New releases last two weeks: Dub

Review: These two powerhouses of pioneering dub meet up for the second time on this fantastic reissue by Burning Sounds originally released in 1978. The mostly instrumental album shows the duo helping to define the dub sound for the next generation of producers. Thanks to the inspirations and usage of Studio One, the sound is quintessential dub, like in the 'Garvey Dub' and title song 'Guerilla Dub'. They've not fully abandoned the traditional roots as you can hear in 'Malcolm X Dub' and 'Martin Luther Dub' though, turning them into more of remixes than original tracks. This album is a must for any 70s and 80s dub afficionado.

Review: Although it is widely regarded as a classic album, Black Uhuru's Brutal has never before been available to buy on vinyl. The 1986 work features the undeniably legendary likes of Sly and Robbie as Black Uhuru's leader, with Junior Reid on vocals, Roots Radics man Tyrone Downie on keys and mixing done by the masterful Jim Fox at Lion and Fox. This version has been newly remastered so packs a perfect raw roots punch with all the heavy low ends landing nice and correct and the vocals cutting through perfectly.

Review: Four sides of cavernous, postmodern dub inna year 3000 style from the UK soundsystem circuit's hottest boyband: Mark Iration, Dennis Rootical & Rico O.B.F. The trio combine their years of experience crafting box rattling anthems, bringing a new irreverence, sparkle, and poppy playfulness to the classic UK roots template. This really shines through on cuts such as 'Calling Jahova' where washes of buzzsaw synth and Sheffield-type bleeps call to mind Gregory Isaacs' early 90s proto-grime oeuvre, and more austere bangers like the aptly named 'Serious Time', where trappy hi hat flurries and savage anvil snares offer up a taste of unashamed 00s steppa nostalgia, while also deftly channelling O.B.F.'s hip hop influence. Great cover too!

Review: This Best Of The Morwells album originally landed back in 1981 but has not degraded in any way over the ensuring 40+ years. It is a superb collection of vocal roots that first came on the American label Nighthawk Records and might be best known for standout hits like 'In God We Trust' and 'Africa' as well as 'Educate Your Mind.' The lyrics muse on plenty of still relevant socio-political topics while riding on nice deep rhythms with earthy drums and meandering leads. The band went on to become well-regarded and prolific session musicians in Jamaica and you might well have heard of them... none other than The Roots Radics.

Review: Originally released in 2019, Pachyman's Pachyman In Dub is a labour of love that pays homage to the early days of Jamaican reggae music. Inspired by the legendary Channel One Studios and Roots Radics band, Pachy Garcia set out to recreate the sonic experiments of Scientist, King Tubby, and Lee "Scratch" Perry, with the result being an album that captures the spirit of early dancehall, rub-a-dub, and rockers styles, all hypnotic rhythms, deep basslines, and ethereal melodies. With a focus on dub techniques and a heavy emphasis on the rhythm section, Pachyman In Dub is a must-listen for fans of reggae music.

Review: Contempoary dub and reggae artist Pachyman channels the spirit of late 70s to early 80s Jamaican music with his second album At 333 House. Taking its namesake from the studio of the same name, in which the album was recorded between the months of April and October 2019, At 333 House hears the master musician explore all angles of the now indelible and instantly recognizable Studio One sound - so recognizable, in fact, that it need not be produced at Studio One to be recognized. Pachyman's oeuvre is roots reggae (hints of Roods Radics) abound, soul jazz and steppers, all tied up in a playful modern production approach.

Review: Prince Istari's earliest memories are of his mother playing the tranquil melodies of Erik Satie's pieces on the piano. Skipping school, he'd bask in the sun, absorbed by the serene tunes and years later in 2024, rediscovering his mother's sheet music sparked a creative resurgence. He transformed them into dub versions, crafting a tapestry of sound, and each piece's form dictated its direction, evolving from heavy dub to delicate piano and synthesiser blends. The finale, a relic from his past as Istari Lasterfahrer, features a distorted recording of his mother playing Satie to complete the circle. This special record comes in limited quantities of just 200 copies.