Back in stock: Dub

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: 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 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: ***B-STOCK: Record slightly warped***


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: 21st Century steppers Dub Pistols present their nextmost radical step forward, in the form of a biohazardous 7" re-rubbing 'I Predict A Riot' by English indie rock Kaiser Chiefs. With the dub foursome alleging that they used to play the song during soundchecks "for a bit of fun", the group have now come together, finally, for a shocking dub rendition after it especially popped off pre-show at the Mucky Weekender festival. The gang also welcome neo-dub producer Nick Manasseh for a wickedly weighty version on the B.

Review: Crooked Man aka the legendary DJ Parrot is also Earth Angel and here he is back with a second project on Foundation Music following the release of two singles with the renowned new jazz singer Lady Blackbird. Here he goes back to his roots in Sheffield in the 1980s when Black music forms were fast emerging on the scene and having a huge influence on the fledgling electronic movement. The music in this record taps into that with sounds that mix up street soul, boogie, heavy bass and some great songwriting from Crooked Man with originals, versions and expansive dubs all featuring.

Review: This double-disc collection offers a fascinating glimpse into Lee Perry's evolution as a producer during a pivotal year in reggae music. 1970 saw Perry at the top of his game, fresh off the success of Return Of Django, and these recordings capture his adventurous spirit and groundbreaking studio techniques. The compilation features a wealth of instrumental works, showcasing the proto-dub experiments of his backing band, The Hippy Boys. With 14 tracks new to CD and many others unavailable since the 1990s, this release is a treasure trove for dedicated Upsetter fans. From the infectious grooves of 'Yakety Yak' to the dubwise explorations of 'Bush Tea' and the soulful sounds of 'Let It Be', this collection is a must-have for any reggae enthusiast.

Review: Next up for the Irie Ites label, which is a real favourite for reggae heads, is this dynamic collaboration featuring Queen Omega, Chezidek and U Brown with production by Irie Ites. This original A-side track 'Three The Hard Way' brings together powerful reggae and dancehall vibes while blending each artist's unique style into a compelling anthem. Queen Omega's soulful voice, Chezidek's conscious lyrics, and U Brown's classic dancehall delivery create great synergy and the production means the track pulses with heavy rhythms. The flipside is Lone Ark's dubbed-out and nicely horizontal 'Inity Riddim.'

Review: Rico Rodriguez, all-round brilliant Jamaican horn and and trombonist, played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of ska, rocksteady and reggae. Born in Kingston in 1934, he began his career in the 1950s then joined the Skatalites in the early 1960s, and whether one chalks this lucky break up to birthrights, shrewd decisions or chance sliding door moments is up to the historian. But his talent cannot be denied: over the years, Rico worked with Toots And The Maytals, Bob Marley, and The Specials. His masterful trombone solos lent parping bombast to a scene which abhorred tinniness, and the Man From Wareika album exemplified this. This dub edition is a crucial pre-release dub edition from the 1976 classic, in which we hear a full instrumental brass-and-bass dive-bombing across nine formerly unreleased Island Records trinkets.

Review: Hope & Faith Records returns with fresh releases featuring the "Standing Tall Riddim," a new production in the early 70s roots reggae style. There are three in all and this one is from the female harmony trio from the renowned Basque reggae band Tacumah. They perfectly pay homage to the roots reggae era while adding new school touches with both tracks rolling deep and authentically with soulful vocal stylings up top that ledge deep into your heart.

Review: A rather calming lovers rock track reissued on 12". When reggae drummer Lindel Lewis teamed up with singers Vincent Taylor and Claudia, few could anticipate the sonic romance that would blossom. 'You, Me & He' seems to capture two such triangulations, one lying at the heart of the real collaboration between artists, and the other evoked in the imaginary love tryst explored in the song. Wafty reverb vocals from the sweetly voiced Claudia give an admissive, coy impression of the persona she channels, which is lent a soothing antiphony from Taylor. Lewis, meanwhile, evidences his solo drumming and dubbing chops on the smooth 'Me & He' versions under the name One Man Band, twinning coldness and haziness.

Review: 'Pili Pili' by Jasper Van't Hof catapulted the fusion band into the limelight in 1984, with its infectious blend of African rhythms and jazz sensibilities. This 12" EP, featuring the iconic 15-minute original alongside a 2024 Coyote edit, offers a complete tribute to the songs history. Remastered and cut for maximum impact, both versions showcase the band's dynamic energy and innovative approach to fusion music. From the hypnotic groove of the original to the reimagined Coyote edit, each track exudes a timeless appeal that will undoubtedly wow listeners on the dancefloor. This release is a testament to Pili Pili's enduring influence and Van't Hof's pioneering vision in bridging musical cultures.