Countless dancehall beats have been released since 2018 when Synthdicate Music got their feet wet with the High Rise rhythm. Jason Bevans of that New York company says it prepared them for their second crack at a competitive market.
The Rankin Skankin is the name of the label’s latest production which was released May 8. The album contains 11 songs by Rastafarian artists including Bugle, Capleton and Fantan Mojah who appeared on the High Rise.
“We have learned more about the reggae market since High Rise; that promotion was very important to get the music across the world and recording the music is just the first stage,” said Bevans.
He added that recruiting an all-Rasta cast for the Rankin Skankin was deliberate given the positive vibe he and his colleagues seek to project.
No One Knows is the title of Bugle’s song; Capleton contributes Rastafari Guide while Fantan Mojah does Survive.
Bevans, who is from Belize, brothers Victor and Kerneil Wells and Dwayne Daniels from Trinidad and Tobago are the principals in Synthdicate Music which they formed four years ago. Initially, the company released soca songs for Trinidad Carnival but two years ago, they ventured into dancehall/reggae with the High Rise.
That was a more familiar scene for the 43 year-old Bevans who has been involved with Jamaican music since 2004 when he lived in Kingston, Jamaica’s capital, learning the ropes of music production.
He has produced songs by Bugle, Tornado, Jah Mason, Jah Thunder, Norris Man, Natural Black, Anthony B, Sugar Minott and Vybz Kartel.
The Wells brothers are from south Trinidad. Although weaned on soca, they also appreciated reggae through their father who was a big fan of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Dennis Brown.
While Bugle, Capleton and Fantan Mojah are some of the heavyweights on the Rankin Skankin, Bevans points to the album’s depth.”Isasha stands for justice and keeping your energy up. Jah Thunder talks about black against black crime. Dejazmatch Kwasi talks about finding an Empress, Nello Player talks about upliftment and not gambling your life while Mobyle Malachi talks about life, livity and being a Rastaman. This album has something for everybody,” he said.
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