| |
Cajun & Zydeco |
 |
Terry & The Zydeco Bad Boyz - "Creole To The Core" Rating: 8 BudweisersTerry is back with his second release (2006) and puts forth a very respectable effort. There are plenty of good tracks and excellent accordion playing on this release. The best thing about this release — or perhaps one of the coolest things about it is the artwork. WOW! A recording artist that wants an artist to do the jacket and disc design! How awesome is that? And it's great artwork to boot! Terry does better vocally on this disc than his debut. Perhaps it's just part of the charm in so many great zydeco bands? Anyways, this is a very good release from an artist who is gaining great momentum in the zydeco arena.
|
||
 |
Cedric Watson & Corey Ledet - "Goin' Down To Louisiana" Rating: 10 ice-cold Budweisers Two relatively new (and young) faces in zydeco team up to present to the world a stipped-down la-la session at its best! This is Creole roots music recorded like it oughta be. What's even more unique about this release is the fact that you've got two instruments paired together that aren't usually put together — piano accordion and fiddle. The results are wonderful and bona fide Creole art, transcending the listener into the bluesy old-school world of rootsy Louisiana.
|
||
 |
Zydecomotion - "Shed Music" Rating: 3 Budweisers OK. A zydeco band from the U.K. This is a unique release to say the least. There are some very shining moments and some very irritating moments. The shining moments are the music — tight and catchy. The vexing moments are the vocals (with the exception of 2 tracks that feature someone other than the lead vocalist singing.) The lead singer sounds like a growling boogerman from a haunted oncology lab. Imagine Tom Waits' great grandfather cuttin' a groove. At first, it seemed entertaining, but then I realized this guy was serious... and very deterimined. I truly wanted to like this band because it was from somewhere other than the U.S., but quickly realized that maybe Europeans oughta stick to influencing rock and roll.
|
 |
Jude Moreau & The Bon Temps Playboys - "Mon et Mes Ami" Rating: 7 Budweisers Jude Moreau is probably better known as the builder of the "Bon Temp" brand Cajun accordion. He live in Groves, TX, near Port Arthur and has dedicated his life to preserving traditional Cajun music. Jude Moreau's family is from the rural community of Pecanière, LA near Leonville in St. Landry Parish. His "La Valse de Pecanière" on this CD is a tribute to his father, the late Ashton Joseph Moreau. Other songs on the CD are Cajun standards by Iry LeJeune, Adam Hebert, and others. Most of them are sung by Roland Ledet, a great vocalist for whom everything in the music seems to be a natural expression of who he is and what he feels. My favorite cut on this disc, "Grand Mamou" features Roland's daughters singing in wonderful harmony. Nice traditional Cajun tunes from an unsung Cajun hero.
|
||
 |
Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band - "Sam's Big Rooster" Rating: 8 Budweisers What else would you expect from a legendary accordionist and fiddler? Legendary music, mon amis! The title track features a rare vocal performance from Marc Savoy in his low, narrative voice, and the rest of the music on this most recent release (2006) is the great traditional Cajun tunes one would find on any of the plethora of Savoy-Doucet releases. High quality Cajun music brought to you by the most evangelical Cajun prophets.
|
||
 |
Nathan Abshire - "The Great Cajun Accordionist" Rating: 8 Budweisers Like the title of this release suggests, Nathan Abshire was one great Cajun accordionist! He has a style all of his own — one that is copied but never accurately done the way Nathan did it. This disc, while not a new release, is by far my favorite Nathan Abshire recording — stuff he did in the 70's, which in my opinion, truly defined his genius. Ace Records did a knockout job compiling and remastering these tunes.
|
||
 |
Savoy-Michot Cajun Band - "L'Autre Bord de L'eau" Rating: 7 Budweisers If you're a Pine Leaf Boys fan, you might oughta find this CD for your collection. It features Louis Michot AND Cedric Watson on fiddle and was the winner of Offbeat's Best Emerging Cajun Band of 2004. It is a very good release featuring a superb verion of the "Midnight Playboy Special" as well as a creeeeepy version (and my favorite version) of "Bars de la Prison." A great disc for the pre-Pine Leaf Boys.
|
||
 |
Sean Vidrine & Swamp Fyre - "Sean Vidrine & Swamp Fyre" Rating: 8 Budweisers This out-of-print debut release from up-and-coming artist, Sean Vidrine might be a little tough to find, since I bought one of the two last copies available. Nevertheless, you might get lucky finding this one — and you'll be glad you did. It's better than Sean's later (2nd) release. It's all-around great music with a little zydecajun flair. Party music for your next barbeque, fo' sho'!
|
||
 |
T-Broussard & The Zydeco Steppers - "Knock Knock " Rating: 8 Budweisers This is T-Broussard's latest release (2006) and the best of his 3 releases. While it shows a great deal of progress from the first 2 discs, T-Broussard's vocals are still in progress, so to speak. There are some great, catchy tunes, some nice harmonies and hooks nevertheless. Also included is a cameo from his mother, who plays accordion and sings a couple of tunes, which is cool, but takes a bit of work to listen to. You still gotta admire the fact that T- took the time and effort to feature his mom on this disc. It's a very enduring gesture and one that makes me wish I could've done the same with my own mother. God bless Moms everywhere...
|
 |
Joe Hall & Mitch Reed - "Mon et Mes Ami" Rating: 7 Budweisers This CD includes some real down-home tunes recorded in an acoustic fashion — in Mitch's living room. Just Creole accordion and fiddle and vocals. There are a lot of classic tunes with different lyrics which makes this disc noteworthy. Not great quality as it pertains to the recording, but that's part of the charm of this disc as it is a great representation of Louisiana roots music by two great friends, just jamming and creating the music they were born to play. A great disc for any accordion player wishing to learn a good, basic Creole playing style.
|
||
 |
Harry Trahan - "A La Maison" Rating: 7 Budweisers Here's another great Cajun artist that is cloaked in relative obscurity. This is a great release for anyone looking for a rootsy Cajun CD. It's bare-bones, simple and extremely "real." It features mostly well-known tunes done with a hint of Nathan Abshire spin. It may be a difficult find, but I'd start with Louisiana Heritage and Gifts in Carencro as it was recorded by Mitch Reed. Another good CD for accordion players looking for something a little bit off the beaten path.
|
||
 |
J.J. Callier & The Zydeco Knockouts - "Do You Wanna Dance" Rating: 7 Budweisers I really like J.J. as he's by far one of this nicest zydeco artists I've ever had the opportunity to visit with. Muscially, this new release (2006) from J.J. Callier is probably his best; but vocally it isn't up to snuff. The other thing I miss on this release is the fact that only two songs feature the Cajun accordion — the rest features piano accordion— obviously the insturment that J.J. feels most at home on. But I think J.J. has the adept ability to make the C-box rock as seen in earlier releases. Nevertheless, J.J. does quite well on his cover of the Los Lonely Boys tune, "Heaven" and also kills on the Cajun box instrumental, "Wine Alley Boogie."
|
||
 |
J. Paul Jr. & The Zydeco Newbreedz - "Diary Of A Zydeco Rebel" Rating: 9 ice-cold Budweisers Definitely a better release than his last, but still no where near his first few, J. Paul Jr. kicks it again on this 2005 release. The shining moments for this disc features the tune, "Shine", quite possibly the best J. Paul tune ever, as well as "She's So Lovely" a very welcomed hip-hop departure demonstrating that J. Paul is surely the only artist in the zydeco realm to venture way outside the zydeco box. There's also a live version of "It's Alright", rounding out this disc as well-received release from the most progressive and contemporary zydeco artist out there.
|
||
 |
Jr. Melancon & The Comedown Playboys - "Dis Is Me" Rating: 9 ice-cold Budweisers This guy is different! I'd define Jr.'s music as "Total Coonass" music, if there is such a genre. Quite funny and a damn good Cajun musician. This release is very enjoyable, both from a musical standpoint and from a songcraftman's standpoint — if that makes any sense. I like how Jr. bellars out tunes in his mildly intoxicated style and makes good fun out of good, tight music. There's a little zydecajun feel on a couple of the tunes, some slow ones and a few that are just hard to describe. Nice work from a current fixture in the Cajun neo-traditionalist genre.
|
||
 |
The Lafayette Playboys Band - "A Tribute to the Legendary Aldus Roger" Rating: 8 ice-cold Budweisers If you're like me, you're an Aldus Roger fan and have been for a very long time. If that's the case, you're gonna love this disc which features Aldus' band and some great cameo appearances by Eric and Jr. Martin. It's a great disc to chill out in the kitchen with, play some dominoes or just play along with. Classic Cajun music and plenty of tracks to enjoy! |
 |
Brian Smith - "Mon et Mes Ami" Rating: 7 Budweisers **New guy alert** Brian is another up and coming Cajun artist showing great talent and promise. He comes from Oberlin, LAand is a student at McNeese State University. This release features Courtney Granger on fiddle and some vocals — who is another young artist firmly planted in Cajun soil. There's some new and traditional stylings on this disc and a great example of the up and coming stars in Cajun music. |
||
 |
Ronnie Mathews & Throwdown - "Just Me and the Bottle" Rating: 5 Budweisers Not sure where this guy came from, but all of a sudden, here he is! It's a good thing too! While I am a diehard zydecajun fan, I'd say this release has *some* of that feel. Not completely another Toups knock-off, but Ronnie uses that subgenre as a platform, which is cool. What makes this disc not quite up to a full six pack is the odd choices of cover material. While I applaud such bold moves, "Standing On Shaky Ground", "Sleep Walk", and "Amazing Grace" just don't come close to the original versions and don't seem to be different enough to captivate me. That said, the rest of the disc is quite good.
|
||
 |
Cedryl Ballou & The Zydeco Trendsetters - "Roll With It " Rating: 8 Budweisers Cedryl is a native of Waco, TX — just south of the Dallas metroplex. He's the grandson of Sydney Simien (Rockin' Sydney) and also grandson of Classie Ballou, which is some good lineage to hail from. This first release from Cedryl was released a few years ago and features some truly catchy tunes. The only thing that hurts this disc is some of the vocals, which aren't seasoned enough to compete with the upper echelon of popular zydeco acts. That said, his skill on the accordion certainly does. In time, this is going to be one artist that will be a headliner -- just wait an' see.
|
||
 |
Octa Clark & Hector Duhon - "Old Time Cajun Music " Rating: 10 ice-cold Budweisers If you're looking for a bare-bones accordion and fiddle disc to feast your ears on, look no further. This is a classic from two pioneers of Cajun music. Inseparable friends from the 1920's, this disc captures the raw spirit of Cajun music in its true to life form. It may be a bit accordion-heavy, but this dis is sure to make your gumbo taste even better. Another great treasure from the vaults of Arhoolie Records.
|
||
 |
Dexter Ardoin & The Creole Ramblers - "What You Come To Do " Rating: 9 ice-cold Budweisers Grandson of the late Bois Sec Ardoin and son of Morris Ardoin, Dexter makes a great show of talent on this debut release. True to traditional Creole roots, he spins modern zydeco into an inescapable web of new and old; which makes this disc a real treat! He also plays the drum track on this recordion, demonstating that Dexter is quite "dexterious" indeed. Just like his ancestors that pioneered the zydeco road, Dexter is positioned to forge ahead full speed, while embracing the essence of Creole music for fans to embrace.
|
||
 |
Goldman Thibodeaux & The Lawtell Playboys - "Gumbo At Goldman's" Rating: 10 ice-cold Budweisers Ever want to listen to a traditional Cajun jam at the home of a musician while kids, dogs, cars, the banging of pots and pans on a cooking stove and intermittent conversation in Creole patois provides the backdrop? You got it with this recording! It's a treat. It's all that and a loose jam to boot! Recorded in the kitchen at Goldman's house while the gumbo was cooking, this CD transports the listener to folk music ground-zero. It's a bit rough, a bit redundant, but VERY REAL and an amazing acoutic recording. A tasty treat for those of us who love to drop in for a cold one and a bowl of gumbo. Highly recommended, indeed! |
 |
Austin Pitre - "Opelousas Waltz " Rating: 8 ice-cold Budweisers Austin is a pioneer in Cajun music from Ville Platte, Louisiana who passed away back in 1981 — at a young age of 63. He originally recorded on the Swallow label, but this Arhoolie recording made in the early seventies is a real treasure. It features some great dancehall classics. Austin was one of the first accordionists to play standing up, a little known fact from an a relatively obscure and underrated talent. I'm very happy to have added Austin into the changer and thrilled that Arhoolie dug deep and remastered this gem of an artist. |
||
 |
Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic - "A Whole Lotta Something " Rating: 10 ice-cold Budweisers This release from Andre came out in 2005, and while he doesn't crank out releases as often as I wish he did, this one is a great example of this 27-year old, self-taught zydeco innovator -- one of the best single and triple-row zydeco accordion players on the planet. Andre was born and raised in the Bay Area of California, but you'd never know that by listening to his music. His roots are deep into new and old-school zydeco. While this is a top-notch release from a face you can't help but love, the grittyness of his first CD, "It's About Time" still rates as one of my all-time favorite zydeco groove discs.
|
||
 |
Marc Savoy - "Back To The Basics" Rating: 9 ice-cold Budweisers This is a fun disc. Very upbeat, hooky and even a bit unusual — I'll explain... Big Red, a Lake Charles zydeco musician, has definitely made a mark on me, if not the zydeco world. His songwriting is genuine and even a bit humorous. But once you get his unorthodox accordion riffs and Caribbeanesque melodies in your ears, it'll be hard to quit humming them. Big Red's vocals are equally a treat — a great crooner, I might add, and the harmonies are fat and rich. There's even a great zydereggae tune, "Zydeco Playmaker" which makes me skank as if I were listening to David Hinds of Steel Pulse sing. This release is well worth discovering!
|
||
 |
Brian Jack & The Zydeco Gamblers - "Getting Down To Business " Rating: 10 ice-cold Budweisers Brian Jack has caught my ear like a choupique on a line. This guy is great. The problem with Brian Jack, at least with this release as well as a couple of others is they are difficult to find unless you buy them from him. As with all his releases, there's plenty of great songwriting, incredible accordion lickage and smooth and stellar harmonies. This release is probably my favorite from Brian Jack ... I... think.
|
||
 |
Brian Jack & The Zydeco Gamblers - "To Be Continued..." Rating: 9 ice-cold Budweisers An appropriate title to continue to rap a little more about Brian Jack & The Zydeco Gamblers... This is Brian's latest release (2006) and is in line with the quality nouveau zydeco you can expect from one of Houston, TX's favorite acts. While this release features a mess of great tunes including my favorite, "I Don't Know Why", it still doesn't thump me like his previous releases. Nevertheless, anyone who love Houston-style zydeco would be silly not to add this one to their changer!
|
||
 |
Beau Jocque & The Zydeco High Rollers - "Au Revoir " Rating: 8 Budweisers Let's admit it, without the late great Beau Jocque, zydeco would not be on the musical map. This compilation spans the career of this nouveau pioneer with some deep and tasty cuts from zydeco's most innovative and ominous figure. |
 |
Danny Collet & Louisiana Tremor - "I Can't Sleep If I Can't Sleep With You " Rating: 10 ice-cold Budweisers I've been a fan of Danny Collet for many, many years and he only puts out a disc once in a great while. This one is definitely worth the wait. His repertoire spans the extremes on this release — everything from Cajun to zydeco to blues, rock, swamp pop & a little dash of funky r&b. Not only is he a top-notch accordion player, he's also a monster guirarist — not to mention one of the best vocalists I've ever heard. I only wish there were more than just 11 tracks on this disc. Maybe that's how Danny wants it... leave 'em wanting an encore! |
||
 |
Kevin Naquin & The Ossun Playboys - "Mercredi Soir Passé" Rating: 7 Budweisers Kevin has been "at it" for a few years now, a mainstay artist at the Whiskey River Landing outside of Henderson, LA. This latest release is a winner. It's title means, "last Wednesday night" which, I am assuming he is letting us know something must've happened on a Wednesday night. Usually, nothing really happens on Wednesday night, but apparently in Kevin's world, Wednesday is THE night to knock back a few foamy tops and throw down some blazing accordion licks on a CD! There's some real interesting grooves on this'n. I recommend it if you're gonna throw down with some friends and are ready to pass yourself a Humpday Party!
|
||
 |
Marc Savoy - "Back To The Basics" Rating: 10 ice-cold Budweisers Oh jeezus. This man is scary. He is BY FAR, the best Cajun accordionist in the world! This CD is a must-have for anyone who plays Cajun accordion. It's just Marc on the box and his wife, Ann lightly on background guitar. The result is utter amazement... no, more like, disbelief... and a healthy dose of fear, too. Holy catfish this guy can play! And they are all instrumentals too boot! What a treasure this CD is. The only problem is, unless you have an Eb accordion, you won't be able to jam along... AS IF!!! |
||
 |
Jimmy Breaux - "Le Chemin Que T'as Pas" Rating: 10 ice-cold Budweisers Alright, this is a disc "The Road You Took" has been around several years and I have been searching for it for a while. I found it at Lake Charles Music (thanks Russell!) and it was worth the search. Jimmy is better known for his role in the band, Beausoleil, where he quietly stands next to Michael Doucet and competes with Michael's fiddle. That's what you won't hear on this CD or Jimmy's other solo release -- competing with Michael (and the other primo talent in Beausoleil.) Don't get me wrong, I love Michael Doucet, but Jimmy Breaux is a monster. This disc gives Jimmy a chance to pick his favorite tunes and blast away. A must for a student of Cajun accordion.
|
||
 |
John Trahan "Avec Le Group Acadiana" Rating: 10 ice-cold Budweisers This is an old disc that John gave me back in 1993 when he and I used to get together for "accordion lessons." It was more like me just watching John play song after song and just shake my head in awe. John is a great friend of mine and by far, my hero. He taught me enough to grease my engine and get me going on the accordion. Luckily, we've just got back in touch with each other and are planning more jams in the near future. This disc will always be one of my favorites and his style of playing is what I still attempt to emulate today. Oh, and John is a very good singer! Did I mention he can sing!? C'est ci bon!
|
||
 |
Travis Matte & The Zydeco Kingpins - "Zydeco Train" Rating: 10 ice-cold Coors Lights By far and above, Travis and his band have positioned themselves in the upper echelon of hipness; while attempting to label their brand of accordion-driven party music is about as easy as shooting flies with a nail gun. Every song on this disc is worthy of a rewind; some of my favorites as well as the favorites of Louisiana radio stations are Booty Call and Vibrator -- the two top requested tunes of 2005. Travis possesses the secret recipe with this latest release, Zydeco Train, weaving through references of Cajun and zydeco riffs while paraphrasing ryhthms and lyrics through a vogue, street-smart distiller. The result is the hottest thing to hit the Southern Louisiana pavement in years. Travis and his band are sponsored by Coors Light! |
 |
Seth Guidry & Louisiana Nights - "Les Larmes Dans Tes Yeux" (The Tears inYour Eyes) Rating: 4 Budweisers The future of Cajun music is in good hands, thanks to 16-year-old accordionist Seth Guidry. His debut release is quite impressive with the truckload of seasoned talent he enlisted straight out of the chute. My favorite tune is the classic, "Hick's Wagon Wheel Special." It's always a treat to see how every accordion-puller makes the turnaround on that song. Seth kicks it square in the round hole! |
 |
The Pine Leaf Boys - "La Musique" Rating: 10 Budweisers Wilson Savoy, son of legend Marc Savoy, teams up with four other 20-something year-olds to create music that even an 80something year-old could appreciate. I'm not saying their music is not hip; it is -- remarkably so -- what I mean is that not only can they spice up some traditional Cajun and Creole tunes, but they can nail the traditional tunes and phrasings like they had studied it for 80 years. There's elements of talent in every note dropped by this amazing crop of "new-traditionalists." Just how in the heck can young "kids" make music that sounds as good as a seasoned vet? The only answer I have is... it must be in the water down there and their roots are deep in it. A real treat! |
||
 |
Rosie Ledet - "Pick It Up" Rating: 10 Budweisers "Pick It Up" is by far the best Rosie Ledet release to date. You'll find the anticipated teasing, sexy lyrics that Rosie is trademarked for, but what sets this disc apart from all the others is her choice of rhythms, high-quality production, and one scotching hot band. From my favorite zydeco tune of all time, "I Love Louisiana" to the unbelieveable blues instrumental, "Don't Leave Me", this disc shines brighter than any previous release from the zydeco sweetheart. When you see this CD in your favorite music store, do yourself a huge favor and "Pick It Up!" |
||
 |
Chris Aroin & Nu Step - "Sweat" Rating: 10 Budweisers When I purchased this CD back in the Summer of 2005, I was anticipating the usual great pumping nouveau zydeco tunes I was accustomed to from Chris and his band. What I didn't expect was the fact that this disc is still in the changer. This release is/was my favorite zydeco release of 2005. It's an amazing effort form a guy who has been performing since he was a kid and is taking zydeco into the future with influences of both old-school and new-school sounds, pop, R&B, Latin, and reggae. Most notable on this release is Chris' mature vocals and songwriting skills. He's come a long way since his first club gig, and this CD gets my seal of approval as one of the best zydeco CDs ever recorded. |
||
 |
Jeremy & The Zydeco Hot Boyz - "Gotta Find My Woman" Rating: 6 Budweisers "Gotta Find My Woman" is the third release I own from Jeremy Frugé and by far, his best effort yet. There's no doubt that Jeremy is here to stay and keeps improving with every release. He certainly is a monster accordionist, and writes songs appealing to the younger generation, which is no surprise since Jeremy is afterall, a teenager. While there are a few vocal rough spots on this disc, his vocals improve exponentially with every release. I'd keep an eye on this guy as he is positioned to take over the zydeco charts with the momentum he is gaining. |
 |
Same Ol' 2-Step - "Something For The Young And Old" Rating: 8 Budweisers Now here's a new band headed up by a group of talent out of Lawtell, LA. At first, I thought this disc was going to be a zydeco version of the Black-Eyed Peas, but that was just the first track. It moves on into an almost throw-back of the budding days of "zydeco nouveau", capturing the essence of only a couple of bands possessed as I recall such as, Zydeco Force and John T. & A Force Of Energy. This disc has been in high rotation since I bought it the week it premiered in the Fall of 2005. If you're looking for the "real zydeco stuff", you need to look no further. Same Ol' 2-Step keeps it real with a dash of freshness to make it last. This is a band to keep an eye out for when you're down on the zydeco road. |
 |
Chris Miller & Bayou Roots - "Bayou Roots" Rating: 10 ice-cold Budweisers Now here's a guy, a band and a CD I am glad to know about. I picked up Chris' CD in January of 2006 and have listened to it everyday since. I am impressed with not only this native from Lake Charles' song writing and execution, but the scope of music he and the band offers up. I am particularly enthused by |
 |
Curley Taylor - "Free Your Mind" Rating: 8 Budweisers Since his debut CD, "Country Boy," from last year, Curley is by far, the freshest Zydeco act to emerge since Beau Jocque. You won't find the usual Zydeco hollers and one-liners from Curley; but what you will find is that he's a storyteller with R&B and urban coolness in his pocket. The tunes have a contemporary R&B smoothness contrasted with a bluesy edginess that anyone from the country or the big city can appreciate. It's hard to categorize this "brand" of "zydeco." It's somewhere, but vaguely in the acres of Buckwheat, but updated and radio-friendly enough to be almost unaware there's "one of those accordions" in the mix. It's nice to hear a band do something completely off the map, yet still be close enough to call Louisiana home. |
||
 |
Nooney & The Zydeco Floaters - "Bounce Back" Rating: 9 Budweisers H-Town (Houston, TX) bounces back once again with this latest release from Nooney and Zydeco Floaters. This release from Nooney is by far, my favorite of the four releases that I have from him. While the vocals are a bit edgy, they unite so well with the smart rhythms that the results are down-right hip-hop in flavor. If you a looking for that next CD to unleash at a house party or just one to turn some heads with the windows rolled down, "Bounce Back" is my choice for delivering one helluva zydeco boxing match to your ears. Your feet will thank you! |
||
 |
Rating: 10 Budweisers While this disc isn't Cajun or zydeco, it is a fabulous release in the genre of Louisiana music. Perhaps the thing about it that makes it not only a great release is the fact that it is a benefit disc for the New Orleans musicians that evacuated from the devastation of Hurrican Katrina. This disc is the result of big-hearted Texans opening their door to these fine New Orleans musicians, which comprise half of the artists on this disc. Everything on this CD was donated; from the studio time to the publishing, to the graphics. Many of these tunes were written after Katrina, reflecting different stages of emotion relating to the storm. All proceeds are donated to the Tipitina's Foundation to help Gulf Coast musicians rebuild their lives. This is truly a heartfelt gift from the Lone Star musicians and music business professionals to the Gulf Coast victims of the catastrophe. I thank my good friend, Dennis Cavalier, who is a Dallas area New Orleans' transplant musician for binging this release to my attention and who performs on two of the 16 tracks on this incredible disc. For more info on the purchase of this disc, see: http://www. rabadash.com
|
||
Caribbean |
|||
 |
Apache Indian - "Time For A Change" Rating: 7 Red Stripes Birmingham, England native, Apache Indian, has been pioneering musical trails where no other reggae artists have traveled. Apache is a trend-setter with his fusion of reggae, raggamuffin, hip-hop and bhangra that creates a new market for the music world to explore. His latest release, "Time For A Change" reflects the influence of styles like Bhangra and Bollywood film music, but it is the riddims of reggae and dancehall that makes this release a winner. Reggae Legend Desmond Dekker teams up with Apache on this release to remake the former Billboard No 1 classic, 'The Israelites'. With this duos combination, this is a club and radio record that will get people into a dance mood. This collaboration is a real "stand-out" on the new album, which also features collaborations with Pras (Fugees), and modern roots-reggae legend, Luciano.
|
||
 |
Assassin - "Infiltration" Over the past three years, Jeffrey Campbell (a.k.a. Assassin) has become one of the hottest dancehall artists in Jamaica. Finally, on the first album from this rising star on Penthouse Records, Assassin is taking Jamaica by storm, Assassin delivers his witty, common sense lyrics on all of the major riddims, earning him fans among sound system and radio DJs. His lyrical flow is featured here on a variety of riddims featured producers include Christopher Birch, Steely & Clevie, Jah Snowcone and Renaissance Crew among others. His extensive tour experience as a featured act with Buju Banton. This CD is a great additiion to any dancehall maven's collection. Key tracks include “Idiot Thing”, “Respect Due”, “In Da Club” and “Let Me Know”. |
||
 |
Edwin Yearwood - "Next To You" When you think of Crop Over in Barbados, your mind should immediately think of Edwin Yearwood. His talent and commitment to the art form transcends many soca artists today as he continues to be a major influence on younger bands. He has composed songs for Arrow, Atlantik, and Coalishun. This new solo album by Edwin Yearwood, "Next To You" is his second solo album besides numerous releases with his band Krosfyah. Don’t expect jump-up tunes... this is the first “Popso” artist album. Most of the tunes are slow and mid-tempo. Also included on this disc are features with Jamaican artists like Cecile, Lady Saw, Lexxus and Mr Mojo (Morgan Heritage). Edwin has now reached a new plateau by being signed with VP Records on a six album deal. He hopes to bring his band Krosfyah along on the ride and make as big a splash as his counterparts Rupee and Kevin Lyttle.
|
||