Words by Jesse Serwer—
When it comes to contemporary music makers, there’s few people we rate higher than Salaam Remi. Last summer we spent time at the low-key superproducer’s Miami compound, where he spoke on his career highs and outlook on music, and gave us the play-by-play on 10 of his most classic productions, from Super Cat’s “Ghetto Red Hot (Remix)” to Nas’ “The Don.”
So, needless to say, we were super curious to hear One: In The Chamber, the first proper full-length release Salaam has put out under his own name, after more than 25 years in the business working with the likes of The Fugees, Amy Winehouse and Miguel. The compilation sees Remi working with a wide-ranging cast of collaborators including Akon, Ne-Yo, Estelle, Corinne Bailey Rae and Jordin Sparks. A cover of the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” from Stephen Marley is the most intriguing on paper, but not necessarily in action. As far as the Bajan Remi’s cross-Caribbean collaborations go, it’s easily outshined by “I Belong,” featuring another singer of Jamaican lineage, Liam Bailey. (As far as covers go, the achievement here is Remi’s instrumental version of Keni Burke’s old-school R&B anthem “Keep Rising to the Top”)
One: In The Chamber drops tomorrow via Salaam’ss Flying Buddha Records. Stream it below and, if you like what you hear, buy the album on iTunes here.