Review: This new tune on the crucial Original Gravity label finds Donnoya Drake covering the classic Shirelles joint 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow.' She re-sings the vocal in her own way, adding extra soul and spice, while the reggae rhythms swagger down low with plenty of drum fills and undulating guitar riffs. On the flip, Junior Dell & The D-Lites offer up 'I Can't Turn You Loose' which is a classic reggae sound with big horns energy and fat bottomed low ends all sweeping you up inna lovely rhythm that never lets up. Another 7"s of gold from this label.
Review: Vocalist Jodie Richardson continues to assert herself as a modern soul sensation with this new one on Original Gravity. Featuring Neil Anderson on production, drums, bass and keys, this one could be a double a-side such is the equally brilliance of both tunes. 'Pushover' is a powerful tune with driving rhythms backed by big horns as Jodie's beautiful vocals race along up top. It's steeped in classic soul references and is brilliantly unrelenting. On the flip side, 'Treat Me Better' is another belter, this time rolling a little deeper with empowering lyrics about searching for someone better over super tight stick work.
Review: More scorching hot soul sounds here from Original Gravity who look to Jodie and Floyd James and the GTs for their latest dose of 7" goodness. Jodie is in powerful form on the a-side as she delivers an empowering vocal over fast paced and chested-puffed drums that will steamroller all in their wake. This soul anthem has class and depth with some slick guitar solos and big horn energy. Floyd James & The GTs step up on the flip side with 'Johnnie's Blues' which is full of Hammond organ chords and 60s guitar riffs.
Review: This one seems to get reissued every year, and for good reason: it's a mighty fine 7" from London reggae legends Junior Dell & The D-Lites, who are staples of the Original Gravity label and known for their expertise in vintage sounds. Many of their finest tracks have been reissued over the years and 'Twenty Flight Ska' is as worthy as any. It delivers a raw sound with punchy ska horns, smooth rhythms, and deep rolling bass. On the flip side, 'Orange Street Breakdown' takes a more laid-back approach while radiating warmth with its relaxed groove and sun-drenched melodies. Both tracks capture the beautiful essence of classic ska and reggae.
Review: Junior Dell & The Delights are back with a mighty fine new single that comes imbued with plenty of proper good old school ska and reggae values. It's an upbeat rhythm that will get you on your toes with its energetic horns and riffs, swaggering drums and superb vocal work. On the flip of this limited 7" is, of course, 'In A While Crocodile'. It's a continuation of the a-side with just as much swagger and energy. Both tunes are essential and mark another fine drop from this great modern day outfit.
Review: Versions of this have been used in several high-profile adverts which have helped bump up its popularity. It's a perennial favourite with funk and ska fans and that's why it once again gets reissued by Original Gravity. Junior Dell and The D-LITES did a fine job with cooking up their raw ska rendition of Mel Torme's classic 'Comin' Home Baby' with big stabs, driving drums and the great call and response vocals fearing Donnoya Drake are left intact for maximum effect. On the flip, a slightly more stripped-back Part 2 keeps the rhythm coming hard and fast.
Review: One-man ska, rocksteady and reggae production line Neil Anderson does a good line in re-imagined cover versions, with his Original Gravity label offering up unlikely but inspired takes on such non-reggae classics as 'Don't Look Back In Anger', 'Peter Gunn' and 'Green Onions'. Now, with the assistance of toaster Junior Dell, he's turned his attention to Rebel MC - now better known as Congo Natty - and his late 80s hip-house classic 'Street Tuff'. Given that the Rebel MC version sampled a Toots and the Maytals track, turning it into a dusty, head-nodding, analogue-rich reggae jam makes perfect sonic sense. Throw in Patois-laced raps and a faithful rendition of the song's much-loved chorus and you have a smile-inducing future classic on your hands.
Curtis Baker & The Bravehearts - "Wooly Bully" (2:26)
Review: Across four artists and four versions, Original Gravity present 'Woolly Bully', a woollen repackaging of the longtime Sam Sham & The Pharoahs classic. Laid down in 1964, this terpsichorean prancer kept to a 12-bar blues progression, and made for the first American record to sell a million copies during the storied British Invasion. Its mixture of skiffly British rock and Mexican-American conjunto was an intentional blend, and a succesful one at that. Its enduring impact is now felt in these rollicking cover versions from Junior Dell, Donnoya Drake, Luchito & Nestor Alvarez and Curtis Baker, all roomy, costume vintage retrofits of the original. Listen closely to the lyrics for strange talk of a mythical creature: the original song's lyrics were so strange that some radio stations banned it for fear of popular befuddlement.
Junior Dell & The D-lites - "Just Can't Get Enough" (3:21)
Prince Alphonso & The Fever - "The Prince Of Port Antonio" (2:52)
Review: There are few better combos in reggae than Junior Dell & The D-Lites and Prince Alphonso & The Fever, and they are mainstays of the Original Gravity label. this endless treasure trove of timeless sounds turns up another fine double sider here in which Junior Dell's soulful vocals shine over The D-Lites' rich, vintage ska rhythms and rolling groove 'Just Can't Get Enough'. On the flip side, 'The Prince of Port Antonio' is a lively instrumental blending jazz-infused brass with a deep reggae swing. Both tracks nod to classic Jamaican sounds while keeping things fresh.
Review: This one was only reissued back in summer but such its is enduring appeal and superb impact once played through a beefy sound system, here it comes again. It is another top 7" version of Fatboy Slim's megahit 'Praise You', in authentic rocksteady style, performed by Jamaican vocal group Junior Dell & The D Lites, who've been active since the 1960s. "Mi haffi praise you", gleefully intones Dell, against an impressive interpretive backdrop of jubilant brass and cabareting bubbles. The B-side procures a more curious and laid-back instrumental, Woodfield Rd Allstars' 'Cool Cool Runnings'. Do not sleep.
Review: The Original Gravity label comes through once again for their main series of reggae oldies. This time they put out a limited 7" version of Fatboy Slim's megahit 'Praise You', in authentic rocksteady style, performed by Jamaican vocal group Junior Dell & The D Lites, who've been active since the 1960s. "Mi haffi praise you", gleefully intones Dell, against an impressive interpretive backdrop of jubilant brass and cabareting bubbles. The B-side procures a more curious and laid-back instrumental, Woodfield Rd Allstars' 'Cool Cool Runnings'.
Review: London reggae band Junior Dell & The D-Lites are a clever exercise in nostalgia, being a contemporary project under the wing of modern reggae label Original Gravity, but for all intents sounding like a full-blown lost rarity from the late 1970s. Their latest of at least six new seven-inches to grace our ears in recent years, 'Last Night Reggay', is one-such midnight ditty, perfectly capturing the conflicting emotions of shame and relaxation one often experiences after a tumultuous night out. The version by Woodfield Rd. Allstars is just as boxy and spacious, and comes with an out-of-this-world synth solo.
Review: Contemporary reggae artist Junior Dell and his backing band the D-Lites do it just as their forbears did back in the 70s and 80s. Stalwarts of parent label Original Gravity and favourites of theirs, it comes as no surprise: Dell recharges the reggae genre with seemingly limitless battery power, asserting without compromise the Jamaican genre's unstoppability. Appeals to infinitude aside, it still would've certainly needed a heck of a lot of electrical power to fuel all those soundsystems. Even so, 'Can't Stop The Reggae' is a serene track, deploying a lovers' tinge whilst Dell peppers the sound with his suspended vocal lilts. Woodfield Rd Allstars go a little more experimental with things, electronically sequencing their vintage drums and bubbles to a highly miscible eight-note blessup.
Junior Dell & The D Lites - "Cool Right Down" (3:13)
Woodfood Rd Allstars - "Cool Version" (3:15)
Review: A 45 that perfectly captures the laidback, island vibe of reggae music. Side-1 features Junior Dell & The D Lites' 'Cool Right Down', a catchy tune with an infectious island flavour. The unique vocal performance exudes a relaxed charm, paying homage to the chill personality of Jamaican life, while the smooth rhythm and warm melodies create an inviting atmosphere. Side-2 delivers the instrumental version, 'Cool (Version)', by Woodfood Rd Allstars. The track comes alive with dynamic instrumentation, allowing the rhythm section and melodic elements to shine. The absence of vocals puts a greater focus on the groove and the track's energy is elevated through its rich, vibrant instrumentation. Together, these two tracks offer a well-rounded experience of classic reggae, blending relaxed vibes with dynamic instrumental interplay.
Review: London reggae band Junior Dell & The D-Lites are a superb combination who do a fine line in cooking up brilliant covers of nostalgic classics. Original Gravity is their home and after a few supper drops in summer they are back once again with 'I'm A Man'. It's a big old ska number with raw horns and hard hitting vocals delivered in a passionate style that is sure to get big reactions. On the flip, as is always the way, Woodfield Road Allstars step up with a more languid and laid-back dub sound for chilled out sessions.
Review: More heat here from Original Gravity with 'The Harlem Bugalu' from Luchito and Joaquin Marquez. This is a 7" that soon transports you to boogaloo paradise with its feverish Latin grocers and non-stop drum funk. The A-side is laden with spoken words, zippy percussive sounds and mad bongo bubbles with lashing of horn-led exuberance. Flip it over and you will find the slightly darker and more menacing energy of Joaquin Marque's 'Mala Mania'. Get your shake on and drop this one this summer for swift dancefloor explosions.
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