Jamaican Slang EditorialTHE Blog for Jamaican Slang, Patois, Reggae, Rastafari, Real T’ing dem and Jamaica

From the get go, I gotta say, DJ Serg is talented! The music really does all of the talking, but I needed to put it out there. 

Showtime - Dancehall Mix Volume 5 is the most recent release from the Bay Area selecta and it does not disappoint. Serg brings out all of the latest riddims and only plays the best songs on each riddim. If you haven’t stayed up on your dancehall in 2009, this mix is the perfect refresher. One thing that Serg does, and maybe without realizing it, is do some Gaza (Portmore) vs. Gullyside (Cassavapiece).  Gaza vs. Gullyside is a big deal in Jamaica right now, so by listening to this mix you will get exposed to some of the music that each side is putting out. 

As far as the DJing, it’s good. This isn’t some mix where a bunch of songs are just played one after the next. Each track is mixed in and the track selection is great. Equally important, you could play this mix in Jamaica or in Iceland and people are going to shake their “battys!” Basically, download this mix and get ready for the summer. This is the perfect vibe for the summertime and Serg does not disappoint.

P.S. - Almost all the songs are great for learning Jamaican Patois!!! Highly Recommended.

Download the Mix HERE

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Tracklisting for Showtime - Dancehall Mix Volume 5

1. Beetlejuice Intro

2. Busy Signal - All About My Money (SINGLE)

3. Demarco - Hustlin Forever (SINGLE)

OUTLAW RIDDIM

4. T.O.K. - Push It

5. Leftside a.k.a Mr Evil - Hardcore

6. Rymzo de Gusto - Can’t Underestimate 

7. Determine - Blast It

BOASTY RIDDIM

8. Chino - Boasty

9. Beenie Man - Pop Off

10. Bramma - Every Man To A Gyal

11. Elephant Man - Horny Wine

ATM RIDDIM

12. Busy Signal - Blaze Up The Herb

13. Bling Dawg - Jamaica Jamaica 

14. Assailant - Dirty Money

15. Busy Signal - Blaze Up The Herb pt.2

16. Assassin - Stimulus Package (SINGLE)

BADDAZ RIDDIM

17. Busy Signal - Hustlin

18. Beenie Man - Ghetto Yutes

19. Elephant Man - Dance

20. Vybz Kartel - Selassie I Luv We

GOOD LIFE RIDDIM

21. Movado - High Under

22. Serani - Badmind

23. Elephant Man - Liv It Up

24. Mr. Vegas - Blessings

25. Vybz Kartel - Hustle Money

CLEAN SWEEP RIDDIM

26. Elephant Man - Please

27. Sizzla - Education Is  The Key

28. Demarco - Ghetto Life Hard

29. Wayne Marshall - Look Ahead

RAIN FOREST RIDDIM

30. Capeton - Stamping Flat

31. Sizzla - U A De Boss

32. Collie Buddz - Par Wid I Mon

33. Beenie Man - Walkout Mi Gal

34. Munga - Change Position 

DALLAZ RIDDIM

35. Elephant Man - Elephant Man

36. Vybz Kartel - Dallaz

37. Munga - Gangsta Sumu

38. Sustain - No Talk Eh Talk

39. Movado - So Blessed (SINGLE)

VELOCITY RIDDIM

40. ZumJay - Been Dere Did It

41. Bling Dawn - Some Times

42. Tornado - Bun Bad Mind

43. Assassin - Smooth Operator 

CASINO RIDDIM

44. Vybz Kartel - Money

45. Beenie Man - Pum Pum Power

46. Anthony B - Ganja Blaze

47. Wayne Mashall - Badness Outta Style

MIGHTY ODAY RIDDIM

48. Bounty Killer & Demarco - Gal Dem Want

49. Frisco Kid - Real Ruff Rider

50. Mad Cobra - Good Fah

51. Vybz Kartel - Watch Your Appetite 

SWAGGA DAGGA RIDDIM

52. Elephant Man - Tip Up

53. T.O.K. - Upinayah 

54. Aidonia - I Like Her

10 POUNDS OF KUSH

55. Sean Paul - Sweat

56. Beenie Man - Jiggle Up

57. Munga - Ride It

58. Demarco & Konshens - Paper Chasing (SINGLE)

COLLIE MONSTER RIDDIM

59. Turbulence - Overcome 

60. Mykal Roze feat Cali P - Mr Collie

61. Vybz Kartel - Mi Talk With Gunshot 

62. John Wayne - The Real John Wayne

63. Sizzla - World Leader In Problem

64. Buju Banton - Sensimilla (Remix)

65. Demarco - Life As A Juvenille (SINGLE)

NYC RIDDIM

66. Beenie Man - Badman

67. Demarco - Dem A Fool

68. Erup & Mr. Peppa - Survival

69. T.O.K. - Hustlers 

70. Demarco feat Tarrus Riley - Over and Over (SINGLE)

So it is finally here, a new album from Jah Cure (born Siccature Alcock, 11 October 1978, Hanover, Jamaica), the rising reggae star who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for allegedly raping a woman in Jamaica. If you are just learning about Jah Cure, you should know, this guy is talented. Before going to jail, Jah Cure was leading the conscious reggae  renaissance with artists like Gyptian, I Wayne, Perfect, and Richie Spice. Jah Cure’s unique voice blessed many classic riddims and kept fans waiting for anything new from the Cure, but fans were shocked when he caught the robbery and rape charges. Despite, going to jail, Jah Cure still recorded music of equal quality from prison. If you haven’t heard the Jah Cure song, Conga Man, please please please download it or do what you have to in order to get your hands on it. It is a perfect example of the quality that he put out behind bars and it is over an amazing riddim. Anyway, I digress. So, in 2007 Jah Cure was released on parole, serving only 7 years of a 15 year sentence, but the world was waiting for the next Jah Cure album.

The Universal Cure is the latest Jah Cure album and the only album he has put out since leaving prison in 2007.  The Universal Cure starts off with “Sticky”, a song that has been out for a while (it was on Reggae Gold 2007 just to give you an idea), but it is definitely a classic Jah Cure song. Sticky is an up beat happy tune made to enjoy while on the beach in Jamaica. Sticky is followed by “Hot Long Time”, a song featuring Mavado, Junior Reid, Flo-Rida, and it is a great forum to hear Mavado’s special voice alongside Jah Cure’s unique voice. The song is Fyah and is definitely a cross-over song. The next major hit on the album is “Reflections” which is a magical Jah Cure song. It almost seems like the riddim was made for him because he just poured his heart out on this song. This song can be a bit confusing for people that followed his sentencing because it almost seems like he is confessing to the charges even though he has maintained his innocence. “Soon Come”, the next song, is just alright. Nothing really special in this song. “Burning & Looting” should be soundtrack music. This song could be the opening song for many socially conscious movies and is another solid track put out by Jah Cure. “My Life” is another song that is just alright. The song just does not standout on the album, but “Mr.Jailer”, the next song is a different song. “Mr. Jailer” featuring Phyllisia is the lead song from the album and is right up there with “Hot Long Time” for crossover appeal. This song isn’t really the traditional reggae song, but who cares, it definitely has potential to be bumped in cars all over the world, by both gyal and bwoy. “Freedom” is pretty self explanitory and is a solid track. “Freedom” is definitely a Jah Cure song because his voice shines on this song and spills his heart about being out of Jail. “Sufferation” is definitely held down by the riddim. Its one of those songs that gets on a riddim where everyone shines.  “Sufferation” is followed by “Journey”, another track that Jah Cure does his thing. I really like this track for the riddim and the content of the song. “Forever” is an upbeat song, but it is the same thing over again and it is just alrght. “U Believe in Me” is the last song that is just alright. The remaining three songs are all good songs and worth checking out. “Green Grass” the last song is fyah, largely because of the Mission Riddim (Mavado’s On The Rock Riddim).  This riddim just makes it easy for artists to make classic tracks. “Call Me” featuring Keisha Cole is a type of song that you have heard many times if you listen to reggae at all, but ou never get tired of that modern day lover’s rock sound.

Overall, The Universal Cure is a good album, but it is not a great album because many of the songs have been out for years. It serves its purpose in reintroducing the world to Jah Cure, but its not ground breaking. It is definitely worth picking up. If you are looking to learn Jamaican Patois/Jamaican Slang, this is not the album to buy. Its more about the content of the songs than how they are said.

Jah Cure - Hot Long Time

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Jah Cure - Green Grass

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.