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.
Joseph Cotton & Earl Heptones - "Misty Morning" (4:00)
Room In The Sky All Stars - "Smoking Horn" (feat Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton) (4:21)
Review: The latest from the Joe Gibbs label features a powerful roots rockers reinterpretation of The Sensations' classic rocksteady tune 'Everyday Is Like a Holiday.' The new version from Ruddy Thomas brings a different kind of energy while honouring the soulful essence of the original. It's packed with plenty of mad mixing desk effects and endless echo while warm vocals and deep basslines lock in a steady, hypnotic rhythm. On the B-side, Joe Gibbs & The Professionals deliver 'Holiday Style' which has happy horns and melodies that sparkle in the hot summer sun. Real roots authenticity and dub mastery make this another vital 7".
Review: The brilliant Room In The Sky All Stars presents a heavyweight roots reggae slab here with some serious steppers from guests Joseph Cotton, Laylah Arruda, Ashanti Selah and Rivah Jordan. This essential 12" includes two new tracks, each with four mixes that take the original into all new sonic realms. Rico from the renowned OBF Sound System and Dubquake Records does a fine job with his versions which spin out 'ever bless' into worlds of reverb and lyrical worship. 'Mother Nature' is another impassioned sound with swirling Latin vocals and florid melodies.
Len Lewis - "Illicit" (Grant Dell Up Yer Strasse dub)
Grant Dell - "Fari A Come"
Review: The Repeat label is doing a great service to the culture of real tech house, nodding to that late 90s sound and carrying work from the likes of Jay Tripwire, Eddie Richards and now Grant Dell. The Dis Chronicles series hits part two with some further obscurities from back in the day which sound as relevant now as they were futuristic back then. 'Disco Hit' was a collaborative effort from Dell and Richie Littler, and it's utterly addictive thanks to those cheeky DX7 organ licks, while Dell's 'Up Yer Strasse Dub' of Len Lewis' 'Illicit' is chunky and dubby in equal measure. Dell's own 'Fari A Come' completes the set with a more overt drop into dub territory, sampling a true Jamaican legend and showing how the tech house sound could transplant onto backroom, head-nodding gear in style.
Derrick Harriott & The Tamlins & Joy White & Reasons & U-Brown - "Christmas Songbook" (11:27)
The Chariot Riders - "Christmas Songbook" (instrumental dub Style) (11:32)
Review: Lifelong reggae fans, vinyl lovers and frequent Juno readers will be familiar with Crystal D's Reggae Disco mix series. It was a 70s thing where artists served up their own unique reggae versions of Christmas classics and now we get volume 17 of the Christmas Songbook. This one comes on 12" in hand-stamped sleeve and the A-side is an 11+ minute collection of tunes from Derrick Harriott & The Tamlins & Joy White & Reasons & U-Brown with natty chords, sleigh bells and choral reggae vocals. What a mix. In authentic reggae fashion, the flip side is a dub of the whole lot by The Chariot Riders.
Roots Defender Riddim Section - "No Justice Dub" (4:18)
Kojo Neatness - "Bun Dem Down" (4:02)
Roots Defender Riddim Section - "Dub Dem Down" (4:19)
Review: Jah Mason and Kojo Neatness bring an authentic island flavour to this solid 4/4 roots rhythm that was crafted by the Roots Defender Riddim Section. The track features soulful horn arrangements as well as mesmerising guitars and keys by Black Steele and Maestro Inyaki. Originally recorded as a full band piece in Brixton over a decade ago, it underwent multiple stages to perfect its organic vibe for sound system heads. The multitrack was then taken to Ital Soup studio in South London where Petah Sunday served up a brilliant analogue mix while also adding some mind-blowing dubs all of which have already made their mark.
Review: This is one of a pair of new slabs of wax from Amsterdam's Sound System and label of the same name, King Shiloh. It features an array of modern dub and reggae talents and first up, Lavvosti & Black Omolo offer the modern sheen of 'Red Gold Green'. Kare's 'Better Days' rides the same rhythm but with more stylised and soulful vocal turns that empower with every bar. Jah Works dubs things out with a ton of effects and Tiger Simeon & Brada Jahziel layer in storytelling bars. Brasspect brings a fresh horn-led sound that is romantic and hypnotic and Roots Mechanic pairs things right back to an 80s sounding Jamaica dub vibe.
Review: Henry 'Junjo' Lawes produced a double-headed twin spin on the iconic Eventide Fire riddim for this one. It is arguably that which helped Barrington's 'Crucifixion' soar to the top of the UK reggae charts in 1980 when it was released. It is one of his most iconic vocal performances, which is saying something given how much music the man has worked on. On the flip side of this new 7", Ranking Joe delivers 'River Jordan' with full force, riding the rhythm with impeccable skill. These jams were recorded with the one and only Roots Radics at Channel One and King Tubby's, so very much capture the essence of reggae at its peak with some of its key players all involved.
Review: Freddie McKay's classic rocksteady track 'Going' hears a reissue on Jamaican Recordings, the very same label that first released in back in 2004. A sad rumination on death and freedom, we hear McKay croon through a ghostly spring reverb and an sprightly rhythm section, as he considers the "moon in the sky" and "the birds in the trees" as vessels for his own emancipation. So too comes the rare instrumental version on the B-side, though this reissue skips the original's shared side with Ronnie Davis, focusing solely on McKay.
Review: Some super good roots here to bring some sunshine back into your life despite the freezing temps outdoors. The brilliantly talented female singer on this is Nagai and she hails from Reunion Island. Her vocal on the title tune 'Back to My Roots' is full of yearning and pained soul while the rhythm below is a clean and nimble one with nattty chords all mixed by Roberto Sanchez at A-Lone Ark Music Studio. A melon-mangling dub plus two further versions close out this fine 12".
Review: Night Owls are back with a fresh take on Lee Moses' 1970s cut Got That Will, transforming the soul classic into a dancehall-inspired banger. Dan Ubick leads the production, bringing in powerhouse vocalist Gina Murrell and the tight rhythm section of Wilder, Colie, and Rivas to infuse the track with new life. As if that wasn't enough, Kingston's Ranking Joe adds his signature toasting, giving the track an extra layer of authenticity and drive. The B-side, Got That Dub, takes things deeper with Roger Rivas on the mix, dialing up the echo and delay to create a spaced-out, dubbed-up version. With steady radio play on BBC Radio 6 and KCRW, this release is already making waves. DJs and collectors will want to act fastithis record is primed for late-night sound system sets and is sure to fly off the shelves.
Review: Johnny Osbourne liked singing about love. The Jamaican born reggae maestro has said love is universal, a hurting thing, confidential, international and even supernatural. And frankly we're ahoy to hear him doing so - his honeyed tones a perfect mix for rolling and dubbed out rhythm that is lovably languid and overlaid with acoustic riffs and loose percussion. On the flip here we get a heady, dubbed out and psyched-up mix from the one and only Roots Radics. Both of these tunes are brilliant on a loud system and never fail make their mark.
Prince Jamo - "Is There Anybody Out There?" (4:03)
Rootz Lions - "Is There Anybody Dubbing Out There?" (3:59)
Review: Featuring the much-loved Prince Jamo's distinctive vocals and introspective lyrics over Rootz Lions' rich, dub-heavy instrumentals, 'Is There Anybody Out There?' calls you to reflect on humanity's shared struggles and the search for truth. It does so in great style with powerful basslines, echoing brass and rhythmic grooves that capture the essence of classic roots reggae while bringing a fresh, conscious vibe that resonates today. Ideal for fans of meditative, message-driven reggae music, this one by Prince Jamo and Rootz Lions is a deep, roots-reggae collaboration that explores themes of connection, searching, and spirituality.
Everyone Has Got To Go (Super Bionic version!) (4:22)
Review: 'Everyone Has Got to Go' is a powerful 1976 roots stepper by Jamaican-Canadian singer Prince Robinson aka R. Man Prince. Born in Rockfort, Kingston, Robinson auditioned at Studio One in his teens but didn't record until a decade later. After moving to New York and Canada, he returned to Kingston in 1976 to record two iconic roots anthems at Joe Gibbs studio: this one and the rare 'Funny Dream.' Joined by The Soul Foundation and top session musicians like Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, the track's mix by Ernest Hookim and Barnabas features a haunting dub version.
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