Back catalogue: Reggae

Review: First released way back in 1982 on Greensleeves, Eek-A-Mouse's 'Ganja Smuggling' is a towering example of early 80s "singjaying", a style of reggae vocal improv made popular by its combination of toasting and singing. Here we open with an asphyxial, spitballing steppers sound, as 'Mouse is heard scatting and bidi-bonging in his signature opening style, shortly before launching into a cautionary tale about working as a border lines marijuana smuggler. The track deals in a stoic, forborne whimsy, comically scatting and riff-licking through what is implicitly portrayed as an otherwise thankless and unforgiving task. This 7" reissue marks an important milestone in Greensleeves' release catalogue, harking back to one of Eek's earliest cuts laid down with kingpin producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes, the association with whom helped fuel Eek's early celebrity.

Review: The Evil Curse Of The Vampires remains an all-time classic in the pantheon of early 80s dub albums. There have been some wranglings between Greensleeves and Scientist, commonly credited to this album which he mixed, but now the credit rests with Henry 'Junjo' Lawes who was credited as producer. Either way, the music remains unchanged, resting heavy on Channel One's sharp-shooting Roots Radics band to lay down the tracks, and with a second disc carrying some brilliant vocal turns from Michael Prophet, Wayne Jarrett, Johnny Osbourne and many more. Seminal stuff for anyone who takes their dub seriously.

Review: King Jammy's Unites The Nation With Dub is a timely and powerful return to his Dub laboratory, offering a sonic message of healing and unity amidst the chaos of the world. This album brings together Jammy's 21st-century A-team, including musicians Andre Dennis, I Sax and Brandon Harris, to craft ten fresh, vibrant boomshots. These tracks radiate positivity and precision, with a sense of urgency to unite the world through Dub. Jammy also nods to his illustrious past, pulling vintage samples from Sly & Robbie and the High Times Band to enrich two standout deep dives: 'Climate Action Dub' and 'Ceasefire Dub'. The production is flawless, with Jammy's signature engineering skills on full display, aided by Romeo 'Shemmo' Facey and John John. The result is a collection of Dubs that transcend their original versions, creating a sense of unity and peace that is both immediate and lasting. An essential listen, offering a sonic salve for troubled times.

Review: There is frankly an endless amount of dub music from the one and only King Tubby to explore, with both solo albums and collabs all offering bottomless depths in which to get lost. Dub From The Roots was actually the legendary dub technician's first ever exploration of the long-player format and it proved to be one of his best. It is crafted from 14 rhythms by Bunny Striker Lee and then transformed and translated on the mixing desk by Tubby who took it into futuristic and heady new sound worlds with endless chambers of echo.