Today sees a brand new collaboration between Mixpak and NYC dancehall stalwart, Max Glazer, of Federation Sound. Max will be contributing regularly to the Mixpak blog and this month his offering is an introduction to what’s rocking their soundsystems at Federation right now. Take it away Max:
Collie Buddz – Too Watchy [Upsetta Records]
“Too watchy” is basically just a perfect one drop song. Collie Buddz has been consistently making great music since he debuted with “Come Around”. Sometimes people have been taking notice, sometimes they haven’t but he has kept the quality control that is mostly missing in dancehall. No matter how many I times I play this I am still not sick of hearing it… Pull up again!
To Isis – Come Here Girl (DJ Theory Remix) [Federation Sound]
When we started working on the Flatlands Remix Project I stepped to DJ Theory for a mix, not knowing exactly what to expect and he came back with the unexpected. Theory MURDERED the moombahton. This mix rips apart the original dancehall version and reconstructs it as a 110 bpm dance floor banger that is amongst the best of this new genre I’ve ever heard… and not just because Federation put it out. Check how he flips the original sounds from the riddim. Wicked.
Stylo G – Call Mi A Yardie (& Remix) [Warning Records]
From the first time I heard Stylo G’s “Call Mi A Yardie” I knew it was a hit. This is one of those rare songs that catches people instantly. Every time I’ve ever played it (club or radio) someone has asked what it was. I’m not usually a big fan of hip-hop crossed dancehall but “Call Mi A Yardie” nails it perfectly. Oh, almost forgot to mention… There’s a remix with Kardinal Offishall because “ya cyan say Yardie an yuh nuh call Kardi”…
Kardinal Offishall – Anywhere (Ol Time Killin’ Pt.2)
Hmmmm, Kardi + Sleng Teng? Niceness guaranteed. There is nothing I like more than when Toronto’s Kardinal Offishall goes back to his dancehall roots in a sound killing style. No one brings rap and reggae together like this guy.
Gappy Ranks – Ragga Ragga [Champion Squad]
When Gappy kicked in the door last year I wasn’t sure if it was just hype or if he would really be able to make a worldwide impact. Well… here we are and He’s just delivered an amazing ode to dancehall, it’s history, artists, sound systems, ladies, the UK, producers, etc. If there were a dancehall 101 course this would be required listening.
Masicka – No Big Deal [Equiknoxx]
Equiknoxx consistently makes some of the most creative and interesting music coming out of Jamaica. Along with upcoming lyrical terror Masicka and a classic Bounty Killer Sample, “No Big Deal” is a perfect fusion of modern urban dancehall – thoroughly new, with a nod to the foundation. Masicka promises to “run the streets ’til all the deaf know we song”.
Vybz Kartel – Tell You Say / Duppy Know [CR203]
ZJ Chrome’s V6 riddim only has 3 tunes, and 2 are from the Gaza General Vybz Kartel. Seems like a lot of people have missed this because of the abbreviated line up, but it’s a tough simple riddim and features two of the Teacha’s best songs in recent memory. “Tell You Say” is for the ladies. “Duppy Know” is for the rude boys. Both deserve your ears. These are going to last, and with the possibility of no new Kartel for a while, you will definitely need them in your stash.
Terro 3000 – Haters [Kritikal Production]
Sample a Ward 21 vocal and I’m pretty much always going to play your tune. Even better when you’re one of the most talented and innovative dancehall artists on the scene right now. I’m fully supporting everything this guys does (even more so since he voiced the first shot on our Flatlands riddim). Haters is great Ward 21 inspired dancehall.
Ward 21 – Cyaa Cry Cree [Wiletunes]
Speaking of Ward 21… Woah! I stumbled across this one on iTunes and was glad to drop my $1.98. These crazy dudes creatively “borrowed” Beenie Man’s “Girls I See” from Shocking Vibes’ Damsel Pandemonium riddim and turned up the badman-ness about 1000% for “Cyaa Cry Cree”. One of my favorite of many great tunes from some of the sickest minds in dancehall.
