Rewind & Review

By Stan Evan Smith

Title: Big Heist RiDDim,

Artist: Various Artists

Label: A-Town Records

Producer: GAFN

By Stan Evan Smith

Title: Big Heist RiDDim,

Artist: Various Artists

Label: A-Town Records

Producer: GAFN

Despite the success of cross-over hits like Wayne Wonder’s “No letting Go” or Sean Paul’s ‘Pressure”, Rhythm driven CD is producer centered instead of artist driven. I have never been a fan of the rhythm driven CD concept with several artists on the same track. Today, no artist in dance-hall can be a hit without feeding at the trough of the rhythm-driven wunderkind producers Steven McGregor, Snow cone, or Don Coreleone. This concept is here to stay for now. For the most part these ‘riddims’ have successfully propelled a new crop of ghetto posturing gangster artists like Vybz Kartel, Movado, Adonia to the fore.

Now along comes Natty Garfield from August Town, Sizzla’s home town, with Big Heist Riddim. Don’t be fooled by the name Big Heist, while the CD contains a parental advisory sticker, the lyrics are mostly clean and conscious. With a whole lot of unknown or new artists. Garfield A-Town Records have delivered a message driven CD that is worth lending an ear to. With tracks like One man fi One gal by K Isis, cautioning against risky sexual behavior, No escape by Shade and Spread love by Karliowli, this Cd is unusual, Big Heist Riddim is chock full of positive messages – a fresh riddim.

My Picks tracks 1. 2, 4, 5, 1