From Mille Plateaux to Leaf, Staubgold and Raster-Noton, ~scape, or on his own label Ripatti, the Finnish artist Sasu Ripatti aka Vladislav Delay has been exploring various iterations of the dub culture vs. electronica, since 1997. His sonic crafts and unique signature sound has been sought after by an eclectic range of bands and artists, ranging from Massive Attack, Hauschka, Black Dice, Autopoieses, Animal Collective or AGF.
Somewhere between the old-school electronica culture, the soundscaping, the experimental paths of Lee Perry and Adrian Sherwood, ghostly clubbing anthems, minimalism, pop, jazz, without being, influenced, Vladislav Delay is building a drifting and coherent sound enigma.
Vladislav Delay met Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare (the most prolific Jamaican rhythm section and production duo) thanks to a series of jam sessions. Trumpet player Nils-Petter Molvaer had been asked by the Jamaicans to join them and he invited Delay alongside guitar player Eivind Aarset to tag along, which eventually turned into the Nordub project.
The result of these jam sessions turned into an album, mixed and mostly produced by Vladislav Delay, released on the label Okeh. It was also followed by an extensive series of live dates. This one-shot reunion was the beginning of another story: a trio composed by Delay, Dunbar and Shakespeare.
In January 2019, Vladislav Delay went to Kingston and spent some days at The Anchor studios, to record drums and bass with S&R, some voice takes and a series of atmospheric field recordings. Back to Finland, Delay started to experiment with this precious material, mixing and overdubbing, in the comfort and quiet of his studio, based on the island of Hailuoto, Baltic Sea, Northern Finland, giving another feeling to the Jamaican trip.
This became a tribute to the 'dub spirit', but in a very personal way, far beyond any influence or "the obvious". 500-PUSH-UP is two worlds collapsing, merging, also showing some intriguing approach of the Jamaican groove, used as a filigree, like the echo or the ghost of reggae, converging and conversing with a post-industrial and experimental approach. To file beside experiments - for instance - such as Lee Perry's 'Scientist Rids The World Of The Evil Curse Of The Vampires' or the On U-Sound productions.
Buscar:jamaica
The Wailing Souls are major contributors of classic roots reggae hits in the VP/Greensleeves catalogue, and now they're back with the new single "Shark Attack." European reggae star Alborosie is featured on this re-make of the 1992 hit. The 7 inch/ digital singles are the lead off for the Wailing Souls upcoming album "Back A Yard," their first recoding in Jamaica since the late 1980s, their first album on the Greensleeves album since that era and their first project produced by label-mate Alborosie.
Berlin techno luminary Jamaica Suk announces her most ambitious project yet: Uncertain Landscape.
This 17-track, 4x 12” vinyl release on her acclaimed Gradient label will be released in four installments from Autumn to Winter 2020 and brings together a host of diverse techno talent. She will release a DJ mix featuring all 17 tracks to complete the series accompanied by a film from Anthony Vouardoux. The project is made up of a wishlist of names whose music she has been heavily supporting in her sets over the last few years. “I wrote specific producers inquiring for tracks that would be fitting to the label and also fit the DJ mix that I’m recording from these tunes. I’m looking to promote music that shares the same vision as I do.”
It marks the first original releases on Gradient from producers other than herself, which is a change of tact from her original plan for her imprint. “Initially I wanted to only release my music on Gradient including remixes - but it doesn’t make sense as there’s so much inspiration out there. By expanding the label’s network we create our own tribe.”
Jittery rhythms with a touch of ‘Spastik’ about them propel BNJMN’s ‘Abyssal Surge’ into life, with a big riverbed sound abounding as the track builds through haunting sustained tones and glitching mechanics.
Arthur Kimskii thundering ‘Natasha’ pummels from the first moment, with shuddering sub bass carving its way through the sound field as hypnotic bleeps pulse in the distance. Rapid-fire. Filtering percussive waves accentuate the bassline’s incessant 16ths rhythms, all the while the resonant kicks hammering away beneath.
Wrong Assessment’s ‘The Eight’ is a dissonant avalanche of warped textures, where grunting synth thrusts rub up against industrious pulses and chattering hi-hat patterns weave in and out of the mix. Stuttering bass and cymbal rides complete the urgent feel.
Introspective respite comes from Electro Indigo’s ‘Volcanite’, a stirring piece of broken beat experimentation where graceful pads slide hauntingly over taut kick and bass patterns and beautiful ghostly analog synth notes.
Look out for parts 2-4 coming soon and special audio + visual showcases.
Rickard Jäverlings music can deservedly be described as playful and searching but for that sake not fumbling or too loose around the edges. On Album 4, the second album release from Jäverling on Höga Nord Rekords, he dwells more in dub than on his prior album release, and Jäverlings skillful songwriting is carried smoothly by the soft and fluffy production: the rhythm section sounds as if resting upon a sun warm bed of moss and elements flows in and out of the production like a freshly rippling stream of water deep in the summer forest. Echoes shoots through the pines, the hills and the valleys and makes the album a premium dub experience which dominates large parts of the album.
Aside the obvious references to nature that comes in mind listening to Jäverlings music, this album is more than a romantic view on the Swedish wilderness. It flirts, like all quality dub from the seventies and eighties with science fiction and space with broad synthesizer sweeps and delay drenched clouds like imploding and exploding stars somewhere in the outskirts of the Milky way, spreading dust over the Swedish forest. On the final three tracks, Ganjaman_72 takes the album out of the galaxy with spaced out-remixes on some of the songs.
With his feet steadily grounded in jamaican music tradition whit a non sentimental and curious view on production, Rickard Jäverling have together with Johan Holmegård (Dungen, Goran Kajfes), Andreas Söderström (ASS, Goran Kajfes) och Ganjaman_72 created the natural follow up to Album 3.
Here comes the « Wonderland of Green Riddim » from Fruits Records’ studio band The 18th Parallel. This one is a super heavy rub a dub riddim played in the Roots Radics early 80’s traditional style. Double 7” single, the first record features the legendary Jamaican vocal trio from Studio One and Black Ark days, The Silvertones, singing the roots anthem « Wonderland of Green » and an extra killer dub mix by French wizard Westfinga on the B side. The second record features the big bad DJ Burro Banton with « Living In a Wonderland » and the instrumental version on the flip side. A must have double 7” single for all selecters!
• 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
• LIMITED EDITION OF 750 INDIVIDUALLY NUMBERED COPIES ON ORANGE COLOURED VINYL
John Holt was known as a member of The Paragons, before establishing himself as a solo artist. Like a Bolt adds up to all the singer’s output with Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle label. When this album was first released in 1973, John Holt was already a veteran in the Jamaican music scene. John wrote most of the songs himself, a different approach from the covers he recorded before. It features a lot of his best work from the early years. His classic voice is backed by a musical landscape full of melodies and rhythms. Like a Bolt is a true gem of original reggae.
Like a Bolt is available as a limited edition of 750 individually numbered copies on orange coloured vinyl.
Welcome to the curious world of Peter Graf York: a world full of city centre safaris and epic train journeys, Soviet cosmonauts and Oakland rappers, filtered synths and plucked mbiras. It's a wild ride inspired as much by Jamaican dub sorcery as by playful minimalism outta the Pacific Northwest.
Many of these tracks were composed on the hoof - literally en route across sections of the ever-reliable Deutsche Bahn network. As such, there’s a certain travellin-without-moving dynamic across this collection, capturing that cinematic feel of window frames flickering past graffiti'd signal exchanges, morphing into rolling hills and green forests. Expedition Bahn is the sound of ideas being set in motion, each track heralding the arrival of an uncanny destination. Blazed beats give way to acid-fuelled electro, and dub rhythms step aside for 4th world meditations as readily as sleepers on a train track.
We can leave the last word to heroic USSR cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov, who spent the final moments of his fateful re-entry giving the administration an earful of righteous proportions (regarding the technical failures of the spacecraft). Taking his place as the first martyr of space travel, Komarov accepted the Soyuz mission despite safety concerns, in order to protect the other cosmonauts. It's an attitude that echoes throughout PGY’s sonic universe - make the most of the trip you're on... ‘cause you never know just which way it will go.
Gear used: Tascam MIDISTUDIO 644, MPC1000, Roland JX-3P, MODE MACHINES DT200, Electro-Harmonix MEMORY BOY analog delay, Nord Drum 3P, MacBook Pro, Logic Pro 9
The far west has long been known as hollowed ground for Dub Reflective arts, from the birth of Reggae and subsequent Jamaican diaspora to the more recently developments that ultimately informed Dubstep. Many key figures have emerged on the left coast of the USA throughout these developments in Culture and Roots-centric Dubstep, with key among them being the surfacing of LoDubs, and its rise near the advent of the sound in 2006 serving to inform and cement Dub's true DNA at a time when the field of those carrying the torch throughout the region could be counted on a single hand.
New album of one of the biggest Reggae/Dub french soundsystem starring MacGyver, Rooty Step & Pupajim (who worked with Alpha Steppa, Biga Ranx, High Tone, Mungo's Hi-Fi ...).
Available as super limited edition including 60x60cm Poster !
Since their inception at start of the 2000s, Stand High Patrol have rocked sound systems to their own riddim, assimilating and re-purposing the codes of the genre in their own unique style. From tiny bars in Brittany to huge festival stages, on independent radio or across national airwaves, the crew have quietly trod their own path, never compromising their core value of independence. Connoisseurs have long recognised Stand High’s credentials both as a dub group and a leading sound system, but they stand out from the crowd because of their ability to deliver the unexpected, whether live or on record. Their ability to draw such a diverse audience is testament to this atypical approach to making music.
In 2020, almost 20 years since their humble beginnings, the collective presents their fifth album, “Our Own Way”. As with their first two albums “Midnight Walkers” and “Matter Of Scale”, now considered as classics in their genre, this new opus asserts itself as the latest representation of the crew’s versatile approach to crafting sound. Their music, a blend of its own known as “Dubadub”, has always borrowed influences from multiple sources, and over the course of their career their roots in dub and reggae have intertwined with hip-hop, jazz, new wave, trip-hop and numerous other genres. The ‘Dubadub Musketeers’ have never ceased experimenting, forever seeking to increase the sonic territory they cover, day after day. Both live and recorded, they’ve made it a point of honour to never offer up the same thing twice. Any resemblance that “Our Own Way” might bear to those first two albums is a consequence of this obvious creative continuity, rather than of going “back to basics”.
In contrast to the last two Stand High Patrol records, the hip-hop inspired “The Shift”, or the Bristol indebted “Summer On Mars”, “Our Own Way” doesn’t have a unifying concept or theme. Rather than being limited to a single aesthetic, the LP pays respect to the entire canon of Jamaican music, all unified under Stand High’s inimitable production values. With the wealth of experience gained during the recording of their last two records, the collective decided to aim for a freer project, letting themselves be guided by their own music and their own instincts. The end result is a musical portrait of what Stand High Patrol is in the present moment.
The tracks that make up the new LP burst out of the studio, each born out of unbridled, impulsive creativity. Previously unheard compositions and specially re-tooled dub plates have been assembled into a tracklist that shifts and moves like a classic Dubadub Musketeer live set. Each step of the process has been refined by years of practice : composition, effects, and the final mix. Throughout “On Our Way”, the brutal dub stepper, though still a favourite for sound system sessions, is noticeable by its absence. Instead, it’s the full weight of the crew’s reggae heritage that’s expressed in the mix. It's not just the depth and weight of each tune that strikes the listener, but also the spaces heard between the notes that grab and hold their attention.. The sense of a trip, whether musical, internal or geographic, is omnipresent throughout the LP, linking each track to those before and after. “Our Own Way” finds Stand High Patrol exploring as usual, yet also narrating their journey as they’ve rarely done before
Dark Morph is a collaboration between sound and visual artists Carl Michael von Hausswolff and Jón Þór "Jónsi" Birgisson. Today they have announced a new release ‘Dark Morph II’, for release on May 1st via Pomperipossa Records – the Swedish record label led by von Hausswolff’s daughter, Anna von Hausswolff.
The release is dedicated to the oceans of planet earth and to the lifeforms that live in and around them, with the duo stating: “The exploitation of the oceans, in conjunction with the heavy pollution (from plastic waste to nuclear radio-activity) has to stop, and be replaced by collaborative manners co-operating with all life on or globe.”
Carl Michael von Hausswolff is a renowned artist, active in the art and music world with solo and collaborative projects for many years, and Jónsi’s work in the Icelandic group Sigur Rós, as well as his collaboration with composer Alex Somers, is recognised across the globe. Dark Morph formed when the two artists met aboard the M/Y Dardanella ship in Fiji invited by TBA21–Academy in 2018. The ship is a creative platform equipped with sound and video recording systems, and the result of the duo’s first voyage was released in May 2019 at the Biennale di Venezia. This second album consists of material recorded in Fiji and Tonga and was produced and mixed in GeeJam Studios in Jamaica in January 2019.
New album from the Parisian producer.
Label say:
Because, at La Creme Garcia Club, a private circle of discerning smokers in Barcelona, Blundetto was in heavy rotation in the playlists. So heavy that these people of good taste for legal activity on this side of the Pyrenees yet prohibited from profits, had the idea of becoming the privileged partners of a new album. Without scrutiny, without intervention in the artistic, but with a single watchword: let Blundetto return to his first love of world sound.
The result is a stereo trip illustrated by Mossy Giant's artwork. A trip around the world without leaving your couch.
An offer that cannot be refused.
Ten years had passed since Bad Bad Things; it was the occasion to celebrate this decade by reviving its state of mind. The one who mixes collaborations, atmospheres, and styles. Exiled to the green, in musical autarky from several albums, Blundetto has therefore returned to the rhythm of city life and studios. He has changed his way of operating, opened his repertoire, and invited friends to new titles that he had written for them.
The circle of intimates already present on Bad Bad Things (Hindi Zahra, General Electric, Chico Mann) has widened to include regular accomplices (Biga Ranx) and to extend to artists with whom Blundetto felt an obvious connection (Crime Apple, Leonardo Marques). Guided by this roadmap written by Blundetto, all succeeded in painting with their colors and spreading their musical soul in the project, either taking the rhythmic direction of Brazil, Africa, or Latin America, getting dizzy in Jamaican fumes or chopping at the salient angles of hip hop.
Dive into the new openings of Clément Petit’s arrangements, now more sophisticated than those on which Blundetto evolved, and now capable of bringing an orchestral dimension made of strings and brass, creating a direct opening on the emotions, an automatic generator of images to accompany the soundtrack by the producer Blackjoy.
Whatever the orientation, each guest becomes a unique and essential part while Blundetto remains the common thread, the cement and the final varnish of a musical mosaic called Good Good Things.
Principal is the new solo project by producer and musician Rasmus Allin, who’s first album Treacherous Dub will be released on the Copenhagen-based label StereoRoyal in July 2020.
Best described as an homage to old-school Jamaican dub, Principal’s music features live recorded drums and other instruments. Fused with electronic elements, it celebrates the sound of the original dub pioneers.
Born in 1970, Rasmus Allin has been working as a producer, musician, and songwriter since the mid-nineties, primarily within the realm of electronic music. Inspired by the British trip hop and drum ‘n’ bass scene, he soon gravitated towards Jamaican dub, rocksteady, and reggae. "I found my inspiration in the old Jamaican dub masters like Lee Scratch Perry, King Tubby, Augustus Pablo, and Scientist. I’ve spent endless hours in the studio trying to replicate their sound, using old tape delays, filter boxes, and modulation effects,” he says.
In 2002, Allin formed the band Junkyard Productions, playing major venues and festivals like Elysee Montmartre, Le Triptyque, Télérama Dub Festival, and Roskilde Festival while touring through Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and France. Alongside this, he continued to hone his skills in producing, co-writing, and remixing music, working with top Danish pop and reggae acts the likes of Natasja, Pharfar, Wafande, Shaka Loveless, and the British girl band All Saints.
Treacherous Dub will be released on vinyl and all major streaming platforms, and will be Allin’s first album of pure instrumental dub tracks —an ambition he’s been wanting to fulfil for years. Marking his debut as a solo artist, the album also marks his premiere as a visual artist, with the album cover lithograph made by Allin himself. For Rasmus Allin, the collaboration with StereoRoyal offered “the perfect opportunity to give the tracks the finishing touches.”
StereoRoyal is a Danish library music label founded in 2010 by and specializes in off-kilter music for film and TV. Originally, the label focused on electronic genres, but over the years has grown to include a broader variety of music produced by some of the most talented composers in Scandinavia.
- A1: Fireflies & Palmwine
- A2: Big Man (Feat Shungudzo)
- A3: Patty Cake
- A4: Rebosando (Feat Chico Mann)
- A5: Body Yako (Feat Kongo Elektro & Thornato)
- A6: Ghost Dance
- B1: Fly Where You Want (Feat Jesse Royal)
- B2: Mi Poni (Feat Zuzuka Poderosa)
- B3: Makubenjalo (Feat Ongx & Epplesauce)
- B4: Yalla (Feat Karenbe)
- B5: Come Along (Feat Sye Elaine Spence)
- B6: Ghazal (Feat Alsarah)
- B7: New Story
The globetrotting beat maestro is back, with a truckload of tropical vibes and the irresistibly danceable soundtrack to your Summer! 3 years after releasing his groundbreaking collaborative album with singer Chico Mann (which landed him live sets on Boiler Room & KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic as well as a feature on NYTimes "Best Songs Of The Week") DJ/producer Captain Planet returns with NO VISA, set to drop June 26th on Bastard Jazz Recordings. In his trademark "Gumbo Funk" sound, the album mixes rhythms and musical styles from the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, over highly danceable electronic beats, all firmly rooted in the hip hop, dancehall and house music that the Captain grew up playing as a DJ. Seamlessly bouncing from Brazilian Baile Funk, to Afrobeat, to Roots Reggae and Latin House, the entire record delivers the uplifting feel of one of the Captain's legendary boundary-crossing DJ sets. Building on these traditions he draws from, the Captain has created something fully original and unique.
NO VISA, the 5th full-length album from producer Charlie Wilder (aka Captain Planet), is both a return to form and a launchpad into the future. With 13 songs that feature vocalists from around the world, long-time fans will recognize several previous collaborators as well as the global influences that have always been central to Captain Planet's music. New friends, like prolific Zimbabwean-American singer Shungudzo (who has recent hits with Oliver Heldens & Rudimental), and Jamaican reggae star Jesse Royal, bring powerful subversive messages to the music as well. Showcasing the Captain's production chops and songwriting talents equally, the album unveils a unique musical landscape, a place where our political boundaries and cultural hierarchies begin to dissolve, where foreign languages mingle together and deep rooted traditions dance with the future.
With NO VISA, Captain Planet unveils a fully matured and truly unique form of electronic music- one that bridges gaps between worldwide cultural diasporas as well as contemporary dance music sub-genres (house, hip hop, dancehall & global bass). Throughout every Captain Planet song, it's clear to hear his inspired appreciation for breaking the boundaries between genres and bridging continents through rhythm.
Blowing in like a cool breeze on a sultry Caribbean evening, LA reggae veterans the Lions drop by Names You Can Trust with a perfectly timed sentimental summer blast. Lovingly taken for another dance by the west coast crew, the Derrick Harriott 1967 rock steady classic "The Loser" is canon, a masterpiece of Jamaican sweet soul instantly identifiable from its first chiming piano notes. In a nod to the "disco mix" DJ versions pioneered by Harriott, the Lions mic man Black Shakespeare provides a period-perfect chat backdrop to the Impressions-istic harmonies of the band, giving the tune an au courant spin while staying wide of heavy-handed faux ragga. All said, we wouldn't have felt right about releasing this without running things by the family, so we consulted Duane Harriott who approvingly called it "a brilliant take on one of the best rock steady songs of all time! Not an easy one to cover well and the Lions smash it out the park."
- A1: Carole Cole - Ethiopia
- A2: The Silvertones - Give Praises
- A3: The Inamans - How Deep Is Your Love
- A4: Lasksley Castell - Jah Love Is Sweeter
- B1: Bunny Rugs - Let Love Touch Us Now
- B2: Bunny Rugs - I Am... I Said
- B3: The Originals - Got To Be Irie
- B4: The Upsetters - Double Wine
- B5: Junior Byles - Mumbling & Grumbling
Black Ark Vol. 2 is another piece of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s limitless musical puzzle. It’s a bedrock of deep and heavy rhythms recorded around Jamaica =just before the demise of Perry’s famed Black Ark Studio. Black Ark Vol. 2 is the follow up album to the acclaimed Black Ark In Dub that unsurprisingly for an Upsetter release, took a different path. More vocal oriented, the album features extended dubwise cuts of (former wife and co-producer) Carol Cole’s ‘Ethiopia’, The Originals ‘Got To Be Irie’, Junior Byles ‘Mumbling & Grumbling and The Inamans remake of the Bee Gees hit ‘How Deep Is your Love’, along with an alternate take of the Silvertones roots classic ‘Give Thanks’ with flute overdub and a couple of solid covers from Third World lead vocalist Bunny Rugs. Originally released in 1981 the hard to find Black Ark Vol. 2 remains a frozen sonic timepiece, captured at the beginning of the end of one era and poised at the start of another.
- A1: Muriel - Alton & Eddie
- A2: Dearest Darling - Jiving Juniors
- A3: Are You Mine - The Echoes & Celestials
- A4: Dearest Beverley - Jimmy Cliff
- A5: Send Me - Keith & Enid
- A6: Midnight Love - The Downbeats
- A7: Til The End Of Time - Chuck & Dobby
- B1: Album Of Memory - The Mellowlarks
- B2: True Love - Horthens & Stranger
- B3: Diamonds & Pearls - Dobby Dobson
- B4: I'm Going Back - The Charmers
- B5: Pleading For Mercy - The Blues Busters
- B6: Do You Know - Owen & Millie
- B7: Heavenly Angel - Laurel Aitken
A collection of Jamaican doo wop & R&B records taken from the late 50s and early 60s. These records represent a period in which soundsystems were just starting to dominate the island, with Duke Reid and Sir Coxsone stepping up their rivalry by beginning to make and release their own records rather than rely on US imports for use in their dances. Many of these records are definitely more-or-less imitations of the American records, as the uniquely Jamaican ska sound was yet to take hold - however many of the future stars of ska, rocksteady and reggae were beginning to cut their teeth in the industry on these records, incl. Jimmy Cliff, Derrick Harriott, Alton Ellis and more, and they provide a unique view into the fledgling independent record industry culture in Jamaica that would prove to be unbelievably proflific and unparalleled for an island of it's size.
Khruangbin has always been multilingual, weaving far-flung musical languages like East Asian surf-rock, Persian funk, and Jamaican dub into mellifluous harmony. But on its third album, it's finally speaking out loud. Mordechai features vocals prominently on nearly every song, a first for the mostly instrumental band. It's a shift that rewards the risk, reorienting Khruangbin's transportive sound toward a new sense of emotional directness, without losing the spirit of nomadic wandering that's always defined it. And it all started with them coming home. By the summer of 2019, the Houston group_bassist Laura Lee Ochoa, guitarist Mark Speer, drummer DJ Johnson_had been on tour for nearly three-and-ahalf years, playing to audiences across North and South America, Europe, and southeast Asia behind its acclaimed albums The Universe Smiles Upon You and Con Todo El Mundo. They returned to their farmhouse studio in Burton, Texas, ready to begin work on their third album. But they were also determined to slow down, to take their time and luxuriate in building something together. Musically, the band's ever-restless ear saw it pulling reference points from Pakistan, Korea, and West Africa, incorporating strains of Indian chanting boxes and Congolese syncopated guitar. But more than anything, the album became a celebration of Houston, the eclectic city that had nurtured them, and a cultural nexus where you can check out country and zydeco, trap rap, or avant-garde opera on any given night. In those years away from home, Khruangbin's members often felt like they were swimming underwater, unsure of where they were going, or why they were going there. But Mordechai leads them gently back to the surface, allowing them to take a breath, look around, and find itself again. It is a snapshot taken along a larger journey_a moment all the more beautiful for its impermanence. And it's a memory to revisit again and again, speaking to us now more clearly than ever.
‘Reality Tunnels’ is a concept that was originally introduced by Robert Anton Wilson in his 1983 book ‘Prometheus Rising’. In essence, the concept of a reality tunnel relates to an idea on how we create our own perspective – the subjective filter that we each apply to the world around us; the things we perceive and what our consciousness deems worthy of attention, IE what we see and hear is entirely relative to what we do not.
At points angular and uncompromising with levels in the red, frequencies pushed out and EQ curves stretched into strange new shapes, Pinch mixes both low and hi fi on this boldly distinct sonic statement. It sees him flexing years of production skills – but unconventionally so – knowing well that safe predictability and rounded polish don’t get the most interesting results.
Dark trip hop Bristolia segues into blistering jungle on album opener ‘Entangled Particles’, before planet-hopping onto the spiky insidious grimestep of ‘All Man Got’, featuring the rugged rasp of OG warhorse Trim.
Beginning a triptych of future techno, ‘Accelerated Culture’ offers the album’s most relatively straightforward moment, albeit one of scorching, anthemic dancefloor heat. Delving deeper into the vortex is the synapse sparking wobbler ‘Returnity’, before ‘Finding Space’ reaches to the cosmos’ far-flung, glowing outlands.
Back to an urban reality is ‘Party’, where a subtly menacing sense of dread is ignited by Killa P’s incremental flow, which ramps-up and pairs-back the intensity in unexpected ways. Still moving freely between different realities, ‘Back To Beyond’ is beautiful gloaming ambience, executed with equal fine-tuned grace as the genre’s masters.
Jamaican vocalist Inezi lends sweet tones to the slow burning, roots-meets-modern-bass spiritual ‘Change Is A Must’, and on ‘Non-Terrestrial Forms’ an atmospheric, misty steppers intro segues stealthily into fiercely dystopian, amen-fuelled jungle tekno; marking one of several surprise attacks on the album, where a subtle-slight-of hand shoots the intensity level dynamically up.Closing as it begins, the album is bookended by a piece that recalls the dark, intricate soundscapes of Massive Attack’s ‘Mezzanine’ and Tricky’s ‘Maxinquaye’ – found here in ‘The Last One’s scorched, smoky rocker.
Hit the vinyl double pack for an exclusive and quite unique sounding 120bpm glitchy techno roller featuring man like Trim once again and live cello recordings.
‘Reality Tunnels’ is a concept that was originally introduced by Robert Anton Wilson in his 1983 book ‘Prometheus Rising’. In essence, the concept of a reality tunnel relates to an idea on how we create our own perspective – the subjective filter that we each apply to the world around us; the things we perceive and what our consciousness deems worthy of attention, IE what we see and hear is entirely relative to what we do not.
At points angular and uncompromising with levels in the red, frequencies pushed out and EQ curves stretched into strange new shapes, Pinch mixes both low and hi fi on this boldly distinct sonic statement. It sees him flexing years of production skills – but unconventionally so – knowing well that safe predictability and rounded polish don’t get the most interesting results.
Dark trip hop Bristolia segues into blistering jungle on album opener ‘Entangled Particles’, before planet-hopping onto the spiky insidious grimestep of ‘All Man Got’, featuring the rugged rasp of OG warhorse Trim.
Beginning a triptych of future techno, ‘Accelerated Culture’ offers the album’s most relatively straightforward moment, albeit one of scorching, anthemic dancefloor heat. Delving deeper into the vortex is the synapse sparking wobbler ‘Returnity’, before ‘Finding Space’ reaches to the cosmos’ far-flung, glowing outlands.
Back to an urban reality is ‘Party’, where a subtly menacing sense of dread is ignited by Killa P’s incremental flow, which ramps-up and pairs-back the intensity in unexpected ways. Still moving freely between different realities, ‘Back To Beyond’ is beautiful gloaming ambience, executed with equal fine-tuned grace as the genre’s masters.
Jamaican vocalist Inezi lends sweet tones to the slow burning, roots-meets-modern-bass spiritual ‘Change Is A Must’, and on ‘Non-Terrestrial Forms’ an atmospheric, misty steppers intro segues stealthily into fiercely dystopian, amen-fuelled jungle tekno; marking one of several surprise attacks on the album, where a subtle-slight-of hand shoots the intensity level dynamically up.Closing as it begins, the album is bookended by a piece that recalls the dark, intricate soundscapes of Massive Attack’s ‘Mezzanine’ and Tricky’s ‘Maxinquaye’ – found here in ‘The Last One’s scorched, smoky rocker.
Hit the vinyl double pack for an exclusive and quite unique sounding 120bpm glitchy techno roller featuring man like Trim once again and live cello recordings.
Steel drum cover of Grace Jones. Steel drum cover of Erykah Badu. Third full length album coming in 2021. Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band is back with another crushing two-sider that is guaranteed to set dancefloors on fire and get heads nodding around the globe. The mysterious steel pan outfit hailing from Hamburg, Germany has become a staple in DJ sets from Europe to Japan, from the US to Brasil, and anywhere else these tunes have found their way to speakers. They have released a slew of classic 7”s and two critically acclaimed full length albums. With that they have set a high bar for themselves, one clearly they intend on pushing higher with this new offering. Side A is BRSB’s take on Grace Jones’ nightclub classic “My Jamaican Guy”. They take the tune to a new height from the first beat, laying down an infectious groove that will get people out of their seats immediately. Heavy duty drums and bass shake the speakers through the intro then the pans reveal what they are covering as they play the instantly recognizable top line of the original. Rhythm guitar, heavily echoed percussion hits, and the different pan sets all combine to make this yet another instant classic from Bacao. BRSB has received a lot of praise for their choices of covers. Occasionally reworking hits, but, most notably pulling the album cut gems from artists typically more championed by the underground. Well...here they go again, covering Erykah Badu’s homage to the late great J Dilla “The Healer”. This is the type of thing to make Spice Adams jump on his kitchen counter and scream. From the instant this comes on, necks will be snapping and faces will scrunch up as they take the original beat produced by Madlib and give it a run for its money. Shaking subwoofers with the eerie tremolo bass they replay E. Badu’s vocal melodies on the pans adding their own flourishes. Glockenspiel plays the downbeat and a clap like thunder keeps the two-step swaying, all coming together to make this another must have two-sider from Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band
Kumar, ex-Raging Fyah lead singer, met Fruits Records crew back in 2016, when he invited them to play with I Kong at his Wickie Wackie festival in Bull Bay, Jamaica. From then, the musical friendship never stopped, doing different types of collaboration over the years. His unique voice tone, breathe-taking vocal abilities and songwriting skills make Kumar one of the greatest singers of his generation, as his nomination at the Grammy awards 2016 with Raging Fyah can testify. "Message In Your Radio” brings a different taste to Fruits Record's catalog, noticeably more modern than the previous releases. Kumar's melancholic melodies enhance this powerful riddim played by The 18th Parallel with conscious lyrics: Message in the music is a must, today more than ever. Anthem for radio stations!
Interstellar digital dancehall with stunning synth, superb vocal by Robert Ffrench in extended mix & mad style by obscure DJ Shortie Ranks. Recorded at Creative Sound Studio (Kingston, JA) in 1985.
"On “I Am Wondering” – a lovers of sorts – Ffrench is Dennis Brown in the high notes, and Gregory Isaacs in the song`s playboy sentiments. A guitar gently wah-wahs, while the synths do a giddy glissando. Midway through this discomix the bass becomes boss – throwing everything else – chopped piano chords and all – into echo. Then it`s rewind for the DJ cut – a brag and boast toast from Shortie Ranks – recounting his triumphs at legendary Kingston reggae venue, Skateland”. (Ban Ban Ton Ton - April, 21 of 2020) Robert French grew up in central Kingston and attended Kingston College. He recorded his first singles in 1979, at the age of 17. He achieved success in 1984 with his performances at the Festival Song Contest and the Reggae Sunsplash festival. He had a combination hit with deejay Clement Irie with "Bun & Cheese", and his first two albums were released in 1985. He had another hit in 1989 with "Modern Girl", a collaboration with
Courtney Melody. In the mid-1990s he relocated to New York City, where he teamed up with rapper Heavy D, with whom he had a hit with "More Love", with an album following on Ras Records, featuring collaboration with several artists including Lady G and General Degree. He has since returned to Jamaica, where he runs the
Ffrench record label and distribution company. He released the album Yesterday and Today in 2001, collecting many of his earlier singles. After a period of inactivity as a recording artist, he returned in 2009 with the single "I Do". As a producer he has worked with artists such as Dennis Brown, Buju Banton (he produced Buju's first single
"Ruler" on Stamina riddim), Beres Hammond, George Nooks, Luciano, Jah Cure, Yami Bolo and Sizzla to name a few. Robert French was the cosin of the late great Pat Kelly. As a french label, big fan from Ffrench productions, i'm very proud and happy to start a collaboration with Robert Ffrench, the most french jamaican. Stay tuned for many many more.
UK Dub pioneers Alpha & Omega (Greensleeves / Steppas Records) represent a major part of the foundation of soundsystem culture and bass music migration from Jamaica, via the UK, to the world. Formed in the 1980’s and with over 30 studio albums to their name, A&O deliver us their latest production. Shadrach, Meshach And Abednego is a remarkable return to the mystical UK dub sound introduced by A&O in the 1980s. A powerful album in both word and sound featuring some of the greatest conscious reggae vocalists of our time; Danny Red, Joseph Lalibela, Wellette Seyon, Ras Tinny and Nai-Jah.
Jamaican artist Asha B, features on observational Roots Reggae and Grounation style vocals, with Dubs mixed by Alien Dread. The tracks were recorded at Asha B’s studio, late 2018. The vocal tracks were produced by Asha B and the vocal tracks & Dubs have been re-mixed by Alien Dread…
Asha B has been a regular session musician, not only in Jamaica, but also when he moved to the UK and has worked with most of the ‘Reggae Greats’, in particular, Jackie Mittoo, IJahMan-on tour & studio work and also studio work for many others, both JA & UK. Asha B has had several single releases to date, and also an album: Hard 2 Smile (Quartz Music - 2005).
Bunny Wailer’s album Sings the Wailers successfully reworks many of The Wailers songs with the backing of top Jamaican musicians, Sly and Robbie. The way he edited the songs for the modern age is impressive. At some moments he’s harmonizing with himself, to keep the spirit of The Wailers alive. Dubby overtones and well produced arrangements are all part of the wonderful sound created by Bunny and Sly and Robbie.
• 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
• INCLUDES “MELLOW MOOD”, “HYPOCRITE”, “RULE THIS LAND”, “I’M THE TOUGHEST” AND MORE REGGAE SONGS
• REGGAE SERIES WITH SELECTED REGGAE CLASSICS STICKER ON SEAL
Alex Figueira, the man behind Music With Soul, Fumaça Preta & Conjunto Papa Upa, has teamed up with Maxado, Brazil's leading rocksteady vocalist, to create another impossible crossover, connecting the dots of the vast tropical music map that have remained appart for far too long.
What if the now-legendary producer Lee Perry had recorded & produced the nascent Wailers trio of Neville Livingston, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, not in Kingston, the scorching hot Jamaican capital, but instead in Belém, an even hotter city, at the heart of the Brazilian Amazon.
Whilst Kingston's airwaves and street parties were dominated by the locally produced rocksteady, ska and reggae, Belém was dancing to it's own beat of carimbó and siriá.
Alex Figueira and Maxado, two avid fans of both musical traditions, entered the Barracão Sound Studio, Amsterdam's famed vintage recording studio, determined to find an answer to that hypothetical question. The result is not only tangible and unprecedented, but incredibly emotive & hypnotic too.
The chorus of "Quando Será" is unnervingly apt for our times tool, "Quando será que eu vou te ver?", or "When will I see you?" the song asks. Well until we see each other, Music With Soul offers some musical relief in the form of this collaborative song.
The B side offers a beautiful touching instrumental version, led by the impeccable flute rendition of Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Gabriel Milliet, a prominent member of the Brazilian music scene in Amsterdam and Alex's long time collaborator having shared the stage countless times in the past 3 years. His delicate phrasing will give you goosebumps.
Alex Figueira is well known as the man behind experimental tropical rock-outfit, Fumaça Preta, and more recently the psychedelic tropical dance band, Conjunto Papa Upa. Meanwhile, he has become a staple of the Amsterdam scene, having either played with, recorded or produced everyone from Mauskovic Dance Band to Altin Gün. São Paulo-based musician & singer composer Maxado made his mark fronting Firebug, Brazil's leading, if not only, rocksteady band, also featuring influential musician, producer and mix engineer Victor Rice. The two musicians met during Alex's first trip to Brazil, when he was already a massive Firebug fan, and quickly formed a firm friendship. Finally over the course of Maxado's first visit to Amsterdam, the pair had a crack at writing & recording together, quickly discovering that their chemistry extended to the studio. Now you can hear the first fruits of their blossoming musical relationship.
Like an ode to your Walkman and to those 90-minute tapes that you used to rewind with your pen, DA BREAK's first LP was all about Funk & Hip Hop 90's flavors. Like an ode to your Walkman and to those 90-minute tapes that you used to rewind with your pen, DA BREAK's first LP was all about Funk & Hip Hop 90's flavors. This was completely unexpected, a major learning experience, and above all a lot of fun and gave the Lyon-based gang a whole lot of ideas for the next stage in their musical journey, propelling them towards new musical horizons: infectious riddims with grooving keyboard & guitar licks as their bedrock and free association leading them into jazz, broken beat, soul or disco vibes … During the creation of Let It Shine, all doors were wide open and all musical genres potentially welcome. The production still has a « home made » feel to it, like the previous album, but with a modern, sonic twist when needed- a result of three years on the road together and new creative input from group members. Whether it be on a New York summertime roof-top, or settled in a Low-Rider with some G-Funk, or moving to some phat Jamaican style bass-lines or getting sensual on a tight breakbeat, lead singer Hawa knows how to shine her feminine and versatile brilliance on the project. She gives to the songs the final touch and the emotion needed to share with us her stories about human relationships - everyday tales sharing her real life-experience. This ever-expanding musical spectrum, Da Break play with it, explore it and also let it kick
completely free at times ! Song after song, they bring a magic glow to LET IT SHINE.
Emergency Ward! (1972) is Nina Simone’s statement on the Vietnam War, and by dealing with matters more spiritual than political, this album aptly reflect the events of the day. The entire first side consists of a 18-minute medley of George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” and a poem by David Nelson called “Today Is a Killer,” set to music by Simone. This is a very strong, gospel-like performance, sometimes resembling the Capitols’ “Cool Jerk” with a call-and-response vocal arrangement - one of Simone’s finest moments. It was performed together with the Bethany Baptist Church Junior Choir of South Jamaica, New York. Side two consists of the Lennie Bleecherâ’s Jeremy Wind song “Poppies” and George Harrison’s “Isn’t It A Pity”. Tracks 1 and 3 were recorded november 18, 1971 at Fort Dix, and track 2 is recorded at the RCA Studio in New York City.
• 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
• INSERT
• 1972 ALBUM FEATURING “MY SWEET LORD / TODAY IS A KILLER” MEDLEY
• LIMITED EDITION OF 1000 INDIVIDUALLY NUMBERED COPIES ON TRANSPARENT RED VINYL
- A1: Johanna Knutsson - Synthsakral 03 14
- A2: Efdemin - Sequence 100 05 44
- A3: Sophia Saze - Same Sane 05 28
- B1: Dj Skull - Good Pain 07 38
- B2: Patrik Skoog - Echophenomena 06 00
- A1: Inland - Overthebrainbow 07 49
- A2: Joel Mull - Cerritulus 05 36
- B1: Arbitrage - Hon 07 11
- B2: Peter Van Hoesen - Twin Motive 05 08
- A1: P Lopez - Power G 05 22
- A2: Perm - Busak 07 22
- B1: Aiken - Second Law 06 02
- B2: Jamaica Suk - Drumtaktics 06 13
- A1: Rhyw - Chisel 05 50
- A2: Tripeo - Humble Bragging 05 37
- B1: Fred Mann - Nacre 04 18
- B2: Mark Broom & Discrete Circuit - Mbdc 4 04 52
- B3: Distant Echoes - Todo Muere (Edit) 04 45
British DJ and producer Inland (Ed Davenport) has compiled and mixed 'Stream State', his biggest project to date, bringing together over 20 artists in a DJ-ready compilation of colourful, diverse modern techno on his label Counterchange.
Complete with a 90 minute continuous mix by Inland himself, the project celebrates over 15 years behind the decks and cements Davenport's reputation not only as a tireless force in the studio, but as a trusted selector and curator of contemporary club music. Spanning deep idm-rooted studies, lush chord-driven euphoria, powerful modernist workouts and tough house-groove jackers, Davenport weaves an addictive mix full of character and his precision mixing style.
From veterans and heroes like DJ Skull, Efdemin, Joel Mull, Boddika, Peter Van Hoesen, and Mark Broom (alongside Discrete Circuit), to a new echelon of up-and-coming talent like Rhyw, Sophia Saze, Jamaica Suk, Johanna Knutsson, Aiken, DJ Sodeyama, Perm and Felix Fleer, there's an underlying thread of shimmering production values and close attention to detail in every track. Inland also selected debuts from Berlin based artists Fred Mann and Arbitrage, and welcomes back BNJMN, P. Lopez and Distant Echoes to the label, now in its 7th year of operation.
'Stream State' is Inland's celebration of the DJ mix / compilation format. Enamoured with UK dance music culture in the mid 90s, the burning, illicit energy of early rave mixtapes left a huge impression. Mystical bootlegs recorded at mass gatherings in fields or late night Radio One transmissions captured on cassette - their eternal spirit was absorbed and cherished. Now more than 2 decades later, Davenport has channeled that fascination into this weighty collector's item and a captivating continuous mix.
All 22 tracks included are new and original productions made by some of Inland's favourite artists and colleagues. A network and a community - complied and presented by an artist who continues to demonstrate his longevity and unique voice in the scene.
- Track 1 Murderous Horn Dub – Rocking Jamboree Rhythms
- Track 2 Wreaking Horns Dub – Wreak Up My Life Rhythm
- Track 3 Natty Congo Dub – Roots Natty Congo Rhythm
- Track 4 Tribulation Horn Dub - Tribulation Rhythm
- Track 5 Everybody Needs Dub – Everybody Needs Love Rhythm
- Track 6 Ambitious Dub – Breaking Up Rhythm
- Track 7 Finding Dub – You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine Rhythm
- Track 8 Catching Horns Dub – You Have Caught Me Baby Rhythm
- Track 9 Springtime In Dub – In The Springtime Rhythm
Tommy McCook was not only a founding member of the legendary Jamaican Ska group The Skatalites, but also a brilliant musical arranger. His informed understanding of Jazz, R&B and in fact most music styles would always add another layer to any song put his way. This made him the go to guy for most of the Jamaican producers, who would use his arrangement skills to pepper up their latest tunes.
Tommy McCook, (b1927, Havana, Cuba) came to Jamaica with his mother from Cuba aged 11 and entered renowned Alpha Boys School for underprivileged children, a school that placed great emphasis on musical tuition. At the tender of 14, such was his talent he has left to join Eric Deans Orchestra and took on stints with other bands led by Don Hinchman and Roy Coburn. All the bands played in the Swing and Jazz style of the times. He relocated to the Bahamas in 1954 where he further developed his Jazz technique and upon his return to Jamaica in 1962 began working Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One and became involved in the development of Ska. His knowledge of Jazz, R& B and Jamaican musical forms helped set the tone for the group of musicians he was working with and would name the Skatalites. The group, consisting of Don Drummond (Trombone), Roland Alphonso (Tenor Saxophone), Jackie Mitoo (Piano), Lloyd Brevett (Bass), Lloyd Knibbs (Drums), alongside Tommy himself on Tenor Saxophone. The group would back all the major Ska vocalists pf the day and would also go on to cut a catalogue of instrumental music. The Skatalites split up in 1965 and Tommy McCook moved over to work with Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle Studios where he formed The Supersonics. A set of musicians under his guidance that consisted of Lynn Tait and Ernest Ranglin (Guitar), Neville Hinds and Winston Wright (Organ), Gladstone “Gladdy” Anderson (Piano), Hugh Malcolm and Arkland “Drumbago” Parks (Drums), Clifton “Jackie” Jackson (Bass), and Tommy and Hernon Marquis (Saxophone). The more laid back sounds from 1966-1968 would be given the name Rocksteady of which again McCook was at the forefront. The top producers like Bunny Lee would use the musicianship of Tommy McCook and his arrangement skills to enhance this new sound.
We have compiled a great selection of rhythms that featured McCook blowing over tracks stripped of their vocals and replaced with some fantastic lead lines played by Tommy and some of his fellow horns men.
We hope you agree like we do that they do this in fine style.
Canyons are places of mystery and beauty. The interesting thing is, while they are one of the great wonders in the history of planet earth and attract scientists of all kinds of disciplines, they have also been a popular retreat for artists and musicians. You will have heard of Topanga Canyon, Rickie Lee Jones and Chicago recorded here. Laurel Canyon is even more well known, a mythical place where Crosby, Stills & Nash developed their unique vocal sound while hanging around Mama Cass' place. Or was it in Joni Mitchell's house on Lookout Mountain? Ok, you get the picture. There is something unexplainable, almost magical going on in canyons.
Maybe that's why Andy Platts and Shawn Lee were thinking of "Canyons" when they wrote and recorded their third album as Young Gun Silver Fox. With "West End Coast" and "AM Waves" these two very talented musicians, singers, songwriters, arrangers and producers already explored all things Westcoast, AOR, Softrock and Boogie. But - especially if you are a into the golden age of this sound running from circa 1976 to 1984 - you will be aware that there is no return once you started digging these unconditional musical delights with their timeless compositions, untouchable musicianship and refined arrangements. The great albums from that era appeared when punk broke and the musical establishment was shaken to the ground. Today they sound more up to date than ever. Who would have thought back then?
On "Canyons" Young Gun Silver Fox turned it up to eleven. They are nothing but "Kids" cruising in the fast lane, totally over the top searching for the "Dream Woman", touching down in Tokyo caught in a "Long Distance Love Affair", imagining the theme for a lost 70s TV series starring "Danny Jamaica", being on the winning side in a "Private Paradise", getting deep and soulful in "Things We Left Unsaid" and wondering how to spread "All This Love". Their bass lines, sound layers, brass arrangements and harmony vocals are immaculate. Everything fits perfectly. Just like this. "Who Needs Words" when everything is crystal clear? Exactly!
"Canyons", after all, are magical places of rare beauty. (Mr. Mellow - Porcaroc Club/Mr. Mellow's Sunday Scene/Soho Radio).
7"
Kalakuta Soul Records is back and starts the year with a new collaboration with one of the most inspiring record stores and well of fortune for all music lovers, especially for those who enjoy carribean music and the profound musical heritage of Jamaica - the infamous Bahlo Records.
For this first release, both have created a new imprint that brings both labels together and goes by the name KABA that stands for (well…) Kalakuta Soul Bahlo Records.
For their first collaborative release, they were able to license two songs originally released on a private pressed LP by the mighty "Golden Sunshine Steel Band" in 1980 that will definitely wave you through day and night, whether you're listening to it at home, on the road or in a furious set on a mind-blowing sound system.
More releases will follow through 2020!!
* Carlton Livingston, is a well known Jamaican Reggae artist, who started his career in 1978 at Channel One (Ja) with the track: ‘Tale Of Two Cities’. Subsequently he recorded for many JA ‘labels’, Studio One, Thirllseekers, Taxi, Dynamite and others. His most notable and best known recording is ‘100 Weight Of Collie Weed’ for Percy Chin (Jah Life Rcds). The album which features the track is still available (Greensleeves).
This release, recorded for producer Phillip ‘Gadd 59’ Whittaker, features a new song on an up-dated original mid 1960’s Rock Steady rhythm, ‘Bum Ball’, courtesy of Derrick Morgan OD. The Vocal & Dub have been mixed by Russ (Disciples) at …studio..
- A1: Adam E Eve (Feat Patrick Tulippe)
- A2: Ansanm Pou Demen (Feat Henri Louis)
- A3: Konsyans (Feat Patrick Tulippe)
- B1: Elwa (Feat William Casse)
- B2: Yenki Sa An Pa Enme (Feat Leonard Zozio)
- B3: Kan La Line Leve (Feat Francois Dinane)
- C1: La Gwadloupeyen (Feat Thierry Dernault)
- C2: Latilye Valo (Feat William Casse)
- C3: Lekiri A Misie O (Feat Francois Dinane)
- D1: O La Ou Te Ye (Feat Francois Dinane)
- D2: O Moman Lesclavaj (Feat Patrick Tulippe)
- D3: Yo Pe Ke Jen Chanje (Feat Patrick Tulippe)
Soul Jazz Records continues its journey into the world of Afro-Caribbean roots music with this album of newly recorded music of Gwo Ka music recorded and produced by Soul Jazz Records on the island of Guadeloupe, French West Indies.
Gwo Ka music is a fantastic fusion of African-derived musical form ( call and response), with vocal styles that draw upon the equally powerful French chanson singers to create a truly unique combination.
Tradition Ka, made up of some of the island’s finest singers and master drummers, is part of a powerful network of politicised Gwo Ka groups on the island – upholding the traditions and cultural importance of Gwo Ka as part of a larger process of defining the identity of Guadeloupe and its culture.
This album is newly studio recorded in Pointe-A-Pitre, Guadeloupe by Soul Jazz Records. Like the cult music of Haiti’s Vodou and Cuba’s Santeria or the roots music of Belize’s Garifuna (all of which Soul Jazz have also released), Gwo Ka is the musical and cultural product of the region’s African ancestry, forcibly brought to the Caribbean through slavery.
Gwo Ka exists only in Guadeloupe, a very different island from much of the Caribbean, in that it remains a ‘department’ of its original colonial master, France. Here, the currency is the Euro and the baker sells croissant and café au lait.
This constant ‘European-ising’ of the island means that Gwo Ka plays a fundamental and important role in the defining of Guadeloupean identity. As an African-derived music, its position as a counter-balance to French influence means that the definition of how and what Gwo Ka represents is also in a constant state of flux.
These new recordings show how Gwo Ka is both a modern Caribbean music form and one firmly rooted in ancestral history.
Over the last 20 years Soul Jazz Records have been documenting and presenting the often hidden histories and deep musical worlds of Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Belize, Trinidad, the Bahamas and more. This documentation encompasses reissuing lost recordings, such as the mighty Studio One catalogue of reggae, producing films/dvds (such as the 3-hour documentary Mirror To The Soul in conjunction with British Pathé, and Dub Echoes), books (check the forthcoming photography book on the Caribbean 90 Degrees of Shade, with text by Paul Gilroy, and Kanaval) as well as travelling to the region to produce new recordings.
On this Caribbean island that is Cuba, El Tipo is a pioneer of Hip Hop. The founder of Obsesion group with he has committed three albums, traveled Europe, Latin America, United States. He has invested the mythical scene Apollo Theater of Harlem, shared the stage with The Roots, Common or Kanye West, integrated the Gilles Peterson’s band for the Havana Culture Tour. 500 LTD!In the world of beatmaking, Al Quets (originally known as Quetzal) is a figure. An instrumental designer who cut, loop, program, cadence, compose. A name marked by 5 albums and collaborations with Onra, Guts, La Fine Equipe ou Milk Coffee and Sugar. Between the French beat maker and the cuban MC, there’s thousand of kilometers but a desire to connect so strongly that no force could have prevented the meeting. So, rather than exchanging digital files , Al Quetz preferred swallowing on the same frequencies. Together they drew on all the musical currents of the island and around, absorbed Afro- Cuban sounds, added the freedom of jazz, the metronome of hip hop grooves, smoking riddims and heavy bass of the Jamaican neighboor.
“Please Wait“ (Ta-ku & matt mcwaters) releasing their EP „Black & White“ featuring soon to be mega star Masego and others via 823 & Jakarta Records. After releasing last year’s very successful tribute-record “25 Nights for Nujabes” (almost 13 mio. plays on Spotify to this day), Perth-based artist Ta-ku finally returns with brand new music!
... Please Wait is the culmination of numerous online exchanges and years of sharing voice memos, stems, musical ideas & TikTok links between Ta-ku and Canadian producer matt mcwaters. Their cathartic approach to this body of work has been more about self-expression than anything else and has culminated in an EP that covers a range of issues and experiences from different times in their lives.
While the 1st single features Jamaican-American multi-talent Masego and will also have a video, the 2nd single features up & coming singer/songwriter Alayna. Ta-ku’s 823 label represents the appreciation for the people/ideas/places that inspire and push us forward.
The artwork is shot by the artists themselves and each release has an accompanying photo zine that acts as a visual story to compliment the music being showcased.
Sir James and King Johnny are the leading figures of the mysterious crew: L'ENTOURLOOP.
These elders, fed on the sound of sound systems, vinyl culture and lulled by the epic dialogues of the cinema of yesteryear, concoct a fine fusion of Reggae and Hip Hop.
These beatmakers like to use scratches and samples, all blended with a vintage french touch that makes us travel from France to Kingston, London and New York! The two unstoppable seniors come back this fall to hit ever stronger with a new EP called "Golden Nuggets" in collaboration with the Jamaican Skarra Mucci aka the "Dancehall President".
"Golden Nuggets" is a 6-piece-EP in which we find all the ingredients that make the magic of the sound of Entourloop and Skarra Mucci.
‘I Want You To Be Mine’ has all the hallmarks of classic 1960’s Rocksteady, an era which many refer too as the Golden Age of Jamaican music. Over the top of a live one-drop beat, cool & deadly sax and warm analog guitar & bass Deemas J rides the riddim in a ‘old time style & fashion’ whilst Rachel Wallace provides the perfect accompaniment with her gorgeous vocal. On the B-Side we have the deeper cut ‘Questions’, where Deemas delivers a poignant poem over Adam Prescott’s moody instrumental in the style of Linton Kwesi Johnson. Featuring live instrumentation from Harry ‘Papa B’ Bradford (Sax), Clifford Junior (Guitar) & Guillaume Metenier (Hammond Organ). As an integral part of the Reggae Roast Soundsystem team Adam has established himself as one of the finest selectors in the world. Initially with some early support and guidance from Mark Iration (from the Leeds based Iration Steppas), Adam was quickly recognised as one of the key players in the re-emergence of British Reggae, producing first class original songs featuring the likes of Cornel Campbell, Macka B, Sugar Minott, Ranking Joe, Rod Taylor, Johnny Osbourne & Earl 16 to name but a few. Add to that consistent play on BBC Radio One & Rinse FM plus huge support from Sir David Rodigan, featuring Adam on his ‘Best Of British’ show on 1Xtra, Adam has become one of the hottest prospects in the revival of soundsystem music. Deemas J has built a formidable reputation as a go-to MC & vocalist with equally genre-busting credentials; His background in Reggae & Jungle means that his lyrical skills and style holds no bounds. He currently works with 3 of the top London Reggae Soundsystems, Unit 137, Reggae Roast & Solution Soundsystem as well as running his own Sound Limey Banton Bass in Guernsey. He has released music on some very well known labels such as Irie Ites, Irish Moss & Tru Thoughts, which released the cult LP ‘Wrongtom Meets Deemas J in East London’. More recently his latest release ‘Muhammed Ali’ received fantastic support from Don Letts, Sir David Rodigan & Ras Kwame. His virtually endless CV boasts collaborations with everyone across the worlds of Drum & Bass, Old School, Garage, Reggae and Hip hop, including High Contrast, Andy C, DJ EZ and Nick Manasseh to name just a few as well as touring the world with Manudigital
- A1: Kiddus I - If You Love Me
- A2: Winston Mcanuff - Malcolm X
- A3: Cedric Myton - Row Fisherman
- A4: Ken Boothe - Everything I Own
- B1: The Viceroys - Ya Ho
- B2: Horace Andy - Ain't No Sunshine
- B3: Judy Mowatt &Jah9 - Black Woman
- C1: Kiddus I - Survive
- C2: Cedric Myton - Rebellion In Heaven
- C3: Var, Derajah & Winston Mcanuff - Be Careful
- D1: Derajah - Tribute To My Sista
- D2: Ken Boothe - Speak Softly Love
- D3: Var - Live Good
Stripped down to the roots, these 13 contemporary new versions of classic Jamaican recordings, originally from the likes of the Trojan and Studio One studios, are triumphantly fresh and channel Jamaica’s rebel music history.
With Rastafari sewn into its sonic seams, Inna De Yard remind us of Jamaica’s vast contribution to popular music around the globe with a cast of golden-generation roots artists whilst introducing a new class of roots-enthused artists from the island.
Following the release of the album is a feature-length Inna De Yard documentary-film directed by Peter Webber (3 Oscar nominations for Girl with a Pearl Earring), set for its UK and international cinema release alongside European tour and summer festival dates including a special beach performance at the music industry Midem Festival in Cannes.
After a sell-out debut tour in France in 2017, the trailblazing quartet of Ken Boothe, Cedric “The Congos” Myton, Kiddus I and Winston McAnuff join forces to front a cross-generational super-group of roots-reggae visionaries, featuring Jamaican vocal trio The Viceroys and Bob Marley backing vocalist and artist Judy Mowatt, as well as Jah9, Var and Derajah, three of Jamaica’s most stirring and spiritually-connected artists on the scene today.
Michael Edgehill aka Mikey Melody was born in the parish of Portland, Jamaica. As a youth he constantly raised his voice in song and performing with sound system in the neighborhood community. Known by his sweet voice, his friends gave him the nickname «Mikey Melody».
Mikey Melody was influenced by 60’s and 70’s US R&B icons and Jamaican singers like Bob Marley, Sugar Minott, Burning Spear, Dennis Brown, Bob Andy and Half Pint. In the 1980’s he went to Kingston and was identified early by Lord Sassafrass, who gave him his first recording single “Under Mi Fat Thing” that was covered by many reggae artists. He was then signed by Black Scorpio Corporation which he was a singer on the sound system and recording label. He did songs like “World Is A Disaster”, “Jumbo Mi Jumbo”, “Romance For The Moment”, “Ragga Muffin”, “Unemployment”.
He then moved on to Dennis Star Label which he did songs like “Mona Lisa”, “Maranda” and the hit song “Soldier In Town”. Released in 1988 on Dennis Star International records, ‘’Soldier In Town’’ by Mikey Melody is a pure late 80’s dancehall vocal over heavy digital rhythm by Firehouse Crew.
R.Zee Jackson, a born Jamaican spent his early childhood in Clarendon and later in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, Jamaica, West Indies. In 1975, as a student, he moved to Canada with his Mom. There he met Oswald Creary of Half Moon label and studio. At Half Moon studio, he recorded the original tracks of ''Long
Long Time'' released as a 12'' vinyl record on his own label ''Ital''. Esso Jackson also recorded at ''Dub World'', the dubplates cutting studio in Toronto. All the sound men from all over came to see ''Snipa'' the dub cutter; “It was great, dancehall was rocking in Canada. We have it lock with all the big sound systems and artists from all over the world”. One day, the keyboard master Jackie Mittoo say to Esso “you can't stay cold up yourself in
Canada”. Because R.Zee had many family in the UK, it was easy. So he decided to see what was going on in London. In 1980 he released the album Trodding, produced by Mike Brooks (Teams / Coptic Lion). Few years later, he released "Ina South Africa", a heavyweight digital reggae to fight against Apartheid and also "At The Reggae Party", a pure dancehall anthem to mash up the dance. The songs were recorded at Utopia studio (London, UK) in 1985.
What more can be said about The Slackers? Having released over 20 albums and countless singles over a decades-spanning career that dates back to 1991, the New York City hometown heroes have managed to thrive both underground and internationally in the firmly entrenched revival scenes of ska, punk and rock 'n roll.
Their generational impact may be unmatched, especially considering the incredible run and reach that they've made throughout a myriad of tours across North America, Europe and South America.
Easily standard bearers for the modern day, working, independent musician, The Slackers have also embodied a very thoughtful and respectful brand of Jamaican roots music and production into their own skilled compositions and writing. It's a concrete connection to the musical roots that makes this particular one-off release on NYCT a prime example of The Slackers in their most classic and reverential stance.
Two unreleased exclusive instrumentals in the canonical Jamaican stylee: one ska, one rock steady, two burners on the preferred 7-inch format.
Back with a vengeance, Cimm returns to the imprint with a highly anticipated succession to his Sentry debut from last year, stamped on a irresistible 2 x 12" vinyl release. Infernal halftime beats and top-notch Dubstep shells, firmly entrenched at the frontier of sound system music and its invaluable heritage. The London-based producer and DJ rose to swift and significant acclaim in the last few years with releases on institutions like Tempa, J:Kenzo's Artikal and Wheel & Deal as well as notable residencies at Rinse FM and the renowned Fabric night club, among other recent achievements. Now coming to a turntable near you, Cimm delivers four bespoke cuts, primed for the dance and your enjoyment, battle-tested by the scene's foremost tastemakers.
Diving into unidentified transmissions, 'Unknown Caller!!' sets the pace with eerie reverberations and filtered resonance. Amid the faint hiss of machinery, larger-than-life drums set up shop alongside subterranean pressure emissions. Hefty breaks, hold tight! Retro synth melodies keep us on track within the monstrous switch-ups and unquestionably meticulous arrangement, sure to shut down any dance in style. Cutting no corners with the B-Side, Cimm teams up with veteran vocalist Rider Shafique for a dystopian sub-bass onslaught, swaggering militant chants and the apocalyptic ambience to go with it. Steaming low-frequency oscillations bubble and hurl their weight, stripped of all restraints, coveted in freezing harmonies and ethereal atmosphere. Vibrating in a more uplifting spirit, the dedication to the Jamaican roots of sound system culture unfolds in the Londoner's signature style - dubbed out soundscapes ahead. 'Tosh Dub' keeps it a laid back, with vintage instrumentation, scattered skanks and swirling organ chimes. Taking an ultimate trip through unremitted grit and off-kilter grooves, 'I Am Jack Travis' lures us in with rainy undertones and hypnotic foley sampling. Promptly revealing its true nature with plenty of pressure and scrupulous syncopation, a ghostly heavyweight ensues and closes the deal.
(180 Vinyl LP) With their authentic formula - jazz musicians in a Jamaican-wise context - Jamaican Jazz Orchestra come with a second album that feels like a fresh dive in the lake on a humid tropical day. High quality musicianship and clever compositions recorded analog on tape, guided by producer Tom Callens (Lady Linn, Lester's Blues, South of the Border, Tiny Legs Tim)...
Reissue of this 1976 LP from Zambia. Deep minimal African music, lovely compositions over scarce drum machines and (fuzzy) guitars.. Beautiful music with a deeper message in the lyrics which is explained better in the long review below. Some words from the label. There is music that falls right into place, a perfectly articulated expression of a few distinct influences. Then, there is another kind of median music, something more mysterious, the result of time, place, technology, and alchemy. Zambian writer and musician Smokey Haangala’s Aunka Ma Kwacha (The Money is Gone) released in 1976 is an example of this more mystical metallurgy, falling somewhere between psychedelic Zamrock, US folk, Kalindula, and Sundown Beat (music played after dark) from Tongaland. The unique mix of languages on the album (Bemba, Tonga, Lozi, and English) also suggest this complex cultural crossroads. Underlying the whole album is the insistent beat of a simple drum machine, which was totally unheard of in Zambia at the time, and parallels pioneering experiments by Francis Bebey, Sly Stone, and Shuggie Otis, utilizing a technology which would later come to define dance music. Then there’s the album’s original artwork by Peter Kependa, done in style similar to the infamous Jamaican dancehall illustrator Wilfred Limonious, interpreting the album’s title and primary theme; the burden of financial inequality.
In this sense the album is political, but the theme is extrapolated and explored through its impact on personal life; love, marriage, social status, and diet. The album is full of cautionary tales, folklore and references to magic, aspects of Zambian culture simultaneously mystifying and alluring to outsiders, part of what attracted Western readers to Nigerian writer Amos Tutuola’s hallucinatory Yoruba folktales. After becoming a household name in Zambia for his music, writing, and television appearances, Smokey Haangala died at the age of 38, the very week his book The Black Eye was published, abruptly ending his brilliant and ascending career. We are lucky to have his inimitable work to remember him by, Aunka Ma Kwacha resting comfortably in the pantheon of re-visionary works by Rodriguez, Kissoon Ramasar, TJ Hustler, and William Onyeabor.
Selenicereus grandiflorus is native to the Greater Antilles, specifically the islands of Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti. It can also be found growing among trees and rocks in countries across Central and South America, including Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Colloquially known as the “Queen of the Night”, Selenicereus grandiflorus produces majestic, nocturnally blooming flowers that open once a year before withering. When in annual bloom the flowers reach up to a foot in diameter and emit a fragrant vanilla aroma.
The flowers are supported by a tangled mass of spiny stems that grow thicker and stronger with each annual flowering, and are sometimes harvested for use in homeopathic remedies to improve heart health. Due to the uniquely transient beauty of this cactus, Selenicereus grandiflorus is considered a rewarding addition to any collection. Our botanists strive to source and produce high-quality specimens to enrich your mind as well as your ears. After many months in the field our team has returned with a diverse selection of sonic seedlings. Following a series of meticulous experiments in our research facility each seedling has been deemed safe for general propagation and cleared for release.
- A1: Sceechie Dan - We A Don
- A2: Lone Ranger - My Number
- A3: Dennis Alcapone - Riddle I This
- A4: Kentrus - It A Fi Bun
- A5: Lone Ranger - Apprentice Dentist
- B1: King Sporty - Dj Special
- B2: Prince Jazzbo - Little Joe
- B3: Jim Brown - Ragga Muffin
- B4: Mad Roy - Universal Love
- B5: King Sporty - Choice Of Music
- C1: King Stitt - Rhyming Time
- C2: Prince Jazzbo - Fire Coal Version
- C3: Dillinger - Fountain On The Mountain
- C4: Michigan & Smiley - Thank You Jah
- D1: Prince Garthie - Raindrops
- D2: Jah Buzz - Automatic Clapping
- D3: Dennis Alcapone - El Paso
- D4: Big Joe - Nanny Version Skank
Featuring Prince Jazzbo, Dillinger, Dennis Alcapone, Lone Ranger, Michigan & Smiley and many more. Soul Jazz Records’ new Studio One DJ Party is the latest installation from the mighty Studio One Records catalogue, a wicked new collection of the finest DJs and toasters ever to inhabit the world of reggae – seminal Jamaican artists including Prince Jazzbo, Dillinger, Dennis Alcapone, Michigan & Smiley, Lone Ranger as well as a host of lesser known artists and rare cuts from Studio One. From the earliest days when Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd ran his Downbeat soundsystem up and down the length of Jamaica, DJs and toasters such as King Stitt and Count Machukie were always a part of the sound of Studio One, introducing new records and exciting audiences with catchphrase lines such as: “No matter what the people say these sounds lead the way It's the order of the day from your boss deejay” King Stitt So when DJ emerged as a distinct reggae style at the start of the 1970s, Studio One was, as always, way ahead of their competitors. Legendary artists of the calibre of Dillinger, Dennis Alcapone and Prince Jazzbo all queued up to record for the equally legendary label. At the end of the 1970s, as dancehall exploded onto the island, Clement Dodd was once again able to maintain Studio One’s position on the throne as the number one sound in the Jamaica, fighting off upstart competitors such as Channel One and Joe Gibbs who tried to replicate Studio One’s unique sound. During this period Clement Dodd released a series of stunning dancehall releases from young DJ/dancehall artists at the label including Lone Ranger and Michigan & Smiley. This selection spans the early 70s up until the mid-1980s, from the earliest days of deejay toasting right up until digital dancehall, ground-breaking tracks over the finest selection of the ultimate Studio One rhythms and tracks. Who could ask for more? Studio One DJ Party includes specially commissioned sleevenotes by Chris Lane, founder of the legendary British reggae label Fashion Records, as well as fantastic original artwork commissioned by the illustrator Ski Williams. The album is released as double heavyweight vinyl (+download code), and distinctive Soul Jazz Records CD with slipcase
- A1: Cito Jarvis - Fighting Soldier
- A2: Roger Bain - Stand Up & Rock Your Body (Instrumental)
- A3: D Ivan - Fire (Extended Dub Edit)
- B1: Bill Campbell - Body Beat
- B2: Brother Resistance - Move It (Version)
- B3: Adonijah - It's Alright
- C1: Peter Britto - I Want Your Love
- C2: Juno D - Hotter & Hotter (Dub Edit)
- C3: Colin Jackman - D'jab Jab Dance (Bad Lad Mix)
- D1: Levi John - Soca
- D2: Spiking - Liberation Train
- E1: Mohjah - Zion Gates (Dub)
- E2: Andre Tanker - Wild Indian Band
- E3: Touch - Touch Music (Edit)
- F1: D' Rebel Band - Solid
- F2: The Millers - Last Days
- F3: Chocolate Affaire - Jump To Calypso
Body Beat: Soca-Dub and Electronic Calypso (1979-98) comprises 17 obscure Soca B-side versions, dubs, instrumentals and edits as well as vocal tracks influenced by disco, boogie, house-music, soul and the more conscious lyrics of roots reggae. This compilation traces the soca genre from its explosion in the late 1970s right up to the period just before contemporary soca became established around the end of the 1990s. TIP!!
Compiled by Soundway Records label founder Miles Cleret and DJ/collector Jeremy Spellacey, Body Beat, as with many compilations on the label, explores the fringes of this often maligned (by outsiders) genre. Boiled down to the bare bones of the matter though: soca is party music.
Soca was originally a re-invention of Calypso music; a genre that in the 1970s was fast becoming usurped around the Caribbean by Jamaican reggae and American soul, funk and later disco. The originator of soca (or sokah as he called it), the calypsonian Lord Shorty, began experimenting and modernising on the formulation of calypso in the early 1970s. His first album featured a strong emphasis on East African rhythms and a punchier recording style that emphasised the beat, and introduced arrangements that often owed as much to American funk and soul as to calypso.
So here you go - seventeen slabs of soca crossover, rapso, electronic calypso, and Caribbean ‘soca-soul’ for your enjoyment - and bound to fit well into modern, open-minded DJ sets alongside the resurgence of burger-highlife, digi-reggae, soukous and zouk.
We present to you our ninth release on 7” format, a collaboration between Ojah and Jamaican singer Ras Tavaris.
The A side contains the track “Long Run”, a great modern roots vocal performance by Ras Tavaris over a steppers riddim paired with the delivery of important lyrics for these times of fast changes and short-term views.
On the B side we find a dub version as usual, in this case an instrumental dub,
mixed live in analog by Ojah at his studio in London.
Limited edition of 500 copies, hand-stamped and hand-numbered, served in a thick custom reversed kraftliner sleeve.
Produced by Ojah, recorded at Alchemy Dubs Studio, London.
Vocals by Ras Tavaris
Backing vocals by Jah Kirk
Mixed & mastered by Oscar Pablos “Ojah" at Alchemy Dubs Studio, London, 2019.
Graphic design by Victor Castro.
Two dope Island Boogie tracks by Experience, an Afro Reggae group hailing from Germany. - Very nice steeldrumming in these tunes..
Experience’s “Share It With You” and “Happiness” can both be found on the private LP release “Oh! What A Feeling” from 1982. The group consisted of Anthony Flaverney from Trinidad, Curvin Murchant from Jamaica, Daniel Kofi Jefferson from Ghana and John Innies from Trinidad and was founded in Hamburg.
Anythony Flaverney, the lead singer on both songs, was active as songwriter and musician in Germany since the mid-1970s, most notably appearing on the Peter Herbolzheimer arranged “Caribbean Rock“ album by Malcolm's Locks (be sure to check their funk version of Bob Marley’s “Get Up Stand Up”!). Curvin Merchant, a highly respected drummer from Jamaica, settled in Germany around the same time. Before forming Experience, he was a member in several groups, including highly successful pop acts like Boney M. Later he became known as "Germany’s Grandfather of Roots Rock Reggae", among other things buildung up the "Reggae Center" in Hamburg. Flaverney and Merchant are joined by Daniel Jefferson on bass and John Innies on steel pan. The band existed for about 2 years, touring in Germany and Europe, unfortunately recording only one album which features a unique mix of Reggae and Funk.
The first track “Share It With You”, should give any serious music lover goose bumps. It was written by Flaverney and features a deep groove, steel drum solos and fantastic soulful vocals. It’s that type of tune you will play in a DJ set and people will come up to you and ask what it is. The single version is slightly edited.
Side B continues with Happiness, an equally great track with positive vibe and attitude, written by Flaverney and Jefferson. Again, the steel pan sounds give it that special compelling “Island” vibe from Trinidad.
The single is limited to 300 copies and comes in a beautiful picture sleeve showing part of the original artwork from the “Oh! What A Feeling” album.
50 years ago, a young Panamanian singer by the name of Ralph Weeks, who a few years prior had cut his teeth in the US music landscape with the group Johnny & The Expressions, self-produced and independently released a record with an absolute monster of a soul ballad called "Something Deep Inside." It was a song that Weeks had come up with on the spot during one of many gigs in the heart of Brooklyn's Prospect Heights, at the time a cultural hub and community for many Panamanians living in the borough. Along with his group, The Telecasters, Weeks often played at a Panamanian-owned club in the neighborhood called 4 Star's (STA4R's) which would independently sponsor the release of the tune on a 7-inch single.
Fast forward to 2019, where a serendipitous meeting between Ralph Weeks and Names You Can Trust turned into a solid formation of musical synchronicity, bonded over a shared belief in musical fusion, a weaving of musical threads that was similarly the foundation of that earlier era in Panama. It's a fusion that has become a constant theme throughout the Names You Can Trust catalog in the last 10 years, connecting the dots from NY, the Caribbean and Latin America. An immediate plan was put into motion: return Weeks to a studio atmosphere that had eluded him in the preceding decades, a vibe and live musical presence that would be reminiscent of his time recording with The Telecasters and The Exciters in Panama.
In the ultimate tribute to Weeks and that foundation, NYCT label mates Combo Lulo unpacked the 50-year old original tune and refashioned it into a timeless rocksteady ballad. It was an opportunity for Weeks to acquaint himself with a new band and a new generation of musical talent. Ultimately, it was an unexpected chance for Weeks to reconnect to the music he wrote one fateful evening in a Brooklyn club. For Combo Lulo, Names You Can Trust, and now the rest of his musical admirers, it's a chance to hear how gracefully Weeks' voice has aged, still silky smooth with those beloved falsetto runs, sweet and rounded like a barrel-aged añejo rum. It's a testament to the timelessness of Weeks' original music, and certainly another reminder of how far and wide even the smallest of musical blips can spread.
Presented as a double-sided bilingual 45 single, both versions of Weeks' classic tune, "Algo Muy Profundo" and "Something Deep Inside," have been formatted in the traditional Jamaican style, skillfully cut live and mixed under the guidance of NYCT and Combo Lulo's talented musicians. It's a tribute to a brilliant record and an unsung architect of Latin American sweet soul, but also a love letter to a very particular NY-Caribbean fusion that theoretically could have happened 50 years ago, depending on the borough you resided in. After all, there was always something deep inside. Comes with NYCT / STA4R'S Company Sleeve & Liner Notes.
Johnny Clarke is one of the great vocalists that ruled the Jamaican Dancehall scene from the mid – 1970’s to the early 1980’s. While Bob Marley was out conquering the world, Dennis Brown, Gregory Issacs and Johnny Clarke were winning the hearts of the Jamaican people .Johnny Clarke’s use of the ‘Flying Cymbal‘ sound took the Island by storm and produced a run of hit singles few could match.
Johnny Clarke (b.1955, Jamaica, West Indies) cut his first record ‘God Made The Sea and Sun’, after winning a local singing contest in the Bull Bay area of Jamaica. Although the single was not a hit, it led to two follow up tracks for producer Rupie Edwards, ’Everyday Wandering’ and ‘Julie’ that fared much better, both on the island and oversees in England and Canada. These tracks also brought the singer to the attention of producer Bunny Lee and a working relationship that would go on to produce a prolific catalogue of music. Johnny Clarke’s Dread Conscious / Love Song style were to grace many hits around this time in 1974. Such tunes as ‘None Shall Escape The Judgement’, ‘Move Out of Babylon’, ‘Rock With Me Baby’, ‘Enter The Gates With Praise’ to name but a few. All new songs added to a host of cover tunes, recommended by Bunny Lee, many taken from the singer John Holt’s catalogue, that suited Clarke’s vocal style. The rhythms were cut at various studios around the Island. Randy’s Studio 17, Channel 1, Treasure Isle, Dynamic Sounds and Harry J’s, by a group of musicians loosely called the Aggrovators and some tunes incorporating the ‘Flying Cymbal’ sound again introduced by Bunny Lee, working the Hi-Hat in fine style. The tracks were then taken to King Tubby’s studio where Johnny Clarke’s vocals would be voiced.
Another phenomenon that was happening in the early 1970’s, was the version cuts to vocal tracks. This is when the tunes were cut back to the bass and drums and the vocals were dropped in and out in a dubbed style, and reverb and echo and various effects were added to these tracks. The main exponent to this style was King Tubby himself, and as was the fashion at the time, each vocal track would carry a version as its B-Side. Producer Bunny Lee lead this style working closely with King Tubby and all of his singles from then on would carry a Dub cut on its flipside. As Johnny Clarke was one of Bunny’s main singers at the time, we would hear a great selection of popular songs getting the dub treatment and in many cases the single was purchased for its more exciting dub cut, again made popular at the various dances where the dubplates were played out. We have compiled some of the best of these dubs from the time and put them together for this release, hope you enjoy the great voice of Johnny Clarke alongside the productions of Bunny Lee and the creative genius of King Tubby, a great combination we hope you will agree….
Big loud and proud Greensleeves 12” rounding up back to back 80’s vocal and dub Prince Jammy digi-killers.
Junior Murvin’s lethal Cool Down The Heat’ complete with killer dub backed with Nitty Gritty’s original ‘Run Down The World’ vocal cut now matched with the sought after Jamaican only dub mix.
12 inch single contains vintage King Jammy productions and exclusive dub mixes, released here for the first time
- A1: 10 Commandments
- A2: I’ll Take You There
- A3: Message From The Black Ark Studios
- A4: Holyness, Righteousness, Light
- B1: Babylon Fall
- B2: Mr. Dino Koosh Rock
- B3: Hip Hop Reggae
- B4: Evil Brain Rejector
- C1: Jah Rastafari, Jungle Safari
- C2: Love Sunshine, Blue Sky
- C3: Clear The Way
- C4: Congratulations
- D1: Shocks Of Mighty
- D2: Jamaican E.t
- D3: Telepathic Jah A Rize
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s return to his most spaced-out work, that marks his 2002 comeback album Jamaican E.T. The extra-terrestrial is back with some groovy reggae which creates a bridge between dub, roots and hip hop. But in the end it never ventures to far away from the traditional reggae. The album continues in showing his fascination with aliens, drugs and religion. His own voice is often multi-layered and contrasting with each other. It’s a wonderful record and it shows that even after all those years he was still capable in recording an album which stands out during the time of release.
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry was a pioneer in the 1970s development of dub music and worked together with artists such as Bob Marley and the Wailers, The Clash and The Beastie Boys. Nowadays he’s still performing and recording music.
Jamaican E.T. is available as a limited edition of 750 individually numbered copies on orange coloured vinyl.
'Junction' - a six track EP produced entirely by Samrai & Platt - features vocalists from Jamaica, Ireland & the UK and rounds off an excellent 12 months for the label & crew who've toured across North America, Mexico and Europe in 2017.
The set kicks off with ST favourite Alexx A-Game (originally voiced at his studio in Kingston in 2016) urging listeners to 'free up' their mind and souls and let the 'good times take control'. It sets the tone for upcoming Jamaican talent Blvk H3ro to step up on the soulful party number 'Can't Wait' (recorded at Equiknoxx's studios in Vineyard Town in 2016), which has been a staple in Swing Ting sets over the last 18 months.
Slowing the pace is 'Addiction', a link up with Irish artist and frequent Murlo collaborator Gemma Dunleavy who lays down an impressive vocal over the skittering drums, muted guitar and glistening keys. The listen is interrupted momentarily for an interlude from Gavsborg whose moving voicemail is accompanied by a poignant piano line from JP aka Without Understanding. One for the clubs - 'Turn it Up' features Equiknoxx's Shanique Marie riding a stripped funky-esque riddim with ease.
Fittingly the set closes with 'Contagious' which finds two of Manchester's finest vocalists - Fox & Tyler Daley searching for an escape from the reality of our turbulent times over a refined yet sparkling production. The 12' vinyl will be limited to 200 copies.
Support from: Murlo, Toddla T, Jamz Supernova, HDD & Equiknoxx across NTS Radio & BBC Radio 1 / 1xtra.
- A1: Wicked Man - Majah Tunder
- A2: Omg - Teshay Makeda
- A3: Last Days (Dub Version) - Owen Hender & Trevor Westcarr
- A4: Theme (Feat. Charmaine Holder) - Uk Principal
- A5: Search - Mosi
- B1: The Best Is Yet To Come - D'oxman
- B2: Real Sensimilla - Mad-X
- B3: Carry Come (Feat. Uk Principal) - Charmaine Holder
- B4: Conscious Brother - Markee Ledge
- B5: More Peace (Junglist Remix By Sasha Khan) - Uk Principal
A collection of contemporary reggae, dub and electronica, which marks a broadening of musical horizons for the label beyond reissues of lost African guitar dance music. The LP covers a range of Jamaican inspired sounds, including roots reggae, dancehall, dub and jungle, which may act as a taster for potential future releases.
Due for release in July 2019. Interest for airplay from Tom Ravenscroft and Gideon Coe from BBC 6 Music. Steve Barker plans to review for The Wire magazine
- A1: Alpha Blondy / Whole Lotta Love (Originally Performed By Led Zeppelin)
- A2: Gregory Isaacs / House Of The Rising Sun (Made Famous By The Animals)
- A3: Sly & Robbie / Inner City Blues (Originally Performed By Marvin Gaye)
- A4: Dennis Brown / (Sittin\\' On) The Dock Of The Bay (Originally Performed By Otis Reddng)
- A5: Ambelique / (I Can\\'T Get No) Satisfaction (Originally Performed By The Rolling Stones)
- A6: Marcia Griffiths / Fever 3’46 (Made Famous By Peggy Lee)
- B1: Horace Andy / Ain\\'T No Sunshine (Originally Performed By Bill Withers)
- B2: The Pioneers / Papa Was A Rolling Stone (Originally Performed By The Temptations)
- B3: Freddie Mcgregor / Guantanamera (Made Famous By Celia Cruz)
- B4: Jimmy Riley / Sexual Healing (Originally Performed By Marvin Gaye)
- B5: Yami Bolo / Is It Because I\\'M Black (Originally Performed By Syl Johnson)
- B6: Kotch / Wonderful Tonight (Originally Performed By Eric Claptone)
- B1: Inna De Yardfeat. Kiddus I / If You Love Me O(Riginally Performed By Edith Piaf)
- C2: Moonraisers / Hotel California (Originally Performed By The Eagles)
- C3: Don Campbell / Rise (Originally Performed By Bob Dylan)
- C4: Nato / Crazy (Originally Performed By Gnarls Barclay)
- C5: Nostalgia 77 Feat. Alice Russell / Seven Nation Army(Grant Phabao Remix) (Originally Performed By The White Stripes)
- C6: La Grimafeat. Jimetta Rose / Lithium (Originally Performed By Nirvana)
- D1: Morgan Heritage / Girl Is Mine (Originally Performed By Michael Jackson)
- D2: Booost Another / Brick In The Wall, Pt 2 (Originally Performed By Pink Floyd)
- D3: Third World / De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da (Originally Performed By The Police )
- D4: Norris Wear / You\\'Re The First My Last My Everything (Originally Performed By Barry White)
- D5: Alton Ellis / It\\'S A Shame (Originally Performed By The Spinners)
- D6: Ken Boothe / You Keep Me Hanging On (Originally Performed By The Supremes)
Featuring Sly & Robbie, Alpha Blondy, Marcia Griffiths, Horace Andy, Morgan Heritage, Gregory Isaacs, Inna De Yard, Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, Jimmy Riley, and many more.
LTD to 300 / SPLATTER VINYL. Planet Mu Recording artist, Gobstopper label boss, and Boxed club night founder Mr.Mitch provides the third PRESSURE release of 2019. This strictly limited, blue and yellow splattered vinyl platter is futurist dancehall at its most exhilaratingly demented. Random synth patterns, chaotic bleep emissions and all round oscillating madness ensures this furiously fresh track, flows freakily, like a bogle frenzied droid transmitting from Kingston, Jamaica, year 2049. Kevin Martin aka The Bug, nagged Mitch into submission, to release this Acid Ragga killer, after the PRESSURE label CEO, heard ‘Not Modular’ standing out clearly from Mitch’s gobsmacking one hour ‘Techno Dancehall Mix’ at the end of 2018. And as a tribute to South East London don dada Mitch, The Bug himself decided to slice, splice and dice ’Not Modular’ into two additional atomised remixes. The Bug’s ‘Straight’ remix, is sub aquatic bashment, pulsating deeply from the bottom of the ocean, buried in a blizzard of white noise and disembodied, hypnotic chimes, with panic sirens set to stun. Whilst the ‘Raw remix’ is no less disorientating and funky, sounding like Lenky’s classic ‘Diwali’ riddim rewritten by an 808 clap addict, with hips set to full rotation. Conclusively alien and ridiculously infectious.
Following on from their recent album on Italian imprint Just This, Hunter/Game present the Silence Remixes out June 7th, featuring contributions from Radio Slave, Inland and Jamaica Suk amongst others.
Silence is a spiralling voyage into the depths of blissful ambience and meditative techno from Milan-based duo Hunter/Game. Arriving after a series of acclaimed EPs on the same label, it is an aesthetic statement of intent, carving out serene spaces of melancholy and upliftment.
For the remixes EP, a carefully chosen selection of artists provide varying interpretations of stand-out tracks from the album. Radio Slave turns ‘Dead Soul’ into a marching ground of melodic techno, whilst Inland breathes robotic life into ‘Crashed Sounds’ and Wrong Assessment levitate ‘Fragments’ over murky waters. Closing off the vinyl is Jamaica Suk’s ominous restructuring of ‘Reaction’.
Owners of the digital release will receive three further remixes. Vessels turns ‘Evolution’ into a broken dreamscape of stepping percussion, whilst Just This affiliate Scissors forges a stripped back, tripped out version of ‘Memories’. Also featured digitally is a second version of Jamaica Suk’s ‘Reaction’ remix.
Old time something come back again! Victor Axelrod at the controls, taking an early Daptone classic from the Lee Fields & Sugarman 3 repertoire into the world of 60s ska – featuring a new singer we think everyone will be talking about once they hear this simply because... this man is on FIRE! We present to you Leon Dinero. Some might recognize the flash of his gold tooth glimmering in the dark dances between Jamaica and Brooklyn and now we have him on record with more to come!
The vocal “Lover Like Me,” snake-charms you into what could easily fool some to be an unreleased Alton Ellis cut that was long lost in Prince Buster’s tapes. Leon gives nods to Lee’s original vocals while taking the vibes to another island. The flip “Conscience is Heavy,” has The Inversions capturing the powerful Blue Beat kick-drum punch and organ bubble that is sure to keep a dancefloor shuffling and the know-it-alls guessing.
- A1: Frequency Guide
- A2: Just Like A Melody
- A3: In Every Way
- A4: A Brand New Day (Feat Asm & Balkan Bump)
- A5: Can\'T Love You More
- A6: Walking Through A Sunlit Forest
- A7: Solace
- B1: Lessons About Life
- B2: Ghetto Child (Feat Awon & Eme)
- B3: Darts Is Not A Sport
- B4: When It\'S Gone
- B5: No Need To Worry
- B6: Melatonin
With more than 220 million cumulated streams in 2013, Poldoore is far to be unknown from international future-beat and hip-hop scenes. His new record, Mosaïc, comes back confirming to be the spearhead of a booming music genre, where beatmakers emerge from the shadows to the light, to assert themselves as artists in their own rights. Coming from Belgium, more precisely Louvain near Bruxelles, Thomas Schillebeeckx began to explore his parents record collection at age 5, when the family moved to the US. Since, the will to combine this musical heritage to his more modern surrounding sounds never left. Because Poldoore music has a credo: assembly the era with sampling, mixing the genres to create a new musical touch.
Since his beginning in 2013, with the album The Days Off, the young musician talents gave him the opportunity to perform for an international tour with famous venues such as Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Festival, Dour Festival, or the giant Tomorrowland. Everything you need to create a huge fanbase, one that never let you down through your musical evolutions. At this stage, Poldoore is already ahead of his time, playing a music focused on the future, making his place among lasting artists by getting to the top sales on Beatport. Six years after, he's still here, more than ever.
The following of his career brings him to Bulgaria, Spain, Turkey, Germany, Greece, and developing remixes for international artists such as Selah Sue, Wax Tailor, Declaime or Talib Kweli.
He is also nominated at the Red Bull Elektropedia Awards in Belgium, for both Album of the Year and Best Newcomer of the year, mostly thanks to the hit: the remix of the classic Fugees song, Fu-Gee-La. Everything to set the stage for his second album, The Days Off in 2016. The natural identity of Poldoore music rings out more than ever, and allows him to sign several projects and EPs on prestigious labels: Chinese Man Records, Nowadays, Cold Busted or Darker Than Wax.
His forthcoming album Mosaïc is a pure exploration of genres. The offbeat hip-hop, beautifully embodied by the track Lessons About Life, the electro-funk with Darts Is Not A Sport, his beloved jamaïcan sounds on A Brand New Day (featuring ASM and Balkan Bump), or the break-electronic on Solace. But it's mainly his unusual ability to give a second groove to 70s soul samples and epic strings, that makes this record truly essential. The whole tracklist is haunted, whether on the excellent Walking Through A Sunlit Forest or on Melatonin, last of the 13 tracks. Always seeking to marry different musical periods, always linking the past and the future. With Mosaïc, Poldoore is not only showing us his talent, but takes the listener through out Time. And isn't it what the music is supposed to do
Names You Can Trust's long-running Swing-A-Ling party in Brooklyn has become an epic warm weather celebration of all classic styles of Jamaican sound system music on vinyl. The party itself, set in the deepest crevices of BK's Caribbean community, has been known to stretch for 12+ hours each session, serving non-stop musical entertainment and buckets of jerk chicken & curry goat to an adoring crowd of all ages, young and old. The event has also been the occasion of some extremely limited edition record presses that have come to embody both the ethos of the party and the NYCT label. The second in the series of the playfully titled Swing-A-Ling NOW SOUNDS is a new entry in modern reggae production from The Mad Geezers. Like the party's signature sound, the tunes on this double-sided single are timeless, intriguingly left-of-center, and most importantly in deep homage of the vast influences and inspirations that have been carved to vinyl throughout Jamaican recorded history. Elements of rock steady, dub, soul and middle eastern snake charmer sounds all find their way through the hands of the Geezers' skilled musicians and the resulting 45 record is sure to be another sneaky staple in sound systems all over.
Emotional Rescue returns to the Caribbean with the music of Glen Ricks and his infectious Jamaica meets Boogie goldmine that is I've Been Waiting For You.
A performer since the age of 7, Glen Ricks (born Ricketts), established a reputation for his singing range and ability to seamlessly shift from tenor to soprano, going on to sell over a million records around the world.
Having immigrated to Canada as a child, after teaming up with his first band The Fabulous Flames Ricks returned to Jamaica to create his first records. Moving effortlessly from reggae to lovers, and dancehall to soul, R&B, disco and boogie, Ricks established a successful career and he continues to perform to this day.
I've Been Waiting For You is indicative of that cross-pollination of style and sound. Released on 7" in 1983 on the short lived Seraff label, the mix of Ricks' soul voice with laid back boogie groove creates a sound full of lazy JA swing.
Now highly sought after, this special 12" reissue includes the stand out vocal and is backed with an instrumental that builds on the interplay between bass, drums, piano, guitar, keys and finally, backing vocals. To seal the deal - and in true label style - LA's rising star DJ Duckcomb presents the perfect Discomix, seamlessly cutting between both versions with some respectful dubbing in the mix.
Lloyd Parks is one of the greatest bass player in Jamaican music history, but he’s also a brilliant singer. He started his singer carrier in 1967 at Studio One with The Termites and then had numerous hits with songs like “Officially”, “Slaving”, “Ordinary Man”, “Mafia” or “We’ll Get Over It”. In 2013, Fruits Records producer Mathias Liengme travelled to Jamaica to record The Inspirators album, an all stars group gathering Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace, Lloyd Parks, Earl “Chinna” Smith and Anthony “Sangie” Davis playing and singing together. Taken from these recording sessions, Lloyd Parks’ “No Bother Chuck It Pon Me” is for the first time available on 7” record including a wicked dub version on the B side by Roberto Sánchez.
We are delighted to present our fourth release on 12” format, a very special collaboration with legendary Jamaican trombone player Vin Gordon.
"Bowl go, packy come" is an old Jamaican proverb equivalent to “what goes around comes around”, or in a more positive form “one good turn deserves another”. In this EP it symbolises the migrations and cultural exchanges between Jamaica and UK and back from UK to Jamaica and the rest of the world, pretty similar to the life journey of Vin Gordon himself. The music and the artwork here try to represent that continuum of exchange between both shores.
The Ep contains two uptempo instrumental tracks that are a mix of classic Jamaican sounds with a UK influence, combining classic live instrumentation and modern programming. Each track comes with it’s own dub version mixed analog live by Ojah in traditional fashion.
Also available complementing this release is ALDBS7008 “What Goes Around Comes Around”, a 7” that contains an additional Hammond and melodica solo version and an additional dub of the “Packy” riddim.
Limited edition of 600 copies, 180g heavyweight 12” vinyl, hand-numbered, served in a spined sleeve with outstanding artwork by Victor Castro.
Hammond & melodica recorded by Nik Torp at Squat Sound Studio, London, UK, 2015
Percussion & keys recorded by Ojah at Rollover Studios, London, UK, 2015
Trombone recorded by Jamez at Black Lindy Studio, London, UK, 2015
Guitars recorded by Puppa Shan at Discoinferno, Madrid, Spain, 2018
All tracks produced, mixed and mastered by Oscar Pablos “Ojah” at Alchemy Dubs Studio, London, UK, 2018
Graphic design by Victor Castro
The first release on a new label: Pura Vida Sounds founded by Guts, in conjunction with Heavenly Sweetness. El Tipo Este is a pioneer of Hip Hop in Cuba and Al Quetz, a leading French beat maker.
This canny combo have drawn from the local musical currents, absorbing Afro-Cuban sounds, adding the freedom of jazz, the metronome of hip hop and a healthy bass shake of neighbouring island Jamaica.
For Cubans, El Tipo Este is the pioneer of all things hip-hop. As founding member of Obsesion, one of the nation's most notable hip hop exports. Early champions of his music included Gilles Peterson, who selected a track
to include in his 'Havana Cultura; New Cuba Sounds' compilation. Hot off the heels of this, El Tipo Este was enlisted to assemble the full band of musicians for the Havana Cultura tour. This unit played stages across Europe, USA and
closer to home in Latin America, and in turn this led to collaborations with The Roots and Mos Def For this long player, El Tipo Este he has enlisted beat maker France's Al Quetz to carry his rhymes. Originally known as Quetzal, Al Quetz is a crucial figure in
the world of beat making. A sound scientist whose cut, loop, program, paste compositions has seen him collaborate with the likes of Onra, Guts, La Fine Equipe and Milk Coffee & Sugar.
b1 Regla Sound System
[|] b2 Tu Vera
[] b3 Dicen
[~] c1 Usame
[] c2 Interludio En El 106
[] c3 Inflowencias
[] d1 Ya No Me Pertenezco
[] d2 Revolucion Vivencial
[] d3 Tierra, Semillas Y Frutas
[{] b1 Regla Sound System
[|] b2 Tu Vera
[}] b3 Dicen
[~] c1 Usame
[] c2 Interludio En El 106
[] c3 Inflowencias
[] d1 Ya No Me Pertenezco
[] d2 Revolucion Vivencial
[] d3 Tierra, Semillas Y Frutas
[{] b1 Regla Sound System
[|] b2 Tu Vera
[}] b3 Dicen
[~] c1 Usame
[] c2 Interludio En El 106
[] c3 Inflowencias
[] d1 Ya No Me Pertenezco
[] d2 Revolucion Vivencial
[] d3 Tierra, Semillas Y Frutas
* Dom & Roland Productions, the label, has gone from strength to strength since its conception in 2006.
It Features Dom's new solo work and his collaborations with other visionary artists such as Noisia, Hive and Amon
Tobin. The label has continued to push sonic boundaries whilst staying true to it's ethos of 'not selling out'.
* BEACH BUM - DOM & ROLAND
There's someone on the beach playing a catchy picked out guitar riff. The waves are lapping. A surfer walks along the beach carrying their surfboard, their hair is blowing in the wind. They are thinking about how powerful and awesome the ocean is in it's contrast to the serene and quiet sunset beach, They like the guitar a lot!
* DRED SOUND - DOM & ROLAND
Big Sound! In a large warehouse in Kingston Jamaica, a kid turns up with his laptop and a keyboard full of playable samples. The kid's twisted some funk era breakbeats into gigantic proportions and is trying out song structure ideas whilst listening back on the the huge sub bass system. There are a lot of people sitting around, everyone stops to listen, they never heard anything like this. It's raw, and powerful, and they like it!
"Incarcerated deejay touts Sikka Rymes as next big thing in dancehall" say the Jamaica Star headlines; referencing Vybz Kartel and Sikka's cousin Shawn Storm, all of Portmore's Gaza Nation dancehall royalty...........
So then we have Love Di People EP: Sikka's first solid gold release after strings of strictly Vevo hits ('Life of the Party', 'Nuh Change') lie between his previous hook up with producer Genesis Hull (on Duppy's 2016 Fresh Clipp'd). Genesis' prods are pure widescreeen sub-tension and speed - now of Mexico City, he carries Sikka's flow into gleaming new future chrome jobs of the dancehall chassie, the madness of 00s dancehall returns for global review. In This Time Of Many Dancehall Think-pieces: Live Long And Grow Strong.
The weight of two year's of Drive demos caused Miro Tape to spontaneously burst into the world on Bokeh last year, we told you it was just a mixtape - Love Di People is the first wax seal on the Bokeh x Duppy Gun relationship, and not the last one of 2019. Founded by Sun Araw and M. Geddes Gengras, Duppy Gun pairs under-cover West Coast producers with Jamaican vocalists like G Sudden, Early One & others from their island HQs in Portmore & Spanish Town.
* Welcome to the DUB SOUND from Jamaica. The vocal records cut back to the bones of bass & drums, with the instruments and vocals faded in and out sometimes with echo and reverb to make a great new VERSION!!. Although remembered as an early 70's phenomenom, the dubbed sound can be dated back as early as 1968. But by the mid- seveties it became the norm for records to carry a Version (dub) b-side and in fact many records were brought for this reason especially if they were known to come from the hands of the dub master himself King Tubby. So sit back and enjoy this dub excursion, many from the hands of King Tubby but all classics in their own right.
1 Why Fight The Dub
2 Conversation Dub
3 A Better Version
4 General Dub
5 The Jehovah Version
6 Care Free Dub
7 A Wicked Dub
8 A Truthful Dub
9 Rocking Dub
10 Step Inna Dub Style
11 A Good Version
12 My Brethren In Dub
13 Rub This Dub
14 Creation of Dub
15 Invasion Dub*
16 A Lonely Dub*
*CDBonus Tracks
Long Out Of Print Tune Produced By Rupert Billy Green For His Hard Rock Imprint, Out Of Waterhouse, Kingston Jamaica. Taken From The Original 1986 Metalworks.
- A1: Ken Parker - True, True, True
- A2: Techniques - Run Come Celebrate
- A3: Techniques - Sweet Soul Music
- A4: Joya Landis - Kansas City
- A5: Termites - Love Up, Kiss Up
- A6: Soul Lads - Funny
- B1: Supersonics - Regay
- B2: Supersonics - Second Fiddle
- B3: Danny Simpson - Mary Poppins
- B4: Tommy Mccook - Soul Remedy
- B5: I Techniques- 'M In The Mood For Love
- B6: Soul Lads - I'm Yours Forever
- 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
- LIMITED EDITION OF 750 INDIVIDUALLY NUMBERED COPIES ON ORANGE COLOURED VINYL
The famous Jamaican record producer Duke Reid founded record label Treasure Isle in the 1960s. Some of his best production skills can be found on the compilation album Here Comes The Duke. Showcasing the talents of some of the giants of the rock steady era, the recordings, all issued during the latter half of '68, demonstrate just why the Duke is widely regarded as the king of the rock steady sound. The grooves are thoughtful and the brass section adds the right attitude to the different songs.
Here Comes The Duke is available as a limited edition of 750 individually numbered copies on orange coloured vinyl.
The Wailers cover Marley songs, recorded with the guitarist Lloyd « Guitsy » Willis at the Harry J Studio in Kingston, Jamaïca in 1976.
With a celestial voice that's been streamed over 3 million times thanks to acclaimed features with The Kite String Tangle, Golden Vessel and label mate Sampology, Brisbane-based artist Tiana Khasi (Kah-see) shares her debut EP, 'MEGHALAYA', out 29 March via Soul Has No Tempo.
The Sampology-produced debut is a rich tapestry of styles and influence, with inspiration drawing from themes of self-empowerment, family and heritage, collaborating with contemporary musicians while studying jazz. ''Meghalaya' is both geographic and spiritual. It's a place I creatively resort to seeking affirmation of my identity and for true holistic inspiration. I wanted to create a body of work that honestly showed where I was at musically and personally. I felt the growing pains of being a young woman, mixed race/Australian born and studying jazz. I was neither here nor there.'
'Nuketown', the first single from the forthcoming release, is out now following global premieres with Complex UK & London's Worldwide FM. Upon hearing early mixes, Gilles Peterson handpicked the track to feature on his most recent compilation, Brownswood Bubblers Thirteen, via Brownswood Recordings. Touted by local tastemakers and HypeMachine blog Purple Sneakers as "the debut single we didn't know we needed", 'Nuketown' has found airplay with national stations triple j & Double J, placement in Spotify's Just Chill playlist, rotation with Sydney's FBi Radio, and enthusiastic support from community radio and online media around the country and beyond.
"A flawless example of the kind of music we can expect from Tiana going forward. [Nuketown] creates something completely original, drawing elements from jazz but never chasing a particular sound or vibe. Everything comes naturally, taking you on a journey with the instrumentation matching the ebbs and flows of Tiana Khasi's sweet vocals. It serves as an exemplary debut for the young artist, and can only mean better things are on the horizon." - Complex UK
A keystone artist in her hometown whose live reputation precedes her via her work fronting local jazz/hip-hop collective Astro Travellers, Tiana Khasi's voice has been praised as "elegant" (Life Without Andy), "most dope" (Audiosteez) and "as venomous as it is honey-sweet" (Happy). A trained jazz vocalist, Tiana's unique sound is heavily influenced by her Samoan and Indian heritage, and has seen her support Jamaican-American "TrapHouseJazz" sensation Masego, Swedish soul artist Fatima and acclaimed Australian collective 30/70.
Taken from band's second full album "Reggaelation Rock" - Black Dragon River is the exotic instumental fusion by Japanese 9piece Afro/Caribbean band Reggaelation IndependAnce and legendary Tonkori, invented by Ainu people from Hokkaido, performer Oki.
"Departing from Tokyo, going to the World via Jamaica"
Combo Lulo returns to Names You Can Trust for their sophomore single, digging deeper into the diversified sounds of the Caribbean that helped define their debut. While the first single took a Jamaican foundation south into the neighboring continent, fusing the sensibilities of rock steady with those of classic Afro-Latin orchestras, this single goes far east. Inspired by the heady and sublime sounds of foundational ska mixed with East African influences, (think Buster's Islam, Don D's Addis Ababa or Further East), The Sieve & The Sand is a brand new composition within this natural order, albeit with the fortune of different reggae eras and studio styles to draw from. Divided into two parts (but also available seamlessly as it was played in the studio), Combo Lulo's talented players move effortlessly from the galloping shuffle of ska into a deep and dark, Roots Radics-styled instrumental. It's a lovely ode to the original styles of reggae, but also another impressive accomplishment that will surely leave listeners and new fans in anticipation of the shape of things to come for Combo Lulo.
- D2: Johnny Clarke - Time Will Tell
- D3: The Aggrovators - Drums Of Africa
- D4: Dillinger & King Tubby - Jah Jah Dub
- E1: Winston Wright - Marvelous Rocker
- E2: The Mighty Diamonds - You Should Be Thankful
- E3: King Tubby, Prince Jammy & The Aggrovators - A Thankful Version
- E4: Dillinger - Check Sister Jane
- F1: Prince Jazzbo - The Wormer
- F2: The Uniques - You Don't Care For Me
- F3: Shorty The President - Natty Dread Have Ambition
- F4: King Tubby & The Aggrovators - This A The Hardest Version
Johnny Clarke & King Tubby & Dillinger & Prince Jazzbo feat. Tommy McCook & The legendary Aggrovators & The Mighty Diamonds - Soul Jazz Records presents Bunny Lee: Dreads Enter the Gates with Praise - The Mighty Striker Shoots the Hits!
Soul Jazz Records presents this new collection featuring the heavy 70s roots reggae of Bunny
Lee - a living legend, one of the last of the great Jamaican record producers who helped shape
and define reggae music in the 1970s from a small island sound into an internationally
successful musical genre.
From teenage fan to young record plugger for Duke Reid, Sir Coxsone and other early
pioneering Jamaican musical entrepreneurs, Lee has spent his whole professional life inside the
Kingston music industry. In the 1970s he rose up to become one of the major record producers
in Jamaica alongside Lee 'Scratch' Perry and the other 'small axe' producers who broke the
dominance of the 'big tree' producers that had ruled Jamaican music in the 1960s.
Featuring some of the heaviest Jamaican artists, including Johnny Clarke, King Tubby, Dillinger,
Prince Jazzbo, Tommy McCook, The legendary Aggrovators (featuring Sly and Robbie), The
Mighty Diamonds and more, the album is a rollercoaster ride of rare, deep and classic 1970s
roots, dub and DJ sounds.
During this era, 'flying cymbals', crashing reverbs, dark echoing thunderclap gunshots and
other 'implements of sound' filled his record productions as Bunny Lee explored the outer limits
of dub with his friend King Tubby in the mix on wild versions that accompanied any 45. A
Bunny Lee record provides a creative and mysterious hidden guide to reggae music itself, a
double-sided three-minute intangible history lesson etched in wax.
Bunny Lee was one of the first Jamaican producers to travel to England in the late 1960s, at
the beginning of the nascent British reggae music industry as record companies such as
Trojan, Pama and others began licensing Jamaican music in the UK to supply the expanding
West Indian communities living up and down England. Lee encouraged other Jamaican
producers to do the same, including Lee Perry, Harry J and Niney The Observer and also
became a conduit between the British music industry and numerous younger Island-based
producers - a frequent flyer reggae ambassador, a musical courier exchanging tapes for
royalties.
Bunny Lee's first recordings in the late 1960s were mainly rock steady but as the 70s
approached the music soon began to mutate and slow down into 'reggae' as the sound became
heavier, more rootsy and the sound itself began to change with the explosion of dub.
Lee was at the forefront to this dramatic musical shift into roots reggae and by this time had
become a major producer, capable of working with whoever he chose as world-famous singers,
DJs and musicians lined up to work with the charismatic man. Lee also employed a fluid but
stable set of crack session musicians who he named The Aggrovators.
Most of the recordings featured here come from the mid 70s, a time when Bunny Lee was
definitely in the zone, releasing heavyweight singles at an almost unstoppable rate. Bunny
Lee's career stretches over five decades and he has upwards of 2,000 production credits on
vinyl.
This album comes with extensive sleevenotes, an interview with Bunny Lee and exclusive
photography. The album is available as a CD pack with 24-page booklet, massive triple LP vinyl
with digital download code, house inner and full notes, as well as digital album.
Following on from last year's releases by Neue Grafik and Selectors Assemble, CoOp Presents step into 2019 with a new 4-track EP courtesy of Oliver Night; a DJ, producer & singer born and raised in North London.
In addition to joining the Selectors Assemble family recently, Oliver is a member and producer of Roots Manuva's Banana Klan. He established himself as a DJ some 15 years ago, and has since played across the capital, from the Tate Modern to Boiler Room. His music has been supported in the past by the likes of Tony Humphries, Kerri Chandler & Seth Troxler,
This four-tracker illustrates Oliver's diverse range of influences, from the initial inspiration of his Jamaican uncle, musician Hughie Izachaar (who worked with Lee Scratch Perry & others), through to his passion for London's broken beat movement. Oliver's sound epitomises tru-skool UK sound-system ethics; grounded in reggae and dub production sensibilities, whilst built solidly for the bruk and house music dances of today.
The set kicks off with title track, 'Make Believe', featuring the powerhouse vocals of BB.JAMES aka Bethany Barnett Bywater, who's had previous releases with EVM128, Spoek Mathambo and Waze & Odyssey. London-based singer BB is a talent to watch in her own right, as proven on this monster of a track, which has all the ingredients to crossover & damage dancefloors underground and over. Sassy soulful vocals ride a woofer-shattering b-line and synth stabs with devastating effect - a sureshot future anthem.
Next up is 'Swing For Life', an instrumental jazz-house affair, which features the talents of Vancouver-born trumpeter, Jay Phelps - a highly-prolific, highly-acclaimed musician in the jazz world, who found his base in the capital over a decade ago and has since worked with a veritable who's who of international jazz artists, including Courtney Pine, Wynton Marsalis, Amy Winehouse, Hugh Masakela & George Benson, to name a few.
Finally, the flipside brings with it two versions of the cut 'U Got To', remixed by Selectors Assemble family, Cengiz, and label founders IG Culture (fresh from receiving a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at the 2019 Worldwide Awards) and Alex Phountzi (formerly of Bugz In The Attic) aka NameBrandSound, delivering more of their signature bassweight business. Oliver unleashes his own vocal talents on this track, deftly demonstrating a rich, soulful Omar-esque quality to his voice, and completing a truly heavyweight debut for the label.
This record is huge. Essential business, no BS. A truly firing start to the new year for CoOp Presents.
Limited vinyl & digital available on ********
David Marston is a producer, DJ, musician, and guitarist hailing from the vibrant Caribbean island of Jamaica. He takes a multifaceted approach to his music, and has worked to achieve a sound that is a fusion of multiple genres, including, but not limited to, house, hip-hop, disco, jazz, as well as reggae. During a six-month stint in Jamaica in 2016, Marston reconnected with a close friend and fellow musician, Craig Williamson, and the pair began writing music that would become the basis of Marston's first full length album. With the album set to be released in early 2019, Marston has endeavored to put together a special 12" to showcase the club-friendly side of his music with a selection of the album's dance cuts.
The A-side of the vinyl kicks off with the title track, "Feeling You", which features Williamson's crooning voice over a hypnotic instrumental characterized by a swirling arpeggiated synth, punchy bass hits, and stomping drums. To round off the A-side, Italian DJ and production duo, Lowheads, give the aforementioned track a fresh makeover with their lively classic house remix and dub version. The flip side of the record consists of two instrumental tracks. The first, "Ragamuffin", is a mesmerizing four to the floor tune constructed around an Indian raga sample. The final number, "On My Mind" is an off-kilter house groove with rolling keys, garage style drums, and a soaring lead. Taken together, the 12" album 'sampler' is a robust yet tantalising collection of club-ready tunes.
- A1: Hypocrite - Heptones
- A2: Save The Last Dance For Me - Heptones
- A3: The Gardner - Julie Ann
- A4: Our Day Will Come - Heptones
- A5: Have A Little Faith - Nicky Thomas
- A6: Freedom To The People - Heptones
- B1: Every Day And Every Night - Heptones
- B2: Maga Doc - Peter Tosh
- B3: God Bless The Children - Nicky Thomas
- B4: Love Has Many Faces - Heptones
- B5: Be The One - Heptones
- B6: Mama's Song - Nicky Thomas
- 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
- FIRST PRESSING OF 750 NUMBERED
COPIES ON ORANGE VINYL
Primarily released to showcase the sublime talents of one of Jamaica's most celebrated vocal trios, The Heptones, the aptly titled Heptones & Their Friends album features a selection of superior reggae sides by the group alongside hugely popular works from the three of reggae's biggest stars of the period: Judy Mowatt, Nicky Thomas and Peter Tosh of The Wailers.
Backed by top session crew, the Now Generation, the Joe Gibbsproduced selection is of a predictably high standard throughout, with highlights including Be The One', a pitch-perfect slice of classic roots, a gloriously cheesy pop cover of the Drfters' Save The Last Dance', the strident Freedom To The People' and one of the biggest Jamaican hits of the early 1970s, Hypocrite'.
Lowell Dunbar and Robert Shakespeare are the renowned Jamaican rhythm section that has worked with a range of international stars, including Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Joan Armatrading, Garland Jeffries and countless others. They first came to know each other in the early 1970s, when both were based in rival bands playing in clubs on Kingston's Red Hills Road and started working together at Channel One studio in the mid-1970s, when Sly was musical arranger for the Revolutionaries house band and Robbie the main bassist for Bunny Lee's Aggrovators. After a stint of international touring in Peter Tosh's Word, Sound and Power band, which exposed them to the tastes and markets of overseas audiences, the pair joined forces more concertedly with their Taxi label, producing hits with Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Sugar Minott and the Wailing Souls. At the same time, as the driving force behind the Compass Point All Stars, they brought Grace Jones to prominence worldwide and made Gwen Guthrie a star through reggaefied disco, and then brought Black Uhuru into the top spot in the wake of Bob Marley's passing. Then, when Jamaican music went digital with the 'Sleng Teng' craze of the mid-1980s, Sly and Robbie made the shift in that direction too, becoming among the most prominent producers as the 80s gave way to the 90s. Dubs For Tubs: A Tribute To King Tubby is a digital dub salute to the King issued shortly after his terrible murder; it is mostly comprised of synthesizer re-cuts of classic Jamaican rhythms, with 'Dub For Joy' being a tough re-working of the Heptones' 'Love Me Girl' and 'Dub To Make You Move And Groove' a take on their 'Party Time'; Dennis Brown's 'Here I Come' is here mutated to 'Dub For Roots People' and his 'Here I Come' anthem shifted into the spongy 'Dub For All Seasons.' An intriguing offshoot of 'Sleng Teng' is among the other highlights.
A welcome branching out into the reggae universe, Rocafort is proud to present The Circle of Confusion featuring the legendary sweet falsetto voice of Cornel Campbell. Lausanne Switzerland meets Kingston Jamaica in this heartfelt, stripped back, feel-good homage to the late 70s roots reggaestyle.
The Circle of Confusion are a Swiss production duo: Seb.K (Shakedown productions) and Phil'eas (Black Diamond Sound). Diehard reggae fans, they dared to contact their favourite Jamaican singer and got a result with Campbell delivering the lyrics on the spot, written on the day of Nelson Mandela' death. There's depth and feeling in this wonderfully lilting, plaintive song, typical of Campbell's social consciousness and beautiful soul. Hard to believe it was all strung together in a shiny, clean Swiss studio when the sound is so simply warm and Jamaican. Beautiful run on the keyboards by Jah Lou.
If you were moved by the Rhythm and Sound album of 2001, you will not be disappointed with this splendid roots collaboration. We can only hope there's more to come.
Perhaps one of the most unique and unlikely exponents of the highly collectible genres of ambient electronics, experimental tape-music and PINA (Private Issue New Age), this English-born Jamaican- raised sound designer, artist and existentialist furrowed his own unblinkered path through lesser chartered electronic fields for many moons before eventually teaming up with Bill Laswell (with Material) and Daevid Allen in New York to bring self-taught synthesis to Gong during their most oblique periods.
Creating two impossibly rare self-pressed vinyl LPs of conceptual inner-visionary outer-galactic angular tonal-dronal alien-art soundscapes in the process, the man known under figure shifting guises such as Dennis Wise/Denis Weise/Dr. Wise etc, combined a culture of sound system circuitry and radiophonic trickery adding Tea-pot poetry and sci-fidelity future- folk to his magnetic mesh.
Presented here as the first ever dedicated Wize Music collection this record combines compositions spanning 1979-1984 in both a solo capacity as well as small- group projects featuring members of the Emerald Web band.
Imagine a comic book where a Funkenstein monster called 'Laraaji-Scratch Perry' invaded your record shelf while Komendarek and Holger Czukay kept lookout... Dr. Dennis might be the only one Wise enough to outsmart all of them with his powerful amorphous anaesthetic.
Jamaican superstar Popcaan returns with his long awaited sophomore album, Forever. Popcaan's journey has taken him from a promising young star to the leader of a generation of Jamaican and diaspora artists, a generation that feels their influence reverberate in pop's continuing interest in the sonic signifiers of dancehall. Forever finds Popcaan grappling with his role as an icon
- A1: Intro (Prod. By Jammz)
- A2: Everything Dead (Prod. By Jammz)
- A3: Need That Now (Prod. By Sebastian Sartor)
- B1: Play That (Prod. By Jack Dat, Jammz, Joker & New York Transit Authority)
- B2: Interlude (Prod. By Jammz)
- B3: International Jammz (Prod. By Jammz & Collapsing Scenery)
- B4: Set You Free (Prod. By Jammz)
London based Grime MC and Producer Jammz continues to build upon his I Am Grime Imprint, and once again caters to his instrumental fan base, with the instrumental release of Warrior 2 (on Vinyl only). Written and produced in 2017, this release stands to be the most well rounded body of work Jammz has released yet, and shows Jammz's growth and development as one of Grime's most promising mainstay producers. In recent years Jammz has managed established himself as a very sought after producer, with previous releases such as Keep it Simple & the world being underground favourites (of both fans and DJ's) which have managed to remain in rotation even today. Once a part of 2014's 'pirate radio renaissance', Jammz has also managed to infiltrate his way into the playlists of DJ's such as Sir Spyro & Logan Sama (amongst others) who always have a Jammz instrumental to hand. Yes - I Am Grime is the label, however Jammz takes this opportunity to explore the boundaries of Grime, playing with a range tempos and influences on this EP, with music ranging from 130BPM to 150BPM. Songs like 'Everything Dead' nod to Jammz's Jamaican and British influences, with minimal weighty baselines and vocal stabs, whilst songs like the 'Intro' and 'Interlude' see Jammz experiment with the idea of Grime without drums or percussion. B side tracks like "Set You Free' and 'Play That' nod back to an earlier era of Grime and Garage; with simplistic brass-backed riffs and vocal chops. Additional production credits come from the likes of Sebastian Sartor, Bristol favourites Joker and New York Transit Authority, USA's Collapsing Scenery and Jack Dat who also has his production hat on for the occasion. Over the last 3 Years Jammz has spent his time building his I Am Grime Imprint, which is fast building a reputation for releasing sought after releases. With a newly announced Rinse FM residency and a brand new line of merchandise - it's safe to say Jammz isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Arguably one of the most acclaimed and loved bands of the past 20 years, by both fans and their musical peers alike, The Beta Band formed in St. Andrews, Scotland, in 1996. Innovative and singular, their unique musical and aesthetic approach to everything they did set them far apart from their musical contemporaries. Together for a relatively short period of time, the three albums and three EPs they released between 1996 and 2004 would nonetheless help define them as one of the most exciting and cherished bands of their generation. Released in 1999, the album The Beta Band' followed the critically acclaimed compilation The Three E.P.'s' (1998). With high anticipation for The Beta Band, the band originally planned to record the album in four separate continents, but financial constraints slimmed the recording locations down, however, the album was still recorded in a variety of locations and pulling inspiration from sources as diverse as Jamaican reggae, Disney's movie The Black Hole' and Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart".
A generous slab of finest Canadian Soul, one of the funkiest pieces of wax to come out of this country with ex-Jamaican talent Earle Heeedram aka 'The Mighty Pope' providing the vocals, originally released on the small 'Heart' label, with no industry or much promotional support the disc sank without notice, now being one of the most in demand 'Northern Funk' tunes on the Rare Soul Scene, available here on a nice great-sounding reissue 45!
- A1: Muriel - Alton & Eddie
- A2: Dearest Darling - Jiving Juniors
- A3: Are You Mine - The Echoes & Celestials
- A4: Dearest Beverley - Jimmy Cliff
- A5: Send Me - Keith & Enid
- A6: Midnight Love - The Downbeats
- A7: Til The End Of Time - Chuck & Dobby
- B1: Album Of Memory - The Mellowlarks
- B2: True Love - Horthens & Stranger
- B3: Diamonds & Pearls - Dobby Dobson
- B4: I'm Going Back - The Charmers
- B5: Pleading For Mercy - The Blues Busters
- B6: Do You Know - Owen & Millie
- B7: Heavenly Angel - Laurel Aitken
A collection of Jamaican doo wop & R&B records taken from the late 50s and early 60s. These records represent a period in which soundsystems were just starting to dominate the island, with Duke Reid and Sir Coxsone stepping up their rivalry by beginning to make and release their own records rather than rely on US imports for use in their dances. Many of these records are definitely more-or-less imitations of the American records, as the uniquely Jamaican ska sound was yet to take hold - however many of the future stars of ska, rocksteady and reggae were beginning to cut their teeth in the industry on these records, incl. Jimmy Cliff, Derrick Harriott, Alton Ellis and more, and they provide a unique view into the fledgling independent record industry culture in Jamaica that would prove to be unbelievably proflific and unparalleled for an island of it's size.
RTRN II JUNGLE , the forthcoming album from UK DnB heavyweight trio, Chase and Status, is a cultural movement - inspired by British music and fashion of the golden years of Jungle music from the mid-late 90's. The two opening singles speak volumes on the project's ethos - with the hard hitting 'Retreat' ft. Cutty Ranks echoing in your ears long after hearing and the euphoric 'Heater' taking on the role of a single that already has the makings of a classic - with additional vocal support from General Levy.
The sound, project and accompanying documentary and installation, will draw on Jungle music whilst also transporting it into the present day, and re-vamping the genre for the modern day music fan. 'We will be representing DnB at it's most soulful, raw, and uncut level' (Will Kennard)
The news comes with a brand new documentary from the trio, filmed in Jamaica earlier this year, which has just been premiered by Redbull.
- A1: Don Drummond & The Skatalites - Rain Or Shine
- A2: The Gaylads - Morning Sun
- A3: Delroy Wilson - Just Because Of You
- A4: Alton Ellis - Sunday Coming
- B1: Jackie Opel - I Am What I Am
- B2: Peter Tosh - I Am The Toughest
- B3: Delroy Wilson - Get Ready
- B4: Mr. Foundation - Timo-Oh
- B5: Roland Alphonso & The Soul Brothers - Provocation
- C1: Leroy & Rocky - Love Me Girl
- C2: Slim & Delroy - Look Who Is Back Again
- C3: The Skatalites - Spread Satin
- C4: Barrington Spence - Contemplating Mind
- D1: Ernest Ranglin - Psychedelic Rock
- D2: Bob Marley & The Wailers - Destiny
- D3: Roland Alphonso - Reggae In The Grass
- D4: Zoot Simms - We Can Talk It Over
- D5: Jackie Mittoo - Hi Jack
Studio One Freedom Sounds Is The New Collection From Soul Jazz/studio One Focussing On The Intense Period In The Second Half Of The 1960s When Studio One's Vast And Unbeatable Output Of Ska, Soul, Rock Steady And Reggae Made It Literally One Of The Hottest Musical Empires In The World.
During This Highly Successful Period, Clement 'sir Coxsone' Dodd Released Hundreds And Hundreds Of Superlative Singles Seemingly On An Almost Daily Basis, In The Process Making Huge Stars Out Of Jamaican Singers Such As Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson, The Wailers, Slim Smith, Jackie Opel And Many More.
Powered By The Finest In-house Musicians Working In Jamaica, Whether It Was The Skatalites, Jackie Mittoo's Soul Brothers, The Sounds Dimension Or The Soul Vendors, Studio One Functioned As Hit Factory On The Scale Of Motown In The Usa, Shaping And Defining Reggae Music For Decades To Come.
Singlehandedly Studio One's Founder Clement Dodd Was Able To Create The Most Successful Vertically-integrated Record Company That Jamaica Had Ever Known With Pressing Plant, Printers, Studio, Shops, And Sound Systems All Running At Once, With Over 50 Employees And Hundreds Of Artists Working With Studio One During This Time.
Studio One Freedom Sounds Tells The Story Of Studio One In The 1960s With A Stunning Set Of Ska, Soul, Rock Steady And Reggae Killer Tunes As Well As Informative Sleevenotes And Track-by-track Info By Noel Hawks. The Album Is Released As Heavyweight Double Vinyl (+ Free Download Code), Deluxe Cd And Digital Album.
'they've quietly found themselves elevated into the psych scenes premier league.' Drowned In Sound
'when they go pedal-to-metal it rarely fails.' Mojo Magazine
'The Lucid Dream are rapidly becoming major players in an ever-increasingly crowded psych scene..utterly seductive.' The Quietus
'one of the most enthralling bands in the UK.' Far Out Magazine
The Lucid Dream return in October with the release of their 4th album, 'Actualisation'.
Driven by fans raising £10,000 to help replace all equipment robbed after a Paris show in early 2017, a new album became the instant focus in the summer of 2017 for a rejuvenated The Lucid Dream.
'Actualisation' is soaked in the influence of acid house, amalgamated with dub and kosmische. It will again see them acknowledged for venturing into pastures new, setting themselves apart from 'genres', 'scenes' or what any other act are currently doing.
The album was penned over the summer of 2017 by Mark Emmerson (vocals/guitar/synths), using only the classic Roland 303/808 synths, bass and vocals as tools for writing. Inspiration for the writing was formed via continuous listening to the Chicago to UK acid house works of 1986-1992, the focus predominantly on the groove.
Several months on from those writing sessions and The Lucid Dream have completed their 4th album in 5 years. A record made for the dancefloor.
Recorded at Whitewood Studios, Liverpool, with Rob Whiteley, the album is produced alongside long-time collaborator Ross Halden (Ghost Town Studios, Leeds), with mastering via Dean Honer (All Seeing I/I Monster/The Moonlandingz).
The confrontational techno-punk of 'Alone In Fear' opens the album, a 9-minute attack fuelled by the frustration and anger spawned by Brexit, government and a realisation of what 2018 Britain currently is.
Recent single 'SX1000' (the first work from the album, unveiled via 12' vinyl in April this year) is the band's first move into pure acid house. The acid house fusion runs throughout the record, represented furthermore by 'Ardency', a track already praised by live critics when aired live for the first time earlier this year as 'even on first hearing, would've raised the roof of The Hacienda'.
The 2-part opus of 'Zenith' follows, commencing with a space-dub/house instrumental groove before building into a track that will go for your head as much as your hips. Only 'Breakdown' harks back to sounds of old for the band, a little reminder of the skull-crushing impact they can make when stripped to the bare bones. 'No Sunlight Dub' closes the album, a dark-dub that invites the classic acid-house tool (Roland 808) into the dub. The track makes a stop-off into drum 'n' bass/jungle along the way before rounding up in a manner suited to Lee Perry, King Tubby, Augustus Pablo and other Jamaican greats.
The Lucid Dream formed in Carlisle, Cumbria, in 2008. A string of sold-out 7s was followed by the debut longer player, 'Songs Of Lies and Deceit', in August 2013. The initial vinyl pressing of the debut album (500 copies) sold out within 2 days, and was backed by a main stage slot at Kendal Calling, and supports to Death In Vegas and A Place To Bury Strangers (full UK tour).
The bands 2nd album ('The Lucid Dream') was released in March 2015 to further acclaim. This included 2 BBC 6 Music sessions and plays across most shows on the station, as well as plays from BBC Radio 1 (Huw Stephens) and BBC Radio 2. Further press followed from Uncut, The Skinny, Louder Than War, and Drowned In Sound, who named the album #7 UK album of 2015. Supports to Clinic and A Place To Bury Strangers also coincided.
3rd album, 'Compulsion Songs' was released in September 2016, on Holy Are You Recordings. The vinyl pressing of the album sold-out within a day, prompting an immediate 2nd press, with pre-sales of the album topping 1,000 before release. The album was backed by a headline UK tour, and a main slot at Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia (for which they were singled out for major plaudits from The Quietus, The Skinny and Drowned In Sound). The album again received acclaim from the likes of Mojo, Uncut, Classic Rock Magazine, BBC Radio 2 (Huey Morgan) and across the board on BBC 6 Music (Lauren Laverne, Marc Riley, Tom Ravenscroft, Gideon Coe, Stuart Maconie).
'Actualisation' is released on 19th October 2018 (CD/download/ltd red vinyl/standard black vinyl), via Holy Are You Recordings.
'they've quietly found themselves elevated into the psych scenes premier league.' Drowned In Sound
'when they go pedal-to-metal it rarely fails.' Mojo Magazine
'The Lucid Dream are rapidly becoming major players in an ever-increasingly crowded psych scene..utterly seductive.' The Quietus
'one of the most enthralling bands in the UK.' Far Out Magazine
The Lucid Dream return in October with the release of their 4th album, 'Actualisation'.
Driven by fans raising £10,000 to help replace all equipment robbed after a Paris show in early 2017, a new album became the instant focus in the summer of 2017 for a rejuvenated The Lucid Dream.
'Actualisation' is soaked in the influence of acid house, amalgamated with dub and kosmische. It will again see them acknowledged for venturing into pastures new, setting themselves apart from 'genres', 'scenes' or what any other act are currently doing.
The album was penned over the summer of 2017 by Mark Emmerson (vocals/guitar/synths), using only the classic Roland 303/808 synths, bass and vocals as tools for writing. Inspiration for the writing was formed via continuous listening to the Chicago to UK acid house works of 1986-1992, the focus predominantly on the groove.
Several months on from those writing sessions and The Lucid Dream have completed their 4th album in 5 years. A record made for the dancefloor.
Recorded at Whitewood Studios, Liverpool, with Rob Whiteley, the album is produced alongside long-time collaborator Ross Halden (Ghost Town Studios, Leeds), with mastering via Dean Honer (All Seeing I/I Monster/The Moonlandingz).
The confrontational techno-punk of 'Alone In Fear' opens the album, a 9-minute attack fuelled by the frustration and anger spawned by Brexit, government and a realisation of what 2018 Britain currently is.
Recent single 'SX1000' (the first work from the album, unveiled via 12' vinyl in April this year) is the band's first move into pure acid house. The acid house fusion runs throughout the record, represented furthermore by 'Ardency', a track already praised by live critics when aired live for the first time earlier this year as 'even on first hearing, would've raised the roof of The Hacienda'.
The 2-part opus of 'Zenith' follows, commencing with a space-dub/house instrumental groove before building into a track that will go for your head as much as your hips. Only 'Breakdown' harks back to sounds of old for the band, a little reminder of the skull-crushing impact they can make when stripped to the bare bones. 'No Sunlight Dub' closes the album, a dark-dub that invites the classic acid-house tool (Roland 808) into the dub. The track makes a stop-off into drum 'n' bass/jungle along the way before rounding up in a manner suited to Lee Perry, King Tubby, Augustus Pablo and other Jamaican greats.
The Lucid Dream formed in Carlisle, Cumbria, in 2008. A string of sold-out 7s was followed by the debut longer player, 'Songs Of Lies and Deceit', in August 2013. The initial vinyl pressing of the debut album (500 copies) sold out within 2 days, and was backed by a main stage slot at Kendal Calling, and supports to Death In Vegas and A Place To Bury Strangers (full UK tour).
The bands 2nd album ('The Lucid Dream') was released in March 2015 to further acclaim. This included 2 BBC 6 Music sessions and plays across most shows on the station, as well as plays from BBC Radio 1 (Huw Stephens) and BBC Radio 2. Further press followed from Uncut, The Skinny, Louder Than War, and Drowned In Sound, who named the album #7 UK album of 2015. Supports to Clinic and A Place To Bury Strangers also coincided.
3rd album, 'Compulsion Songs' was released in September 2016, on Holy Are You Recordings. The vinyl pressing of the album sold-out within a day, prompting an immediate 2nd press, with pre-sales of the album topping 1,000 before release. The album was backed by a headline UK tour, and a main slot at Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia (for which they were singled out for major plaudits from The Quietus, The Skinny and Drowned In Sound). The album again received acclaim from the likes of Mojo, Uncut, Classic Rock Magazine, BBC Radio 2 (Huey Morgan) and across the board on BBC 6 Music (Lauren Laverne, Marc Riley, Tom Ravenscroft, Gideon Coe, Stuart Maconie).
'Actualisation' is released on 19th October 2018 (CD/download/ltd red vinyl/standard black vinyl), via Holy Are You Recordings.
- A1: Twinkle Brothers - The Best Is Yet To Come
- A2: Delroy Wilson - Here Come The Heartaches
- A3: Cornell Campbell - Stars
- A4: The Claradonians - Day Will Come
- A5: Horace Andy - Don't Try And Use Me
- A6: Cornell Campbell - My Confession
- B4: Delroy Wilson - Cool Operator
- B1: Pat Kelly - Daddys Home
- B2: Delroy Wilson - Who Cares
- B3: John Holt - It's A Jam In The Street
- B5: Max Romeo - Let The Power Fall On I
- B6: Cornell Campbell - Girl Of My Dreams
- B7: Delroy Wilson - Cheer Up
The Suedehead Sound Of The Early 70's Followed The Skinhead Style Of The 1968-70 Period.
The Notable Difference Could Be Seen And Heard, The Sharp Jerky Upbeat Rhythms Were Slowing Down A Notch To What We Soon Be Calling That Early Reggae Sound.
The Tougher Harder Look Of The Rude Boy/skinhead Style Was Relaxing A Little To Almost Meet With The Less Frantic Rhythms To A More Slowed Down Groove Like Sound. The Hair Got A Little Longer, Going From A Mark 1 To A Feather Cut Style..
The 'rude Boy Out Of Jail' Type Lyrics Were Becoming More Conscientious, This Was Another Twist And Turn In The Ever Evolving Sound Of Jamaican Music,
But What Is Sure The Artists And Producers Never Disappointed Us In This Period , So Here Is A Compilation Of Some Tunes That The Suedehead Crowd Were Grooving To....
Hope You Enjoy The Set....
- A1: Musical Ontology
- A2: Musical Lexicon Chapter 1
- A3: The Serenading Doc
- A4: Nomatopeiareresisticalpabilitilogistically Musical
- B1: Jamaican De Coverley Musical
- B2: Musical Rondeau
- B3: Musical Selenographyseismic Rock
- B4: Autumn Sunshine Musical
- B5: Zulu Warrior Musical
The music contained in this album invokes the vibes and spirit that were so crucial to much of the music recorded during the 1960's & 70's in Jamaica. If you talk to the musicians and singers of this era, they will tell you that the driving force behind the songs they created was the sheer love of music. This is one of the reasons these recordings are so powerful and move listeners to this day. Music like this can only be made by those who were schooled in the studios and yards around Kingston and is not something that can be easily reproduced outside Jamaica. The Kingston All Stars represent some of the most legendary musicians to ever grace the little island & it is thanks to their passion and dedication that we have a lifetime of music to enjoy.
The members of KAS have been working & recording with each other in some of Jamaica's most legendary studios for over 50 years. The vibes and music that are created when they get together is nothing short of magic. This is the 3rd KAS LP showcasing the talents of Jamaica's top session musicians from the golden era of Jamaican music. These are the artists who laid the foundation for Rocksteady, Reggae, Roots and beyond in countless recording sessions around Jamaica & without them the music we love would not exist.
The album's intro piece 'Boo Rock', is a tribute to the legendary drummer Mikey 'Boo' Richards. Mikey has recorded with many of the Kingston All Stars in some of Jamaica's most fabled studios. It is obvious that Mikey is revered by all of the Kingston All Stars and it is fitting that this is the 1st track on the album.
Singer Allen Jahsana who is known for his work with Mikey Chung in the early 70's brings two amazing songs to the project. The first 'Jungle Justice' is a commentary on the lack of justice in the tough streets of Kingston, one which Alan knows firsthand as a longtime Kingstonian. The second vocal 'Rising from the Ghetto' is a call to the youth to rise up out of sufferation with some seriously heavy basslines courtesy Jackie Jackson.
New to the KAS family Carol Brown's 'Only Jah Knows' on a sweet dubbed out Rocksteady riddim shines that much brighter with the help of her daughter, Krystal Mittoo. Carl was married to Jackie Mittoo before his untimely passing.
Greenwich Farm rasta and legendary roots vocalist Prince Alla adds a real classic vibe to a new he wrote titled 'My Vision". The deep and powerful style Alla is known for was voiced on a riddim built by keyboard legend Ansel "Stagalag" Collins.
'Guns & Pulpit', the companion vocal for 'Clappers Dub' which saw release on the KAS Dub LP, finally sees the light of day. A proper roots anthem from singer RZee Jackson with conscious lyrics and RZee's unique vocal style.
The Kingston All Stars include Sly Dunbar, Hux Brown, Mikey 'Mao' Chung, Ansel Collins, Jackie Jackson, Robbie Lyn, Everton & Everald Gayle with the guidance of musician, writer & engineer Moss ' Mossman ' Raxlen. Members of the Kingston All Stars have been part of / or recorded with The Revolutionaries, Lynn Taitt & The Jets, Studio One's Sound Dimension and Soul Vendors Band, Lee 'Scratch' Perry's Upsetters, Peter Tosh's Word Sound and Power Band, Toots and the Maytals, Now Generation, In Crowd, Wailers Band and countless others.
The music contained in this album invokes the vibes and spirit that were so crucial to much of the music recorded during the 1960's & 70's in Jamaica. If you talk to the musicians and singers of this era, they will tell you that the driving force behind the songs they created was the sheer love of music. This is one of the reasons these recordings are so powerful and move listeners to this day. Music like this can only be made by those who were schooled in the studios and yards around Kingston and is not something that can be easily reproduced outside Jamaica. The Kingston All Stars represent some of the most legendary musicians to ever grace the little island & it is thanks to their passion and dedication that we have a lifetime of music to enjoy.
The members of KAS have been working & recording with each other in some of Jamaica's most legendary studios for over 50 years. The vibes and music that are created when they get together is nothing short of magic. This is the 3rd KAS LP showcasing the talents of Jamaica's top session musicians from the golden era of Jamaican music. These are the artists who laid the foundation for Rocksteady, Reggae, Roots and beyond in countless recording sessions around Jamaica & without them the music we love would not exist.
The album's intro piece 'Boo Rock', is a tribute to the legendary drummer Mikey 'Boo' Richards. Mikey has recorded with many of the Kingston All Stars in some of Jamaica's most fabled studios. It is obvious that Mikey is revered by all of the Kingston All Stars and it is fitting that this is the 1st track on the album.
Singer Allen Jahsana who is known for his work with Mikey Chung in the early 70's brings two amazing songs to the project. The first 'Jungle Justice' is a commentary on the lack of justice in the tough streets of Kingston, one which Alan knows firsthand as a longtime Kingstonian. The second vocal 'Rising from the Ghetto' is a call to the youth to rise up out of sufferation with some seriously heavy basslines courtesy Jackie Jackson.
New to the KAS family Carol Brown's 'Only Jah Knows' on a sweet dubbed out Rocksteady riddim shines that much brighter with the help of her daughter, Krystal Mittoo. Carl was married to Jackie Mittoo before his untimely passing.
Greenwich Farm rasta and legendary roots vocalist Prince Alla adds a real classic vibe to a new he wrote titled 'My Vision". The deep and powerful style Alla is known for was voiced on a riddim built by keyboard legend Ansel "Stagalag" Collins.
'Guns & Pulpit', the companion vocal for 'Clappers Dub' which saw release on the KAS Dub LP, finally sees the light of day. A proper roots anthem from singer RZee Jackson with conscious lyrics and RZee's unique vocal style.
The Kingston All Stars include Sly Dunbar, Hux Brown, Mikey 'Mao' Chung, Ansel Collins, Jackie Jackson, Robbie Lyn, Everton & Everald Gayle with the guidance of musician, writer & engineer Moss ' Mossman ' Raxlen. Members of the Kingston All Stars have been part of / or recorded with The Revolutionaries, Lynn Taitt & The Jets, Studio One's Sound Dimension and Soul Vendors Band, Lee 'Scratch' Perry's Upsetters, Peter Tosh's Word Sound and Power Band, Toots and the Maytals, Now Generation, In Crowd, Wailers Band and countless others
The Moment We've Been Waiting For. Youngsta's Sentry Records Continues To Set The Pace And Raise The Standard With One Of The Most Sought-after Artists In The Current Dub And Dubstep Scene. After Releases On Institutions Such As Deep Medi, System And Zamzam Sounds - Egoless Is Back For Another 12' Shell. Revealing The Next Masterpiece Of The Croatian Heavyweight, The Prolific Imprint Welcomes Its Next Family Member And Two Mammoth Tracks. From Vintage Fx To On-the-fly Arrangements And Live Instruments - Egoless' Production Style Encapsulates The Jamaican Roots, Transferring Its Spirit Into The Modern Era.
Heading Straight Into The Abyss Of 'decolonize', We're Being Greeted With Tastefully Overdriven Tape Hiss, Obscured By Reverb. Oriental, Sitar-esque String Plucks Take Form, Wielding An Increasingly Inquisitive Nature. Alongside The Organic, Percussive Swing The String Plucks Cease For A Moment - A Fierce Vocal Statement Excites The Air As The Full Intensity Of This Sonic Weapon Hits The Speakers And Every Last Fibre In Your Body. The Superbly Orchestrated Arrangement Flows In A Continuous Groove, Led Onward By Haunting Surges And Psychedelic Flute Arpeggios. On Top Of The Stomping Foundation, Longing Spheres Conclude The Anthem And Leave Us Crave For A Rewind.
Turning To 'global' - The Alarm Bells Of An Apocalyptic Future Reverberate Into To Your Ears. Gargantuan Drone Pulses Lead The Way For Tribal, Acoustic Drums To Stir The Dance. A Daunting Swing Hurls Its Monumental Weight. Deeply Imbued With Rhythm - The Meticulously Crafted Sound Design Leaves Us Dancing In Awe. Life-like, Vibrant Flute Performances Form A Harmonic Composition Of Exceeding Quality, Sure To Fire Up Any Dance. Polished By Creative Vocal Sampling And Egoless' Fine-tuned Sense Of Controlling Tension & Release - These Tracks Will Stand The Test Of Time - For This Year And Beyond.
- A1: Desmond Dekker & Aces - Israelites
- A2: Dave & Ansel Collins - Double Barrel
- A3: The Maytals - Monkey Man
- A4: Harry J All Stars - Liquidator
- A5: The Pioneers- Longshot Kick The Bucket
- A6: The Upsetters - Return Of Django
- B1: The Paragons - The Tide Is High
- B2: Desmond Dekker & Aces - It Mek
- B3: Tony Tribe - Red Red Wine
- B4: Desmond Dekker & Aces - 0.0.7 Shanty Town
- B5: Dave & Ansel Collins - Monkey Spanner
- B6: The Maytals - 54 46 Was My Number
- C1: Ken Boothe - Everything I Own
- C2: Dennis Brown - Money In My Pocket
- C3: John Holt - Help Me Make It Through The Night
- C4: Susan Cadogan - Hurt So Good
- C5: The Pioneers - Let Your Year Be Yeah
- C6: Sophia George - Girlie Girlie
- D1: Althea & Donna - Uptown Top Ranking
- D2: Desmond Dekker - You Can Get It If You Really Want
- D3: Bob & Marcia - Young, Gifted & Black
- D4: Greyhound - Black And White
- D5: Nicky Thomas - Love Of The Common People
- D6: Errol Dunkley - Ok Fred
To mark the 50th anniversary of Trojan Records comes 'Trojan Ska & Reggae Classics', a double vinyl album comprising 24 of the most celebratory Jamaican music hits from the iconic label's legendary catalogue.
Released in tandem with the TV advertised 3CD version of the same name, this joyous collection showcases the very best in classic Caribbean sounds, from rude boy ska to dancehall anthems, with the set featuring an incredible 22 Top 50 UK chartbusters, including 4 UK Number 1s and 13 Top 10s.
The perfect musical accompaniment for the summer of 2018 and beyond, this blistering 2LP vinyl collection compilation ably demonstrates just what makes Trojan so special and why it remains the world's greatest reggae label, half a century since its launch.
As an integral part of the Trojan 50 marketing campaign, the LP will be heavily promoted via the label's website, Facebook & Twitter pages, Instagram and YouTube channel.
[T] D2 | Desmond Dekker - You Can Get It If You Really Want
From the remote township of Te Mata, in the rugged hills of New Zealand, comes a new imprint following in the tradition of mid-80s rub-a-dub from an often overlooked corner of dancehall culture.The brainchild of local farmer and radio personality Red Robin - alongside the deadly production duo Naram and Art - the first 12' features two heavy-like-lead riddims with discomix cuts from four unsung heroes of the 80s with conscious, street-level lyrics.
Side A finds legendary singer Winston 'Midnight Riders' Powell rise again on a synth-infused piece of classic rub-a-dub. Despite being his first release in decades, he delivers a cutting edge vocal from his Kingston 9 borough about life Outta Road in the Jamaican capital. He then crosses live to special agent Speng Bond for a deejay report on the current state of Britain in Dread Outta Road. With a more uptempo riddim, the flipside sees Toronto-based 80s star Steve Knight fire some timely shots at corrupt politicians with Dem a Fraud, before Los Angeles-based MC Tippa Lee comes correct with a self-affirming deejay cut on Salute the Veteran.
Both sides are served with one-away dub mixes from Naram and added textural touches from Disrupt. Six cuts on one record, strictly limited pressings.
The unseen forces emitting out around ever being natures forces of destiny. Belief itself is God.
AURA's journey could be best described as a spiritual call to connect man and music.
Each new day brought in new and more difficult problems. In the hardest of times Aura lost their original lead guitarist. Green-Bird real name Dannie Stewart - a Jamaican, humble, handsome, and talented to the bones. He was too nice to die. He was drowned in a river within the historical city of Benin. All friendly hearts cried and cried, a memory too sad to recollect. Aura's journey sorrowly went along. Full of accedents, and frustration. We nearly crash-landed.
Thanks to Sheila, for her love and courage. Uzo, a true frendship that inspired every-body in Aura. He solved so many problems. Gratitude is the only word of our choice. The Lawsons and the Shotade family also have their very noble thanks; they were nice and helpful. Many more thanks to the numerous friends and heart-felt appriciations to Mr. J. H. Booth - Decca's new Director for his kindness and the entire staff that made this great 8 track maiden stereo album possible.
A solid belief in ourselves has pushed this group to this point; Aura making an "Astral Trip". This is an album which is a sincere sweet fruit of determination, soulful enough to turn you loose into true life experiences of good music.
All I owe you is love and appriciation.
For its tenth year as a label, 4Weed Records proudly presents Zion Kingdom, a special EP we've been working on since long time. A feature between historical sound system Dread Lion Hi Fi, also active as producer and promoter, and Mr Biska, this release is enhanced by legendary Henry Tenyue's trombone melody, aka Matic Horns, and it is mixed, dubbed and mastered by Steve Vibronics.
Over the years Matic Horns has been collaborating in studios and live performances with the best Jamaican and English talents such as Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor, John Holt, Luciano, Aswad, UB40, Horace Andy, just to name a few. Dread Lion Hi Fi crew is a historical Italian sound system, that has been a reference point for the reggae vibez in Italy, promoter of historical events such as the Milano Dub Club and the Dubwise Festival, where the best producers, singers and selectas of the international scene have been hosted. The combination with master Steve Vibronics was born far away in time, from a consolidated relationship over the years that brought about this collaboration.
The track opens with a magical trombone melody by Matic Horns that perforates the pad carpet laying down the whole tune while indicating the path, a victorious march to Zion. The guitar riff, which perfectly fits to the trombone melody, introduces the drop of a deep overwhelming rhythm that transmits the desire of moving and dancing, and at the same time a spiritual mantra for high meditation. The production is enriched by three different dubs, mixed and made unique by Steve Vibronics' technique, reverbs, filters and delay, a very guaranty for the lovers of Uk Dub in roots and culture style.
When Ann Arbor's Tadd Mullinix began exploring hip-hop under the name Dabrye 20 years ago, he soon honed in on a startling vision of what the genre could be: ingenious, refined, daring. This vision came to life across two albums for Ghostly International — 2001's One/Three and its 2006 follow-up Two/Three— with each record further positioning the quiet Michigan producer as one of his generation's best, equally comfortable creating minimalist instrumental meditations or sharp rap salvos. In the late 2000s, following critical acclaim and accolades from both peers and inspirations (including the late Jay Dee with whom Mullinix collaborated before his untimely passing), Mullinix put the Dabrye moniker on ice and dedicated himself to other genres and ideas. All the while the influence of his work on a new generation of electronic musicians continued to make itself felt in subtle but meaningful ways.
All this changes in 2017 as Dabrye makes his long-awaited return with Three/Three, a razor-sharp rap album that brings to completion a prophetic trilogy. Mullinix's incisive productions provide the backdrop for equally acute rhymes that run the gamut from intergenerational observations and being your best self to back alley deals and having fun in the ride. Guests include indie rap legend DOOM, whose previous collaboration with Dabrye remains a point of reference for many, Wu Tang storyteller Ghostface Killah, L.A word fanatic Jonwayne, and Long Island's rugged surrealist Roc Marciano. Most importantly Three/Three is, much like its predecessor, an unfettered celebration of Detroit-area talent with Guilty Simpson, Phat Kat, Kadence, Quelle Chris, Danny Brown, Shigeto, Clear Soul Forces and more all lending their touch to Dabrye's return.
The blend of American and British dance music, hip-hop sampling, and Jamaican sound clash energy that underpinned Two/Three remains a quiet, guiding principle. At the same time Mullinix rejoices in a refreshed perspective, having had time to incubate ideas and find clarity in the distance between albums and the evolution of scenes.The beats are looser and less angular, more embracing of repetition. Organic techniques inspired by soul and jazz round off some of the harsher sonics. The resulting broad palette of tracks reflects both this evolution and the range of the Dabrye persona: relaxed headnod ("Tunnel Vision"), nervous, slow-motion electro ("The Appetite"), glacial motifs ("Emancipated"), jazzy, cut-up funk ("Sunset"), minimal brutalism ("Electrocutor"), intricate layering ("Culture Shuffle").
Three/Three marks the return of an innovator after close to a decade of silence. Despite what the title might imply, the album isn't the end of the story but rather the completion of a creative arc. Expect more Dabrye in the near future. The game is far from over.
- Final installment of the /Three series, started in 2001
- Guests include Ghostface Killah, Jonwayne, Doom, Danny Brown, Shigeto, and more.
- Media support from: The Wire, FACT Magazine, The Detroit Free Press, Pitchfork, XLR8R
- Past collabs with Jay Dee (J Dilla), MF DOOM, Beans & more
- Vinyl is housed in a matte jacket with black hot foil and includes 24-page zine designed by Michael Cina.
- A1: Horace Andy - Illiteracy
- A2: The Heptones - Be A Man
- A3: The Manchesters - Natty Gone
- A4: The Gladiators - Down Town Rebel
- A5: Willie Williams - Calling
- B1: Roland Alphonso & Brentford All Stars - Sir D Special
- B2: Keith Wilson - God I God I Say
- B3: Alton Ellis - Almost Anything
- C1: Bobby Kalphat & The New Establishment - Adis A Wa Wa
- C2: Peter Broggs - Sing A New Song
- C3: Mystic Revelations Of Rastafari - Let Freedom Reign
- C4: Larry & Alvin - Free I Lord
- C5: Ernest Wilson & The Sound Dimension - Freedom Fighter
- D1: Jackie Mittoo - Happy People
- D2: Prince Lincoln - Daughters Of Zion
- D3: High Charles - Zion
- D4: Winston Jarrett - Love Jah Jah
This Is The Second Installment Of Deep Roots Rastafarian Reggae At Studio One And Features Classic Music From Some Of The Most Important Figures In Reggae Music - Alton Ellis, The Heptones, Jackie Mittoo, The Gladiators - Alongside A Host Of Rarities And Little-known Recordings, Such As A Truly Rare Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari Seven-inch Single, Willie William's First Ever Recording 'calling' And Horace Andy's Righteous (and Equally Rare) Masterpiece 'illiteracy. Black Man's Pride 2 Extends The Legacy Of Studio One's Ground-breaking Path In Roots Reggae Which Began At The End Of The 1960s And Continued Throughout The 1970s. The Album Tells The Story Of How The Rise Of Studio One Records And The Rastafari Movement Were Interconnected, Through The Adoption Of The Rastafari Faith By Key Reggae Artists - Everyone From The Skatalites And Wailers In The 1960s, Major Singers Such As Alton Ellis And Horace Andy At The End Of The Decade, Through To Major Roots Artists Such As The Gladiators In The 1970s - And How Clement Dodd Consistently Recorded This Heavyweight Roots Music Throughout Studio One's History.
The Sleeve-notes To This Album Also Discuss The Links Between Rastafari And Studio One In Time And Place, Noting How Both The Religion And Clement Dodd's Musical Empire Had Their Roots In The Intense Period Of Pre-independence Jamaica In Kingston, Expanded In The 1960s Following The Visit Of Haile Selassie In 1966, And How Roots Music Then Came To Dominate Reggae Music In The Early 1970s. Also Discussed Is How The Outsider Stance Of Both Reggae Music And The Rastafari Movement Relate Back Many Hundreds Of Years To The Original Rebel Stance Of The Maroons, Escaped Slaves Who Set Up Self-sufficient Enclaves In The Hills Of The Jamaican Countryside.
Quarion is back on Drumpoet with an enchanting new EP that leaves nothing to be desired. Cobblestone takes the dancer on a deep sensual journey, builds up continuously and subtly into a truly emotive peak. Sunday Night Pt. 2 tops it by captivating with rhythmic chords, which remind of the early 90ies. Jamaican Morse is a driven drum track, spiced with dubby sounds and a higly addictive beat. Once again, Quarion proves his outstanding quality.
teppas Records presents 'Osaka Steppas' Vol. 3, the third in a series of releases showcasing the Japanese underground dub movement. This edition features Osaka producers Hiroshi and Roots Masashi in collaboration with Spanish producer Ojah and well-respected UK singer Rudey Lee. The Osaka Steppas' raw and unrelenting sound developed in the subterranean clubs of Osaka, a port city famous for its counterculture night life. Inspired not only by the sounds of Jamaica, but also drawing inspiration from UK and European soundsystem culture with enough bassweight to test even the toughest of soundsystems. Presented in a beautifully designed full colour sleeve inspired by the works of the legendary ukiyo-e woodblock artist, Hokusai. This release is not to be missed.
Side A features an earth rocker riddim from Ojah & Hiroshi, with conscious lyrics sung by the legendary Rudey Lee.
Side B features a much sought after dubplate from Osaka producer Roots Masashi, a deep, dark & mystical steppa.
Repress
Micah Shemaiah Teamed Up With Fruits Records' Studio Band The 18th Parallel Earlier This Year To Produce The Unanimously Acclaimed roots I Vision' Album On Evidence Music Label. The Album Hit Every Charts In The Reggae World And Is Seen As One Of The Best Effort Of 2018! In Collaboration With Evidence Music, Fruits Records Is Proud To Release On 12' Maxi Vinyl Two Of The Toughest Tunes Of The Album In Their Eight Minutes Extended Versions : A Side Features Heavyweight Stepper zion Trod' And B Side Gives The Rub A Dub Anthem soul Rider'. This One Is A Sound System Must Have! Killer Tunes + Ultra Heavy Pressing In A Early 80's Jamaican Simmons Style!
- A1: Henry Mancini - The Evil Theme
- A2: Roger Webb - Moonbird
- A3: Eden Ahbez - Eden's Island
- A4: Lee Hazelwood - The Nights
- A5: Nora Dean - Ay Ay Ay Ay (Angle-Lala)
- B1: Yello - Great Mission
- B2: Quarteto Em Cy With Tamba Trio - Aleluia
- B3: Lena Platonos - Bloody Shadows From A Distance
- B4: Ray Davies - I Go To Sleep
- B5: Alfred Schnittke - Piano Quintet, V
- C1: Agnes Obel - Stretch Your Eyes (Ambient Acapella)
- C2: The Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Choir - Pilentze Pee (Pilentze Sings)
- C3: Agnes Obel - Glemmer Du
- C4: Agnes Obel - Bee Dance
- C5: Sibylle Baier - The End
- D1: Michelle Gurevich - Party Girl
- D2: Can - Oscura Primavera
- D3: David Lang - I Lie
- D4: Nina Simone - Images (Live In New York 1964)
- D5: Agnes Obel - Poem About Death
to Me, Sounds Have Always Been More Interesting Than Words,' Says Agnes Obel. i Love It When The Voice Becomes An Instrument And You Almost Forget It's A Human Voice.' Never Is This More Apt Than On This Beautifully Programmed And Bewitching Selection Of Music.
Agnes' 2010 Debut Album Philharmonics Went Platinum In France And Belgium And, Unsurprisingly, Quintuple Platinum In Her Native Denmark, Where She Also Won Five Danish Music Awards (equivalent To The Brits) In 2011. The Follow-up Aventine, Released In Late 2013, Was Imbued With The Same Measured Calmness As Her Debut. It Went Platinum In Belgium And Gold In Denmark And France.
For The Mix You Have In Your Hands It Feels Almost As If Agnes Has Scoured The World Looking For Kindred Spirits - Or Kindred Songs. There's A Quietude About It All, The Antithesis Of A Rush Hour, Like A Frozen Lake On A Sunday Morning. This Is Aided By A Veritable Cornucopia Of New Obel Material, Including A Haunting Reading Of Danish Song 'glemmer Du', Inger Christensen's 'poem About Death' Set To Original Music, And An Agnes Original, 'bee Dance'.
Among Them, There's The Enigmatic Jamaican Singer Nora Dean Who Weighs In With The Hypnotic And Slinky Duke Reid Production, 'ay Ay Ay Ay (angie-lala)' And The Sparse, Sardonic 'party Girl' By Michelle Gurevich, So Good It Inspired The Eponymous French Movie. There Are The Plangent Voices, The Bulgarian Folklore Choir, Nina Simone, Ray Davies And Agnes Herself, Ringing True. Somehow, Ms Obel Makes Even Makes The Electronic Tracks Bow To Her Needs As With Yello Whose 'great Mission' Is More Martin Denny Than Underworld And Cult Greek Composer Lena Platonos' 'bloody Shadows From A Distance' Pulses Gently Rather Than Throbs And Can's Recently Rediscovered 'obscura Primavera', Unusually Hushed.
"i Was Surprised At How Much Time I Ended Up Spending On This. I Collected All The Songs Together With My Partner Alex And We Just Spent Time Listening To Records, Trying To See What Would Fit Together. Some Of The Music I've Included Here Is On Mixtapes We Made When We Were Just Friends As Teenagers. Each One Of The Tracks Produces Stories In My Head." - Agnes Obel, February 2018
Tony Clarke is from Waterhouse, St. Andrew Jamaica. At the tender age of 10 he started following sound systems like Sir Mike The Musical Dragon with the great toaster Prince Ruff at the controls, and King Tubby's with the legendary U-Roy. Tony Clarke did his first recording in New York in 1971 at Hugh Hendricks recording studio called "Righteous Man" of which he played both bass and lead guitar. The band was later managed by the legendary band leader/trombonist Carlos Malcolm.
Tony Clarke decided to write the song 'Going Home' to reference the roots of his music. In those days and even now good reggae music that was being recorded in the United States was not receiving the approbation from home because, in Jamaica they felt that the best reggae music could only come from and be created in Jamaica to substantiate the true feeling of the genre. So he decided to go back to Jamaica and record 'Going Home' at Harry J Studio with Sylvan Morris as engineer. The rhythm track was played by Lloyd Parks (Bass), Devon Richardson (Drum), Andy Bassford (Lead Guitar), Winston "Bo-Pee" Bowen (Rhythm Guitar), Franklyn "Bubbler" Waul (Keyboard), David Madden & Junior "Chico" Chin (Horns). He also recorded the cover version to 'Hey Little Girl' originally done by Dee Clark. For this 12'' vinyl edition, the artwork was done with a vintage photo of Tony Clarke in front of his house at Waterhouse and extended liner notes on the back cover.
Ark Angel Jah Mel is a recording artist, songwriter and musician from Jamaica. Beginning his career as a performer on the stage shows of the Twelve Tribes Of Israel of which he has been a member since his youth, Jah Mel made his debut sharing the stage with artists such as Dennis Brown, Bob Marley, Freddie McGregor, Sugar Minott, Brigadier Jerry & Denroy Morgan. His writing credits include songs written for Marcia Griffiths, Cecile, DaVille, Itana & Jah Mali, for whom he also produced tracks on his debut album El Shaddai. Jah Mel has worked with all of Jamaica's top producers & musician in Jamaica such as the great Sly & Robbie, Steely & Cleevie, Earl Chinna Smith, Steve 'Lenky' Marsden & Donovan Germaine to who's Penthouse label Jahmel was signed.
Jah Mel sees himself as a musical bridge between the original reggae sound & the dancehall sound of today, representing what he calls the real dancehall revolution, merging the spirituality of the old school & the energy of the new school. 'Guiding Star' and 'Stand Up To It' are the perfect examples to overstand this definition. Both song were produced by Roydale Anderson aka Andy's. 'Guding Star' will definitely give you thrills if you are into
deep synth and heavy digital rhythm while the superb piano notes will warm you in the analog style. Beware of 'Guiding Star' dub version called 'Guidance (Dance Mix)' that will break any bunker. 'Stand Up To It' rhythm is an adaptation of one of the most classic Jamaican riddim called 'Heavenless'. You will never know this riddim like before; This version takes the riddim to another level. A positive song with a bionic nuclear bomb
dubwise! Play it loud, Jah is our guiding star!
Combo Lulo is that rare possibility of true magic moments manifested. Embodying the classic sentiment of a New York supergroup with an ensemble of friends and like-minded musicians whose resume is too full of credits and accolades to grasp in one shot, the band is a testament to what can happen when locked together for a two-day session in a Brooklyn studio.
Drawing inspiration and direction from band leader, composer and multi-instrumentalist Mike Sarason, Combo Lulo moves side to side from effortless Jamaican foundation rhythms into the further reaches of Caribbean influence...incorporating a natural transition between Jamaican classics and the essence of Afro-Latin ritmo. It's a musical match made in heaven and, more importantly, it's carried out with the gentle and deft touch of veteran studio musicians with deep appreciation and nuanced understanding. Together with Names You Can Trust, it's a locked in groove that is a perfect slice of roots, collaboration & present day experimentation that is sure to have any listener feeling nice.
Everyone loves "Why Can't We Live Together" by Timmy Thomas: how could one resist such a strong music vibe coming with a message more relevant today than ever! It has been covered by the most creative artists more than a few times...
Recorded in Paris and Kingston, the Soul Sugar crew & Leonardo Carmichael make it their own with a sultry reggae groove. Jahno on drums and syndrums, Thomas Naim on guitar, and Guillaume "Gee" Metenier on keyboards and production duties, are delivering the classic hit in all its majesty, in the superior categories of both extended Discomix, and Dub version under the spell of Dubmaster extraordinaire Dennis Bovell!
What to say about the breathtaking interpretation of Leonardo Carmichael Growing up in Jamaica, Leonardo learnt many a song from his father Glendon Joseph McFarlane, who would sing to his mother Geraldine, who sang in a choir. Leonardo grew up as a drummer and a singer in churches. Through a mutual friend, he met Nastassja Hammond, daughter of Beres Hammond, with whom he started writing and releasing music for various artists including Courtney John and Kreesha Turner. Leonardo has a wide appreciation for diverse genres but keep an International Reggae and Dancehall feel at the core of his music. It can be said Leonardo has faith & soul to the bone...
The first single from Blundetto's forthcoming album sees the French producer collaborate with a true great of Jamaican music, the legendary reggae vocalist Ken Boothe. Enjoy the killer A side on this dinked 7' then flip it over for dub and repeat... Ken 'Everything I Own' Boothe played a significant part in covering Sir Coxsone's Studio One walls with gold - and goodness knows that label fostered its share of legends. Collaborating with the master, Blundetto could have laid it on thick with heavy production; instead alongside his discreet partner Blackjoy, he created a gorgeous production using the purest of Jamaican music, proving yet again that time has nothing on the suave tones of Mr. Rocksteady.
As the title suggests, Rejuvenate marks a rebirth for South London musician Paul White. Abandoning sampling altogether, White wrote, played and produced all of Rejuvenate's music himself, and the result is an album of playful, psychedelic pop.
It would have been far easier for White - previously described as a 21st century DJ Shadow, often compared to Madlib and best known as Danny Brown's go-to producer - to construct an album of loop-based, hip-hop-orientated beats. Instead, taking an ambitious left turn, he worked on honing his songwriting and instrument playing abilities and embarked on creating a totally original record worthy of sitting alongside those he'd usually sample.
Rejuvenate's broad sonic palette includes cosmic rock, ambient, electronic, jazz, folk and more. Retaining a groove-heavy, psychedelic aesthetic throughout, White successfully melds these various influences in to his most cohesive, fully-realised offering yet.
Paul White is joined on this sonic trip by a trio of likeminded souls; British-Jamaican singer Denai Moore adds heartwarming, crystalline vocals to the aptly named Set The Tone and See Through, Zimbabwean musician and poet Shungudzo (aka Shun) shares nuggets of wisdom on Spare Gold and dreamy, melting vocals for Ice Cream Man. White reunites with his sister, Sarah Williams White, and the pair draw on childhood memories for Laugh With Me and All Around.
Paul White's previous output includes a treasure trove of mostly instrumental solo records, plus collaborations with Charli XCX, Jehst, Homeboy Sandman, Guilty Simpson, Jamie Woon, Obongjayar, Eric Biddines (as Golden Rules) and Open Mike Eagle. More recently, White reconnected with frequent collaborator Danny Brown, producing most of the Detroit rap maverick's mind-blowing Atrocity Exhibition album.
180g
Up until now, this dubplate has only been heard in session, a heavy nod to classic Jamaican dub, fused with UK steppers and contemporary bass music. Grand Ancestor is thrilled to offer a limited run 12" to the public, no digital, no repress.
- A1: Never Mind The Punk 45
- B1: Never Mind The Version
RSD2018 TITLE
London Artist MAL-ONE is releasing a limited edition 7'' single to celebrate everything Punk and as a lead up to his PUNK Art show 'Never Mind The Punk 45' .
The show feautures decallages of the debut singles of the leading names in PUNK,such as Adam and the Ants,The Clash,The Damned all the way to X Ray Spex.
It seemed only fitting to record a single that name checks some of the great record shops that sold these PUNK tunes in this fine city of ours for a Record Store Day release..
Artist MAL-ONE emerged at an early age from the Punk scene in West London and now has successfully exhibited alongside such artists as Banksy, Goldie and Peter Blake amongst others.
Inside the 7'' sleeve which is made up of a collage of a 100 PUNK singles you will also find an invite to he exhibition in May in The Herrick Gallery,Piccadilly.
First production undername of Dub Master Clash. Party organisers since 2016, with a core compsoed with Pilah (Kaly Live Dub Addict), Roots Raid and Fabasstone (Hight Tone) and... Dub Sheperds with Anti Bypass from Dub Addict.... Nevertheless !! Echo Minott, from Jamaica purely sing his song over that solid musical base. And here comes the point : release party take place on 7th of april... and will be a Dub Master Clash !! in Pérignat Les Sarlièves (63). BLASTER !!!
- A1: Never Run Away Dub Source:coming From The Top/Cornell Campbell
- A2: Natty Dreadtime Dub Source:i'm Still In Love/Queen Tiny&The Aggrovators
- A3: Only Lover Dub Source:only Lover/Cornell Campbell
- A4: Jah Jah Dub Source:jah Jah We Are Waiting For You/Johnny Clarke
- A5: Dub On My Pillow Source:tears On My Pillow/Johnny Clarke
- A6: Part Time Dub Source:babylonking Rhythm
- B1: Fat Dub Source:fat Rhythm /Zoot Sims And The Aggrovators
- B2: Many Rivers To Dub Source:many Rivers To Cross Cornell Campbell
- B3: Control Your Dub Source:control Your Daughters /Cornell Campbell
- B4: Do You Dub I Source:do You Love Me /Johnny Clarke
- B5: Peace & Love Version Source:peace & Love In The Ghetto/Johnny Clarke
- B6: Lambs Bread Herb Dub Source:death Trap Rhythm
- B7: Reggae Train Dub Source:mule Train Rhythm
King Tubby's Hometown Hi-Fi was one of the great Sound System in Jamaica.
It also proved a fantastic outlet for the Dub Plate Specials cut at Tubby's studio, providing exclusive cuts to be played out and to entice the dance's audience.
The tracks at the time were mainly cut over producer Bunny'Striker'Lee rhythms, that Bunny stored at Tubby's studio, 18 Drumilly Avenue, Kingston, Jamaica.
The versions were given eclusive plays at Tubby's sound before some finding their way on to vinyl, ass the b-side version cut to it's a-side vocal.
It proved so popular that the records were often brought fir its version side over its vocal counterpart.
We have compiled a selection of cuts that were all tried and tested on Tubby's Home Town Hi-Fi Sounf System and that worked a great set of Bunny Lee's rhythms in fine style.
Some of these cuts found a release as version b-sides but many on this set were exclusive Dub Plates unreleased until now.
As Cornell Campbell says on track one of the set 'King Tubby and Bunny Lee will never go away'
Hope you enjoy the set......
Growing up in Jamaica, young Rowland Abrahams loved dancing to James Brown so much that he earnt himself the nickname 'Papas' Got'. He later moved to Paris and in 1979 more or less single-handedly recorded the 'I Wanna Love' LP on the RGR label. Admittedly not an album with a heavy yield, the only pearl being the title track which Rocafort Records are releasing as a 12" with an exclusive Al Kent edit on the B side.
No rocket science involved here, just pure killer afro-disco-funk groove from start to finish.Urgent funky guitar riffs, thumping drums and a strong hint of late 70s euro-disco fueled by the slightly unintelligible lyrics delivered with a Frenchie patois twist
- A1: Ken Boothe - Freedom Street
- A2: The Melodians - Sweet Sensation
- A3: The Maytals - Monkey Man
- A4: Ken Boothe - Why Baby Why
- A5: Beverley's All Stars - Cotton Dandy
- A6: Joe White - So Much Love
- B1: The Maytals - She's My Scorcher
- B2: The Pioneers - Simmer Down Quashie
- B3: The Gaylads - There's A Fire
- B4: Delroy Wilson - Show Me The Way
- B5: The Gaylads - This Time I Won't Hurt You
- B6: Bruce Ruffin - I'm The One
- 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
- 33 MM SLEEVE
- LIMITED EDITION OF 750 INDIVIDUALLY NUMBERED COPIES ON ORANGE VINYL
Hot Shots Of Reggae is an recording on which a bunch of popular reggae songs are brought together. The album was originally released in the autumn of 1970 and compiled by the legendary Chinese-Jamaican producer Leslie Kong. He had enjoyed many hits in in Europe and selected some of the true pearls from the reggae music to shine on the album. The album includes the Maytals' hit Monkey Man, the sparkling So Much Love by Joe White and the fine rythms of Ken Boothe's Freedom Street.
The influential producer Leslie Kong once discovered Jimmy Cliff and recorded him on his own record label Beverley's. In 1962 he recorded Bob Marley's first single and through the 60's het became known as the producer of many big artists, like Desmond Dekker and Joe Higgs. He died of a heart attack, at the age of 38, in august 1971.
The album is now available as a Limited Edition of 750 individually numbered copies and comes on orange vinyl.
- A1: The Stand Feat Wildchild
- A2: Air Feat Doom
- A3: Machines (Part 1)
- A4: Encoded Flow Feat Kadence
- B1: That's What's Up Feat Vast Aire
- B2: Tell Dem
- B3: Nite Eats Day Feat Beans
- B4: Jorgy Feat Waajeed
- B5: Special Feat Gulty Simpson & Paradime
- C1: Bloop
- C2: Viewer Discretion Feat Invincible & Finale
- C3: Piano
- C4: Pressure Feat Ta'raach & Waajeed
- C5: Reconsider Feat Kadence
- D1: Get It Together Feat Invincible & Finale
- D2: My Life Feat Ag
- D3: In Water
- D4: Get Live Feat Big Tone
- D5: Machines (Part 2)
- D6: Game Over Feat Jay Dee & Phat Kata
Tadd Mullinix first made a name for himself as Dabrye in the early 2000s with a pair of instrumental albums combining the rhythmic finesse of Detroit hip-hop with the ingenuity of electronic music. But instrumental beats were only a temporary goal, a way for Mullinix to catch the ears of MCs. On Two/Three, his second Dabrye album for Ghostly International, Mullinix brought together a formidable crew of local and national talent to make the statement he'd always intended. Released in 2006, Two/Three o-ered a fevered vision of rap's future that remains just as intoxicating a decade on. Ahead of the long-await-ed conclusion of Dabrye's hip-hop trilogy in 2018, Ghostly is reissuing Two/Three.
Dabrye's move towards rap began in 2004 with the album's first single, 'Game Over' featuring Jay Dee and Phat Kat. An early inspiration of Dabrye's, Jay Dee invited Mullinix to his crib in 2002 for a listening session during which he picked the 'Game Over' beat to rap on. Crucially everyone involved was in accord that despite perceptions of their respective work this would be a hardcore rap song. Together with Kat, Jay delivered a one-two lyrical punch on 'Game Over' that no one saw coming. Detroit made the world go round and everyone's head spun. 'Game Over' set the tone for the album and, over the next few years, became a Detroit anthem — shortly after Jay's passing in 2006 the audience at Movement Festival sung his verse.
Moody, propulsive, and above all ambitious, Two/Three emerges from a sonic stew of Detroit and UK dance music, Jamaican sound clashes, and hip-hop sampledelia. The guests, a who's who of the mid-'00s underground rap scene, engage in a raucous rhyming session that pays as much attention to the realities of the streets as it does world events. MF Doom, Wildchild, Vast Aire, Beans, and AG represent for the various coasts while local talents — Waajeed, Ta-Raach, Invincible, Finale, Kadence, Guilty Simpson, Big Tone, Phat Kat, and Jay Dee — bring Two/Three alive with an infectious energy. In between bursts of raw rap and hard beats, Dabrye showcases detailed instrumentals that evoke bleak industrial futures, underwater meditations, and smoky late night sessions. With Two/Three Dabrye placed himself at the forefront of hip-hop's new wave, throwing a Molotov cocktail into the rap world as uncompromising as the head-twisting cover art from WK Interact. The independent press praised Mullinix's audacity. Over the following years the impact of Two/Threewas felt in slow increments as Dabrye's music became central to the sonic makeup of a new generation of producers. As this beat scene grew and moved away from rap, it showed Mullinix the influence of his work and the value of his vision for Dabrye as his own brand of Detroit hip-hop.
Following the release of their new album Marble Skies this January, Django Django will release a new EP focused on the single track 'Surface To Air', a track which features for the first time in the band's a guest as the sole vocalist: Self Esteem, aka Rebecca Taylor from the UK duo Slow Club. Filtering a Jamaican dancehall influence through a widescreen of dreamy psychedelic pop, the track is accompanied on this EP by its instrumental version as well as three remixes from Canadian producer Lunice, Glasgow based DJ Nightwave and the multi-instrumentalist producer Body In The Thames.
- A1: Get Wid It Feat. Tyna (Visioneers Version)
- A2: Happy Days Feat. Bagi & Sarah Ann (Peter Kruder Remix)
- A3: Code Of The Snake Feat. Blabbwona (Pulsinger & Irl Codeine Shake Dub)
- A4: Why We Feat. Ward 21 (Jstar Remix)
- B1: Holdin´ Back Feat. Wordsworth (Flip Remix)
- B2: Concussion Feat. Blurum13 (Trishes Remix)
- B3: Get Wid It Feat. Tyna (Visioneers Version Instrumental)
- B4: Holdin´ Back Feat. Wordsworth (Flip Remix Instrumental)
- B5: Concussion Feat. Blurum13 (Trishes Remix Instrumental)
Die zweite Runde von Remixen zu dem selbst betitelten Album von Urbs ist eine fesselnde Zusammenstellung von zeitlosen HipHop sowie Downtempo Nummern.
Marc Mac: Gibt es zu dieser Person etwa noch was zu sagen Als Teil des UK Duos 4Hero hat er Musikgeschichte geschrieben und sein Visioneers Projekt setzte neue Standards in Sachen organischem HipHop. Sein Remix zu - Get Wid It featuring Tyna aus Neuseeland, besitzt alles, was man sich von diesem Musikgenie erwartet. Ein souliges, harmonisches Meisterwerk, welches auch auf einem seiner legendären Visioneers Alben hätte veröffentlicht werden können.
Peter Kruder hat als Teil von Kruder & Dorfmeister sowie mit seinem Projekt Peace Orchestra Musikgeschichte geschrieben. Sein Remix zu - Happy Days feat. Bagi und Sarah Ann ist eine Reise zurück zu seinen musikalischen Wurzeln, welche ihn berühmt gemacht haben - eine relaxte Downtempo-Nummer. Der Remix weckt Erinnerungen an die Zeit, als seine Musik Millionen von Menschen berührte.
Patrick Pulsinger ist der dritte im Bunde aus der Riege der Helden der 90s. Gemeinsam mit Sam Irl, seinem derzeitigen Komplizen, zeigen die beiden was herauskommen kann, wenn ein Studio-Zauberer mit Techno Wurzeln auf ein Musikgenie mit HipHop Wurzeln trifft. Ihr Remix zu - Code Of The Snake feat. Blabbwona ist eine trippige HipHop-Tech-Dub Nummer mit viel Bass und als solches absolut einzigartig.
Jstar aus London hat sich bereits einen Namen gemacht als Produzent von unzähligen Remixen und Edits auf seinem eigenem Label Jstar. Seine Spezialität sind Dub und Reggae Remixe von HipHop Classics. Er ist ein Großmeister des Digital Dancehall und transformierte den Golden Era Sound von - Why We feat Ward 21 (aus Kingston Jamaica) in etwas absolut Futuristisches.
Flip: Rapveteran von Texta aus Linz, der zuletzt durch sein Soloalbum auf dem New Yorker Raplabel Ill Adrenaline Records aufgefallen ist, bringt einen Remix zu - Holdin' Back feat Wordsworth. Mit einem genialem Chuck D Sample und einem funky Beat setzt dieser Remix Tanzflächen von Alaska bis Auckland in brannt.
Trishes: Last but not least: Moderator der legendären HipHop Radioshow Tribe Vibes auf FM4 und integraler Bestandteil der Wiener HipHop Szene. Für seinen Remix zu - Concussion feat BluRum13 von Oneself, setzte er auf einen heftigen Groove mit lauten Becken um einen Underwater-Funk-Beat zu kreieren und somit einen neuen Hintergrund für diese echt verrückte Geschichte zu gestalten.
Über das Album 'Urbs':
Ganze elf Jahre sind seit - Toujours Le Meme Film', dem letzten Album von Urbs vergangen. Auf Kruder & Dorfmeisters G-Stone Label lieferte der Wiener Musiker, DJ und Producer damals den Soundtrack zu einem fiktiven Film Noir, zog sich aber nach einer Europa-Tournee fast gänzlich aus der Öffentlichkeit zurück. Er sieht sein Schaffen nicht als Karriere, sondern als Teil seines Lebens, welches in den seltensten Fällen einer konkreten Planung unterliegt, und deshalb hat Urbs sich auch bewusst viel Zeit gelassen für sein aktuelles -unbetiteltes - Album.
Urbs: - Der Vorgänger "Toujours Le Meme Film" kam bei sehr vielen Leuten extrem gut an, und über die Jahre habe ich mitbekommen, daß es manchen Leuten richtig viel bedeutet. Das war eine gewisse Belastung, weil man diese Leute natürlich nicht enttäuschen will. Mittlerweile denke ich, daß genug Wasser die Donau runtergeflossen ist, um vielleicht den einen oder anderen mit etwas ganz Neuem zu überraschen. Die Leute, die mich kennen, wissen ja, daß ich im Grunde immer dopen HipHop produziert habe.'
Konsequenterweise handelt es sich diesmal nicht um ein Instrumental-Album sondern um eine Sammlung von 12 souligen HipHop Nummern, die mit handverlesenen Vokalisten der internationalen Rap-, Dancehall- und Soul-Szene aufwarten. Neben den New Yorkern Wordsworth von EMC sowie R.A. The Rugged Man, finden sich unter anderem Ward 21 aus Kingston, Jamaica, Voice Monet aus New Orleans, Blu Rum 13 von One Self aus Washington DC, als auch alte Weggefährten wie dem Wiener Skero oder dem Wahl-Münchner Blabbwona von Abstract Art auf dem Album.
Auf die Frage, wie es sich anfühlt, nach mehreren Instrumental-LPs erstmals ein Album mit Vokalisten aufzunehmen, erwidert Urbs mit einem Augenzwingern: - Generell war es für mich schwierig die Songs loszulassen und mich den MCs auszuliefern. Man verbringt viel Zeit mit einem Stück und baut eine gewisse Beziehung auf. Die Musik erzeugt Bilder im Kopf und hat oft eine schwer fassbare Bedeutung für den Producer. Dann geht ein MC drüber und es ist ein bisschen als würden die brutalen Freunde deines älteren Bruders dein Kinderzimmer verwüsten- in deiner Anwesenheit.'
Wieso das Album keinen Titel trägt, ist auch schnell beantwortet: - Dieses Album ist nun sozusagen meine Leistungsschau auf diesem Gebiet und durch den unendlich langen Reifeprozess, ist es auch schön intensiv eingekocht und auf dem Punkt. Deshalb auch keine Intros, keine Interludes, kein Titel, no Gimmicks, einfach 12 gute Songs - Punkt.'
Neben dem Album werden auch zwei EPs mit Remixes von Retrogott, Brenk Sinatra, Visoneers (Marc Mac von 4 Hero), Peter Kruder, Cookin' Soul, J*Star, Flip (Texta) und anderen veröffentlicht. Für das Artwork zeichnet DJ DSL verantwortlich.
Dub like it used to be from the High Note and Gay Feet labels.
A selection of rocking rhythms from The Revolutionaries masterminded by Jamaica's finest female record producer, Mrs Sonia Pottinger, and mixed by Duke Reid's nephew, Errol Brown, chief engineer at the legendary Treasure Isle studio.
The group Knowledge and producer/DJ/Artist Tapper Zukie's stories are intertwined through their location in the Rema area of Kingston.
Tapper Zukie taking the band under his wing and getting this classic album 'Hail Dread' a worldwide release back in 1979 when it first hit the record shelves'
Knowledges line up included Anthony Doyley, Delroy Folding, Earl Macfarlane, Mike Smith, Michael Samuels and later Paul Freeman.
The groups debut release was 'Make Faith' featuring Tapper Zukie introducing the band as his proteges and began a winning formula.
The band released many of their early singles on Tapper's 'Stars' imprint and were produced by Tapper himself. This culminated in Tapper getting the band a deal with a major label A&M and the band were in fact the first Reggae to be signed to the label.
A&M were keen to work with Tapper as an artist and producer and at onetime motioned Tapper to be backed by one of their other signed bands The Police for a UK tour. Tapper thought that being backed by a band named after such an establishment would not be a wise idea and declined the offer.
But the connection did lead up to one of Jamaica's great vocal groups getting their debut album again produced by Tapper Zukie released on this major label.
Sadly the relationship was short lived and the album 'Hail Dread' would be their only release for the label.
'Hail Dread' we hope you agree is one of roots reggae's classic 70's releases and shows the group and their producer at the height of their powers and proof is in the listening....
We hope you enjoy the set.....
Aketi Ray are an all-acoustic dub-jazz group, playing original compositions grounded in the instrumental music of post-independence Jamaica -ska, rocksteady, reggae, rockers, dub -but drawing inspiration and influence from Ethiopian and US jazz, west African percussion traditions, all with the mind set of UK steppas. An outernational sound: Kingston to Chicago to Addis Ababa to Dakar to London.The sound of "From Ever Since" draws on the vibes and heritage of pre-electr(on)ic music, but gives that traditional sound new power through the use of dub techniques of reverb, delay and EQ manipulation.The Aketi Ray sound Band leader 'Mikus' Gorecki explains: At the time I was listening to a lot of tuff digital dub tunes, and much as I love that sound still, I thought there was a lack of dubwise music getting made that had that live feel of the 60s and 70s. At the same time I didn't want to just rehash the past - the best you can do is come close to replicating that sound, you definitely won't beat it. So I decided to try something different, and bring in other connected jazz and African influences to the mix. 'Sometimes when people fuse different music traditions it can sound a bit of a collage, the elements are all there but they don't actually fuse together. I think we have our own sound, and it's greater than the sum of its parts.The compositions are forward-looking, form-pushing, and although there are no vocals, they are message-driven, concerned with conditions of modern life, spirituality and politics. Mikus says The music definitely has a message. Each track has a very clear subject in mind when writing it, but it's down to the listener to tune in to that and take from that what they will. I find you can say more with the abstract language of music than you can in words.'
- A1: Yellowman - Bam Bam
- A2: Tenor Saw - Pumpkin Belly
- A3: Reggie Stepper - Cu Oonuh
- A4: Chaka Demus And Pliers - Murder She Wrote
- B1: Pinchers - Agony
- B2: Michigan & Smiley - Diseases
- B3: Ini Kamoze - World A Music
- B4: Junior Murvin - Cool Out Son
- C1: General Echo - Arleen
- C2: Cornel Campbell - Boxing
- C3: Cutty Ranks - Chop Chop
- C4: Lone Ranger - M16
- D1: Super Cat - Trash And Ready
- D2: Gregory Isaacs - Soon Forward
- D3: Jacob Miller & Trinity - I'm Just A Dread / One Shot
- E1: Eek A Mouse - Wa Do Dem
- E2: Sister Nancy - Only Woman Dj With Degree
- E3: Trinity - Uptown Girl
- F1: General Echo - Track Shoes
- F2: Cornel Campbell - Mash You Down
- F3: Horace Ferguson - Sensi Addict
- F4: Clint Eastwood - Jump And Pawn
Soul Jazz Records are releasing this new 10th anniversary 2017 edition of their classic album 'Dancehall - The Rise of Jamaican Dancehall Culture'. This long-out-of-print collection is now available as a triple-vinyl edition and double CD pack.
The album is a lightning-flash collection of all-time classic and definitive dancehall classics as well as a stellar selection of more obscure tracks. Featuring Yellowman, Tenor Saw, Sister Nancy, Ini Kamoze, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Michigan & Smiley, Super Cat, Cutty Ranks, Eek-A-Mouse, Gregory Isaacs and more, this album features non-stop floor-filling party tune rockers throughout!
Dancehall is released to coincide with the new 2017 edition of the stunning 400+ photos deluxe coffee table book 'Dancehall - The Rise of Jamaican Dancehall Culture', featuring Beth Lesser's amazing Dancehall photography (also newly published by Soul Jazz Records). This book has become the definitive cultural reference book for Jamaican dancehall and features hundreds of killer photographs, extensive text and interviews with many of the artists.
'A vibrant anthology of all that mattered: the sound systems, studios, producers, singers and deejays.' The Guardian
- A1: Grand Father Bogle
- B1: Version
One of Rudy Thomas' few roots tunes. The Kingston born singer was better acquainted with softer lovers material than this lament for Paul Bogle, the Jamaican nationalist and leader of the Morant Bay rebellion. A lovely tune, with a flute nagging away, giving the song an unusual feel. Rudy Thomas worked at Joe Gibbs' studio as an engineer and percussionist, before moving on to a successful career as a lover's rock artist. Produced by Lloyd Parks and comes in a hand stamped bag.
Steppas Records presents 'Osaka Steppas' Vol. 2, the second in a series of releases showcasing the Japanese underground dub movement. This edition features Osaka producers Dub Kazman and Roots Masashi. The Osaka Steppas' raw and unrelenting sound developed in the subterranean clubs of Osaka, a port city famous for its counterculture night life. Inspired not only by the sounds of Jamaica, but also drawing inspiration from UK and European soundsystem culture with enough bassweight to test even the toughest of soundsystems. Presented in a beautifully designed full colour sleeve inspired by the works of the legendary ukiyo-e woodblock artist, Hokusai. This release is not to be missed.
Music From Memory's final 12" for 2017 is a reissue of Dub Oven's self released, and sadly one-off, 1983 EP 'Skin N Bones'.
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Pioneers in the Post Punk Industrial and New Wave scene in 1980's San Francisco, Gary Miles (Voice Farm) and Blaise Smith (Minimal Man), met at San Francisco's notorious 181 Club in December of 1982. This straight/same sex/swing-both-ways late night dive bar was tucked away in one of the city's most risky, drug riddled neighbourhoods. Stationed near the SF Museum of modern Art it attracted a wild audience of local patrons, aspiring young artists and music heads. In the thick of all this the duo felt impartial to a lot what was going on musically and set out to produce electronic music that could break through the "somewhat exhausted post disco sound that was then competing in the local San Francisco clubs". Enlisting soul vocalist Celeste Miller, the duo were also inspired by Lee 'Scratch' Perry / Upsetters dub tracks being produced in Jamaica and created a unique breed of avant guard hybrid New Wave/Electronic Funk.
With it's influences seemingly as much rooted in the past and the present as it was focused on the future, Dub Oven formed a distinct, mystical approach to music intended for the dance floor. All three tracks on this 12" embody a signature groove and an inventive synthesized abstraction to express a languishing urban unsettledness and spiritual awareness. Recorded at L7 Studios in San Francisco with the assistance of the the studio's in house producer Marco Perry (who currently now works with Bjork) the record was unfortunately overlooked by A&R at several major and even local labels and was finally self-released in very limited quantities. Utilising analog electronics and instrumentation, the record draws on elements of dub, new wave, soul and funk to create a sound that is uncategorizable and one that was perhaps simply too forward thinking for it's time.
- A1: Violinbwoy - Fyetisov
- A2: Violinbwoy - Moonspel
- B1: Violinbwoy - Dubplate
- B2: Violinbwoy Feat. Marina P - Gone
- C1: Violinbwoy Feat. Junior Dread - Sound System
- C2: Violinbwoy - Rig Alert
- D1: Violinbwoy Feat. Dan I - Wanted
- D2: Violinbwoy - Run & Hide
- E1: Violinbwoy - Død
- E2: Violinbwoy Feat. Rider Shafique - Find The Way
- F1: Violinbwoy Feat. Sis I-Leen - Babylon
- F2: Violinbwoy - Surfacing
Brewing another supremely heavy release on the horizon, Moonshine Recordings is stealing the spotlight once again. Proudly presenting Violinbwoy's first solo album, unadulterated sound system pressure at its finest. Slavic chants and drum rhythms meet the unrivaled power of Violinbwoy's eccentric take on modern bass music 'Fyetisov' kicks off the stellar 3x12" release with a high-powered Stepper emission. Setting the tone with a rumbling bassline and supremely energetic lead instrumentation, full force sound system music down to its core. Shining in a different light, 'Moonspell' reveals its melancholic nature gradually intensifying through otherworldly percussion and anthemic vocal sample placements. Stripped down to its bare bones,'Dubplate' unleashes its detuned, percussive shackles for a massive onslaught of four-to-the-floor, while keeping true to Jamaica's music roots. Warbling tape echo spheres and excellence in emotive expression Violinbwoy's collaboration with singer Marina P turns out to be an anthem by itself enthralling, whoever gets caught into the midst of this hymn of a track. Not backing down one step from the established level of quality, 'Sound System' featuring Junior Dread excels once more in a crystal-clear demonstration of modern roots music mandatory repeat listening. Rejoicing in simplicity, 'Rig Alert' holds true to what the name suggests - cinematic bass meditation, fluidly scaling with the size of its speaker counterpart. Moving on to Dan s vocal skills in 'Wanted': Rastafarian wisdom chanting along a skanking rhythm and orchestral atmosphere. Ethereal bells being submerged in moving air and scattered white noise, 'Run & Hide' demonstrates a more experimental side within the LP exhibiting Downtempo/Ambient inclinations in a magnificent combination with Dub characteristics, only increasing in energy to the call of the dub siren. Ready for more, the title track 'dod' captures us within the expressive, introductory playing of the violin, deserting it for echoes and sub oscillations alike. Calling upon the prowess of Rider Shafique, his harmonic toasting is being escorted by a forward-minded halftime groove in 'Find The Way'. Topping the LP off with Sis' excellence in telling a story through song on a hypnotic instrumental. The nature of last tunes is often powerful, serving to concede with an explosion, appropriate of the session as is the case with 'Surfacing' closing off the monumental EP with visceral lead movements, setting the tone alongside driving drums and one more murderous bassline, sure of receiving countless rewinds in the near future. Encompassing a plethora of current Roots- Dub- and Steppa- influenced styles, Moonshine's next LP installment is sure to be received for what it is: a definitive, quality expedition of what's firing up dance floors around the globe.
"In The Midst Of The Storm" brings together two exceptional talents and two generations of reggae musicians. Jah9's previous release "9" was critically heralded as one of the most re-freshing reggae albums of 2016. And now, fans will get the fully de-constructed, dubwise version of the album with nine newly recorded dub sessions from the legendary dub master, Mad Professor. He's renown for hundreds of productions with the who's who of jamaican veteran artist like i.e. Lee Perry, U-Roy, The Congos, Horace Andy, and did also great dub re-mixes for Massive Attack, Sade, Depeche Mode, Grace Jones and many more. This release marks the first Mad Professor title with VP Records as well as the first commercial recording of Mad Professor and Jah9 together. The press and media coverage will include interviews with Mad Professor and Jah9. The great original cover illustration is by artist Richard Nattoo!
Swiss-based, Jamaican producer Ezikiel returns to Cadenza for his another outing, this time dropping the 'Tales Of Roots' EP. With this new EP he demonstrates his flair for the musical side of club compositions, imbibing his productions with sultry atmospherics, deep emotion and organic keys and strings. The title track 'Tales of Roots' is a 15-minute opus, which unravels slowly but surely, working from a soft yet persistent bassline and a hypnotic rhythm. Samples of tribal singers add a distinct human element, entrancing you with their organic vibrations. As the voices continue to sing out you're transported to a vibrant sub- Saharan landscape, captivated by the irresistible guitar riff... On the flip we have 'Makha Poetry', a more experimental workout with a variety of warped and twisted effects spluttering and wobbling away at its foundation. The jaunty yet slightly eerie low end gives this track a naughty allure, as those strange bleeps and whirrs continue to bounce in and out of the background. There's a controlled restraint about 'Makha Poetry' which gives it a devastating simplicity and a very unique aesthetic.
On Arise , Zara McFarlane returns to a buoyant UK jazz scene with a head-turning third album. Exploring the musical possibilities of British-Jamaican identity, it's a cultural exchange that's born of London's current musical climate. Released on Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings, it sees her working with much-feted drummer and producer Moses Boyd. Both rose through London's Tomorrow's Warriors programme, a finishing school for many young vanguards of the live, ascendant jazz scene springing up across the UK capital. Sharing Caribbean family heritages, it's a product of their joint exploration of the meeting points between jazz and the rhythms of Jamaica, reggae, Kumina, calypso and nyabinghi, shaded with hints of the psychedelic.
Zara's breakthrough 2012 track, a jazz cover of Junior Murvin's 'Police and Thieves', provided a jumping off point to further explore the blurred, colourful territory in between jazz and roots-reggae. Covering Nora Dean's 'Peace Begins Within', she breathes a syncopated groove into a soulful, reggae classic. A beautifully poised version of the Congos' Fisherman teases out the poignant lyrical content of the 1977 classic. Meanwhile new, original compositions from Zara, like 'Fussin' and Fightin'' and 'Freedom Chain', combine a deep, reverberating bass with a steady-stepping roots rhythm. Album opener 'Ode To Kumina' touches on the kumina tradition brought to Jamaica by indentured labourers from The Congo in the later part of the 19th Century. Part of Zara's deeper research into her Caribbean heritage, it alludes to a deep-rooted culture encompassing music, dance and religion.
Similarly, 'Silhouette' arose from that same research, in this case, however, it was about how records and documents often get lost in Jamaica. It kind of came out of the idea of black history and blackness and feeling like you're trying to find yourself,' she explains. Trying to be proud of your history and who you are. And never forgetting the things that brought you to where you are.' Alongside drummer Moses Boyd on production, the album features a stellar line up of some of the key players on the London scene Binker Golding on tenor sax, Peter Edwards on piano, Shirley Tetteh on guitar, Nathaniel Cross on Trombone and an unusually restrained turn on Clarinet from Shabaka Hutchings.
Shared between all of them is a tendency to find the common points between different musical ilks: from US hard bop jazz, to dub and London-rooted hybrids and permutations, the band on Arise reflect the musical diversity of their home. Boosted by new platforms, like East London showcase Church of Sound and a newly-refreshed Jazz Café, the record surfs the momentum currently propelling jazz-influenced music in the UK.
For Zara, Jamaica's musical legacy is deeply intertwined with her sense of the place itself. Spending whole summers in the hills of Jamaica, it's the sounds and smells which she most vividly associates with her stays there. In particular the local sound systems which were an everyday feature of the local area, be it in shops or bars, each of the small local shacks would have a sound system where they'd play music through the day and evening.
From where my nan used to live, in Cauldwell there's a sound system almost opposite her house,' she says. So you feel this boom of the bass, and then all the smells of the hills and the greenery of Hanover. When you land in Jamaica and you go to walk off of the plane, the heat and the smells hit you and it feels like home away from home for me. When I hear Jamaican music, these are the senses that come.'
The Aggrovators would produce some of the hardest rhythms cut at the legendary Channel 1 studio, these cuts here represent a selection of some of those fine rhythms selected together for the first time.
Modern acid influenced techno cuts for steady floor action.
Already getting play by: Truncate, Eric Cloutier, Cari Lekebusch, Rødhåd, Jeroen Search, Nicole Moudaber, Dj Deep, Dustin Zahn, Dj Sodeyama, The Advent, Ben Sims, Dj Hyperactive, La-4a (Ambivalent), SLAM, Magit Cacoon, Dustin Zahn, Technasia, Agaric, Lando, Len Faki, Raíz, Adrian Lopez, Luigi Madonna, Carlo Lio, Alland Byallo, Agaric (Patrik Skoog), Brett Johnson, Luke Slater, Jamaica Suk, Pär Grindvik, Nihad Tule, Samuel L Session, Kiss FM, Butane, Alexi Delano, Lenny Posso, Z.I.P.P.O
Emotional Rescue and Jamwax come together to present the first of three essential 12's from NY/Jamaican label Capo Disco, all officially licensed and remastered for the first time. The brainchild of reggae vocalist, musician, producer and label owner Glen Adams, the label married disco with his Caribbean roots to perfection. TIP! Born and raised in Jamaica, Adams story is a similar one to the performers of the golden period post-Independence. Initially discovered as a vocalist by Coxsone Dodd, he went on to work with such luminaries as Ken Boothe and Stranger Cole before co-founding The Heptones and working Duke Reid, Bunny Lee and Lloyd Charmers.
As a session organist he worked for The Hippy Boys, The Reggae Boys and later with Lee Perry's The Upsetters. Here he came in to the orbit of The Wailors, touring England with them in the early 70s and with Perry co-wrote Mr Brown. When most of The Upsetters became Marley's rhythm section, Adams stayed with Perry before making the move to Brooklyn in 1975.
There he started Capo Records, running it and it's sub-labels, successfully until the mid-80s. During these later years he ventured in to mixing Reggae with Boogie and Disco rhythms and released just four 12's under Capo Disco as well as recording boogie and hip-hop influenced releases with T Ski Valley and as Glen Adams Affair for SAM and Moonglow Records.
Here then the spotlight is on Adam's nascent disco releases and the series starts with the wonderful, uplifting A Beat For You. Actually appearing on a one off sister-label, Top Secret, this is a beautiful 'Lovers' anthem from Adams over a laidback dub-bass riddim. Backed with a simple instrumental Version, the space and interplay of the keys and guitar over drum and bass is superlative. 'There is a beat in my heart, just for you...just for you.'
*Restless Mashaits hailing from Geneva are based around the core of Jil and Stuf. They released a sizeable amount of new roots classics throughout the 90s and 00's. Recently becoming active again, they are best remembered for the sessions they recorded at Kingston, Jamaica in the mid/late 90s with legendary musicians such as Vin Gordon, Deadly Headly and Dizzy Moore. The original releases have been since long deleted, but some are now unearthed thanks to Partial Records.
*`Lion' from 1996, features the legendary Jamaican percussionist Scully Simms (who recently passed away) and was in every box of all serious roots selectors back then. Now long deleted, this will fill in the gap for the many collectors who have this on their wants lists.
*`Dub Lion' is a different dub version to the one previously released in 1996.
- A1: Control Your Daughters - Cornell Campbell
- A2: Children Of Israel - Dennis Brown
- A3: Rockers Time Now - Johnny Clarke
- A5: Crisis Time - I Roy
- A6: I Don't Like It - Leroy Smart
- A7: R.o.c.k (Rockers) - Lloyd Chambers
- B1: In God We Trust - Morwells
- B2: No Man's Land - Cornell Campbell
- B3: Whip Them Jah - Dennis Brown
- B4: Channel 1 Crash - Jackie Mittoo & The Aggrovators
- B5: Money Money - Horace Andy
- B6: Money In Jamtown - Ben Sherman
- B7: Peace And Love In A Ghetto - Johnny Clarke
The Rockers Sound (aka Steppas) came from the mid 70's and was created during sessions with The Revolutionaires band at Channel 1.
Drummer Sly Dunbar came up with a new 'Militant' style double drumming on the snare drum that seemed to add some credence to the political /Rasta based lyrics that were so prominent around this time.
So for this compilation we have pulled together some of the best cuts from this period when producer Bunny Lee was on the top of his game and the sound in town to get on board with was 'Rockers'...
So sit back and enjoy another period in Reggae's history that still sounds as good as when it was created way back when...
EVERYTHING ROCKERS....
D a4 | DEVIL'S THRONE - Junior Delgado
Peter Hunnigale aka Mr Honeyvibes was born in South London on December 12th, 1960. Peter Hunnigale was to develop into one of Britain's most formidable reggae 'Lovers Rock' artist of our time. It was clear at a tender age Peter's main interest was in music and being born of Jamaican parentage, he was exposed and influenced by music of West Indian culture.
Untamed Love is an UFO in Peter Hunnigale's career, recorded at Omega studio (London) and originally released on the Cosmic label in 1986. Some people have no words to describe it. You can call it brit-boogie, rare funk, sick jam, musical bomb, or god jam, whatever it's a typical mid 80's tune with a rhythmic background sound that is captivating and memorable, thanks to heavyweight synth and awesome vocals. The original 12'' vinyl record is still very hard to find and expensive nowadays. If you are about to discover this song, make sure you are sit down when you listen to it because this song will blow you down hey girl I like the way you smile'.
Growing up in Britain meant that Peter Hunnigale was also open to other genres of music and with seeing the popular acts of the day perform on television and hearing the songs on the radio Peter knew what he wanted to be. Peter is also a great musician and did live work with reggae legends such as The Chosen Few, The Pioneers, B.B. Seaton and many others, while earning the respect of their peers as a competent bassist and qualified engineer. He won a Best Newcomer award at the Celebrity Awards in 1987, and won Best British Reggae Album at the British Reggae Industry Awards the same year.
- A1: Hortense Ellis - Sitting In The Park
- A2: The Termites - Rub Up Push Up
- A3: Carlton & The Shoes - Never Let Go
- A4: Alton Ellis - I'm Still In Love With You
- A5: Owen Gray - Give Me A Little Sign
- B1: The Bassies - Big Mistake
- B2: Alton & Hortense Ellis - Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
- B3: Slim Smith - Born To Love
- B4: Cannon & The Soul Vendors - Bad Treatment
- B5: John Holt - Strange Things
- C1: The Actions - Giddy Up
- C2: Larry Marshall - It Makes Me Feel
- C3: The Paragons - Change Your Style
- C4: Jerry Jones - Trying Times
- D1: The Heptones - I Shall Be Released
- D2: The Gaylads - The Soul Beat
- D3: Delroy Wilson - Run Run
- D4: The Soul Two - Puppy Love
- D5: Delroy Wilson - Riding For A Fall
'Soul Jazz Records' new journey into the mighty vaults of Clement Dodd's Studio One steps once more into the fertile musical environment of Jamaican music in the late 1960's and early 1970's, from the sweet harmony vocals of seminal 1960s Rocksteady right up to the nascent birth of Reggae and Roots music at the start of the 1970's. Sleevenotes to this album are by Steve Barrow, author of 'Rough Guide to Reggae' as well as Soul Jazz Records' own 'Reggae Soundsystem Cover Art' books.
While Ska at the start of the 1960's had taken American Rhythm and Blues as its main influence, Rocksteady focused on the emergence of American Soul music - with Jamaican vocal harmony groups such as The Gaylads, John Holt & The Paragons, Carlton & The Shoes showing a particular fascination with the close harmonies of Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions and other US Soul acts. Here The Heptones even feature with a cover of Bob Dylan's 'I Shall Be Released'.
The influence of Soul music on Jamaican Rocksteady and Reggae is almost palpable, so much so that one wonders how much more successful singers like Delroy Wilson, Alton Ellis, Slim Smith and John Holt would have been had they been born in Chicago, Detroit or Memphis. Artists such as Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson and Owen Gray defined the era - a slowed down beat as Jamaican political and social heat slowly increased when the 1960's progressed into the start of the 1970's - and the music evolved further from Rocksteady into Roots Reggae. This album is released on heavyweight gatefold sleeve double vinyl (plus download code), CD with slipcase and digital album (ex-North America).
The DJ/production duo from Munich back with four tracks full of bass-heavy excursions into hybrid forms of club music close to Grime, Dancehall, Dub, Techno and the yet unnamed territory in between - their natural habitat. Lead single and first track of the EP is Copper And Lead, which features "London city warlord" Riko Dan of Roll Deep fame, spitting dangerous lyrics on a Bashment/Grimeriddim.Following this is Blurred Vision, low end monster named after their gigantic soundsystem event series, exploring the middle ground between Dub and the technoleaning 4x4 universe. Up next is Killer, a song with Warrior Queen from Jamaica, who prepares for a Dancehall dub war on a 808-heavy beat straight from Miami...err, Munich.Topping the EP off is Siren Riddim, an instrumental uptempo bomb for the apocalypse club gang and all the gunfinger crew. It's the first EP in a series of three, leading up to an Haul & Pull Up album in early 2017. With this, Schlachthofbronx will follow up their three previous original albums (2009s Schlachthofbronx, 2012s Dirty Dancing and 2014s Rave And Romance), completed by EPs for Labels like Mixpak, Monkeytown, Mad Decent, Disko B and Man Recordings as well as production work for artists like M.I.A., Snoop Dogg, Major Lazer or Bonde Do Role.
The next volume of Wonderwheel's long running Turntables on the Hudson series, curated by Nickodemus, heads down to the Caribbean encompassing diverse music made for the dancefloor. TOTC touches on the culturally rich shores of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica, Belize, Mexico, Colombia and the USA and beyond with Island inspired vibes.
This double 7" taken with our favorite cuts from the compilation features tracks from DJ Jigoe, Captain Planet feat Chico Mann, Corrado Bucci, and Poirier. On the A side, Afro Cuban artist and recent US & UK Press Darling DJ Jigue gives us the stripped down, Cuban house stomper that is "RIVE", while on the B side Italian producer Corrado Bucci teams up with the classic Columbian group Los Corraleros de Majaguel for a brand new modern take on their Cumbia classic "La Cuidad De Eterna Primavera". On the C side, Captain Planet & Chico Mann's tropical AfroLatin dancefloor smash "Aguacero" finally sees vinyl release, while on the D side, Montreal producer Poirier delivers a jumping Haitian/Creole tune "Pale Mal" with Fwonte on vocals to round out the compilation.
Prince Jammy became a King while cutting his musical teeth working for the dub master himself King Tubby.
In that old Jamaican way, when everyone in Jamaica was given a new name to work with, Prince Jammy as he would be known so impressed his colleagues that he rose from a Prince to a King,both names given to him by producer Bunny 'Striker'Lee.
Out of the many protégés that trained and worked at King Tubby's....and there were many, Scientist, Pat Kelly .Prince Phillip Smart to name but a few it was King Jammy's work that was the main stay .
We have selected a set of tunes that were rebuilt with King Jammy at the controls...
Hope you enjoy the set
The next volume of Wonderwheel's long running Turntables on the Hudson series, curated by Nickodemus, heads down to the Caribbean encompassing diverse music made for the dancefloor. TOTC touches on the culturally rich shores of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica, Belize, Mexico, Colombia and the USA and beyond with Island inspired vibes.
This double 7" taken with our favorite cuts from the compilation features tracks from DJ Jigoe, Captain Planet feat Chico Mann, Corrado Bucci, and Poirier. On the A side, Afro Cuban artist and recent US & UK Press Darling DJ Jigue gives us the stripped down, Cuban house stomper that is "RIVE", while on the B side Italian producer Corrado Bucci teams up with the classic Columbian group Los Corraleros de Majaguel for a brand new modern take on their Cumbia classic "La Cuidad De Eterna Primavera". On the C side, Captain Planet & Chico Mann's tropical AfroLatin dancefloor smash "Aguacero" finally sees vinyl release, while on the D side, Montreal producer Poirier delivers a jumping Haitian/Creole tune "Pale Mal" with Fwonte on vocals to round out the compilation.
- A1: Hold Them - Roy Shirley With Lynn Taitt & His Band
- A2: I Am Lonely - The Heptones With The Supersonics
- A3: Dance All Night - The Tartans
- A4: Rock Steady - Alton Ellis & The Flames
- A5: Ba Ba Boom - The Jamaicans With Tommy Mccook & The Supersonics
- A6: Pata Pata Rock Steady - Patsy & The Count Ossie Band
- B1: You Don't Care - The Techniques With Tommy Mccook & The Supersonics
- B2: Little Boy Blue - Pat Kelly And The Uniques With Bobby Aitken & The Carib Be
- B3: I'm A Loving Pauper - Dobby Dobson With Tommy Ccook & The Supersonics
- B4: Return Home - Alva Lewis With Lynn Taitt & His Band
- B5: Just Like A River - Stranger Cole & Gladdy
- B6: El Casino Royale - Lynn Taitt & The Jets Feat. Count Sticky
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Rocksteady music genre, 17 North Parade presents "First Class Rocksteady". The collection captures early work from some of the genre's defining artists, and here are further 24 hot tracks additionally to the tracks of the limited edition 7x7Inch box set of the same name. Available as double vinyl with deluxe printed inner sleeves featuring sleeve notes and images.
Tracklisting: Side One A1. Hold Them - Roy Shirley with Lynn Taitt & His Band A2. I Am Lonely - The Heptones with The Supersonics A3. Dance All Night - The Tartans A4. Rock Steady - Alton Ellis and The Flames A5. Ba Ba Boom - The Jamaicans with Tommy McCook & The Supersonics A6. Pata Pata Rock Steady - Patsy & The Count Ossie Band Side Two B1. You Don't Care - The Techniques with Tommy McCook & The Supersonics B2. Little Boy Blue - Pat Kelly and The Uniques with Bobby Aitken & The Carib Beats B3. I'm A Loving Pauper - Dobby Dobson with Tommy McCook & The Supersonics B4. Return Home - Alva Lewis with Lynn Taitt & His Band B5. Just Like A River - Stranger Cole & Gladdy B6. El Casino Royale - Lynn Taitt & The Jets feat. Count Sticky Side Three C1. The Beatitude - The Uniques C2. Revelation - Alva Lewis C3. A Change Is Gonna Come - Ken Parker with Bobby Aitken & The Carib Beats C4. The Big Takeover - The Overtakers C5. I Am The Upsetter - Lee Perry C6. Musically - Keith Blake with Lynn Taitt Band Side Four D1. Lonely Heartaches - The Clarendonians with The Aubrey Adams All Stars D2. Napoleon Solo - Lynn Taitt & The Jets D3. Intensified - Desmond Dekker and The Aces D4. Hold Me Tight - Johnny Nash D5. Seeing Is Knowing - Stranger Cole & Gladdy with Lynn Taitt & The Jets D6. Darling Jeboza Macoo - Stranger Cole
- A1: Freddie Mckay - Going
- A2: Cornell Campbell - Hear Me Now Star
- A3: Horace Andy - The Children
- A4: Johnny Clarke - No Lick No Cup
- A5: Linval Thompson - Trouble
- A6: Yabby U - Stand Up And Fight
- A7: Johnny Clarke - Leggo Violence
- B1: Jimmy Riley - Living In Fear
- B2: Cornell Campbell - Your Company
- B3: Locksley Castell - Some Good
- B4: Wayne Jarrett - Judgement Time
- B5: Linval Thompson - Di Wicked Dem
- B6: Ronnie Davis - Tonight
1973-1976 was a period in Reggae's history when the music coming from Kingston,Jamaica was at its peak.
So many talented singers,who sang soulful/righteous songs found their way onto tape.
Maybe it was the competition between the studios like Randys,Channel 1 and Harry J's and the quality of the singers available to sing these tunes.But whatever caused the explosion the mighty voices of Horace Andy,Cornell Campbell,Johnny Clarke and Ronnie Davis never sounded better....
The tracks as you can see here were culled together from sessions recorded at the fore mentioned legendary studios.Then taken to King Tubby's home style studio at 18 Drummlie Ave in the Waterhouse district of Kingston.This is where the great Dubmaster himself would record the vocal tracks.
A method in which he preferred to work and then mix the tracks Tubby style...We have travelled to Jamaica and listened to hours of master tapes to bring this set to you.
So please sit back and enjoy what we believe to be a wicked set by Kingston's finest..
ALLSTARS one and all........
One more tiem Mr.Tubby if you please ..roll that tape....
- 1: Roland Alphonso & His Alley Cats - Jerk Pork
- 2: Neville Esson - Lover's Jive
- 3: Monty & The Cyclones - Lazy Lou
- 4: Owen Gray - Get Drunk
- 5: Monty & The Cyclones - Dog It
- 6: Clancy Eccles - More Proof
- 7: Tommy Mccook & The Skatalites- Exodus
- 8: Clue J And His Blues Blasters - Swanee River Rock
- 9: Delroy Wilson - Spit In The Sky
- 10: Roland Alphonso - Federal Special
- 11: Owen Gray - Grandma Grandpa
- 12: Don Drummond - Cuban Blockade
- 13: Theophilus Beckford With Clue J & His City Slickers - Little Lady
- 14: Tommy Mccook - Away From You
- 15: Clancy Eccles With Hersan & His City Slickers - I Live And I Love
- 16: Roland Alphonso & His Alley Cats - Hully Gully Rock
- 17: Delroy Wilson - Lion Of Judah
- 18: Tommy Mccook - Two For One
- 19: Toots & The Maytals - Sweet Sweet Jenny
- 20: Roland Alphonso - Grand National
- 37: Don Drummond - Mr. Propman
- 21: Owen Gray With Hersan & His City Slickers - Sinners Weep & Mourn
- 22: Tommy Mccook - Peanut Vendor
- 23: Toots & The Maytals - Shining Light
- 24: Lascelles Perkins With Clue J & His Blues Blasters - Lonely Moments
- 25: Toots & The Maytals - Six And Seven Books Of Moses
- 26: Cecil Lloyd - It Happens
- 27: Bunny & Scully - Don't Do It
- 28: Don Drummond - Scrap Iron
- 29: Lascelles Perkins And Clue J & His Blues Blasters - Creation
- 30: Tommy Mccook - Don't Slam The Door
- 31: The Rhythm Aces - Joybells Of Independence
- 32: Roland Alphonso - Jack Ruby
- 33: Toots & The Maytals - Hallelujah
- 34: Bob Marley & The Wailers - Habits
- 35: Frank Anderson & Tommy Mccook - Wheel And Turn
- 36: Busty & Cool - Kingston To Mo'bay
- 38: Higgs & Wilson - Mighty Man
- 39: Tommy Mccook & Roland Alphonso - Trotting In
- 40: Bunny & Skitter With Count Ossie And His Wareikas - Cool Breeze
- 41: The Mellow Larks - Light Of My Life
The Sound Of Young Jamaica - More Early Cuts From The Vaults Of Studio One 1959-63
This is the second collection to bring together many of the visionary producer Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd's early recordings made with Jamaica's most exciting young artists and musicians who helped define the world of reggae music over the decades following Jamaican Independence. These recordings were made when Sir Coxsone ruled the dancehalls of Kingston in the late 1950s and early 1960s with his number one Downbeat Sound System, where songs were tested out on dub plates at a dance to see a crowd's reaction - the most popular of which were then released commercially. Featuring early material by Roland Alphonso, Don Drummond, Tommy McCook (all of whom would form The Skatalites), Toots and The Maytals, young singers such as Bob Marley and The Wailers, Delroy Wilson, Owen Gray all captured in their formative days. The music here spans a wealth of styles - Jamaican rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, proto-ska, Rastafarian - all of which were drawn upon to create the future sounds of Jamaican reggae that Sir Coxsone and the artists featured would soon create at Studio One which opened its doors in 1963. This collection is released on heavyweight triple-vinyl plus download code and double CD with slipcase. Sleevenotes and text is by the author Noel Hawks.
- A1: Willie Williams - Armageddon Time
- A2: Toots & The Maytals - Night And Day
- A3: The Marvels - Rocksteady
- A4: The Upsetters - Popcorn
- A5: Bunny Clarke - Be Thankful
- B1: Tommy Mccook - Green Mango
- B2: Brentford All-Stars - Greedy G
- B3: Lennie Hibbert - Real Hot
- B4: Horace Andy - My Soul
- B5: Johnny Osbourne - We Need Love
- C1: Bunny Brown - I Love The Way You Love
- C2: Jackie Mittoo - Stereo Freeze
- C3: Phyllis Dillon - Woman Of The Ghetto
- C4: Cedric Brooks - Give Rasta Glory
- C5: Alton Ellis - Son Of Man
- D1: Sound Dimension - Granny Scratch Scratch
- D2: Lloyd Robinson - Cuss Cuss
- D3: Sound Dimension - Drum Song
- D4: Ken Boothe - Is It Because I'm Black
This is the new digitally remastered 2015 expanded edition of Soul Jazz Records' biggest ever selling release, 100% Dynamite! Ska, Soul, Rocksteady and Funk in Jamaica.
Since the album's original release nearly twenty years ago, 100% Dynamite has become a cornerstone of reggae: eighteen killer tracks that show the influence that American Jazz, Funk and Soul music had on Jamaican Reggae.
The proximity of the West Indies to the USA meant that many Jamaican musicians were influenced by American styles of music whilst at the same time defining new styles of their own such as Ska, Rocksteady and Dub.
100% Dynamite features some serious Jamaican funk by Jackie Mittoo, The Upsetters and Toots & The Maytals, the cream of Jamaica's jazz musicians such as Tommy McCook, Cedric Brooks and Lennie Hibbert. Also included here are heavyweight Reggae versions to Soul classics by Marlena Shaw's 'Woman of the Ghetto', Aretha Franklin's 'Rocksteady', Syl Johnson's 'Is It Because I'm Black', William DeVaughan's seminal 'Be Thankful' and more.
100% Dynamite also features revolutionary tunes such as Johnny Osbourne's 'We Need Love', Sound Dimension's 'Drum Song' and Lloyd Robinson's 'Cuss Cuss', songs that helped define a unique sound for Jamaican music in the sixties and seventies. These influences went both ways - check Brentford All Stars massive 'Greedy G', the basis for Boogie Down Productions' 'Jack of Spades', or Willie Williams' 'Armageddon Time', later covered by The Clash.
This new expanded edition features seminal tracks from the greatest Jamaican producers - Clement Dodd, Lee Perry, Winston Riley (Techniques) and many more.
The album is available as CD, heavyweight double vinyl (+download), plus digital.
Outstanding and miraculous, this record is an international effort, resulting in a great combination, relevant for both bagging it or playing out on a soundsystem. The original music is by one of Russia's most prolific and gifted reggae musicians - Rebelsteppa. Melodic instrumental music, a swing-stepper with a saxophone.
None Shall Escape the Judgement', vocals by Stikki Tantafari from Jamaica is on the A side of the record. This song is rough and tough, dynamic and persistent. Stikki Tantafari has previously released music with Paul Lush on Nucleus Roots Records.
On the B side "Give Unto Jah' by Sista Sherin, the German singer. Compared to the record's first side, this one is smoother, the voice of this young lady is glorious and captivating - positive vibrations.
Both sides feature Rebelsteppa's dub-mixes - His style is always a mixture of classical energy combined with peculiar intelligence of sound given by restrained echoes, created for the soundsystem.
- A1: Liberty-Junior Ross And The Spears
- A2: Bosra-Prince Alla
- A3: Black Princess-Linford Nugent
- A4: Press Along Natty-Cornell Campbell
- A5: Death Before Dishonour-Dennis Brown
- A6: Natty Dread A Weh She Want-Horace Andy
- A7: Morgan The Pirate-The Mighty Diamonds
- B1: Everyone Has Their Work Onearth-Rockey Dread
- B2: No Weak Heart-Ronnie Davis
- B3: Marcia-Freddy Mckay
- B4: We A Feel It-Alton Ellis
- B5: Bad Boy- The Mighty Diamonds
- B6: World Of Tribulation -Cornell Campbell
- B7: Run Babylon- Horace Andy
Tapper Zukie is not only a successful recording artist in his own right but a well respected producer also.
In the mid 1970's he set up his own record label Stars to help nurture the many artists who were rising in Kingston,Jamaica.
In doing so he created a great catalogue of Reggae music that few artists have bettered.
For this release with the help of Tapper Zukie himself,we have picked the highlights of the Star label to make this great album.
All the artists are stars and all the tracks shine....
Hope you enjoy the set.....
*Restless Mashaits hailing from Geneva are based around the core of Jil and Stuff. They released a sizeable amount of new roots classics throughout the 90s and 2000's. Recently becoming active again, they are best remembered for the sessions they recorded at Kingston, Jamaica in the mid/late 90s with legendary musicians such as Dean Fraser, Vin Gordon, Deadly Headly and Dizzy Moore. The original releases have been since long deleted, but some are now unearthed thanks to Partial Records.
*`Africa' from 1999, is a storming roots rockers piece which features saxophonist Dean Fraser and Dwight Pickney (Roots Radics and Zap Pow) on guitar.
* Both cuts are different mixes to the ones that previously surfaced on 45.
*Restless Mashaits hailing from Geneva are based around the core of Jil and Stuff. They released a sizeable amount of new roots classics throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Recently becoming active again, they are best remembered for the sessions they recorded at Kingston, Jamaica in the mid/late 90s with legendary musicians such as Vin Gordon, Dean Fraser, Deadly Headly and Dizzy Moore. The original releases have been since long deleted, but some are now unearthed thanks to Partial Records.
* This blazing horns instrumental `Good Conquer Evil' is another bonafide classic which was originally released in 1999, which features Dean Fraser on saxophone and Nambo Robinson on trombone.
* These are alternative cuts to the one previously released
- A1: St. Germain - Pink Panther Theme
- A2: Slim Smith - Everybody Needs Love
- A3: Michael Mcdonald - Living For The City
- A4: D-Influence - Good Lover
- B1: Paul Johnson - Better Than This (Dego&Kaidi's 2000 Black Mix)
- B2: The Chi-Lites - I Keep Comin' Back To You
- B3: The Real Thing - Love Takes Tears
- B4: Deodato - Never Knew Love
- C1: Delroy Wilson - Better Must Come
- C2: Laurel Aitken & The Gruvy Beats - Kent People
- C3: The Crystalites - Splash Down (Original Mono Recording)
- C4: Stone City Band Feat. Rick James - Little Runaway
- D1: The Fantastic Four - I Got To Have Your Love
- D2: Chanson - Don't Hold Back
- D3: Baby Washington - Think About The Good Times (Vinyl Only Bonus Track)D
Norman Jay MBE presents his latest compilation, titled 'Good Times Skank & Boogie', set for release 9th October 2015 on Sunday Best Recordings. This is his first compilation since 2011's Good Times 30th Anniversary Addition and follows on from his hotly anticipated Good Times Goes East party at St John Church at Hackney on 29th August.
Norman Jay is undoubtedly one of the finest and highly respected DJs in the world today and yet again pulls from his impressive collection to provide the ultimate eclectic selection.
For this 12th compilation, for those of you counting, Norman kicks off with St Germain's version of Henry Mancini's Pink Panther Theme. A cult favourite from 2004s Pink Panther Penthouse Party album, it of course immediately brings Peter Sellers to mind and a smile to your face. Next up former Uniques front man Slim Smith's Everybody Needs Love is a classic from 1968, cut at the legendary Duke Reid's Treasure Isle studio. Penned originally by Motown heroes Norman Whitfield and Eddie Holland and covered by household names including The Temptations and Glady's Knight & The Pips, Slim's version became something of a signature tune until his mysterious death in 1971. Sticking with Motown, Stevie Wonder's Living For The City is up next but it's the Michael McDonald rendition from his 2008 album Soul Speak, which proves the man who gave us the sublime Sweet Freedom had lost none of his class 20 plus years on.
D-Influence's Good Lover takes things up and brings them closer to home, to the streets of London infact. After a couple of independent releases the band, who had strong connections to the London Jazz and Soul scenes, served up this contemporary boogie tune as part of their 1992 debut long player for East West. They would subsequently score hits as a production team for a number of British R&B acts. Homegrown soul continues with Paul Johnson's Better Than This, released here via longstanding UK soul imprint Expansion to deserved acclaim last year. It's quality and appeal are simply timeless, whilst master Dego and Kaidi's mix adds a classic 80s soul dimension to proceedings.
The Chi-Lites I Keep Comin' Back To You and The Real Thing's Love Takes Tears continue and expand the 80s theme, bringing in 2-step and boogie, as does Deodato's Never Knew Love from the same period.
We switch again with Delroy Wilson's Better Must Come, a massively popular sufferers lament from 1971 by this former Jamaican child star, it would go on to be used in election campaigns by various Jamaican political parties. Kent People by Laurel Aitken & The Gruvy Beat is the next one out the box and was the flip to the 1969 anthem Skinhead Train. It features the UK's top reggae band of the era The Rudies, who along with Aitken, the widely-proclaimed Godfather of Ska, comprised of Earl Dunn (lead guitar), Trevor White (bass), Sonny Binns (keyboards) and Danny Smith (drums). They would go on to enjoy UK chart success backing singer Freddie Notes before they evolved into Greyhound. From the same year Splash Down by The Crystalites is another slate that ignited dance floors in both Jamaica and the UK upon release. Some of you will have noticed the rhythm track is the same as that of the earlier Kingstonians' best-seller, Sufferer, which came courtesy of legendary producer Derrick Harriott.
As the end draws close The Stone City Band featuring Rick James serve up some hard edged boogie, hotly followed by a classic Tom Moulton slice of late 70s disco courtesy of The Fantastic Four and their I Got To Have Your Love. If that doesn't have you dancing then Chanson's superb Don't Hold Back featuring James Jamerson Jr. on bass will leave you no choice. Classic Good Times indeed.
- A1: The Eloise Trio - Come To The Caribbean
- A2: Cachao Y Su Ritmo Caliente - Trombon Criollo
- A3: Duke Of Iron - Bambouche
- A4: Lucho Azcarraga Y Su Conjunto - Tamboritos Panamenos
- B1: Alfredito - Timbales
- B2: King Scratch - Christmas Time In Nassau
- B3: Guy Du Rosier Orchestra - Panono M'tombe
- B4: Noro Morales Orchestra - Mississippi Mambo
- C1: Peanuts Taylor - Nassau Blues
- C2: Katherine Dunham Ensemble - Nago
- C3: Hubert Porter & The Jamaican Calypsonians - Rum & Coconut Water
- C4: The Bay Street Boys - Donkey Wants Water
- C5: Guy Du Rosier Orchestra - Anatole
- D1: Sonny Burke & His Orchestra - West Indies
- D2: Dioris Valladares & His Conjunto Tipico - Los Dos Merengues
- D3: Julio Gutierrez - Theme For Conga
- D4: Hubert Porter & The Jamaica Calypso Funmakers - Mary's Lamb
Soul Jazz Records’ new album 90 Degrees of Shade features the music of the Caribbean – Mambo, Calypso, Mento, Merengue, Latin Jazz and much more. The music of Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and more all feature in this lightning journey through the many island sounds.
This is the sound of independence, righteous and hot jump-up sounds from the 1950s and 60s, an exciting period of endless new musical styles that would travel across the world – Mento, the Jamaican precursor to reggae; mambos and descargas from Cuba, Dominican merengue, Haitian compas – and more.
This album coincides with the release of Soul Jazz Records’ massive new deluxe large format hardback book 90 Degrees of Shade: 100 Years of Photography In The Caribbean (with foreward by Paul Gilroy) featuring hundreds of fascinating and unique photographs spanning one hundred years of Caribbean history.
The new album comes as a deluxe two-CD pack complete with large outsize booklet, packed full of info and original artwork. There are also two limited edition separate heavyweight double LP vinyl editions, each one housed in gatefold sleeves complete w
- A1: The Eloise Trio - Come To The Caribbean
- A2: Cachao Y Su Ritmo Caliente - Trombon Criollo
- A3: Duke Of Iron - Bambouche
- A4: Lucho Azcarraga Y Su Conjunto - Tamboritos Panamenos
- B1: Alfredito - Timbales
- B2: King Scratch - Christmas Time In Nassau
- B3: Guy Du Rosier Orchestra - Panono M'tombe
- B4: Noro Morales Orchestra - Mississippi Mambo
- C1: Peanuts Taylor - Nassau Blues
- C2: Katherine Dunham Ensemble - Nago
- C3: Hubert Porter & The Jamaican Calypsonians - Rum & Coconut Water
- C4: The Bay Street Boys - Donkey Wants Water
- C5: Guy Du Rosier Orchestra - Anatole
- D1: Sonny Burke & His Orchestra - West Indies
- D2: Dioris Valladares & His Conjunto Tipico - Los Dos Merengues
- D3: Julio Gutierrez - Theme For Conga
- D4: Hubert Porter & The Jamaica Calypso Funmakers - Mary's Lamb
Soul Jazz Records’ new album 90 Degrees of Shade features the music of the Caribbean – Mambo, Calypso, Mento, Merengue, Latin Jazz and much more. The music of Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and more all feature in this lightning journey through the many island sounds.
This is the sound of independence, righteous and hot jump-up sounds from the 1950s and 60s, an exciting period of endless new musical styles that would travel across the world – Mento, the Jamaican precursor to reggae; mambos and descargas from Cuba, Dominican merengue, Haitian compas – and more.
This album coincides with the release of Soul Jazz Records’ massive new deluxe large format hardback book 90 Degrees of Shade: 100 Years of Photography In The Caribbean (with foreward by Paul Gilroy) featuring hundreds of fascinating and unique photographs spanning one hundred years of Caribbean history.
The new album comes as a deluxe two-CD pack complete with large outsize booklet, packed full of info and original artwork. There are also two limited edition separate heavyweight double LP vinyl editions, each one housed in gatefold sleeves complete with insert, full text and free download code. Also comes as a worldwide digital release.
Tapper Zuki's debut album 'Man Ah Warrior' was originally released in 1973.It's classic Dee Jay style has been copied by many but bettered by few. An album that more than most shows that raw talent with little resources can still be a great, great thing.
Tapper Zukie (b.1956,David Sinclair , Kingston, Jamaica) was raised in the rough and tough West Kingston area of Jamaica between the districts of Trench Town and Greenwich Farm.
Living pretty much on the streets from an early age the youth including the young Tapper had no choice but to fall into the hands of the political parties that controlled the various ghetto areas of the town.
Fear of landing in even more trouble, a plan was devised by Tapper's Mother ,Brother ,Reggae producer 'Blackbeard' and family friend Bunny 'Striker' Lee .The plan was to send the wayward Tapper to England to cool his ways.
A UK tour with the number 1 Reggae Dee Jay U-Roy was already arranged on his arrival, Bunny Lee got the young Tapper to toast over a Slim Smith rhythm, the London crowd loved it
He also caught the eye of producer Larry Lawrence who took Tapper on and cut his first single 'Jump and Twist'
Nine further tracks were recorded for producer Clement Bushey that would result in this album 'man ah Warrior.
We hope this introduction to Tapper Zukie's music inspires you to look further into his catalogue of great music.
An artist ahead of his time, whose music has influenced many........
as Patti Smith stated 'Music of the Most High'............
Audio Casette Tape
Following up on the experimental sounds of LP3 and LP4, RATATAT return to their core guitar-driven sound on Magnifique which was recorded over the course of four years in various studios in different locations including Jamaica (the country), upstate New York, Long Island, NY and their home studio in Brooklyn. The art for Magnifique includes a series of sketches drawn by Mast and Stroud during the recording sessions. What else can you expect on Magnifique: pedal steel guitar, the sound of a tiny 1940's guitar amp found in a thrift store in Guadalajara used on Intro,' a song named upon the discovery that the guys both had posters of a ' Countach' on their walls in junior high (the duo met in college), and a cover, their first ever, called I Will Return' by Springwater (aka Phil Cordell).
Following the huge success of the lead single "Settle Down" (played twice on one show by David Rodigan!), Blend Mishkin and the Roots Evolution band deliver their stunning debut album "Survival Of The Fittest" for NICE UP! records. Having spent most of his professional career behind either a computer screen or pair of turntables, Athens based producer Blend Mishkin (real name George Mantas) has been putting in work since the mid 90s with releases on labels such as Pork Recordings, Tru Thoughts, Shadow Records and many more. For this, actually his 8th studio album, he decided to do something a little different and step out from behind the computer. A chance meeting with some like minded musicians led to a conversation about them re-creating some of his past tracks for a potential live show, but after much thought it was decided that something brand new and fresh was needed. After numerous sessions and jams, a collection of tracks had begun to take shape. Recorded live and then taken back to the lab for mixing and dubbing, "Survival Of The Fittest" is the fruits of these sessions. The next step was to scout for vocal performers to bring the rhythms to life, with the focus on using both international and local talent to give a wide breadth of influences and themes. Lining up are Rebel Salute show-stopper and Juno award winning Exco Levi and seasoned veteran Skarra Mucci from Jamaica, UK reggae/dancehall don Gappy Ranks, Italian raggamuffin KG Man, Mandinka Warrior from Denmark and fellow Greek BNC amongst many others. Retaining an authentic vibe whilst keeping it current, "Survival Of The Fittest" is a truly modern roots reggae album.
































































































































































