Fire I Blaze (Judgement Fi Babylon) Riddim

Reality Chant have scored again! Following the success of their recent riddim ‘You’ve Been Bad’, this local production crew are back with another hot roots riddim to warm the winter months.

‘Fire I Blaze’ was originally produced by Gabriel ‘Messenjah’ Calcott and Paul ‘Nava’ Bimler for Christchurch reggae sound system, Dubwize. This smooth club-friendly riddim was then re-polished, and in 2012, two 7” vinyl cuts (featuring Deadly Hunta, Louie Culture, Hi Kee and version) came out through Reality Chant and Tru Sound Records. It has now been given a fresh, digital release, and features a full set of artists.

This solid riddim showcases an international range of artists, and should definitely get some attention from roots music lovers and sound systems worldwide. The riddim deftly blends classic percussive keyboard stabs with a front-foot bass line, giving the track momentum and an almost hip-hop feel. Nothing too far out of the box here, just solid, foundation flavoured reggae. Well-produced, sparse FX and some real diversity in the line-up of vocal artists.

Veteran vocalist Louie Culture comes with a strong conscious message on ‘Judgement Fi Babylon’; young Rasta vocalist Stikki Tantafari steps up with ‘So Jah Jah Say’; a rough and ready Deadly Hunta reminds us to ‘Give Thanks’; and the impressive combination of Hi Kee, Luciano and Brigadier Jerry really shine on ‘Babylon Your System Collapse’.

Gideon Production artist Cookie The Herbalist is featured with his dancehall reggae styled cut ‘A New Day’, while Brazilian reggae artist Pato B brings us the very hot ‘El Fuerte’. The title track, ‘Fyah I Blaze’, is a great team-up from Chilean artists Jah Red Lion and Anbless Nabi. And finally, originally from Montserrat, Raggadon, a founding member of Reality Chant, steps in with the catchy ‘More Love’.

The instrumental is featured on the release, which once again, is clearly aimed at the global roots demographic, as opposed to the Pacific reggae, pop, or modern digital market. So listeners won’t find formulaic ‘Kiwi reggae’ here.

The release is also spiced up by some tasty remixes from Dub Terminator and Max Rubadub. Both bring modern production styles to the project so locals can definitely get their fix of digikal dub-tronica. NZ based producer Dub Terminator flips ‘Judgement Fi Babylon’ with his signature styles of digital dub, and Max Rubadub, originally from Switzerland, gives Deadly Hunta’s ‘Give Thanks’ some fine break-beat treatment.

Internationally known, Reality Chant have gained a reputation as one of Australasia’s most consistent roots reggae productions crews and this well rounded release is sure to continue that track record.

Judgement Fi Babylon – Louie Culture