Riddim Driven: Jam Down

Various Artists | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: July 10, 2007
• Label: VP Music Group, Inc.
• Copyright: 2007 Vp Music Group, Inc.
• Genres: International/Caribbean & Cuba, International/Reggae
• ASIN: B000X6XE1I
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

Customer Reviews

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of 2007's Best. . ., July 14, 2008

By 

Achis (Kingston, JA/Philipsburg, SxM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Riddim Driven: Jam Down (MP3 Download)

There was a time in reggae music in the not too distant past when we saw SO MANY crews and labels aligning themselves with each other and forming to create what amounted to basically power-stations in the music. These crews were full of members (sometime a revolving door of members) who sometimes performed together, but literally and directly made their names as solo artists before even coming together as a unit. In these days it seems as if the phenomenon is coming back. The group which is really prevalent and popular is, of course, Bounty Killer's Alliance. Bounty is no stranger to forming crews as he was the dominant force in setting the now infamous Scare Dem, and now he has the equally infamous Alliance. The Alliance is (just as Scare Dem was) exclusively dancehall and features a NEVER-ENDING revolving door of members, the roster of which seems contingent upon with whom and not with whom is Bounty Killer arguing with at the specific moment. The group is currently said to be in the preparation stages for delivering its debut album as a unit for VP Records and it is definitely WELL anticipated. To my knowledge, the current roster of The Alliance stands as the basic members being Bounty Killer, Busy Signal, Mavado, Elephant Man, Wayne Marshall and Bling Dog; with lesser known lights such as singer Marlon Binns (who is also himself said to have struck a deal with VP for his own debut) and potentially WICKED up and coming DJ's Einstein and Flexx also filling the ranks of the camp. The Alliance originally included superstar Vybz Kartel and former Bounty protégé turned Kartel protégé Aidonia as well but well publicized rift between the duo and Bounty ended that agreement. For his part, Kartel has began his own groups of artists known as the Portmore Empire from artists from his own community (that camp also includes Aidonia as an unofficial member) which includes artists such as Deva Bratt, Shawn Storm, the young Black Ryno and late singer Craig Dennis as well (Aidonia also has his up and coming JOP Crew alongside the Portmore Empire). There are even more still. Young super producer Stephen `di Genius' McGregor heads the Big Ship Camp which includes his older siblings Chino and Shema as well as a whole heap of younger artists highlighted by the INSANELY WICKED Bramma de Bomba; you also have reggae ace producer Don Corleone with his crew which features the supremely talented trio of `Gangsta Ras' Munga Honourable, dancehall angel Alaine and St. Thomas' finest, Pressure Busspipe. Need more? Capleton STILL heads David House which includes long time members Jah Thunder, Military Man and odd singer Moses I (as well as Munga Honourable); Sizzla Kalonji heads the up and coming Judgment Yard crew with such names as Joseph Shepard, Congo Judah and most recently Lady Junie. . . I could really go on and on (Ward 21's Camp with Mr. Peppa and Tifa) as it seems as if aligning yourself with a crew is just the way to go these days again.

Another crew definitely worth mentioning and one which is a bit more unusual yet well worthy of all attention they are getting these days (and it's A LOT) is the Danger Zone group which currently seems to have the midas touch in dancehall and reggae. Headed by one Delmar `Della' Drummond, the group has actually been around for quite awhile, previously having acted as local promoters and sound systems even (I THINK, they would have been the same ones and if it was they`re still going) in reggae music. The group is highlighted by the inclusion of foundation artists such as longtime veteran dancehall standout Jigsy King, dancehall diva supreme Bad Gyal Ce'cile and SHOCKINGLY Jah Cure. When the Cure was released from his prison last year, he made it crystal clear with whom he would be aligning himself with as he signed a promotional and recording contract with Danger Zone furthering bolstering the camp and making Della and associates the winner of the most valuable reggae free agent at the time. Danger Zone has also continued its production matters as well (THANKFULLY) which they have been doing now almost a half-decade and now bring forth their second go at VP's ultra popular Riddim Driven series with the WICKED JamDown riddim. The JamDown follows what is quiet possibly my LEAST favourite riddim of ALLTIME, the Wipe Out riddim which shot in 2006. The Jamdown, produced by Della Drummond, Jigsy King and Ce'cile (who previously served as co-producer with Scatta for the short lived Ce-Co Productions (small world: Scatta also produced the Fungus riddim for Danger Zone, who remembers the Fungus riddim!). Where the Wipeout was downright corny and off and bad and whatever else you want to call it (although wildly and ridiculously popular) the JamDown is just BEAUTIFUL! The riddim is one which rather easily accessible to roots and lover's rock artists as it blends a rather serene baseline with a downright addictive flute (which doesn't become overbearing, instead it just easily compliments the vibes) and other simple changes. The result of which was not only one of my own personal favourite riddims of 2007, but it was produced into one of the strongest riddim albums of the year as well. The artist selection on such a riddim is generally pretty easy (as long as you aren't looking for any Alliance or Portmore Empire types, you probably have a good idea where to go with it) as Drummond chose some of the finest of established roots talents to compliment his own artists. The riddim covered all of the basic steps for a big riddim: It had a wide variety of different artists singing an equally wide variety of different vibes; it had BIG name artists, some of the finest available in reggae; and of course it produced (and continues to do so) a couple of hit tunes. Altogether, combined with the aforementioned SWEET SWEET vibes of the riddim itself made (and continues to make) the Jam Down a bonafide winner and must hear.

Having dealt with the business of the popular Wipeout riddim, it was no surprise to see VP jump back on board for the Jam Down release as well. The album is highlighted by the two biggest shots of the Danger Zone crew; one of which scores a MASTER CLASS of a single tune, while the other chimes in with a LOVELY piece and threatens to steal the show altogether (not to mention a more than solid supporting class of very familiar names). Getting things started on Riddim Driven: Jam Down is a string of three VERY solid tunes. The first of which is actually FAR more than just solid and is downright SPECTACULAR as Jah Cure checks in, unsurprisingly, with the riddim's finest effort altogether the MASSIVE bomb which was Sticky. Putting Jah Cure on a riddim threatens to virtually undermine the quality of the other material on the piece and just as he did on Corleone's Drop Leaf and Seasons riddims, the Cure once again steals the show. Sticky is a tune which has impressed me (and everyone else fortunate enough to hear it over the last year or so) from the very beginning. It was actually one of the last tunes Cure voiced while he was still incarcerated and it actually even made it to the Reggae Gold album in 2007. Sticky is a downright DIVINE spiritual track and one of the best of Cure's career telling everyone to keep focus on His Majesty even things may get a little `sticky' at times; one of the real highlights of Jah Cure's career (which is saying a lot) and THE tune to hear on the Jam Down riddim (and if you can definitely check the nice video for the tune). Holding the unenviable task of following Sticky is, luckily, more than one person as yet another crew, Morgan Heritage checks in with the very very nice herbalist track Plant Up the Herbs, shot which missed their current long player, Mission in Progress. Had Plant Up the Herbs been on the album, it would have been amongst the best efforts there, just as it is here as the Morgans hold a very nice and solid vibes on the Jam Down, a riddim which is really on their vibes. Topping (in my opinion) the Morgans, however, for the dominant herbalist anthem on the Jam Down is (ST. ANNZ own!) singer Chezidek, with the wonderful Herbalist. The chorus on Herbalist is downright addictive and later in the tune Chezidek ascends to the peak of the tune and begins to name drop some of his peers for what is easily the biggest stretch on an already BIG BIG tune to complete the Jam Down's Riddim Driven opening.

There are two TRULY big name reggae superstars who check in on the Jam Down riddim as both Capleton (unexpectedly) and Buju Banton take their turns on the piece. King Shango steps in with the anti-violence No Guns. Capleton urges all, especially the youths, to put down the gun and pick up righteousness in it's stead and in doing so he harkens back to a much more peaceful time of yesteryear. Buju comes in with the somewhat sappy but somewhat addictive Love Needs. The tune, probably more than any other on the riddim, is an example of one which I, initially, didn't like AT ALL, but grew on me to the point of actually liking it these days. Now, even in spite of those two big names and the very nice beginning on the riddim, including Jah Cure, without a doubt the MVP on the Jam Down riddim and is one of it's co-creators, Ce'cile who not only co-produced the track itself, but steps forth with one of the riddim's finest pieces altogether and sings back ground for some of the other tunes as well. The first of which, Waiting, is actually a relatively recent hit for the Manchester native. Waiting is a very nice tune which maintains the importance of not only women, but men as well, standing firm in relationships and `sticking by her man' when its worth doing. Definitely a very nice track and one which is a message which is not too popular in reggae these days and very original track as well (incidentally, she voiced another track for the riddim as well, the Jamaica-inspiring riddim title track which you have to... Read more ›