It’s all about the new “old” riddims at the moment. I.e. new reggae productions out of JA. Possibly highly conservative of me, but the bashment futureshock can’t feed you 24 hours a day.

Coupla things I picked up from Gladdy’s over the weekend:

Immigration riddim, all pre 7s on Al Ta Fa An
Nice and rootsy, but with a modern, heavyweight feel. Fits in well with the do-overs of “It’s Raining” (Brick Wall) and “Watch This Sound” (Digital B) from last year. Mmmm I can feel another mix coming on.

Luciano – You can have the world (excellent vocal on a non-bling tip)
Admiral Tibet – No Fear (I think a Studio One lyric? I keep meaning to do a “two Tibets clash: Admiral vs David” piece, just to see how many people get all the references.)
Anthony B and Tafari – Rise Up (Anthony B’s stuff is always worth checking if you fancy a more melodic Capleton or Sizzla. His cut on Diwali is way below par, however).

Ba Ba Boom riddm, 2 pre 7s on Jammys
Skanking 2003 style from the man King Jammy

Ward 21– Reggae Pledge (as with their Shank I Sheck do-over from a couple of years back called “Ganja Smoke”, Jammy proteges Ward 21 excel at this stuff and are occasionally way better than T.O.K. – the obvious rivals in the ragga vocal trios championships. The bass vocalist is pretty much subsonic at times, which we like (see also the Congos and the Temptations…)
Shocking Blue – Artist War (nice vocal about the various “beefs” between JA artists).

Obviously there are a load of cuts of each, including some dodgy ones I passed over (mainly cos of quality than content) and some that just weren’t available. Forget Grail quests, the hunt is always on for those elusive cuts that are there one day, gone the next…

I have to override the enormous urge not to mention this good stuff. It’s a load of elitist bollocks, but when you’re totally skint but have The Knowledge, part of you doesn’t want every other fucker going out and grabbing the tunes you so painstakingly selected from the avalanche of new releases.