Review: Yuima Enya & Inokashira Rangers offer fresh takes on classic Sade tracks with their new release. 'Smooth Operator' transforms into a smoothed-out lounge record infused with reggae, while still retaining the soul and pop appeal of the original. On Side-2, 'Kiss of Life,' becomes a breezy jam with a subdued yet vibrant lounge band feel. Hats off to them for tackling such beloved songs and making them their own. These are great alternative versions, bringing new life to Sade's classics while respecting the originals. Perfect for fans looking to experience these timeless tracks in a new light.
Review: Two previously unheard righteous anthems from the sweet-voiced Icho Candy. The A side, 'Get Up Natty' was cut at Channel One in the mid-eighties, with backing by the Gifted Roots Band, and features an instantly recognisable bed of squelchy FX, elastic synth leads and choppy upstrokes, while the flip is an emotive new cut featuring legends from the Firehouse and Channel One production camps on the riddim. It's great to hear Icho still in fine style, delivering a timeless anthem with a positive message. Both sides also include excellent dubwise versions. Another jewel in the constantly expanding Digikiller catalogue!
Review: This is a brand new cut by Jamaican rootsman Icho Candy, who still ploughs on strong despite first making his way in the 1970s. Characteristically for Icho, 'Pave The Way' is a ghostly bop, coming packed with antistate political quips - "you reap the system... you reap your liberty" - and a hauntingly soft and almost defeated feel. Yakka comes through on the version, which begins with a beautiful set of harmonies before launching into a huge spring-reverbed, cavernous bubbling.
Review: Inokashira Rangers are world-renowned for their abilities in covering some of the world's best-known songs in the modes of ska and reggae, with versions of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', 'Creep' and 'I'm Not In Love', all laid to sweet 7", dominating stores in recent years. Now the Japanese covertones throw a curveball, for once reworking some honoured dance music cuts. 808 State's 'Pacific State' and Derrick May's 'Strings Of Life' get a thorough skinhead reggae re-examining.
Review: Inokashira Rangers are kwon around the world as a legendary group of Hammond-heavy reggae masters with a fine knack for laying down big cover versions. Their take on 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' was recently reissued to great acclaim recently and now we get two more gems. First is Radiohead's 'Creep' which has haunting leads and echoing pads capturing the freaky vibe of the original. There is a more laidback vibe on the flip with 'I'm Not In Love' which has noodling synths and lazy drum loops sinking you in deep.
Review: "Inokasira Rangers" translates from the Japanese to mean "Park Rangers". Living up to the name, this band's dub and rocksteady versions are like natural conservation efforts. Re-rendering their chosen songs in bobbing dub, Nirvana's grunge roll 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' is first revitalised, transformed into a sustainable form: "jello, hello, how low" becomes a relatively spooky perennation of Hammond, while Krist Novoselic's accompanying basslines become chop guitar, emblematic of the rocksteady movement. Meanwhile, Kool & The Gang's 'Summer Madness' is lent an eerier, dream-strung dub version, with an underwater wah effect providing an extra tchotchke on the windowsill of history.
Review: Over the last decade, Inokashira Rangers have proved that you can turn pretty much any track - whether it's a TV theme tune, rave banger or grunge classic - into a reggae or rocksteady gem if you know what you're doing. They're at it again on their latest "45", which opens with a storming, largely instrumental reggae-soul version of Edwin Starr's 1968 soul classic '25 Miles'. Their version - full of reverb-laden drums, fuzzy organ motifs, mazy solos, warming bass and JB's guitars - is naturally hugely different to Starr's version, but recognisably the same song. Their flipside take on Spinners' classic 'It's a Shame' is rather more difficult, with the trio slowing it down to a skanking reggae crawl while retaining the familiar melodic refrain.
Review: In a fresh outpouring of covers 7"s, Japanese rocksteady version band Inokasira Rangers share the best of several new vinyl cuts, this time remoulding The La's's Britpop masterpiece 'There She Goes' into fine reggae pottery. Once referred to as "the second national anthem of the UK" in a period of national musical fervour, the heartsick one-hit-wonder anthem gets a thorough Hammond-organ-ising here, sacrificing lyrics or vocals for a single transcribed organ line. On the B is also a version of Janet Jackson's unforgettably minor-keyed Clav-house steamer, 'Together Again', this time rock-steadied to a similarly beautified degree.
Review: Rocksteady from Japanese crew Inokasira Rangers, whom've here teamed up with singer Hikari Suzuki for a cutely delivered cover of the Americana song 'Tonight You Belong To Me' by Nancy Sinatra. Performed in a "skinhead reggae" manner, this is a mysterious but fun version of the erstwhile lolloping 60s pop version. On the flip comes a curveball in the versioned form of one of the greatest-selling singles of all time, 'Ue o Muite Arukou' (aka. 'Sukiyaki' in English-speaking markets), originally sung by Kyu Sakamoto and again retaken by the Rangers.
Review: Tokyo's Inokasira Rangers have been crafting lo-fi reggae since the 1990s, yet remained a rather hidden gem outside Japan. Their release 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' finally changed that when it dropped initially back in 2023 and sold out in quick time so now gets reissued. The A-side reimagines Frankie Valli's classic with a laid-back reggae twist while the B-side takes on Crystal Waters' '90s dance anthem with surprising charm. Infused with a subtle Shibuya-kei flair, both covers feel fresh yet timeless. The Waters rendition, in particular, sounds like a forgotten folk tune-so natural it's hard to believe it wasn't always this way. A breezy, nostalgic delight from a band overdue for global recognition.
Review: Rocksteady revivalists Inosikira Rangers have built a long and successful career out of unlikely cover versions, delivering killer reggae style interpretations of everything from 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', 'Anarchy In The UK' and 'Creep', to 'Born Slippy', 'Like a Virgin' and 'Happy'. Here, two of their most popular and potent covers are brought together for the first time on one "45". On side A they handle New Order's 'Blue Monday', re-casting it as a Hammond-heavy slab instrumental rocksteady, with Bernard Sumner's vocals being replaced by extended organ solos. Over on the flip, they slow down and skank out Kraftwerk's 'Autobahn', throwing in nods to krautrock and a dash of robotic vocoder to keep things fresh.
Review: Japan's best covers outfit, Inokasira Rangers, once again scores another knockout in dub. This time the instrumental group have procured a jaunty Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong ballad and a Glen Campbell re-blend respectively. Both songs have been lent a warm, clear-cut rocksteady flavour, substituting trademark vocal lines for instrumental renderings (both originals contain bittersweet legatos and leaping intervals, and deal in themes of gratitude and nostalgia, making it an extra challenge for the Hammond and electric piano to replicate them). But the task is nonetheless won, and pristine clarity achieved!
Review: Intensified, a longstanding UK ska band, returns with their first studio release in 13 years, presenting the delightful single 'SKA Campbell' b/w 'HAMSTERDAM.' True to their signature style, Intensified delivers a sweet and melodic ska anthem paying tribute to saxophone legend Dennis 'Ska' Campbell in 'SKA Campbell,' while 'HAMSTERDAM' offers a funky reggae nod to keyboard player Steffi's favorite TV show, The Wire. This release, featuring an infectious instrumental, sets the stage for their forthcoming 6th studio album later this year. The band's commitment to honoring ska's greats, exemplified by 'SKA CAMPBELL,' is commendable, showcasing their deep-rooted respect for the genre's history. Moreover, the diverse sleeve designs and vinyl colours add a unique touch, ensuring this release stands out in the ska community. Overall, Intensified continues to impress with their timeless sound and unwavering dedication to ska music.
Review: Intensified's latest offering, 'Ska Campbell' b/w 'Hamsterdam,' marks their triumphant return after 13 years with a limited edition vinyl release. 'Ska Campbell' pays homage to saxophone legend Dennis 'Ska' Campbell, while 'Hamsterdam' is a funky reggae tribute to the TV series The Wire. The band's authentic 60s ska, rocksteady, and reggae sound shines through, showcasing their undeniable love for the genre. With only 500 hand-numbered copies available in five different sleeves and vinyl colours, this release is a must-have for ska enthusiasts. The band's enduring status are evident in their confident delivery and wide appeal, making this single a welcome addition to their esteemed discography.
Review: Sofia Manari and Inokasira Rangers are not strangers to working together on their own unique covers of some classic sounds, all reworked into fresh dub grooves. This time they turn their focus to 'First Love, which is a lush listen with Manari's soothing and sultry vocal delivery. On the flip is another laid-back dub sound with a constant rhythmic pulse, natty chords and more clean and soulful vocals from Manari making this a sweet little 7" from Japan's finest, Parktone.
Review: 'John Jones' dropped in 1968 on the Big Shot label after being produced and co-written by Derrick Harriott. It soon became a cult hit on the UK skinhead scene, its relentless rhythm and sharp lyrics making it an obvious anthem that was further cemented by its inclusion in the Tighten Up series. Impersonators then step up on the B-side with the yearning vocal reggae of 'I've Tried Before.' It's a lo-fi sound with hissing hi-hats and bubbling rhythms full of earthy soul. Rarely found in clean 7" copies, this one, so don't sniff at it.
Review: Over the last couple of years, we've been treated to numerous reissues of classic cover versions by Japanese reggae/rocksteady combo Inokasira Rangers, including takes on Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', Pharrell's 'Happy' and New Order's 'Blue Monday'. Here we're treated to another, as the band's 2017 take on Underworld anthem 'Born Slippy' gets a fresh pressing. It's certainly a revolutionary revision, with Keichi Sokabe's surprisingly Karl Hyde-sounding lead vocal rising above a lusciously languid, sub-heavy reggae groove. Over on the flip they take on 'Groove Tube', a 1991 indie-pop-meets-acid house single from Japanese outfit Flipper's Guitar, reframing it as a baggy, glassy-eyed rocksteady number.
Review: Inokasira Rangers are known for bringing their own idiosyncratic dub and rootsy take on a whole world of classic source sounds from multiple different genres. Here they look to an iconic tune from The Sex Pistols and completely rework it into a slow and skating digital-dub framework then wire it up with spangled bass, bright metallic chords and re-sing the vocal in snarling fashion. On the flip is the excellent 'Longing For Andulusia' which is a more laid back and traditional dub sound that comes doused in island sun with some epic guitar solos.
Review: The image of a reggae singer "floating around in the sun" is a peculiar one. Are we orbiting the sun, or are we *inside* said seething sphere? Perhaps only the Invaders crew could could keep their cool in such heat. An elusive Jamaican reggae band active from 1967 - and not to be confused with an early avatar of the band Madness - this four-year retrospective compilation spans the bulk of the Invaders' best work between 1970-74, in which time they made some of their most brilliant records, in the estimation of label collaborators DKR. Having managed to license a portion of the band's output for reissue (as well as their other incarnations as Splenders and Stepping Stones), and hearing anecdotes about the band from this or that person, DKR never managed to track them down directly, despite this reissue. Of course, it doesn't help that one of the front cover images really does resemble a composite missing persons sketch! Sleuthing efforts reveal untimely deaths by members, but luckily founding Invader Delroy "Bongo Pat" Forde is still around - and as 'Conquering Lion' intones, "he will return as a conquering lion, and rule...". The record is seemly, tinged with gospel, and seesaws between religious tones ('Holy Mountain') and an instrumental, cartoon charm ('African Safari').
Review: Released in 1991, Forever brought together the sage dubwise forces of Wiss, Skelly and Apple - who were joined by the Roots Radics, and produced under Doctor Dread's guidance - for a recorded, controlled pandemonium laid down at the Lion & Fox Studios in Kingston. The Jamaican reggae group, formed in the 1970s, assembled as a merry band of brothers in the lyrical nascences of 'Poor Man Cry', 'Soldier of Jah Army', 'Reggae On The River' and 'Red Eyes', all of which feature here. Reissued on vinyl for the first time since 1991 and on CD for the first time since 1996, both formats have been remastered to provide the perfect listening experience for this legendary album.
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