Juno Recommends Dancehall / Ragga: April 2023

Review: Pampidoo's dancehall classic 'Synthesizer Voice' is a first release in 2023 for the returning Rhythm Discs, and what a tune it is. It has been specially remastered for this occasion but has lost none of the realness and rawness. It has a guttural and gravelly vocal that is full of sleaze over steel-plated drums and clean digital chords. On the flip, Dutchman and famously prolific producer Legowelt remixes. His slowed-down version is heavier on the dub and melon-twisted FX so is perfect for heavy smoker sessions. A great reissue that will shift fast so make sure you're faster.

Review: British producer Burland and Ghanaian vocalist Zongo Abongo join forces here for UK to GH, a new collaboration that collides the respective backgrounds of each artist. Reggae, highlife, dancehall, UK bass and rave all meet in a world of fresh rhythm and melodic invention. 'Telephone No Wire' opens with a feel-good highlife sound on a 2-step beat with vocalist Adotey Johnson in fine form. 'Nyura' heads to the club with weighty bottom ends and enchanting melodies then things get darker on the flip with 'Try To Test' exploring another take on 2-step with hints of UKG and grime overlaid with catchy vocal hooks. 'Last Chance' pairs dancehall vocals with downtempo breaks for a superb conclusion.

Review: Rider Shafique, Nadia Latoya (MELONYX), Charlie P and K.O.G ankle feature on this new and hard hitting project by Nottingham's producer, engineer and songwriting talent Origin One. Step In Time is an album that documents the struggles and experiences of the artist's finds and peers as Covid-19 unfolded and lockdown hit. It was funded by Help Musicians UK who set out to help artists impacted by the pandemic and now comes on limited edition vinyl and maps out the evolution of reggae across the decades with vocal stylings and instrumentals from Origin One at the heart of it all. Crucial stuff from what were still weird times.