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)
