Forward After All: 'Wake the town' mix CD preview

Oct 6, 2008

'Wake the town' mix CD preview

This is a new jaunt I'm real excited about. This surprisingly will be my first strictly reggae mix CD (aside from my reggae remix and mashup mixes). "Wake The Town and Tell the People" is a mix CD concept I've been marinating on since June, and it's looking pretty sharp. Unfortunately I'm still in transition at the moment, and won't have my studio set up here in the bay for a few more months...The mix will feature a slew of tracks that all reach out to the people, reporting on various conditions in JA, and the always present opportunities for us all to rise up as one and bun down bridges. Considering how quickly the reggae industry moves, many of these tracks will appear dated, but they either hold a fondness in my crate, have classic strength, or were simply big chunes of 2007/2008. Once it drops I'm sure some brand new tunes will find their way onto the list, as well as a handful of bruising exclusives from my bredren Jah Dan Blakkamoore (see 'the swarm' post below) from Brooklyn (also frontman for Noble Society). you can always expect some original production from yours truly, and a few remixes and blends to boot. I may post up a partial tracklist as the mix nears completion. The most recent dubs recorded with Jah Dan at my home in MA were the title track "Tell the People" (over a flipped-up dipset anthem) and his single off the Kingdom riddim (being played by Bobby Konders on Hot 97, and featuring tracks from Collie Buddz, Burro Banton, Chezidek and more) called "Mountains to Climb." The Kingdom was produced by the always impressing Nick Fantastic, who also produced 2005's HUGE culture riddim "Hard Times", and contributed strongly on Chezidek's album "Inna Di Road." He was poorly credited for hard times but truss me Nick, we see you, full-time. Both Jah Dan tracks are smoke and lava, emanating his off-the top style and undeniable energy. I can't stress this artist enough, he truly gives new meaning to the term 'well versatile.' He consistently reaches above and beyond most deejays and singers combined, throwing everything into the pot with effortless charisma and unique flair. He's on some badman lover, heal the world but don't diss we shit..and I sweat it hard. Anyone remember "Soundbwoy Buriell" by Smif N Wessun ??? Betta act like you know, Jah D's first big tune, still gettin licensed overseas...chaa. Go to about 4:00 in...murderation, straight. "Tell dem fi come if a trouble dem want, oh we a go lik dem with di finesse and charm!" BOOOM!!! 1995 Bucktown shit. So, look out for the new mix, I'll give a release date once I find a home for the lab and get crackin'.

here's a taste:

Here are some pics with Jah Dan from his recent trip to MA to rock it with myself and my bredren DJ Gravy (also manager for Jah D & Noble Society). Also, I forgot to mention that the pic at the top of this post was taken along the banks of the Black River in Westmoreland, Jamaica in 2005, the dread to my right was the soundsystem operator. Large up my brother Adam for the shot. (click photo to enlarge)

summertime strength!