CD Review

"Roots Tonic Riddim"

Various Artists

[Hi-Score Music]

Review by Marlon Regis

Hi-Score Music’s “Leader” riddim was released at the top of 2004, and now at the top of 2005, the label releases the “Roots Tonic” riddim, produced by Chilly & Prince B of Sweden via the excellent musicianship of the Firehouse Crew. With organic-horns resonating in your ears at all the right places, the faster-paced conscious and roots rocking, vibrant bass line wavers in a sort of untraceable pattern. That doesn’t stop Junior Kelly from trapping it on “Rasta Should be Deeper,” the song that leads off the pack of handpicked Rasta righteous dancehall deejays and singers. Kelly is not messing around, even burning fellow-Rasta imposters by pulling up their socks when they fake and front on a genuine Rastafarian lifestyle. Luciano’s wine-tasty tones are of the highest quality on “Ancient Memories,” demonstrating that he’s aged with the most sophisticated cure. When the faster, more energetic Jah Mason strikes the mic like a match with his tongue on “Mi Chalwa,” it’s only smoke and Satan’s blood that’s left behind, while newcomer Zahair on “From the Realms” studies the ingredients of this “Roots Tonic” riddim like a Jewish Rabbi, then adds his perfect potion in an aromatic chorus-hook. This is raw talent exposed, just waiting to be discovered.

Further below in the thickness of this “Roots Tonic” riddim, we find the secret ingredients, belonging to Queen Ifrica who on her “Wipe the Tears,” she is the only one who uses the riddim not only to drink, but to surely heal and then steal the prize from others such as Anthony B, Tony Rebel, Utan Green and Military Man who all give nice sips by knocking their glasses in the name of Jah.