Leyla McCalla finds inspiration from her past and present. Whether it is her Haitian heritage or her adopted home of New Orleans, she - a bilingual multi-instrumentalist and alumna of Grammy award-winning African-American string band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops - has risen to produce a distinctive sound that reflects the union of her roots and experience.McCalla has produced a multi-disciplinary music, dance and theatre work, Breaking the Thermometer to Hide the Fever, which follows her personal journey as she uncovers the history of Radio Haiti, the first radio station in Haiti to report news in Haitian Kreyol - the voice of the people. Through this juxtaposition of voices - the personal and political, the anecdotal and the journalistic - McCalla gives expression to the enduring spirit of Haiti's marginalized poor in the face of several centuries of political oppression. Performances of the theatre work are currently scheduled in New Orleans and Philadelphia with more to be announced in soon.The process of creating Breaking the Thermometer to Hide the Fever included listening to countless archival recordings of interviews by Radio Haiti's journalists, and McCalla specifically wrote "Fort Dimanche" after listening to a testimonial interview that Michele Montas - the prominent former journalist and station director at Radio Haiti - had conducted with a survivor of Duvalier's political prison. In the interview, the man outlined his living conditions, the daily terror and torture that these political prisoners were subjected to and the events that led to his arrest.This album is a soundtrack of sorts to the theatre piece, featuring the songs that Leyla McCalla wrote and performs in this work.
Cerca:dod
- A1: The Rudies - Train To Vietnam
- A2: Derrick & Patsy - Hey Boy - Hey Girl
- A3: Alton Ellis - Bye Bye Love
- A4: The Imperials - Young Love
- A5: Bunny & Bunny - On The Town
- A6: Junior Smith - Searching
- A7: The Soul Flames - Mini Really Fit Dem
- B1: Alton Ellis - La La Means I Love You
- B2: Rico - Blue Socks
- B3: Fitz & The Coozers - Cover Me
- B4: Bobby Kalphat - Rhythm & Soul
- B5: The Rudies - Engine 59
- B6: Derrick Morgan - Music Be The Food Of Love
- B7: Fredrick Bell - Ready Steady Cool
Rock Steady Cool is another fine collection of Rocksteady hits. The ‘Cool’ subtitle could not be more relevant to an album, as around 1966, an extreme heatwave hit the Jamaican island. This would not stop the all night dances from going ahead but the jerky Ska Rhythms proved too strenuous of an activity to partake in, so a new slower beat to suit this extreme weather had to be found and the ever resourceful music entrepreneurs came up with the slower paced beat and Rocksteady was born.
This two-year Rocksteady period ran until 1968 and would see some of the power escape from the big three producers, Clement ‘Coxone’ Dodd, Prince Buster and Duke Reid. It was time to make room for a new wave of up-and-coming producers that also had something to offer the people. Such names as Joel Gibson (Joe Gibbs), Sonia Pottinger, Derrick Harriott and most prolific of them all, Mr Bunny Lee would step forward and add some new musical touches to the island.
Rocksteady was an inspirational and somewhat overlooked sound that provided us with some outstanding music. So, sit back and enjoy some Rocksteady straight from the dances of Jamaica.
Hope You enjoy the set….
Calling all old souls, wild childs & real gone gals, here comes the brand spankin’ new solo debut from Kevin Preston (PrimaDonna/Green Day, etc.)! It’s a hot shot of new-old-stock rock n roll that rolls as much as it rocks; strolls as much as it struts; and shuffles as much as it stomps. Close My Eyes slow-burns like a long drag on a Lucky Strike. I Know Where I Stand channels the spirit of fellow Valley boy, the late Ritchie Valens. Caprice is a slapback-drenched rockabilly rave up that sounds like a rumble between the ghosts of Alan Vega, Vince Taylor & Gene Vincent. Kevin cut his teeth in the early 2000’s as a teenager playing guitar in a revamped lineup of original 70’s-era Los Angeles punks The Skulls. Then he started up the rock group Prima Donna, moving to center stage as lead singer. Prima Donna toured relentlessly, slowing down only to knock out a few records along the way & strike up a band-romance with Green Day who took them on tour a few times. That connection led to Kevin joining forces on guitar with Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong on two side-hustle bands over the years; Foxboro Hot Tubs (in 2008) and The Longshot (in 2018). In 2019, Kevin joined the Green Day band as touring guitarist/backing vocalist. I was at Dodger Stadium the last time I saw Kevin Preston. There he was, that sweet kid from the Valley who I met at the turn of the century when we were on the Warped Tour together, now plying the boards at Chavez Ravine with Green Day. Man, the fuckin’ Beatles played their 2nd to last show ever there back in 1966! But along with all that stadium rock, our boy is now moonlighting as a solo artist & going back to the basics.... So, dig these new numbers & enjoy the ride, baby!
- A1: Girl In The Crowd
- A2: Old & Ugly
- A3: Warren's Van
- A4: Fool's Errand
- B1: Dodge
- B2: What Can You Do
- B3: Him Or Me (What's It Gonna Be) (What's It Gonna Be)
- B4: Chinook Arch
- C1: Behind The Wheel
- C2: Cool For My Kids (Good Lookin' For My Wife) (Good Lookin' For My Wife)
- C3: The 'She's Gone To California To Find Herself' Blues
- C4: Southern Cross
- D1: Five Million Songs
- D2: Fly At Night
- D3: Barricades
- D4: The Last One
- A1: Ricardo Bomba - Você Vai Se Lembrar
- A2: Vânia Bastos - Tabu (The Sweetest Taboo)
- A3: Rosana Mendes & Grupo Veneno - Reague
- A4: Grupo Controle Digital - A Festa É Nossa
- B1: Villa Box - Break De Rua (Versão Longa)
- B2: Batista Junior - Cheira
- B3: Dado Brazzawilly - Saramandaia
- B4: Anacy Arcanjo - Toque Tambor
- C1: Fogo Baiano - O Fogo Do Sol
- C2: Dodô Da Bahia & As Virgens De Porto Seguro - Africamerica
- C3: Via Negromonte - Love Is All
- C4: Electric Boogies - Electric Boogies
- D1: Os Abelhudos - Contos De Escola (Edit)
- D2: Nanda Rossi - Livre Pra Voar (Edit)
- D3: André Melo - Onda De Amor
- D4: Região Abissal - Feminina Mulher (Instrumental)
Some Crate-digging Compilations Are Often The Result Of Someone Hand-picking Their Choice Favourites From Another Country's Musical History, Perhaps Unaware Or Uninvolved With Its Cultural Lineage In The Process. On Soundway's Latest Release - A Treasure Trove Of Synth Jams, Pop, Samba Boogie, Balearic And Electro From 1980 & '90s Brazil - The Tracks Are Picked By Millos Kaiser, One Half Of The Brazilian Duo Selvagem, Who Are At The Helm Of Throwing Some Of The Country's Best Dance Parties. It's A Rare Compilation That Offers Brazilian Music Actually Picked By A Brazilian.
Whilst Names Such As Ricardo Bomba, Villa Box, Fogo Baiano, Electric Boogies And Batista Junior May Not Be Household Names, They Tell An Untold, Yet Rich And Important Part Of Musical History In Brazil. The Release Also Covers A Decade That Has Been Intentionally Forgotten And Brushed Aside By Many In The Country.
Onda De Amor Is A Release That Is Loaded With Smooth Grooves, Bubbling Bass, Glistening Synthesisers, Funk Strutting Guitar Lines And Sheen Of Production That Undeniably Marks It Of Its Time. For Kaiser This Compilation Is About Reintroducing Music During A Period Of Reappraisal, Catching A New Wave And Hoping Contemporary Listeners Will Ride It With Him. the Idea Is To Do Justice To These Songs. Songs That Combine All The Right Ingredients That Should Have Put Them On
Radio Playlists When I Was Growing Up Or At Least In The Cases Of More Adventurous Djs'.
Millos Kaiser Is A Dj, Digger, Vinyl Junkie/dealer Born In Rio De
Janeiro And Living In São Paulo For The Past 8 Years. He Launched The Dance Party/club Night Selvagem With Partner Trepanado In 2010, Bringing Thousands Of Dancers One Sunday A Month To A Public Square In The Heart Of São Paulo.
Splash Blue is proud to present a brand new album borne from the latest collaboration between Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick and Francisco Sales of Incognito – ‘The New Guitar Underground Vol 1’.
THE NEW GUITAR UNDERGROUND
The New Guitar Underground are Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick and Francisco Sales of Incognito. Neither require introduction – Bluey – founder of the legendary Incognito, Inner Shade, CitrusSun and co-conspirator on the STR4TA project, solo artist, Composer and Record Producer & Francisco Sales, guitarist of Incognito and Citrus Sun, as well as being a solo artist in his own right, have come together to deliver a set of 10 highly crafted and accomplished tracks that lift the spirits and soothe the soul.
Inspired by the inspirational playing of the giants of the guitar world – Tony Mottola, Denis Budimir, George Benson, Bill Jennings & Melvin "Wah Wah" Watson to name but a few, the album reflects the deep love that Bluey and Francisco have for this multi faceted and beautiful instrument.
Guests on this album include bass players Francis Hylton, Hendrik Linder, Rui Pedro Pity and Julian Crampton, keyboardists Matt Cooper, James Berkeley and drummer Francisco Mendolia.
Of course the quality and depth of this musical composition should not be a surprise – given the pedigree of the artists involved, however, as Bluey says himself in the album notes, ‘’This is not a project seeking chart success. Just two guitar buddies having fun chasing musical waterfalls, and not sticking to the rivers and the lakes they’re used to.
We are just making ourselves happy. And if in doing so we make you happy too, then that, as they say, is "the payoff!" The result is an intoxicating fusion of guitars, samba, latin jazz, drum-driven beats, heavy bass lines - with some scratching and sampling thrown in for good measure!
Limited to 300 copies. Vinyl green bottle
Originally released in 1973 on Philips. One of the best UK Folk albums ever. Highly recommended if you like Heron, Syd Barrett, Nick Drake, Simon & Garfunkel.
Evensong's self-titled album is a high-prized UK folk-pop artifact. The duo's fragile, harmony-drenched songs are given instrumental muscle by seasoned session players Clem Cattini, B. J. Cole and Herbie Flowers, and ornate string arrangements courtesy of former Spencer Davis Group guitarist Ray Fenwick.
- A1: Phedee – Mmm Pizza
- A2: Space Gang – Forgive
- A3: Kenny Segal – Worlds To Run
- A4: Dream Panther – Late Night Gymnopaedie
- A5: Ahee – Hmu
- A6: Eraserfase – Sapphire
- A7: Elusive – Wake And Bake
- A8: Elos – Not The Best
- B9: Gnome Beats – Linestepper
- B10: Daedelus – Special Re: Quest
- B11: Clyde – Smile At You
- B12: Shrimpnose – Seething
- B13: Dj Nobody – Sioux's Reign
- B14: Rah Zen – Ritual
- B15: Nastynasty – Loner
- C16: Jon Casey – Banga
- C17: Dmvu – Creature Comforts
- C18: Woolymammoth X Holly – All Jokes Aside
- C19: Huxley Anne – Nin
- C20: Gangus – Palo Santo
- C21: Thook – Taken
- C22: Alphafox – Sauced Up
- D23: Bleep Bloop – F12
- D24: Dj Ride X Stereossauro X Holly – Lightspeed
- D25: Wylie Cable – Change Your Name
- D26: Qrtr – And Still
- D27: Snakefoot – Cloud Chamber
- D28: Speak – Plants Fill The Room
- D29: Context Chameleon – Komorebi
- D30: Odd Nosdam – 24 P9
September 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of Dome of Doom. Collecting 30 tracks spanning from 2011-2021, label founder Wylie Cable put together Decade of Doom as a reflection of the first pillar in a long and continuing story—and the many phases the label has experienced thus far. Decade of Doom comprehensively serves as a homage to many of the artists, people and experiences that tell the label’s story, splintering outward toward an abundance of communities that continue to nourish one another. These tentacles all leading back to the hand-selection of releases Cable has diligently been at the heart of since the first vinyl and cassettes were pressed.
[c] A3 Kenny Segal – Worlds To Run [VIP Dub]
[z] D26 QRTR – And Still [Interlude]
Since 2006, The Dodos (singer and guitarist Meric Long and drummer Logan Kroeber) have been careening, almost recklessly, towards some perfect ideal of how The Dodos should sound. First formed with the intention of creating a record that felt and sounded how the inside of a guitar might, the band have spent the intervening years sprinting towards that platonic goal. After widespread critical acclaim for their sophomore effort Visiter in 2008, the band toured incessantly for the next 10 years, playing countless venues all over the world including several performances on The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Die beiden Kultalben Racine Carrée und Cheese des weltweit bekannten belgischen Musikproduzenten und Musikers Stromae erscheinen erstmalig in Deutschland auf Vinyl.
Das Album Cheese erscheint auf 180gr in schwarz und enthält den Welthit ”Alors on danse”.
Das einige Zeit später erschienene Album ”Racine Carrée” erscheint als Doppelvinyl im Gatefold mit 140g LPs in knalligem Orange.
As the world circles the abyss at gathering speed, WIEGEDOOD have returned to provide a perfectly vicious soundtrack. Formed in 2014, the Belgian trio have built an unassailable reputation as purveyors of visceral and bleak black metal in its purest and most destructive form. Since unveiling their debut album “De Doden Hebben Het Goed” in 2015, WIEGEDOOD have blazed an unending trail for musical darkness, bolstering their burgeoning notoriety with some of the most apocalyptic live performances in recent memory, and producing two subsequent albums – “De Doden Hebben Het Goed II” and “III”, released in 2017 and 2018 respectively – which hammered home the band’s unique creative powers. Emerging once more, this time from the involuntary solitude of a plague-bound world, WIEGEDOOD are back with their fourth studio album, “There’s Always Blood At The End Of The Road”. A ferocious tour-de-force, born of frustration and the ever-burning flame of hatred for the modern world, the new record marks a significant departure for this most ruthlessly singular of modern metal bands. “Musically I think we’ve made our most uncomfortable record so far. It’s once again faster than anything we’ve done before, and more unforgiving than the whole trilogy combined”, says vocalist/guitarist Levy Seynaeve. “To me, it feels like a soundtrack, for a movie yet to be made. A movie about the filthiest and most disgusting parts of human nature and society, and about the struggle we lead within, trying to overcome the fact we are all made from that same filth.” “There’s Always Blood At The End Of The Road” is available as: Ltd. CD Edition, 2x 180g LP (with etching on side D) that come in a Wide Spined Sleeve and 2 printed Discobags, Digital Album.
Dodging Dues is a startlingly expansive record “startling” in part because it’s relatively short (seven songs, all but one hovering around the four minute mark), but also because it traverses so many moods and styles: languid and dreamy one moment, surging and intense the next. Garcia Peoples (these days a six-person band) “hit their stride” a long time ago, but here they seem to be hitting a dierent one, working themselves loose of in‑uences (though this tree has roots: traces of Thin Lizzy, of more arcane bits of U.K. folk-prog, of vintage Meat Puppets in some of the softer passages) while at the same time opening themselves up to their own individual strangeness, becoming ever more singular and ever more free.
Ereb Altor always promises one thing with each release: Epic, Folk-blended Metal inspired by the Norse legends. “Vargtimman” shakes things up again with a true and sincere Pagan theme in its lyrics and art. Each song delivers majestic riffs and some of the best vocal work from the band. Sharp Heavy Metal riffs, Nordic melodies, catchy choruses and pounding drums burst set the tone for the rest of the album. While it does retain the Norse mythological themes in its lyrics, it’s probably the most emotionally song collection that Ereb Altor has released. Aside from the well sung lyrics, both in a harsher blackened voice and incredible epic clean singing, Epic riffs ring throughout the whole album to give it the titanic feeling this juggernaut deserves. Ereb Altor’s songwriting style is their biggest strength, they write killer songs, memorable songs. When they break away and get into some real shredding they even add to the incredible strong atmosphere. This is by far the best composed and therefor mature Ereb Altor album in their already impressive career, thanks to its added keyboards, good blend of epic and more traditional riffs, and the vocals being arguably the best ever laced
Kiwi Jr. are a phenomenal rock and / or punk and / or indie rock (whichever you like more) band from Canada, made up of Jeremy Gaudet (mic, guitar), Brohan Moore (drums), Mike Walker (bass) and Brian Murphy (guitar). ‘Cooler Returns’ is their second album and their first for Sub Pop.
Despite being a snapshot of the pandemic-infused beginnings of this decade, ‘Cooler Returns’ is truly a whole lot of fun. For fans of indie pop from down under and things that are smart / exuberant / catchy all at once.
‘Cooler Returns’ was produced by Kiwi Jr., mixed and engineered by Graham Walsh (METZ, Bully) in Toronto and mastered by Phillip Shaw Bova at Bova Labs in Ottawa, Ontario.
- 1: Start Engines
- 2: Bpm 100: Lil' Waltzer
- 3: Bpm 144: Norcanoe
- 4: Bpm 108: Family Of Rats
- 5: Bpm 178: Heartbreak Staircase
- 6: Bpm 2: Ballad Of The Sea
- 7: Bpm 124: Deep Thought Panda
- 8: Bpm 112: Dr. Bonesaw Goes To Crete
- 9: Bpm 130: Weeping Amstrad
- 10: Bpm 200: Out-Of-Control Pump
- 11: Bpm 72: U.s.s. Seesaw
- 12: Bpm 104: Hope Everyone's Having A Good Time?
- 13: Bpm 1: Joy Subdivision
- 14: Bpm 110: Limping Haberdasher
- 15: Bpm 109: Has Anyone Seen The Cat?
- 16: Bpm 101: Sandy Can't Fly
- 17: Bpm 194: Tom Cruise Runs
- 18: Bpm 155: Owl Tinder
- 19: Bpm 107: Pursued By Pigeon
- 20: Stop Engines
Bumps Per Minute is a full-throttle reinvention of the traditional fairground dodgems, from Mercury Award-shortlisted composer, producer and musician Anna Meredith. The music is part of the DODGE installation, which can be experienced until 22nd August at Somerset House.
For Bumps Per Minute, Meredith has collaborated with BAFTA-winning sound artist Nick Ryan to design a bespoke tracking technology so that every thump, bump and swerve of the 18 dodgems around the track can trigger a separate composition. This results in a kind of ultimate shuffle where high octane music and ideas compete for airtime and each performance is unique. The installation will occur approximately every hour at DODGE through the day/evening.
The idea for Bumps Per Minute came about when the composer was thinking about what might be a more pandemic friendly replacement for the ice rink at Somerset House where she has her studio. The idea grew from there and now this summer DODGE is taking over the main courtyard at Somerset House, featuring a full smorgasbord of Yinka Ilori designs, DJs, food, drink and of course, dodgem rides.
Today, Meredith announces that she will be releasing a special extended cut of her material via Moshi Moshi out on the 15th July 2021. Bumps Per Minute: 18 Studies for Dodgems will feature full-length individual musical identities of all 18 dodgems – each one a bold and distinct musical track in its own right as well an intro and outro track (voiced by comedian Rob Broderick).
The key to both the dodgems themselves and the release is a user ‘driven’ triggering and shuffling of the material. Meredith encourages the listener to ‘take the driving seat’ and jump from one track to another, mirroring the real dodgem ride, shuffling and curating their own listening experience via the virtual interactive dodgems page or their preferred listening platform.
Bumps Per Minute: 18 Studies for Dodgems explodes out of the starting gate with Meredith’s uncategorisable sound and signature energy, combining fairground wildness with a healthy dose of the nostalgic electronics of old school gaming.
Ohio's most promising upcoming Death Metal outfit Sanguisugabogg will release their anticipated full-length debut album “Tortured Whole”. After making their debut with their fan-hailed 2019 four track EP “Pornographic Seizures'' the band took it to the next level by delivering a smashing and brutal Death Metal firework which is up to all the dodges. Explicit song titles like “Menstrual Envy”, “Dead As Shit” & “Dick Filet” already give you an idea why the band calls themselves “Caveman” Death Metal. While establishing their own unique and ferocious musical approach one can clearly notice the 80´s and 90´s influences in Sanguisugabogg’s music. The band pays tribute to genre legends like Bolt Thrower, Obituary, Cannibal Corpse and Mortician.
The Esbjörn Svensson Trio, e.s.t. for short, are still
celebrated today as one of the most important and
influential European jazz bands of the last 20
years.
In 1999, the three Swedes achieved their
international breakthrough with ‘From Gagarin’s
Point Of View’. A star rose in the musical sky and a
unique world career followed. But sometimes stars
shine for much longer than one thinks. On ‘e.s.t.
Live 95’ there are recordings that prove that this
was also true for the Esbjörn Svensson Trio.
The band, founded in 1993, found their very
specific sound early on but it was not initially
noticed outside its home country. In 1995, when
the trio’s namesake still wore long hair and a
headband, these recordings were made at various
locations in Sweden. And whoever hears how the
trio played back then is left breathless.
Much of what distinguishes e.s.t. was already
strongly pronounced here: the coherence and
powerful grip of the playing; the catchy themes that
immediately jump out at the listener and yet do not
become clichéd; the fusion of the music of role
models like Thelonious Monk and Keith Jarrett into
a style of their own, always infected by the forward
thrust of rock. Magical moments were saved for
eternity by these recordings.
Now this e.s.t. early work is available on double
vinyl.
- A1: Music Man (Feat Mc Neat)
- A2: Set It Off
- A3: Vibesin Riddim
- A4: Dis One (Feat Mc Neat)
- A5: Dangerous
- A6: Dubplate (Feat Preshus)
- A7: Them Days (Feat Local)
- A8: Vibes In Motion Fm (Feat Luckie Luciano)
- B1: Baby (Feat Solo Jane)
- B2: Feel Good
- B3: Hold On Tight
- B4: Carmels Grandson
- B5: Tell You This (Feat Hotch)
- B6: Be There (Feat Mc Neat)
- B7: Unite (Feat Creed, Troublesome & Mighty Moe)
- B8: Vibe
On Top Records is extremely proud to welcome back Smasher with his sophomore album, ‘Vibes In Motion’. due for release the 16/07/2021
Following the release of his debut album ‘Locked In Locked On' in 2020 which featured in numerous 'Album of the Year' lists Smasher has spent the past year offering a high level of consistency among a time which has been very difficult for creatives.
With live shows stopping to a halt Smasher has taken this opportunity with both hands building a home studio to sustain creativity a very important factor for an individual who has a burning passion to create music, he has used the time productively “Vibes In Motion” is 51 minutes of future classic British UKG encompassing Hip Hop, Grime, RnB, 2 step Garage all blended together seamlessly to bring a fresh approach to a genre he has gone extremely hard for. As with previous material, the album is produced by Smasher himself collaborating with long time friend Aaron Greenwood bringing his soulful smoothed-out keys and backing vocals the pair have a great working relationship which spans over a decade which can be heard through out the record.
Smashers journey began with a love for late 90’s UK Garage collecting vinyls from record shops and dj’ing on pirate radio, which lead him to Hip Hop, RnB, Reggae, Soul and many different uk underground music styles, followed by decades of producing records for some pinnacle uk artists most recent production credit for “Ghetts” on the critically acclaimed ‘Conflict Of Interest’ album charting at number 2 in the uk albums chart, Giggs - Landlord album, Klashnekoff - Iona to name a few, Smasher is a producer who can deliver a very high level of production no matter the genre. Over the past 2 years Smasher has gained props far and wide: from Todd Edwards to DJ EZ releasing a record under his Nuvolve imprint, to guest mix for MBE clothes designer Wale Adeyemi, comedy UKG faves Kurupt fm posting his “lockdown freestyle challenge” Numerous guest shows & live streams for Rinse fm, Kiss fm, Phaze Transition & Mind Charity, limited vinyl run presses to collaborating with Capo Lee & Ayo beats for film soundtrack “Against All Odds”
Since releasing “Locked In Locked On” the feedback for the project was so greatly received i knew how i wanted to approach this next album and with plenty of time on my hands to experiment i wanted to include more collaboration, a lot of the link ups came together organically.
I feel you get a nice balance of some new school artists like Local, Solo Jane & Hotch mixed with some UKG generals like MC Neat, Mighty Moe, Preshus, Creed & Troublesome and original “Knightz of the round table” member Luckie Luciano, i always feel a duty to pay homage but i also want to evolve the sound and take it to the next level.
Since march 2020 its been a tuff time for people i feel like there are some hidden messages in the album it leans towards the underdogs of this world and at times i feel like that but there is always this burning desire inside me to want to do better hopefully that comes across for the listener.
Already with a dedicated fan base and support from tastemaking DJs such as DJ EZ, Conducta (Kiwi Records), Toddla T (Radio 1), Heartless Crew (1xtra), Majestic (Kiss), Scott Garcia (kiss), Smokey Bubblin B (Rinse fm), DJ Redhot (Rinse fm), Dj Cartier, DJ Spoony, Artful Dodger, MattJam Lamont (Rinse fm) Shosh (Kiss Fm) Rudekid (Kiss fm) Ricky Chalrie & Melvin (BBC Radio 1) amongst others from the burgeoning UK Garage scene,
The Smasher sound especially in UKG has brought a well needed fresh flava to a genre which has had very few full album offerings, with that said its time to share “Vibes In Motion” with the universe, This will solidify Smasher as an artist in every sense of the word and undoubtedly concrete him as one of the UK’s finest talents.
The Ethiopians are one of the great vocal groups to come out of Jamaica. Singing songs of life and times as they found them, themes that resonated with the people of the Island that made them such a treasured group. Lenard Dillon (b. 9 December, 1942, Port Antonio, Jamaica) the founding member of the Ethiopians began his singing career at Clement 'Coxonne' Dodd's Studio One. Initially he recorded under the name of Jack Sparrow, and backed by the Wailers, cutting 'Ice Water' and 'Suffering In The Land'. Under The Wailers encouragement, he went on to form his
own vocal group. Recruiting singers Stephan Taylor (b.1944, Portland, Jamaica) and Aston 'Charlie' Morris to become The Ethiopians. They cut 'Live Good', 'Why You Gonna Leave Me Now' and 'Owe Me No Pay Me'. Although receiving favourable response, Aston Morris decided to leave the band and the remaining pair carried on and cut 'I'm A Free
Man' and 'Don Dead Already' and 'For You'. On meeting contract builder Leebert Robertson who had recently returned to live in Jamaica, ashad he wanted to get into the music business, a session was booked for Treasure Isle Studios. The session produced their seminal 'Train To Skaville' track, which became an immediate hit in Jamaica and in the UK, when in 1967 it reached number 40 in the charts. They also cut 'Engine 54', which became the title of their debut album. Its
follow up 'I Need You / Do It Sweet', did not fare so well and the band moved over to Sonia Pottinger's stable, where they cut 'The Whip / Cool It Amigo' which revived their fortunes and proved another big hit for the band. Two more hits followed 'Stay Loose Mama' and 'The World Goes Ska', after which the band decided to return to a trio, adding
Melvin 'Mellow' Reid to the line up. The band now hit another run of successes with producer JJ Johnson 'Everything Crash, 'Gun Man', 'Hong Kong Flu' and 'The Selah'. Many hits followed leading the band to work with a variety of Jamaican producers. Such tracks as 'I Want To Be a Better Man, ' Conquering Lion', 'Fire A Mus Mus' Tail', and the timeless 'Reggae Hit The Town' to name a few. Two albums 'Reggae Power' (1969) and 'Woman Capture Man' (1970), pulled a lot of these tunes together. Sadly Taylor was killed in 1975 after been struck by a van in a road accident. Dillon returned to Port Antonio till 1977, when he was persuaded to return to Treasure Isle studios with producer Niney The
Observer and cut the Rasta based album 'Slave Call'. Additional members who joined for this album were Bro Fatty, Bro Ewing, Bro T, Mello and Hychi Dread. An album that showed all the Ethiopians magic had not been lost.
For this release we have included the full 'Slave Call' set, 'Ethiopian National Anthem', 'Slave Call', 'Guilty Conscience', 'Hurry On', 'Mus Follow Babylon'(on CD Edition), 'Train To Skaville (1977 version, on CD Edition), 'Culture', 'Obeah Book', 'Let It Be' and 'I Love Jah'. Alongside some of the bands early hits including the original version of 'Train To Skaville', 'Engine 54', the great and poignant 'Everything Crash', 'Reggae Hit The Town' and 'The Selah'. An interesting set to remind us what a great group the Ethiopians really were.




















