Review: Hope & Faith Records has put together three different 7"s featuring the original 'Standing Tall' riddim, which is a slick production in the early 70s roots reggae style. Acclaimed Spanish singer Payoh Soul Rebel is behind one, the female harmony trio from Basque reggae band Tacumah another, and this one comes from Jamaican legend Horace Andy who brings a fresh take on the classic roots sound. His smoky vocals bring real warmth and depth while a flip-side dub goes deep.
Review: The latest release by Newdubhall is yet another emission of furrowed J-dub: in light of a recent five-year hiatus despite an esteemable career so far, Babe Roots has once again been hailed an icon of modern dub production here. 'Mi Feel It' hears a determined collaboration with bass tenor and mic controller Wayne, a vocalist whose glottis most fellow spitters could only dream of having been born with; the track plods through popping snares, stereo-caressing chords and a rustling beat-corpus, as Wayne reacts to the undignified laity around him with magnetic disrespect. An implosion at 140 beats per minute ensues on the B, bringing a knockier sound and a disestablishing pulse.
Review: Popular Hull-based shoegaze quartet bdrmm are building up to their latest tour with the release of single 'Standard Tuning, arriving hot on the heels of their critically acclaimed second album, 'I Don't Know'. Written and recorded during those same sessions and very much similarly flavoured, it continues a fine vein of form right now, with high praise coming in from the likes of Rolling Stone and Consequence. This special 10" also comes with a remix of the live favourite 'Alps' by Ninja Tune/Cambria Instruments electronica specialist Nathan Fake.
Review: Hull and Leeds-based band bdrmm finally follow up their acclaimed debut album Bedroom - which was instantly passed as a modern day shoegaze classic - with a new EP. It features the recent single 'Port' as well as fresh remixes by the ever more essential Daniel Avery, plus Working Men's Club, A Place To Bury Strangers and others. That single, 'Port,' took the band in a new direction with a darker sound fun of distorted drones and beats, with howls of anguish and manic guitar frenzies. That is carried over into the rest of the EP next to some radical reworks.
Review: South African-born, US-based Brendon Moeller has long been at the sharp end of the dub techno world. This limited 12" vinyl is a great example of that with pure sonic storytelling full of warmth and depth. It was first put out back in 2019 and shows the unparalleled artistry of this man who has worked as both Echologist and Beat Pharmac. His organic, dubwise approach to techno is second to none with an immersive, ever-evolving narrative over tunes inspired by pioneers like On-U Sound and woven with Nyabinghi rhythms, industrial dread and modular grunge.
Review: Indie darling Beck has been 'Thinking About You' on what is his first new music in some time since he dropped his GRAMMY-winning Hyperspace album. This single gets pressed up to a limited edition golden-brown 7" to mark the much-loved artist's birthday and it is a sublime bit of prime and emotional Beck as his heart-tugging best. The ballad has some sombre harmonica, acoustic guitar lushness and was recorded in the same room as his classic 'Sea Change'. On the flip side is his GRAMMY-nominated cover of Neil Young's 'Old Man' which is a wistful sound with rich tones.
Review: This crucial platter features two gems in 'Windrush Scandal' and 'Give A Little Love' which are fine tunes from Lizzi Bee and Ranking Ann, who makes a great return and lays down some superb vocals that will get you thinking as well as skanking, and what's more it all comes on a flame red vinyl 12". The track offers a perfect blend of reggae and dancehall influences, featuring catchy melodies, uplifting lyrics and a smooth rhythm that will have you swaying along and lost in the cavernous bass depths. Sax versions and dubs are all included to make this the complete package.
Review: Billy Nomates is coming off the back of a hugely acclaimed album in 2002. That was the self titled work on Invada Records and now she follows it up with a new EP that has already had heavy plays on BBC 6Music. Billy even stepped in for Iggy Pop on his show and impressed with her selections. Here the artist develops her unique sound and unflinching lyrics and says of the music that it is "predominantly about communication breakdowns; personally, mentally, physically. A strange thing to happen while communication has never had so many channels. Perhaps we need a direct line."
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.
Review: 333 UK shed backscattered light on another late 1980s anti-apartheid reggae opus, Bionic Singer's 'Botha Warning'. Salvaged from the formerly seafloor dwelling chest that is the Jamaazima label back catalogue, 'Botha Warning' is a star riddim from the late great Osbert "Madoo" Maddo, who was brought up in East Kingston and as a child attended the legendary Alpha Boys School. Over his career he recorded mainly with Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson, and for Winston Riley's famous Techniques label. The Bionic Singer alias came later, after a move to New York from Jamaica and brief hiatus; releasing on the Bronx-based Jamaazima, 'Warning To Botha' is a bloodthirsty send for South Africa's then prime minister P.W. Botha, set to a sturdy bubbler backing - the track indicts his policies as a key cause for the brutal segregation of the period.
Review: The Blassics is a creative crew from Scandinavia featuring the likes of Hanna Lotti, Joona Venalainen, Juha Sarkkola, Ville-Pekka Jarvinen and several more musicians. They have turned out several brilliant instrumental albums over the last decade and show their chops again ion this new 7" via Funk Night. 'Addis Hop (part 1)' collides funk, jazz, spy theme soundtracks and hip-hop into a storytelling sound with a driving bassline and shimmering chords and keys. It comes in two parts, and both are effortlessly evocative and mesmerising.
Review: We shall never apologise for our love for the work of Steve O'Sullivan. His contributions to the world of dub techno are second to none. They are also mad consistent both in style and quality which means they never age. Here he steps up to Lempuyang with his Blue Channel alias alongside Jonas Schachner aka Another Channel for more silky smooth fusions of authentic dub culture and Maurizo-style techno deepness. Watery synths, hissing hi-hats with long trails and dub musings all colour these dynamic grooves. They're cavernous and immersive and frankly irresistible and the sort of tracks that need to be played loud in a dark space. In that context, you'll never want them to end.
Review: ?Boys Wonder's 'Be Reasonable' is a lovely and limited edition new 10" etched vinyl released exclusively for Record Store Day 2025. Serving as a companion to their long-awaited debut LP Question Everything, this limited-edition single features two previously unreleased tracks exclusive to wax. The band's distinctive blend of glam-rock energy, sharp wit and infectious pop hooks brings both of these to life and are part of the reason they have been endorsed by Vic Reeves as the greatest band that never was and hailed by Jonathan Ross as one of my all-time favourite bands.
Review: The 60s Liverpudlian rock quartet are famed for their song '6 Day War', which has been sampled from the likes of DJ Shadow in Tokyo Drift and Pusha T on his album released earlier this year. This track is undoubtedly a classic, written in the aftermath of the ongoing Arab-Israeli war of 1967, '6 Day War' is one of the best anti-war tracks of all time. The slow jam-rock ballad comes from the band's album 'Oh What a Lovely War!' released in 1973 which has not been released in Britain until now, making this a landmark pressing. The record is a psychedelic soft-progressive rock LP with emphasis on heavy guitars like in 'Lay it Down' and even pulls from folk rock in 'Dirty Delilha Blues'. Colonel Bagshot were almost criminally overlooked, though their music seems to consistently stand the test of time and it's easy to hear why. The sound is quintessential Liverpool rock, even down to the naming conventions being evocative of The Beatles.
Wackies Rhythm Force - "Hard To Find" (version) (3:07)
Review: Annette Brissett grew up in the USA even though she is a noted reggae vocalist. Her influences are the likes of Otis Redding and the Wailers and she also plays several instruments. 'Hard To Find' is one of her most well-known tunes and it pairs electronic reggae with prog rock guitars and her own soulful vocals. It's curious and compelling and has some funk deep in its bones. The version is provided by Wackies Rhythm Force who strip the vocals and make more of the noodling prog guitars and dubby swagger.
Review: France and Jamaica collide on this new 12" from Brother Sound, which is now up to release number three and is managing to maintain the good early standard it set for itself. J.A. legend Max Romeo is in top form on vocals with Brother Sound stepping up for the backing and production. 'Roll It Up' is a high-speed and hard-hitting dub that hurries you into shape-shifting while the vocals add extra pressure. It comes as two other mixes then the flipside has the slower and more meandering melodies and unbalanced sounds of 'The Story' which also comes as an extended mix.
Review: The genesis of this album was three soundsmiths getting together in Brother Sound Studio in March 2024. It's a room full of synths and instruments and mics and in there they set about their work with Martin Dread responsible for the composition. What results is a bunch of proper chunky dubs with a very modern production edge. Synths have a clean digital shine that brings a future feel, the toasting though is traditional so brings authenticity and the melodies are perfect for getting lost in after a hefty toke.
Brother Wildman - "Too Many Worries & Problems" (3:42)
General Soria - "Too Many Worries & Problems" (dub) (3:28)
Review: Rain A Fall returns with more of its lovely roots goodness on a new and crucial 45rpm that pairs General Soria with Brother Wildman. The latter kicks off with 'Too Many Worries & Problems' which is a heavy, hard-hitting digital roots tune with tough lyrics that do not pull any punches. It's perfect for all roots and sound system enthusiasts, as is the flipside dub from General Soria which rewires it with extra heavy low ends and cavernous kicks for summer fun.
Review: US label Planets is back with a third outing and this time they have a superb blend of roots and digi-dub with a cover of a Michael Jackson classic. AJ Brown is a noted vocalist who here serves up a rare street soul lovers' version of The King of Pop's 'Human Nature.' It's a passionate and emotive vocal work over a nice rolling beat and on the flipside it comes with an excellent instrumental dub version that allows the synth work to shine more and the funky bassline to come to the fore as the vocals are drenched in echo and reverb. Limited press on this one so move fast.
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