France-based Irie Ites is a reggae label, sure, but they’re also a sound system, studio facility, promotional organization and more. Since 1999, they’ve been earning their red, gold, and green stripes by releasing music of consistently high quality, an attribute that can sadly be not as fine a point elsewhere in the reggae industry.
For a good earful of what they’ve been up to in the recent past, check out Irie Ites Selection-Cream of the Crop 2022 (Irie Ites, 2022). It’s a killer lineup of mostly roots and a smattering of dancehall, including prime tracks from late greats Sugar Minott and John Holt (“Watch Dem” and “On a Friday Night” respectively); the conscious side of Eek A Mouse (“Put Food on the Ghetto Youth Table”); well-placed assertiveness by Stranjah Miller (“Hit Hit Hit”); the characteristically fine chanting of Capleton (“Throw Us Down”) and a good deal more.
Seven dub tracks round things out, showing how well the riddims stand on their own, even though the featured vocalists all deliver strongly.
One of several artists credited for spearheading a roots revival in reggae makes his intentions clear with Never Stop (Irie Ites, 2023). I’m talking about Chezidek, and his sing/chant delivery, trippingly deft one moment and mellow the next; carries the day through songs addressing shared concerns like perseverance (“Try”), ongoing tragedy (“Ukraine”), self-awareness (“Who I Am”), caution (“Who Fool You”) and the virtues of the fairer gender (“Good Girl”).
The accompanying riddims are original while referencing various reggae motifs from the past and balancing them with enough modern sheen to remind all that the roots are timeless, even if a bit of dancehall or rockish guitar serves as an occasional interlude.
A lucky 13 songs and 4 dubs long, Never Stop is quality, far-reaching reggae for these times.
More about Irie Ites.
Author: Tom Orr
Tom Orr is a California-based writer whose talent and mental stability are of an equally questionable nature. His hobbies include ignoring trends, striking dramatic poses in front of his ever-tolerant wife and watching helplessly as his kids surpass him in all desirable traits.