SHOK WAVE is your weekly new REGGAE music blog. SHOK WAVE finds music that is out there in the form of Reggae, Dancehall, Soca, Ska, Dub, Reggae Rock & anything else musical with a Caribbean origin and in any language.
Here is what we found this week.......Enjoy!
Instead of not doing a blog this week we decided to list a bunch of good songs that released. I did not find anything great just good. Maybe this should be the start of an additional playlist? What do you think?
REGGAE
Burning Spear "No Destroyer"
The legendary Burning Spear returns to the road and to releasing a recording after over a 10 year hiatus. Many thought it was over and thank Jah it is not. We have not seen him live since his last show in Miami at 9 Mile Music Festival in 2012. He did a limited run in the US & Europe. Now he has released his new long awaited album "No Destroyer." His last album was an even longer of wait. "Jah No Real" won a Grammy in 2008.
The new album sounds refreshing, criss, and sharp as ever. There is the strong horn section he has always had with his band. The other significant attribute is the percussion. It really stands out. So let's talk about 'The Spear.' That is how the album starts and he has unorthodox melodies that sound great and its here in the song too. Winston is blooming again and so are his plants and for this he wants 'No Destroyer.' Somehow he makes this sound so great. This is true talent that has gone through 'great tribulation' and moves 'Independent.' For this 'The Spear' keeps moving. 'Jamaica' is his homeland and it is important to the world. 'Cure For Cancer' is Spear asking the scientists to dig a little deeper. We have to take full responsibility for our actions and our 'Obsession.' His first single is called 'Mommy.' The most important person in everyone's life. What can the parents do to 'prevent the children from fall.' 'Open The Gate' is a tribute to the greats and how they did it. The Burning person is Bob Marley yet he calls out the greats as well. It's down in 'Negril': fun, rest, relaxation, caves & more.
Refreshing is the best word we can find to explain this new release from Burning Spear. Very original in his approach. Nobody come close to his style. Great original roots reggae music and sounding as good as ever.
Various Artists "Loyalty With Royalty riddim"
What a riddim sweet nuh man. 'Loyalty With Royalty' riddim has a roots vibe as well as a Lover's Rock feel laced with a wicked sax horn line. Newcomer Kenny Smyth keeps it sweet with 'Super Hero.' Shuga 'skanks' NVT3L 'Buss A Prayer' and Peetah Morgan always makes it a 'Better World' every time he sings. Even the riddim sounds good just to rock out.
SOCA
Edwin Yearwood "Jam Down"
The former lead singer for the great Bajan soca band Krosfyah, returns with flashes of his days of his former band. Now solo, Edwin Yearwood is one of Barbados biggest & best soca artists and his new album is a "Jam Down,' a modern tribute of bajan soca, his way. Ragga soca was courtesy of Barbados not the Groovy sounds of Trinidad. Edwin was a front runner in the Ragga Soca world. He is keeping that sound alive on "Jam Down." His best tunes are of this style including the album's first tune 'Please Yuhself.' Edwin is doing just that with this being his best tune on the album. 'Come And Get It' can be one of those double innuendo songs. Listen and you will hear what we mean. That's the classic style of old calypso. 'Jamdown' is that perfect mix of both Ragga Soca & jump up, which is great because it really represents this album and as the title track it is perfect. You ready for the 'JamDown?' 'Who Ain't Hurt Badly Wounded' is true Bajan jump up. This is 'WaistLine Therapy' for those ready to 'Lokk It Afff' (there's also a road mix) it's real jump up for those who want to wuk up. ince the 'Request' it is back to the original ragga sound and Edwin is going to jook down the place with this one. They just had Crop Over which is their carnival and 'Dem Let Me Out.' The 'Neighbour' are joining Patrice Roberts Trinidad & Edwin Barbados. It's a unity oca party. On the next track Edwin states 'I Am' living.' Sounds like the lyrics of a reggae song. Speaking of which, 'Hold Me Close' sounds like a reggae Lover's Rock lyrically and sonically it's more ragga soca. 'In A Jam' could be another innuendo. Literally 'In A Jam' the other side his girl is calling him and he does not want to lie o he says call me later. Oh Boy!!! Soca in me is 'That's My Carinival.' Nice ragga tune. Lastly, it's 'Last Man Standing.' Time to go but I don't want to go. Sorry it's over. Enjoy Solid soca from the living legend of Ragga Soca Edwin Yearwood.
Comments are closed.