Back catalogue: Reggae

Review: If you're looking for an EP packed to the rafters with a mixture of attractive digi-reggae vocal numbers and soundsystem-bothering dubs, we'd highly recommend this 12" from leading Dutch crew King Shiloh. What's on offer is a sextet of 'versions' based around the same steppers-tinged digi-dub riddim from Dub Creator (instrumental versions of which are tagged on to the end of each side of the record). The riddim itself is a good one, with a stabbing bassline, picturesque piano stabs, flanged guitars and some unusual instrumental choices. The songs built on this solid foundation are all superb, with our picks of the bunch being Empress Black Omolo's soulful and positive, 'Love is the Weapon' and the cheeriness of Discyple's surprisingly accordion-heavy 'All Things Possible'.

Review:  Producer, selector and mixing engineer Kai Dub heads up Dub Forward and formerly was in Maasai Warrior but is now busy co-running Concrete Lion Soundsystem with Dubtronics. He is back on his own label with some more devastating dub here, first in collab with Galas on 'Rasta Come From Zion' then in solo mode on 'Dub To Zion' which has earth-shattering kicks and reverb-heavy low ends. Kai Dub Meets Aba Arigina' on 'Majestic' which is a warrior anthem with a zippy melodic lead and a final dub closes out a meaty package on nice yellow wax.

Review: Jah Mason and Kojo Neatness bring an authentic island flavour to this solid 4/4 roots rhythm that was crafted by the Roots Defender Riddim Section. The track features soulful horn arrangements as well as mesmerising guitars and keys by Black Steele and Maestro Inyaki. Originally recorded as a full band piece in Brixton over a decade ago, it underwent multiple stages to perfect its organic vibe for sound system heads. The multitrack was then taken to Ital Soup studio in South London where Petah Sunday served up a brilliant analogue mix while also adding some mind-blowing dubs all of which have already made their mark.

Review: Abendigo introduces a rising star from Jamaica, Abka Kaba, with this powerful new 12". His tune 'Mighty People,' pairs bold, fat-bottomed drums with some classic harmonicas and sleek synths. It is accompanied by two dub mixes from Hermit Dubz and on the flip side, legendary artist Prince Alla presents 'Backstabber,' marking his sixth collaboration with Abendigo Records. This special release includes two dub mixes and is limited to 300 copies on 12" vinyl.

Review: While dubstep continues to splinter into its myriad variations, from toe-curling pop to ear-splitting bangers and everything in between, it's reassuring to find a continued stream of producers interested in exploring the original space the genre occupied, where the evolutionary path is a much slower one. Kahn represents a strong case on his debut for Deep Medi, which is by and large a classicist approach to dubstep (as you might well expect for Mala's imprint). In his previous outings he has tackled a staggering range from synth heavy steppers, refined and modernist garage, to raucous grime and rootsy digi-dub. The incendiary vocal lick that kicks off "Dread" rasps and spits with the grit of 80s dancehall, instantly recalling the addictively unsettling grunts and groans of ragga MCs on the earliest jungle tracks. With some considered vocal assistance from Rider Shafique, "Late Night Blues" comes on startlingly stripped-back, fuelled by a crisp beat and soothing sub bass rumble. The glacial chord swell and distant clangs only serve to cool things even further, and once again the delay gets opened up to fire the drums off into the ether. It's a pristine turn, eschewing fireworks and shifting dynamics for a slow and steady twist-out, building up the feedback but never letting it run away from itself.

Review: Lion Vibes lives up to its name with his powerful release from Jamaica featuring the legendary Ini Kamoze and rising star Lila Ike. Produced by Kareem Burrell of XTM Nation, this heavyweight track was recorded at Anchor, 9soundclik and Tads studio with top reggae musicians bringing real authenticity to the sounds. The A-side mix by Veer Dhaniram delivers a stunning vocal cut that exudes island cool while the low-end swaggers. The B-side unveils a previously unreleased dub mix by Gregory Morris and the record comes in a beautifully designed picture sleeve by Juppi Juppsen.

Review: It's always a good day when Al Kent is back with new music. This one on Gamm, Welcome To The Dub, finds him dubbing out some lush disco sounds. The title cut is a loopy and jazz-funk-infused number with lovely hi-hats and noodling chords all radiating joy and uplifting energy. 'Dubanova' then takes a more low-slung route with a sleazy guitar riff and nice live drums embellished with smartly overdubbed vocals coated in echo. 'Happiness & Peace' is a quieter affair with echoing hits and a meandering lead that encourages your mind to do the same.

Review: Originally released on a Partial 10" in 2019, 'Mediation' became a staple in the underground roots and dub sound system scene and got heavy plays from the late Jah Shaka and others. This 12" includes the original vocal and dub versions along with two previously unreleased dubplate cuts. Eva Keyes, a rising artist from Limerick, Ireland, brings a distinctive and powerful voice, reminiscent of Sinead O'Connor and Dolores O'Riordan. This one has deep roots but offers a fresh take on classic sounds.

Review: Dennis Anthony Thomas is known as King Kong and is the celebrated Jamaican singer behind hits like 'Trouble Again' and 'Legal We Legal.' His track 'Song of Love' was originally released by Pisces Productions and is a rare gem and a powerful anti-apartheid anthem. The song confronts South Africa's apartheid regime, referencing President P.W. Botha while urging unity and human rights. Through themes of love and resilience, King Kong highlights the strength of cultural solidarity in a tune that is rooted in reggae's tradition of political advocacy. As such 'Song of Love' transcends music and symbolises global support for freedom.

Review: MessenJAH Movement is on a roll after its first three outings and this fourth is just as momentous as it explores conscious dub. The A-side showcases the unmistakable voice of King Lorenzo on 'Down Ya Inna Babylon', which is a heartfelt collaboration years in the making. It's backed by a militant yet soulful MessenJAH Movement riddim and a heavy dub version mixed in-house with stepping rhythms and shiny digital leads. On the flip, Black Swan marks a long-anticipated link-up between Locks MessenJAH and EverestDub, who has been a key figure in Bristol's dub scene since 2008. The track pays tribute to the roots and legacy of Bristol dub and is named after the iconic venue that shaped UK sound system culture.

Review: The Japanese label Black Liberation Sound System has made an impressive start to life over its first three outings. The fourth is another strictly vinyl-only 7" featuring vocalist King Stanley. His tones are buttery and full of yearning as he delivers gentle patois and well-articulated lyrics over a sleek, future-facing dub rhythm. Plenty of studio effects make for an absorbing atmosphere and on the flip is a dub that allows them more room to shine. Two killer tunes as sound system season fast approaches, and another big moment from this ever more essential label.

Review: Leisure Group Recordings is a side label from Razor-N-Tape's JKriv that now debuts in the vinyl world with Kings Of High Speed's trippy dance-floor dub on a 7" slab. Following J's Balearic Within EP, Leisure Group revisits J's archives for a pair of tunes he originally started with late Tortured Soul bandmate Ethan White over a decade ago. An aficionado of dub reggae, Ethan infused these tracks with authentic organ and synthesizer stylings. Recently unearthed and completed by J with dub treatments using a Space Echo and Eventide, these productions pay homage to Ethan's memory-a tribute to his musical legacy and vibrant spirit.

Review: There's a not a huge amount we know about Koberman's Probandenausweis, other than the fact it sounds very good and will appeal to fans of shamanic, slo-mo, kosmische, drug chug, ambient and experimental electronica. It's a slow building, gradually evolving and immersive trip into a studio, with arrangements valuing silence and emptiness as much as the notes and beats themselves.
Opening on 'Sonnenschirmbrand', a ritualistic number that seems to have the whisper of forgotten souls in the backdrop of a tribalistic beat, layers of noises and percussion adding to the feeling of it taking root in your body well before the bass kicks in. Meanwhile, low ends rule on '32 Ngoesolo', in contrast to 'UH DT101', which uses a twisting synth line as its focal point, allowing other elements to build around it until we're locked into a head nodding oddity.

Review: Kodama & The Dub Station Band is fronted by the talented dub trumpeter Kazufumi Kodama and together they recently presented their new cover album, COVER Song Collection featuring a selection of their versions of popular songs that they often call upon in their live performances. They have all been meticulously recorded in the studio and now one of them, inspired by Bob Marley's masterpiece 'Is This Love,' gets cut to 7". It finds Kodama transforming the classic into a vibrant instrumental rendition that captures Marley's positive vibes while offering a fresh take on the rhythms.

Review: Fresh off the back of a whole album of majestic covers, Kodama aka talented dub trumpeter Kazufumi Kodama and The Dub Station Band are serving up a selection of them on 7" singles. After Bob Marley's 'Is This Love' comes a fresh rendition of 'You've Got A Friend' which is another lovely blend of dub and reggae. With vibrant instrumentation and real rhythmic depth, the group breathes new life into the beloved Carole King song and emphasises a warm, uplifting atmosphere that invites listeners to connect with its heartfelt message of friendship and support. Bliss.

Review: This is one of a pair of new slabs of wax from Amsterdam's Sound System and label of the same name, King Shiloh. It features an array of modern dub and reggae talents and first up, Lavvosti & Black Omolo offer the modern sheen of 'Red Gold Green'. Kare's 'Better Days' rides the same rhythm but with more stylised and soulful vocal turns that empower with every bar. Jah Works dubs things out with a ton of effects and Tiger Simeon & Brada Jahziel layer in storytelling bars. Brasspect brings a fresh horn-led sound that is romantic and hypnotic and Roots Mechanic pairs things right back to an 80s sounding Jamaica dub vibe.

Review: Australian bass collective Echo Chamber get busy with this supreme VA featuring a range of talented friends old and new. LQ takes the lead with the sublime 'Way Down' that bubbles and flexes in two system-primed forms: the spacious heavyweight Dubkasm mix and LQ and MSHCode's own breakbeat-heavier shakedown. Flip for more LQ goodies as he links up with Kloke for the fittingly titled groove-up 'Computer Bubblers' while Duburban and Galvatron finish the EP with the furious drum funk up 'Let Off The Music'. The only echo here is the reload.

Review: 'Lightning & Thunder' is the work of Isiah Mentor and Kai Dub and it is the latest drop from the Dub Forward label. The original version features vocals by Mentor (who is also known as Lilly Melody) and production is taken care of by Kai and between them they cook up a modern reggae sound with elements of digi-dub in the sleek synth sounds. The hits echo endlessly and the low end is a real wobbler. Kai then goes it alone for a couple of melon-twisting dubs on the flip.

Review: Dub Vendor has launched a new label, Soul Sounds. The imprint's first release is a new edition of Willi Williams' 1983 single 'Freedom Time', an unheralded roots classic built around Yabby You's iconic 'Chant Down Babylon' rhythm. The A-side sports two killer versions mixed by Scientist at King Tubby's: Williams' original, featuring his weary but quietly uplifting vocals, and a typically echoing, stripped-back and spaced-out dub. Over on the flip there's a chance to savour Williams' self-produced '83 re-make of his earlier Studio One classic 'Armagideon Time' - a warmer and more lo-fi take marked out by another superb lead vocal.

Review: One of the many crucial albums from legendary producer and engineer King Tubby, Majestic Dub was recorded at his own famous Kingston studio. Th pioneering studio technician lay it down in 1983 for Jet Star with acclaimed session musicians such as Sly & Robbie, Noel 'Skully' Simms, Uziah 'Sticky' Thompson, Earl 'Chinna' Smith and Willie Lindo. Packed with spaceship sounds, popping hits and oodles of echo and fever it is an earthy dub collection with lo-fi guitars and heady leads that sound track any smoke session to perfection. Original copies are pricey on second hand markets so don't sleep on this vital reissue.

Review: Taken from Jah Thomas' Midnight Rock label archives, this series on Radiation Roots explores a treasure trove of unreleased dubs from the mighty King Tubby's studio. These cuts were all mixed by Tubby himself as well as his equally imperious apprentice, Scientist, so you know you're getting the real deal on this heavyweight collection. Pulled from the early 80s and featuring tough rhythms that chime with the shifting sounds at work in Jamaican music at the time, this is a peerless slab of pressure which will stand any serious selector in good stead at the soundclash.

Review: King Tubby's Rastafari Dub was mixed at the celebrated studio wizard's own famous self-titled studio and finds him working on tunes by the Striker Lee-produced likes of Wayne Jarret's 'Satta Dread', several tunes from Johnny Clarkes such as 'Crazy Baldhead' and 'Peace & Love In The Ghetto' as well as Leroy Smart's 'No Love' and 'Trying To Wreck Up My Life'. Add in further gold such as Black Uhuru's 'Sun Is Shining' and you have one of the many crucial and essential albums from King Tubby that needs to be in your collection.

Review: An outpouring of new dub bits have hit our shelves, and among them, we see King Tubby's fabled and secretive meeting with The Scientist has gotten a surprise reissue. Analog and organic, all the tracks on this classic album predate dub-dancehall's evolution into an electronic, beatgridded monster. With each dub legend trading interpretations on the same dub version in call-and-response fashion, we've never been so bowled over by these echoed-out masterclasses of the old-skool.