Back catalogue: Reggae

Review: The Pressure Beat crew throw it back to the heyday of roots reggae here with a superb pair of tunes from 1969. One of these in original for will cost you a few quid so it's nice to have good sounding copies on fresh wax available once more. Ken Parker's A-side cut 'It's Alright' is short at under three minutes but boy does it hit a super sweet spot with his delicate falsetto vocal over rickety roots low ends and rolling, warming bass. On the flip, things get more upbeat and energetic with some raw horn work on Johnny Moore & The Cobbs's 'One Love' with its off-balance chords.

Review: Lee "Scratch" Perry, a Jamaican record producer, singer, and songwriter, is largely acclaimed for his innovative and experimental production techniques. His Black Ark Studio, established in the mid-1970s, became a renowned hub for reggae music production, fostering the talents of numerous artists. Perry's Black Ark studio was not merely a recording space but an alchemic laboratory where he conjured sonic masterpieces. With his use of tape loops, heavy reverb, and other unorthodox techniques, Perry created a distinct and hypnotic sound that transcended conventional reggae boundaries. Artists such as Bob Marley, the Wailers, and Max Romeo flocked to Black Ark to collaborate with Perry. In his studio, Perry's intuitive approach to music making blurred the lines between producer and artist. He considered himself a "musical doctor" whose role was to guide and inspire the musicians. The Black Ark became a sanctuary for musical experimentation, where artists were encouraged to explore their creativity freely. This vinyl has been out of print and completely unavailable until now.

Review: The final Lee 'Scratch' Perry album is bittersweet but here for us to enjoy and pay our respect. The highly influential icon who passed away in 2021 was a groundbreaking artist to many. One of his last steps may have been to bridge the dub and hip-hop community better like only he could try. Step in Bob Riddim (Coincidentally a great name!) who performed many of the instruments here has the experience background to equal Perry's desire. Destiny is the result of this unique collaboration. Expect an album that catapults both of the artists to a higher level of expression. There is some irony that Destiny is the tribute to Lee 'Scratch' Perry.

Review: Prince Fatty makes a triumphant return with the Artikal Intelligence LP, recorded alongside The Supersized Band in South London. The album boasts 10 tracks spread across two sides, featuring an impressive lineup of vocalists including Cornell Campbell, Big Youth, Marcia Griffiths, Earl 16, Winston Francis, Omar, Shniece, Nina Miranda, Horseman, and Fatlip. With a stellar cast, heavy low ends you would expect and plenty of infectious energy, this album demands to be played loud and promises to captivate with its blend of reggae, soul, and inventive rhythms.

Review: Prince Istari's earliest memories are of his mother playing the tranquil melodies of Erik Satie's pieces on the piano. Skipping school, he'd bask in the sun, absorbed by the serene tunes and years later in 2024, rediscovering his mother's sheet music sparked a creative resurgence. He transformed them into dub versions, crafting a tapestry of sound, and each piece's form dictated its direction, evolving from heavy dub to delicate piano and synthesiser blends. The finale, a relic from his past as Istari Lasterfahrer, features a distorted recording of his mother playing Satie to complete the circle. This special record comes in limited quantities of just 200 copies.

Review: Prince Jammy's In Lion Dub Style showcases the dub master's unparalleled skill and innovation in the reggae world. Released under the Jammy$ Jamaica label back in the mid-70s, this album is a testament to his prowess as a producer and mixer with its pulsating rhythms, killer hardcore roots, deep basslines, and intricate dub effects. Each track immerses you in his signature sound and from start to finish, Jammy expertly blends traditional roots reggae and futuristic dub experimentation. In Lion Dub Style is one of many essential albums from this particular sound world and as such solidifies Prince Jammy's status as a true pioneer of dub music.