Various – Black Roses Riddim EP

The Bay Area / Miami / Oregon reggae label Chalice Row Records has teamed up with Giddimani Records to bring the massive a tribute to Dennis Brown with their brand new selection on the Black Roses Riddim. Produced by Dr. Edward Love, this relick of the Revolution riddim comes with cuts from artists top-a-top Jamaican artists like Luciano, Anthony B, Mykal Rose, Perfect Giddimani, and American reggae and dancehall artist Young Shanty (formerly known as Ras Iyahson).

It’s Luciano aka The Messenjah who gets the ball rolling with his cover version of Dennis Brown’s 1982 released If This World Were Mine. This 1967 song by soul music duo Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell has been reworked by Jamaican artists like Tyrone Evans, Junior Delgado, Errol Dunkley, and, of course, Dennis Brown. Luciano’s version honours the Crown Prince of Reggae in a great way. Perfect Giddimani delivers his message tune called Venus in his by now well-known fiery vocal style. A tune well worth hearing. Young Shanty, who compared with Perfect Giddimani utilizes a totally different style, makes a good impression with the solid Zion. Next comes Anthony B’s Mr. Loud, which turns out to be a really nice ganja song. The EP is gorgeously rounded off with Cool It Down by esteemed veteran Mykal Rose.

In all, an enjoyable bunch of tunes across a very infectious and intoxicating relicked classic riddim.