Juno Recommends Reggae Classics August 2020

Review: For the latest volume in their ongoing "Reggae Cut Loud" series of seven-inch singles, Harlem Shuffle Records have gathered together two suitably rare gems from the undisputed king of rocksteady, Alton Ellis, neither of which have previously featured on a "45". A-side "Pumping In", an early rocksteady treat, is rich in R&B style guitar riffs, warm bass and an echo-laden vocal from Ellis. It was recorded in 1970 but for one reason or another only surfaced a few years ago. Flipside "Knock On Wood", a cover of the Eddie Floyd soul favourite, was recorded a number of times by Ellis; this version is the superior 1972 Joe Gibbs take, which boasts some superb Hammond organ sounds and a defiantly dub-wise reggae riddim. It's absolutely essential.

Review: Original Gravity is run by label owner Neil Anderson, who has a tireless work ethic and superb devotion to ska, reggae, and everything in between. His love of boss rhythms comes to the fore once more here with new tunes from three pseudonyms - The Regulators, Woodfield Road Allstars and Prince Dolly - all of whom, in actual fact, are him. Regulators cut "Why Why Why" opens up with a heavy bottom end, "Coast to Coast: has a big organ led groove and "Why Dub Why" reworks the opening tune into a rocksteady roller.

Review: For the second salvo in their "loud cut series", the Harlem Shuffle label has raided the vaults of Lee 'Scratch' Perry's legendary studio band, "The Upsetters". On the A-side you'll find "Popcorn" from 1970's "Eastwood Rides Again" album, a hard-edged, Ska-era rhythm & blues rump-shaker that sounds like a Jamaican take on James Brown. The flipside plays host to "Tight Spot", a dubbed-out reggae riddim over which tight saxophone riffs ascend impressively while deejay/singer/mic man attempts to get the dance going with some choice words and phrases. Like the A-side, it's a genuine dancefloor workout.

Review: Standby for KC White's excellent 1973 version of the song made famous by Dawn Penn. The submissive message of the lyrics rings out over fat bass and has just as superb an effect as first time round. This wasn't White's only cover, because he is best known for covering hits like "First Cut Is The Deepest", always adding his own spin and at least equally the quality of the source material. The version on the reverse is a heady one and these are such enduring tunes that this is the fourth time they have been reissued since first time round. Crucial.

Review: Radio DJ, studio engineer, singer and producer, Dread At The Controls label owner and sometime The Clash collaborator Mikey Dread debuted with this record in 1979. It's filled with mesmeric studio trickery, and really takes the dub sound into the future on a wave of sci-fi imagery and cosmic rays. It has a sense of humour too, in some of the more tongue in cheek sound designs as well plenty of fat and flabby dubs to provide you with plenty of smokey moments and lazy grooves to sink into to.

Review: Seventies dub talent Keith Rowe had a small but perfectly formed discography under this alias and it includes the 1977 gem "Groovy Situation". Like most tracks of the era it had Lee 'Scratch' Perry production so the riddim is crucial. Super smooth, super sunny, super stoned, it's an archetypal stoner dub that will never age. The dub packs less of a cerebral message without Rowe's caramel vocals but delivers just as much goodness through those sweet riffs and gentle percussive flutters. Snap this one up for authentic dub bliss.

Review: Only Roots come through with a classic wedge from Barry Biggs. These pure vibes first came in 1976 and on this package you're also treated to the Clarence Wears guitar piece from the same year, plus a couple of spicy dubs. "Work All Day" is a golden offering with an aloof and soulful vocal that drifts up top like a wispy cloud on a summer's day. Muted chords enrich things and the natty riffs keep things subtly funky. That original Wears guitar piece is a real heart wrencher - the guitar rings out into the sky with oodles of reverb giving it even more poignancy.

Review: Toots and the Maytals were sent back to Dynamic Sound Studios in Kingston for new recordings that eventually gave rise to the album after their Funky Kingston success. It features a number of covers of material aimed quite specifically at the English market such as John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads." Though first recorded in 1974, it still packs a punch and of course delivers plenty of the Jamaican band's melodic reggae with beautiful vocal harmonies. The whole thing oozes soul and is underpinned by a certain sense of spirituality that makes it all the more alluring and enduring.

Review: The Wailing Souls are a big part of the classic roots reggae cannon. They heavily featured on the Greensleeves catalogue and now return with new single "Shark Attack." European reggae artist Alborosie is featured on this re-make of what was initially a big hit in 1992. It is a taster of the group's soon to come full length, which is their first recorded work in Jamaica since the 80s, their first LP on the label since the same key period in their history, and the first material they have had produced by label associate Alborosie.

Review: It was right back in 1980 that UB40 secured their first big hit with "food For Thought." In the years following they became a hugely popular dub outfit and this new Music on Vinyl release captures all their various different musical phases across double 180 gram audiophile transparent vinyl with a four page booklet adding plenty of context and backstory. All the band's biggest hits are included such as "Red Red Wine", "Food For Thought", "One In Ten", "Cherry Oh Baby" and more, as well as duets with Chrissie Hynde, Afrika Bambaataa and Robert Palmer.

Review: The legend of Bob Marley lives on and is as strong as ever every time a new germination comes along and connects with his universal messages of peace, love and understanding. The man with a million hits of course had the eternal support of The Wailers to help him spread his good vibes and Legend is an album that shows this off best. This special edition picture disc is a real collectors edition and comes with all the standards - "Could You Be Loved", "I Shot The Sheriff", "Buffalo Soldier" and many more.