Konshens – Don Dadda
Bringing back the bounce of the 90s is a surefire way to heat up a dance, with Konshens paying homage to one of dancehall’s greatest. Aping Super Cat in fine fashion, Don Dadda demonstrates that there’s substance to Heatwave soundcrew’s recent declaration that Konshens just might be the No 1 post-Vybz Kartel artist in dancehall.
Beenie Man – Tun Up!
King Beenie seems to be able to consistently reinvent himself, and Tun Up! is no exception. Alongside Green Lion Crew, who hail from the often-chilly east coast of the US, this track heralds the start of summer in a big way. The huge, housey base demands to be heard on an even bigger soundsystem – preferably out of doors.
Gyptian – Stunta
Though it seems like yesterday, it was four years ago that Gyptian’s Hold Yuh was arguably the song of the summer. This year’s Stunta is produced by Ricky Blaze, whose pleasant, piano-heavy production was a big part of what drove Hold Yuh into and up the charts. Stunta is a smooth track with a melody that floats over the infectious Uptown Julie riddim — there’s also a tune on the riddim fittingly called Endless Summer, courtesy of Trinidad’s soca specialists Kes the Band.
Alkaline – Holiday Again
Since arriving on the scene a couple years ago, Alkaline has been known for shocking behaviour (tattooing eyeballs anyone?) and some pretty unsavoury lyrics. With Holiday Again, however, he seems to have produced a pretty pleasant anthem to partying in the summertime — and the riddim has legs.
Popcaan – Waiting So Long
Andreas Nilson, otherwise known as Adde Instrumentals, is a Swedish producer with a spectacular record of making melodic dancehall that’s always heaps of fun —and tends to do particularly well in the summer months. His Summer Time riddim was the perfect partner to Popcaan’s celebratory hit Ravin (not to mention Vybz Kartel’s ridiculously fun Summertime). Waiting So Long, from Popcaan’s just-released Where We Come From, is a relaxed ode to a girl over a head nod-worthy riddim complete with bits and pieces of harp and strings. Perfect picnic listening.
