Back catalogue: Reggae

Review: 'Pili Pili' by Jasper Van't Hof catapulted the fusion band into the limelight in 1984, with its infectious blend of African rhythms and jazz sensibilities. This 12" EP, featuring the iconic 15-minute original alongside a 2024 Coyote edit, offers a complete tribute to the songs history. Remastered and cut for maximum impact, both versions showcase the band's dynamic energy and innovative approach to fusion music. From the hypnotic groove of the original to the reimagined Coyote edit, each track exudes a timeless appeal that will undoubtedly wow listeners on the dancefloor. This release is a testament to Pili Pili's enduring influence and Van't Hof's pioneering vision in bridging musical cultures.

Review: It's time to take a trip back to the legendary 1980 production era of Sly & Robbie's Taxi label. By 1980-81, Taxi's stripped-down, heavyweight drum and bass sound ruled the dubplate scene at Channel 1 and while tracks like 'Heart Made of Stone' and 'Black Uhuru's' saw official releases, others like 'Warrior' and 'Rocks and Mountains' remained elusive and only surfaced decades later. 'Don't You Cry' by The Viceroys is one such raw, haunting roots track from that time with a thunderous drum and bass version also cinder. Straight from the dub room at 29 Maxfield Avenue, this long-lost gem is another special delivery.

Review: The brilliant 'Late Night Attack' is the latest reissue in 10 Roosevelt Jamaica's Harry J grail series and it features this long-awaited 1987 gem. Sharing the rhythm of the previously reissued 'Jam The Calypso,' the track showcases Vicious Irie, aka Sedley Downer, delivering an electrifying performance that stays with you long after the beats have finished tumbling. His powerful lyrics ride the fast-paced Harry J digi riddim to make this release a must-cop for these final days of summer when dub still sounds best played nice and loud.

Review: Get your lugs around this, the first single from Leo Vidal & The Rayvelles, and you will soon be keen to know more. 'Haunted By Your Love' is a modern take on the West Coast oldies sound from Leo Vidal, a 70s soul singer from rural Virginia who brings his East Coast harmonies to croon about lost love. The Rayvelles is the duo of Fergal McBride and Tuck Nelson and are the creative force behind Echo Ray Studios in London, a space that channels the soul of Motown into contemporary music. Backing vocals are provided by Cassandra Dali and Marietta Smith while the flip has a remix by Call Sender who layers in some inviting dub weight.

Review: 17studio double up as both visual designer and indie label and it's this combination that amounts to the roots-radical sonic spectacle we hear here. 'King Of My Castle' is a regnant lyrical musing, hearing a collaborative work with producer and multi-instrumentalist Bob Vito, and with additional vocals and percussion by the band Riciclette, for an impressive meditation on the nature of power and its perverse enjoyments. First produced in 1998 by Wamdue Project, this fresh reggae cover is best remembered as an era-definer, and this cover and Version extends the monarchy's rule by way of bubbling wahs, boxy fills, and owwing basses; simple, clean, effective instruments of force.

Review: The latest compilation on CTR, curated by Jason Boardman of Before I Die Records, dives into the rich, underground landscape of early 1980s post-punk. This collection offers a fascinating glimpse into the era's DIY ethos, featuring rare and never-before-heard tracks that encapsulate the innovative spirit of the time. From the 2-Tone-influenced Skeet in Coventry to the dub experiments of Surface Mutants with Cabaret Voltaire, the album uncovers a trove of hidden gems that have largely flown under the radar. One track even boasts a unique post-punk diss track, adding a touch of rebellion to the mix. Boardman has unearthed a variety of tracks, some even sampled by the likes of DJ Shadow, showcasing the lasting influence of these obscure artists. The compilation highlights a time when independent musicians, studios, and labels banded together, bypassing major labels in pursuit of their creative vision. While it's not a comprehensive guide to the era, this album shines a spotlight on the overlooked and underappreciated, giving these artists the recognition they've long deserved, not to mention the enduring power and creativity of the post-punk underground.

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: Ras Jammy from Suns of Dub has curated a special release for Trojan Records that celebrates the deep cultural and historical ties between dub music and cannabis, all rooted in Jamaican music and Rastafarianism. This album, which arrives just in time for the stoners' best day of the year, 420, features iconic tracks from pioneering dub dons King Tubby, Scientist, Dennis Bovell and Roots Radics. These are the legends that helped shape the genre and this compilation highlights how they did it and what influence they had on the development of dub music. So, when the day comes, light up a fat one and turn this one up loud.

Review: Originally released in 1982 and produced by Donovan Germain, this rare roots DJ album by Lee Van Cleef offered a pre-digital glimpse into the future of reggae. Recorded with The Roots Radics and The Taxi Gang at Channel One and Harry J's studios, the album captured a distinct era of Jamaican music. Featuring hard-to-find tracks and period-appropriate artwork, this release on Germain's Revolutionary Sounds label stands out as a classic example of early dancehall styles. Lee Van Cleef's unique voice and the album's historical significance make it a prized piece for fans of vintage reggae.

Review: The 18th-anniversary edition of Studio One Soul 2 brings back a long out of print classic and one of Soul Jazz Records' best-selling collections. This second volume delves into Jamaica's deep connection with American soul and funk and features legendary reggae artists like Horace Andy, The Heptones, Ken Boothe, Jackie Mittoo, and more. These Studio One veterans reinterpret classic and obscure tracks by soul icons such as Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, and Al Green. The album showcases a mix of classics, rare and unreleased tracks, all digitally remastered, so it stands tall as one of the best celebrations of the enduring influence of American soul on Jamaican music.

Review: Studio One Soul 2, the highly anticipated second volume of Soul Jazz Records' acclaimed Studio One series, dives deep into Jamaica's enduring love affair with American Soul and Funk. This special 18th anniversary edition features a vibrant array of legendary reggae artists like Horace Andy, The Heptones, Cornell Campbell, and Ken Boothe, all of whom got their start at Studio One before achieving global success. The album features a unique blend of classic and obscure American Soul and Funk tracks, reimagined with a distinct Jamaican flavour. Standout tracks include Cornell Campbell's stunning recut of The Mad Lads' Curtis Mayfield-penned 'Ten to One,' Winston Francis' soulful interpretation of The Five Stairsteps' 'Don't Change,' and Devon Russell's powerful take on 'Make Me Believe in You,' which arguably rivals Mayfield's original. This collection, featuring a mix of classics, rare gems, and previously unreleased tracks, has been meticulously remastered. Perfect for a serious reggae enthusiast, this compilation embodying the Studio One ethos of reworking influential soul records into a Jamaican soundscape.

Review: Reissued almost ten years on from its first appearance, Soul Jazz's Rastafari compilation resurfaces once more. Famed for its recognition of the religion's influence on the emergence of dub and reggae in the early 1950s through to the 80s, this compilation proves Rastafari's influence and core ideas as inexorable from its sonic expression. Chief among reggae's pioneering players is Oswald Williams, aka. Count Ossie, whose influence is heard here is a sort of orthopaedic sonic stem from which all offshoots follow. Ossie's many posthumous contributions to this compilation, largely with The Mystic Revelation of Rastafari, laid the foundations of reggae as we know it, and are charted from his various nyabinghi chants and drum workouts, and come peppered by those of his sono-spiritual antecedents - the likes of Mutabaruka, Rod Taylor and Bongo Herman.

Review: Rocksteady is the kind of genre you know in sound before you know it in theory. Reversely, it's likely most music fans could point out a Jimmy Cliff or Skatalites track bursting from the speaker and have vague feeling that this is a distinct kind of reggae, but it takes a special kind of wisdom to know that this sound is called rocksteady, and was born of the cross-section of reggae and ska. Although its original upsurge lasted only a couple of years, rocksteady yielded several of Jamaica's most immortal songs, and - owing to the above genealogical scruple - is also probably the most contested of reggae formats with regards to who "pioneered" it, the innovations behind its irresistible beat claimed by a range of practitioners. Here LMLR compile close to 20 originals in the original rocksteady sound, amounting to what might be the yetmost serious wax-bound standoff between said still-undecided greats, still fighting for providential legitimacy.

Review: The first of a new two-part series by LMLR charting the best of the original wave of rocksteady: that crucial intermediary Jamaican genre, seen on the sonic pedigree chart sometime circa 1966, and hemmed in between the grandmother, ska, and the son, reggae. Eschewing any of the rocksteady's 21st Century manifestations or updates, the two-part series, Ska & Rock Steady Classics From Treasure Isle, hears only the most incipient musical genii in the sound - the likes of Alton Ellis, The Paragons, Don Drummon, The Skatalites and Jackie Mittoo - battle it out for a sound whose provenance is still contested to this day.

Review: 12th Isle revisits the various artist compilation format with a new release that expands on their 2019 outing 'Inkosi' to deliver a club-focused mixtape across six tracks. Echo Party kicks things off with a dub-heavy extended mix that originally featured on Murray Collier & Hannan Jones's self-released CD-R. Italian newcomer Guizzi offers a thunderous downtempo track with tight conga percussion that meshes well with this label's musical MO and Der Opium Queen delivers a propulsive, video game OST-style dance hit that calls to mind Les Aeroplanes on Jamal Moss's Mathematics label. On Side B, a freak-folk skit by Memotone, motorik beats from Lo Kindre, and bleep-infused dub techno by Toronto-based Raf Reza all bang. .

Review: This Ninjapan Music Vinyl Sampler album from Japanese label Ninjapan Music is a well-assembled dive into the roster of artists they have been working with. It is their first vinyl outing and is a diverse mix of names from across a wide dub spectrum, all of whom reflect the label's commitment to pushing creative boundaries. Each track comes with some innovative production techniques that merge Japanese dub influences with contemporary beats and rhythms. Perfect for a wide range of settings, it features the likes of Any Guppy, Dan Lj, Tikaros, Mifyah and more.

Review: The Park Heights series is back with another one of its tasteful collections and this one, JA to BK: Dancehall from Park Heights 1987-1988, is another all-killer no filler long player. Featuring ten tunes from Park Height's productive late '80s period. Many of these jams are by Francis who had a great influence on the early digital reggae sound both in Jamaica and New York. Eight of these have never before been reissued and two have never been realised at all. Some are sweet rolling cuts with rat-a-tat-tat snare work like 'Want The Dollar,' some ride on vamping chords with low-end wobble like 'Settle Them A Settle' and some are hot steppers.

Review: Operazione Sole, like the impactful 1967 Peppino Di Capri song, highlights the impact of Jamaican rhythms on Italian pop music from the 60s and 70s. This collection showcases how the upbeat sounds of Kingston influenced Italian artists, especially during the reggae boom in England (1968-1970) and Bob Marley's rise to global fame. Starting with Mina's 1959 Jamaican shuffle 'Nessuno' and evolving through blue-beat and ska by artists like I 4 di Lucca and Peppino Di Capri, Italian musicians embraced these Caribbean-infused sounds. In the late 70s and early 80s, reggae's influence grew, with prominent names like Loredana Berte and Adriano Celentano experimenting with these new rhythms. Operazione Sole focuses on lesser-known artists who adapted popular Italian pop to the prevailing black sounds of the West, ranging from classic reggae to dub-influenced Italo-disco and Neapolitan grooves. This collection is both a scholarly exploration and a joyful celebration of Italy's unique musical journey, capturing a vibrant era where local pop met global trends, resulting in innovative and memorable music.

Review: This compilation serves as a sonic time capsule, collecting the raw energy and diversity a 70s scene with its roots in the UK's suburban music scene. Across three LPs, it highlights punk, post-punk, new wave and ska with an expertly curated tracklist that celebrates both iconic anthems and underground gems. Kicking off with explosive tracks like 'London Calling' and 'Blitzkrieg Bop', the first side sets the tone with pure punk energy. From the urgency of The Undertones 'Teenage Kicks' to the melancholic beauty of Joy Division's 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', it's a journey through the era's emotional spectrum. The inclusion of The Cure's 'Boys Don't Cry' and XTC's 'Making Plans For Nigel' shows the post-punk shift toward introspection and innovation. The second LP leans into eclecticism, blending punk-fueled energy to melodic classics. It captures the intersection of rebellion and refinement. Tracks like Martha And The Muffins' 'Echo Beach' and Pretenders 'Brass In Pocket' add a touch of sophistication with a broader palette of sounds. Finally, the third LP celebrates the ska revival and early synth-pop with The Specials 'Gangsters', English Beat's 'Mirror In The Bathroom' and UB40's 'Food For Thought', before transitioning into more futuristic sounds like Gary Numan's 'Are 'Friends' Electric?' and The Buggles 'Video Killed The Radio Star'. Ending with a nod to the dawn of a new musical era, this collection balances nostalgia with a depth not many others get close to.

Review: Studio One Power Mix! is a vibrant and essential compilation from Soul Jazz Records that dives deep into the influential sounds of reggae, ska, rocksteady and more, focusing on the late 1970s, 1980s and beyond. This collection captures the essence of Studio One, the legendary Jamaican label founded by Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd, which has been at the forefront of every major development in reggae music since the 1960s. By the late 1970s, Studio One had already established itself as the undisputed leader in the genre, nurturing the careers of icons like Bob Marley & The Wailers, Marcia Griffiths, The Skatalites, and Dennis Brown. During this period, long-standing artists such as Alton Ellis and Jackie Mittoo returned to the label, producing some of their most creatively fulfilling work. Meanwhile, new talents like Sugar Minott, Johnny Osbourne, and Freddie McGregor propelled Studio One into the dancehall era, pushing musical boundaries while honoring the label's roots. The compilation features a dynamic range of tracks that celebrate this golden era, from classic hits to hidden gems. Each song reflects the creativity, innovation, and unmistakable groove that have made Studio One a cornerstone of reggae history. Whether you're a seasoned reggae enthusiast or new to the genre, Studio One Power Mix! offers a great tracklist through the evolution of Jamaican music, celebrating the enduring legacy of one of its most influential labels.

Review: Zero 7's LateNightTales debut, Another Late Night, was first released in 2002, shortly after the electronica duo had been nominated for a Mercury Prize in light of their debut record Simple Things. The inevitable vaunting of their music reached its peak when one well-known pundit described their music as "the Sistine Chapels of music in a sea of affordable accommodation." Unlike their expertly crafted originals in the vein of trip-hop, downtempo and acid jazz, their LateNightTales album is of course a selectors' DJ compilation, which to this day incites its invitees (usually musicians as well as DJs) to select and remix tunes only as though they were sleepwalking through the dream fantasies made up by their own musical influences. Here, Zero 7 share various musical traumata, manifest and latent interpretations of songs, by the likes of The Cinematic Orchestra, Quasimoto, Jim O'Rourke, Serge Gainsbourg, Don Blackman, The Stylistics, Joy Zipper, Slum Village and Da Lata, all of which, as we can patently hear, fed into their relatively unpeggable, interwoven chillout sound.