The first four signature production of ‘seed-planter’ Dj War, together with the Segnale Digitale collective, is a top test for the new Salento reggae scene, the three 7” which are beginning to be known throughout the peninsula. “Play On Riddim”, signed by Mighty Cez, emerging Brindisi producer based in Venice, immediately impresses for its wisely constructed version and easy adaptability to so many different metrics - robust and dynamic when needed - embellished with fancy percussion on a regular upbeat riff and horns in pure Studio One style. When altering rhythms, one recalls the new Salento school of singers led by Treble, Lu Professore, in top form on the “Fanne Ca” grooves, with acute lyrics on questions that have no answers. Boom Boom Cilum is part of Lu Marra’s “Ganja War”, a clean vision of the market contradictions that crushes the magic herb, umpteenth confirmation of the state of grace of the most powerful and acclaimed singer in today’s Italian music scene. The same theme is also performed in bashment key by the convincing Bleizone, although the best surprise comes from the emerging Mikelino, who in “Non ti stancare mai” builds some half Italian-half dialect significant lyrics, on original and incisive melodic lines around common subjects including those of Cocco Ventrejanca’s “Pija Coscienza”, the last episode of the complete series.
Andrea Mi

War Sound & Segnale Digitale come out in 2006 with three vinyl singles with the “Play On” rhythm, a massif and persisting roots background rhythm produced by Mighty Cez, which recalls Errol Dunkley’s 'Black Cinderella' melodic line. Track production is all by DJ War, all-time Salento selector, together with Segnale Digitale. Different personalities of great importance and some new names of the Salento sound are involved in the vocals: in 'Fanne ca' ex Sud Sound System, Treble come back on the scene with ‘conscious' lyrics and a vocal performance full of determination. On his single’s retro, we find the clean version of ‘Play On’ rhythm. Lu Marra’s 'Ganja War’ is the umpteenth big tune of a by now famous vocalist whose powerful voice reminds us of the Jamaican dj style of the early 90s. On the ‘Ganja war’ retro, we have singer Mikelino’s debut: 'Non ti stancare mai', a pleasant urging to commit to fulfill one’s life with just and important goals instead of getting ‘burnt’. The third single to complete the out coming number hosts another ganja-tune, Bleizone’s 'Sansa logica' and, on the retro of Cocco Ventrejanca’s ‘Pija coscienza’, the emerging Bleizone collective links to Lu Marra’s tune theme while Cocco Ventrejanca links to the lyrics of Mikelino. All singles are fresh and original and emphasize the enormous creativity that marks the Salento scene including its less known performers.
Pier Tosi