A one-riddim celebration of ten years of the Texas, USA-based label, Reggae SoulJahs Worldwide Vol. 4 is a rolling take on Bandolero by McPullish, spearheaded by Sgt. Remo. Ranking Joe represents the foundation, but there’s plenty of vocal takes worth investigating here, on what’s been announced as the final instalment in the series.

Chezidek’s opening “Higher” is an ode to optimism, with some nice switches in style and pattern. Then, Mr. Blacc Sheep brings the intonation down a few octaves for a rollicking boast-filled ganja tune, “Roll The Weed.”

Ranking Joe proves why he’s a top-ranking lyrical deejay on “Bubble (Virtual Style).” Encouraging listeners to get in the contemporary dance – the chorus’ ‘forget about your trouble, forget about your pain’ counterbalances the opening verse’s ‘put on your mask and so you get pass’ – with the societal commentary side of the dance hall on full display. Soulfiya rises to the tough task of riding the riddim next, with the catchy “Diamond in the Rough” recognizing those that emerge from challenging circumstances. Education prevents violence, indeed.

Voicing an updated take in Spanish on the Pinchers original is a logical move for Sgt. Remo, who is the label’s boss, the album’s executive producer, and one of America’s leading sound system advocates (operating King Remo Sound System out of San Antonio, Texas); the change in language really takes the song back to its origin in an impactful way.

Ras Levy continues en español, with “Pensar Diferente.” Translate that if needed, and then please follow suit. McPullish (check his 2020 interview, with a Lone Wolf McDub album review) lets the vibrations fly on his “Bubble Dub,” which keeps Ranking Joe well in the mix, before wrapping up the release with the clean riddim, “Bandolero (21 Version).”

The 12” vinyl (which is limited to just 200 copies), as well as the digital, is available via Sgt. Remo’s Bandcamp.

The Groove Thief
.the future of dub is the present.
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Writer: NiceUp
Editor: Global Reggae Charts Magazine