Review: Dave Barker of 'Double Barrel' fame is back on the mix here for the Original Gravity label. This is the second form the many in as many months and is on the faster end of the reggae tempo scale so prepare to be swept up and skanking in no time. The lo-fi 60s reggae and early ska vibes are strong on this one as the dancing Hammond organ chords compliment Barker's effortless flow. Horn stabs and drums with infectious swagger complete the a-side 'Peace of Mind'. On the flip, The Regulators offer up a nice and laidback, deep-cut dub version with 'Jamaican beat.'
Jeff Barnes/Tommy McCook/The Supersonics - "The Rooster" (2:47)
Tommy McCook/The Supersonics - "The Saint" (3:06)
Review: Historic British label Harlem Shuffle Records reissue a rare rocksteady track by the Jamaican singer Jeff Barnes, backed by the Jamaican band Tommy McCook & The Supersonics, here. A single-sided 7" vinyl comes with but one dubby audio-delight: the original 1970 version of 'The Rooster', a catchy, whistlingly haunting but no less upbeat song produced by Duke Reid and first released on his eponymous Duke Records label. Harlem Shuffle now add it to their catalogue, which charts only the best in ska and rocksteady.
Review: Hornin' Sounds has been on fire of late and their latest offering is another essential one. Both tunes explore deep dark funk roots from the mid 70s, and have both been produced by U.K. wizard Clem Bushay with The Cimarons on fire as the backing band. Carl Bert provides the vocals, which are buttery smooth and heartfelt as he muses on slipping into darkness over acoustic guitar riffs and rolling ridders. A fine dubs mix by Jeh Jeh is liquid and bottomless. As usual the French label have promised (threatened?) that there will be no reissues of this one, so move fast, dub lovers.
Review: A slept-on roots gem from the mid-70s gets a timely reissue, perfect for warming up those cold winter days. Originally produced by Hector Wright at Lee "Scratch" Perry's legendary Black Ark Studios, this timeless piece showcases the vocal harmonies of The Blue Bells. A-side 'Come Along' features a captivating blend of soulful vocals and uplifting melodies, while the flipside offers a dubwise reimagining, stripping back the arrangement to reveal its hypnotic depths. Originally released in 1976, this repress makes a rare gem accessible once more.
Review: Timeless digital roots and dub from The Disciples here featuring the late Jamaican singer Creation Stepper, who i most famously well known for his iconic 70s roots reggae classics. This release includes a fresh take on Stepper's 1978 track, 'Kill Nebuchadnezzar' and it is paired with another vocal gem, 'Ozone Layer,' plus two powerful dub versions. Originally mixed and produced by Russ D in The Disciples' studio in 1991, this music finally saw the light of day in 2011 on the Disciples Vintage label where it quickly sold out. Now back on a great sounding 12", this is a must for roots and dub heads.
George Dekker & The Inn House Crew - "Nana" (3:28)
The Inn House Crew, George Dekker & Oxman - "It Sweet SA" (feat Vin Gordon) (3:26)
Review: George Dekker was a founding member of The Pioneers, a hit reggae group who'd plenty of UK chart success with big tunes like 'Long Shot Kick de Bucket,' 'Let Your Yeah be Yeah' and 'Sweet Inspiration'. Here, for a special Record Store Day 20210 release, we get a remake of 1968 tunes 'Nana.' It first came on the Trojan label and is a highly sought after original that fetches plenty. It's a super sweet tune with lazy horns and a swaggering riddim. On the backside is a version with MC the Oxman and legendary Studio One and Bob Marley trombonist Vin Gordon. This one is a sympathetic version that only tweaks the signal a little.
Review: The 7" record has been the preferred format for reggae for over 60 years now. Releases like Leon Dinero's Heartbreak offer that classic record feeling in more ways than one. The A-side features Leon Dinero's 'Heartbreak,' a classic Reggae track with distinct early Rocksteady influences. The vintage recording exudes authenticity, with a sound that harkens back to the roots of the genre, almost reminiscent of mono recordings from the past. On Side-2, 'Cuts Both Ways,' another classic reggae tune that embodies the essence of the genre. With its infectious rhythms and soulful melodies, this track is sure to get any Reggae enthusiast moving and grooving. Leon Dinero presents a treat for Reggae DJs and classic 7" collectors with their hip double-sided single 'Heartbreak/Cut Both Ways' on Daptone Records
Review: Original Gravity Records turn out the essential 45s like no body's business. Next ump for the vital label is a brace of covers from The Regulators. It is one of two new 7"s they have out right now and is limited to just 50 copies. It carries on from previous releases with Melbourne Douglas and The Regulators covering tunes with an early reggae, Britpop style. The vocals here from a certain indie band get re-sung and reframed. They passionate and singable, with a natty reggae beat and nice warm chords. The flip side is a dub for those who like it that way.
Review: Roots and reggae masters Partial know which EPs need reissuing and once again they prove that this month by casting it back to 1992 for Earl 16;s revered Natural Roots. For those who were there back then, it is well known that Jah Shaka played the tunes of this EP at every gig for almost 10 years and they never failed to get you moving even though you knew he was still only warming up. An original copy will set you back 50 odd quid so don't sleep on this great sounding reissue, which features the exact same play list as first time round.
Review: Many of you reading this may recognise this song from Dennis Brown's rendition on his iconic Visions LP, but this version actually predates that one. It was originally penned by Winston MacAnuff, also known as the Electric Dread, and features vocals by Earl Sixteen. It has previously debuted as a 7" on Gibbs' Belmont label in 1975, while Sixteen went on and recorded it again for Derrick Harriott on the Wild Flower label a year later. This rendition is often considered the definitive cut, but we shall leave you to decide on that one.
Alton Ellis & The Flames With Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - "Rock Steady" (2:38)
Phyllis Dillon With Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - "Rocking Time" (2:50)
Review: If you're on the hunt for Jamaican classics from the 1960s, you could do worse than copping this double-header from the combined talents of Alton Ellis, vocal group the Flames, Phyllis Dillon and the era's most prolific backing band, Tommy Cook and the Supersonics. On side A you'll find 'Rock Steady', a hugely influential rocksteady gem that features Ellis' encouraging us to dance atop a weighty, horn-heavy riddim track. Over on the flip Phyllis Dillon takes over lead vocal duties on another Treasure Isle gem from '67, 'Rocking Time'. This one is even more club-ready, with McCook's cheerful horn arrangements catching the ear.
Derrick Harriott & The Tamlins & Joy White & Reasons & U-Brown - "Christmas Songbook" (11:27)
The Chariot Riders - "Christmas Songbook" (instrumental dub Style) (11:32)
Review: Lifelong reggae fans, vinyl lovers and frequent Juno readers will be familiar with Crystal D's Reggae Disco mix series. It was a 70s thing where artists served up their own unique reggae versions of Christmas classics and now we get volume 17 of the Christmas Songbook. This one comes on 12" in hand-stamped sleeve and the A-side is an 11+ minute collection of tunes from Derrick Harriott & The Tamlins & Joy White & Reasons & U-Brown with natty chords, sleigh bells and choral reggae vocals. What a mix. In authentic reggae fashion, the flip side is a dub of the whole lot by The Chariot Riders.
Review: Joseph Lalibela's collaboration with Vibronics and the Mafia & Fluxy Band delivers a powerful fusion of roots reggae and dub. Lalibela's vocals, rich and commanding, blend seamlessly with Vibronics' immersive production, while the rhythm section from the Mafia & Fluxy Band keeps the track grounded with a steady, hypnotic bassline. The track's balance between deep, atmospheric soundscapes and spiritual lyricism creates a captivating experience, offering listeners both groove and message in equal measure. This is a must for those who appreciate the timelessness of reggae and the expansive nature of dub.
Review: 'Heavy Manners,' is a groovy summer jam 7" from Germany's premier reggae duo, Marcus I and aDUBta. This collaboration, influenced by US Soul and classic Jamaican Reggae, brings the Studio One vibe of the 1960s to life. Following their debut album Cut A Wire Showcase (2023), they now deliver this upbeat, flying-cymbal track that's sure to set any dancefloor on fire. On Side-2, a minimalist riddim "Version," perfect for DJs craving that authentic vibe. After nearly two decades as a reggae drummer, aDUBta has fully embraced the sounds of 60s to early 80s reggae, gaining international recognition with Sounds From The Attic. Marcus I's soulful vocals and sharp songwriting shine throughout, recorded at aDUBta's Attic Roots Studio. The single, mixed analogue on a Tascam 388, is primed for sound systems worldwide, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for this dynamic reggae team.
The Professionals - "Ghetto Living" (version) (3:13)
Review: The Joe Gibbs and Studio 16 labels combine to put out two gloriously soul-enriching sounds here on a tidy 7". The Mighty Diamonds are often said to be one of the best roots harmony groups to have ever emerged from the island of Jamaica. For proof of their brilliance look no further than this late 70s cut 'Ghetto Living' which has super sweet vocals over a nice heavy and earthy dub reggae rhythm. On the flip, the whole thing gets dubbed up and psyched out by the one and only Errol T. Lovely stuff for warm evenings and lazy afternoons.
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: Is there a more celebrated combination in all of reggae than Lee Perry & The Upsetters? The master producer and his iconic backing band laid down many of the genre's most vital sounds and helped subtly evolve it across the seventies and beyond. This single 'Jungle Lion' came right in the midst of that in 1974. An original 7" will cost you upwards of 500 quid, and that's if you can find one. Here it gets reissued on the young but already well-formed Skank & Groove label and is backed with a version by The Upsetters named 'Freak Out Skank' that gets even more warm, cavernous and dubby.
Everyone Has Got To Go (Super Bionic version!) (4:22)
Review: 'Everyone Has Got to Go' is a powerful 1976 roots stepper by Jamaican-Canadian singer Prince Robinson aka R. Man Prince. Born in Rockfort, Kingston, Robinson auditioned at Studio One in his teens but didn't record until a decade later. After moving to New York and Canada, he returned to Kingston in 1976 to record two iconic roots anthems at Joe Gibbs studio: this one and the rare 'Funny Dream.' Joined by The Soul Foundation and top session musicians like Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, the track's mix by Ernest Hookim and Barnabas features a haunting dub version.
Review: The renowned Jamaican reggae singer Winston Reedy is someone who has had several solo number-one hits that have made him widely known in the reggae world. He was also the lead singer for top reggae band The Cimarons with whom he saw much more success. He leads this new 45rpm with the super laid back and vibey 'Pirate' and it is paired with a 'Steady Rock' dub by The Inn House Crew, then backed with Jamaican-born, London-based artist, songwriter and producer Barry Issacs and a Germany-based Jamaican in Juliaiasiah whose 'Secret' is a sun-kissed delight.
Heptones, Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - "Crying Over You" (2:38)
Review: After a recent Pressure Sounds compilation put together the best of Caltone Records - documenting the truest gems of a great Jamaican dub label - the horse's mouth is now heard neighing. Caltone themselves have now reissued Devon Russell & The Tartans' 'Making Love', a long-lost from the late 1960s troubadours. Ne'er released before, it also comes backed exclusively with a bluesy Heptones, Tommy McCook & The Supersonics lamentation, 'Crying Over You'.
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