CD REVIEW
By CLINTON LINDSAY
TITLE: The Focus Riddim
ARTIST: Various Artists
LABEL: Raw Moon/Top Tier
One of the hottest new riddims making the rounds right now, comes in the form of the Focus riddim.
According to artist and co-producer Anthony Thomas aka Fragga Ranks “your focus depends on your faith and what it has in store for you, so always internalize positivity and you will be what you want to be.” And with this in mind, a closer and a more serious look, are taken in the review of this dancehall compilation. Focus features a satisfying balance of new and established artists, both showcasing a collective message and conscious views on the human condition.
New artists like Lori Lava & Ras Faracon deliver a moving duet on the track “Pain Cry”, while Shanti Reb-Lah does well for himself on “Be Not Afraid”, Rhonda Schuster appears to have a future, check her out on her own composition “It Don’t Really Matter.” This is just for starters, because the big supes are not taking a back seat. The veteran Freddie McGregor, is in fine style with “Struggle,” Anthony Cruz offers “A Wha Dis”, Lutan Fyah with “Bugga Yaga” and one of my favorite New York-based artists – Bigga Haitian, is burning up the riddim with “Love Life.” Even though he might be new to most folks in these parts, Fragga Ranks has had several major hits in Europe – especially England. On Focus, has the title song – which opens the compilation. Other outstanding tracks come from Cherry Rock with “Realms Of Life”, Leopard on “Trodding”, Jah Mason with “Life Has Been Good” and “Heavy Load” by Tom Laing.
Focus offers a refreshing approach to the one-drop riddim, now becoming more and more popular in dancehall circle. Producer John “ESQ” Hewitt, has really put some thought into his selections of artists to be recorded on the riddim. Not listed are the musicians that played on the track. However, it is obvious they know something about laying down a catchy mid-tempo, horn-laden, jamming bass line riddim, that will no doubt be copied in the years to come. The bottom line is, Focus is a very good album to have in your collection. Focus is highly recommended!
Greetings Clinton,
This is Marc from Walkup Records – Bigga Haitian’s label and production crew. My co-producer Brett Smith and I just came across your great review of the Focus Riddim review. I’ll send it to Bigga too, and he’ll be happy to see it. Thanks for the great words about Bigga and the other talented artists. I’d love to know what you think of the new Bigga album we produced, Sak Pase. If you have a chance to reply with your email address, I can I attach the artwork and a “one-sheet” with album description, quotes, etc. In the meantime, credits are below, and here is a link to download the music: http://www.sendspace.com/file/mhp2tp
Thanks for checking it out. Let me know if you have any trouble downloading, and looking forward to your feedback. Regards from Bigga, Brett, and the Walkup crew.
Peace,
Marc
—–
Marc Lawrence
Co-Founder/Producer
Walkup Records
http://www.walkuprecords.com
Bigga Haitian – Sak Pasé (credits)
1. I Am A Haitian
Music: Brett Smith and Marc Lawrence
Lyrics: Charles Dorismond
Vocals: Bigga Haitian
Guitar, Dulcimer: Bradley Fish
Trumpet: Brett Smith
Background Vocals: Yvad
Additional Background Vocals: Brett Smith, Marc Lawrence
2. My Doorbell (feat. Craig Dreyer)
Music and Lyrics: Jack White
Vocals: Bigga Haitian
Guitar: Donovan McKitty
Bass: Clinton “Bubbles” Rowe
Drums: David “Robbie” Hewitt
Keyboards: Peter Tomlinson
Trumpet: Kevin Batchelor
Tenor Sax: Cedric Brooks
Trombone: Clark Gayton
Tenor Sax solo: Craig Dreyer
Background Vocals: Makeda
3. Empress
Music: Brett Smith and Marc Lawrence
Lyrics: Charles Dorismond
Vocals: Bigga Haitian
Guitar: Donovan McKitty
Bass: Clinton “Bubbles” Rowe
Drums: David “Robbie” Hewitt
Keyboards: Peter Tomlinson
Trumpet: Kevin Batchelor
Tenor Sax: Cedric Brooks
Trombone: Clark Gayton
Background Vocals: Makeda
4. London Massive (feat. Yvad)
Music and Lyrics: Kevin Davy, Charles Dorismond
Vocals: Bigga Haitian, Yvad
Guitar: Donovan McKitty
Bass: Clinton “Bubbles” Rowe
Keyboards, Programming: Yvad
Background Vocals: Charmaine
5. Gi Me Da Weed
Music: Kevin Davy, Charles Dorismond
Lyrics: Charles Dorismond
Vocals: Bigga Haitian
Guitar: Donovan McKitty
Keyboards, Programming: Yvad
Background Vocals: Annette Cortes, Anastasia Rene
6. Load the Chalice (feat. Mecca aka Grimo, Bam & Jimmy Two)
Music: Jimmy Two
Lyrics: Charles Dorismond, Bam, Mecca aka Grimo, Jimmy Two
Vocals: Bigga Haitian, Bam, Mecca aka Grimo
Contains a sample from “Ke’M Pa Sote” by Boukman Eksperyans
7. Haiti A Weh Mi From
Music and Lyrics: Charles Dorismond
Vocals: Bigga Haitian
(Originally released: 1983, Digitally remastered: 2008)
8. My Doorbell (Mike “Angel” McLaughlin guitar mix)
Music and Lyrics: Jack White
Vocals: Bigga Haitian
Guitar: Donovan McKitty
Guitar Solo: Mike “Angel” McLaughlin
Bass: Clinton “Bubbles” Rowe
Drums: David “Robbie” Hewitt
Keyboards: Peter Tomlinson
Trumpet: Kevin Batchelor
Tenor Sax: Cedric Brooks
Trombone: Clark Gayton
Background Vocals: Makeda
Track # 1, 2, 3, 8 Produced by Brett Smith and Marc Lawrence
Track # 4 Produced by Yvad
Track # 5 Produced by Brett Smith, Marc Lawrence, and Yvad
Track # 6 Produced by Brett Smith, Marc Lawrence, and Jimmy Two
Track # 7 Produced by Winston Jones, Remastered by Brett Smith and Marc Lawrence
All Tracks Recorded at Walkup Studios, New York, NY and Ruff Stuff Studios, Brooklyn, NY (except # 7)
Engineers: Brett Smith, Marc Lawrence, and Sterling
Mixed and Mastered by Brett Smith and Marc Lawrence at Walkup Studios
All sound recordings © 2009 Walkup Records, LLC
All songs © Walkup Music, except “My Doorbell” © 2005 Peppermint Stripe Music
Original recording of “Haiti a Weh Mi From” © 1989 Flames Records
Sample from “Ke’M Pa Sote” © 1991 Mango Records
Mecca aka Grimo appears courtesy of Sak Pase Records
Yvad appears courtesy of NuBeat Records
Art Direction & Design by Joshua Marc Levy
Photography by Amy Kalyn Sims