Essential Reggae Show #6

The mixtape
(Click on 'Radio Shows' in the top menu bar)


Ok, so welcome! The very first mixtape comes in with the natty little title of 'Essential Reggae Show #6'. It's a radio show hosted on the website of Scarborough-based record label Aerosolik. It looks like they mainly release hip hop, but they've hosted a cracking reggae mixtape too.

Our DJ/MC on this one is a man like Carlton 'Killawatt' Valley, who has a John Peel-like charm when he messes up a fast forward of a record early on; however, he does know how to select a wicked tune and lines the records up to create a nice seamless vibe throughout. It's mainly rocksteady and roots reggae, but there is a lickle bit of ska and dub in there too, giving us a nice rounded selection of all things Jamaican.

There isn't a tracklisting, which is a shame. I've got to pick out the last track in particular, despite it being the most incongruent tune in the mix. It is quite a dubby track, but with a much lighter vibe than most of the dub you'll hear, bought about by some echo-y guitar and great, well-produced percussion. All of which make it a lovely ethereal sunny-day tune that leaves you with a big smile on your face, wanting to thank Carlton Valley for all his efforts.

The other shows

I'm about to break one of my rules on my first post by covering the other two radio shows hosted by Aerosolik, shows #5 and #4. I've no idea what happened to #1-3, but it is a shame they aren't available. Still, I don't reckon it is worth covering #4 and #5, but I'll give you a little taste here.

 Show #4 has more of a Lovers Rock/Digital reggae vibe, which can be a bit sickly for me, but still worth a listen. Look out for the cover of Peggy Lee's version of Fever about half way through the mix. It is a great example of a good reggae cover, and boy do those Jamaicans like covering songs!

Show #5 sounds like it could be as good as #6, but quite soon in we find that the file is corrupted and unlistenable. What a pity! It is worth downloading for the first track alone, now I say track, it could be a mix, so those of you with a keener ear will have to let me know. Anywaaay, we start off with the familiar whistling used by Morricone in The good, the bad and the ugly soundtrack, which and is underpinned by a lovely slow dubby rhythm that you can't quite place. After some less recognisable lyrics, the singer launches into a reggae version of Billie Jean, and you instantly recognise that elusive melody. This along with the good vocals, slower pace, Morricone's whistling and heavy bassy production make for an absolutely blinding track. Just a shame, once again, I have no idea what it is, but maybe that adds that adds to the mystic.