Shhhh... Listen to the Riddim Nation
2009.02.02
Have you ever wanted to just flush your day gig, head for a warm tropical beach somewhere and commence with some serious funnin' and sunnin'? Yup, we thought so. Well, while we can't arrange for you to be whisked away to a tropical paradise, we can give you a little sumpin' sumpin' to help tide you over. Enter JKL, an artist who comes to us from Orlando, FL (by way of Nigeria & Malaysia) and brings with him a unique blend of reggae, dancehall & hip hop that is sure to get your head bobbing and your body moving. More dancehall than Jimmy Cliff or Gregory Isaacs and more roots than Ninjaman or Buju Banton, JKL delivers a solid reggae sound with the just a hint of West African flava that brings true uniqueness to the mix. Intoxicating island rhythms, insightul lyrics and inspiring melodies merge together to produce a sound that is most definitely pleasing to the ears. Thumbs up for JKL and his latest release "14 Years 2Grace"!
UK natives So Shush usher in the New Year with a self-titled debut release that is sure to garner its fair share of attention. It certainly garnered ours! So Shush hails from Manchester, England and, considering that alternative rock icons the Buzzcocks, the Chemical Brothers, New Order, Oasis and the Smiths (among others) also call Manchester home, that could either be a blessing or a curse for this duo. Do well and uphold the well deserved reputation that Manchester has earned over the years for producing some of the best music ever. Lay an egg and bring shame upon what many consider the Mecca of alternative music. Fortunately, the legacy of their home town is indeed safe. So Shush's alternative/indie/pop sound is truly delightful, and Smart's vocals are just that…smart. Her voice has a certain airiness that gives their music lift while remaining grounded enough so as not to fly away. Ian Drumm masterfully incorporates a variety of guitar, keyboard and organ sounds that provides for a strong musical framework that could easily stand on its own. However, combined with Smart's vocals, the two create more than music. Theirs is an enchanting musical experience that would bring a smile even to Morrisey's face. Enjoy!
