January 11, 2021

LISTEN: Best Reggae & Dancehall tunes of 2020

2020 was an interesting year to say the least! However amidst a Pandemic, Lockdown & all the Brexit nonsense there was still plenty of amazing music coming out!

It was a big year for us personally as we released our debut LP 'Turn Up The Heat' on Trojan Records / Trojan Reloaded which was featured heavily on BBC 6Music & 1Xtra, in fact 6Music picked it for their 'Album Of The Week'! Although we were not able to tour the LP we can't wait to get back out on the road once COVID is no longer an issue...

So without further ado here's our pick of some of our favourites from 2020!

In no particular order...

Bunny General - Love Reggae Music Bad

Proper Digikiller here from Jamaican veteran artist Bunny General! Produced by Strictly Sound, whose music we have supported for years, it always drops heavy on the Soundsystem.

Mr. Williamz - Lyrics Collection

Mr. Williamz has lyrics in stock!! Utilising a tuff remake of the classic 'Mad Mad' Riddim / 'Diseases' Riddim, which Williamz rides it in fine style, this one is pure fire!

Prince Fatty - 90% Of Me Is You (Feat. Shniece McMenamin)

All Soul fans will know the original Gwen McRae cut, proper Rare Groove selection! Prince Fatty has really done the version justice, which features Reggae Roast favourite Horseman on the drums, and Shniece McMenamin's vocal is real quality.

O.B.F. - Ina This Ya Time (Feat. Charlie P, Irah & Killa P)

2020 was another strong year for the O.B.F. crew, with the release of their brilliant LP 'SIGNZ'. This track is a firm favourite from the album, proper message music!

Numa Crew - Babylon (Feat. Riko Dan)

Florence, Italy x East London! This one came out before the Pandemic so we actually got to play it on the Soundsystem in a dance! Drops HEAVY!

Chronixx - Dela Move

The first entry from Jamaica on the list! Something very contemporary from Chronixx yet still very clearly rooted in the traditional Jamaican styles. Top stuff.

Reggae Roast - Do It Again (Feat. Horseman & Natty Campbell)

Only fair we put one of our own in the list right?!?! This one is by far our most popular track from 2020 and it's one of our favourites too. We relicked the original Skinhead anthem 'Long Shot Kick De Bucket' by The Pioneers into a brand new riddim which fits perfectly with Reggae Roast family members Horseman & Natty Campbell' vibes. Chooon!

Leon Dinero - If You Ask Me / Screechy Dan - Bandits

Heading over to New York now for this brilliant double-sider from Daptone! Produced by one our favourite engineers / producers Victor Axelrod AKA Ticklah plus the A-Side is written by the late Dan Klein (The Frightnrs) who passed in 2016. B side comes courtesy of the legendary Brooklyn MC, Screechy Dan. Essential.

Kiko Bun - Bad Boy Tenor

We've always loved Kiko Bun's music and this one definitely hits the spot. Banging Rubadub riddim, proper singalong chorus, a soaring Hammond organ and a rare outing for Kiko's DJ (MC) talents!

Stylo G - Oh Lawd

It seems that literally every tune Stylo G brings out is instant reload material and this one does not disappoint. Also our favourite cut from the MONSTER 'Style A Style' riddim from Chimney Records, other notable cuts come from Sean Paul & Taurus Riley, well worth checking out too.

Fat Freddy's Drop - Kamo Kamo

One of our favourite contemporary bands returned with a new album in 2020, New Zealand's finest Fat Freddy's Drop. You can expect great instrumentation & dub mixing as well as buttery vocals, in fact this track has all the hallmarks of the great Fat Freddy's sound. Great stuff.

Reggae Roast - Good Love (Feat. General Levy)

Ok so we're going to have to squeeze one more Reggae Roast tune in the list! Can't miss out The General! This one did really well for us this year, it was featured in Sir David Rodigan's 'Best of 2020' list on BBC 1Xtra & was remixed by none other than Jungle legend Kenny Ken!

Richie Spice - Valley of Jehoshaphat (Red Hot)

Heading back to Jamaica for the last tune on our list (but by no means worst!). 2020 saw the release of the brand new album from Richie Spice and this track is the pick of the bunch in our opinion. 'Valley Of Jehoshaphat' is a reimagining of the Roots rarity of the same name by Max Romeo and it comes courtesy of the ace Jamaican producer Clive Hunt.

Honourable Mentions

It was a good year for the Reggae Roast crew, both as a collective, with the release of our debut LP and as individual music makers too. So with that being said here's some of our favourites. Again in no particular order...

Interrupt - Lyrics Spree (Veteran's Cut)