It had been since 2005's 'World In Trouble', released on the Dutch M Records label, that we last heard from deejay veteran Ranking Joe. Not that he disappeared from the scene entirely, as, in recent years, he made contributions on albums and EPs by artists like The Loving Paupers, Double Tiger, Hempress Sativa and The Grinders, but it seemed like a full-length album of his own was no longer in the cards. However, with 'Top Ranking', Ranking Joe is back, riding over a set of riddims laid down by none other than Sly & Robbie, with the mixing duties handled by Colin 'Bulby' York.
By Jah Rebel
Album opener ‘AI’, immediately grabs attention as a stern warning about the dangers of the dystopian omnipresence of artificial intelligence, potentially one of the very first reggae tracks addressing AI. The title ‘Babylon Against Creation’ hints at a reworking of the Creation Rebel riddim, while the deejay version of Stick A Bush (featuring Al Griffiths Jr. on vocals) also manages to impress. Al Griffiths isn’t the only guest vocalist on ‘Top Ranking’, as Carlton Livingston also makes an appearance in ‘Faith’. Ranking Joe’s admiration for the late U-Roy, the king of the deejay genre, has never been a secret, and ‘Tribute To U-Roy’ offers a fitting homage.
Fans of vintage riddims will also enjoy ‘Wicked Politician’, a powerful statement against self-serving politicians (a theme that still resonates today), voiced over the Heavenless riddim. The album closes with ‘Rumors A Spread’, a less convincing deejay adaptation of Gregory Isaacs’ classic ‘Rumours’.
In addition to ‘Top Ranking’, Tad’s Record presents ‘Choice Of Color’, a reissue of Ranking Joe’s ‘Tribute To John Lennon’ album from 1981. The album’s opener and title track, ‘Tribute To John Lennon’, was recorded at Bulwackies in New York shortly after John Lennon was tragically murdered there in 1980. For reasons that remain unclear, not only was the album’s title changed, but several tracks were also renamed. ‘Fuck It In A Dance’ became ‘Hot She Hot’, ‘Slackness Style’ was rebranded as ‘1 O’clock Rock’ and ‘Miss Lou’ was retitled ‘Love Bump Skank’. The original titles give away the fact that this album marks a period in Ranking Joe’s career when he shifted towards more “slack” (explicit) content. The raunchy lyrics may not be to everyone’s taste, but thankfully, there are still tracks like ‘Clarks Booty Style’, an ode to the iconic footwear brand over the Freedom Blues riddim, ‘Cold Blood’ over Jackie Mittoo’s In Cold Blood riddim, and ‘Natty Man, Traveling Man’, where he recounts his adventures in New York over the classic Mean Girl riddim. A somewhat dated gem for true enthusiasts of the genre!
Founder alongside Jah Shakespear who transitioned to this role in late 2014. Previously worked as critic and reporter, balancing passions for music and Haile Selassie spirituality.
October 22, 2024