Search - De Red Boyz :: Mo' Fire Blazin'

Pic o De Crop???. . .

Achis | Kingston, JA/Philipsburg, SxM | 09/22/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Call me partial (because I am) if you'd like to, but to the overall best of my recollection this entire year and Caribbean carnival season has been simply one of the best (musically speaking) I have EVER seen or heard. Despite the absurdly short Trinidad and Tobago 2008 Carnival season (which is the central attraction of all of the region's carnivals), TnT and MANY of its soca loving neighbours, near and far, have, at least musically speaking, REALLY stepped up their game. The real highlight for me remains Trinidad as the MASTERS of the genre really showed off in 2008 and despite their season now being so far in the rearview mirror and 2009's season being so close in front, I STILL point to tunes from Bunji Garlin, Machel Montano, Fay-Ann Lyons, Destra, Shurwayne Winchester and the likes as some of the most powerful vibes we've heard all year. Also, TnT this year, at least in my opinion took a turn for the better with the TRUE emergence of names like Blaxx and especially Nadia Batson no longer taking a backseat to the aforementioned stars (Blaxx honestly has a ways to go, however Batson's time at the top of the game can no longer be argued against, at least not sensibly) but standing amongst them. There was St. Lucia who had a HARD act to follow from 2007 but still did very nicely on the strength of names like HERB BLACK, Mista Vybe, the emerging Mantius (biggup Mantius) and, of course, the man of the year for Lucian soca 2008, crowned Monarch Ricky T (who had no problem living up to the `pressure' he built in 2007, by again dropping one of the biggest tunes of the year, period, Wheel & Come Again). Then there's St. Vincy, and speaking of having to succeed under the pressure, NO area may have had more of a breakout year in 2007 than SVG and in 2008, all around there were big tunes by big names and even more up and coming names to pay attention to. Names like (2008 SVG Soca Monarch) Skinny Fabulous, Jamesy P., Fireman Hooper, Maddzart, Bomani and 2007's breakout names Problem Child and of course Zoelah had to make room this year at the top level for Icon, Full Clip and upstart Dani-O (who won SVG's first Ragga Soca Monarch) definitely names to keep an eye towards in the future. Even Grenada! I only paid attention last year to the Spice Isle due to the fact that it spawned the RIDICULOUSNESS which was Berbice's Traffic. Traffic still played in 2008, but this year he added the WICKED Demon (and subsequent WICKED album of the same name) and he came with the usual suspects from `Greenz' like Tallpree, Lava Man, nika Francis, Baby Killa and Luni & Electrify (won monarch, AGAIN) and made room for the breathtaking Miney, to whom he passed the road march crown. All over the place there has been top notch soca music in 2008, new names (and I could REALLY go on to Jalena as well), new places to focus on and, of course, the biggest vibes in the world.



Not to be forgotten of course (would mention Antigua with the previous bunch as well, Claudette Peters and EL-A-Kru) (and Guyana, biggup Adrian Dutchin and Malo) would be Barbados, probably outside of TnT, the most high profile Carnival season with Crop Over. It is also where you're likely to find the greatest concentration of soca stars outside of TnT with names like Edwin Yearwood & Krosfyah, Rupee and, of course Alison Hinds and Square One being some of the most internationally known and respected soca stars period, even `outranking' some of their most identifiable Trini counterparts. Crop Over also means that we get to hear from top ranking Bajan production duo, the famed Red Boyz. As I learn more and more about soca music (and I definitely still consider myself an `infant' in that vibes) I'm starting to see just how big of an impact De Red Boyz have on the genre as a whole; as they literally transcend Barbados as a single unit and have, just the season alone already reached out and produced the HUGE shot for Machel Montano HD Camp member, Farmer Nappy, Chippin; they have also produced, even more recently for Jamesy P, a VERY big track and one of the real highlights of this piece in particular. The duo consists of Mikey Hulsmeier and Scott Galt, two veteran musicians from the region (I THINK Hulsmeier is a native of Barbados, while Galt is a Trini) two. . . Red boys, who have attracted a great deal of attention in their still brief time together officially in the business as, if you find yourself a soca artist and you're seeking to strike out with a HUGE GROOVY tune for the season, you might want to consider checking De Red Boyz in Barbados, before ANYONE else. Inside the duo's ever growing catalogue are, besides Chppin' two MASSIVE shots from 2006 Bajan soca Woman By My Side for Peter Ram and the TnT Groovy Soca Monarch winning Nah Goin Home from Biggie Irie; they have also done work with Yearwood, Hinds and pretty much any and everyone in the business of Groovy soca these days. Also inside that catalogue are two albums on their own Rbz label featuring work exclusively done by De Red Boyz from that particular season over the past two years, with 2006's Blazin' Red Soca Project and last year's VERY impressive Soca Bonfire. And, even though they seemed to take a bit longer this year, De Red Boyz are still standing strong and are out now with their album from 2008, Mo' Fire Blazin' (that title is horrible! That cover is pretty nice though) Presented by De Red Boyz. Although not as ALL AROUND strong as its predecessor (in my opinion) Mo' Fire Blazin' is highlighted by, as usual, some of the top talents in the game and some real surprises (even some surprises from those top names, which is a double plus); a combination of SERIOUS note and definitely what has come to be De Red Boyz' calling card ever since they began making music: Generally FEEL AMAZING vibes throughout it's packed eighteen tracks.



The once nearly barren world class soca compilation ranks are just brimming over with solid entries these days. Besides De Boyz, there is, of course, VP Records' genre leading Soca Gold and also their D'Soca Zone compilation; de boyz' neighbours in Barbados, Monstapiece, also reach annually with a release (this year's recently released Loaded 12.0 was a near MASTERPIECE, definitely check that one out as well) as well as the Ragga Ragga Soca compilation from Masterroom out of SVG and Hemo and Moofire from Japan consistently releasing as well, its just HEALTHY now. Getting things started for De Red Boyz' Mo' Fire Blazin' is a very familiar name with a new name as Jamesy P. combines with Floridian Red Boy Uncle Sam for the WONDERFUL Love Your Carnival. Seriously, Love Your Carnival isn't the best tune you'll hear here, but if the tune doesn't MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD, then you need to see a doctor immediately! The tune just bounces so nicely and permeates the spirits with such good vibes that its certain to strike a chord with not only soca fans, but fans of all genres at least on some level. Excellent way to begin things. Next up is veteran Natahlee going solo with a tune which sounds like the feminine `response' to Biggie Irie's hit Nah Goin Home. The tune is FAR from that modern classic, but it definitely stands well on the strength of its own merits as it really does capture the attentions making a powerful vibes throughout. Natahlee is a very quiet and not too well known name, but her vibes are always dependable, particular when under the near flawless care of De Red Boyz with whom she seems to mesh so well. De Red Boyz always seem to find really strong young talent and MFB is no different as closing the opening for the album is VERY strong youth Answar Gakin with Nothing Sweeter. The tune has really caught on this year (my wife LOVES it) and people are already placing Gaskin alongside Don Trent who was/is another young potential superstar the Boyz often work with. Nothing Sweeter is something SERIOUS and young Gaskin is a name to keep an eye on in the future.



The real story with Mo' Fire Blazin' for me is that the BIG names that you would expect to stand up and step out from the pack genuinely do that here. For example, imagine Groovy Soca Monarch Trinidad February 2009 and instead of reigning Monarch and favourite Shurwayne Winchester taking the stage solo, he invites up legendary UK reggae SUPERSTAR Maxi Priest and they do the tune here, Make It Yours. The tune, on paper alone, is almost `over-vibed': I just don't need that much! The two work wonders together and if it is the tune that gets the push from Winchester in 2009, I'll be there to see it, I GUARANTEE. Big tune and one of the biggest tunes you'll find on the album DEFINITELY. Not to be outdone is Jamesy P who chimes in with the inventive and downright BRILLIANT `Rogaltic'. I don't want to spoil exactly what the tune is about if you haven't heard it just yet, but the song is probably the SVG veteran's biggest tune I've heard since Nookie reached and its HILARIOUS. And he definitely has a point. Uncle Sam checks back in, surprisingly, and brings Soca Queen Alison Hinds with him! Although I favour Love My Carnival between the two tunes here featuring Uncle Sam, he is arguably more impressive the second time around, Wine In de Place. Hinds, of course, is solid throughout, as are the vibes as Sam `threatens' to steal the show on Mo' Fire Blazin'. Not enough? Both soca poster boys Kevin Lyttle and Edwin Yearwood check in as well with One More Try and That's My Carnival, two very nice pieces. Between the two, I actually prefer One More Try, as soca's undisputed sleeping GIANT threatens to be pulled back to prominence by De Red Boyz, whether he's ready or not. Big Tune. All that being said, however, the man of the hour who really does steal the show is fellow Red boy, Rupee as the former sleeping giant himself has had a wonderful season this year and two of his finest efforts are here. First is the faster groovy piece, the still beautiful and just BRITE Feet Don't Fail Me Now. The tune is vibed equally slow and fast and I LOVE the chorus there as Rupee shows he still has that level in him somewhere. If 'Feet' doesn't convince you (and it should), then go even further down the line and you'll come to the best tune overall on Mo' Fire Blazin' the ridiculously COOL Magnet To Steel. Rupee-heads out there can recall a tune by the name of Crime of the Century and a next by the name of Hold Me Tight, Magnet To Steel has the vibes of those two very STRONG tunes rolled up into one. I think the tune shows a level of soca even more `groovy' than typical groovy soca and just really laid back and although my favourite brand of the music is the big jump up style of vibes, you'd be hard-pressed not to enjoy a song like Magnet To Steel on SOME level. MASSIVE tune! I also have to mention the aforementioned Red Boyz favourite Don Trent who also chimes in twice with two DECENT efforts, Dangerous and Hannah. The first is definitely the more impressive of the two songs, it is actually a TRULY big tune (it actually sounds like something which wouldn't be out of place on a Rupee release), armed with a chorus which is as addictive as any you'll find on MFB, period (which is saying a lot) and just generally very clever lyrics and that nice heavy soca bounce. I also have to mention Bobo who impresses a big bit with his real WINNER Riddim of de West Indies. The tune just generally makes you feel so good (particularly if you happen to be a West Indian person, as I happen to be) and it carries such a powerful vibes and is one of the better efforts overall on MFB. And elder artist Red Plastic Bag, nicely surprising, checks in with Wrong Gal. The tune is pretty nice (very nice one to sing a long to) but it was just the mere fact that he was here was a lovely addition. You can never go wrong with Mr. Ragga Ragga (and wouldn't a remake of that classic by De Red Boyz be such a nice thing!). Now, as the album comes to a close I have to say that none of the final three or four tunes really stuck with me, not even Buggy's What's Cookin' which sounds a bit uninspired and flat to me. Soca diva Kim Derrick gets closing duties here with the decent enough, yet generic Gimme Some, but the real highlights of Mo' Fire Blazin' really end about five tracks before (and I'll mention that neither of their previous albums had more than fourteen tracks, maybe that's a good point to stick to on future releases).



Overall, despite the way it goes out, Mo' Fyah Blazin' is a pretty solid piece throughout and features some pretty crucial material. Just looking up and down the list of tunes and roster of artists and most soca fans, even without hearing it, might deem it to be a real winner. But, really what's best about this album is something not even on this album: The very fact that De Red Boyz' Mo' Fire Blazin' might just be the fourth or even FIFTH best soca compilation that I've heard this year alone is saying something and not about this album, but just about, as I said, the music has been this year. However, what you have in the latest release from De Red Boyz is exactly what you soca heads have come to expect from them over the years: Some of the coolest vibes from some of the biggest names in the business and, strongest or not, something which will SERIOUSLY uplift the spirits; Crop Over style.

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