Review: The Original Gravity label's Reggae Dynamite series sure is packed full of dance floor heat. This fourth volume turns up the temperature once more, starting with Dave Barker's 'Move It On Now' with spoken word mic work over a guitar laced riddim. Woodfield Rd Allstars bring plenty of big horn energy and hints of ska to their 'San Salvario Stomp' then appear again on the flip with the organ-lead sounds of mid tempo wobbler 'Norwegian Wood'. Melbourne Douglas completes the picture with 'Wheel & Come Again', another raw as you like and classic sound.
Prince Alphonso & The Fever - "Malostran-Ska" (2:42)
Junior Dell & The D Lites - "Remember To Forget" (2:51)
Woodfield Rd Allstars - "Beseda Blues" (2:43)
Review: The superb Original Gravity label is back with more OG reggae brilliance and ska classics. This second volume of Ska Fever kicks off with a big stepper from Junior Dell & The D Lites in the form of 'Rude Girl' while Prince Alphonso & The Fever bring big playful brass to 'Malostran-Ska' and Junior Dell & The D Lites then return on the flipside of this 7" with 'Remember To Forget' which picks up the pace and is built on a hardcore rhythm. The legendary Woodfield Rd Allstars shut things down with a more melancholic vibe on 'Beseda Blues.'
Review: Junior Dell & The D-Lites are one of reggae's most accomplished outfits and they have a vast arsenal of tunes to back that up. This one is one of many delightful dubs - and it now makes its way to us via Original Gravity. 'East Of Hurghada' has a noodling melodic lead and nice dusty drums with a more textured horn eventually taking the main stage. On the flip, Woodfield Rd Allstars step up with 'Lickle Fat Mattress' which is another blend of ska, reggae and dub with some natty keys.
The Heptones - "Love Has Really Got A Hold Of Me" (3:50)
Woodfield Rd Allstars - "Breezin' Up Brentford Road" (3:44)
Review: If you're reading this you will already be familiar with Jamaican rocksteady and reggae vocal trio The Heptones and their very many lovely tunes. This one with Woodfield Road All Stars is as smooth as they come. 'Love Has Got A Hold Of Me' has slow motion grooves and lazy drums with the most gently persuasive acoustic riffs next to soul drenched and warm vocals. On the flipside is 'Breezin' Up Brentford Road' which has some lovely hammond organ vibes and an evn more laid back swagger to it.
Review: London reggae band Junior Dell & The D-Lites are a superb combination who do a fine line in cooking up brilliant covers of nostalgic classics. Original Gravity is their home and after a few supper drops in summer they are back once again with 'I'm A Man'. It's a big old ska number with raw horns and hard hitting vocals delivered in a passionate style that is sure to get big reactions. On the flip, as is always the way, Woodfield Road Allstars step up with a more languid and laid-back dub sound for chilled out sessions.
Ano Kane O Narasuno Wa Anata (feat Ken Yokoyama) (3:16)
Ano Kane O Narasuno Wa Anata (feat Mayumi Kojima) (3:16)
Review: Popular Kayou ska band What's Love? is back with some more of their delightful sonic creations. This time they release two 7" nuggets on Warner Japan and both feature their own idiosyncratic pop cover songs. One of the highlights is their ska rendition of Akiko Wada's well-known national hit 'Ano Kane o Narasuno wa Anata,' which was originally put out to great success back at the turn of the new millennium in 2001. The A-side features vocals by Yokoyama Ken from Crazy Ken Band, while the B-side showcases a vocal version by Kojima Mayumi. These releases are a must-have for anyone looking for a little left-of-centre magic to drop into their curveball sets.
Review: Studio One have put out plenty of big tunes and this is the latest to get a big reissue on a super loud-cut 12" single for extra devastating impact. It's a well-known classic every self-respecting reggae fan should know and blows up any party, especially when tweaked like these two versions. They were originally produced by Studio One bossman Coxsone Dodd and have been covered by The Clash as well as sampled by The Fugees and hip hop MC KRS One. The snaking lead synth, the rumbling drums and classic ska trumpet are all straight up irresistible.
Review: The original Gravity label has assembled its Woodfield Allstars once more for a jam-packed 7" that offers up some summer ready and ska tinged reggae rollers. 'Hipshaker' is denied by its gleeful organ work which shines brighter over the earthy drums. 'Ruff & Tuff' has well defined guitar plucks and bendy baselines that pull you in different directions and 'Striker's Shuffle' picks up the pace with a little more immediacy while 'Rudeboy Riot' shuts down with a fat-bottomed groove and lovably lazy vibe.
Review: London label Original Gravity excels once more here with some authentic dub sounds from the one and only Woodfield Rd Allstars. This excellent collective has been on many a great tune on this label as well as several others and this limited 45 rm proves their might in the field once more. 'Big Shot' is a funky cut with some natty chord work and off-balance drums that tumble to and fro, while the percussion is organic and crisp up top. Things slow right down on the flip for a more traditional reggae sound that hints at the sounds of ska. 'Soul Shakedown' is perfect to go those asses wriggling.
Review: In the 1960s, The Wailers, including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer, recorded their first songs under Coxsone Dodd. By 1966, members had begun to leave and both Constantine Walker and Rita Marley came in as replacements. During the ska era, they were less consistent than peers like The Paragons and Maytals but by 1967 and now working with producer Clancy Eccles, they began developing their distinct sound with tracks like 'Bend Down Low' and 'Hypocrites'. They later collaborated with hitmaker Leslie Kong which led to their 1971 album The Best of The Wailers. Featuring solid rhythms and heartfelt harmonies, it's now regarded as a classic and comes newly issued on CD.
Review: Reggae is a genre that always existed on 7" in the early days. However, this album from The Wailers changed that as the first to ever be recorded as a full-length album. The Best Of The Wailers was actually their very first and it was recorded before their involvement with Lee Perry. It didn't drop until 1971 and showcased the group at the peak of their soulful powers. Each of the tunes is deceptively simple but impactful with plenty of memorable harmonies between Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. The sounds are perfectly raw and undercooked to give them an authentic and emotive edge and many of the tracks remain classics to this day.
Review: Come and Get It was the fourth album by Boston's Westbound Train, and it was originally released in 2009 on Hellcat Records. The album is a smart mix of traditional Jamaican music with classic notes of r&b and plenty of contemporary influences that offer a great glimpse of the band's refined, soulful sound with rich horn sections and groove-driven rhythms. From uptempo ska anthems to heartfelt ballads there is plenty of ground covered here and all with trademark energy and musicianship. The album was produced by David Hillyard of The Slackers and Obi Fernandez, and this reissue marks the first-ever vinyl pressing with two bonus dub tracks for extra pleasure.
Review: Delroy Wilson's Live As One was originally only put out as part of a white label run on Waricka Records. It had a slightly different tack listing and was produced by Sir Collins. It's an archetypal mid-70s roots record before the rockers sound came into it and finds Delroy himself in powerful form. Some of the gems include come 'Into My World', 'Baby Love' and 'You Keep On Running' amongst others. This version is a great pressing with a new cover and makes up for the fact that an original is mega rare and pricey.
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