Review: Last year, Rock A Shocka took a trawl through the vast back catalogue of ska legend Prince Buster, his erstwhile "All Stars" backing band and the various acts he produced on the superb "Roll On Charles Street" compilation. This must-have seven-inch single features two killer cuts discovered by the label in Buster's archives. On side A you'll find "Charles Street Cowboy", a superb rhythm & blues influenced ska instrumental by the Buster All Stars backing band. Over on the flip it's all about the Prince Buster-produced "Only Soul Can Tell", a heavyweight ska-soul number featuring the incredible high-range lead vocals of overlooked artist Slim Smith. In a word: superb.
Alton Ellis & Slim Smith - "Sho-Be-Do-Be-Do (I Love You)" (2:55)
Alton Ellis - "Be True" (2:41)
Review: This reissue brings a fascinating piece of reggae history back to the light, showcasing a unique collaboration between Alton Ellis and Slim Smith. Recorded in 1971 at Chalk Farm Studios, this 7-inch single captures a moment of creative exploration and cross-cultural fusion. Side A features 'Sho-Be-Do-Be-Do (I Love You)', a mid-tempo soul duet where their voices intertwine in a display of effortless harmony and heartfelt emotion. Their performance blends soulful melodies with a distinctly Jamaican rhythmic sensibility. On the flip, Ellis takes the lead with 'Be True', a reggae-funk infused cut that highlights his versatility. The track is a testament to Ellis' ability to seamlessly blend genres. Originally intended for release on A&M Records, these tracks were part of a larger project spearheaded by producer Stanley Pemberton. This reissue sheds light on this intriguing chapter in reggae history and allows listeners to appreciate the artistry of Ellis and Smith in a new light. Their collaboration is a testament to their vocal prowess and their ability to create music that transcends cultural boundaries.
Review: Prince Fatty's 'Mercedes Benz' with Shniece and Horseman is a rub-a-dub version of a 1970s hit from Janis Joplin that now gets a very special pressing courtesy of Lovedub Limited. The A-side kicks off with the spine-tingling and epic original vocal before disappearing into a world of reverb. At that point the dubby low end arrives and brings a different vibe to the stunning vocals but one that really makes a mark next to new bars from Horseman, police sirens and funky riffs. It's a tough sound system groove that is backed with a fine version and has been a firm fixture of Prince Fatty's record box for a while now.
Lyin' Ass Bitch (TGMX aka SYUTA-LOW TAGAMI version) (4:17)
Review: The Far East is calling once more with this latest Japanese take on reggae and ska from the good people at Urban Discos. It is a high tempo and raucous offering from Scafull King with two different versions of the same tune on both sides. 'Lyin' Ass Bitch' (Kaela Kimura version) is first and brings bustling drums and imposing ska rhythms with layers of organ and fiery vocals making for a big and in-your-face sound. The second version is even more rock-edged with hammering drums and walls of fuzzy guitar.
Review: The Sideburns are an instrumental and traditional ska band from Japan. Since the mid-nineties they have been putting out albums and EPs and this latest is another great slice of rhythm, produced by Top Doca. 'Smoking Blue Beat' has real authentic swagger to it with big horns leading the way and boogie boogie piano chords falling in from above. The Japanese vocals are a mystery, but are filled with character. 'Rough & Tough Way' slows things down and the vocals get more loos end raw out to suggest a late night party mood alert a few sakis.
Review: Sister Nancy is one of few trailblazers who helped pioneer the the female facet of reggae. 'Bam Bam' is a reissue of her seminal debut single, which features her signature sound of roots reggae and dancehall, raileing against the male-dominated 80s scene with its ribbing hook and slapping instrumental. The B-side 'Stalag Version' dubs out the A, versioning it into a gloomy, bass-heavy hypnosis.
Review: Dubbed by Billboard as the most sampled reggae song of all time, the legendary 1982 recording 'Bam Bam' by Sister Nancy has been used by some of the most influential musicians of the modern period: Lauryn Hill, Beyonce, Ye West and Rihanna to name a few. The dancehall classic has made multiple appearances in TV shows and Movies, standing the test of time as a quintessential anthem. Pressed on gold vinyl in an illustrated jacket, this reissue comes paired with the original Stalag riddim from Ansell Collins that Nancy samples on the B side. 'Bam Bam' remains an undisputed piece of history, the crowning jewel for the first-ever female Jamaican DJ to tour internationally.
Head Over Heels (feat Daniel Broman & Colin Giles) (4:11)
Head Over Heels (Slowly remix) (4:38)
Review: Several countries have a great traditional of bands performing covers of the classics in various weird and wonderful styles well away from the original. Enter Ska Jazz Messengers with this one - they are a Venezuelan ska and jazz collective who have a new album icing on Flower but tease it first with this new 7". It opens up with a soulful reggae cover of Tears for Fears' classic jam 'Head Over Heels' which has a nice snaking rhythm and retains the cursory of the original vocal. And on the flip is a powerful remix by Slowly. This outfit is big in Japan having collaborated with Emerson Kitamura, Toru Nishiuchi and many more, and you should be just as fanned up.
Review: Flower Records fusion masters Masato Komatsu and Ryo Kawahara are Slowly and are adept at everything from dub to disco, soul to post-rock. They have been turning it out at a steady rate recently on labels like Oscarson but mostly Flower. Following a couple of standout 7"s in 'Tripping Out' and 'Let Some Love In' already this year comes 'Time Trip.' It is a lush bit of slow motion big beat and dub, with heavily treated Japanese language vocals over a fat, churning rhythm. An instrumental is also included on this crucial 7".
Alton Ellis - "I Wish I Could Make You Mine" (2:57)
Review: This reissue brings a sought-after slice of reggae history back to the forefront. Originally released in 1973, this 7" single features two gems miscredited to Ken Parker but rightfully belonging to Alton Ellis and Slim Smith. Side A presents Smith's soulful rendition of Curtis Mayfield's 'We Must Be In Love', a reggae-infused take on the classic tune. On the flip, Ellis delivers a heartfelt performance of 'I Wish I Could Make You Mine', showcasing his smooth vocals and impeccable phrasing. This reissue corrects a historical inaccuracy and makes these two rare tracks accessible once more.
Review: There are no prizes for guessing that 'Born Slippy' by Keiichi Sokabe and Inokasira Rangers is a cover of Underworld's ubiquitous rave tune 'Born Slippy.' It first landed on Japanese imprint Park Tone in 2017 but demand is such that it no reappears on the Japanese label as a limited edition repress. It's three and a half minutes of squelchy, slow motion, fat bottomed dub with the vocals delivered in drawn out fashion next to languid guitar riffs. Inventive, fresh and backed with the more traditional reggae tune 'Groove Tube,' this is a real collector's curiosity.
Review: The Treasure Isle reissue series continues via a fresh pressing of the Soul Lads superb 1968 45, "Funny". It sees the slick, soulful harmony group accompanied by the Supersonics, one of Skatalites man Tommy McCook's alternative groups. The title track is warm, woozy and sweet, with the group adding brilliant vocals to a languid rocksteady backing track rich in mazy organ solos and warm bass. Flipside "I Am Yours Forever" is a little fuzzier but no less sweet, with hazy horn lines catching the ear just as much as the head-nodding, bass-heavy groove and the group's fantastic doo-wop style vocals.
Review: Japan's ability to take in culture from around the world and perfect it with their own unique aesthetic knows no bounds. From denim to rockabilly, streetwear to dub, the country is a treasure trove of niche and unexpected scenes. Rock A Shaka is an outlet that champions the country's rich dub heritage and here they reissue a 2014 classic. It features Spanish Town Skabeats serving up the timeless and swaggering ska sounds of 'Stop That Train', with its big horns and deep cut riddim. Prince Buster's All Stars serves up 'Stir the Pot' on the flip with just as much elan.
Review: The Specials are real UK national treasures, aren't they? And rightly so. Alexis Petridis has even gone so far as to say their standout single 'Ghost Town' is the second greatest UK single to have ever been released. Again, it's hard to really argue with that one. It was a UK chart topper at time of release and speaks eloquently of the urban decay, unemployment and ongoing racial tensions of the period. Sound familiar? Sadly, you once again have to agree. This 40th Anniversary Edition has been mastered and cut at half-speed for extra oomph.
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