Bongo Ossie & The Moon Lights - "Black Society" (2:50)
Super 8 Corporation - "Black Version" (2:58)
Review: The reissue of Bongo Ossie & The Moon Lights' Black Society on Hornin' Sounds is a treasure for hardcore reggae enthusiasts. Originally from 1975, the original delivers a classic roots sound with a fantastic collaboration that resonates deeply with lovers of the genre. The timeless track exudes the soulful and socially conscious vibes characteristic of the era. On Sidde-2, 'Black Version' transforms the original into a dub version. With abundant echo effects and an engaging stop-and-start beat, this track offers a dynamic listening experience. It's perfect for DJs seeking to infuse their sets with a vintage yet innovative reggae twist.
Review: Ken Boothe was the featured vocalist on the Inna Da Yard album The Soul of Jamaica back in 2017. Despite begin a relatively new record, it has all the authenticity and sonic hallmarks of a long-lost 70s classic. Now the best tunes from the album are pressed up to its own 7" by Reload. 'Let The Teardrops Fall' opens with a vocal doused in reverb and some shiny metal synth lines with a hypnotic harmonica taking the lead. 'Let It Go Dub' then gets all stoned and laidback with bottomless dub depths sinking you in deep.
Review: This is a new reissue of what and dub head will know is some very rare Canadian-only roots. Finding an OG of this record will take you time and cost you even more. Jerry Brown was in fine fettle when he laid it down as it's an awesome and truly deep tune with a rolling bass line. If you flip it over and drop the needle on the dub version, called just 'Lady,' you will find that rich bass with some fluttery melodies up top from a flute that brings sunny days to mind.
Review: Polish label Moonshine Recordings kicks off a new series that is helmed for the first time by Bukkha. It's a potent two tracker that opens with 'Planet I-N-I' which is a heavily dubbed out cut with bottomless subs and ice cold hits, tons of reverb and ricochetting sounds as well as some dub-wise vocals that drift in and out to heady effect. On the flip side is 'Night Out' (feat Roger Robinson), another smooth, serene and hypnotic dub techno cut marbled with static and vinyl crackle as well as some pensive words from Robinson. Both of these need to be heard as loud as can be for maximum impact.
Flesh & Blood Posse - "Rebel Muzik" (version) (3:35)
Review: The Flesh & Blood label kicks on here with a nice blood-red vinyl 7" featuring a hard-hitting new tune from Dixie Peach. 'Rebel Muzik' hits plenty of key dancehall hallmarks - the shiny, metallic digital chords, the stepping rhythms, the swaggering bass down low and some fine bars up top. On the flip, you can find a more heady and stripped-back version with some melon-twisting effects and dangling piano chords courtesy of the in-house Flesh & Blood Posse's own version. Plenty of damage will done with either of these providing they are played loud and at the right time.
Review: Having already introduced us to many of their regular 'pals' - re-editors specialising in Balearic and cosmic oddities - Manchester's Drum Chums crew now wants is to meet their 'percussion pals'. They operate within similar sonic territory if this first multi-artist missive is believed, albeit with more of a penchant for dubbed-out drums. There's plenty to set the oulse racing throughout, from the metronomic dub-chug of Spice Route's incredible 'Gruler Dub' - a fine re-edit debut from the long-serving Bristol selector - and the expertly dubbed-out space disco trip that is DJ Pouffsouffle's 'Totally Manic'. Elsewhere, Manc stalwart Neil Diablo delivers the ultra-slow weird-wave pop of 'Starry Night', while Hysteric's 'Pinball' is a blue-eyed soul treat.
Review: Bay Area producer Dubamine returns to Dub-Stuy with yet another sureshot featuring the label's own JonnyGo Figure on vocals. 'Bulletproof' fuses dubstep and trap production and ragga vocals for maximum soundsystem readiness, with featured vocalist JonnyGo Figure speaking of confident reefer lightups, and braisings of the dancefloor by the tweeters. B-sider 'Mosquito Dub' is an increasingly weighty one, expressively trigger-happy on the spring reverb and rooting each hit in an undergrowth of eighth-note bass.
Review: Death Is Not The End sublabel 333 Records reissue, in their estimation, one of the key 45s in the output of Prince Jazzbo's Ujama label, active in the late 1980s, and which preceded and perhaps presaged the oncoming digidub movement of the 90s. At this point, the artist known as Earlando Neil aka. Early B was a favourite fixture of Jazzbo's roster, famously channelling a proto-digital sound before the advent of digital dub production proper would unfortunately eclipse him. 'Imitator' is one such originator and version: a gruff, monophonic, bassy dancehall dragger, pon which B's vocal toasts are effortless to the point of burnt and hair-raising, and the basses sound like blowpipes; clock the synth bell too, also heralding the digital revolution to come.
Review: Irie Ites is a French label that is back with two more reggae heavyweights and frequent musical sparring partners in the form of Eek-A-Mouse and King Kong. They tackle a relic of the 'Murderer/Hot Milk' rhythm, a production that will take you back to the 80s reggae sound in an instant. 'Musical Ambassador' comes first and is a happy-go-lucky sound with some slow, dubby drums and lazy hits as well as stylised vocals, while the flip from King Kong, 'Money Could A Buy' fleshes it out with more reverb and natty guitar riffs that hang in the air above the cavernous low end.
Review: This hot new 7" allows you to experience a classic cut from UK dub pioneers Nucleus Roots featuring the iconic voice of Don Hartley. This brand new pressing presents a fuller, heavier vocal mix of a track originally released on their 2003 CD album and later as a sought-after 12" single. Now, for the first time, this fresh vocal mix comes on its own 45rpm alongside the classic meditation dub from their 2006 CD album, Heart Of Dub. Both cuts go seriously deep with modern synth touches and soothing rasta vocals sinking you into a fine and meditative sound.
Review: First released in 1983, Khartomb's 'Swahili Lullaby' first surfaced on the underground punk and reggae label Whaam! before fading back again into obscurity. In fact their only release, originally a 7", it came backed by the 12/8 wonderwork 'Teekon Warriors' on the B; both tracks established their sound as straddling both a restlessness and a laconism, channelling influences from the Slits to the Raincoats. Legend speaks of an original Peel Session and support from Melody Maker - the holy one-track difecta for breaking artists back then - yet this initial support sadly, madly waned. Now, however, the release comes miraculously back to the fore, rendered concscious again by way of a new-to-vinyl track - 'Daisy High' - as well as two versions of the A1 by Synkro and Talking Drums. 'Daisy High' is a lissome one, its layered contraltos overdubbed to perfection against endless Balearic guitar-swirls amid an overarching 'bossa feel' (in Peel's words). Synkro's dub could just as easily have come from '83 as it did from '24, swelling away into a sweet kickless reverie that happily, barely resembles the original; Talking Drums' version is more loyal to the genesis, yet amps up the dub pressure.
King Kong - "Wake Up The Town" (feat Eek-A-Mouse) (3:29)
Irie Ites All Stars - "Wake Up The Town" (riddim) (3:30)
Review: As we continue to enjoy some warm weather here in the UK there will never be a better time to be dropping your finest reggae sounds. And this new 7" deserves a place amongst your collection with an original by King King featuring Eek a Mouse. 'Wake Up The Town' is a contemporary-sounding dub with some digital synth lines as well as nice echoing hits and dub-wise vocals. On the flip, you can find the Irie Ites All Stars seeing up the 'Wake Up The Town' (riddim) for a more paired back sound.
Review: The peerless Partial is back with some brilliantly deep cuts from Nick Manasseh and Jeremy The Equalizer. A-side cut 'Absentee' showcases a robust part-digital rhythm and some warming dub low ends that are finished in style with Danny Red's commanding vocals weaving in and out of the mix to a heady effect. The single was originally a track from their popular 1993 album, and here it is served up on 7" next to a rare B-side dub mix that fleshes things out, adds plenty of reverb, and generally makes for more horizontal and heady listening.
Review: The third volume of the Strike Out Series on Bat features Emanuel and the Bionites taking on an Ikadub riddim and delivering an outstanding performance. Following their previous successful releases with Pinnacle Sound, Emanuel again showcases his talent on the dynamic Ikadub riddim and turns out something perfect for playing loud on sound systems everywhere. With 'Rumours,' Marcus I, a prolific songwriter and skilled singer, finds hit potential by crafting a powerful chorus from some new dubs. All five of these cuts have anthem potential and demand to be heard outdoors in the sunshine.
The Heptones & Sound Dimension - "Purple Lights" (6:43)
Review: Studio One presents a classic 12" release here that has always fetched high prices on the second hand market. It comes with Freddie's reggae rendition of the Hamlins' hit 'Soul & Inspiration' on the A-side and it is one that soon makes its way into your heart, body and soul. Flip it over meanwhile and you will find the Heptones offer their take on 'Purple Lights' and it is a sublime take too. This essential release is pressed in Jamaica using original stampers and labels which means that it has resulted in a pressing quality that may not be immaculate but maintains authentic vintage charm.
Review: Nikolajev is an original pioneer of Tallinn's techno scene. He is back here on the Sad Fun label with two more of his bass-driven dance floor delights. First up is 'Lego Dub' which has no sharp edges and just silky synths, rolling drums and flanged up sounds that swell with warming intensity. On the flip side is 'Tongue Double' which slows things down and brings a little sense of funk next to some playful synth lines that wiggle about the mix and are underpinned by true low end menace, perfect for maximum volume on a sound system.
Review: World-renowned dub artist Hummingbird and reggae and hip-hop crossover rapper Pazoodog team up for a new 7" record here that goes above and beyond! Hummingbird is known for global collaborations and being active in Japan and beyond, while Pazoodog is celebrated for his unique blend of reggae and hip-hop, along with his distinctive lyricism and smooth flow. Their collaboration explores the universal theme of time's passage and blends a mature, melancholic sound based on Hummingbird's sophisticated beats and Pazoodog's exceptional lyrical style. As well as being musically rich, this 7" is a reflective experience for fans of both artists and their respective background genres.
Review: Prince Chamba joins forces for a superb new roots cut here with Slimmah Sound and Ital Horns. Their 'Secret Light' is a smoky and seductive sound with wobbling low ends and impassioned vocals delivered with a heart-aching twist as the melanotic horns fly up top and rousing chords add some hope. Slimmah Sound & Ital Horns then add their own heavily reverbed dub version and Slimmah Sound offers 'Melody Of Light' which is full of hypnotic harmonica leads. A second dub version once again reworks it into a stoner's delight that will sink you deep into the sofa.
Review: Dutch label Ghetto Cornerstone presents a new and limited 12" here that offers some high-class roots. The release features Jamaican singer Prince Alla in top form as well as dubs produced by Ray Ranking, along with an additional vocal track by Ras Ruben. They are all fine blends of classic roots reggae with fresh, dynamic elements, starting with 'Warn Them' with its flabby and wobbly low-end and happy vocal energy. Ras Ruben's 'Jah Guiding Star' on the flip is a more pained and yearning sound with a slower, more pillowy and cavernous low end.
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