Ragga Ragga Ragga!

In Notting Hill this time of the year, it's time for Carnival and it's almost assured that the soundtrack to that massive gathering will include several, if not all, of the tunes that appear on Ragga Ragga Ragga! 2012. This massive two disc set of raw dancehall might be British by nature but its sound is most definitely from the Caribbean. Absolutely awesome in every possible way, this is a tropical paradise set to rough beats and vocals that are designed to get people moving either in the streets or the club.

Ragga Ragga Ragga! 2012. features 20 of the latest dancehall tracks plus a DVD detailing the UK's hottest dancehall personalities. Listening to this is like listening and then watching a documentary to the bristling dancehall scene from London and beyond. It's truly amazing how this tropical sound has made itself at home in one of the world’s greatest cities. With ruff and ragged sounds, raw and raunchy beats, hooks that catch you off guard and dancehall vocals that are simply amazing Ragga Ragga Ragga! 2012 is absolutely essential listening.

There's just something about the vocal style of dancehall artists that have always appealed to me and there's so much here on this album and now with the aid of technology they all sound crisper, cooler, and even better. I think that's one reason why I've always gravitated more toward dancehall rather than reggae...it's just a more jagged, dubby, clubby sound. It's far more energetic and groove oriented that reggae and there's no doubt that Ragga Ragga Ragga! 2012 has no shortage of either.
If you like dancehall, love carnival, or are currently living in Notting Hill then Ragga Ragga Ragga! 2012 is an essential record. VP Records have done a fine job of putting this whole thing together and it's well over an hour and a half of entertainment, dancing, and beats that will keep you moving. This is the sound of summer without a doubt.

The Right Now Gets Over You

The Right Now apparently did not get the memo that it's 2012. Apparently, this Chicago septet is lost in the late 60’s and early 70’s and has the soulful, R&B classics to prove it. Their latest album Gets Over You is a classic soul album forty years too late...but that being said this is one excellent record. These guys have got it down and they're ridiculously good at embracing old Motown and Stax records and turning them into something so retro-cool that it nearly hurts.

Gets Over You is hard to get over because the record is so good and so cool that it's the sort of thing you want to listen to over and over again. The Right Now have clearly studied folks like Booker T and the MG's and mimicked their style musically. The band establishes grooves with ease, lets the Hammond do the talking, and gets lost in deep R&B grooves while vocalist Stefanie Berecz is like the best combination of The Staples Singers and Arehta I've ever heard. Smoky, sultry, and filled with soul Stefanie belts it out song after song. As a result of all this Gets Over You never ceases to amaze. Each listen reveals more coolness and enhances the experience this record offers. It's amazing stuff.

Gets Over You is the sort of record that comes along every once and a while and is triumphant the whole way through. There's not one song here that either shouldn't be released as a single or be listened to multiple times. If you love Northern Soul, the Motown Sound or anything of the like then you need to find Gets Over You like...um...Right Now.

When The Lights Go Out On Scarlet Soho

The first thing that I thought of when I heard Scarlet Soho's latest single When The Lights Go Out is just how much about the first minute sounds like Denice Williams' "Lets Hear It For The Boy." Wow...it's a crazy comparison I know...but musically it was 1984 all over again. After that blast from the past the single exploded into a New Order like synth frenzy. After catching my breath and catching back up to modern times, I realized that When The Lights Go Out is one heck of a single.

Taking synth pop back a couple of decades and getting all dark with it, Scarlet Soho manage to find the perfect balance between retro-cool, futurism, and camp. With pop hooks in hand (as I've mentioned) and a smoky, slightly gothy approach the whole thing comes off as some of the more intriguing Depcehe Mode moments put to record. From the depressing, "What You Need," to the jumpy, "Retail Therapy," and the remix of WTLGO by Tokytron this single has a bit of electronic darkness to suit every taste. A dance floor destroyer waiting to be unleashed, Scarlet Soho stands to conquer the world When The Lights Go Out.

Romain Virgo Masters The System

Romain Virgo within the credits of his latest album The System states that he chooses to do positive music for the people. Undoubtedly a rarity now days, Romain's positive attitude toward music and life shines through every song on The System and makes it a worthwhile listen. This is reggae music with sunshine and positive vibrations layered on top of positive vibrations and it's the sort of thing that's destined to lift spirits wherever it is played.

Taking a more laid back approach to reggae, Romain Virgo lets the groove take us away and allows his vocals to steer the story of every song with a unique enunciation that makes the whole thing just sound cool. The System is a strong record filled with songs about love, knowing better, and not falling into cliches. Romain seems to be a good guy and his songs reflect an attitude that quite honestly is refreshing to hear.

Firmly in touch with pop influences, Romain Virgo creates reggae that's easy on the ears, huge on hooks, and almost like a more tropical version of R&B. The System is chilled out stuff that's as bright and beautiful as Jamaica itself. If you're not singing the nearly acapella title track after one listen there might be something wrong with you...it's that catchy and to think it's just Romain Virgo and his voice is amazing.

The System is a very good record and Romain Virgo is a unique talent. From his voice to his approach the guy clearly is in love with love and reggae and every song here illustrates that passion.

Irene Jacob Melts Hearts

Irene Jacob should be known to many of you as an acclaimed French Actress but did you know she's also a singer as well? Teaming up with guitarist Francis Jacob the two sat down by the sea and began to write song. This is nothing new for the pair as they've known each other for decades as siblings, and lifelong friends who've shared apartments, games, and an intense love of jazz, film, and philosophy. It only made sense then that the pair took their love of all that and channeled it into something musical.

Known as Je Sais Nager the Jacob's together create a intimate, gentle, airy album that's a bit chanson, a bit jazz, and a bit folk music. Quiet and serene, the album is chilled to perfection and so utterly gorgeous that Irene may just be slightly prettier than the songs she's written. Je Sais Nager, which translated into English means I know how to swim, is mostly acoustic with just Francis strumming guitar along to Irene's fragile voice. Its beautiful stuff that's alluring and hypnotizing and Irene's vocals are so pretty you can't just help but be mesmerized by every word of French she says. For someone who has spent most of her career acting, it's nice to know that she's got an activity that will see her through retirement.

Je Sais Nager is a minimal work of exquisite songwriting. With slight vocals and guitar work to match, siblings Irene and Francis create a work of delicate pop that's easy on the ears and heart. You might not know what Irene is singing about, but as Eddie Murphy once pointed out, "everything in French sounds romantic." These could all be songs about the plague...but in Irene's hands they all sound beautiful and warm hearted. Je Sais Nager is a fantastic record that's alluring, seductive, and an absolute joy to listen to.

Parlotones Journey Through The Shadows

With a name like Journey Through The Shadows you'd think that the Parlotones album would be some dark hearted slightly metallic rock and roll record. Well if you thought that, you would be wrong as this is truly a case of not being able to judge a book, or CD, by its cover. Rather than being heavy and metallic, The Parlotones are trad and somewhere between the Stereophonics, indie rock, and the middle of the road. They're pretty good and their diversity of styles allows them to kind of head off into a million directions and make them all work at the same time.

Journey Through The Shadows is really more like a Journey Through The Styles as there are no shortage of influences or ideas that make their presence known on this record. There's indie, power pop, rock and roll, jam band, and even country coursing throughout the songs here. While that generally spells doom for an album, amazingly, the Parlotones are able to harness each of them and write songs that are consistent and very listenable. There's a whole host of potential singles on this record that could be stadium anthems given half the chance. A song like, "Brave & Wild," has that anthemic soaring vocal style, instantly memorable chorus, chiming guitars and a wave of rock and roll energy that could elevate the emotions of a million people; It's a huge tune just waiting to happen. And Journey Through The Shadows is loaded with moments like these.

The Parlotones can play and write songs with the best of them. Journey Through The Shadows is proof of that and it's a record that taps into their inner Coldplay as much as their inner Stereophonics. From twangy guitar to lofty riffs, pleading vocals to heavenly highs, jumpy drums to slowed down tempos it's all here and done well. They might have a bazillion influences but they've managed to concoct the correct formula which allows them to overcome the pitfalls with each. The Parlotones maybe be journeying through the shadows but their destined to wind up in the sunshine.

Soca Gold 2012

Soca Gold 2012 Collection is yet another spectacular compilation in the uber long running series. This is an absolutely killer one CD and one DVD set featuring eighteen of the hottest tropical tunes under the sun coming from every corner of the Caribbean this year plus music videos and live performances from Trinidad. Designed to pack out a dance floor and then some, The Soca Gold 2012 Collection is a rump shaking experience from the first note of disc one to the final note of DVD.

This is a compilation that proves that down in the Caribbean the heat never dissipates and the dancing never stops. Soca Gold 2012 Collection is the sound of an endless summer and the sound of Carnivale year round. With something for everyone and from so many different artists, Soca Gold 2012 Collection is impossible not to like even if you have no idea what Soca even is.

From Iwer George’s, "Jab (No Pain)," to Skinny Fabulous', "Rumble," this is a record that never stops moving and is overloaded with Afro-Caribbean and South American influences; in fact it's bursting with tropical flavor. Awesome in every aspect of the word this gargantuan record of grooves is the sound of the paradise on repeat. With us in the middle of the summer and stuck in the middle of nowhere, there's no better way to pretend to be somewhere else than with Soca Gold 2012 Collection.