Customer Reviews

Riddim Driven: Dreaming

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There are several ways for a new producer in dancehall to 'bust' these days. Although, now, with seemingly and endless line of those trying to enter the field, the room at the absolute top of the line seems to shrink by the month. Probably the hardest of these methods is to have a big hit riddim and a rapid solid followup. This method is usually more common amongst new labels started by industry veterans who are just breaking out on their own (i.e. Lenky). Another popular method is to actually pay other people make all your riddims, which sounds far much worse than it is and is a common accepted practice, foreigners visiting JA have been fond of this method such as Frenchie from Maximum Sounds and Brotherman from Minor7Flat5, but even several local producers such as DJ Sunshine and Delly Ranks also use it. One of the most popular methods (as it has been throughout Dancehall's ever expanding history is for a young producer (and thus vice-versa) to attach themselves to an up and coming (more than usually, sometimes the artist is established however) artist and make his/her name that way.

Dancehall ace producer Vendetta approached the game that way, with of course his charge coming in the form of a rather odd looking lyrical demon, Vybz Kartel, and is seemingly taken by the architect behind the endlessly lovely Dreaming riddim, Craig 'Daseca' Marsh. Having previously cut his teeth working with other producers (including Vendetta) Daseca has headed out with his crew to establish his own highly successful outfit, Daseca Productions. Having already dropped the scathingly wicked Anger Management (and the slight relick, the Angrier) riddim, his label has started out on a solid solid note. The artist Daseca has attached himself to comes in the form of (the equally odd looking, and oddly enough current rival with Vybz Kartel, although Daseca continues to voice Kartel) wicked dancehall newcomer singer Mavado. Having produced the artist's two biggest hits to date, both the combination with Busy Signal (another Daseca crew favorite) Badman Place and, of course, Real McKoy.

Daseca's second full effort (not including the earlier Safe Sex riddim) is the lovely Dreaming riddim, which was, rather unsurprisingly picked up by VP for their nice Riddim Driven series. The Dreaming, which doesn't change during the course of its 12 track album, is a very very different sounding riddim, it almost reminds me of a souped up and up tempo version of Vendetta's Seasons riddim (that's just me though, I've found NO ONE who agrees with me on that to date). It adds a very very fine usage of horns throughout the riddim, even without the horns, the bare riddim is medium paced had hitting beat. Far different from the all out, hard driven Anger Management; the crazy stringy bounce that was the Safe Sex; and perhaps even furthest from Daseca's latest offering, the high-tech r&b-like riddim, the Dying.

And that's what I like most about the riddim, it has a mind of its own.

Having shown a very good penchant for choosing artists for a particular riddim (although almost obviously playing it safe here, save for a couple exceptions), the same goes for the Dreaming, although it appears to be a pretty difficult riddim to ride, none of the eleven vocal acts have a bit of a problem melding to the riddim. Another plus for the riddim is that it makes itself accessible to such a varying style and degree of artists, thus, nearly every style of dancehall as well as stage in a certain artist's career, is covered, just within the 12 tracks. I first recall hearing this riddim (and obviously not giving it it's proper respect) on Buju's Better Days Coming, from his most recent album, Too Bad. And it was so different that I believe I gave it a credit as being one of the more cultural tunes on the album, and although it may have been for Too Bad (on which Buju's eye was clearly pointed towards somewhere other than the pulpit), the riddim is so different that just listening to cursorily may have given me that impression, but its more than just that.

Oddly enough, the finest effort on the Dreaming was released as the other side to Bounty Killer's decent, The Highest, (still looking for another BIG herbalist anthem from the Killa since his last wicked High Grade Forever) as a single, locally. The angelic Alaine drops one of the biggest pieces of her career to date, with the lovely lovely Lover's Prayer. A few listens through the song and the style of track for which the Dreaming was constructed becomes painfully obvious, it doesn't get much better, anywhere, than Lover's Prayer. Next is probably the second strongest track here (although the gap between the best and second best is kilometers larger than the gap between the second and third), Daseca posterboy Mavado tunes in with his excellent title track, Dreaming. The song is almost similar to Alaine's in that both speak about a internal conflict with an external object (another person) and he does another outstanding job over another outstanding Daseca riddim.

Assassin continues the virtual murderer's row of strong tracks opening the Dreaming riddim album asnd he continues to impress as his trips to the studio continue to decrease as his trips on tour continue to increase. His Gunshot a Beat continues the vibes of recent nice drops like the MASSIVE Gully Sitt'n as his STILL ever improving flow is showcased on a grand scale! Defniitely check Gunshot a Beat. Assassin's 'partner in crime' Vybz Kartel who both came up in the business together shows his martian flow off yet again with his somewhat unusual When Last Unnu Pray. When you stop and actually listen to what Kartel is saying, it almost seems overdone, but of course, compensating for that is that the man has a wicked ability through the pen.

Who many are touting as Kartel, new and improved (he is NEW at least and still ULTRA talented) Busy Signal checks in on the absolute best flow on the riddim. His Man a Thug, although not so strong by the time the hook comes around leaves absolutely nothing to be desired in the verses and he shows what the Dreaming is capable off when just completely being attacked and bombarded by lyrics. And as much as it pains me to do so, I have to give the king of dancehall mediocrity Bling Dawg, credit with at least a nice start on his Beat it Pon Dem, although he reverts back to his typically OKAY form, shortly thereafter.

Lastly have to mention two up and comers who do a fine job on the Dreming. Buju's fire and brimstone voiced protege' New Kidz chimes in on his excellent Badness Nuh Light as he continues his fine awakening as definitely his track is amongst the strongest on the Dreaming altogether. New Kidz may be outshined, however, by former ARP singer Mitch on his outstanding Quiet Hero. The singer, also a Buju artist now, has a vocal range very similar to Akon, but he stands on his own on Quiet Hero and milks the Dreaming for everything he can get, with what is again, one of the strongest tracks on the riddim altogether and definitely looking foward to more from both Mitch and New Kidz (and we're STILL waiting on that New Kidz-Assassin combination!).

Overall, definitely recommending the Dreaming and even labelling it as the early favorite for 2007's riddim album of the year. The riddim has the very necessary ability to make all who voice on it sound very good all the while not coming off as showtime at the nursery school type of vibes. The album also ends on a clean version of the riddim, which is always appreciated and Daseca goes to nearly every avenue to ensure its quality. Very strong riddim, very strong performances= very very big release.