Review: But wonderful new record puts most artists who use the word hybrid to shame -it's beyond hybrid, even post-hybrid. If that sounds confusing just tune in and prepare to be dazzled. You'll find these tracks beautifully crafted and seamlessly blending dub with skilful jazz influences. For those drawn to melodies, musique concrete, or dub's experimental edges, this record is a perfect fit. It was born from a remix tribute to Jackie Mittoo and has grown into an exploration of themes with improvisation, precision, and intimate details. Androo proves to be an unpredictable musical force and combines free jazz and contemporary music influences to deliver a liberating, genre-defying experience that challenges conventions.
Review: Timeless Roots is a brilliant collaboration between reggae legend Horace Andy and renowned bassist Jah Wobble. Known for his ethereal vocals, Andy breathes new life into classics like Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition' and The Beatles' 'Come Together', while also revisiting his own iconic tracks like 'Skylarking' and 'Natty Dread A Weh She Want.' Wobble, former PiL bassist, Orb collaborator as well as a solo artist of some renown, blends reggae, modern dub and world music to create a rich sonic landscape that perfectly complements Andy's distinctive voice. The album stands out not only for its reinterpretation of well-known songs but also for its innovative production, which maintains the essence of roots reggae while introducing contemporary elements.
Wobble's deep bass grooves provide a solid foundation, allowing Andy's vocals to soar, particularly on new takes of his classics. This collaboration is a seamless fusion of two musical worlds, making Timeless Roots one of the standout reggae albums of the yearia true match made in musical heaven.
Review: It's beyond the basics with a fresh new dub excursion for the premium customer; Another Channel amp up the form pioneered by the patently referent Basic Channel with a worthy widescreen dub upgrade. This eight-tracker from the Polish outfit nails the latter's original formula, whose essence lay in the irresistible combo of muted low end scoop-out drums, faint squinty noises, and Renaissance-perspectival ricochets, each component of which never once settled into rhythm or sound interpretable as a copy-paste prescription. Yes the flavours here are all analogue and none 'generative', as was the original intent of the dub techno pioneers. Another Channel's emulation of the sound is as faithful as a blindfolded chaplain, the strongest testament to which has to be the tricky sizzler known as 'Solid'.
Review: Les Rhythmes Ruban's tunnel-visioned modus operandi is to churn out some of the toppest reggae and ambient dub on the East side of the Channel. This time they welcome twin producers Blundetto (Max Guiguet) and Pupajim (Jean-Marie Cariolet) to their roster, for the ambitious and sensorial collaborative version record Tancardub, in turn a comprehensive dubbing of their 2024 record Tancarville. Guiguet is a longtime favourite on the French dub, electro, jazz and all-else underground, having made his initial way in Dijon before cutting his teeth as the seasoner of many a vocal artist's track, including Akale Wube and Hindi Zahra. Cariolet, meanwhile, is a favourite member of the renowed dub troupe Stand High Patrol, and has been at and about it since at least 2009. Together, Tancarville was an impressive roots rollick, with 'Groenland' standing out as the vespertine vocal number; but system huggers will appreciate this version much better, since Tancardub wholly commands a crisper yet stiffer, rattlier POV on an initially serene album.
Review: The reissue of Annette Clarke's 'Sinner Man,' produced by the legendary Lee Perry, is a gem for reggae enthusiasts and vinyl collectors. Released on Harlem Shuffle Records, this 7" vinyl brings back the sought-after 1973 track that seamlessly blends reggae with a touch of ska, adding an extra layer of allure for fans of the genre. Side-1 features the original 'Sinner Man,' a track from early reggae days while hinting at the infectious energy of ska. Clarke's vocals are compelling, and Perry's production gives the song a timeless quality. On Side-2, the Lee Perry dub version takes the track to another dimension. With heavy echo effects and the rhythm pushed into the background, Perry's dub creates an immersive experience that highlights his genius as a producer.
Review: Junior Delgado's album It Takes Two To Tango on the Fashion label arrived in 1986 and brought plenty of new ideas to the dancehall and lovers rock sounds of the time. It is one of an impressive 22 he has penned over his long career and now the title track from it has been pressed up to this 7" courtesy of the Real Rock imprint. 'It Takes Two To Tango' is a nice heavy roller with fat drums and bass and some great vocal work up top. On the flip is 'Jux In' (dub) which is a version of the A-side by Jux & The A Class Crew which adds some nice shiny synth smears that swirl about the mix.
Review: Purple Fade's 13th release welcomes back the same artists who served up their last 12". Be Clean, back in November of last year. This time Fat Frog links with Mariah for vocal duties. What they cook up is a fresh, swaggering dub with ice-cold drums and splashy cymbals, classic reggae chord vamps and tons of reverb. The vocal is clean and pure and on the same side, you can find a dub version that is even deeper. 'Real Roots Rock' (feat Addis Pablo) is on the reverse and is led by mystical harmonica leads. A Real Roots Version closes out a useful EP of cool contemporary dub.
Review: This always standout lovers' rock and disco track by Sonia was originally released in 1980 on North London's Cha Cha label. The immediately much-loved tune became a firm favourite in clubs and on big sound systems and features a smooth, soulful vibe that's perfect for fans old and new of lovers' rock. On the B-side is 'Nigril Swamp Rock,' a harmonica-led instrumental by The Overnight Players that adds a unique touch to the release. The pressing is crisp and clean, so it is a real gem that is well worth copping on a tidy 7".
Review: This genuinely organic album, Godtet, recorded live in Studios 301, Alexandria, Sydney in 2016 is repressed for the first time in six years on the La Sape label. It celebrates the meditative potency of the (just over or under) two-minute track that begins, like 'Arp' or 'Hahahhaha', as ambient exploratory rhythmical waves leading into sounds to come. Like 'Hekkaz' where Tully Ryan and Dominic Kirk's percussive poundings and slappings pleasurably alert the listener to the more luxurious melodic mixture of Andrew Bruce's keys with Godrigues' lamenting guitar, playing harmonious echoey expressive beats. Here, one of the many stand out tracks 'Ensueo' is only matched by the even more groovy and halting 'Comedy', bassline by Jan Bangma. Recorded and produced by Godriguez and Jack Prest who also mixed and mastered this conceptual adventure into the world of rhythm and reverb where John Martyn meets Alfa Mist, Godtet lovingly foregrounds each band member's singularity, culminating in the exceptional self-titled final piece. A must for those who love a late-night listening session over and over again.
Review: Death Is Not The End's wonderful 333 series continues here with another standout digi roots 7? from late 90s New York star Gumbae Culture, who it is said was a favourite of Jah Shaka. 'Take It Easy' was produced by Ricky "Mad Man" Myrie, a key figure in reggae/dancehall production since the early 90s and someone now just as known for working with Sean Paul and Capleton. Gumbae Culture's sharp vocals lead the way on a deep, dubby, cavernous track that was recorded at Philip Smart's iconic HC&F Studio with engineering by Michel McDonald. Haunting xylophone, sharp snares, and deep subs drive it onward and if you like it more stripped back then flip it over and dive into the version.
Review: Jamie McCue, who is behind the classic Silent Season label, steps out here with a new label called Moon Garden. Hidden Sequence inaugurate it with a limited edition 7" that sets a great standard from the off. 'Studio A' is a liquid dub with delicate hi-hats sprinkled over loose, tumbling drums and rich sub-bass. It's vast in sauce and impossible not to sink into. 'Mystical Dub' on the B-side is an even more paired back ambient dub with a barely-there rhythm slowly unfolding beneath conscious mutterings and distant, muted melodies. It's late-night weed music of the highest order.
Review: Hawaiian enka singer Torao Hikariyama is renowned in his circles for winning a foreign talent singing competition on TV. He is utterly beloved in his home country, and rightly so, for his performances at Bon dance festivals. He has several hits to his name and now one of them, the wonderful 'Torao no Tairyo Sen' has been daringly remixed and dubbed by Tengaku Dub. This brilliant release now makes its long-awaited debut on double-sided 7" and is sure to get plenty of heavy plays.
Paul Maiden & Manwel T - "Unconditional Style" (3:46)
Review: Yi Mas Gan is back with a new and timeless roots 7" that will keep the summer vibes alive even as Autumn begins to bite. On the a-side, this one features J.A. singer Clive Hylton who was recorded by French producer Manwel T as he did his thing on 'Show Some Love.' Empowering warrior leads rise up out of the mix as the trad reggae rhythms roll down low and his impassioned vocals ring out. Flip this one over and you will find Paul Maiden & Manwel T flipping it into a version they call 'Unconditional Style.'
Freddie McGregor & Jah Berry - "Step It All Over" (3:54)
Joe Gibbs & The Professionals - "Rock It" (3:36)
Review: Top tier reggae vocalist Freddie McGregor worked often with thereat producer Joe Gibbs back in their heyday. Once such occasion was when they took on a version of Bob Marley's 'Rock My Boat' and originally released it in 1981. Produced by The Mighty Two aka Joe Gibbs & Errol Thompson, it's got a fat low end and nice guitar chords that are lazy and inviting while a stylised vocal up top. On the flip, Gibbs and The Professional dubs things out.
Review: Jay Glass Dubs' Resurgence marks a bold step into experimental dub, filled with atmospheric depth and hypnotic rhythms. Released on Sundial, the six-track LP showcases his unique approach, blending dub with hints of post-rock, ambient and dreampop influences. Tracks like 'Hyperacousis (for Miles)' and 'Laguna' dive deep into expansive soundscapes, where echoing basslines and swirling effects create an otherworldly experience. With its rich textures and calming flow, Resurgence stands as a striking exploration of abstract dub, balancing introspective moments with a powerful sense of sonic movement.
Review: Musique Pour La Danse proudly presents 8 Coffins, an essential collection of original tracks by the British duo Dougie Wardrop (of Conscious Sounds fame), and Nigel Lake as Jungle Neck, unearthed from the original masters laid down in the mid 90s. Eight raw tracks span four sides, two tracks each, authentically laying out a quick octave of bodybagging heaters. '8 Coffins' prophesies this (high) octane sequence of hits, ticking the first target off its list with a jungle cut bordering on a muted dub version, with offbeat bubbles and lowpassed vocals sounding as if the melody was being sung behind an ebony, mist-shrouded room divider. 'Kingdom Rise' moves further in this dub/jungle techno direction, working in lasery descensions into a take on Lennie De Ice, while the singular rollage of 'Bodyguard' ups the clarity while matching a sample-spread vox jab to the bass sequence. The inverse record equally dazzles, with its far-Eastern koto against mecha-jungle on 'No Wicked', and rapid snare delays against frank flutes on 'Latin Flute'.
Review: 'Heavy Manners,' is a groovy summer jam 7" from Germany's premier reggae duo, Marcus I and aDUBta. This collaboration, influenced by US Soul and classic Jamaican Reggae, brings the Studio One vibe of the 1960s to life. Following their debut album Cut A Wire Showcase (2023), they now deliver this upbeat, flying-cymbal track that's sure to set any dancefloor on fire. On Side-2, a minimalist riddim "Version," perfect for DJs craving that authentic vibe. After nearly two decades as a reggae drummer, aDUBta has fully embraced the sounds of 60s to early 80s reggae, gaining international recognition with Sounds From The Attic. Marcus I's soulful vocals and sharp songwriting shine throughout, recorded at aDUBta's Attic Roots Studio. The single, mixed analogue on a Tascam 388, is primed for sound systems worldwide, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for this dynamic reggae team.
Review: This essential reissue presents a rare collection of dub instrumental reggae tracks recorded by Tommy McCook (who you may know as the sax man from super ska outfit The Skatalites) and Bobby Ellis (who played the trumpet for dub legends The Upsetters) in 1977. Originally licensed to Grove Music, this still remarkable album features renowned musicians such as Sly and Robbie, Ansel Collins on organ, Clinton Fearon from The Gladiators on lead guitar, and Bernard Harvey of The Wailers on piano. The recordings took place at Channel One and were mixed at King Tubby Studio and every single tune cuts deep and with great authenticity.
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: Nkrumah Jah Thomas's label The Midnight Rock was a cornerstone of exceptional productions in early Jamaican music. As a savvy producer, Thomas maximised his rhythms and created numerous records for a variety of artists. He emerged at the perfect time and recorded breakthrough tracks in top studios like Channel One, often with the Roots Radics. While many of his sessions were released, some remained unreleased, trapped on multi-track tape. One such session featured Sugar Minott, known for his hit 'Good Thing Going.' Thomas has crafted fresh mixes from these sessions with this single addressing gun violence and featuring a vibrant Radics rhythm and a new dub on the flip side.
Review: Naggo Morris's powerful vocal cut from 1976 centres around the rather unlikely source material of... Jamaica's flour crisis, when supplies were contaminated with rat poison. His twisted, emotive delivery reflects the tension of the time and is supported by a truly killer bassline foundation that has been taken from 'Supernatural Thing.' This essential new release is part of Studio 16's latest series, all of which feature thick, colourful cardboard sleeves to make them even more of a must-buy.
Review: Billed an "absolute collector's item" by multiple outlets, the Japanese dub master Pecker's breakout EP 'Rasta Instantane Avec L'effroyable Pecqre' hears a welcome reissue via the German imprint Miss You. We miss Pecqre no longer, as he - real name Hashida Masahito - is back to flaunt the best of his percussion and production skills in the dubbing tradition. The EP known in English as 'Instant Rasta with the Terrible Pecker' was originally released in 1980 as one of the earliest known meetings of Japan and Jamaica; it allegedly parodied elements of the Japanese Otaku consumer culture and redirected it to a sophisticated transpacific world musical palette, with Pecker himself shining as the central rhythmaster. On this release, which studs big names like a beadwork of garnets on a belt, Masahito here teamed up with Minako Yoshida, Vitamin Dread, Augustus Pablo and none other than Sly & Robbie, producing three tracks of pioneering "Japanaican" sound.
Review: Legendary reggae artist and snooker of the smoke Lee Perry left us a few years ago but his legacy will always live on through the vast amounts of music he was involved with. Originally released in 1984 on Island/Mango, this album History Mystery Prophesy gets a welcome reissue and features an array of his most weed-worshipping songs. Recorded across multiple studios in Jamaica and at Compass Point in Nassau, it delves into the funky electro-pop sounds of the era and highlights include tracks like 'Heads Of Government' and 'Mr Music.'
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: That the musical backlog of Hopeton Overton Brown took on a clinical name in the popular imaginary was not an accident. Before becoming known as Scientist, he was also known as the "Dub Chemist", owing to his technicality, incisiveness and exactingness in the studio. This is not, however, licence for us to prescribe, daresay dub, a too-rigid image of or name for the sound-doctor-as-artist; and it's releases like 'Direct To Dub' that prove this intractability, this willingness to break from the main. In sharp contrast to Scientist's albums - which are more or less studio opuses, and bear the marks of grand concept and perfectionism - 'Direct To Dub' is a much rawer direct-to-dubplate - and thus direct-to-dome - set of tracks. In the release's preceding sessions, Brown was joined by Amsterdam-based trombonist Salvoandrea Lucifora and backing vocalists Alyssa Harrigan and Peace Oluwatobi; prior to their arrival, he went about taking the studio apart and reassembling it to his specifications. The result was a liver take on Brown's talents; playing less the cold trepidation of a pharmacist, and more the carpal quickness of a spin-doctor. Brown, of course, knew that even the apparently 'cold' attitude of removal connoted with mixing and engineering was in itself a performance: "In dub mixing, the engineer now becomes the artist and it's a performance that the engineer do," he himself said in the run-up to this Night Dreamer reissue.
Review: Merge Productions comes through with a special red vinyl release here of a new version from the album originally recorded by Earl Sixteen and Brazilian producer Lucas Kastrup. 'I & I' is a timeless bit of roots lovers' rock with gentle percussive tumbles and earthy guitar riffs detailing a fat bottom reggae rhythm with some sweet and soulful vocal sounds up top. It's rich island music and flip it over and you will find a deep and warm dub version for even more stoned late-night sessions.
Review: Japan is well known for doing things with a truly distinctive and often slightly out-there twist. Reggae and roots are no different and are sounds that have long been explored by artists in the Far East. Muffin is a new label from Japan that will allow us to Delbert into the scene's latest works and now they return with a second curious and lovely 7". It opens with Sonia's 'Cloudy' (feat Emi & Gel) which has angelic pop vocals and a nice earthy dub rhythm below next to bright synth chords. The flip features 2shanti with 'Bongo Dub' (feat Goja Bongos) which slows things down to a nice heady crawl.
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