Review: The Original Gravity label's Reggae Dynamite series sure is packed full of dance floor heat. This fourth volume turns up the temperature once more, starting with Dave Barker's 'Move It On Now' with spoken word mic work over a guitar laced riddim. Woodfield Rd Allstars bring plenty of big horn energy and hints of ska to their 'San Salvario Stomp' then appear again on the flip with the organ-lead sounds of mid tempo wobbler 'Norwegian Wood'. Melbourne Douglas completes the picture with 'Wheel & Come Again', another raw as you like and classic sound.
Review: Sam Binga has established himself with boundary-pushing club tracks on labels like Critical and Exit and for this one teamed up with Welfare, a junglist and the Rua Sound label boss. Together they were inspired by the rugged beauty of Conamara, County Galway and began the project in a 300-year-old cottage overlooking the sea in a place free of creature comforts but rich in inspiration. Using a handheld recorder, the duo explored tidal caves, ruins and windswept coastlines while recording the ambient sounds they heard on the way and then turned them into these deeply textured dub compositions through live desk mixing at Dubkasm's studio.
Prince Alphonso & The Fever - "Malostran-Ska" (2:42)
Junior Dell & The D Lites - "Remember To Forget" (2:51)
Woodfield Rd Allstars - "Beseda Blues" (2:43)
Review: The superb Original Gravity label is back with more OG reggae brilliance and ska classics. This second volume of Ska Fever kicks off with a big stepper from Junior Dell & The D Lites in the form of 'Rude Girl' while Prince Alphonso & The Fever bring big playful brass to 'Malostran-Ska' and Junior Dell & The D Lites then return on the flipside of this 7" with 'Remember To Forget' which picks up the pace and is built on a hardcore rhythm. The legendary Woodfield Rd Allstars shut things down with a more melancholic vibe on 'Beseda Blues.'
Review: Junior Dell & The D-Lites are one of reggae's most accomplished outfits and they have a vast arsenal of tunes to back that up. This one is one of many delightful dubs - and it now makes its way to us via Original Gravity. 'East Of Hurghada' has a noodling melodic lead and nice dusty drums with a more textured horn eventually taking the main stage. On the flip, Woodfield Rd Allstars step up with 'Lickle Fat Mattress' which is another blend of ska, reggae and dub with some natty keys.
Review: Original rudeboy Roy Ellis is best known for his Symarip association. Here he's back with an all-new 7" that shows he is still on top of his game. 'Rudy Skankin' On The Moon' actually first dropped as a set of vocals by Melbourne Douglas on Original Gravity's Reggae Dynamite Vol. 2. Now it comes as a sequel to 'Skinhead Moonstomp' which was an OG skinhead reggae anthem by Ellis's Symarip. It's a timeless sound with all the swagger you would expect, great vocals and plenty of Hammond organ action. Flip it over for an early reggae version by the Woodfield Rd Allstars.
Review: Lol Hammond is a former member of Spiral Tribe and early live techno act The Drum Club who now makes music on his own as Wah Wah Planet. Back in 1990 is when he penned this fantastic five track Balearic house EP alongside Russell Crone and with female vocal contributions from Lucy Sian. It very much lay out an early blueprint for UK street soul and the opener on the A-side 'Jewel' explores a romantic theme with hooky pop lyrics. Things get more left of centre on the 'Love FXU' with three trips into a smoother sound world perfect for sun kissed island dancing and with influences ranging from early breakbeat and trip hop to elements of dancehall music.
Review: Another collaborative effort from the consistently fascinating US ambient kings Past Inside The President, this time with Hendrix - not that one - and Wayne Robert Thomas, whose atmospheric guitar-led work has featured several times on the label before. If the average ambient album has its head in the clouds, this is more grounding, more gamboling in the fields perhaps than floating in the ether, with gentle flute and guitar giving the walls of synth sounds some perspective. That said, the closing track of the four, 'Retract R (Type K)', sizzles away like something by Growing or even Spaceman 3 left to fry in the sun. Magnificent stuff..
The Heptones - "Love Has Really Got A Hold Of Me" (3:50)
Woodfield Rd Allstars - "Breezin' Up Brentford Road" (3:44)
Review: If you're reading this you will already be familiar with Jamaican rocksteady and reggae vocal trio The Heptones and their very many lovely tunes. This one with Woodfield Road All Stars is as smooth as they come. 'Love Has Got A Hold Of Me' has slow motion grooves and lazy drums with the most gently persuasive acoustic riffs next to soul drenched and warm vocals. On the flipside is 'Breezin' Up Brentford Road' which has some lovely hammond organ vibes and an evn more laid back swagger to it.
Review: London reggae band Junior Dell & The D-Lites are a superb combination who do a fine line in cooking up brilliant covers of nostalgic classics. Original Gravity is their home and after a few supper drops in summer they are back once again with 'I'm A Man'. It's a big old ska number with raw horns and hard hitting vocals delivered in a passionate style that is sure to get big reactions. On the flip, as is always the way, Woodfield Road Allstars step up with a more languid and laid-back dub sound for chilled out sessions.
Review: It was the iconic Copacabana Records that put out this classic MPB back in 1964. That makes 'Um Balanco pra voce' by Os Rouxinois one of the oldest releases in Mr Bongo's Brazil45 series and it is also one of the best. Arnaud Rodrigues wrote the tune which is a superb mix of exotic funk, bossa nova rhythms and quirky melodies from a five-track 7" of tunes that the band originally used to play on TV. On the other side, 'O Viajante' is the sort of irresistibly sunny sound that quickly wins your heart and is sure to light up any dancefloor.
Review: The 62nd single in Mr Bongo's long-running Brazil 45s series is notable for containing Jose Prates' "Nana Imboro", a deep, hypnotic and intoxicating samba cut that was initially recorded and released way back in 1958. Relatively slow and steady by samba standards, its chanted refrain is thought to be the inspiration for Jorge Ben's much better known "Mas Que Nada". Wisely, Mr Bongo has backed Prates' sublime original with a 1960 cover by obscure Polish outfit Wroblewski Jazz Quintet. This dispenses with the chanting, instead increasing the number of intertwined horn parts. Given that original copies of the rare Polish EP it first appeared on will set you back serious money, it's great to see this fine cover included here.
Review: Outta Sight's latest monthly rare soul missive contains hard-to-find and overlooked classics from "hard-hitting" New Jersey vocal group Soul Brothers Six and New Orleans Rhythm and Blues man Willie Tee. It's the former's wonderfully sweet and loose "I'll Be Loving You" (first released in 1966, fact fans) that takes pride of place on the A-side, serving up a lightly sauteed soul take on the rhythm and blues template. Willie Tee's 1967 jam "Walking Up A One Way Street", a summery affair blessed with a superb horn section, leisurely groove and brilliant lead vocal from the man himself, can be found on the B-side.
Review: Long-lost Tidewater soul classic 'An Extraordinary Dream' gets a welcome reissue here by Symphonical with input from the last surviving band member Larry Gray. This timeless love song was recorded in 1969 at Charlie McClendon Studios and was the first of two singles by Gray and his group, The Soul Seekers, which was made up of five Huntington High alumni who helped shape the region's musical scene. Led by Gray who was fresh from five years at Stax Records with Otis Redding, the group backed numerous touring acts and this single was produced under Wilson Harrell's Check Productions. It's a lovably forlorn and low-slung soul sound with heavy-hearted melodies, horns and aching vocals.
The Umoza Music Project - "Down By The Beach" (3:05)
Woodfield Rd Allstars - "Ghetto Guitar" (4:25)
Review: The crucial Original Gravity label is busy this month with three red hot new 7"s all dropping in quick succession. The top-notch funk crew has this spilt 7" from Umoza Music Project and The Woodfield Road Allstars up here on limited wax. The a-side is a sunny bit of original rousing 70s reggae direct from the islands. Backing vocalists provide plenty of butter while the lead laments a love lost and the rhythm rolls on. On the back side is a much more stoner-paced and funk drenched laidback instrumental with Balearic guitar licks that look to the stars as organ chords warm you through and the rocksteady rhythm gently sways to and fro. Two gems for sure.
Review: Osaka-based jazz-funk band Wa Yo Set is dropping this new 7" single as a way of offering fans a sneak peek of another new album project they have coming up this year. The A-side features a jazzy, acoustic, and danceable instrumental cover of MISIA's 'Tsutsumikomu Youni,' which has been skilfully reimagined in the band's signature style. On the B-side, the original track 'R308' delivers a breezy summer vibe and closes out a tasty release that showcases the band's ever-evolving sound. It has more than got us interested in hearing the full length that is soon to come.
Review: Waldir Calmon's 'Airport Love Theme' has that special appeal that makes it a true gem. Sampled by Madlib on the Madvillain album track 'Curls', this lounge classic from Calmon's 1970 Waldir Calmon E Seus Multisons LP on Copacabana exudes nostalgic charm. Despite its unassuming cover, 'Airport Love Theme' delivers a dreamy, feel-good vibe that could soundtrack a perfect world. Afro Son, from the same album, shifts towards a Brazilian-rooted, cinematic groove, reminiscent of Jean Jacques Perrey's E.V.A.. Calmon, a Brazilian music fixture from the 50s to the 80s, who collaborated with legends like Tom Jobim and Joao Gilberto and left a unique musical legacy that lives on in these timeless tracks.
Mighty Two - "Lost In A Dream" (Dreaming version) (3:00)
Review: Lopez Walker is best known for his roots classics 'Jah Jah New Garden' and 'Send Another Moses' which were recorded for Roy Francis' Phase One label in the late 70s. His talent caught the attention of Joe Gibbs, who then went on to produce this sorely overlooked bluesy dance tune. The track's forlorn vocals and a haunting flute melody capture the essence of heartbreak while on the flip side, Errol Thompson delivers a stellar dub mix. It is fleshy and warm and full of trickery and is a must-hear for fans of Joe Gibbs' iconic productions from that era. Though underappreciated, this should be a hidden gem no more.
Review: Foundational reggae artist Dennis Walks' 'Waste Time in Babylon' has long been a much sought-after track and it is now the latest 1980s digital gem to be reissued on 45 as part of the 333 series. The tune was originally produced by Prince Jazzbo for his Ujama label in 1987 and finds Walks, who first gained recognition in the early 1970s working with producers Harry Mudie and Joe Gibbs, delivering his trademark powerful vocals over the iconic 'Racecourse Rock' rhythm. The track also features legendary keyboardist Winston Wright in fine form which helps to make this reissue a must-have for fans of classic reggae and digital-era fusions.
Review: Released in celebration of Expansion's recent re-serving of two of Leon's early 80s albums - Rockin' You Eternally and Leon Ware - here's a delightful 45 that reminds us of his finest solo moments. "Why I Came To California" is a sun-kissed soul boogie groove with big horns and even bigger chorus. "Rockin' You Eternally" (which is, let's face it, one of the smoothest song titles to ever come from the 80s) showcases Leon's softer side. A ballad steeped in sentiment, play this loud enough and everyone in a five mile radius will stop and get smoochy.
Review: For our money, XL Middleton is one of the best producers in the game right now. His ability to craft timeless funk and electro sounds that make you want to move your ass is second to none. Here he does just that with his remix of Hannah Warm's 'Just In Time.' It's defined by his usual sense of LA cool with squelchy synth bass, stepping street soul beats from the 80s and in this case a Japanese vocal that soars through a cloudless sky on a sunny day. Flip over this tidy 7" for the original version which is a pure city pop delight.
Review: PM Warson gained fame through his breakout single, '(Don't) Hold Me Down', which has long been coveted by collectors with its original white-label pressing often fetching high prices. Following two successful albums with Legere Recordings in Hamburg, he returns in 2024 after solidifying his presence on the European touring and festival circuit. 'Right Here, Last Night' / 'Retrace The Steps', introduces authentic r&b vibes with driving drums, fluid bass, punchy horns, and swirling Hammond organ. Both tracks evoke a nostalgic Rhythm and Soul Club atmosphere and seem to be influenced by British and original American r&b of the mid-60s, enriched with hints of late-night jazz.
Review: Fraternity is back with a second drop of heart rending soul and this time it's a golden oldie from Albert Washington and The Kings. 'These Arms Of Mine' is the A-side jaunt and it is only just over two minutes long but it really makes a devastating emotional impact with its pained vocals and slow, heavy drums making for a melancholic mood. On the flip is 'I'm The Man' which is a more upbeat sound that comes with funky swing in the drums, big horns and a more lively vocal.
Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band - "If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely)" (2:40)
Stuart Smith - "The Drifter" (2:55)
Review: Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band were an U.K. based soul band, active between 1965 - 1968. Born William Francis Washington in Evanston, Indiana, Geno joined the airforce marching band and, after leaving high-school, was transferred to England - a week before his 18th birthday. His previously unreleased session recording featured here is 'If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely)' Also featured is 1965 Northern Soul number 'The Drifter', another unreleased Pye recording originally recorded in America in 1965. It was released in the U.K. the next year, where it was covered by English-Canadian Long John Baldry.
Review: Monterey was a previously lost track from Eden Ahbez, a soulful and almost sorrowful slow jam with sensational performances from Lee Pardini on piano and Mando Dorame on tenor sax. The vocals are hauntingly beautiful in contrast to the peppy organ lead 'Straight Love Affair' with its swing leanings. Waterhouse made his name in the Psych scene in California, though you can hear in 'Monterey' that he still keeps his blues sensibilities about him, and this is another welcome addition to the growing pantheon of tributes to Ahbez's material - a much appreciated display of recognition to songwriting brilliance. Just let the wave of sound wash over you.
Review: Florida based Wave Temples returns with a new EP that takes the form of four new and reworked tunes all pressed up to a great little 7". This is deeply absorbing ambient that take sou to new worlds. In the case of the opener it's like being washed up on the shores of some tiny atoll in the Asia-Pacific. This most dreamy and exotic trip contuses through the indigenous rhythms and howling wind sounds of 'Bikini Oracle' and 'Forbidden Ritual (Jungle Desire)' sounds like just that with its mystic melodic magic and homemade percussive sounds.
What Am I Going To Do (With Everything I Know) (2:31)
Seemed True (3:21)
Soft Spoken Man (3:08)
Time (2:53)
Almost Careless (2:12)
Review: Tamara Lindeman was at a real transition point in life when What Am I Going to do With Everything I Know was first unveiled. A six track strong EP, here the moodiness and tangible sense of isolation, loneliness, and hopelessness that had once emanated from her voice dissipates into equally tender and gentile thoughts on an impending marriage and all that may come with it. For some, an equally troubling time in their lives, for others something to truly work towards and - when it finally arrives - celebrate, either way it's a subject ripe for emotional songwriting.
But in actual fact, Lindeman, her fiance and troupe treat the concept of matrimony with something close to apathy, or at least lackadaisical 'might as well'-ness. The culmination of this record, 'Almost Careless', sees her ask the question 'what if', but in a way that's neither excited nor nervous, but simply filled with inquisitiveness and a matter of fact consideration.
Review: Dub wholesalers Arawak reissue a popular 1979 lovers' rock version of The Dramatics' '72 soul classic. The original 'In The Rain' is notable for being one of the first pieces of popular music ever released to incorporate the sounds of rain and thunder; this is sadly not literally repeated on the dub version here, but the sense of expanse and reverb control by Brixton dub deejay Webby Jay is an expert portrayal of the wet aftersod. It's stopped raining, and each kick-rim unison sounds like a puddling, pooling splash in dawn light, giving off plumes of vapour. A real textural, high-quality dub riddim; we can feel droplets on our ears.
Review: The Breaks and Beats label kicks on with a 31st instalment of magical sound that will inject soul and funk into any party and keep working DJs well stocked with heat this winter. First up on this limited 7" is The Webs with 'It's So Hard To Break A Habit', a slow and sentimental sound with aching v vocal harmonies and gentle rhythms laced with melancholic melodies. Gamith's 'Darkness' picks up the energy levels with some more bristling breaks and live drum sounds, funky vocal stylings and psyched-out guitar lines.
Review:
The latest release from Soul Direction unveils two tracks, 'We Could Get It Together' and 'Trying to Tell You How I Feel,' that have been retrieved from a master tape of unreleased recordings. Originally intended for the 1977 album You Can Fly On My Aeroplane, these cuts remained undiscovered until their inclusion in a 2008 Numero LP. Now, they emerge from obscurity to delight us all with their soulful melodies and emotive lyrics, and as such offer a glimpse into a previously hidden chapter of musical history. Soul Direction's revival of these gems breathes new life into the legacy of 70s soul music.
Popular (feat Madonna & Playboi Carti - explicit edit) (3:58)
Starboy (feat Daft Punk) (4:07)
Review: American superstar The Weeknd really went big with the guests on 'Popular', his dynamic r&b and pop hit from 2011, by enlisting none other than Madonna and Playboy Carti. As a breakout hit from his mixtape era, it showcases his seductive charm and magnetic presence, drawing listeners into his world of late-night escapades and hedonistic pleasures with infectious beats and smooth vocals that exude confidence and swagger and set the stage for his meteoric rise to fame and influence in the years to come. Flip it over and on the back of this Kiss Classics 7" you will find the equally effective 'Starboy' featuring Daft Punk.
Review: It was always a pretty weird idea for Weezer to turn their attention on Vivaldi's violin concertos, The Four Seasons, and release a four-part EP series inspired by those classical landmarks. An out of the blue concept given this Rivers Cuomo-led outfit aren't exactly famed for waxing lyrical about the legendary work.
Nevertheless, fans should not be put off, nor should they expect to find a collection of tracks that look to rework Vivaldi via geek surf rock. Well, OK, maybe two of the songs here do exactly that - 'Opening Night' and 'Lawn Chair'. Or at least they both have string and guitar movements that look to pay homage to the master composer. But, for the most part, this is Weezer doing what Weezer do: sounding very much like Weezer.
Review: A unique slice of classic library music flies off the shelf. These four tracks were lifted from the classic library music series known only as 'Sounds Music Album Volume 18', and were made by the library maestro Klaus Weiss, the former jazz drummer who later turned to the trade after falling in with German music publisher Ring Musik. An eerie uncanniness cuts across these instrumentals, as Weiss' drumming provides steady boppage to serene yet dubious backings of strings and synth.
Review: This great series from Dynamite Cuts continues to delve deep into the alluring world of library music. It is sound that captures real feelings and evokes all sorts of memories, even those that are imagined, with a single note or seductive groove. This collection is made of tracks from the German Library series Sound Music Albums which sell for over L150 if you can find a copy. There are four tunes in all, three from Klaus Weiss and one from Peter Thomas, all of which add up to another great collection and a must for serious music heads.
Review: Five tracks from Paul Weller's critically acclaimed 2020 LP On Sunset, with five remixers taking the stems and crafting something new from that original material. And what remixers they are, comprising James Skelly of Liverpool band The Coral (Skeleton Key), Welsh synth-y songwriter Gwenno, Senegalese drummer Seckou Keita, psychedelic folk star Jane Weaver and French indie pop troupe Le SuperHomard.
With that lineup you'd expect the results to be varied, but that's something of an understatement in reality. From the tripped out surrealism of 'Rockets' as read by Weaver, through Keita's pared back percussive take on the same track, the sparse minimalistic harmonies of 'Old Father Thyme' to the sublime and sexy downtempo jazziness of 'More', it's a taster menu right down to the number of dishes.
Review: Six Minute Mile has rightly got plenty of attention for its first few outings and their early good work connotes with this eight 7". It's from Ohio's Wesley Bright who has joined forces with The Means of Production and New York's Ben Pirani, and is a lovely mid-tempo roller that reminds of balmy summer nights. The tune comes in two parts and opens with lovely Rhodes chords that are a great foundation for the tenor vocals of Wesley. Then come plenty of irresistible hooks and the rousing vocals sing of love and devotion like all good soul sounds should.
Review: Two remix-mashups come courtesy of Hoffstein under the pseudonym 'Westside Doom', dedicating some well-known MF Doom acapellas to some new instrumentals. The producer behind these cuts is Eets, who lends murderous, xylophonic moods to Doom's '2 Stings', while an even slower instrumental, full of lolling strings and warring ambience underpinning Westside Gunn's alto raps.
Review: Buffalo rap icon WestsideGunn gets the reissue treatment courtesy of Hoffstein on this tidy 7", which brings the DJ Daringer-produced 'Rolack's' back in reach. On the A side we get the vocal and instrumental, which finds the man known as Alvin Worthy flowing in his distinctive, tightly-wound style over a warm and soulful beat from Daringer. The instrumental lets the beatsmith's cuts fly, and there's plenty of them. On the flip things get darker as 'Over Gold' strikes a noirish tone before 'Free Ike Free Kiki' slows down and freaks out in a haze of low-slung brilliance.
Ano Kane O Narasuno Wa Anata (feat Ken Yokoyama) (3:16)
Ano Kane O Narasuno Wa Anata (feat Mayumi Kojima) (3:16)
Review: Popular Kayou ska band What's Love? is back with some more of their delightful sonic creations. This time they release two 7" nuggets on Warner Japan and both feature their own idiosyncratic pop cover songs. One of the highlights is their ska rendition of Akiko Wada's well-known national hit 'Ano Kane o Narasuno wa Anata,' which was originally put out to great success back at the turn of the new millennium in 2001. The A-side features vocals by Yokoyama Ken from Crazy Ken Band, while the B-side showcases a vocal version by Kojima Mayumi. These releases are a must-have for anyone looking for a little left-of-centre magic to drop into their curveball sets.
Review: The Whatnauts are best known for their evergreen classic 'Help Is On The Way', but they've got a mighty fine catalogue which goes deeper and further than just that tune. Here Dynamite Cuts gather up three essentials and press them to a 7" for your convenience, leading in with 1972's 'Why Can't People Be Colours Too?' from the Whatnauts On The Rocks album. When the break drops, you'll fully understand why it got picked - pure understated perfection. 'Souling With The Whatnauts' and 'Message From A Black Man' are both taken from 1970s Introducing The Whatnauts, offering up a more mellow, reflective side of this cult Baltimore group.
Review: Whodamanny's Biloba sublabel on Periodica Records takes us into dark, hypnotic sax-driven sounds here with a new single that comes with four unique versions. The Club mix of 'Volveran ' features chanting vocals and neon-hued pads over tinny electric disco beats with some big sax stylings. TehSax Only does what it says on the tin and the Radio mix condenses this energy into a spellbinding pop gem while the Dub version removes the sax, highlights delayed drums, cosmic chords and sunlit guitar riffs and tops it with hazy vocals. These are lively, retro-future disco delights that are sure-fire crowd-pleasers.
Review: Chip Wickham's cosmic spiritual jazz album Blue to Red gets some key remixes here on the Spanish label Lovemonk. 'Blue To Red Photay' (remix) is a bustling, club ready tune with a majestic flute lead and pumping drums. The no drums mix is a perfectly swirling ambient piece that is richly layered and joyous. Then comes 'The Cosmos Chip' (dub) which suspends you amongst the stars, lush flutes and deep bass notes while your mind wanders free. Last of all, 'Blue To Red Medlar' (remix) is another warm and succulent house groove with jazz stylings and airy harps all brings lightness and hope.
Review: First released on streaming platforms last summer, Wilco's 'Hot Sun Cool Shroud' EP was uniformly praised by critics. Much more than a stop gap between albums (it arrived roughly 12 months after the outfit's lauded 13th studio full-length, Cousin), the six-track set bristles with inventiveness while flitting between styles and tempos. So, opener 'Hot Sun', a sticky slab of Americana-tinged jangly indie brilliance, is followed by the reverb and solo-laden alt-rock squall of 'Livid' and the gentle, string-laden swoon of 'Ice Cream'. And so it continues, with the fuzzy positivity and weary vocals of 'Annihilation' being joined by the pleasant, impossible-to-pigeonhole experimentalism of 'Inside The Bell Bones' and the twinkling, heartfelt melancholia of 'Say You Love Me'.
Review: Cali rapper WILDCHILD hails from the legendary Lootpack crew but Omowale was his powerful new solo album. It found him exploring what it means today to be a Black man in the U.S and features plenty of top guests such as Posdnuos (of De La Soul), Big Daddy Kane, and Guilty Simpson. This is one of the best tunes from the album so it gets its own pressing and new remix. 'Manifestin' (feat Angelo Arce) has hard bars and rugged, prickly hip hop beats. On the flip is a version featuring The Soulyghost and remixed into a splashy, broken beat workout with yearning vocals and hefty drum kicks.
Review: BBE Records have unearthed an overlooked gem with the 'Baton Rouge' EP by Will & James Ragar. The Texan brothers decamped to the home of swamp blues, Baton Rouge, to record these four tracks and brought with them the most affecting vocals. Their way with harmony and strength of their timbre makes you wonder how on earth they are not a staple in most people's collections.AIt also makes sense of how an original copy of this EP is reported to have recently fetched close to $1000 second hand. They had the vocals - up there with the likes of New Orleans legend James Booker's - to become pop stars, but stuck to their guns by rejecting the modern sounds that were becoming fashionable at the onset of the 80s and embraced something more handmade and intimate sounds you hear - soulful Americana injected southern swagger. A top find by the ever-reliable BBE Records.A
Review: Back in 1973 Big Youth started the Negusa Nagast label, translating as the king of kings in Ethiopian. The first single was a split 7" from Leroy Willacy, also known as Cookey Monster, and Big Youth himself. Nearly 50 years on, this treasured record is back in print and it sounds as magical as ever. Willacy's 'Far Beyond The Blue' is a powerful slice of roots reflecting on the mire of slavery which forms a backdrop to so much of reggae's emotional impact. On the flip Youth delivers a deejay cut which rolls slow and easy, the legendary singer freestyling over the lazy groove in his inimitable fashion.
Review: Any real reggae fans will be familiar with the work of Delroy Williams. He was very active throughout the 1970s, 1980s and on into the 90s and this month has a few reissues dropping. This one comes on Only Roots and features his loving and loving 'Hear Say' on the a-side. It's got a languid and loose low end and is pure sunshine music. On the flip is Revolutionaries with 'Hear Say' (dub) which dials back the vocal and adds plenty of studio effects.
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