BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 9th March 2019

Featuring an in-depth studio interview with Jamaican singer Derajah.

DERAJAH & THE DONKEY JAW BONE – Paris Is Burning (Paris Is Burning: Chapter Two & Wagram Music)
FAMILY MAN & KNOTTY ROOTS – Distant Drums (Fam’s)
JACOB MILLER – Keep On Knocking (Who Say Jah No Dread: Rockers)
HUGH MUNDELL – Book Of Life (Africa Must Be Free By 1983: Message)
HUGH MUNDELL & PRINCE JAMMY – Unity Dub (Africa Must Be Free By 1983 In Dub: Message)
JUNIOR REID – Hunts Bay (Original Foreign Mind: Harry J)
MICHAEL ROSE – Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner (Observer)
DON CARLOS – Black Harmony (Rawse)
KIDDUS I – Graduation In Zion (Shepherd)
DERAJAH & THE DONKEY JAW BONE – Bun Dem To Rass (Paris Is Burning: Chapter Two & Wagram Music)
DERAJAH – Who Yeah Yeah (Inna De Yard)
DERAJAH – What Yuh Gonna Do Now (Budwise)
DERAJAH – Kings Of Kings (Westend Sun riddim: Jah Youth)
FIKIR AMLAK & CHADDY ROYAL – Royal (Westend Sun riddim: Jah Youth)
IYA INGI & DERAJAH – Show Love (Kin Riddimz)
DERAJAH & THE DONKEY JAW BONE ft BIG YOUTH – Run Run (Paris Is Burning: Chapter Two & Wagram Music)
DERAJAH & THE DONKEY JAW BONE – My Sister (Paris Is Burning: Chapter Two & Wagram Music)
< interview with Derajah >
DERAJAH & INNA DE YARD – Stone (The Soul of Jamaica: Chapter Two)
DERAJAH – The Time Is Now (Nu Roots Records)
< interview with Derajah >
SAMORY I – Son Of David (Black Gold: RoryStoneLove & Black Dub Music)
KUMAR – Dem Nuh Real (Frankie Music)
WORMBASS – Cushion (Reggaeman: Jah Birth)
< interview with Derajah >
DERAJAH – live studio freestyle on Hot Milk riddim
ALAINE – Bye Bye Bye (Cardiac Strings riddim: CR203)
ALAINE – Make It Without You (Changes riddim: Don Corleon)

listen online at http://www.pbsfm.org.au/babylonburning

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 23rd February 2019

Featuring the new Danny I release “Life Is In The Blood”, new album “Before It All Ends” from local band Echo Drama, the Kingston riddim from Chimney Records, and new tunes from Busy Signal, Bugle and Dre Island.

GARNETT SILK – Retreat Wicked Man (Tan Yah)
GARNETT SILK – Disadvantaged (Digital B)
GARNETT SILK – Green Line (Taxi)
JACKIE MITTOO – Hot Milk (Studio One)
JOHNNY OSBOURNE – Time A Run Out (Studio One)
JOHNNY OSBOURNE – Purify Your Heart (Techniques)
JIMMY RILEY – Prophecy (Techniques)
THE TWINKLE BROTHERS – Barabas (Rasta Pon Top: Grounation)
ROTHADAM – I Was Born To Be A Rebel (Shella)
DEVON RUSSELL – Jah Hold The Key (Studio One)
FREDDIE McGREGOR – Rastaman Camp (Studio One)
THE UPSETTERS – Vamp A Dub (Black Art) –request
BUNNY WAILER – Rise and Shine (Solomonic) –request
THE INVADERS – Soulful Music (Studio One)
FREDDIE McGREGOR – Bandulu (Studio One)
SOPHIA BROWN – Can’t Stop The One Ya (Change: Music Mecka)
JAH WIZ – Slavery (Stingray)
ANTHONY QUE – Break The Spell (Resurface: Ricko Berry Productions)
RAGING FYAH – Rebel (Love Train riddim: Nebilus Records)
KAE MUSIC – Chatty Mouth (Love Train riddim: Nebilus Records)
HOUSE OF SHEM – Candy Crush (Love Train riddim: Nebilus Records)
QUEEN IFRICA – Two Sevens Clash (Remembering Joseph “Culture” Hill: Penthouse)
TARRUS RILEY – Still Rest On My Heart (Remembering Joseph “Culture” Hill: Penthouse)
BURNING SPEAR – Natural (Institution Version)
MIDNITE & RAS BATCH – Weather The Storm (Beauty For Ashes: I Grade)
DANNY I – Storm Within The Storm (Life Is In The Blood: Zion I Kings)
DANNY I – Life Is In The Blood (Life Is In The Blood: Zion I Kings)
ECHO DRAMA – Run (Before It All Ends: Echo Drama)
ECHO DRAMA – Pressure On (Before It All Ends: Echo Drama)
ALAINE – Man Crush Everyday (Kingston riddim: Chimney Records)
ROMAIN VIRGO – Progress (Kingston riddim: Chimney Records)
SHENSEEA – Heartless (Kingston riddim: Chimney Records)
PROHGRES – Only God Can Tell (Kingston riddim: Chimney Records)
BUSY SIGNAL – What Is A Friend (Kingston riddim: Chimney Records)
BUSY SIGNAL – It Ruff (Limited Edition riddim: Emudio)
BUGLE & DRE ISLAND – Day By Day (CR203)

listen online at http://www.pbsfm.org.au/babylonburning

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 16th February 2019

Featuring new riddims Dub Wi Luv from BaDArT Muzic and Made In Jamaica from DJ Frass, plus a run on the classic rocksteady riddim I’ll Get Along Without You, Jammy’s original Sleng Teng riddim by special request, and Stingray’s Runaway Slave riddim.

ZADOK – Gimme The Fire (Dub Wi Luv riddim: BaDArT Muzic)
KNOJA – Fire Blaze (Dub Wi Luv riddim: BaDArT Muzic)
QRAIG – Where Is The Love (Dub Wi Luv riddim: BaDArT Muzic)
DEEP JAHI – Gunz Out (Dub Wi Luv riddim: BaDArT Muzic)
I OCTANE – Karma (Dub Wi Luv riddim: BaDArT Muzic)
LUTAN FYAH – Spliff Tail (Dub Wi Luv riddim: BaDArT Muzic)
ANTHONY B – Pull It Up Selectah (Dub Wi Luv riddim: BaDArT Muzic)
THE BLACKSTONES – Open The Gate (Burning Rockers)
HALF PINT – One Big Ghetto (Jammys)
HALF PINT – Have A Little Faith (In Fine Style: Sun Set)
BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Crisis (Kaya: Island) –request
BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Running Away (Kaya: Island) –request
THE HEPTONES – My Baby Is Gone (Studio One)
DANA V – Brotherly Love (Studio One Dancehall Selection: Heartbeat)
THE MELODIANS – I’ll Get Along Without You (Treasure Isle)
BITTY McLEAN – I’ve Got Love (Peckings)
PETER SPENCE – Hard Time Pressure (Peckings)
SIZZLA – Ripe Leaf (Xterminator)
PRINCE MALACHI – Jah Is Our Guide (Xterminator)
KONSHENS – No Power (Lifeline Music)
JUNIOR KELLY – God Bless (Humal)
ROCKER T – Jah Soljah (If Ya Luv Luv Show Ya Luv: Positive Sound Massive)
JUNIOR MORGAN – Wanty Wanty (Hill Top: Kin Riddimz)
THE EXPANDERS – Life Is A Funny Thing (Old Time Something Come Back Again vol 2: Easy Star)
ARMY – Tek Your Time (Rasta Awake: I Grade)
PRINCE MALACHI – Runaway Slave (Stingray)
MORGAN HERITAGE – Armagideon Calls (Stingray)
QUEEN OMEGA – Serve The King (Stingray)
ALAINE – Better Life (Made In Jamaica riddim: DJ Frass)
CHRISTOPHER MARTIN – Sweet Khaleesi (Made In Jamaica riddim: DJ Frass)
J BOOG – Love Like This (Made In Jamaica riddim: DJ Frass)
I OCTANE – Can’t Get Over (Made In Jamaica riddim: DJ Frass)
RICHIE SPICE – THC (Made In Jamaica riddim: DJ Frass)
ALKALINE – Never Lose Hope (Made In Jamaica riddim: DJ Frass)
BUJU BANTON – Driver (Taxi) –request
WAYNE SMITH – Under Me Sleng Teng (Jammys) –request
JOHN WAYNE – Call The Police (Jammys)
SUPER CAT – Trash and Ready (Jammys)
TENOR SAW – Pumpkin Belly (Jammys)
BOUNTY KILLER – Never Since (Jah Fire Productions)
KING MAS, RANDY VALENTINE, JAHDAN BLAKKAMORE, HYMPHATIC THABS, KABAKA PYRAMID – Definition Of A King (Bantu Nation Movement)

listen online at http://www.pbsfm.org.au/babylonburning

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 9th February 2019

Paying respects to the late Noel “Bunny” Brown, and featuring new riddims Count Your Blessings from Evidence Music, Spiritual War from Island Life, and Big Slap from Baco Records and City Kay.

BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Babylon System (Survival: Island)
CEDRIC IM BROOKS – Rasta Lead On Version (The Light of Saba: Honest Jons)
NOEL BROWN – Heartbreak Girl (Crystal)
THE CHOSEN FEW – I Second That Emotion (Trojan)
THE CHOSEN FEW – Don’t Break Your Promise (Studio One)
THE CHOSEN FEW – In The Rain (Micron)
NOEL BROWN as MASHA & THE REALITIES – One Day Belly Full (Soney Fudgie & TRS)
STEEL PULSE – Chant A Psalm (True Democracy: Wiseman Doctrine) –request
THIRD WORLD – Cool Meditation (Journey To Addis: Island)
BUNNY RUGS & THE UPSETTERS – I Never Had It So Good (Upsetter)
THE PECKINGS ALL-STARS – Sharper Than Barbwire (Peckings)
THE WAILERS – Run For Cover (Tuff Gong)
THE TERMITES – Love Up Kiss Up (Treasure Isle) –request for ana
JACKIE MITTOO – Summer Breeze (Studio One) –request
JOE GIBBS & THE PROFESSIONALS – Campus Rock (African Dub Chapter 1&2: Joe Gibbs) –request
THE MIGHTY TRAVELERS – South Africa (Reggae Mandela: VP Records) originally Traveler’s Inc.
HALF PINT – Freedom Fighters (Reggae Mandela: VP Records) originally Channel One
YAMI BOLO – Free Mandela (Reggae Mandela: VP Records) originally Skengdon
GAPPY RANKS – Bygones (Spiritual War riddim: Island Life Records)
JAH BOUKS – Crying Out (Spiritual War riddim: Island Life Records)
KING MAS – Stolen Legacy (Spiritual War riddim: Island Life Records)
LUTAN FYAH – Jah Live (Spiritual War riddim: Island Life Records)
PRESSURE BUSSPIPE – Up and Up (Spiritual War riddim: Island Life Records)
MARCUS GAD – Nature Calling (Big Slap riddim: Baco Records & City Kay)
JAHDAN BLAKKAMOORE – Play The Role (Big Slap riddim: Baco Records & City Kay)
KEZNAMDI – Count My Blessings (Count Your Blessings riddim: Evidence Music)
ZAGGA – Let Love Live (Count Your Blessings riddim: Evidence Music)
NATEL – Still Gonna Love You (Count Your Blessings riddim: Evidence Music)
KING MAS – Flip The Script (Count Your Blessings riddim: Evidence Music)
JAH VINCI – Ready To War (Count Your Blessings riddim: Evidence Music)
PRESSURE BUSSPIPE – Fyah (Count Your Blessings riddim: Evidence Music)
COLLIE BUDDZ – Love and Reggae (Harper Digital)
KABAKA PYRAMID – Reggae Music (Kontraband: Bebble Rock & Ghetto Youths Livity) –request
JAHBAR I – My Spliff (Jahbar I Dehya: Firehouse)
RANDY VALENTINE – Kawasaki Flow
MOJO MORGAN, STEPHEN MARLEY, GRAMPS MORGAN – Be Free (Heritage Grown)
STEPHEN MARLEY & CHARLIE CHAPLIN – Outro (from The Great Dictator) (Revelation pt II: Ghetto Youths International) –request
STEPHEN MARLEY, WYCLEF JEAN, NINA SIMONE – Father Of The Man (Revelation pt II: Ghetto Youths International) –request

listen online at http://www.pbsfm.org.au/babylonburning

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 2nd February 2019

Featuring great new reggae music from Junior Morgan, Marcus Gad, Messenjah Selah, and Julian Marley, plus an interview with Melbourne band Rasta Unity, and the world premiere of their new song with Lutan Fyah “Youth Rise Up”.

DALTON HARRIS & TRINITY – Bald Head Bridge (Remembering Joseph Culture Hill: Penthouse)
CULTURE – Deep Root Dub (Rare and Unreleased Dub: Revolver)
DENNIS BROWN – Deliverance Will Come (Visions: Joe Gibbs)
BIM SHERMAN – My Woman (Zion)
HORTENSE ELLIS – Hell and Sorrow (Fe Me Time)
THE GLADIATORS – Down Town Rebel (Studio One)
THE GLADIATORS – Let Jah Be Praised (Sweet So Till: Virgin)
BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Misty Morning (Kaya: Island) –request
PETER TOSH – Legalize It (Intel Diplo) –request
THE ABYSSINIANS – Satta Massagana (Clinch)
MISTY IN ROOTS – Zapatta (People Unite)
IJAHMAN LEVI – Africa (Africa: Tree Roots)
RASTA UNITY – Freedom and Salvation (Rasta Unity)
RASTA UNITY – Global Warning (Global Warning: Jah Wise Records)
< interview with Sista Candice and Jah Wise of Rasta Unity >
RASTA UNITY & LUTAN FYAH – Youth Rise Up (Unity Roots Productions)
JULIAN MARLEY – Cooling In Jamaica (As I Am: Ghetto Youths International)
SHUGA – I’m Not Ashamed (Remembering Joseph Culture Hill: Penthouse)
MESSENJAH SELAH – Can’t Wipe We Out (Selahsophy Music)
JUNIOR MORGAN – Hill Top (Hill Top: Kin Riddimz)
JUNIOR MORGAN – Wanty Wanty (Hill Top: Kin Riddimz)
MARCUS GAD & TAMAL – River (Baco Records)
KING MAS, RANDY VALENTINE, JAHDAN BLAKKAMOORE, HYMPHATIC THABS, KABAKA PYRAMID – Definition Of A King (Bantu Nation Movements)

listen online at http://www.pbsfm.org.au/babylonburning

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 26th January 2019

Featuring the music of Kymani Marley and Konshens ahead of their Melbourne performances.

CULTURE – Nah Stay Inna Babylon (Humble African: Fat Eyes)
PRINCE GEORGE – Babylon Kingdom Fall Version (Stud) 76
BURNING SPEAR – The Invasion (Marcus Garvey: Island)
BURNING SPEAR – Old Marcus Garvey (Marcus Garvey: Island)
JAHBAR I – Love A Flow (Jahbar I Dehya: Firehouse)
THIRD WORLD – Freedom Song (Third World: Island)
THIRD WORLD – 1865 aka 96 Degrees In The Shade (Island) –request
THIRD WORLD – Brand New Beggar Dub (Third World Deluxe Edition: Island)
BLACK UHURU – Every Dreadlocks (Sinsemilla: Island) –request
BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Survival (Survival: Island)
GLEN MILLER – Love and Understanding (Black Man’s Pride: Studio One)
HORACE ANDY – Child of the Ghetto (Studio One)
HORACE ANDY – You Are My Angel (Striker Lee)
JOHNNY OSBOURNE – He Can Surely Turn The Tide (Fally Lover: Greensleeves)
JOHNNY OSBOURNE – No Lollipop No Sweet So (Fally Lover: Greensleeves)
KYMANI MARLEY – Dear Dad (The Journey: Gee Street & Shang)
PROTOJE, KYMANI MARLEY, DA PROFESSOR – Rub-A-Dub Soldier (Don Corleon)
KYMANI MARLEY – New Heights (Don Corleon)
KYMANI MARLEY – Brave Ones (The Message riddim: Don Corleon)
KYMANI MARLEY & ANTHONY B – Valley Of Decision (Reggae Vibes)
KYMANI MARLEY – Warriors (The Journey: Gee Street & Shang)
KYMANI MARLEY – Emperor (The Journey: Gee Street & Shang)
KYMANI MARLEY & PROTOJE – Rasta Love (Don Corleon)
ANTHONY B – Can’t Touch (World Peace riddim: Lionart)
ELIJAH PROPHET – Better Must Come (World Peace riddim: Lionart)
PERFECT – Revolution Song (World Peace riddim: Lionart)
SOJAH (KONSHENS & DELUS) – Blood (World Peace riddim: Lionart)
KONSHENS – Represent (Island Vibes riddim: Chimney)
KONSHENS – Rasta Imposter (After Effection riddim: Young Veterans)
KONSHENS – The Realest Song (Better Life riddim: Cashflow)
KONSHENS – The Realeswt Medz (Good Friends riddim: Cashflow)
KONSHENS – Bassline (Subkonshus)
KONSHENS – Gal A Bubble (Subkonshus)
KONSHENS – Stop Sign (Subkonshus)
KONSHENS & SHENSEEA – Hard Drive (Head Concussion)
KONSHENS – Bruk Off Yuh Back (Birch)
KONSHENS – A So Me Tan (Daseca)
KONSHENS & ROMAIN VIRGO – We No Worry Bout Them (Maximum Sound)

listen online at http://www.pbsfm.org.au/babylonburning

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 19th January 2019

Featuring new music from Koffee, Azzizi and Xana Romeo, plus nuff requests and classics.

THE CULTURED FEW – Better No Come (Feel Good)
WINSTON SHAND – Time Is The Master (Moods International)
THE TECHNIQUES – Travelling Man (Treasure Isle)
DANNY SIMPSON w TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS – Mary Poppins (Treasure Isle)
THE JAMAICANS – Peace and Love (Treasure Isle)
THE TERMITES – Rub Up Push Up (Studio One)
THE GLADIATORS – Sweet Soul Music (Treasure Isle)
JJ ALLSTARS – Mango Tree (JJ Records)
THE AFRICAN BROTHERS – Righteous Kingdom (Black Roots) –request
BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – Pimper’s Paradise (Uprising: Island) –request
BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – So Jah Say (Natty Dread: Island) –request
LINVAL THOMPSON – Love Is The Question (Rockers From Channel One: Trojan)
RANKING DREAD – Poor Man (Rockers From Channel One: Trojan)
BARRINGTON LEVY – Little Children (TRS Records)
FREDDIE McGREGOR – Get United (Big Ship: Thompson Sound)
THE VICEROYS – Jah Jah (The Intelligence Of Your Mind) (Thompson Sound)
EEK A MOUSE – Sensee Party (Thompson Sound)
DON CARLOS – Dice Cup (Volcano)
EEK A MOUSE – For Hire and Removal (Volcano)
EEK A MOUSE – Ganja Smuggling (Volcano) –request
JOHN HOLT – Police In Helicopter (Volcano) –request
KONSHENS – Rocking In Di Dance (Jambian Music)
KONSHENS – Pop In My Headphones (Mental Maintenance: Subkonshens Music)
ALBOROSIE & KYMANI MARLEY – Natural Mystic (Forward)
KYMANI MARLEY – Lion A Roar (Rose Moet riddim: Pure Music)
ALLA – Babylon A Fight Rastaman Version (Twinkle Music)
MARCUS GAD & TRIBE – Evil Ways (Chanting: Natural Productions)
AZZIZI ROMEO – Age Of Truth (The Progeny Mixtape: Charmax)
AZZIZI ROMEO & XANA ROMEO – Final Warning (The Progeny Mixtape: Charmax)
JC LODGE – Child Of Love (Queens Of Ariwa pt 1: Ariwa)
MAD PROFESSOR – Marcus Message (Ariwa Riddim Series 2018: Ariwa)
KOFFEE – Throne (Columbia)
TARRUS RILEY – Guess Who (Canon, Juke Boxx, Taxi)
ESTELLE – Lights Out (Lovers Rock: VP Records)

listen online at http://www.pbsfm.org.au/babylonburning

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 12th January 2019

Featuring a whole heap of listener requests in the first half, and then Jesse I’s annual “best of the rest” review in the second half – running through some of last year’s best songs that didn’t fit traditional definitions of reggae or dancehall, but still deserve attention.

TAPPA ZUKIE – Don’t Deal With Babylon (Klik) –request
I ROY – African Herbsman (Virgin) –request
I ROY – Sound Education (Fe Me Time)
ERROL DUNKLEY – Black Cinderella (Fe Me Time)
PRINCE BUSTER – Free Love (Fab) –request
TOOTS & THE MAYTALS – Do The Reggay (Beverley’s) –request
JIMMY CLIFF – Hard Road To Travel (Beverley’s) –request
HARRY J ALL-STARS – Liquidator (Jarry J) –request
JUNIOR MURVIN – Police and Thieves (Black Art) –request
JAH LION – Soldier and Police War (Black Art)
UPSETTERS – Grumblin Dub (Black Art)
STEEL PULSE – Ku Klux Klan (Handsworth Revoltuion: Island) –request
LINTON KWESI JOHNSON – Fite Dem Back (Forces Of Victory: Island)
COCOA TEA – If Jah Is For Us (Settle Down: Corner Stone) –request
BURNING SPEAR – Spear Burning (Spear) –request
ALPHA BLONDY – Masada (Masada: Blue Note) –request
FUSE ODG & DAMIAN MARLEY – Bra Fie(Come Home) (Off Da Ground)
I OCTANE – More Than Ever (Ear Bud riddim: DJ Smurf Music)
JAH IZREHL – Betta Than That (Tads)
MASICKA – Stay Strong (Genahsyde Records & J1 Productions)
RYGIN KING – Pressure In Life (How Me Grow) (Rush Sheikh Records)
RYGIN KING – Learn (Prodigy & GCity)
RYGIN KING – Still An Emergency (Rygin Trap & One Dream Records)
RYGIN KING – Things Go Change (One Dream Records & Hard Streetz)
JAHMIEL – We Feel The Pain (Emudio)
JAHMIEL – Winning (Tru Ambassador)
ALKALINE – Mirage (Tru Ambassador)
ALKALINE – Deep Sleep (Gego Don)
YAW FASO – Motion (Alt Music Group)
KABAKA PYRAMID & DAMIAN JR GONG MARLEY – Kontraband (Kontraband: Bebble Rock & Ghetto Youths International)
GOVANA & JADA KINGDOM – Better Than That (EMudio Records)
JADA KINGDOM – Banana (Pop Style Music)
TEEJAY – Grimy (Tru Ambassador)
CHINO & DI GENIUS – Eternal (Big Ship)
MAVADO – Father God (Dilemma riddim: Keno 4 Star)

listen online at http://www.pbsfm.org.au/babylonburning

BABYLON BURNING with Jesse I
106.7 PBS-FM > Melbourne, Australia
Saturday 5th January 2019

JESSE I’S 2018 YEAR IN REVIEW

As always, these lists reflect my personal taste, while also taking into account the response these songs received at dances locally and around the world. I generally avoid including more than one song on the same riddim, though I have mentioned others where it was particularly difficult to choose, or where you would virtually never play one without also playing the other. Some songs from the previous year often sneak into the countdown – slow burners that took a while to catch on, became popular when a music video was released some time after the song itself, or were simply more popular this year than last.

The songs were aired in reverse order, counting down from #20 to #1, with reggae in the first hour, and dancehall in the second.

BEST OF 2018 REGGAE

To be brutally honest, I felt reggae music was a little underwhelming in 2018. Apart from the first 6 or so entries on the list, there was not much separating things this year – plenty of good songs, but not so many really great songs or anthems that would get played at every dance. Interestingly, Damian Marley – one of the biggest names in contemporary reggae music – didn’t have a single entry in my top 20 this year, and Chronixx only made the list with combination tunes. I Octane’s “Weh Di Fire Gone” was an easy choice for my #1 spot, being both a personal favourite, and a huge hit (one of the only true reggae songs I heard played in prime-time at serious dancehall parties in Jamaica this year). The 18-year-old new sensation Koffee was the success story of the year, as she followed up last year’s hit “Burning” with another smash “Raggamuffin” at the start of the year, and became one of the most talked-about new artists in reggae music on the strength of only two releases (her name well and truly made at the end of the year with the phenomenal dancehall tune “Toast”). I was very happy to include a release from local Melbourne producer Monkey Marc and his huge Yaad N Abraad riddim at number 4 – it was great to see Marc working with top young artists like Dre Island and Iba Mahr, and getting the best out of them. At number 5, the controversial “Black Hypocrisy” from dancehall queen Spice, a song that made a huge impact with a very clever social media campaign, but backed it up with first-class production and powerful lyrics highlighting “colourism” in Jamaican society.

1) I OCTANE – Weh Di Fire Gone (Destiny riddim: Young Pow)
BLACK AM I – Fire Burning (Destiny riddim: Young Pow)
2) CHRONIXX & CAPLETON – Help The Weak (Zincfence Records)
3) KOFFEE – Raggamuffin (Frankie Music)
4) DRE ISLAND – Yaad N Abraad (Yaad N Abraad riddim: Monkey Marc)
IBA MAHR – Come Out (Yaad N Abraad riddim: Monkey Marc)
5) SPICE – Black Hypocrisy (Spice Official Ent)
6) TARRUS RILEY – Ah Me And Jah (Episodes riddim: Yellow Moon)
I OCTANE – Why Should I (Episodes riddim: Yellow Moon)
7) PROTOJE & CHRONIXX – No Guarantee (In.Digg.Nation Collective)
8) TARRUS RILEY – Guess Who (Canon, Juke Boxx, Taxi)
9) SHANE O – Have Mercy (Love Vibration riddim: Upsetta Records & Loud City)
10) EESAH – Roots Man (Masterpiece: Brilliant. Intelligent. Genius)
11) SAMORY I – Call On Jah (Evidence Music)
12) ANTHONY B – Can’t Go Round (Marshall Neeko remix: Idler’s Corner)
13) PRESSURE BUSSPIPE – Burn Dem Flat (New Kingston riddim: Cyclone Music Group)
14) PROTOJE – A Matter Of Time (A Matter Of Time: Indiggnation Collective)
15) ALBOROSIE & CHRONIXX – Contradiction (Unbreakable: Shengen Ent)
16) HIKALIBA – Rastafari Yes (Fire Avenue riddim: Young Veterans)
PRESSURE – Nah Stop (Fire Avenue riddim: Young Veterans)
17) I OCTANE – Nothing Greater (History No Mystery riddim: Penthouse)
EXCO LEVI – Trouble (History No Mystery riddim: Penthouse)
SHUGA – Nah Stop Try (History No Mystery riddim: Penthouse)
18) NASS – Carpenter (Silk 4our Music Group)
19) KABAKA PYRAMID & PRESSURE BUSSPIPE – Make Way (Kontraband: Bebble Rock & Ghetto Youths International)
20) CAPLETON & KABAKA PYRAMID – Hold Up Your Arms (State of Emergency riddim: Maximum Sound)

REGGAE HONORABLE MENTIONS:

AKAE BEKA – Felt Love Surely (Perfect Storm riddim: I Grade)
AKAE BEKA – Power of the Trinity (Nurtured Frequency: Haze St Studios)
AKAE BEKA – To and From (Nurtured Frequency: Haze St Studios)
BERES HAMMOND – I’m Alive (VP Records)
BERES HAMMOND – Invitation To Downtown (Nice and Ruff riddim: Heavy Beat)
BITTY McLEAN – Is That Your Reward (Love Restart: Taxi, Tabou 1, Silent River)
BLACK AM I – Wants and Needs (Ghetto Youths International)
BLACK UHURU & AGENT SASCO – Stronger
BOBBY HUSTLE – Reggae Party (Wicked Vybz)
BUGLE – Born A Winner (High Rise riddim: Synthdicate)
CHRISTOPHER MARTIN – Bun Fi Bun (Twilight riddim: Maximum Sound)
DANNY I – Just To Live (Perfect Storm riddim: I Grade)
DEADLY HUNTA & JAH TUNG – Bed Of Roses (Shackled riddim: Yard 127)
DENNIS BROWN & DAMIAN MARLEY – Can’t Keep (King Jammy Presents: Dennis Brown Tracks of Life: VP & Jammys)
DUANE STEPHENSON – Nah Bun Dung (Tads)
EESAH – Marijuana (Masterpiece: BIG)
EESAH – Tenement Yard (Masterpiece: Brilliant. Intelligent. Genius)
FANTAN MOJAH & LUTAN FYAH – Word Sound and Power (Unity riddim: May.B.Unity)
FIKIR AMLAK & BRIZION – Eastern Star (Akashic Records)
GAPPY RANKS – Don Gargon (Family Buss riddim: Unity Sound Worldwide)
GROUNDATION – Fossil Fuels (The Next Generation: Baco Records)
JAH9 – Heaven (Ready Fi Di Feeling) (VP Records)
JESSE ROYAL & CHARLY BLACK – Herbalist Party (Wizzle riddim: TJ Records)
JOSHUA HALES & BRIZION – Amerikkka Tha Terrorist (Passing Through: Lumosapien
JOSHUA HALES & BRIZION – Diamonds (Passing Through: Lumosapien Records)
JOSHUA HALES & BRIZION – Holographic (Passing Through: Lumosapien Records)
KRAIGGI BADART & QRAIG – Where Is The Love (Dub Wi Love riddim: BaDArt Muzic)Records)
KABAKA PYRAMID – Reggae Music (Kontraband: Bebble Rock & Ghetto Youths Music)
KING MAS – Protect Your Energy (Roots Stepper riddim: Lion Twin Studio)
KONSHENS – Rocking In The Dance (Jambian Music)
KRANIUM – My Choice (Stay Cool riddim: CR203)
LILA IKE – Second Chance (In.Digg.Nation Collective)
LINVAL THOMPSON – Fussing and Fighting (Med Tone)
LUCIANO & NATTY KING – Why Sacrifice (Unity riddim: May.B.Unity)
MARCUS GAD & TRIBE – All Together (Chanting: Natural Productions) *2017
MARCUS GAD & TRIBE – Chanting (Chanting: Natural Productions) *2017
MARCUS GAD & TRIBE – Evil Ways (Chanting: Natural Productions) *2017
MARCUS GAD & TRIBE – The Valley (Chanting: Natural Productions) *2017
MARCUS GAD & TRIBE – Walk A Talk (Chanting: Natural Productions) *2017
MO KALAMITY w SLY & ROBBIE – Throw Down Your Guns (One Love Vibration: Sofia Thea Records)
NAOMI COWAN – Paradise Plum (VPal)
NARAM & EARL CUNNINGHAM – War In The City (Red Robin)
NARAM & JUNIOR CAT – Stand Tall Ghetto Youth (Red Robin)
NARAM & LADY ANN – Jealous Man (Red Robin)
NARAM & MIDNIGHT RIDERS – Jealous Woman (Red Robin)
NATURAL BLACK – Brand New Song (Sings New Songs: Jammys)
NATURAL BLACK – Have To Rearrange (Sings New Songs: Jammys)
NATURAL BLACK – Jah Jah Bless (Sings New Songs: Jammys)
PROTOJE – Bout Noon (In.Digg.Nation Collective)
PROTOJE – Lessons (A Matter Of Time: Indiggnation Collective)
PROTOJE – Mind Of A King (A Matter Of Time: Indiggnation Collective)
QUEEN IFRICA – Black Woman (VP Records)
RAFEELYA – Coming Of The Father (Life and Times: Stingray)
RAGING FYAH – Rebel (Rebel: Dub Rockers)
RASTA UNITY – Freedom and Salvation (Rasta Unity)
REEMAH – Breaking News (Breaking News: Feel Line Records)
REEMAH – Far Away (Breaking News: Feel Line Records)
REEMAH – May Day (Breaking News: Feel Line Records)
REEMAH – Warn Dem (Breaking News: Feel Line Records)
ROBERT DALLAS – Bearer Of Bad News (Med Tone)
ROMAIN VIRGO – Hold On (Lovesick: VP Jamaica)
SHUGA – Talk About (Old King Cole riddim: Tads)
THE EXPANDERS – Top Shelf (Top Shelf riddim: Walshy Fire)

BEST OF 2018 DANCEHALL

For most of the last decade, dancehall has been all about Vybz Kartel. I felt like things opened up a bit in 2018 though, as Kartel’s stranglehold on the genre seemed to loosen somewhat. Popcaan had a huge year, with several inescapable hits, while Alkaline was as consistently good as he has been in recent years. When the smoke cleared though, it was Busy Signal at number one on my countdown, with “Stay So” getting huge forwards all though the year, despite originally coming out late in 2017. It was a good year for new blood in dancehall, with Rygin King (and to a lesser extent Teejay) coming out of Montego Bay with a serious impact, and Govana stepping out of Aidonia’s shadow as a big name in his own right. Shane O might sound like a new name to some, but those who know dancehall history would remember him from the hit “Lightning Flash” on the Applause riddim in 2004, voiced when he was just a young schoolboy. Shane made a huge return in 2018, coming back with a more mature delivery, and a string of dancehall anthems. Though not a new artist, this was definitely a breakthrough year for Masicka, who cracked my top 20 with two songs, and a few more in my honourable mentions. The most notable absence from my top 20 is Aidonia, who is clearly one of the biggest artists in contemporary dancehall, but didn’t have any songs like 2017’s “Yeah Yeah” that got played in every dance (“Big Baller” came on strong towards the end of the year, but a bit too late to have as much impact as the other songs on the list).

1) BUSY SIGNAL – Stay So (Warriors Musick) *2017
2) POPCAAN – Bullet Proof (Breakthrough riddim: Markus Records)
KRANIUM – Last Night (Breakthrough riddim: Markus Records)
3) POPCAAN – Family (Cotton Swab riddim: Pure Music) *2017
4) ALKALINE – Pick Unuh Side (Rice Grain riddim: Chimney)
CHI CHING CHING – Rice and Peas (Rice Grain riddim: Chimney)
5) RYGIN KING – Tuff (Billion Music Group)
6) VYBZ KARTEL – Do It (Do It riddim: Good Good Productions)
GOVANA – One N Move (Do It riddim: Good Good Productions)
I OCTANE – Oh No (Do It riddim: Good Good Productions)
7) ALKALINE – Juggernaught (Johnny Wonder & Adde Instrumentals)
8) KOFFEE – Toast (Columbia)
9) MASICKA – They Don’t Know (Genahsyde Records)
10) ALKALINE – Load Up (Levels riddim: Yellow Moon)
11) VYBZ KARTEL – Under Water (Zinc Roof riddim: TJ Records)
11) SPICE – Under Fire (Zinc Roof riddim: TJ Records)
12) SHANE O – Take It Tell Me (Countree Hype Entertainment)
13) SHANE O – Mill Fi Share (Kswizz) *2017
14) GOVANA – Champ (Big Zim Records)
15) POPCAAN – Inviolable (Markus Records & Unruly Entertainment)
16) MASICKA – Greatness (Genahsyde Records & Lamwav)
17) MAVADO – Big Like Jesus (CR203)
18) POPCAAN – Silence (Mixpak Records)
19) ALKALINE – Yaadie Fiesta (Netflixxx riddim: DJ Frass)
KRANIUM – Hustler’s Anthem (Netflixxx riddim: DJ Frass)
20) RYGIN KING – Legacy (Lee Milla)

DANCEHALL HONORABLE MENTIONS:

AIDONIA – Big Baller (Benzema) (4th Genna & Ancient Records)
AIDONIA – Scotch Bonnet (4th Genna & Magnum Sound)
AIDONIA & GOVANA – Breeze (4th Genna & JOP) *2017
ALKALINE – Dutty Badmind (Money Order riddim: Armzhouse)
ALKALINE – Fine Whine (Black Shadow)
ALKALINE – Perfect (DJ Frass)
ALKALINE – Richer and Richer (DJ Frass)
BEENIE MAN – Party Good (Young Blood)
BUSY SIGNAL – Dolla Van (Turf Music)
BUSY SIGNAL – One Way (White Gad Records)
BUSY SIGNAL – Simple BBC Ting (Turf Music)
BUSY SIGNAL – T-Shirt Weather (Turf Music)
DIGITAL SHAM – Is This Love (Hype Dreams Records)
DING DONG – Flairy (Romeich)
GAPPY RANKS – Designer Clothes (Tuch Point Music)
GAPPY RANKS – My Scheme (HCMH Presents)
GOVANA – Bake Bean (Quantanium)
HOODCELEBRITYY – Walking Trophy (Epic)
JAH LIL – Nuh Man Ting (Main Street Records)
JAHMIEL – Anyweh (Tru Ambassador)
KONSHENS – Bassline (Subkonshus Music Empire)
MASICKA – Changes (TJ Records)
MASICKA – Dem Nuh Happy Fi We (Life’s Path riddim: Good Good Productions)
MASICKA – Top Form (Genahsyde Records & J1 Productions)
MAVADO – Enemies (DJ Frass)
NINJAMAN & MONKEY MARC – Badness (Digikillaz)
NINJAMAN & MONKEY MARC – Badness (Monkey Marc)
POPCAAN – High Drive (Louis Out) (Mixpak Records)
POPCAAN – Weed Settingz (Louie V Music & Unruly Ent)
POPCAAN & JAH VINCI – Steamy (Unruly Ent)
POPCAAN & MR EAZI – Body So Good Remix (Mixpak Records)
SHANE O – Keep Yuh Hail (Big Zim Records)
SHANE O – Partner Draw (Full Chaarge)
SHENSEEA – Pon Mi (Dunwell)
SHENSEEA & KONSHENS – Hard Drive (Head Concussion)
SOKEL – Chillout Ting (Sokel)
SPICE – Gum (Spice Official Ent)
SPICE – Mahma Man (Cashflow)
STYLO G – Touch Down (FaNaTiX)
STYLO G & THE HEATWAVE – Closer To Me (Heat Wax)
TEEJAY – Up Top Boss (Knack Outt Productions)
TOSH ALEXANDER – Bubble (Brukout Records)
VYBZ KARTEL – Pretty Little House (Jones Ave)
VYBZ KARTEL – She Say (TJ Records)
VYBZ KARTEL – Stand Up (Twelve 9 & Loud City)
VYBZ KARTEL – What U Sellin (Massive B)
VYBZ KARTEL – Won’t Work (Vybz Kartel Muzik)
VYBZ KARTEL – Yabba Dabba Doo (Purple Skunk)

BEST OF THE REST 2018
Songs that don’t fit conventional definitions of reggae or dancehall, but deserve mention…

ALKALINE – Deep Sleep (Gego Don)
ALKALINE – Mirage (Tru Ambassador)
CHAN DIZZY – Problemz (Trouble Mekka)
CHINO & DI GENIUS – Eternal (Big Ship)
FUSE ODG & DAMIAN MARLEY – Bra Fie(Come Home) (Off Da Ground)
GOVANA & JADA KINGDOM – Better Than That (EMudio Records)
I OCTANE – More Than Ever (Ear Bud riddim: DJ Smurf Music)
JADA KINGDOM – Banana (Pop Style Music)
JAH IZREHL – Betta Than That (Tads)
JAHMIEL – We Feel The Pain (Emudio)
JAHMIEL – Winning (Tru Ambassador)
KABAKA PYRAMID & DAMIAN JR GONG MARLEY – Kontraband (Kontraband: Bebble Rock & Ghetto Youths International)
MASICKA – Stay Strong (Genahsyde Records & J1 Productions)
MAVADO – Father God (Dilemma riddim: Keno 4 Star)
RYGIN KING – Pressure In Life (How Me Grow) (Rush Sheikh Records)
RYGIN KING – Learn (Prodigy & GCity)
RYGIN KING – Still An Emergency (Rygin Trap & One Dream Records)
RYGIN KING – Things Go Change (One Dream Records & Hard Streetz)
TEEJAY – Grimy (Tru Ambassador)
YAW FASO – Motion (Alt Music Group)

listen online at http://www.pbsfm.org.au/babylonburning