Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

BEATCONDUCTOR drops this limited 1-sided reworking of a 60s classic from the BEACH BOYS under a cheekily appropriate alias. Lifted from original stems and branched out towards tropical shores. Still keeping the moody feeling and adding some extra extended uplifting rhythms. The original organ is transferred into a laidback skankin backbeat with the bass steady pounding deep below. Full color stickered label on a 1-sided 12” with vocal and instrumental mixes

Jackie Mittoo’s contribution to reggae music is immeasurable. Of mixed Indian and African-Jamaican heritage, the man born Donat Roy Mittoo was a gifted musician that played piano in the Skatalites at the age of 16. He was a very important part of reggae’s evolution, having been a crucial member of the Studio One house band from its very foundation days, being employed as the main keyboardist and musical arranger for anextended period, working closely there with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and countless other important figures, as well as relegating Leroy Sibbles to the bass. Although Mittoo migrated to Canada in the late 1960s, he frequently returned to Jamaica to record, maintaining his Studio One connection, and also issuing a sublime series of albums for Bunny Lee in the mid-1970s. The Keyboard King was first issued on Third World in 1976, and features Mr. Mittoo’s delightful organ workouts, completely reconfiguring hits by John Holt, Johnny Clarke, Cornell Campbell, and Bunny & Skully, among others

Lapo & Ago, alongside the rest of the mighty Numa Crew, are responsible for some of the most crucial, addictive, and classic 140 material in the history of the scene. Tunes on Moonshine and Killa Sound such as "Youth Pon The Corner," “Everytime" (as Numa Crew), "Dreadlock Blues," and Ago’s "So Mi Seh" on Innamind are stone cold classics that haven’t left many selectors’ boxes since release. After a long pandemic-enforced hiatus, ZamZam returns with our 83rd release, offering two more future classics for the global dubwise sound system massive, on 7" vinyl- the original sound system format.

“ABBEY ROAD’S world-renowned engineers have been cutting grooves into discs since the studios first opened their doors in 1931. This record was pressed from a master cut using a precision technique known as half-speed mastering. The procedure requires the source master and the cutting lathe to run at half speed on a specially adapted Neumann VMS-80 lathe.

This rare and specialised technique transforms difficult to cut highend frequencies into relatively easy to cut mid-range frequencies. The result is a cut with excellent high frequency response and very solid and stable stereo images. In short, half-speed mastering produces a master of the highest quality that enables the pressing plant to produce a superlative record.”

After the release of their hugely popular !Turn Up the Heat" debut album which reached No.2 in the Itunes Reggae Charts, featured the cream of the UK dub scene and was released through Trojan Reloaded in 2020, Reggae Roast are back with a brand new release, guaranteed to set dance floors alight this summer. The double A side release features true MC legend Ranking Joe from Jamaica, as well as Reggae Roast Soundsystem front man and award-winning vocalist Donovan Kingjay.

The lead track is a contemporary take on the classic Stop That Train" by Kieth & Tex with Donovan"s sweet vocal take on the original the perfect complement to Ranking Joe"s quick-fire lyrics.

Mr Bossman is a killer 90"s dancehall style track with Donovan lamenting the treatment received by workers from their bosses in their fancy cars and houses, while people like him are stuck in poverty. A sentiment felt by many across the land in these difficult times.

Reggae Roast have established themselves at the forefront of the UK Reggae / Dance- hall scene with a string of forward-thinking productions, with their debut album reaching No. 2 In the iTunes Reggae Charts. Reggae Roast built their following running one of the capitols most loved and long-standing Reggae Soundsystem parties.

This EP epitomises the sound that they have been championing for over a decade, witha nod to 80"s and 90"s nostalgia they are simultaneously bringing the music into a new era.

Ranking Joe is one of the original mic men to chant or chat lyrics on the mic. Along with artists like U Roy and Little Roy in the 70"s and 80"s, their style influenced a slew ofother deejays or Rappers who would talk on the mic and hype up the crowd. This technique of chatting on the mic was later adopted by DJs in New York like Kool Herc and it later developed into their own style: Hip Hop and later in the UK as grime. But before rapping ever existed Ranking Joe was one of the first to originate the style. His first release was on the legendary Studio One in 1974 and he has been active ever since with releases on Greensleeves, Joe Gibbs, Trojan, Ariwa and many more.

Donovan Kingjay is the Reggae Roast Soundsystem Front man and award winning vo- calist. As a figurehead of the UK Reggae scene his soulful voice, and charismatic per- sona make him one of the UKs most sought after singers. He has twice won Best UK Vocalist at the UK Underground Music Awards and continues to release consistently quality output through various labels across and UK and internationally.

Reggae Roast are in full flow working on a new album, and with the covid recovery look- ing promising this summer, they are bringing back there Soundsystem parties too.

Look out for Reggae Roast in a field or venue near you in summer 2021!

a 01: Stop That Train (Outta Babylon) feat. Ranking Joe & Donovan Kingjay

Repress

- 2021 repress / comes in red sleeve -

Following the release of critically acclaimed Steppin' Forward LP in 2014, we're happy to announce Steppin' Forward Remixed. For this release we've asked producers featured on the original album to rework each other's tracks and in the end we received an outstanding result of a 14 track compilation filled with deadly bass heavy riddims.

Dub inna electro sweet style !

Roots dub

This 7” single features two songs taken from Najavibes new album SAME SUN: “Catty Walk” is a surprising instrumental led by beautiful horns and keyboards, then “Insecurity” on the B side is a heavy stepper riddim with strong political lyrics. A must have!

Massive banging dancehall style ! With a Ska Steppa flip ! Ravolt !

Roots dub

Originally released on Will Dorey’s own Horus label back in 2013 the 7” was limited to 300 copies. Now on Lewis Recordings it’s backed with the original A-Side of ‘Riddim Box Dub’ by Stally & The Breadwinners.

King Tubby's Hometown Hi-Fi was one the great Sound Systems 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 intice 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 which was in fact his home, 18 Drumilly Avenue,Kingston, Jamaica.The versions were given exclusive plays at Tubby's sound
before some finding their way on to vinyl, as the b-side version cut to it's a-side vocal, proving so popular that the records were often brought for its version side over its vocal counterpart. King Tubby and Producer Bunny 'Striker' Lee are intertwined in the birth of Dub Music, after discovering a mistake that made a 'serious joke' (more of which later...) they went on to release the first pressings of this new musical genre namely 'Dub Music'. Tubby's vast knowledge of electronics and Bunny's vast catalogue of rhythms would lay the foundations of what today is taken as a standard... the Remix / Version cuts to an existing vocal tune. Osbourne 'King Tubby' Ruddock was born in Kingston, Jamaica on 28th January 1941 and grew up n the High Holborn Street area of downtown Kingston. He studied electronics at Kingston's

Source: Declaration of Rights / Johnny Clarke

Source: Top Ranking / Johnny Clarke

Source: The Stal-O-Watt / Cornell Campbell

Source: Power Of Love / Ronnie Davis

Source: African People / Johnny Clarke

Source: Pumps And Pride / Leroy Smart

Source: Girl I Love You / Johnny Clarke

Source: King Of The Arena / Johnny Clarke

Source: Stealing Stealing / Johnny Clarke

Source: Satta Dread Wayne Jarrett

Source: Crazy Baldhead / Johnny Clarke

Source: Dread A Dread / Johnny Clarke

Source: No Love / Leroy Smart

*REPRESS*

Dub-Stuy Records welcomes a new artist to its ranks, California's Dubamine. The young producer has been active since 2009, with a string of digital-only releases, and String Up The Sound marks his vinyl debut with four tracks that trace direct links between roots, reggae, hip-hop, and bass music. The EP features the vocal talents of Jamaica's Blackout JA, London's Brother Culture, a long-standing voice in the sound system community, and DC-based Carlton Livingston, a Jamaican legend best known for his work with the Greensleeves and Jah Life labels. String Up The Sound is a meeting of styles and generations.

The EP's three vocal tracks -- 'Nicodemus', 'String Up The Sound', and 'Good Morning Jamaica' -- offer sureshot summertime anthems with memorable hooks over production that blends the best of DMZ's eyes-down philosophy with vocal-driven contemporary dub reggae in the vein of Mungo's Hi Fi. The release is completed by the instrumental 'Murda Style', a subtle and powerful forward riddim inspired by dub techno and a minimalist aesthetic reminiscent of Rhythm & Sound. This debut by Dubamine combines bass weight, legendary voices, and sound system aesthetics to please multiple generations of bass-loving fans.

Repress from a roots 1979 Dillinger edit !

Electro Dub crazy style : stepper and electro ! Transparent record.

One Pure jewel of a Reggae and its version ! Beauty !

Roots 1979 repress !!

Another double-sider 12inch by Ras Midas. Classic 70s roots by the extraordinary Roots musician. Extended versions with massive dubs.

A Rastaman with a distinctive style and a silky smooth voice, Ras Midas sings with the mission of a musical revolutionary; his powerful messages of social justice, love, unity, and spiritual consciousness have remained unchanged over four decades

Stepper Dub inna melodica, With a dubbed version for da flip.

Starting his career in 1976 as the lead singer of The Equators, Winston Fergus quickly moved on to perform on his own. Throughout the 80s Winston worked with producers Clement Bushay (Pay To Live) and Clive Stanhope (Keep On Dancing).

These two rare early 80s Roots tracks are now finally available again on 12inch! One-away extended "disco" versions.

Absolute killer 90s digi. Exciting and uplifting roots from the Abbasani crew, produced by Milton Boothe. Complete with thunder effect at the start!

It's the third chapter in our 'Moonshine Recordings meets...' series where we focus on various talented vocalists from the UK sound system scene. In this session we have met the inimitable Rider Shafique straight out of Bristol. Riddims and versions built by the Moonshine family members - Baodub, Bukkha, Dubbing Sun, Inner Echo and our fresh signing Joyful Lion. Vocals mixed by Sam Binga and the whole project was mastered from stems by Studio As One.

First time reissue of radical and lovely album from UK female roots band African Woman. Originally issued on African Woman Records in 1982 and engineered by Mad Professor. Conscious lyrics, and a killer bongo cut. 500 copies only, so book now, or forget it.

We've been struggling with the follow up on the HELP012 press release: This record is by DJ Sports, it's called Akrasia and has three mixes on it.
Costumer support: (plusfortyfive) 26 83 82 39. Sports- & Central-action. Saludos para toda mi gente.

Rasta music coming straight from the Swiss mountains! Winds of Matterhorn is an instrumental project led by Swiss-Italian trombonist Mattbrass and producer Jackayouth. Roots to the bone, this maxi 45 features four beautiful songs expertly played and arranged by a bunch of talented musicians. Ethereal melodies, heavy drum and bass, terrific solos… it brings us right back to the hills of Wareika. This record is a must have for all instrumental reggae lovers. Only 300 numbered copies worldwide!

Repress from the praised precious Black Roots BD

Harmonious Channel One production from 1978, reissued on red vinyl

There has always been a Reggae inuence in the music of El Michels Affair. From their cover of "Hung Up On My Baby" done in a Reggae style, to the general sound and approach that permeates Leon's production style. While recording Bailey's 2020 Ekundayo album, they did some straight forward reggae tunes inspired by different eras alongside some modern R&B tracks that would t more comfortably next to Frank Ocean than Jacob Miller. It is this same notion that old and new can live so comfortably together that birthed the idea of Ekundayo Inversions. Traditional dub came out of reggae in the late 60s and early 70s when pioneers like King Tubby and Lee Perry started taking the multi track recordings of songs and running them back through the board adding effects and additional instrumentation. These recordings are called "dubs" or "versions" and are typically instrumentals with ourishes of vocals from the original tracks. El Michels decided to use the blueprints left behind and make something using the inuences of today. He wound up straying so far from the traditional format that it didn't seem right to use the word `Dub', hence Ekundayo Inversions. All the songs are tied together by WhatsApp messages between Leon and Liam that perfectly narrate the story of this record and their working relationship. One of the highlights on Ekundayo Inversions is a guest appearance from the legendary Lee "Scratch" Perry on the "Ugly Truth" version. L$P switches between singing and talking, proclaiming his powers one minute and playing with the track's title the next. On "Awkward take. 2" Leon takes one of the most experimental songs from Ekundayo and actually straightens it out. A track that once seemed to be oating in space has now been anchored by the addition of drums and bass. "Faded", a version of "Paper Tiger", is given the full EMA treatment with the addition of emotive horns over an uncomfortably sparse rhythm track peppered with Liam's voice drenched in delay and echo. "Champions" features a verse from Black Thought of The Roots and halfway through, El Michels sends the rhythm section 50 years back. At the end of the day, Ekundayo Inversions is a testament to how strong the original songs are. Whether they're in a R&B style, reggae style, stripped down to their bare bones, or loaded with production, the songs will move you.

Red vinyl pressing of instrumental harmonica dub out of the Raspect Muzik production stable.

7" (on crystal clear vinyl)

Liam Bailey follows up his 'Ekundayo' album with this heavy hitting remix 7" featuring two absolute legends. The A side is a remix of Champion featuring Black Thought of The Roots. Black Thought kills the first verse finding the pocket over the Leon Michels produced reggae banger designed to bust up woofers and blow out dance floors. Liam and Thought combine to sing praises to a woman worthy of all the admiration they can muster, and in doing so, they take what was already a classic to another level. The B side is straight from the far flung corners of outer space. Producer Leon Michels strips down and revamps the album cut Ugly Truth, making room for the most special of guests, the one and only, Mr. Lee "Scratch" Perry. The Upsetter switches between singing and talking, one minute proclaiming his powers and the next playing with the title of the original tune. Some proper Lee Perry business alongside the already unstoppable chemistry of Liam Bailey and Leon Michels...An absolute Big Crown Surehot.

Into The Deep Treasury presents RIDDIM POETRY. Shining the light on the emergence of the reggae movement in France, through a selection of hidden gems from the 80's,
Carefully restored and remastered, Riddim Poetry is an off-beat journey composed of 7 masterpieces influenced by several styles (Pop, Library, Raï, Disco) which characterized the strength and diversity of the French culture in the 80's.

Killer reggae funk first time on a hand numbered dinked 45 edition.

Jah Lloyd, aka Jah Lion was a Jamaican reggae singer, who released his third album Colombia Colly in 1976. “Wisdom” from the album was featured in the soundtrack to the film Countryman, and “Soldier and Police War” (a deejay version of Junior Murvin’s “Police & Thieves”) topped the reggae chart. The album is produced by Lee Perry. It’s a great album with some great chattin’ and toastin’ overtop some of the genre’s most iconic tracks.