• News & Editorials
  • Claat News
  • Bio-/ Discographies
  • International News
  • Interviews
  • Latest Releases
  • Lyrics Database
  • Reviews
  • - - - - - - - - - - - -
  • Keyword Index
  • Latest Articles
  • Sitemap
• Events
  • Event Calendar
  • Events Archive
  • Event Galleries
  • Featured Events
  • Live Broadcasts
  • - - - - - - - - - - - -
  • Keyword Index
  • Latest Articles
  • Sitemap
• Community
  • Downloads
  • Link Directory
  • Music Videos
  • Surveys
  • User Gallery
  • - - - - - - - - - - - -
  • Keyword Index
  • Latest Articles
  • Sitemap
• About Us
  • Contact Claat
  • Impressum/Imprint
  • Marketing Info
  • Newsletter Management
  • - - - - - - - - - - - -
  • Keyword Index
  • Latest Articles
  • Sitemap

---

Shanty Town Riddim / Pow Pow Movement / 2003

---

Pow Pow Movement, the top sound outta Cologne/Germany, did a great remake of the classical Shanty Town / 007 riddim and let top JA artists voice pon it.
Remakes of classical reggae riddims are no rarity - every month, one or two crucial riddims come out in a new outfit, some of them more, some of them less good. But what about ska & rocksteady riddims, the ultimate foundation of reggae as we know it today? Unfortunately the world hasn't seen many riddims of that era remade today. Producers aren't willing to dare experiments and therefor prefer sticking to wellknown stuff.
Other than Pow Pow Productions from Cologne/Germany. After their first successfull selection, the Celebrate Riddim, they come up with a remake of one of the most memorable Instrumentals from the ska/rocksteady era - the rhythm track of Desmond Dekker's Shanty Town. Unlike many foundation riddim remakes, which try to re-trim the riddim to nowadays fashion tempo-wise, Pow Pow succeeded to preserve the original pace of the riddim, giving it a very authentic touch. On the other hand, the instruments of the remake were given much reverberation, giving them a very clear and bouncing sound, without loosing the original pace of the 60's riddim.

Tune-wise, the riddim is a singer's choice this time. Even the deejays voicing pon it kept a very melodical touch with their tunes. Here you see some of the old Celebrate artists like Turbulence and Jah Mason, but this time they are supported by a whole bunch of other cultural singers. Pow Pow managed to get big artists like Sizzla, Anthony B, Luciano and even the great Jack Radics upon this selection, as well as Tanya Stephens, who is back on track harder than ever after a long pause, and Daddy Rings, well-known for his Weed Haffi Bun and numerous collaborations with wellknown German singjay Gentleman. New talents weren't forgotten here as well, besides THE upcoming Turbulence there is some more fresh talent in persons of Elijah Prophet, Sugar Black and Lebancoleh.

It is noticable that all the tunes keep up a nice vibe lyrically. Even Sizzla, notorious for his controversial and not-always-conscious lyrics, is keeping it strictly niceness here. Neither heavy slackness, nor crude bun dis bun dat lyrics can be found on this selection, rather pure conscious vibes, depicting the faith in Jah or denouncing the society's Injustice. A clear highlight for me is the Luciano tune, probably the best tune I heard from him in the past year. He's calling for more love and devotion, partly recycling the refrain melody of the original Shanty Town tune. Ethiopia Awakes is another big tune by Turbulence, in which he rather shows his singer Abilities than the Bobo-deejay styles he was dropping earlier, and he masters the new singing style very well. Another big tune is... well let's say they're all great tunes. All the tunes convinced me, it seems that the uplifting riddim gave the artists even more energy to perform like I heard them perform seldomly on other riddims. I already gave Celebrate 5 points back then, and I wish I could give Shanty Town even more...

The selection is distributed by Soundquake, but should be available in every well-sorted reggae recordstore as well. Feel the vibes !

Tracklist:

1. Turbulence - Ethiopia Awakes
2. Anthony B - Time For The Love
3. Sizzla - Can't Keep Us Down
4. Luciano - Love & Devotion
5. Tanya Stephens - Power Of A Girl
6. Jah Mason - Too Much Dying
7. Sugar Black & Lebancoleh - Jah Nah Dead
8. Daddy Rings - The Wiff
9. Jack Radics - Dancing
10. Elijah Prophet - People First

---

---

---