Chinna Smith, Delphine go ska; Buju sips ‘Coconut Wata’; Mackie links Luciano

‘You’re Wondering Now ‘Chinna and Delphine

Legendary guitarist, musician, singer and producer, Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith and French reggae artiste, Delphine, have teamed up again. This time, it is for a single titled You’re Wondering Now, which was released last Friday on all digital platforms worldwide.

The two have been sharing music since 2018, when they released It’s Nature, which was a remake of the Bunny Lee riddim, and since then, they have collaborated on several projects.

Delphine describes Chinna, who is responsible for Inna de Yard in Kingston and the Binghistra Movement as “her mentor; her friend” and notes that he is as passionate, demanding and rigorous as she is and that’s what makes working together rewarding.

The release of You’re Wondering Now is to also highlight one of the world’s greatest and simplest music genres – ska – of which Chinna is a huge proponent.

The artistic collaboration also draws on the skill of musicians Robbie Lyn, Sly Dunbar, Sangie Davis and Lloyd Parks. Recorded earlier this year at Tuff Gong Studio in Jamaica, the producer went for a French touch for the mix and mastering with Laurent Dupuy and Simon Capony.

You’re Wondering Now is produced by Delphine’s independent music label BS World and distributed by Tuff Gong International.

‘Coconut Wata (Sip)‘Buju Banton

Buju Banton returns to the dancehall with a new single titled Coconut Wata (Sip), out now via Gargamel Music Roc Nation Records/Def Jam Recordings.

Cued as “a vibrant and catchy dancehall track that encourages listeners to stay positive and resilient in the face of challenges”, Coconut Wata (Sip) showcases Buju’s distinctive dancehall style, evolution, and lyrical prowess.

Slinky keys set the tempo as Buju urges listeners to take a break from the stress life can bring and find joy and peace in the simple things: “ While we a sip coconut water/Well them jus a trip/ We look on them and notice/How them ship jus a dip.”

The buoyant dancehall beat brushes up against swaggering verses backed by string samples and sun-soaked sonic flourishes.

Coconut Wata (Sip) notably arrives on the heels of the global banger High Life featuring Snoop Dogg. With over a million total streams, High Life has garnered widespread critical acclaim.

Buju continues to pave the road towards a full-length follow-up to 2020’s universally acclaimed Upside Down 2020, which secured a Grammy award nomination in the category Best Reggae Album and earned four out of a maximum five-star review from The Guardian and Rolling Stone.

‘Brighter Day’Mackie Conscious and Luciano

Mackie Conscious collaborates with The Messenger Luciano to bring Brighter Day, which, as the name suggests is a song of hope.

“The message is that we who are still here because of God’s grace should never give up but believe that there will be a brighter day,” Mackie Conscious explained.

This second verse which is calling for a global unification of the African family, is likened to a continuation of the Bob Marley song Africa Unite, again hoping for a brighter day for all Africans.

Mackie Conscious said that he was inspired to write Brighter Day after releasing three other songs during the pandemic Follow Your Dreams, I’m Alive and Lets Pray, all of which will become a part of his upcoming album, Inspiration.

The production team involved in this track includes keyboard genius Wayne Holness; Fitzroy Minot and Joshua (Dave) Clarke on saxophone and trumpet respectively; Tameka Moncrieff (Tammy T) as background vocalist; Richard (Goofy) Campbell mixing engineer. The production was done at the Conscious Music Works Recording studio in Montego Bay.