Off The Hook is going Jamrock, at least for a bit. One of Finland’s top selectors DJ Polarsoul is honoring us with his presence the coming Saturday. So with that in mind, here’s a few tunes we may or may not play in the party. They’re great jams regardless.

First up is a cumbia reworking of the old reggae standard “Chase The Devil”, by Max Romeo. Most clubheads probably remember this track from “Out of Space” by Prodigy but it is a seriously great reggae track in its own right. This time around it’s been tweaked just slightly to include the guiro-based cumbia beat to give it that latin dancehall vibe. Gets the hips swinging. Props to Mixtape Riot for this gem.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/c1y5mitinzj/Chase The Cumbia Devil.mp3

Melanie Fiona used the classic Zombies song “Time of the Season” for her R&B hit “Give It To Me Right”. Never mind that the song is lifted note-by-note, both versions are seriously awesome. “Give It To Me Right” already has that reaggae-like swing, but add Ms. Dynamite in the blend and you’ve got a dancehall favorite.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/thu0uvzxjyz/Give It To Me Right (Ms. Dynamite Refix).mp3

On a clubbier tip, George Lenton is a relatively well-known latter day dubstepper, mostly known for his more abstract and atmospheric tracks. But when he took on the remixing duties for the Damian Marley & Nas collaboration “As We Enter” he decided to go a different direction. A kind of “dubby bmore”, the remix is clubby enough for the dancers but still has enough of a back beat to keep the nappy heads smiling. Infectious and addictive.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/zongjn0o2nu/As We Enter (George Lenton Remix).mp3

And speaking of dubstep, Swedish pop-diva Robyn (ironically there’s an actual dancehall artist called Robyn, but whatever) just released a new single, which got the remix treatment from numerous sources. Buraka Som Sistema went the traditional dub route, turning the track into a blippy, lo-fi reggae-pop number. Poppy dubstepper Jakwob on the other hand did his usual thang, a rattling dubstep bass in between some infectious rhythms and build-and-fall song structures. It may raise a few eyebrows among Robyns older fans but who cares when it sounds so good. She also made a track with Diplo, “Dancehall Queen”, and while Robyn is not exactly the next Santogold, the result is still a solid track.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/rnyynatjf5m/Dancing On My Own (Buraka Som Sistema).mp3

http://www.mediafire.com/file/0mnzokym2mi/Dancing On My Own (Jakwob Remix).mp3

http://www.mediafire.com/file/h1tzwjheejm/05 Dancehall Queen.mp3

See you at the party!

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