We, Necessary Mayhem, are pleased to announce our first release of 2012; a new Sampler Series. With Curtis Lynch on production, and a superb array of artists and songwriters supporting, this Sampler proves to be one of our strongest pieces of work to date. Not only does this album preview tracks from forthcoming 2012 riddim releases, and new mixes of old NM classics, but it also debuts tunes previously unreleased on vinyl. The album is also available on digital download, complete with bonus tracks.
The vintage Lover’s Rock track, Ooh Baby (originally voiced by Sonia Ferguson) is brought right into the modern day by Curtis Lynch with the likes of living legend, Maxi Priest. Maxi needs little introduction. His foundation years with Saxon Sound System set Maxi up for his subsequent successes, such as the international smash Close To You and huge hit features with Shaggy & Shabba Ranks. He is an artist with a huge amount of class, which shines through on his vocal of Ooh Baby riddim. Here Maxi sings about being into a lady who wants to rush into things while he is a man who takes his time.
Jah Mali is one of the biggest Reggae Roots singers in the world. We at Necessary Mayhem are honoured to be working with such a superb talent, especially when he voices tunes like Blood Thirsty. Jah Mali’s haunting vocals over this reggae/ hip hop style riddim, reminiscent of Lynch’s Police in Helicopter, captivates the listener as he touches on poignant political current affairs.
Etana… Where to begin?! Curtis has produced five tracks on her current album, and this is one of them. Dance was championed by David Rodigan for weeks on Kiss Fm, which prompted us to put this out as a 7″ single. This is a very sweet track about Etana meeting a man at a gathering and sharing a dance which could one day lead to other pleasantries….!
Mr Williamz’s Ganja Smokin’ track is about just that! How far he will go to get it, where he will smoke it, how he will share it…. This is definitely one of the bigger tunes on the Necessary Mayhem circuit right now, especially as it is on the popular 70s riddim, Darker Shade.
As Mi Forward by Busy Signal & Million Stylez is one of the biggest tunes to come out on the Necessary Mayhem label. The As Mi Forward Remix, jam-packed with additional artists, was never released, until now! French superstar, MC Netna, flows big-time on this tune… almost like a Drum & Bass MC! Reggae Queen Etana tells us what happens when she reaches the dancehall, while Busy Signal leads the cast in the chorus of the song, leaving the outro to Swedish Reggae legend Million Stylez.
Ziggi has consistently been one of Holland’s biggest Reggae exports for a number of years now. Curtis Lynch & Ziggi first worked together on the Joker Smoker Rhythm and since then have forged an excellent partnership.. This current tune, Rumours, is on a fresh sounding Digital Roots Reggae riddim. In his vocals, Ziggi is upset by the rumours that people are spreading about him, however, all rumours and questions are quashed as Ziggi answers all.
J.C Lodge, a Queen of Digital Reggae in the late 80’s through the 90’s, had a string of hits including the ever-popular, Telephone Love. Curtis Lynch revisits that golden period with a remix, Where Dreams Are Made, originally taken from Lodge’s Telephone Love album. Known for her suggestive lyrics, J C Lodge, flows across this hard-edge roots-style rhythm, telling her audience just how her partner makes her feel.
Gregory Isaacs, Reggae superstar, has left an unrivaled legacy. Report, taken from our Gregory Isaacs remix album, is yet another testament to that. Curtis Lynch boosts this bassline driven track to the max, as Gregory enquires of his lady’s whereabouts the previous evening.
Ny is an RnB rising star from the UK who worked with Curtis in her development years. This tune is the exact middle ground between reggae and RnB however this is a remix by new signings Killa Mosquito who are Drum & Bass/ Dubstep/ Dub producers with plenty of reggae vybes…. Oh and how can we forget to mention that Reggae superstar Sizzla features on this tune where Ny asks Sizzla if his love is for real?
The Digital Download version of this album showcases three bonus tracks, all taken from forthcoming projects for 2012. The first is an alternative showcase album mix of Our Music by one of England’s top lyricist of all time – Macka B. Next up is rising star, Cali P, originally from Switzerland, he now resides in Jamaica (where he is set to play Sting 2011). Cali P keeps it peaceful with his track, One Love, on a refix of the Answer Rhythm. It’s common knowledge that Curtis Lynch is a huge fan of Jungle / Drum & Bass, so it’s obvious that there would be at least one track of this genre on the album, and that comes from Marcus Visionary ft Tippa Irie with a tune called Wicked & Wild.
With such a big line-up of tunes you can’t help but feel sorry for your neighbours…. this will be on your turntable, playing as loud as possible, for many years to come.
Necessary Mayhem Sampler Tracklist:
NECMAYLP04 / :NECMAYCD04
N Side:
Jah Mali – Blood Thirsty
Ziggi – Rumours
Gregory Isaacs – Report
Mr Williamz – Ganja Smokin
Busy Signal, Etana, Million Stylez, Netna – As Mi Forward Remix
M Side:
Maxi Priest – Easy Now
Etana – Dance
Ny Feat: Sizzla – Are You For Real – Mosquito Mix
Jc Lodge – Where Dreams Are Made
Digital Download Bonus Tracks:
Macka B – Our Music
Cali P – One Love
Wicked & Wild – Marcus Visionary Feat: Tippa Irie
