Likkle Jordee ADD

Review

Album Review: Likkle Jordee - Style And Passion

01/08/2025

by Gardy Stein

With every passing year, the list of reggae artists known to us is growing (as you can see in the increasing number of artist profiles), but there is always room for new names and surprises. One of those is Jordan Jayce Ramirez aka Likkle Jordee, an artist hailing from the beautiful island state of Hawai'i (Mililani to be exact). Although he's been singing since the tender age of 13 and has even recorded an EP in 2019 (called Brand New), it is his debut album that now propels him to a larger international audience.  

Style And Passion, so the name of the release, was produced by Jahtomic and Pana (yuhLarge Records). The nine original songs included not only speak of the artist's impressive development, both vocally and music-wise, but also of his deep involvement with reggae culture and the links he has made around the world.

Vibrant proof of this rootical network is the opener Lion Order for which the artist invited the Mellow Mood twins. "Link up me bredda Jordee, Hawai'i and Italy!" they sing on the powerful, steppers-infused beat that also pays homage to Jamaican greats like Tenor Saw. Ring the alarm!

Having thus started the album with a bang, the second track INTL describes how reggae has succeeded in conquering the world. Coming on a fine '80s digital reggae beat, Likkle Jordee impressively demonstrates the versatility of his voice and his knowledge about the swag style associated with Jamaican music culture. The '80s vibe is continued with synthies and ting in Wake Up, quite literally referring to the daily process of waking up ("take a deep breath and smell the coffee"), but also to the need to stay alert at all times: "Yes, you have a mind of your own!" More valuable advice is given in the beautifully arranged Upfull, a song with lyrics worth following word by word. "Kindness is the only way to go", "Gratitude is the attitude to show" or "We have to get along if we want to survive" are some examples of the wisdom shared, and they bear witness to the artist's reflective mind.

A hymn to all independent women, 100 takes it slow at 66 bpm but is so groovy that you'll just have to skank along. In addition to the uplifting lyrics and, yet again, an impeccable vocal performance, special horns highlights are provided by Eric Hirchsorn. Sweetness! The other two songs devoted to the ladies (or, rather, to that special one), My Girl and Never Get Enough, are a little on the kitschy side, both concerning production and songwriting - some of these rhymes get old when repeated to often.

It’s Electric, as the name suggest, is a very funky affair. It works on two chords only, making it a bit repetitive, but the end is very innovative indeed. Taking another foray into a neighboring genre, Likkle Jordie closes the album with Pop No Style. The Hip Hop beat seemed to beg for another feature, and with Edley Shine, one half of the former Washington DC duo Born Jamericans, he found the perfect fit. Together they sing about the golden rules of reggae & dancehall culture, and the chorus' innate livication to the classic Uptown Top Ranking brings us back full circle to the first track.

Style And Passion is a well-rounded affair indeed. Bringing to our attention the impressive voice of Likkle Jordie, with some dope productions from Hawai'i and fine mixing and mastering by Noah Cronin and Sea Major Seven, it flows easy from the speakers and is a wonderful way of starting this new year of musical discoveries.

---

Release details