Beauty and The Beast riddim
Two complementary halves of a brand new rhythm track from TJ Records, produced by Teetimus and Daseca, which is already being compared to the classic Diwali riddim.
MP3: Teetimus and Daseca - Beauty Riddim
Beauty doesn't have the same percussive propulsion as Lenky's all-conquering instrumental, but the lush R'n'B synths, prominent handclaps and customised mixes for different voicings are certainly reminiscent of the 2002 global smash hit.
It's also got a melodic, radio-friendly feel that gives it the potential to cross over like Diwali did. It's easy to imagine American R'n'B singers jumping on this - let's just hope they ride the rhythm better than Lumidee did!
My favourite track on the rhythm is probably Deh Pon The Scene, on which Mr Vegas (pictured) advertises his retirement from dancehall: "Ladies you know this is the final one for you". Hopefully his idea of retirement is closer to that of Jay-Z or Wiley rather than Super Cat or Grandpa Simpson.
MP3: Mr Vegas - Deh Pon The Scene
Other standout vocals on Beauty come from Chino and Voicemail - I love the way on Chino's version the handclaps are doubled to switch up the beat.
The Beauty and the Beast concept is nice too, with two related rhythms voiced by two sets of artists released simultaneously. The Beast is a darker, militaristic version of the same core idea, featuring more hardcore or gangster vocals by the likes of Aidonia, Mavado, Demarco and Bugle (pictured).
MP3: Teetimus and Daseca - The Beast Riddim
It's a shame, though, that the division of labour between the riddims is so stark, with Beauty being dominated by singers - artists like Busy Signal, Beenie Man and Vybz Kartel would undoubtedly deliver outstanding cuts on such a good rhythm track. But I'd be surprised if more people don't jump on the riddim if it proves to be a dancehall hit, so that's something to look forward to.
If anything I favour Beauty - I guess for the sort of reasons outlined by Ben Dubstar in his recent post on dark tunes - but The Beast is still a powerful production and there's some great voicings on it. Notably, and not surprisingly given the form they've been on this year, Mavado and Bugle both set the bar high with impressive vocals.
MP3: Mavado - Gangsta Nuh Play
The multi-talented Demarco (pictured), as proficient on the mic as behind a mixing desk, also smacks it. His dual style flips between haunting auto-tune falsetto and the authoritative boom of his MCing.
Posted by Gabriel | Thursday 23 October 2008
Comments
DJ_M3GA (Dancehall Generals) on 30 October 2008
BEast riddim MADDDDDD!
But still no contender for diwali too dark n evil like :-(...
Beauty is very nice and light thought.
HEatwave YUh Remix Dem Mad..
Check out di myspace
http://www.myspace.com/dancehallgenerals
HOLLA
DJ M3GA
The Decider on 11 November 2008
Beauty and the Beast definitely has the potential of a crossover. Is it the next Diwali? maybe not, but newcomer SHERMAIN might take it there with her single BURNING UP!!!
Check it out on youtube sell offfff
Muzikal Ting on 13 December 2008
Lets get a couple ah things straight rightaway...
TJ Records have so far been very SMART. They have basically copied DAVE KELLY and CHRIS BIRCH creations and added a couple ah extra phrases and made MASSIVE HITS.
Unfinished Business & Show Off were copying SHOWTIME.
Beauty is a copy of DAVE KELLY's BAD GYAL riddim... The one what Baby Cham had "She love the 'hood" and Spice had "Right There"...
The drums are EXACT copies... the keys have more flavor...
BEAST Riddim drums are a copy of BIRCH's classic MILITARY riddim ... and the Keys are your typical "POST 2k7 DARK RIDDIM" style that Demarco has perfected on his work for JAMMY's sons....
DIWALI was a work of GENIUS...
Beauty and the Beast as GOOD riddims that are CLEVER copies of GREAT riddims....
Bless
Gabriel on 13 December 2008
It's true, Beauty is VERY similar to the Bad Gal riddim - http://www.imeem.com/people/3qkgZ9/playlist/JW2k1DY2/bad_gal_riddim_music_playlist/ - which like most of Dave Kelly's riddims, had an original and unique sound when it came out.
I dunno if it's fair to call Show Off and Unfinished Business copies of Showtime, especially the former cos it at least references the Dave Kelly original in its title and makes it clear that it's a relick.
But you're right, it's smart of TJ to borrow from and repackage earlier hit riddims without making it obvious that they're relicks - dancehall's memory span now seems so short that producers can get away with that!
Recent posts
Recent comments
Henry on "Baddaz riddim - Joyride relick"
When I need the loo I put on Reggae…
JAVA on "New Year New Love - Cecile"
That cecile song hoooot love it
shane on "Ms Dynamite - Bad Gyal"
I know she is bloody fantastic so underated so…
Gregzinho on "Ms Dynamite - Bad Gyal"
I second Ghis's comment. Got a real deal mp3…
Chris on "Ms Dynamite - Bad Gyal"
It's been far far too long. Welcome home!
Benjamin dUBS on 24 October 2008
Its big, its big. But its not really a Diwali contender. Diwali had both in one song. It was like a beastly beauty. Or a handsome beast.
That's the deep thing about it, Diwali is a banging upbeat saucy tune - but its got filthy little darkside undercurrents. All on the same riddim. Galang Gal and Sufferer on the same plate. Its a fucking versatile beat I reckon.
These BB riddims are large though. After I read it I found a Serani lick. Hella cheesy, but flaming still. Like burnt cheese.