[coll]: Digitaldubs Apresenta: Diaspora Riddim
Reviewed by Sadie O., 9/26/07
One riddim, 10 vocalists (riddim and half the vocalists are from Brazil.) Riddim is a midtempo syncopated skank, minimalist and dubby with lots of electronic bloops.
1. 3:50 *Ras Bernardo (Brazil) – No Morro Nao Tem Play
The guy who started Brazilian Reggae. Mostly monotonal dancehall.
2. 3:34 *Sylvia Tella (UK) – Can’t Get Him Out of My Head
Strong female singing in English, soulful, with harmonies. Rather banal subject, though.
3. 4:08 **Manik Balam (Mexico) – Humaniza
Dancehall in Spanish with backing vocals. Nice voice and delivery. Several seconds of vocals only at beginning and end.
4. 4:00 **Nabby Clifford (Ghana/Brazil) – Rude Bwoy
Dancehall in English, harmonies, anti-violence message. Fades and ends with a smidgeon of speaking.
5. 3:59 ***Jr Ramos & Jeru Banto (Brazil) – Manda Quem Pode
Very pretty singing in Portuguese. Lots of echo on some vocals, obviously about favelas in Rio.
6. 3:43 *Prince Wadada (Portugal/Angola) – Armagedieon
Reedy and highly distinctive dancehall vocals, in Portuguese.
7. 3:37 *Lone Ranger (Jamaica) – Chant Down Babylon
Rather stoned-sounding religious rant from one of the original toasters from Yard. It’s pretty odd to hear Lone Ranger get all religious. Drums and echo ending.
8. 3:30 ***Lai De Dai (Brazil) – Original do Gueto
Brazil’s foremost female dancehall artist. Mostly sung, very pretty, distinctive delivery.
9. 3:50 ***Biggaton (Jamaica) – Stop and Think
Energetic toasting in English about socio-political stuff. Slightly muffled sounding production on the vocals, but still quite good.
10. 4:19 **Biguli (Brazil) – Diaspora
Dancehall in Portuguese, interesting delivery. Extra electronics at end.