Jamwax レコード& CD

Review: Laury Webb is a lesser-known reggae artist active since the 1970s, and 'Woman My Queen' is one of his few releases; a heartfelt piece that features a smooth and soulful production by Philip Sloley, as well as a wompy, clipping kick sound and a haunting confession of love. This reissue is of one of two of Webb's to come out on the original label Reality Records; two further cuts which didn't feature on the original 12" appear here, from the triumphant 'It Seems The Same' to its uplifter-dub version.

Review: Original copies of T.Z Junior's bubblegum-boogie cut "Sugar My Love" are hard to come by outside of the artist's home country of South Africa. It's been that way since the single was first released on Roy B Records in 1985, hence this tidy reissue from the on-point Jamwax label. The title track remains a breezy, melodious, cheery and soul-flecked treat, with T.Z Junior delivering a brilliantly evocative lead vocal over bustling bubblegum synths, delay-laden machine drums and an inspired electrofunk bassline. "Are You Ready For Love", meanwhile, may not be quite as celebrated but is equally as impressive. It's the kind of sun-kissed "bubblegum" treat that would sound perfect blasting out of a soundsystem on a hot summer's day.

Review: Jamaican music legend Joe White is truly in his element on this much needed reissue. Alongside contemporaries such as Augustus Pablo, Peter Tosh and Bobby Kalphat he was one of very few melodica players on the scene. He had his first success in 1965 with the song "Every Night" and went on to release beautiful instrumentals like "Kenyata", "Call Me Trinity" (for Derrick Harriott) and "Cheer Up" for Glen Brown. White formed the group Roots, Trunks & Branches to release several tracks on the label Splendour Heights. "Forward To Zion" was released in 1979 and became a true reggae roots stepper banger for sound systems across the globe. Probably electronic music fans will appreciate the futuristic dub aesthetic. "Forward To Zion" is a song of peace, love, freedom and emancipation of people.

Review: Johnny Powell's 'Moving Out' is a killer reggae classic, charting the 80s dubstar's staunch decision to move "way out, way out, way out" of Babylon, after much abuse by the figurative city of vice. Against a wicked riddim by an unknown production crew, we've got laboured horns, ghostly vocals and snake-rattles, all of which make this a certain addition to the ranks of the politically charged reggae and ska of the time. This reissue is backed with another track by Powell, 'Love Is The Answer', which balances out the 12" with a 'positive vibe' of true love.