Back catalogue: Reggae

Review: The genesis of this album was three soundsmiths getting together in Brother Sound Studio in March 2024. It's a room full of synths and instruments and mics and in there they set about their work with Martin Dread responsible for the composition. What results is a bunch of proper chunky dubs with a very modern production edge. Synths have a clean digital shine that brings a future feel, the toasting though is traditional so brings authenticity and the melodies are perfect for getting lost in after a hefty toke.

Review: The Satta Dub crew have assembled another superb platter and pressed it up to translucent green marbled vinyl and included an insert for good measure. It's a spit that opens up with Daweh Congo's 'Holy Place' which rides on tumbling drums with scattered hits. Yearning vocals up top and natty keys are paired with sultry trumpet notes. A dub dials it all back into the low ends, then Prince Alla's 'Rose' is a work of the same rhythm, by the sounds of it, with soulful vocals and playful horns. Another dub closes out this one in heady fashion.

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: The latest release from Peckings Records features two classic tracks that exemplify the golden era of reggae. On the A-side, Alton Ellis and Phyllis Dillon deliver a heartfelt rendition of 'I'm Just A Guy,' showcasing their harmonious vocals and timeless appeal. The B-side presents Joya Landis's 'I Love You Baby,' a soulful tune that complements the A-side's emotive tone. This 7" single is a must-have for collectors and reggae enthusiasts, offering a nostalgic journey into the rich musical heritage of the genre.

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: Augustus Pablo and Enos McLeod were something of a dub dream team back in the heyday of the gene in Jamaica. They produced plenty of great jams together, a few of which are being reissued at the moment. This one is another heavy hitter from the pair. 'Pablo Nuh Jester' pens up with some traditional drum shuffle and natty guitar work. The kicks sit perfectly in the bass while the florid bursts of harmonica are pure vibes. On the B-side, Enos McLeod steps up to rework and further dub out his own rhythmic framework and calls it 'Last Of Jestering.'

Review: Man like Augustus Pablo is revered amongst true dub heads. His ability to lay down killer riddims was second to none back in the day and this one is a classic amongst many. 'Pablo In Red' rides on a tuff rhythm from the mid-seventies that was originally produced by Enos McLeod. It has some enriching harmonics and wobbly low ends. On the flip, McLeod's 'Well Red' is a dubbed-out version with extra sonic spice making it more late night and twisted.

Review: Mattias Penselin aka Pensis meets Dub Me Ruff here, a German dub and reggae band made up of Danielle Mommertz, Hauke Wendler, Jan Roper, Markus Grapmeyer and Rolf Saggau. Their work is hugely authentic though and you might not necessarily know this wasn't from the 70s and a legendary suit like the Black Ar. The drums are fulsome and flabby, the hist scattered and the vocals add some crucial spice up top. Both cuts get more contemporary dubs and run through with all manner of percussive twists and turns.

Review: Cool Up Records's latest 12" maxi single features Spanish vocalist Yeyo Perez on two dynamic tracks, each presented in dual versions. 'King inna di Ring' and 'Burning in Flames' is fresh digital reggae that pays homage to traditional Jamaican MCs while infusing authentic new school style. The A-side showcases Perez's commanding vocals over a bass-driven groove, which is reminiscent of classic reggae clashes. Powered by the Casio MT-40 keyboard, it embodies the signature digital-dub sound and on the B-side, 'Burning in Flames' introduces Coronel Brown's smooth chorus, blending lovers' rock with Perez's rugged delivery. Crafted with dub and riddim variations, alongside rich instrumentation, this release exemplifies Cool Up's production prowess.

Review: The last album the mighty Lee Scratch Perry recorded before he died was Heaven, freshly released on Burning Sounds and leaving us with a lasting memory of his indelible influence on modern music. To accompany the full-length, the label have picked the versions of two album tracks and given them an airing on a standalone 12", cut nice and loud for the dance. 'Shining Dub' takes up the A side, and 'Shut Up Dub' takes the flip, and both dive deep into the echo chamber style Perry himself helped pioneer so many decades prior.

Review: Dubtastic reinterpretation of the Isaac Hayes' classic of the same name that was itself sampled in Erykah Badu's gem 'Bag Lady'..... B/W "Electric Boogie" a toe tappin' nod to 80's dancehall destined to brighten the smokiest of rooms. Originally released back in 2010 and now repressed due to public demand...

Review: Adrian Sherwood lends a generous remixing hand to the label Dubmission and their flagship productions duo come solo artist Pitch Black (Mike Hodgson), producing an effects-laden leap through four dub drastics all based on original music first recorded by Mike. This is an exemplary case of "don't meet your heroes" being disproven, as 'Echoes Of The Night' and its filial sonic friends all worked as source material for an anything but disappointing remix bundle by Sherwood. The opening 'Transient Transmission' version is lilting enough, but the gears really get meshing on 'Third Light', which brings a turntablist's whistle, a wet yet naked guitar, and a dubstep flavour to things; finally, B-siders 'A Doubtful Sound' and '1000 Mile Drift' deconstruct things to complemetary effect, effecting dually electric Lee Perry vocals and halved trumpet importunes, the latter of which is heard set against a conspiratorial vocal sample.

Review: A shining example of soundtrack reggae, 'Sally's Song' was first incarnated in an unlikely spectacle: Tim Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas. Originally composed by the film's scorer Danny Elfman, reggae reinterpreters Aanant Pradhan and Larry McDonald (of Skatalites fame) here lay down a dour dub cover version. Wistful, moody and clean. The B-side, meanwhile, shows off the pair's knowledge of film music even further - Henry Mancini's 'It Had Better Be Tonight' from the 1963 version of The Pink Panther makes similar waves as a kettle-drum heavy dub version.

Review: Digikiller continue on their Tasha reissue quest with this killer 12", which once again presents a classic cut from the Tasha vaults, originally recorded with The Revolutionaries and cut at Channel One in 1978, alongside a brand new tune backed by the supergroup of Channel One's Barnabas and Danny Bassie of the Firehouse Crew. 'Can't Fool I' sees Alla seamlessly re-voice the warm, bubbling rhythm which The Revolutionaries originally laid down, his sweet, mournful vocals proving to be exactly what the tune needed. 'Easy Skanking' is a sparse, heavy stepper with cavernous rimshots and cheeky vocal samples, plus a plodding, spatious version bound to rock any self-respecting sound.

Review: As well as navigating the realms of dub and reggae, infusing each track with his signature vintage sound and infectious grooves, Prince Fatty is well known for taking famous songs and flipping them into reggae territory, a wonderful mix of the familiar and the unepxected that usually works wonders on the dancefloor. With the fantastic 'Black Rabbit,' dub don Prince Fatty masterfully tackles Jefferson Airplane's 60s anthem 'White Rabbit', which took its inspiration from Lewis Carroll's surreal story Alice In Wonderland but hooked those references up to the drug experiences of those countercultural rtimes. The A-side is graced by with the vocals of regular Fatty collaborator Shniece, whose performance does more than simply ape Grace Slick's, adding lines and heaps of her own personality, while rich basslines, swirling echoes and soulful melodies all showcase some exceptional production skills. Naturally, there's a dub version on the B-side, and all in all this a testament to Prince Fatty's enduring influence in the contemporary reggae scene.

Review: Prince Fatty's 'Mercedes Benz' with Shniece and Horseman is a rub-a-dub version of a 1970s hit from Janis Joplin that now gets a very special pressing courtesy of Lovedub Limited. The A-side kicks off with the spine-tingling and epic original vocal before disappearing into a world of reverb. At that point the dubby low end arrives and brings a different vibe to the stunning vocals but one that really makes a mark next to new bars from Horseman, police sirens and funky riffs. It's a tough sound system groove that is backed with a fine version and has been a firm fixture of Prince Fatty's record box for a while now.

Review: Prince Jamo is a top reggae talent from the UK who has a couple of hot steppers dropping early in 2024. his real name is Ian Campbell and he often does everything himself from the writing to the production to the perforce and after some fine 70s revival roots with 'The Badlands' he is now back on Black Rose with 'Back Off.' It's another sweet and juicy riddim with big horns and swaggering bass topped off by Jamo's buttery smooth vocals. Flip it over for a fine dub-wise version.

Review: UK reggae talent Prince Jamo, real name Ian Campbell, produced, wrote and performed this superb wedge of 70s revival roots in a shaka style. It's as deep and authentic as they come. The A-side original, 'The Badlands', has lazy horns drifting up top like a lone cloud on a red hot day. The percussion is gently sprinkled over the neat guitar riffs and rolling drums while the vocals unfold with real soul. Flip it over and you will get a dub version that is more cavernous, fleshy and deep. A lovely slice of roots that is primed and ready for any decent sound system.

Review: Dutch label Ghetto Cornerstone presents a new and limited 12" here that offers some high-class roots. The release features Jamaican singer Prince Alla in top form as well as dubs produced by Ray Ranking, along with an additional vocal track by Ras Ruben. They are all fine blends of classic roots reggae with fresh, dynamic elements, starting with 'Warn Them' with its flabby and wobbly low-end and happy vocal energy. Ras Ruben's 'Jah Guiding Star' on the flip is a more pained and yearning sound with a slower, more pillowy and cavernous low end.

Review: Ian Weatherall and Duncan Gray's Sons Of Slough project has done plenty of tinkering in the intersection between club and dub music, and somewhere between all that Scottish rock perennials Primal Scream often find their own comfortable nook to stretch out. As such, this 12" seems like a natural course of events, even if it came about through the pure whimsy of a day-dreaming muso (Weatherall) wondering what would happen if an obscure bonus track got stripped down and sent through the echo chamber. Bobby Gillespie was into the idea, and this record was the end result. One for all Balearic head nodders and soundsystem meditators alike.

Review: Dutchess returns with Folk Song, a two-track dub release featuring the talents of Tony and Howie alongside the legendary Phyllis Dillon. Known for curating rare gems, Dutchess continues to deliver high-quality vinyl for lovers of classic reggae and dub. With past releases from icons like Eric Monty Morris and Tommy McCook, the label has solidified its reputation as a source for top-tier Jamaican music. Folk Song follows this tradition, blending soulful vocals with deep, atmospheric dub. Fans of Alton Ellis, The Melodians and The Paragons will find this release a perfect addition to their collection. It's another must-have for those who appreciate the timeless sound of 60s and 70s Jamaican music.

Review: Blowing With The Wind is the second August Pablo album to get the reissue treatment this month following on from 1986's Rising Sun. This one came in 1990 when the legendary dubber had fully updated his original sound with more modern aesthetics and digital techniques. It picked up rave reviews and proved to be one of the artists' most successful records since the seventies. It is defined by a mix of nyahbinghi drumming and hardcore steppers that was fully embraced by the sound system culture of the tie and took Pablo to new heights in the Far East, culminating with a tour of Japan.

Review: The Dutchess label continues to establish itself in its early life with third outing that delves deep into some ageless reggae and ska sounds. It is The Paragons who are behind this one with 'Blackbirds Singing' opens up with some gorgeous vocal harmonies android back grooves topped with nice natty guitars. It's brilliantly sunny, laidback music for slowed down sessions and will sound best played through a serious system nice and loud. What music isn't, though? 'Memories By The Score' on the flip is a heavyweight sound with a fat bottom and some great spoken word vocal and backing harmonics for a nice lush sound.

Review: Legendary reggae artist and snooker of the smoke Lee Perry left us a few years ago but his legacy will always live on through the vast amounts of music he was involved with. Originally released in 1984 on Island/Mango, this album History Mystery Prophesy gets a welcome reissue and features an array of his most weed-worshipping songs. Recorded across multiple studios in Jamaica and at Compass Point in Nassau, it delves into the funky electro-pop sounds of the era and highlights include tracks like 'Heads Of Government' and 'Mr Music.'

Review: This third volume of the Disco Devil Black Ark series pulls together 6 classics from Lee "Scratch" Perry's studio. 4 discomixes and 2 vocal/dub edits - the audio on these tracks has been extensively restored from original pressings yet it allows Perry's bizarre and wonderful tricks and techniques to shine through while maintaining the raw quality that made them so real in the first place. Jamaican roots music that's imbued with plenty of ganja spirit, from tricked out and cosmic to deep and more insular, brought about by one man's brilliant work behind the boards.

Review: The "Disco Devil" series is a carefully curated selection of disco mixes that were laid down in the famous Black Ark Studio run by Lee "Scratch" Perry. It was a place of legendary magic, as this series shows on its fourth instalment. All the big dogs like The Upsetters, Augustus Pablo and Junior Murvin are present with their own distinctive takes on dub. Carlton Jackson also comes correct with his soul soothing "History" while a special 7" edit of Truth Fact & Correct's "Babylon Deh Pon Fire" is a rousing anthem for serious smoking sessions.

Review: The first extensive anthology of Lee Perry's early productions includes numerous Jamaican hits and features some of the most influential recordings of the late 60s. Today, Lee 'Scratch' Perry is widely recognied as one of the finest talents from the golden age of Jamaican music. However, his rise to fame was neither easy nor swift. After working for Studio One boss Clement 'Coxson' Dodd, Perry made his mark as an artist and arranger in the mid-60s, eventually becoming a fully independent producer by mid-1968. Perry's innovative approach and understanding of local music trends quickly brought him national success with popular singles on Upset, the label he co-owned. He soon became an independent operator, releasing best-selling 45s on his Upsetter label, which attracted the attention of London-based Trojan Records. Trojan created a British version of his imprint in early 1969. Perry's music particularly resonated with Britain's skinhead fans, and in autumn 1969, his production of Val Bennett and The Upsetters' Return Of Django reached the UK pop charts, exposing Perry's music to a global audience. This anthology brings together the recordings that launched Perry's career as an independent producer, showcasing a mix of soulful rock steady and dynamic boss reggae. It offers a compelling listening experience and a fascinating insight into the early musical development of one of Jamaican music's most influential and innovative figures.