Gentleman ADD

Review

Album Review: Don Corleon - Finally Riddim

06/14/2024

by Gardy Stein

The name of Donovan "Don Corleon" Bennett is inextricably linked with some of the biggest reggae and dancehall anthems of the early 2000s. Remember Good To Go? Remember Egyptian? Remember Mad Antz? Classics fi real! Despite this success, it has become a bit quiet around him during the last decade, at least reggae-wise (his latest riddim release was the Island Roots in 2015 - meanwhile he's been busy working with big names like Sean Paul, Blacc Zacc and Big K.R.I.T.), but he seems to return to the genre now. Not only did he recently produce the full studio album Safe for Trinidadian artist Marlon Asher, he also presents us with a new riddim called Finally.

The ten tracks represent a great mix of established and upcoming artists, with Christopher Martin kicking off the ride with the love song Don't Let Go. On a similar level, both vocally and in terms of international recognition, Gentleman contributes Watch Over Me, a tune that is both a plea to the Almighty and a warning against the evil who rise against him. "Touch not the anointed!"

Love is also the subject of No Disturbing by Keely Keyz (who is better known as songwriter than as singer and has written or co-written the lyrics for seven tracks on this album) and Defense by Meleku. The son of Sizzla Kalonji impresses with his on-point vocal delivery, allowing himself to play around a bit with the high notes. Pressure Busspipe continues the love story with Forever, while "Mister Singy Singy" lets us know that Kisses Don't Lie in discovering that a relationship is coming to an end.

Tarrus Riley actually appears twice on the album, with a second substantial contribution called It Nuh Mek Sense. This is a heart-felt obituary to Peetah Morgan of the Morgan Heritage family, who passed away suddenly this February, at a mere 46 years of age. The pain of losing a good friend is felt in every note here, and maybe it should become a tradition to remember reggae artists thus. "Yes Rasta! I hear your voice…"

Holding the flag up high for all female artists, Kimeco and Taye represent with El Shadai and Ease My Mind, respectively. Both are newcomers, although the former has already released several singles and here brings back memories of the 1998 Jahmali hit by the same name (El Shadai is an ancient name for God in the old testament, by the way). T.O.K., finally, make the instrumental their own in style with Much More, in their characteristic mix of high (Alex), middle (Craigy T) and bass voice (Bay C).

Musically, the riddim is reminiscent of Don Corleon classics like the Drop Leaf from almost 20 years back. Finally starts with a fantastic bass drop, followed by moody guitars and a steady drum pattern, and has a rather relaxed tempo of 80bpm. Some slight fade and delay are used, but on the whole, it is not overloaded with effects. A sweet, easy-going riddim to accompany us through the summer – let's hope that Vendetta, as the producer is also called, is back for good in reggae waters!

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