Roots Riddims 2010 - a broad selection of tunes

In a few hours the year will be over and 2011 will be there. The new roots / conscious side of reggae didn't get much of my attention this year, simply couldn't find the time to start mixing and, even before that, listening. As usual the year was filled with criticism on the 'state of modern reggae', though often not fully backed up by insight knowledge on what actually has been released. I too hope to see improvement in musical compositions (more bass, more quality control, more musically challenging riddims; same hopes I had last year I realize now that I write 'm down), but at the same time heard numerous tracks these last couple of weeks when catching up on the year that I enjoyed a lot and made me move my feet! Jamaica still got lots of vocal talents that, with a right flow and lyrics, can also lift a weaker riddim up to a nice tune all the same. Did 2010 bring tunes among the best I've heard? No. Does that have to be the case? No! I just want to enjoy music, it doesn't really matter if I've heard better in the past, if it pleases me at that moment it's good enough for me. Usually I make up lists each year of the best tunes and all, but since I only just started checking most of the 2010 output out I decided to not do that, but just list a whole heap of riddims (with a link to a youtube clip of one of the tunes on it) and some loose tunes that I found 'potentially interesting' on first listen for a variety of reasons (riddim, vocal, flow and vocal melody, lyrics or combinations of these) and in varying degrees. When I heard 'm and thought "ok, with the right vocal this could possibly work, let's check out a next cut on it", then I put it on the list. So as said, not all memorable and such, but I really had enough of that discussion, I've heard things I like and that's all that counts, for the rest: listen and decide for yourself. My wishes for the new year musically (reggaewise that is) have been mentioned, so that leaves me wishing all visitors of BMC's Reggae Blog a great and musical 2011. Respect!

This is the list of riddims and tunes, in alphabetical order (I have my preference, but keep it to myself this time), check it out, maybe there's a few riddims and tunes to your liking. Even if it's only one, well, then enjoy that one cause better one than none, right? Riddims range from very soft lovers style to more slow roots to heavier vibes. Enjoy!

One last note, I picked riddims and / or tunes with Jamaican involvement. That can mean a JA production, but also other productions with mainly Jamaican vocalist, I didn't limit myself to productions from the island alone.

Roots Riddims and Tunes (JA or with one or more JA artists) 2010:

Best Trick riddim - Weedy G
Lutan Fyah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=604ek05uMjo

Big Stage Riddim - Penthouse
Romain Virgo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGS0OFiGrvE

Billie Jean Riddim - Irie Ites
Sizzla: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qqGG5-XztA

Boops Riddim - Juke Boxx
Tarrus Riley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCl8HgstTiM

Bread Fruit Riddim - Flyroots
Mix (Luciano!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPDhOh4fMAY

City Life Riddim - 2 Hard Music
Queen Ifrica: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjNWOdWMiAU

Coming In From The Cold - John John
Gyptian: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbthRpSNxe8

Dunza 2010 riddim - Maximum Sound
Mix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX0LYrJ608o

Entitlement Riddim - Leaf Life
Turbulence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_dZ6tLvDcc

Eternity Riddim - Techniques
Beres Hammond: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu4QBtEevG8

Everlasting Riddim - Pow Pow
Natural Black: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WruHEjZF63c

Feelings Riddim - Don Corleon
Tarrus Riley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIPC4_eakhA

Ghetto Steam Riddim - Cut Stone Records
Chezidek: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNfetpx7tpI

Give Thanks Riddim - Cash Flow
Tarrus Riley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wmDgD3i1I0

Go Fi Her Riddim - Penthouse
Romain Virgo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTxsMT6ghdg

Good Ova Evil Riddim - Sankofa
Sizzla: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv7PKJ2Z6F4

High Horse Riddim - Dejavu Lifestyle Music
Fantan Mojah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4MXqTT9JVY

Hit Riddim - Super 100 Entertainment
Luciano: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcQDqspTwzo

Home Sweet Home Riddim - Swallowbird Production
Luciano: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75Gl5lwA0Bc

Hustlin' Riddim - Bost & Bim
Peetah Morgan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e4m-nyJO7w

Jaguar Riddim - Weedy G
Fantan Mojah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU6nGyBTY60

Jam 1 Riddim - Necessary Mayhem
Busy Signal & Million Stylez: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_wvuhxWNoM

Love & Life Riddim - Heart To Art Music
Capleton: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiQ91bx_v_I

Major Riddim - Don Corleon
Tarrus Riley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJMzm4QPI6o

Minor Riddim - Don Corleon
Lutan Fyah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARAEZi3XLTg

Mirror Riddim - Goldcup
Bushman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad5qKZebA54

Nah Bow Down Riddim - Reality Chant
Natty King: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uFHhmgKINk

Nine To Five Riddim - Breadback
Lutan Fyah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXw8aaYoe_I

No Hypocrite Riddim - Rogland
Turbulence & Kananga: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llrELwWW-cY

Party Time - Irie Ites
Glen Washington: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_9lLHJ37sA

Rebellion Riddim - Maximum Sounds
Tarrus Riley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C083oF8HFLk

Roll Out Riddim - Irievibrations Records
Konshens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jGEd3Ex044

Screw Dem Riddim - African Beat
Million Stylez: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7luyOaLZSp8

Serve & Protect Riddim - Penthouse [may have been late 2009]
Romain Virgo & Etana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd5Ub5cmLYM

Shoulder Move Riddim - Lenky
Buju Banton: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S99yg9K-XPs

Snowflake Riddim - Snowcone
Lutan Fyah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N65bVcMMFl0

Songs aka Jah Jah Give Us Life Riddim - Joe Frasier
Big Youth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JPoHXcm69k

Soul Riddim - Oneness
Luciano: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsO4VKGQMeQ

Stagalag Riddim - Juke Boxx
I Octane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7QT2f7hTUU

Take A Lick - Irie Ites
Lutan Fyah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHMlESnaQ1g

The Light Riddim - Courtney Johnson
Mix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHf3aNxDX7Q

Tranquilizer Riddim - Free Willy
Gyptian: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-ac_TftU1k

Water Pumping Riddim - John John
Sanchez: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu3YVtM0-cg

You Don't Need Me Riddim - Joe Frasier
Mix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiAaDirH4XA

Zion Gate Riddim - John John
Alborosie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQkFN7oEuwg

50 Pound Riddim - Loud Disturbance
Admiral Tibet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAPOwOIBaDk



Loose tracks:

Kymani Marley - New Heights (Don Corleon)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8TiUsgnWuQ

Mr. Vegas - Sweet Jamaica (Vibes Mix) feat. Shaggy & Josey Wales (Clifford Ray Music)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wiy_n8BbH-Q

Pressure - Shield and Guide (Xterminator)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz9LJbAGmXw

Peetah Morgan Ft Fiji - Rock & Come In (Don Corleon)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDiRv4S-x40

Spragga Benz - Shotta Culture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sTEmq5N55s

Spragga Benz - No Way No How ft. Marcia Griffiths
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwlot0x_V9M

Tarrus Riley - My Mother (Cannon)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ0inGtpLtU

Tarrus Riley - Nyahbinghi Pickney (Bombrush)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIRopgZ43tc



Happy New Year all!

BMC