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Wha ah gwaan? Im Krikon and this is my blog, it's dedicated to everything i find interesting, esp. Reggae but also movies and graphic design. My reviews feature some low-quality, streaming samples but im not an illegal mp3 blog and will never be. Any artist or label who want their samples removed, let me know. If you want your album or movie reviewed here, post in the chat box and i'll get in touch with you.


March 23, 2020



I have criticized the Cali Reggae scene more than once, on my FB profile, in groups and forums. It's safe to say that im not a fan of the entitled stoner college boys who make up the scene. so with that in mind, why would i choose to re-launch my once slumbering blog with an review of a Cali album? Well, good music is good music no matter where it comes from or who is making it, i wont discriminate against a good album.

Nick Sefakis is not an artist im familiar with, he is part of the popular group "Iya Terra" which is a much more Rockers oriented group while Nick's sound has more of an traditional roots vibe. His name kept on popping up in my Facebook flow and im glad i finally decided to check him out. No matter how much of an vinyl snob i may be, "Spotify" is very convenient.

First thing that hits you is the striking drawing of Haile Selassie I that graces the cover, it's made by New Mexico's own Ras Elijah TafarI (im based in Roswell,NM) and sets the tone perfectly before you even have the time to listen to the first tune, forget the slackness, this will be a conscious, spiritual affair from the beginning to the start.

It start with the title track, "Foundation" a modern and upbeat tune about how you gotta have a strong foundation and not build your house on quicksand (this is obviously a metaphor) and how us Rasta's are peaceful and will not change no matter what. I have to admit that Nick Sefakis voice is very pleasant and soothing all while being perfect for the serious subjects of this album. "Young dread" is another stand out song, slightly more melancholic but still energetic and with an driving energy.

Im a firm believer in balance, you can be as conscious and Rasta as you want to be but it's still a good idea to lighten up every once in a while. Do a love song, something humorous or a story driven track about something related to everyday life, it wont make you less righteous. On this album this come in the form of "Keep on loving you" , an organ driven lovers tune where he sings in falsetto. It's absolutely awesome and is despite the lighter subject matter every bit as great as the other songs on here.

Another great song would be the melodica flavored "Ring out a chant" which most definitely is a return to the more spiritual tunes which dominate this album. It has an incredible meditative and fragile quality to it, a little bit like the vibes you would hear on a "Ijahman Levi" album. Last up is "Truly" which has an slightly R&B, cross-over, urban feel to it all while still staying true to the conscious theme of the album. If this is the future of the Reggae cross-over tune im comfortable with the direction it's taking.

To sum things up i must say this is a very impressive album, the lyrics are absolutely amazing and really makes you think and the accompanying music is timeless and flawlessly performed. It's a very deep and serious album with an strong meditative vibe to it. If you are looking for something to get the party started this is not the album and i don't see this ever becoming a soundsystem favorite. With that being said, it's an amazing album well suited for deep contemplation and meditation.

September 8, 2014

Got a new blog up at http://www.cosmichustlegroup.com Check that one instead, I will little by little move all post to it and delete this one.

August 26, 2011

Pray for Sizzla


Controversial Reggae superstar Sizzla has been in an bike accident and has been seriously hurt, let's pray for his fast recovery. Get better soon!!!! Here's an link to Jamaica Star's coverage

http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20110825/ent/ent1.html

August 19, 2011

The Maytones & Vernon Buckley



Out of the many great vocal groups that came in the late 60 ies and all throughout the 70 ies iv'e always felt that "The Maytones" where among the best and most underated. They originates from the May Pen area in Clarendon and consisted of Vernon Buckley and Gladstone Grant.

They got their start recording a few cuts for "Studio One" that never got released and moved on to record for Alvin Ranglin and his GG Records. The hits kept on coming throughout the 70ies but compared to the output from many other groups "The Maytones" never did release that many albums.

Fans of Roots Reggae should not be fooled by their clean cut looks, many of their tracks are str8 Rasta dealing with Zion, repatriation etc.... "You dont haffi dread to be a rasta" In 1980 Vernon Buckley moved to Canada and "The Maytones" split. I have no idea what happened to Gladstone Grant but Vernon Buckley has kept on recording and releasing albums, although very irregularly.

There's 3 albums i know of; Raw, Rocky road and the latest, Words of wisdom  who was just released on his label "Music Life". I just ordered the album and an review will follow, the samples iv'e heard sounds very positive. Time may have passed, Vernon may be getting older but his voice is still one of the best in Reggae music. You owe it to yourself to check "The Maytones" out, their music is too good to not be heard.



http://musiclifemovements.com/

August 15, 2011

Check out Caribinghi



Im always for trying to support the Swedish Reggae scene and make folks aware of it. This guy may not be all that established and big yet but quality wise he can hold his own. This new video showcase him at his best, it has an hit factor while staying true to the roots. Go check his site, he got plenty of free music for y'all to download.

http://caribinghi.com/

August 4, 2011

Let's open our wallets.......

Share food, change lives

Everyone knows about the hunger crisis on the horn of Africa by now. I dont care who you are or how rich or broke you are, if you can get online and read this post it means you have the resources to give at least something.
Does not have to be much, i know i did not have a whole lot and im sure many of y'all are kinda broke as well. But please, skip buying that CD or vinyl u where planning to get and donate a few pennies. There's plenty of causes that i would never donate to (some of y'all might get offended if i mentioned which) but this is not one of them. Be as generous as y'all possibly can.

July 23, 2011

Flash Fever


It was quite some time i reviewed an African movie on here, been watching em regularly though and thought it was time to write another one. My review for Spade (im awaiting the sequels shortly and will review them) has almost gone viral popping up on Nigerian sites all over internet. Let's see how this one does. Ghanians has a taste for horror movies, i like that and i most certainly like this movie. It was a big hit when released in Ghana and it's easy to see why.

The plans where that Akose's boyfriend Kwranteng where to seduce & marry her rich Employer madame Serwa and kill her so that they could live happily ever after in her big house. The plans changes when he really falls in love. Akose kills her herself and assumes everything is back on track but is instead thrown out of the house. Scorned and hurt she takes help from an evil wizard and kills Kwranteng who has just signed over ownership of the house to this poor family he decided to help. Akose will stop at nothing to get "her" house back and the stay at their new house will be anything but joyfull for the unfortunate family who moves in there.....

Wow, I did not expect all the special effects or how good they are, people catches fire, spikes are shooting out from bodies, folks puke worms and the miscarriage scene is both atmospheric and whit imaginative FX work. Iv'e seen plenty of American low-budget horror movies looking way less polished than what "Flash Fever" does. Being the Ghanian "super block buster" that this movie is im surprised it has no big actors. Not that it needs them though, the cast does good and Ewurabena Bray who plays Akose is quite an looker.

Coming to the question of pace, it do clock in at around 180 minutes and 3 parts but it feels a lot shorter and never feels as if it's dragging or has a bunch of scenes that's unnecessary. One good thing with long movies (if they work) is that you really care about the characters and it's very much evident here. I liked this movie a lot, it has cool effects, a good story and I strongly recommend y'all to watch it.

June 27, 2011

Is the blog dead?

Some of y'all might have checked out the blog lately and wondered why it's never being updated? Don't worry, it's not dead, it's just taking a nap. Been bussy whit stuff in my life and have not been too motivated but i will be back, just be patient.

Was going to do a post about the genious of Yellowman but another blog where faster than me and im no copycat, lol :D So to keep it short, i'll be back in a moment.

May 25, 2011

News from Cocoa Tea...


Been wondering for a while now whatever happened to "Cocoa Tea", his "Obama" album isn't exactly new anymore. As i was surfing around i found this article on "The Gleamer" where he reveals he got a new album coming, hopefully we will not have to wait till next year as he hints.

He's also droping a few lines on the current state of Reggae and it's future.

"....However, the overall project 'Whe De Reggae Deh?' speaks to something that he says people are asking about when he does performances outside Jamaica. "Everywhere I go in the world, people ask me where the reggae gone from in Jamaica. People are saying we are trying to export hip hop, rather than import hip hop and export reggae," Cocoa Tea said.

He said the queries have come across Europe, England, the USA and Canada, as well as Japan. "People used to the type of reggae that we sing. It is music that can inspire a people and a nation," Cocoa Tea said. That is in contrast to a lot of music being produced in Jamaica now, which Cocoa Tea said "is about dancing and the riddim."


Read the whole piece here:

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110523/ent/ent1.html

May 10, 2011

New Lee Perry documentary


There already is a documentary about Lee Perry consisting mostly of him talking bout stuff in front of the camera, without any history, archival videos or anything. Now there's a more complete movie around who seem to tell the complete story of "The Uppsetter" and im very excited about it.

Hopefully there will be a DVD out soon, this is one movie i have to get. While waiting, go and check out the website at:

http://www.theuppsettermovie.com