For years Leftside & Esco have been Reggae’s ultimate musical duo within Dancehall as selectors turned producers and recording artists. After an amicable decision last year to peruse solo careers, Esco da Shocker has been busy laying a solid foundation for his future. Taking to the studio to deliver a slew of diverse material showcasing well rounded recordings over productions on traditional reggae beats, pulsating dancehall all the way to Soca tracks has been Esco’s single-minded focus the last year. Further, continuing his class act in production history, Esco has established a brand new company/label imprint; 1-1-1 Productions.
As the son of veteran Jamaican disc jockey, Errol 'ET' Thompson (former Wailers backing singer, Marcia Griffiths is his step-mom), Esco (Matthew Thompson) is the product of a major reggae bloodline. Esco’s own production credits included co-produced material on nearly every big rhythm to come out of Jamaica such as: the Dem Time Deh and the Bullet Riddim collection among others. Key hits recorded with former partner in musical madness included charting favorites; “Tuk In Yuh Belly†and “Wine Up Pon Harâ€.
The newly formed 1-1-1 Productions has already allowed Esco to focus on new Riddim projects. Esco premiered his talents with the ‘one off’ track “Drunken Danceâ€, followed by “Badman Skank†for Future Fambo. The first Riddim project released THE SHOW GOES ON Riddim contains songs by: Deva Bratt with “Do It Hotâ€, Esco aka The Shocker with “Control Dis Tingâ€, Fresh Money’s “Horny Anyoneâ€, Delly Ranks featuring Smurf’s song “Head A Leakâ€, Future Fambo with his “Fren Ova Galâ€, budding songstress Malica with “Hot Gal Step Outâ€, Wayne Marshall’s “She Nah Come†and more. Esco’s second upcoming Riddim project is titled 40-4 PLAY. This Riddim features songs from; Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Esco, Future Fambo featuring Mr. Easy, Lady Saw, Wayne Marshall and more.
ESCO has been grinding in the studio creating a variety of sounds; some songs are more laid back with strong foundational influences, others are more contemporary with a competitive baritone delivery that stands strong against any popular deejay and is an extension of the path already laid with previous works. His solo tracks allow his fan base to get the full breadth and scope of his writing and lyrical abilities on the mic. “God Is Love†from the Natural Breeze Riddim by Open Ear Music released the winter of 2007 demonstrated a distinctly unexpected level of versatility. Esco was also featured in the Riddim video medley. This was truly embraced throughout the Reggae community worldwide and resonated with his new fan base in Europe adding to the effects of his winter 2007 tour with Wayne Marshall. Having the ability to show a different side of his personality shining through music; another song along this same spiritual vein is “Wow†from Natural Bridge Records’ currently released on the Sea Breeze Riddim. Likewise, Esco has a new song coming up from Mario Lawrence’s Muzik Factory that provides a similar socially conscious spiritual nexus.
Some of the material that Esco has laced on pulsating club banging Dancehall beats include; “Dun Dem Credit†featuring Fresh on Seanizzle Records’ Creepa Riddim. Esco’s song “Don’t Hail We†from Irie FM’s own DJ Sunshine’s party Riddim Ghetto Wuk created by Christopher Birch has been doing extremely well as it demonstrates his own lyrical cunning and skill at delivery. “Buss A Whine†is actually a one off from Esco’s 1-1-1 Productions and is another session favorite.
Further, Esco has been making a consistent mark within the Soca community. Picking up were “Leftside & Esco†took off, Esco has recorded several Soca songs including; “Wine Of My Dreams†on the Response Riddim produced by Johann Seaton of Sel Construction and “All Day RMX†with Shurwayne Winchester and Johnny King. Esco even joined Shurwayne Winchester to perform their song in front of an excited Soca crowd in Jamaica during the Carnival season.
As Esco is recording with Jamaica’s top producers, ESCO aka da Shocker is preparing for his first solo album “SHOWSTOPPAâ€.
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