Back in stock: Dub

Review: Originally released in 1990, Love Dub is a landmark in the dub landscape that reimagined the group's iconic material through a deeper sonic lens. With the legendary Prince Jammy at the controls, the album strips the majority of the vocals and amplifies the essence of the Black Uhuru sound-throbbing basslines, hypnotic rhythms and masterful use of echo, delay and reverb. Each track unfolds into a spacious, atmospheric journey that pushes the boundaries of reggae into more experimental terrain. Love Dub is more than a reinterpretation-it's a testament to Black Uhuru's legacy and Prince Jammy's visionary touch.

Review: There are tens of members of The Blassics crew from Scandinavia, including Joona Venalainen, Juha Sarkkola, Ville-Pekka Jarvinen and several more, and they are expert genre-fusionists who draw on funk, soul, jazz, hip-hop and more to cook up their brilliant instrumental sounds. They have been doing it for more than a decade and have plenty of great albums to their name. Here they return to Funk Night with another red-hot 45 rpm. 'Fishing Break (45 mix)' is powered by raw drum breaks with brassy horns and cowbells for company, then 'Nokova' slows things down and allows a more sultry trumpet to take the lead. 'Lunki Mood' slows it down even further for late-night and loved-up jazz-funk introspection.

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: Dub dons The Inn House Crew keep it as real as ever with this latest outing on Southside Productions. Come to the Party is a new 45 rpm that kicks off with the title track featuring the talented vocal guests Laylah Arruda & Mad X who bring some fiery Spanish-sounding vocals to a breezy dub groove with sunny melodies and dubwise swagger. 'Rock Your Body Baby' (feat AJ Franklin) on the flip is another sunny one with a warped bassline and humid organ chords up top. The contributions from Franklin are playful and boogie-inducing with plenty of soul.

Review: Record Smith and Digikiller link up to start off a new series here that is focussed on underrated producer Lloydie Slim. They say lots of tunes are to come and this first one comes from Far I, whose first album the label has also reissued in the past. This rhythm was written at the same time and has never before been released. 'Blessed Is The Man' is sun torched island music with fat bass twangs and nice lumpy rhythm topped off with great vocal work. Super stuff for loud systems.

Review: Prince Fatty's new independent record label Lovedub Limited kicks off with a super 7" from the man himself. It is in fact something of an homage to the 1970s jazz-funk of Lonnie Liston Smith but with some hefty dub and reggae treatment. Shniece Mcmenamin stars on vocals and brings plenty of summer soul to the groove which is also lit up with free-flying flute lines over steady reggae rhythms that will sink you in deep to Winston "Horseman" Williams and Carlton "Bubblers" Ogilvie's drums, organ and piano. On the flip is the dub with the iconic Liston-Smith melody leading you through a lazy afternoon in style.

Review: Michael Prophet is a distinctive reggae vocalist with an emotive falsetto and conscious lyrics. Emerging in the late 1970s from Kingston, he rose to prominence working with legendary producer Yabby You, delivering hits that addressed social injustice, spirituality and inner strength. 'Know The Right' by Michael Prophet is one of those roots reggae gems that blends signature conscious lyrics with a smooth, hypnotic groove. His signature falsetto carries a message of wisdom and discernment that urges us to surround ourselves with positive influences. The rhythm section is tight and laid-back and on the flip is a dub for mellow moods and reflective moments.

Review: This crucial dub drop comes with a powerful roots track that invites you to enjoy an incredible collaboration with The Sherlock Holmes, one of the most dynamic horn sections in the sound system scene. Produced to perfection by Variedub, the track blends rhythmic warmth with musical strength. Side A delivers an uplifting brass melody with a lively dialogue between trombone and sax and is complemented by dub moments and melodica phrases, all built around a One Drop rhythm. On Side B, the Dub version unfolds with rich reverb and delay effects that embody Variedub's signature style.

Review: London-based Tokyo Riddim Band is a fusion of cultures, uniting three generations of Japanese female musicians with London's eclectic soundscape. Their vibrant performances merge reggae drums, funky basslines, and City Pop guitar, all live and dubbed-out on stage, creating a cultural phenomenon in the reggae scene. Following their debut single's success, "Denshi Lenzi," Tokyo Riddim Band presents "Canoe Boy," a hypnotic Japanese new wave reggae track. Originally penned by Japanese punk rock pioneer PANTA in 1980 for Tomoko Kuwae's album, this gem makes its single debut now. Dubby and funky, Tokyo Riddim Band's rendition, enhanced by Prince Fatty's dubwise touch, features siren machines, extended solos, and a groovy outro.

Review: This remarkable collection of mid-70s reggae captures legendary deejay U Roy at his most intimate and authentic, toasting exclusively for the King Attorney Hi-Fi sound system. Originally crafted as dubplates rather than commercial releases, these tracks are a time capsule from the golden age of Jamaican dancehalls. U Roy's charismatic flow, filled with shout-outs and jive, rides effortlessly over heavyweight rhythms recorded by The Revolutionaries at Channel One. With rich dubs from the Mighty Diamonds' Right Time and updated classics like 'Ali Baba' and 'Swell Headed', this is a joyous, immersive listen and an essential document of reggae's deep cultural roots.

Review: With standout tracks from proper legends like Barrington Levy, Delroy Wilson, Dillinger, The Mighty Diamonds, Yellowman and more, Reggae Anthology: The Channel One Story is an essential compilation chronicling one of Jamaica's most influential studios during its most famous golden era. Plenty of historic moments are included such as the country's first 12-inch maxi-single release (The Jays & Ranking Trevor's 'Truly Deejay Mix') and 'Queen Majesty,' a soul-drenched reggae rework of a Curtis Mayfield classic. Also included are extended cuts and rich production which means this anthology celebrates Channel One's lasting impact on reggae history with a little extra insight than you might have already heard.

Review: Jamaican reggae and dub don Willi Williams had hit with 'Armagideon Time,' back in 1977. He recorded it at the famous Studio One in Kingston and it was later covered by The Clash as the flipside of their seminal 'London Calling' single. He's back here with 'Length Of Days' which packs in his trademark vocal styles and rides on a loose, tumbling and dubby low end. On the flipside is Shilo Ites All Stars subtly tweaked dub version, 'Days Of Dub,' for more paid back sound system vibes. Two big tunes as the summer approaches.