Back catalogue: Reggae

Review: This 2xCD set celebrates Dennis Bovell's exceptional talent during the golden years of reggae, from 1977 to 1981, a time when he was also playing a pivotal role linking punk and post-punk to reggae via collaborating with Orange Juice and producing key records such as The Slits' debut Cut. Featuring a mix of major hits and rare tracks, this collection highlights his brilliance as a producer, arranger and pioneer of roots, dub and lovers rock. Not only was he one of the first to blend disco with reggae but he was also important for fusing the disco standard 12" and using for Lovers Rock artists. His use of the format to create dynamic dub edits is a standout element, cementing his legacy in reggae production. Disc 1 includes Errol Dunkley's title track, Marie Pierre's soulful gems and Janet Kay's classic 'Silly Games', which brought lovers rock to mainstream audiences. Tracks like Errol Campbell's 'African Queen', Angelique's 'Cry' and Africa Stone's 'Choose Me' capture the era's emotional depth and Bovell's masterful touch. Disc 2 delves into 12" extended mixes, showing Bovell's innovative fusion of reggae and disco. A lifetime of great music within just two discs.

Review: This double-disc collection offers a fascinating glimpse into Lee Perry's evolution as a producer during a pivotal year in reggae music. 1970 saw Perry at the top of his game, fresh off the success of Return Of Django, and these recordings capture his adventurous spirit and groundbreaking studio techniques. The compilation features a wealth of instrumental works, showcasing the proto-dub experiments of his backing band, The Hippy Boys. With 14 tracks new to CD and many others unavailable since the 1990s, this release is a treasure trove for dedicated Upsetter fans. From the infectious grooves of 'Yakety Yak' to the dubwise explorations of 'Bush Tea' and the soulful sounds of 'Let It Be', this collection is a must-have for any reggae enthusiast.

Review: On its latest deep dive into the Jamaican reggae archives, the Doctor Bird label has returned to the early years of one of the style's most iconic producers, Lee 'Scratch' Perry. The music showcased on this two-disc set was initially released on Perry's own Upsetter imprint in 1969-70 and contains a mix of vocal numbers, instrumental 'versions' and alternate takes from the archive. There's naturally tons of highlights amongst the 50-plus tracks on show, including the organ-rich ska flex of The Upsetters' 'Night Doctor', the soulful rocksteady sweetness of 'Kiddy-O' by the Silvertones, the slow-dance excellence of Busty Brown's 'I Can't See Myself Cry About You', the low-slung shuffle of The Upsetters' 'Bab Thool' and the bona fide anthem that is 'Django Shoots Again' by Val Bennett and the Upsetters.