Roots/Lovers Rock charts

Review: Wackies impress upon us their latest compilation; this time, it's another (sixth) edition added to their Jah Children Invasion series, which charts the critical juncture at which dub reggae shifted from live-drummed beats and into drum-machine led, steppers' embraces. The result was a welcoming of 8-bit themes and pixelations, leading to the infamous coinage, digidub. Jah Children Invasion harks back to this not-so-small step for mankind, compiling scene contributions from such legends as Horace Andy ('Drop Off'), Jackie Mittoo ('Majority Rule'), Milton Henry ('Now You See The Scene'), and Chris Wayne ('Streets Of Africa'). The resulting sound is not one of total fascination with the 'digi' aspect of the sound, but a prototypical, melting-pot point at which the leap into increasingly sequenced progressions lent dub a cruder, but more driven development of the sound. A sonic Faustian bargain with a machinic devil, if you will.

Review: Here's a precious reissue of a 12" single by Abbashantie (not to be confused with UK sound system giant Aba Shanti) and Neville & Jerry. Both were Jamaican reggae vocal duos who recorded for Wackie's, a still-going-strong US label and studio founded by Lloyd Barnes aka Wackie's or Bullwackie. The single was originally released in 1980 and features two utter groundshakers: 'Break Down The Walls' by Abbashantie and 'Abbashantie Rock' (with Wackie's Rhythm Force).

Review: Annette Brissett grew up in the USA even though she is a noted reggae vocalist. Her influences are the likes of Otis Redding and the Wailers and she also plays several instruments. 'Hard To Find' is one of her most well-known tunes and it pairs electronic reggae with prog rock guitars and her own soulful vocals. It's curious and compelling and has some funk deep in its bones. The version is provided by Wackies Rhythm Force who strip the vocals and make more of the noodling prog guitars and dubby swagger.