Below you can find 5 albums that currently dominate my playlist. This list will be regularly updated. Hope to see you back soon!
1. Kenny Smyth – Powerful Dread
There’s no shortcoming of talent in Jamaica and at times it seems the island will never run out of it. Kenny Smyth is definitely one of the brightest among the newest generation of Reggae stars and Powerful Dread is a showcase in word, sound and power. With abundance of young talent on board of this project in the form of the mighty Tuff Gong All Stars completed by some of the most seasoned session man on the scene brought the best out of this young and upcoming talent.
2. The Staples Jr. Singers – When Do We Get Paid
The 2022 reissue of 1975’s When Do We Get Paid keeps alive the spirit that instilled some of the biggest names in Blues, Soul and Gospel. I must have played “I’m Going to a City” so many times by now that there no escape from this year’s inclusion to my Spotify wrapped. A dead honest performance living up to the name that they choose to honour ever since they first set foot on a stage.
3. Christos DC – Kung Fu Action Theatre
Another victory lap by an artist that couldn’t do much wrong to begin with, taking a step into the unkown with a pure instrumental set named Kung Fu Action Theatre. After a string of highly regarded album releases, Christos DC is still expanding his horizon following up on an idea of merging Chinese traditional instrumentation in this case the guzheng, dulcimer and erhu with a modern day Roots Reggae sound. The result, a dreamlike lush soundscape with lots of room for every instrumental to take its place in the superb final mix by Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred.
4. Willie Lindo – Far and Distant
Willie Lindo, an in-demand session musician who graces the cover of many records from Reggae’s golden age and with Far and Distant stepping out of the shadows to deliver a blazing set of guitar laden Reggae. Hard to pick favourites but Willie’s take on Jackie Mittoo’s “Drum Song” and “Darker Shade of Black” are both strong contenders. The more laid back nature of “Breezing” and “Charmers Mood“, the latter named after producer Lloyd Charmers, are just as strong making this one of the few guitar driven instrumental Reggae sets to look out for.
5. Nahawa Doumbia – Kanawa
Staying in Mali for a bit longer only moving south towards the Wassoulou region known for its music and the many female vocalists keeping alive a tradition dating back thousands of years. Nahawa Doumbia, one of the most popular local singers, only gained attention internationally 20 years in her career with the highly praised Yalaa. However, it would be a shame to disregard her earlier work or the work that followed and 2021’s Kanawa makes a shining example.