Afro Riddim Sessions Vol. 1 (Indieland/EXS/In the Pocket Records, 2006)

*GUEST REVIEW*
Good combination here of dancehall, roots, African vibes, and what the promo material aptly calls "trancemospherics." Ex-Centric Sound System's previous two discs blended real drums and bass with African percussion and sampled sounds on songs that both danced in celebration and tranced in a manner most mesmerizing. Like African Head Charge, their blend of organic and electronic brought out the best in both. Recorded in Kingston with a strong supporting cast of vocalists (including Kulcha Knox, Prezident Brown, and Anthony B) and players (Chico Chin, Paul "Wrong Move" Crossdale, and Bongo Herman among them), Afro Riddim Sessions Vol. 1 aims to meld the more conscious aspects of dancehall with Ex-Centric's contemporary Africanisms. The songs flow seamlessly, one into another without pause as a blend of dancehall swagger, reggae skank, tightly sealed drumming and dubwise excursions take hold with mounting strength. Things stick to the positive lyrically and even those who aren't crazy about dancehall will be moved by the disc's upful spirit and innovative fusion. Ex-Centric leader/bassist/composer/producer Yossi Fine's intention with this project was to create a Jamaican-influenced album that would make both body and spirit dance. Count it a success.

- Tom Orr

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Track Listing
1. Blessed Love (Intro) -- Richi Bless
2. Things That You Do (Juju Riddim) -- Kulcha Knox
3. Need Love Here (Samba Patty Riddim) -- Anthony B
4. 1.2Nayabingy Order (The Ex-Centric Riddim) -- Al Pancho and Excalibur
5. Stranger in Da City (Mandinka Riddim) -- Doniki
6. More Love (Mandingo Riddim) -- Kulcha Knox
7. Babylon By Bus (Equator Riddim) -- Prezident Brown
8. Babylon By Dub (Moonrise Riddim)
9. Livity (Livity Riddim) -- Richi Bless
10. Heard it on the News (Juju Version) -- Doniki
11. Boboman Warn (Ex-Centric Dub Version) -- Jah Mason
12. The 1 (#1 Announcement)
13. Put on the Dancing Shoe (Dungle Beat) -- Kulcha Knox
14. Hardcore Reggae Ambassador (Togo Beat) -- Lisa Denja
15. Wildest Dreams (Solomon's Riddim) -- Chezedek
16. Wildest Dub (Solomons Dub)
17. Blood by Blood (New Orleans Riddim) -- Ras Haile Malekot
Afro Riddim Sessions Vol. 1
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