Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Hey, Mr. Music! The expertly rediscovered North West London soul singer Candy McKenzie (sister of Bunny McKenzie) hears her Trojan Records debut, and only album, reissued through MOV. "Upset" by Lee Perry of all people - the late great dub producer titularly "introduces" McKenzie as person of interest here - this sole LP from McKenzie, first unearthed in 2011 but recorded unmistakably in the 80s - betrays a nonconformist character, crossing blurrily between percussive lovers rock and bubbly new wave. McKenzie's vocal style is aplomb and vigorous, and is well contrasted to the otherwise soothing laryngeals of Perry's many other femme familiars, such as Susan Cadogan.

Review: This double-disc collection offers a fascinating glimpse into Lee Perry's evolution as a producer during a pivotal year in reggae music. 1970 saw Perry at the top of his game, fresh off the success of Return Of Django, and these recordings capture his adventurous spirit and groundbreaking studio techniques. The compilation features a wealth of instrumental works, showcasing the proto-dub experiments of his backing band, The Hippy Boys. With 14 tracks new to CD and many others unavailable since the 1990s, this release is a treasure trove for dedicated Upsetter fans. From the infectious grooves of 'Yakety Yak' to the dubwise explorations of 'Bush Tea' and the soulful sounds of 'Let It Be', this collection is a must-have for any reggae enthusiast.

Review: On its latest deep dive into the Jamaican reggae archives, the Doctor Bird label has returned to the early years of one of the style's most iconic producers, Lee 'Scratch' Perry. The music showcased on this two-disc set was initially released on Perry's own Upsetter imprint in 1969-70 and contains a mix of vocal numbers, instrumental 'versions' and alternate takes from the archive. There's naturally tons of highlights amongst the 50-plus tracks on show, including the organ-rich ska flex of The Upsetters' 'Night Doctor', the soulful rocksteady sweetness of 'Kiddy-O' by the Silvertones, the slow-dance excellence of Busty Brown's 'I Can't See Myself Cry About You', the low-slung shuffle of The Upsetters' 'Bab Thool' and the bona fide anthem that is 'Django Shoots Again' by Val Bennett and the Upsetters.

Review: The first extensive anthology of Lee Perry's early productions includes numerous Jamaican hits and features some of the most influential recordings of the late 60s. Today, Lee 'Scratch' Perry is widely recognied as one of the finest talents from the golden age of Jamaican music. However, his rise to fame was neither easy nor swift. After working for Studio One boss Clement 'Coxson' Dodd, Perry made his mark as an artist and arranger in the mid-60s, eventually becoming a fully independent producer by mid-1968. Perry's innovative approach and understanding of local music trends quickly brought him national success with popular singles on Upset, the label he co-owned. He soon became an independent operator, releasing best-selling 45s on his Upsetter label, which attracted the attention of London-based Trojan Records. Trojan created a British version of his imprint in early 1969. Perry's music particularly resonated with Britain's skinhead fans, and in autumn 1969, his production of Val Bennett and The Upsetters' Return Of Django reached the UK pop charts, exposing Perry's music to a global audience. This anthology brings together the recordings that launched Perry's career as an independent producer, showcasing a mix of soulful rock steady and dynamic boss reggae. It offers a compelling listening experience and a fascinating insight into the early musical development of one of Jamaican music's most influential and innovative figures.