Yard Rock Riddim {House Of Hits} 2012 RIDDIM UP'Z

Yard Rock Riddim {House Of Hits} 2012 RIDDIM UP'Z

Whoever declared that one-drop reggae was dead needs to think again, as the recently released Yard Rock riddim, a House of Hits project, shows that the genre is just ready to scale new heights.

Produced by the trio of Omar ‘I-mar’ Pickett, Elvis ‘Fleego’ Grant and Damian ‘Tef’ Forbes, this project has emerged as a contender for one of the top reggae riddims in the year 2012.

The riddim kicks off with the ice-cream smooth ‘Feels Good’, a duet performed by Prophesy and Stream. Prophesy is one of the most accomplished singers on the local reggae scene and he shows the full range of his amazing voice on this love ballad, Feels Good, where he combines with the super-talented Stream. The two have great chemistry and you can hear both artistes bleeding all over the track as they sing about the sweet caresses of romatic love. This single is the standout track on the riddim.

Nesbeth’s ‘Rasta Take Over’ is an excellent addition to Nesbeth’s great repertoire of songs where he sings a song about a Rastafarian winning the love of a girl with the chest-thumping boast . He sings: ah rasta tek over yu heart/used to act tough, but now mi get yu soft/used to serious, but mi mek yu laugh. Over the years, Nesbeth has evolved into a brilliant writer who paints great portraits with his words.

Blessed with one of the most resonant voices in the industry, Turbulence is in his element on ‘Your Love’ and his passion erupts all over the track as he sings about the love of his life.

Cen C Love has emerged as one of the fiercest young reggae voices in the Game today and she is on her game with the evocative ‘Battleship’ which draws metaphors between love and war. The red hot rookie, Droop Lion, has one of the most commanding voices and he uses his marvelous talent to great effect on ‘That’s How My Love Is’ . He recently signed a recording deal with House of Hits and here, he shows why is so highly regarded with a real monster of a song, one of the standout songs on the riddim.

Hezron is simply brilliant with ‘What’s the Plan’ and his vocal flourishes show that he is the true unrecognized genius in the world of roots-rock reggae. He makes a plaintive appeal to the government and the ‘bigger heads’: what’s the plan for the poor?, a question made all the more urgent given the crippling poverty the population is facing as it battles the twin tigers of rising unemployment and rampant inflation.

One  of the true heavyweights of modern reggae music, Lutan Fyah shows a softer side with the soothing ‘Baby Don’t Cry’, an appeal to a broken-hearted girl entangled in a bitter, unfulfilling relationship. Lutan Fyah’s words are nourishment for the soul.  Righteous announces his arrival on the scene with ‘Heaven’ but it is Lady G who shows great maturity and command of her voice as she croons ‘Baby I Love You’.

Lady G is one of the biggest female dancehall acts that Jamaica has ever produced but as the years have passed, she has mellowed and matured into a talented vocalist in her second act as a reggae artiste. Blessed with stunning good looks and an incredible figure, Lady G still radiates a voluptuous sex appeal that gives added meaning to the imagination of men as she promises her heart - and other delights - on ‘I Love You’.

There are useful songs such as Lymie Murray’s ‘Baby I Love You’ and Blaq Capone’s ‘Closer’ that round off this wonderfully produced riddim project. The singles were recently released on iTunes and a host of other download sites. Go get it, you won’t be disappointed. 

TRACKLISTING /

1. Kiprich - Pretty Pretty Gyal [3:34]

2. Teflon - The Life [3:23]

3. Bobby Hustle - Fact of Life [3:34]

4. Chronixx - I Am Chronixx [3:33]

5. Redd - I Gonna Be [3:34]

6. Gappy Ranks and Winky D - Kings of Africa [3:55]

7. Delly Ranx - New Gyal Everyday [3:49]

8. Slash - Real Gallis Anthem [3:35]

9. Fiyah Binghi - Defend the Youth Feat. Livalect [3:36]

10. Version - Yard Rock Riddim [3:34]