Reggae / Oldies / Ska Recommendations Best Of 2014

Review: The A features a reggae cover version of "Ring My Bell" performed by the Blood Sisters which is a heavy hitter and guaranteed to be a floor filler. The B side features a tune that if you're in the know and don't already own it then you'll definitely be jumping for joy to finally add this heat rock to your crates. The Nairobi Sisters "Promise Land Dub" is a break beat filled, bassline heavy, head nodder which deserves to own at least 2 copies, one for today and the other to remember you own years later after you've worn the first one out.

Review: Two awesome Toots covers from way back when, extended for our pleasure... First up, Earl J Foster Junior's Tribe get busy on "Funky Kingston"; swapping the reggae lilt for a headier, more guitar-centric jam, this fizzes in all the right places. Next up Simba's 1971 take on Richard Berry's well-covered "Louie Louie" bulged with big instrumentation as lavish pianos and horns take the lead, allowing the vocal to nestle itself deep into the mix. Sounding as fresh and infectious as they did when they were first recorded, this is what cover versions are all about!