Dwayne Tryumf

London’s Dwayne Tryumf gives us a taste of his talents on this EP. Tryumf has produced for many UK Gospel artists such as Prodigal Son. Tryumf MC’s his way through his nine tracks, which feature some of the finest in UK Gospel MCs such as Zion Noiz friends Judah of Green Jade, Jahaziel and Progress who are on one of the three mixes of his hit The Limit. David Fisher adds his soulful voice to the love anthem Open Up Your Heart, nice to hear a Christian guy sing about how he much he is feeling his girl! Clearly talented and with a great ear, he samples USA girl group Ramiyah on The Reason and the EP has tight beats and nice vibe throughout. But don’t be fooled its not just about the music, the lyrics they spit definitely hit the spot with the message being clear on Where d’ya think you’re going? and The Rapture. Hip-hop fans should definitely give this a listen.

by Kathy Wilkinson <kathy@str8up.co.uk> - str8up.co.uk

VARIOUS ARTISTS
THE INCENSE RIDDIM ALBUM
Label: JET STAR
Producer: TRYUMF
Release: 2004
Get a Copy!

This 14-track release, commissioned and owned by the label JET STAR was - without doubt - THE Urban gospel music riddim rider release of 2004, enjoying tremendous radio support from BBC 1XTRA, with all of the gospel versions (it had both gospel and non-gospel variations) on serial rotation.

In his review - also written last year - United by One's DJ EL NINO makes the valid point that JET STAR probably missed the boat on getting the product out to market in time, and losing out on the benefit of its massive airplay build-up.

Be that as it may (and knowing Black people the way we do), many of us probably haven't gotten round to buying it yet, and if that's the case, it'll be a real shame, but also a great opportunity for you to pick one up...

THE INCENSE RHYTHM is the product of one of the best underground producers in UK gospel, DWAYNE 'TRYUMF' SHORTER, who has already been making huge waves in recent months, and is also behind some of the more memorable tracks to come out of the UK recently, including DWAYNE LANKS' 'FAVOUR' (huge radio hit), PRODIGAL SON's THINGS PEOPLE DO FOR MONEY remix (another radio hit), the remix of ZION NOIZ's '& WHAT' (the instrumental version of this track is still being used a 'bed' track on DJ FITZ's BBC 1XTRA radio show many months after release).

His song 'THE REASON', based on the US all-girl act RAMIYA's original track is a very clever, interesting remix/re-engineered version.

In addition to being radio hits, every one of those tracks has been big in UK gospel clubs across the land. In short, big tings a gwaan for TRYUMF. The guy is hot.

While TRYUMF has the producer credit on the THE INCENSE RHYTHM album, it isn't offered it up as a strictly gospel joint. Six of the fourteen tracks come from Urban UK gospel's best (including JAHAZIEL featuring DAVID FISHER, MA'SHAL MESSAIANIST and regular UK visitor OSMOND COLLINS), but the non-gospel ones certainly aren't to be sniffed at. DON RICARDO's 'DAILY NIGHTMARE' is interesting and London's GREEN HILL ALL STARS' humorous spin carries a quintessentially London vibe.

Global demand also followed, with stories of urgent calls from places as diverse as Germany and the United States desperate to get a piece of the INCENSE action. The beats were created on an MPC, and TRYUMF says the track was a culmination of the frustration of a creative dry spell, coupled with personal turmoil he was going through at the time (for the full story listen to the UKG Spin! BioChannel interview).

The mark of a good riddim rider album comes with the diversity of vocal versions on the same track, and this one doesn't disappoint. In a shrewd or cynical marketing move (it will all depend on your point of view), the album opens with its version of CAN'T NOBODY, a cover of the lyrics of DESTINY'S CHILD KELLY ROWLAND's top 10 solo hit (with an added middle 8 rap by TRYUMF himself), which actually does work quite well.

On the gospel side of things the versions are distinctly hot. THE INCENSE RHYTHM is extremely dancefloor-friendly, and the gospel versions are bold and unashamed in their declaration of faith. It is almost unfair to point out particular tracks from the selection as they are all genuinely very good, but I suspect many have a soft spot for NO SHAME IN MY GAME, by JAHAZIEL and featuring DAVID FISHER, as well as the very positive, anti-slackness anthem, NOT ME. OSMOND COLLINS' silky vocals also wrap around the tune very, very nicely on GOD IS IN CONTROL.

If you're a reggae/ragga fan, it's time to do the decent thing and pick up a copy of this. You're not likely to be disappointed. If you're not a fan, trust me when I say this one still deserves a spin on your player and - right on cue - it only remains for me to say 'if you want to try before you buy, check out both UKG Spin! and UKG Shop for the audio lowdown...' - Yinka @ UK Gospel.com Reviews

His various guises include “Dwayne & Wayne”, being signed to Jet Star and producing the monster “Incense Riddim” and now his current position as one of the key rappers from UK collective Zion Noiz.
There is no doubting that having both hats on he knows what sounds good and how to deliver. The single “No Limit” is pure testament to that where the infectious gritty guitar licks over a pounding club beat could quite easily be something produced by P Diddy with Busta Rhymes spitting lyrics. The cut also has a second version, “All Star Remix”, featuring a run of hot emcees: Judah, Jahaziel, Don P and Marga Man.
Another DJ friendly cut recently doing the rounds is “The Reason” where the Ramiyah sample of the same name is embedded so well into the song that it almost surpasses the original in terms of appeal.
Just as the club beats are all banging, he shows his more Soulful side with enticing tunes like “Open Your Heart” featuring David Fisher and the dreamy “Holding On” featuring the rich vocals of Tyrone Henry. Hip Hop on a real commercial edge is evident on “The Rapture” and “Where D’You Think You Are Going?” both with Progress as the guest rapper.
Anyone listening to the EP will be in no doubt that Dwayne is one of the UK’s leading talents to emerge from the UK Urban Gospel scene. If there was ever a cross-over act in question, this project would be the perfect advocate for that cause. Full on street flavours and represents full-on British culture – we wait for the next instalment. - By DJ El Niño © September 2005