid 70s, while others sound like they could have come from an Island-era Wailers session or even an early 80s Roots Radics-backed rub-a-dub session. I found his 2017 album “Chronology” a bit overproduced, but “Exile” goes the other direction, and I think the more raw approach works here – it’s a great album and a welcome return from one of modern reggae’s greatest.
My other favourite albums this year were Rik Jam’s “The Genesis”, Lutan Fyah’s “Strength & Resilience”, Keznamdi’s “Blxxd & Fyah”, Lila Ike’s “Treasure Self Love”, Yeza’s “Star of the East” and Perfect Giddimani’s “Sibusiso”. I mentioned Rik Jam as a breakthrough artist in 2024, and it was great to see him follow up with more great material in 2025. If I was pressed to pick a single song as my favourite for the year, his song “Give Praise” would probably be it.
Dahvid Slur has also been around for a few years now, but he stepped it up again this year, and his great EP “Give It Your All” also deserves mention. Both he and Perfect Giddimani benefited from sweet riddims from Spain’s Sinky Beatz, who has really cemented his place as a top-tier reggae producer.
Speaking of top-tier producers, Laurent “Tippy” Alfred from the small island St Croix produced Lutan Fyah’s album “Strength & Resilience”, which I rate as the best LP of Lutan’s decades-long career. Bucking the common trend of reggae artists dropping off as they age, Lutan Fyah seems to be aging like a fine wine, getting better if anything.
Lila Iké’s “Treasure Self Love” was a long time coming – a full 5 years since her debut “The ExPerience” – but it didn’t disappoint. Not every song connected for me personally, but there were enough that did, and on a dancehall tip as well as reggae. Lila’s musical mentor Protoje had a fairly quiet year, but his tune “Big 45” was a proper modern roots hit. Fellow “reggae revival” heavyweight Kabaka Pyramid didn’t release much either, but his “Show Love” was a lyrical favourite of mine. UK artist YT also penned some serious lyrics in 2025, and he was one of the few artists in reggae to directly address the ongoing genocides in Gaza, Sudan and the Congo.
Dezarie’s album “Guardian” actually came out in late 2024, but it somehow went under the radar for me last year. Her song “Hold On” was a huge favourite for me this year, so I had to include it, despite it technically being a 2024 release.
THE BEST REGGAE OF 2025 as put to air on BABYLON BURNING on Dec 27, 2025:
MORTIMER – Burn It To The Ground (Tampa riddim: Paris La Mont) CHRONIXX – Exile (Exile: Forever Living Original) CHRONIXX – Don’t Be Afraid (Exile: Forever Living Originals) CHRONIXX – Keep On Rising (Exile: Forever Living Originals) CHRONIXX – Family First (Exile: Forever Living Originals) LUTAN FYAH & CHRONIXX – Freedom Sound (Strength and Resilience: I Grade) LUTAN FYAH – Leader Before Me (Strength & Resilience: I Grade) LUTAN FYAH – Strength and Resilience (Strength & Resilience: I Grade) DEZARIE – Hold On (Guardian: Dezarie)* RIK JAM – Give Praise (The Genesis: Irie Yute Tapes) LILA IKÉ – Scatter (Treasure Self Love: Wurl Iké Records & In.Digg.Nation Collective) LILA IKÉ – Too Late To Lie (Wurl Iké Records & In.Digg.Nation Collective) ABIJAH – Warrior Mode (Vibes Man riddim: Tads) PERFECT GIDDIMANI, PRESSURE BUSSPIPE, YOUNG SHANTY – Ibrahim Traore (Giddimani Records) KEZNAMDI – Colonial Bondage (Blxxd & Fyah: Keznamdi Music Group) KEZNAMDI, MAVADO, MARLON ASHER – Bun Di Ganja (Roots Version) (Blxxd & Fyah: Keznamdi Music Group) ROE SUMMERZ & BOOSTIVE – I Smoke Pot (Green Lion Crew) PERFECT GIDDIMANI, YOUNG SHANTY, SKILLIN JAH – High Grade Weed (Africa Works riddim: Giddiamani Records & Sinky Beatz) REVELATION DA ROYAL – Pretty Marijuana Buds (Africa Works riddim: Giddiamani Records & Sinky Beatz) RAS FRASER JR – Jah A Ruler (Africa Works riddim: Giddiamani Records & Sinky Beatz) SHENNELL & MESH MARINA – Joke Dem A Joke (SRO Dimension Music) PROTOJE – Big 45 (In.Digg.Nation Collective) IRIE SOULJAH & KABAKA PYRAMID – World Citizen (World Citizen: Ineffable Records) KABAKA PYRAMID – Show Love (Young Pow) YT & THE YOUNG CULTURE BAND – Lately (Young Culture Records) MORTIMER – Round and Round (Zion I Kings) BUSY SIGNAL – The Days (Zion I Kings) YEZA – Road Runner (Rorystonelove) DRE ISLAND – Cold World (Pon Di Island riddim: Bebble Rock) RANDY VALENTINE – The Prayer (Burn Out) DAHVID SLUR & KARON – Do Jah Works (Give It Your All: Marily Gustus Music) HAILE CELESTIAL, KABAKA PYRAMID, IOTOSH – Walking Parable (DubShot Records & Haile Celestial) CLAYE & GENTLEMAN – Nature (I Am Here Now) (Prawley-Mae Music) ARRISE – Changes (Scotch riddim: Treydrumz & BlakYaad Productions)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Songs that didn’t make the “best of” program but deserve recognition.
ALBOROSIE – Calling Selassie (Nine Mile: VP Records) ALBOROSIE – Zombies (Nine Mile: VP Records) ALETHIA & JAHWISE – Waiting For Your Love (Jahwise Productions) ANTHONY B – Keep It Burning (High Peak riddim: Oneness Records) ANTHONY B – Rude Bwoy (Born Fire Music) AUTARCHII – Rastafari’s Call (Red A Red Music Group & Colonel Records) BABY CHAM, DAMIAN MARLEY, STEPHEN MARLEY – Hustling In My Blood (Lawless Army Productions) BELLY & JAHWISE – Looking For A Reason (Jahwise Productions) BIG YOUTH, SANGIE DAVIS, MISTA SAVONA – Travelling Man (Mista Savona) BUGLE & AGENT SASCO – Upliftment (Derrick Sound & Evidence Music) CATHY MATETE – We Won’t Be Silent (Nature’s Way Entertainment) CHEZIDEK – More Ganja (Evidence Music) CHEZIDEK – Wasp Nest (Irie Ites) CHRONIC LAW – Loveless (Red Fyah riddim: Romeich) CHRONIXX – I and I (Exile: Forever Living Originals) CHRONIXX – Love Is On The Mountain (Exile: Forever Living Original) CHRONIXX – Market (Exile: Forever Living Original) CHRONIXX – Pain In Your Heart (Exile: Forever Living Originals) CHRONIXX – Saviour (Exile: Forever Living Original) CHRONIXX – Scheming (Exile: Forever Living Originals) –request CHRONIXX – Sweet Argument (Exile: Forever Loving Originals) CLAYE – Rumours (Prawley-Mae Music) CLAYE – Holy Water (Prawley-Mae Music) CLAYE – Money Can’t Buy (Prawley-Mae Music) CLAYE & LUTAN FYAH – System (Prawley-Mae Music) COLLIE BUDDZ & BUSY SIGNAL – Spark Up (Harper Digital) DAHVID SLUR – Don’t Give Up On Love (Marily Gustus Music & Sinky Beatz) DAHVID SLUR – The Psalm 23 (Give It Your All: Marily Gustus Music) DAHVID SLUR & JAH VEZI – This Morning (Give It Your All: Marily Gustus Music) DANIEL RISING & JEMERE MORGAN – Real Life (Bost & Bim) DANNY RED – What A Deal (Sasquatch Sound) DERAJAH – Justice (Littlerock Sound) DERAJAH & MYSTIC FIRM – Chant (Baco Music) DEZARIE – Criminal (Guardian: Dezarie)* DEZARIE PHOENIX – Snaking (Itzayoung Boy Productions) DOUGY – Feel The Vibration (Still & Solid: Evidence Music) DOUGY – Look Inside (Still & Solid: Evidence Music) DRE ISLAND – Mr Politician (Jam 2) EARL SIXTEEN & THE CO-OPERATORS – Country Living (Concrete Rockers: Waggle Dance Records) EARL SIXTEEN & THE CO-OPERATORS – Smile On Your Face (Concrete Rockers: Waggle Dance Records) FIKIR AMLAK – Hold The Vibe (Zion Higher Realm: Arkstarr Records) FIKIR AMLAK – Rasta Live (Zion Higher Realm: Arkstarr Records) FIKIR AMLAK & KING ALPHA – Serious Time (Children of ~war~ Hope: Shades of Red) GROUNDATION, MICHAEL ROSE, ALPHA BLONDY – The Youth (Candle Burning: Baco Music) HAILE – Half Way (HaiVi) HAILE – Ms Gina (HaiVi) HAILE – Robin Hood (Spare Room: Hai\i/a) HAILE – Sativa (HaiVi) HECTOR ROOTS LEWIS, BUSY SIGNAL, THE MOVEMENT – Dangerous (Cre8ive Tribe) HIRIE – Elevation (Easy Star Records & Controlled Substance Sound Labs) I MAN CRUZ, ROBERTO SANCHEZ, LONE ARK RIDDIM FORCE – Follow Unfollow (In A Mission: A-Lone) IFFA CUSH & T’JEAN – Motivation (Iffa Cush Muzik) IMERU TAFARI – Armageddon Trod (Rebellion City Productions) INDRA & KRIS KEMIST – Crying Out (Children of ~war~ Hope: Shades of Red INEZI – Social Mess (Addis Records) INNA VISION & INI KAMOZE – Keep Distance (Reggae Lives) INTRESTT – Today Fi Me, Tomorrow Fi You (Hits 38 Production & King Jammys) IOTOSH & PANA – Righteous (Sound Ting) IRIE SOULJAH – Blaze Up The Fire (World Citizen: Ineffable Records) IRIE SOULJAH – Bout Ya (Pon Di Island riddim: Bebble Rock) J WRITTEN – Celestial (Scotch riddim: Treydrumz & BlakYaad Productions) JAH IZREHL – Pon A Plane (Pon Di Island riddim: Bebble Rock) JAH LIL – Hold Corner (Pon Di Island riddim: Bebble Rock) JECK PILPIL & PEACEPIPE – Vitamin Sea (Reggae Soul Medication: Manila Vibration) JESSE ROYAL – Art of Love (No Place Like Home: Easy Star) JESSE ROYAL – No Place Like Home (No Place Like Home: Easy Star) JESSE ROYAL – Just Another Day (Soul Remedy riddim: Natural High) JESSE ROYAL & KABAKA PYRAMID – Jungle Justice (No Place Like Home: Easy Star) JESSE ROYAL, MEDISUN, BERES HAMMOND – Born In Jamaica (Easy Star) JHAZAHRA – Dat Mi Like (Scotch riddim: Treydrumz & BlakYaad Productions) JHAZAHRA – Wickedness (Jhazahra Music) JHAZAHRA – Pardon Me (The Reggae Repository) JOE YORKE – Walking In The Air (Rhythm Steady & Big Chip) JOE YORKE & L’ENTOURLOOP – Rocksteady (Face B) JOHNNY OSBOURNE, TARRUS RILEY, DEAN FRASER – We Need Love (Maximum Sound & VP Records) KABAKA PYRAMID – Jamaica (Pon Di Island riddim: Bebble Rock) KA$E & HECTOR ROOTS LEWIS – Hunting Season (Ineffable Records) KELISSA – Way You Make Me Feel (Kelissa Music) KELLY SHANE – Don’t Let Me Down (Celebrating Jamaica 63: Tads) KENYA EUGENE – I and I (You Are I: Zion I Kings) KENYA EUGENE – Lift Up My Head (You Are I: Zion I Kings) KENYA EUGENE – You Are I (You Are I: Zion I Kings) KEZNAMDI & KELISSA – I Am (Blxxd & Fyah: Keznamdi Music Group) KHALIA – This I Know (Pon Di Island riddim: Bebble Rock) KIMECO – Jah Love (One Love Records) KING ALPHA – Serious Dub (Children of ~war~ Hope: Shades of Red) KUMAR – Message in a Bottle (Clive Hunt) KY-MANI MARLEY, IBA MAHR, LUTAN FYAH – Love and Energy (Konfrontation Muzik & DubShot Records) LILA IKÉ – Love In Lovely Way (Treasure Self Love: Wurl Iké Records & In.Digg.Nation Collective) LILA IKÉ – Serious (Treasure Self Love: Wurl Iké Records & In.Digg.Nation Collective) LUTAN FYAH – Drain The Swamp (Strength & Resilience: I Grade) LUTAN FYAH – Warning Dem (Strength & Resilience: I Grade) LUTAN FYAH – Propaganda On Dem Airwaves (Primetime Music) LUTAN FYAH & AKAE BEKA – Just The Time (Strength & Resilience: I Grade) MARCUS I & THE 18TH PARALLEL – Wax Box (Fruits Records) MARCUS I, aDUBta, BLACK OAK ROOTS ALLSTARS – Mr Money Man (F-Spot Records) MARINA P & THE CO-OPERATORS – Step Back (Know Nothing About: Waggle Dance Records) MARLON ASHER & MASICKA – In The Hills (VAS Productions) MEDISUN – Clean Up (Bost & Bim) MEDISUN & THE AUTOS – Inna Earth (Easy Star Records) MELLOW MOOD & ROMAIN VIRGO – Pull Up (La Tempesta Dub) MICAH SHEMAIAH – When Yuh Right (JahSolidRock Muzik) MICAH SHEMAIAH – Not For Sale (JahSolidRock Music) MICAH SHEMAIAH & THE AUTOS – Immorality (Easy Star) MIKE LOVE & NAYA ROCKERS – Long Way Down (Higher Education: Naya Records) MR G – Two Side Mouth (CD Master & Inna Mi House Music) MYKAL ROSE – Murderer (JahWise Inna Jamrock: JahWise Productions) NAOMI COWAN & JOHNNY OSBOURNE – Version (Welcome to Paradise: Easy Star) NATTALIE RIZE – Fear and Dread (Rize Nation) NINJA FORD – Da Song Deh (AC Records) NYLE BANKS & LUTAN FYAH – Glass House (Rock & Come In: Nyle Banks Music Group) PERFECT GIDDIMANI – Selassie White Horse (Giddimani Music & Sinky Beats) PERFECT GIDDIMANI – Ganja Fi Bun (BAKE: Giddimani Music & Sinky Beatz) PERFECT GIDDIMANI – High Grade Mi Love (Giddimani Music & Sinky Beats) POPCAAN – We Alright (Nothing Without God: Unruly Ent) PRESSURE BUSSPIPE & CAPLETON – Gunman Town (Pon Di Island riddim: Bebble Rock) QRAIG VOICEMAIL & SINGER J – Real Vibez (Pon Di Island riddim: Bebble Rock) QUEEN OMEGA – Touch Ina Di Place (Bun Dem riddim: Irie Ites) RAPHA PICO – Dem Greedy (Sasquatch Sound) RAS ATTITUDE & AKAE BEKA – Light Up (Partii Animalz Global) RAYVON – Fortress (GTC Entertainment) RENIGAD – Anti Social Media (Country Man riddim: Blaqk Sheep Music & Jahkader Production) RIK JAM – Book of Life (The Genesis: Irie Yute Tapes) RIK JAM – Gwan Walk (Jonquan & Easy Star) RIK JAM – Hail The King (The Genesis: Irie Yute Tapes) RIK JAM – Stronger (The Genesis: Irie Yute Tapes) RIK JAM & ERIC RACHMANY – Stereo (The Genesis: Irie Yute Tapes) RIK JAM & MEDISUN – Cry Blood (The Genesis: Irie Yute Tapes) RIK JAM & TAYE LOUISE – Fight With You (The Genesis: Irie Yute Tapes) ROE SUMMERZ & DUB SHEPHERDS – Strongest Soldier (BAT Records) ROYAL BLU & PROTOJE – Life From Kingston (Easy Star) ROYAL BLU & RUNKUS – 911 (Spain Root: G.Wav & Easy Star Records) RUBI DU – Played Me (Low Key Source) SAM GARRETT & MARCUS GAD – Salam Alekum (One Family: Ram Ram Records) SAMORY I – Babylon Is Burning (JahWise Inna Jamrock: JahWise Productions) SEJ – Bad Man (Compound Entertainment) SKIP MARLEY – In Our Sight (Def Jam) STEPHEN MARLEY & NAYA ROCKERS – The Right Path (Higher Education: Naya Records) T’JEAN – 400 Years (Yaadman Records) TARRUS RILEY – You + Me = Good Life (XTM.Nation) TARRUS RILEY & TOK – Call Mi (Vigilanti Ent) THE CO-OPERATORS & DENNISON JOSEPH – More Fire (Sounds from the Fridge: Waggle Dance Records) WILLI WILLIAMS & LONE ARK – Don’t Show Off (Glory to the King: A-Lone Productions) YAKSTA – Pon Di Island (Pon Di Island riddim: Bebble Rock) YANISS ODUA – Lighta (Caan Dun Music) YEZA – Edge Control (Star Of The East: RoryStoneLove & Black Dub Music) YEZA – Heavyweight (Star Of The East: RoryStoneLove & Black Dub Music) YEZA – Ism Schism (Star Of The East: RoryStoneLove & Black Dub Music) YEZA – Likkle Wine (Star Of The East: RoryStoneLove & Black Dub Music) YEZA – Piss Up (Star Of The East: RoryStoneLove & Black Dub Music) YEZA – Preacher Man (Star Of The East: RoryStoneLove & Black Dub Music) YEZA – Star of the East (Star of the East: RoryStoneLove & Black Dub Music) YT – Weapon of Choice (Superchip Music) ZIKKI – Know Yourself (Angaza: Bost & Bim) ZIKKI – Love and Wars (Angaza: Bost & Bim) ZIKKI – Trouble (Angaza: Bost & Bim)
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 20 December, 2025
Featuring new music from Yeza, Akae Beka, Marcus I, I Man Cruz, Roberto Sanchez and Lone Ark; revisiting the Rootsman riddim by special request; and some serious roots classics.
NICK SEFAKIS, TRIBAL SEEDS, EUREKA SOUND – Fire Burning (In Time: Nick Sefakis) BUNNY WAILER – Armagideon version (Anti-Apartheid) (Solomonic) TYRONE TAYLOR – Life Table (Wolf) THE WEST MOLITES – I See A Sign (Big Dread) ASWAD – Not Guilty (Hulet: Island) BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Guiltiness (Exodus: Island) BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Rat Race version (Tuff Gong) TRADITION – Everybody’s Looking At Me (Alternative Routes: RCA) THE MYSTIC EYES – Forward With Love (Warrior Records) KNOWLEDGE – Human Rights and Justice (Tamoki Wambesi Dove) THE UNTOUCHABLES – Help Us Jah (Phase One) PABLO MOSES – I Love I Bring (Revolutionary Dream: Jigsaw) THE SONS OF LIGHT – Land of Love (Black Art) ERIC DONALDSON – Say A Little Prayer (Upsetter) MARCUS I, aDUBta, BLACK OAK ROOTS ALLSTARS – Mr Money Man (F-Spot Records) I MAN CRUZ, ROBERTO SANCHEZ, LONE ARK RIDDIM FORCE – Follow Unfollow (In A Mission: A-Lone) LONE ARK & ROBERTO SANCHEZ – On That Day (Singers & Players: A-Lone) YT – Weapon of Choice (Superchip Music) YEZA & BLACKOUT JA – Deadly (Superchip Music) YEZA – Piss Up (Star of the East: RoryStoneLove & Black Dub Music) REEMAH – Judgement Red (Check Your Words: Feel Line) GROUNDATION – Silver Tongue Show (Hebron Gate: Young Tree) MIDNITE – Seek Knowledge Before Vengeance (Seek Knowledge Before Vengeance: Afrikan Roots Lab) AKAE BEKA – Intertwine (Rebellion City) ELASTICA DUB & SAROD MYSTICS – Akashvani (Tales of the Raj: Dubophonic) FIKIR AMLAK & BRIZION – Eastern Star (Akashic Records) JOSHUA HALES & BRIZION – Diamonds (Passing Through: Lumosapien Records & DubStrand Music) DAMIAN MARLEY – Gunman World (Rootsman riddim: Overstand Entertainment) –request JESSE ROYAL – Modern Day Judas (Rootsman riddim: Overstand Entertainment) –request CHRONIXX – Here Comes Trouble (Rootsman riddim: Overstand Entertainment) –request IBA MAHR – Great Is HIM (Rootsman riddim: Overstand Entertainment) –request
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 13 December, 2025
Featuring some serious new tunes from YT; new vintage-sounding music from Joe Yorke, Marina P & The Co-operators, Roberto Sanchez & Lone Ark, and Ines Pardo; a new album from Nick Sefakis; some classics on the Entertainment riddim; and some oldies from Stranger Cole ahead of his Melbourne show.
LITTLE ROY – Ticket To Zion (Prophesy: Tafari) VAL BENNETT – Judgement Rock (GGs) STRANGER COLE – When I Get My Freedom (Lee’s) STRANGER COLE & GLADDY – Just Like A River (Amalgamated) STRANGER COLE & JIMMY RILEY – Voice of the People (Pressure Beat) JOE HIGGS & JIMMY CLIFF – Sound of the City (Captivity: Sunpower) LITTLE YOUTH – Guiding Red (Giant) LLOYD HEMMINGS – Africa (Spiderman) LIVINGSTON HURLOCK – Notty Become A Hurricane (Black Fighting Heritage) CORNEL CAMPBELL – If You Want To Cry (Gorgon Records) –request LITTLE JOHN & TOYAN – Jah Guide I (Greensleeves) TRISTON PALMER – Entertainment (Midnight Rock) JAH THOMAS & TOYAN – Two Bad DJ Haffi Talk (Midnight Rock) ASSASSIN – Mix Up (Germaica Digital) GARNETT SILK – Cry of my People (El Paso) SUPER CAT – Them No Care (Wild Apache) SUPER CAT – Learn Fi Ride (Techniques) ROCKLAND & MARK 10 – Champion Sound (Chant Down dubplate special) SHUGA – Force Ripe (Chant Down dubplate special) JOE YORKE – Walking In The Air (Rhythm Steady & Big Chip) MARINA P, JOE YORKE & THE CO-OPERATORS – Kung-Fu Blues (Know Nothing About: Waggle Dance Records) MARINA P & THE CO-OPERATORS – Step Back (Know Nothing About: Waggle Dance Records) LONE ARK & ROBERTO SANCHEZ – King’s Stone (Singers & Players: A-Lone Productions) INES PARDO & ROBERTO SANCHEZ – My Time (My Time: A-Lone Productions) NICK SEFAKIS, MELLOW MOOD, EUREKA SOUND – Guiding Star (In Time: Nick Sefakis) NICK SEFAKIS, DEZARIE, EUREKA SOUND – Lift Up Your Head (In Time: Nick Sefakis) YT & THE YOUNG CULTURE BAND – Lately (Young Culture Records) YT – Weapon of Choice (Superchip Music) DAMIAN MARLEY, BLACK AM I, BIGGZ GENERAL, JO MERSA, ILLESTR8 – The Living Breed (Ghetto Youths International) NORRIS MAN – I Know (I Know riddim: Jah Scout) TURBULENCE – Hail King Rastafari (I Know riddim: Jah Scout) ANTHONY B – Send Off (I Know riddim: Jah Scout) DAVE – The Boy Who Played The Harp (The Boy Who Played The Harp: Dave & Neighbourhood Records)
BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I 106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia Saturday 22 November, 2025
Paying respect to the legendary Jimmy Cliff (1944-2025) who passed away on 24 November at the age of 81. Plus new music from Kabaka Pyramid, Khalia, Richie Spice, Haile, Buju Banton and Vybz Kartel; and a spotlight on Badda General ahead of his performance next weekend at the Jamaican Music and Food Festival.
JIMMY CLIFF – Bongo Man (Give Thankx: Warner Brothers) COUNT OSSIE – Whispering Drums (Moodisc) JIMMY CLIFF – Trust No Man (Beverley’s) JIMMY CLIFF – Never Too Old To Learn (Beverley’s) ROLAND ALPHONSO – Look Away Ska (Studio One) JIMMY CLIFF – Hard Road To Travel (Beverley’s) JIMMY CLIFF – Vietnam (Island) JIMMY CLIFF – The Harder They Come (Island) JIMMY CLIFF – Born To Win (Unlimited: EMI) JIMMY CLIFF – I’ve Been Dead 400 Years (Music Maker: Reprise Records) JIMMY CLIFF – Sooner or Later (Struggling Man: Island) JIMMY CLIFF – Money Won’t Save You (Music Maker: Reprise Records) JIMMY CLIFF – I’m No Immigrant (Beverley’s) JIMMY CLIFF – Wonderful World, Beautiful People (The Best of Jimmy Cliff: Island) JIMMY CLIFF – Wanted Man (Give Thankx: Warner Brothers) JIMMY CLIFF – Piece of the Pie (The Power and the Glory: CBS) JIMMY CLIFF – World Upside Down (Rebirth: Universal, Sunpower, Hip-O) JIMMY CLIFF – Many Rivers To Cross (Island) MIDNITE – Pagan, Pay Gone (Ras Mek Peace: Wildchild) ABJA – War (In A Red I Hour: I Grade) DEZARIE – Criminal (Guardian: Dezarie) INEZI – Social Mess (Addis Records) KATCHAFIRE – Frisk Me Down (Lion House) STEPHEN & DAMIAN MARLEY – Tight Ship (Ghetto Youths International) KAHLIA – Miracle (Natural High Music) RICHIE SPICE – Energy (Natural High Music) KABAKA PYRAMID – Show Love (Young Pow) HAILE – Robin Hood (Spare Room: Hai\i/a) BADDA GENERAL – Sound Check (Blacker Shade riddim: Real Squad Records) WAYNE WONDER & BADDA GENERAL – Sound Check (Blacker Shade riddim: Real Squad Records) BADDA GENERAL – See The Hypocrites (Evidence Music) BADDA GENERAL – Badness (Ride Di Vibes & Ingenius Bastardz) BUJU BANTON & TRIBAL KUSH – 16 Shots (How You Bad Suh: Basshall Movements) VYBZ KARTEL & KALASH – X-Rated (TJ Records)
