Review: The reissue of Annette Clarke's 'Sinner Man,' produced by the legendary Lee Perry, is a gem for reggae enthusiasts and vinyl collectors. Released on Harlem Shuffle Records, this 7" vinyl brings back the sought-after 1973 track that seamlessly blends reggae with a touch of ska, adding an extra layer of allure for fans of the genre. Side-1 features the original 'Sinner Man,' a track from early reggae days while hinting at the infectious energy of ska. Clarke's vocals are compelling, and Perry's production gives the song a timeless quality. On Side-2, the Lee Perry dub version takes the track to another dimension. With heavy echo effects and the rhythm pushed into the background, Perry's dub creates an immersive experience that highlights his genius as a producer.
Review: The brilliant Room In The Sky All Stars presents a heavyweight roots reggae slab here with some serious steppers from guests Joseph Cotton, Laylah Arruda, Ashanti Selah and Rivah Jordan. This essential 12" includes two new tracks, each with four mixes that take the original into all new sonic realms. Rico from the renowned OBF Sound System and Dubquake Records does a fine job with his versions which spin out 'ever bless' into worlds of reverb and lyrical worship. 'Mother Nature' is another impassioned sound with swirling Latin vocals and florid melodies.
Review: Some proper sound system business here that deserves to be played nice and loud. El Indio's 'Rise & Shine' was recorded and mixed by Roberto Sanchez at A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio in Spain and is drench din sun. The horns are lazy and convey the feelings of a humid afternoon, while the vocals implore you to give all you can give and keep on rising. Interestingly they were recorded by Douglas Wardrop at Conscious Sounds Studios in London but sit perfectly in the mix. Lone Ark Riddim Force step up on the flip with their own lush dub which has plenty of effects and delay.
Review: The on-point Burning Sounds is a treasure trove for proper dub and lovers rock delights from years gone by. They have been digging in the vaults again and come up with a new 12" which they have pressed on nice heavyweight wax, and the sounds more than deserve that. Hortense Ellis and General Roy's 'Give Thanks' is a crucial rhythm with lazy chords and guitars, DIY percussive sounds and deft little keys with a yearning vocal up top. Lawes Rockers is responsible for the flipside version and as you may expect it's dubbed out and reverb-heavy.
Review: Lion Vibes lives up to its name with his powerful release from Jamaica featuring the legendary Ini Kamoze and rising star Lila Ike. Produced by Kareem Burrell of XTM Nation, this heavyweight track was recorded at Anchor, 9soundclik and Tads studio with top reggae musicians bringing real authenticity to the sounds. The A-side mix by Veer Dhaniram delivers a stunning vocal cut that exudes island cool while the low-end swaggers. The B-side unveils a previously unreleased dub mix by Gregory Morris and the record comes in a beautifully designed picture sleeve by Juppi Juppsen.
Review: L'Entourloop is a mysterious new crew headed up by Sir James and King Johnny, who fed on sound system culture and are now elder statesmen in the scene in their own rights. Lovers of vinyl culture and "epic dialogue of cinema's yesteryear" they mix up those influences with hip hop and reggae into fresh new forms. This new EP - "Golden Nuggets" - in collaboration with the Jamaican Skarra Mucci aka the "Dancehall President", offers crisp digi dub, UK funky drum patterns and plenty of synthesised bass to get your party pumping, all with some natty vocal deliveries, odes to weed and plenty of praise given to jah.
Review: Jennifer Lara delivered a rather oblique reggae record in the form of 'We Can Make It Work' in 1980 for Uptempo Records, who've today repressed and redelivered it to fresh ears. The Studio One maverick was a mammoth 7" releaser, but few of her records fell happily afoul of the flukily muted vocals heard on this one, which sound to serve Lara's voice in the manner of a wooing, gothic castle-haunting ghost. The subject matter of resuscitating a lost romantic cause helps in this regard: with offbeat bass bubbles and pitch-warped chords, the whole track feels haunted but still jocular, as if the singer-subject remains fixated on something largely dead, but still, on the off chance, revivable.
Review: This is one of a pair of new slabs of wax from Amsterdam's Sound System and label of the same name, King Shiloh. It features an array of modern dub and reggae talents and first up, Lavvosti & Black Omolo offer the modern sheen of 'Red Gold Green'. Kare's 'Better Days' rides the same rhythm but with more stylised and soulful vocal turns that empower with every bar. Jah Works dubs things out with a ton of effects and Tiger Simeon & Brada Jahziel layer in storytelling bars. Brasspect brings a fresh horn-led sound that is romantic and hypnotic and Roots Mechanic pairs things right back to an 80s sounding Jamaica dub vibe.
I Don't Know What It Is But Keep That Light Shining On Me (Keith Lawrence Refix version 1) (4:26)
I Don't Know What It Is But Keep That Light Shining On Me (Keith Lawrence Refix version 2) (4:32)
Review: Keith Lawrence is a DJ and producer from Brixton in South London with plenty of credentials, and here he serves up a pair of refixes of 'I Don't Know What It Is But Keep That Light Shining On Me', a reggae jam with an edge. The first one is laden with hooky guitar riffs and has soaring call-and-response vocals expanding the sound up top. The second is more raw and a little stripped back with a focus on the timeless rhythms and sounds. Two tunes that demand to be played loud and with bass - obviously - pushed to the max.
Review: Ijahman Levi is getting a lot of love from the Jahmani label out of Jamaica as they are reissuing plenty of his pivotal early works. This ultra-rare original version of 'Chariots of Love' was first released on the Organisation label in 1977. While later recordings exist, including a duet with his partner Madge, this remains the definitive take. A sought-after piece of reggae history, it captures the essence of the times with its soulful vocals and deep grooves. This killer track is now available again for the first time in decades so is sure to fly off the shelves and into the bags of those who know best.
Review: Noted 70s reggae vocalist Ijahman Levi dropped plenty of seminal sounds back in his day. They chimed with the sound of the day while adding some hints at where it might in the future. This was his first ever drop back in 1976 (the second has also been reissued, and we have it) and it's a spiritual roots cut that hits deep. His vocal is smoky soul perfection while the instrumental rhythms roll sweet. On the flip is one of the heaviest dub reworks you could care to hear. It's perfect summer music with a serious spiritual edge.
Review: This first release from the Levites on Lion Triumphant brings a fitting tribute to the late Jah Shaka with 'Lion'. The track draws direct inspiration from Shaka's iconic sound system days, particularly through its use of a sample from an early 80s reggae film featuring Shaka himself. The rhythm at the core of the track is a recut of a dubplate that was a highlight of Jah Shaka's sets during the late 70s and early 80s, instantly evoking the raw, immersive energy of his sound system. It's a fitting homage, capturing the spirit of an era while paying respect to a true legend of reggae culture.
Review: Legendary dancehall and reggae artist Barrington Levy started out with a fine run of albums in his early years, and then switched to serving up a steady and solid stream of singles. Some of the most famous ones include "Even Tide Fire a Disaster" and "I'm Not in Love", as well as "You Have It" which is presented here as a nice extended version. It features a pained vocal over a fat and dumpy groove with some tropical percussion and warming chords to help oil the mood. GG's All Stars step up on the flip with a version that is heavy and lazy in all the right ways.
Review: Henry 'Junjo' Lawes produced a double-headed twin spin on the iconic Eventide Fire riddim for this one. It is arguably that which helped Barrington's 'Crucifixion' soar to the top of the UK reggae charts in 1980 when it was released. It is one of his most iconic vocal performances, which is saying something given how much music the man has worked on. On the flip side of this new 7", Ranking Joe delivers 'River Jordan' with full force, riding the rhythm with impeccable skill. These jams were recorded with the one and only Roots Radics at Channel One and King Tubby's, so very much capture the essence of reggae at its peak with some of its key players all involved.
Review: Parish Jamaica throw it back to 1987 here when Hopeton Lindo dropped his top-level digital reggae gem 'South African Border.' It features a superbly militant vocal and a swaggering rhythm that cannot fail to make a mark when cranked up nice and loud on a serious sound system. The lyrics are politically conscious as all reggae should be and this special re-release has been taken straight from the original master tape. It lasts over 60 seconds more than the original for even better effect on the floor and on the flip is a nice dubbed-out version.
Review: Aza Lineage is a rising reggae star who radiates positive vibes and immense talent. Her live shows at Kingston's Dub School and Vinyl Thursday are rightly celebrated and she now commands the international stage with both confidence and humility in her performances which embody true rubadub style. Raised in a sound system environment, her deep-rooted musical foundation shines through on this dynamic rendition of 'One Draw,' which was produced by veteran King Jammy. It's a silky dub with watery keys and chords, organic percussion and curious leads next to the angelic vocals. Add in a version on the flip and you have an essential 45 rpm.
Review: The Liquidators is a streetpunk band from Santa Cruz. Back in the nineties they roamed around the local scene and recorded some tunes that are well worth hearing. This 7" on Pirates Press features two compositions that sit right up there with the best you can expect from this genre. 'Long Time Again' is a lo-fi ska and reggae fusion that swaggers back and forth with 60s guitar riffs and a dusty sense of soul. It's beautiful. 'Soul Steppin' is a much more upbeat and dance floor focussed tune with punchy street soul and another great set of male and female vocals. This particular 45rpm comes with its own comic book to enjoy while you get lost in the music.
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