Dancehall Settings! Michie Mee – Bad Gyal Bubble {Smoke Shop Productions}

 

Ok so it’s Friday and it’s time to get ready for club settings and tonight, Michie ‘Badgyal’ Mee’s got your back, and she’s got it hard! 

Taking centre stage, Canada’s undisputed Queen absolutely destroys the Madd Rass Riddim produced by Smokey of Smoke Shop Productions.  She destroys the riddim so badly, new meaning is given to the expression ‘gangsta rass!’ 

Luring you in with the title of the chune “Bad Gyal Bubble,” Michie flips the script as the first line of the chune the Queen says ‘mih nah (beep) up dih intro mih juss waan talk it real.’  From there, the badgyal lets loose a plethora of lyrics aimed at taking out her foes who has underrated her.  The brilliance is based on the title, you would think the chune is another ‘I can bubble and wine – watch me’ type of chune and this is far, I repeat FAR from that! 

Michie goes so hard, a Dubplate is a must as the chune will kill any sound caught in its cross hairs (bulls eye).  Musically, Smoke Shop Productions does the strength of the lyrics justice as the riddim goes just as hard.   

Using heavy bass and 808’s, Smokey (Smoke Shop Productions) uses these instruments to literally hammer home the point Michie is making.  Murdah!  Adding to that, synthesized riffs by a clarinet and flute are the only mercy or ‘lightness’ the listener experiences.  Murdah again!  Did I mention the riddim has a nice throwback Dancehall vibe to it?!  This straight heat for the street. 

Riddim up!  The Queen goes hard as (shut yo mouth) on this track…! 

 

P.S.  Connect with Team Bad Gyal and Team Smoke Shop on Twitter >>> 

@L3Magazine | @SmokeShopStudio | @MichieBadgalMee

 

 

Protoje – Kingston Be Wise!

There is one music video that right now is on the tongues, computer screens and flat screens of the masses, and that music video is “Kingston Be Wise.”  By extension, the artist who performs the chune, Protoje is also at the Reggae forefront; not because of his cool handsome exterior (sex does not play a role in this but Protoje is a handsome man), nor because of his exuding swag, but because of the hard hitting lyrics we cannot go around. 

Beginning with the music, the riddim was produced by veteran Don Corleon, and the track is taken from Protoje’s soon to be released album The 8 Year Affair (hits all digital retail outlets January, 2013).  In the chune, Proto as he’s nicknamed asks us to be wise.  Why?  Because the source of our information (the news via television) is controlled by interest groups and that means we don’t always get the full story hence the punch line “Kingston Be Wise.” 

Adding to the already great offering of sound and voice, we have the vocal ‘riff’ of the ‘Stepping it hot’ Don, Mr. Ini Kimoze making this song one of the hottest to close out 2012.  If this track is any indication of what we can expect from the album, I’d say Kingston, and Jamaica, and the world has a lot to be thankful for. 

P.S.  The video accurately depicts life in the city that gives so much life! 

Check the video right here:

 







The Return Riddim Produced by Shane C. Brown

The word ‘return’ has a lot of meaning in the physical and the spiritual, especially where Shane C. Brown is concerned.  In one way, the return marks the return of him as a producer embracing his Reggae Roots; mind you, Shane has always been a strong vocalist for Reggae.  The Return Riddim shows off how deep his return goes.  That’s one. 

The ‘return’ also marks Morgan Heritage coming back to centre stage as a group, and not as individual artists.  The ‘return’ also sees our star Busy Signal back on Jamaican soil … our artist has ‘returned’ back home.  This riddim is significant! 

Musically, Shane’s focus is on the horns as they play a prominent role in this production.  The horns are playing in unison as opposed to a Sax riff ‘here’ and a trumpet riff ‘there.’  This unison is a reflection of the unity the Reggae industry has taken about the music as a whole. 

Moving on, the artistic line up on this riddim is something to celebrate!  Assassin a.k.a. Agent Sasco with his deeply reflective lyrics, Exco Levi with his metaphor to us not being a cow therefore we cannot be ‘cowed’ down, Romain Virgo who will not forget where he’s coming from and Shereita whose ting ah ‘shot,’ not to mention Yami Bolo, whom we haven’t heard in a while, who will ‘crush the devil.’ 

Morgan Heritage, whose song named the riddim, announces the return of roots and culture, again, this being a reflection of the movement within the Reggae fraternity; and then there’s Busy! 

Busy Signal’s chune “Survival” is a testament to him as a soldier.  Busy has overcome obstacles many thought he wouldn’t or couldn’t.  He faced one of the greatest challenges and he survived.  Busy represents survival, and also represents the ‘return.’ 

P.S.  Busy is home!  Show him some love on Twitter, via email and via bbm.  Catch the links >>>

 

@busysignal_turf | @JukeboxxJamaica |  @Heritage4Life | @realromainvirgo | @AgentSasco | @L3Magazine |



 

Voicemail – Gyal Deh Bad {Nickorebel Music Production}

For years the Dancehall massive has enjoyed the vibes of super group Voicemail.  For years the Reggae and Dancehall massive have enjoyed the vibes of Nicko Rebel Music, one of the hottest producers from Florida.  Productions such as the She’s My Heart Riddim, Macka Diamonds “Looking Good” and Voicemail’s “Bewitched” come to mind. 

When we put Voicemail and Nicko Rebel Music together for another round, the result is “Gyal Deh Bad!”  

Designed for radio and for the club, the chune (and riddim) are perfectly designed for the scene in the club when the chicks walk in and the dudes have the look on their face like “damn … who’s that?!”   

Moving with the tempo, Voicemail sings “I never seen ah gyal weh do it like this before / the way she break it down and wine to the floor / ya dah gyal yah bad / yo dah gyal deh bad / neva know dah gyal yah so bad….” 

The rest of the chune continues with the story of girlfriends movements while in the club, which is accentuated by the double time delivery of synthesizers, and the laid back chill mode of the bass guitar.  The riff from the piano helps to round out the backdrop for the vocals. 

Nicko captures scenes from the recording session with Voicemail which you can see here.

P.S.  Add Nicko, Voicemail and team to your Twitter timeline!   

@NickoRebelMusic | @itscraigyo | @Kevin_Voicemail | @L3Magazine

 

 

 

Sunday Soul! Sunday Afternoon with Lenny Williams

Lenny Williams has been serenading us for years.  His soulful voice speaks and sings to us in a way that can’t be duplicated.  As today is Sunday, who better to add to my Music Box than the living legend himself, Lenny Williams and his song “Sunday Afternoon!” 

Giving us good times, Lenny describes a Sunday Afternoon where he lives which includes a plate of soul food, lots of family and of course great friends!  This is Soul music at its best! 

Get down with me on the good foot!  Here it is, Lenny Williams, “Sunday Afternoon.” 

P.S.  Connect with Lenny on Twitter >>> @LennyWilliams

 

 

 

Welcome to Natasha's Music Box!

Greetings and welcome to Natasha's Music Box!

My name is Natasha Von Castle, and I write about music daily.  If you're in Reggae and Dancehall, you've heard of me.  If you're in Hip Hop and R&B, not so much.  All the same music is me!

I studied music formally and professionally, so I know a few tidbits.  When it comes to critiquing music, I write about what I like and say little about things I don't find appealing (Mama told me if you don't have something good to say, don't say anything at all).

I'm the Editor-in-Chief for www.L3Magazine.com and, in addition to writing about music, I'm a radio presenter on www.radioregent.com in Toronto (Monday's from 10am to 1pm EST), www.daflavaradio.com and 1430 AM in Atlanta (Tuesday's from 10am to 1pm EST), www.basslinemuzik.com in Tampa, www.Reggae4Us.com in the UK and Europe and www.NoyzRadio.com + 95.3 FM in Brooklyn, New York. 

I distribute Reggae and Dancehall (sometimes other genres) to over 5,000 radio, club and mixtape DJ's around the world on a daily basis, and have a number of clients which include artists, production companies and record labels.  Basically, I am very immersed in music and most times I know what I'm talking about!

I hope you drop by daily to get my views on what's new.  I'll include all genres as well as flyers / posters of artists performing as well as tour reports!  If you have a question, email me and I'll answer as quickly as I can.  If you're a DJ, you get priority!  You can contact me HERE!

You can also find me on Twitter @NatashaVonC

Welcome to Natasha's Music Box and get ready to enjoy the ride!