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Elemental Riddim / I-Spect Records / 2002

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First selection on Mystic Dan's own label, produced by Beat Schmieda. Irie vibes in deh!
Germany is bearing true treasures recently when it comes to roots riddims. After the dubby Doctor's Darling from Germaican hit the stores, another strictly roots production is knocking on the door. Mystic Dan, already well-known as soundsystem MC and featured singer on, for example, KC Da Rookie's album, founded a new label, focussing on roots and culture: I-Spect Records. The first riddim production, which consists of 3 7" singles, was layed by Hamburg's producer duo Beat Schmieda, and features tunes by 5 great Germany-based artists.

What's to say about the riddim itself ? A truly uplifting horns melody, combined with piano accords, and, what is quite unusuall nowadays, based on an offbeat bassdrum, 70s rockers style. Nice to hear that, as the hiphop'ish drum structures in nowadays nu-roots riddims often damage the whole riddim experience. This one goes more towards foundation.

The tunes are really remarkable, strictly dealing with righteousness; you don't have a completely conscious riddim selection that often nowadays. Lobsta from Munich warns of a "Babylon Threat", while well-known Scarra Mucci demands "No More Babylon". Both really great tunes, perhaps the most impressive pieces of conscious music coming outta Germany. Just the lyrics of the second one confuse me a bit. "Vatican city is on fire, and I hear the voice of Christians out there scream"... I doubt it's a suitable solution to give the fault of Babylonian mischieves to one religion, and one should not forget that His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie I., was (coptic-orthodox) Christian aswell. So better check lyrics twice... But music- and voice-wise this is defenitely the best tune of the set anyway.
German deejay veteran Dr. Ring-Ding releases a really intriguing and controversial tune pon this riddim. In "Who Are You Without Sin" Ring-Ding attacks deejays who "bun fiyah pon dis an' fiyah pon dat" and appeals to pity rather than hatred, referring to Jesus Christ."Adultry is a sin, a di Bible seh so, [...] but di Son a Man, Jesus Christ man yuh know, 'im know bout it all an' 'im still let dem go". A message that suits especially the European massive, tired of all that bun-out-talk, but I fear this tune could not find consent in the Carribean. Anyway, a great tune full of righteousness and Bible knowledge, a thing lacking from the so called "prophets" nowadays. Next artist is the young talent Martin Jondo, whom many of you saw as support-act of Gentleman on this year's Summerjam. On this selection he delivers the only tune in German, and it's worth hearing. Unfortunately I can only hardly understand the lyrics, either because of the mastering or because of Jondo's kinda unusual voice. Last but not least, a tune from the label-owner himself, Mystic Dan, who delivers one of the selection highlights with "Reggae Fi Days", half singing and half deejaying in a kinda Bounty-style, which in fact doesn't sound carbon at all but very original.

All in all, a great uplifting roots selection, carrying something special that I miss in many recent nu-roots productions. Be sure to lay your hands on these 45s, you can get them either in your local store or order them via email from mysticdan@gmx.net or schmieda@xiunike.de . Rumours say that a 2nd round of this riddim will follow in autumn, featuring Jamaican artists. We'll see !

Tracklist

1. Lobsta - Babylon Threat
2. Skarra Mucci - No More Babylon
3. Dr. Ring-Ding - Who Are You Without Sin
4. Martin Jondo - Der Rebell
5. Mystic Dan - Reggae Fi Days

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