It's a pleasure to welcome Aaron Coyes who, alongside his wife Indra Dunis, makes up the group Peaking Lights. Aaron is not only a walking good vibe but his enthusiasm and knowledge of music runs deep so it's really great to have him on board at TP towers. Also big shout to Prof, Kamal and Joe over at Ariwa and Elliot at Melodies. On with the program and over to Aaron...

Wicked Man! This double album compiled by Melodies International pulls from the 45 + years of the Ariwa catalog- in the words of Melodies International - “presenting the Motown and Stax influences in the Lovers Rock, but also provides a glimpse into the dubbier and more experimental side of the label, showcasing Ariwa's commitment to quality but also their personality, philosophy and their humour. Love songs, break-up songs, socially engaged songs, dub experimentations — this compilation is not a "best of" Ariwa but a diverse and honest celebration of the label through the lens of Melodies International.”

The reality is that what we get is a masterfully curated selection of heavy hitters. Any one of these songs would be a standout track on its own; however, we’re blessed with every track being absolute heaters. Seriously. And let’s give thanks to whomever at Melodies International is the mastermind who sequenced this is, it's brilliant. The thread running between the tracks in both their similarities and differences; as well as, the range in time these are taken from the well over 40 year catalog is stunning and presents an overwhelming vision of skill, love for the craft and the brilliance of Ariwa.

If you’re looking for some 70’s throwback this may not be your record, but actually, it probably is. Time to crack your egg. This whole selection is filled with warmth and sincerity, made with love at Ariwa. Mad Professor and the Ariwa sound has always hit a bit cleaner than the predecessors but with no less magick, inspiration and creative genius. This Ariwa compilation is a movement through time since 1979. There is nothing on this album to waste your time because there’s nothing to trim. It’s there, you’re here. A fly on the wall for the labels existence, beamed by Melodies International- except you’re able to time travel and move around, your spaceship is the delay and your wormhole is every vocalist on this album- it doesn’t matter when, it happened and now we can hear it.

There’s something sinister about a record being this good, like a criminal you can’t catch, a savage mix of styles, how did we get here? Does this answer any of my questions? Perhaps, or maybe it just feels good to be in the moment with this album. A ride through the different styles of Ariwa, put together in a way that is easy to see how they influenced each other. The heavy dubs and experiments compliment these lovers' cuts so well.

We start Side A with a scorcher from Johnny Clarke, I love the rewind into the dub on this, track 1 is kinda two tracks but I’m not complaining more the merrier. Followed by Sgt. Pepper another rootsy cut with some killer bubbly synth. Track three gets us into a heavy stepper zone with Mad Professor + Joe Ariwa w/ Horace Andy burning the face off Big Ben. Scorching bass and chaotic sirens with some pummeling rhythm section no shortage of savagery, here. Then back down slightly with U-roy and some classic sounding U-roy vocal wizardry.

Side B is where we hit the next zone. Flip the record. You take a breath. It hits you, Davina Stone gives you her heart. We’re in some lovers now. Followed by Kofi with another excellent sweet track yet clearly a bit later era. Both really wonderful sun kissed sweet soul influenced tracks. Moving further, the third track Sandra Cross brings us into a ripping new dubwise vibe but it still makes sense even though we’ve picked up a bit tempo wise this great dub is filled with lovers elements from the vocal with the rhythm section driving the boat into the sunset. The fourth track, Mad Professor w/ Mafia & Fluxy get into some wild digital zone heavier and stepping, maybe they just found an old casio sk1 and are busting samples on it and laughing at how wild it is, heavy ass bass. HEAVY ASS BASS.

Side C kicks off with a great lovers cut from the Ariwa Posse featuring Abel Miller. I love how these changes going from each side of the album is shocking yet makes sense. This sweet soul lovers cut is great, a chiller. But then this next track from Kofi comes around, even more of a chiller, this is the perfect spot for this. I needed this song at this point, I’m kind of getting a tear listening. I wish you could be here listening, on this crazy sound system I built. All these songs have a unique flavor, it’s like you can almost tell the era and maybe what new studio gear was acquired or skill perfected. A flavor that’s been diagnosed and developed, the Professor is in! Next up, a track from Aisha with some great late 80’s early 90’s digital rhythm section lovers gone pop, this track has to have a music video. The bass is so secretly tough on this- it will put a pillow over your face while yr sleeping. Sandra Cross, closing this side with some a sweet goodnight kiss after that late nite sweat. And as I ready myself to flip to the next side I realize I’m not ready for this record to be over.

Sister Nancy takes us into our final trip around the sun, bringing back some more upbeat, a heavy warmth, a reminder of what a great journey this record has been, full of surprises. A great Sister Nancy track, a pick up with some serious charge . Next up with a seamless flow to the greatness of this Queen Omega track pushing up while we’re trying to cool down, a good way to end is to just not. This track is going and for good reason. This is going to be circular; we're definitely ending where we started - this is going to be a sequential palindrome. And we finish with a great almost 10min Ranking Ann track what a burner of a closer. I’m ready to start this album over again. Ranking Ann’s calm and syrupy voice is the icing on the cake. Our party is over, what a night.

This album leaves me wanting more. It took me on a ride, plenty of ups and downs, pushes and pulls. All these fantastic cuts together, sequenced like a palindrome. It’s a keeper that definitely fits well in any record box for any record occasion. I’ll personally have it on repeat for a bit.

Melodies International Presents Ariwa is out now in all good record stores and available on Bandcamp HERE.