Review: Poor Man's Friend Records has assembled a tasty new 7" featuring reggae legend Cornell Campbell. With a career spanning over 60 years, Campbell is known for his distinctive falsetto and both heartfelt love songs and deep spiritual roots music. His latest track again delivers a powerful message against judgment and ego: "Just try sweeping up your backyard, before you find fault with people's yard," he sings, quite rightly. Produced in a classic mid-70s roots style and recorded by the Poor Man's Friend Rhythm Section in Bristol, this one comes with a fine dub version by Yakka and horn arrangements by the Cornerstone Horn Section.
Review: Talented multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, rhythm maker and producer Martin Campbell has some revered studio skills that have made him well known and love in reggae circles. He manages to capture the magical essence of what made the original 70s sounds so special in labels like the iconic Channel One, Log On and Retro Beat. His earlier work was distributed by Reggae Retro Records but now he comes through with a new tune on Log On that hits the nail on the head and has you deep in his warm drums in no time. A dub on the flip of this crucial 45 rpm takes things even deeper.
Review: Jahug is a brand new label that kicks off with a heavy rhythm from Carl I aka producer Carl Gayle. 'Deputy Dawg' is the tune and it has a low-slung low end that is couched in plenty of warm reverb. The vocals up top are raw and unaffected and filled with a sense of yearning. Add in some fresh hits and classic reggae guitar riffs and you have a nice fresh roots cut. On the flip, more horns are brought to the fore to give it some subtle warrior energy while extra effects and fleshy reverb all add more weight to the original.
Review: The hard-digging record fiends at Kalita are back with more brilliance. This one is the first-ever retrospective of work by Jamaican-born artist Desmond Chambers. The first tine is a proudly politically aware tune previously only avialbel on his 1987 album Tiger Born, while the single 'The Morning Show' has before now only been available as the B side of little known single 'I Have Seen Love In Your Eyes.' The two other tracks are mega cult, hugely loved acid-infused dub snakers with boogie-infused rhythms. Original copies will cost you a huge amount so make sure you snap this one up asap.
Review: Gun Fevah' and 'Wise Man' are the latest offerings from Champion Sound, blending halftime rhythms and jungle aesthetics into a seamless package of dub-infused tracks. Formed in the Russian underground, the crew behind this 7" came together through a shared love of reggae. Neekeetone's drums and Koondoongoo's bass laid the foundation, with the pair meeting Distant Roots at Dub Raw Camp in the Caucasus. It's clear that these global influences have seeped into the record. Released on 45Seven, a label known for pushing the boundaries of dubby jungle, this release feels both rooted in tradition and forward-thinking. 'Gun Fevah' opens with echoing horns and skanks before plunging into a murky jungle atmosphere, driven by sharp halftime snares. It's all about building tension, the kind of track that doesn't rush to make its impact but lingers, unhurried yet potent. On the flip side, 'Wise Man' takes a more familiar route, evoking Sesame's Treat with its playful energy, carried by a bassline that's endlessly rolling and hypnotic. The duo's mastery of space and depth makes these tunes perfect for sound system sessions, where each element resonates fully. It's dub music with a jungle twist, looking both back to its origins and ahead to its future.
Review: The mighty Chazbo is behind this heavyweight new 12" on Dubshop.nl. It come son bright yellow wax and opes with 'New Life' which is a classic and tough stepper with tumbling bass notes, wet hits and endless reverb all making it a plump, inviting, fat as you like dub sound. The dub version is even more fleshy and dropping wet and a Dubplate mix adds more subtle, melon twisting studio desk trickery. 'Shaka The Great' keeps the vibes flowing in the flip and gets the same two mixes to make for a broad and brilliant package.
Review: The first in the Reggae 45 Series, Cheeba's Reggae Sound Boys reimagines classic Jamaican sounds from the 60s and 70s, blending them with fresh beats, samples and FX for a modern twist. Expect skanking breaks and deep, dubwise grooves that serve as a nod to reggae's roots while pushing boundaries. This release delivers both nostalgia and innovation, capturing the spirit of classic reggae with a unique edge, designed to keep the energy high and the vibes flowing for fans of the genre.
Review: Spanish label Rocafort started 2019 by releasing their first dub reggae "45", so it's fitting that they are ending the year with a sequel from the same act, The Circle of Confusion. Like its' predecessor, "Yesterday Was History" features lead vocals from Studio 1 singer Cornell Campbell. His soulful intonation works wonderfully above the band's hazy, heavy and ear-pleasing digi-dub backing track. Arguably even better is the band's own flipside "Dub" mix, which is as weighty, spaced out and intoxicating as the largely digital dubs pioneered by British scene stalwart Mad Professor. It's worth buying the seven-inch just to get your hands on it.
Review: The Circle of Confusion are a Swiss dub production duo, who, adding to their fast-growing repertoire of releases, now drop 'Soul Of A Lion', which features Wayne Paul, an English reggae singer who was mostly active in the 90s and 2000s. Though Paul disappeared from the scene towards the end of that period, he now returns with a defiant message of big-feline hope and reminiscence, sung against a modern reggae backing with a polished, 80s roots feel. "How you feeling right now... now that you're older and wiser?" he asks in the song. Alll the better now you're back, thanks for asking.
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: Tabou 1 is on a roll right now and their latest offering features reggae icon Johnny Clarke teaming up with the legendary rhythm duo Sly & Robbie. 'Every Knee' is an archetypal roots reggae anthem that has everything you want in a tune. It demands to be played loud and proud and blends Clarke's soulful, spiritual vocals with Sly & Robbie's masterful bass and drum foundation. The rest of the tracks here also have deep grooves and heartfelt lyrics that resonate with themes of devotion and unity and are enhanced by the signature dub-infused production.
Review: 1994's original pressing of Steely & Clevie's outstanding leftfield production with Johnny Clarke's vocals is well worth inspecting, but you might struggle to find one these days, and it'll be pricey if you do, because it's become something of a classic 45. Thankfully it gets reissued here with A-side original 'Leggo Violence' rolling lazy drums while the Clarke vocals soar high and sweet despite what they sing about. On the flip is a smooth rolling version that allows that super bassline to do its thing free from any distraction, and all with extra dub goodness.
Review: Progressive quartet Combo Chimbita launches their own label with a psychedelic-infused track merging dub reggae's rootsiness with cumbia's guacharo and chicha-influenced guitar. 'Margarita' and its dub counterpart 'Nene' form a lush duo that marks a new phase in Combo Chimbita's evolving sound. After honing their act from an improvisational collective to a captivating ensemble, they entered a period of introspection and experimentation and sought guidance from producer Victor Axelrod, aka Ticklah. With a focus on their Colombian roots, they fused traditional elements with reggae nuances, exploring themes of displacement and identity. This release symbolises their journey.
Review: The Satta Dub crew have assembled another superb platter and pressed it up to translucent green marbled vinyl and included an insert for good measure. It's a spit that opens up with Daweh Congo's 'Holy Place' which rides on tumbling drums with scattered hits. Yearning vocals up top and natty keys are paired with sultry trumpet notes. A dub dials it all back into the low ends, then Prince Alla's 'Rose' is a work of the same rhythm, by the sounds of it, with soulful vocals and playful horns. Another dub closes out this one in heady fashion.
Review: The Mysticisms label welcomes Coral D aka Duncan Stump for a debut outing here that marks the first new music to be part of the ongoing and most excellent Dubplate series. This artist has a long history of crafting "deep dub electronic swing" in his roles in Mock & Toof, FX Mchm and his 6000 Degrees project. This one finds him bringing some dub reggae influences as 'Dissolves' is built on a chugging rhythm with smeared chords. 'DR 55' is then a masterfully laidback digi-dub groove that warps space and time and so leaves you utterly hypnotised.
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: Jordan Chini, also sometimes spotted out and about as Boy Dude, is an LA producer and multi-instrumentalist with a penchant for leftfield twists on the dub wise tradition. He makes his first appearance on CQQL Records as Count Dubula, laying down a sure shot 7" which will be warmly received by any lovers of the OG 70s dub sound. Maintaining the space between the notes and running everything through a truly authentic signal chain, this is a lovingly crafted record which could easily pass for a joint from the glory days of dub innovation. Soundsystem celebrants and sofa-bound spatial explorers alike, rejoice.
Review: Four weighty units of dubwise reggae come courtesy of Countryman, West Finga and Jeh. The star-sider, 'This Generation' by Countryman, is a banging enough contribution to this latest EP for Hornin' to receive several versions. A foreboding ballad for a generation beset by economic problems - "this generation got nothing to lose... there's gonna be problems!" - the veteran singer and soundsystem operator is adept as ever in delivering a high-consciousness message. The B-side, meanwhile, features two dub versions of the same riddim by West Finga and JEH, two producers also part of the selfsame French Hornin' Sounds crew.
Review: Coyote release the second instalment of their continuing journey into all things Dub. 2 heavyweight tracks with their own unique expression of Dubness. Always ever-present in Coyote productions in some form or another here its front and centre.For big speakers and squidgy black.'Light like a feather-heavy as lead'
Review: Coyote drop a special 7 inch single. Inspired by recent events over the last 2 years and their continuing love affair with all things dub and reggae sound system.related. They have been playing lots of this type of stuff at their monthly night at The Bodega in Notts. Apparently causing some heat at recent ALFOS parties too. Bubble Up!
Review: CosTafari is Everald Collins and he has been churning out crucial dub and reggae since the turn of the millennium. He's voiced four albums to date and plenty of EPs on labels like Roots Injection, Ark Music and I Negus Records, as well as working under tens of different aliases. 'Freedom' is a happy dub with jangling drums and perc and his cries for freedom up top. It's well-versed in the classic sound but has a fresh contemporary production twist. It comes as a dub, of course, with the rousing 'Get Up An' Fight' on the flip. This one is more laidback and spare but packs no less of a punch, not least with the charged vocals up top.
Review: The Disciples & Creation Stepper came together for 'True Nazarite' back in 1991 and it was an instant classic on the dub circuit. It has long been sought after by collectors and now comes back as a reissue from Partial Records who have done a fine job of cutting it so that the deep, heavy UK roots sound, which has become pricey on the second-hand market, is as clear as possible. Produced by Russ D, the crucial tune has thunderous sub-bass and bouncing keys and dubbed to the max across three extra mixes. 'True Nazarite (Version)' carries traces of the vocal, while the B-side 'Nazarite' dials up digital keyboard melodies and echo effects. The fourth mix strips it all down to skeletal toms and shivering bass for a stark, raw dub experience.
Timeless digital roots and dub from The Disciples here featuring the late Jamaican singer Creation Stepper, who i most famously well known for his iconic 70s roots reggae classics. This release includes a fresh take on Stepper's 1978 track, 'Kill Nebuchadnezzar' and it is paired with another vocal gem, 'Ozone Layer,' plus two powerful dub versions. Originally mixed and produced by Russ D in The Disciples' studio in 1991, this music finally saw the light of day in 2011 on the Disciples Vintage label where it quickly sold out. Now back on a great sounding 12", this is a must for roots and dub heads.
Review: Timeless digital roots and dub from The Disciples here featuring the late Jamaican singer Creation Stepper, who i most famously well known for his iconic 70s roots reggae classics. This release includes a fresh take on Stepper's 1978 track, 'Kill Nebuchadnezzar' and it is paired with another vocal gem, 'Ozone Layer,' plus two powerful dub versions. Originally mixed and produced by Russ D in The Disciples' studio in 1991, this music finally saw the light of day in 2011 on the Disciples Vintage label where it quickly sold out. Now back on a great sounding 12", this is a must for roots and dub heads.
Review: Cultural Roots delivered a potent dose of tuff roots vibes with their original 1980 release, 'Jah No Partial' which was and is now on this reissue backed by The Revolutionaries on dub duties. This limited vinyl edition comes housed in a vibrant full-colour company cardboard sleeve and offerings collectors a chance to grab a bit of reggae history. In addition to the original track, two exclusive Dub Plate Cuts further showcase raw energy and heavyweight low ends. With The Revolutionaries lending their signature sound to the dub mix, this is a crucial package.
Joe Gibbs & The Professionals - "Golden River" (3:33)
Review: Whether or not it is a coincidence that we are fast approaching 420 and ever more weed-related 7"s are dropping we do not know, but nor do we care. Culture's 'Callie Weed Song' is going to bang whatever day of the year you drop it, so long as you play it loud. It's got carefree keys and ganglier guitars accompanying the traditional reggae groove and some super stoned-sounding vocal musings on top. Joe Gibbs & The Professionals then appear on the flip with something just as summer, laid back and seductive in the form of the great 'Golden River.' Let's not get into what that title may or may not refer to.
The Mighty Two - "Two Sevens Clash" (version) (3:40)
Review: The classic 'Two Sevens Clash', which Joe Gibbs produced so well, is a timeless reggae outing that gets a welcome reissue here. Anyone of a certain age might remember this as a soundtrack to the years when punk was appropriating reggae sounds. The tune is from an album that was listened to between punk gigs and when not getting beaten up by Teds. The band of course didn't know this would become its fate and in isolation it remains a special listen with some smart mixing desk effects, hissing hi hats and nice dusty and deep low ends.
Son Don't Shoot Your Brother Down Put Away The Gun (5:42)
Loving Feeling (6:08)
Review: Originally recorded and released in 1979 and losing none of its power and resonance in these here times, Earl Cunningham and Naggo All Stars' eternal collaboration comes back into print after too long out in the wilderness. 'Son Don't Shoot Your Brother Down' is an urgent call to lay down arms, backed up by a sprightly skank straight from the golden age of roots reggae. On the flip, Cunningham delivers a career-best heartbreak performance on 'Loving Feeling', striking the right melancholic mood that goes so well with matters of the heart. Stone cold classic reggae finally back in reach for DJs and listeners with normal sized pockets.
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