Back catalogue: Reggae

Review: This third volume of instrumentals continues the faultless Isle of Jura label's deep dive into dub versions and beyond. Side one takes in references from UK street soul and reggae and features two late-'80s tracks by Howard Hill with machine-led rhythms, rudeboy reggae skank and soulful pads. Protek's 'I Love to Dance With You' is a proto-house gem featured in a Jura Soundsystem mix and here it gets a loving re-edit by The Nightlark. Side B includes an instrumental-driven track with spacey FX from The Cool Notes' and Ilija Rudman's 'Dub 4 Love' which is a knowing nod to acid house's golden era.

Review: Mastermind Computer Style is a collection of ten unreleased digi riddims from Copenhagen's Maffi crew, reimagined in 3D by Disrupt for 2024. Named after a key Firehouse mixtape series, this album features raw, minimalist tracks created in Propellerhead Reason between 2006 and 2009. Many of these beats were staples of early Jahtari live shows but have never appeared on vinyl before. Highlights include the synth-driven 'Morkt Igen' and 'Another Lara,' a Disco Dub version of Evelyn King's 'I'm in Love,' along with unique tracks like 'Skudduel' and 'Jon Jovi,' a twist on Solo Banton's 'Talk To Me.' This album offers a nostalgic yet futuristic cyber dancehall experience.

Review: Fifteen years after its original release, Guns Don't Kill People: Lazers Do by Major Lazer remains a genre-defying triumph. The duo, made up of Diplo and Switch, threw dancehall, reggae and electro-disco into a blender and created something entirely unique. Tracks like 'Hold the Line' (featuring Mr. Lexx and Santogold) and 'Cash Flow' stand out, blending Jamaican influences with forward-thinking production. Now reissued on clear vinyl with stickers, this gatefold 2xLP edition brings back the raw, energetic essence of one of the most eclectic dancehall albums ever made.

Review: Bob Marley was known as a peace purveyor, reggae innovator and, our favourite fact, for being a welder before becoming a global music icon. He was already a big star by the time he dropped this album, Small Axe, which now gets reissued after the recent reissue of Trenchtown Rock. It is a record full of killer rhythms but also hey messages of hope and revolution that all show his mastery of the reggae form. It's a record that, like many of his albums, marked a landmark in the life and times of Bob Marley.

Review: Junior Marvin's new album, Happy Family, coincides with the release of the Bob Marley biopic One Love, where his role is portrayed by his son, Davo. As the former Musical Director and guitarist of Bob Marley's band, The Wailers, Junior Marvin's musical legacy is undeniable. Their close friendship led to Junior's significant influence on Marley's iconic tracks like 'Could You Be Loved' and 'Jamming.'Born in Jamaica and raised in London, Junior Marvin's guitar prowess earned him the nickname "the young Jimi Hendrix of London." His refusal of an offer from Stevie Wonder to join his band Wonderlove in favor of Marley's invitation to join The Wailers underscores his dedication to reggae. The first single from Happy Family, a new rendition of 'One Love,' pays homage to Marley's enduring legacy. With collaborations extending beyond reggae to artists like Stevie Wonder and Steve Winwood, Junior Marvin's contribution to music remains profound and timeless.

Review: This essential reissue presents a rare collection of dub instrumental reggae tracks recorded by Tommy McCook (who you may know as the sax man from super ska outfit The Skatalites) and Bobby Ellis (who played the trumpet for dub legends The Upsetters) in 1977. Originally licensed to Grove Music, this still remarkable album features renowned musicians such as Sly and Robbie, Ansel Collins on organ, Clinton Fearon from The Gladiators on lead guitar, and Bernard Harvey of The Wailers on piano. The recordings took place at Channel One and were mixed at King Tubby Studio and every single tune cuts deep and with great authenticity.

Review: Freddie McKay's Creation album, produced by Ossie Hibbert, presents a masterful fusion of original compositions and inspired covers, showcasing McKay's talent alongside reggae legends like Burning Spear and Dennis Brown. Hibbert's production expertise shines through, creating a seamless blend of classic reggae sound with subtle dub elements. The album's strength lies in its ability to breathe new life into familiar classics while maintaining the integrity of the originals. McKay's performances exude authenticity and passion, supported by skilled musicians who excel in the 'rockers' style of the seventies.

Review: Jamaican singer-songwriter Mortimer has released his highly anticipated debut album, From Within. Produced by Winta James, often alongside Mortimer himself, this album explores a rich tapestry of personal experiences and musical styles. From Within offers a journey through Mortimer's life, reflecting his loves, struggles, and the guidance he's found in his Rastafarian faith and family. The album presents a diverse soundscape: the introspective acoustic strains of 'Whole Heap', the sultry dancehall vibe of 'Slowly', and the energetic roots rhythms of 'Not A Day Goes By' and 'My Child', It also ventures into nostalgic 80s pop and r&b influences, as well as a unique reggae disco flavor. Mortimer describes 'My Child' as a heartfelt message and introspective letter to both himself and his children, conveying lessons and emotions he wishes he had received. The album cover, photographed by Michael Moodie, symbolises human nature with its floral imagery, representing both fragility and growth. From Within promises to be a profound and resonant album, beautifully articulated through Mortimer's personal narrative and musical craftsmanship.

Review: Junior Murvin's Bad Man Possee is a quintessential early Eighties dub reggae album, originally released in 1982. This reissue, pressed on translucent yellow 180 gram audiophile vinyl, arrives to quench the thirst of rare dub record diggers everywhere clamouring for a copy. Featuring the renowned Dread at the Controls studio musicians, the Roots Radics Band, the album delivers hypnotic tracks that complement the standout title track. 'Guitar' is a haunting homage to Murvin's first guitar, gliding effortlessly over a captivating rhythm. Murvin's versatility shines through as he navigates the poignant 'Never Fall in Love' and the politically charged 'Rebellion,' maintaining a consistently high musical quality. His distinctive doo-wop-inspired falsetto nods to r&b traditions while embracing elements of ska, rocksteady, and dub all of which now come as a limited edition of 750 numbered translucent yellow vinyl.. The album concludes with the remarkable 'Man Is the Fire.'

Review: Label affiliates Mytron and Zongamin make a combined return to the ever-on-point Canadian stable Multi Kulti, delivering an extended selection of typically off-kilter, genre-bending sonic mastery. In what appears to be a match made in the leftfield heavens, the duo join forces to explore dance-ish music's outer reaches, blending tribal motifs with 8-bit sampling and all manner of wonkiness. From the blissful bells of Conjunction With Reality to the bass-heavy throb of GHX, there is unsurprisingly plenty to savour here. Opening cut '08932168' blends enchanting lead melodies with rolling polyrhythms and dubbed-out effects before the equatorial percussion of 'Calliope Omniglot' makes way for the wiggy atmospherics of the collection's title track. Highly recommended.