Review: 'Wow War Tonight' is a cover by Amano Airi and Himegami Shano, originally performed by H Jungle with T. The lively track served as the ending theme for the anime D4DJ First Mix. Tetsuya Komuro and in addition to solo versions by Amano Airi and Himegami Shano, a special version featuring Call of Artemis was included in their debut album in 2023. This 7" features a playful Two Million mix and a Karaoke version of the original. It's lively and unique, to say the least.
Review: This hot new 7" allows you to experience a classic cut from UK dub pioneers Nucleus Roots featuring the iconic voice of Don Hartley. This brand new pressing presents a fuller, heavier vocal mix of a track originally released on their 2003 CD album and later as a sought-after 12" single. Now, for the first time, this fresh vocal mix comes on its own 45rpm alongside the classic meditation dub from their 2006 CD album, Heart Of Dub. Both cuts go seriously deep with modern synth touches and soothing rasta vocals sinking you into a fine and meditative sound.
Review: The Heptones nailed it when they laid down 'Party Time', an enduring classic that now gets a reissue that will be welcome news to many fans of the hard-to-find original. This timeless reggae classic was originally released in 1977 and features The Heptones' signature harmonies, soulful melodies and roots reggae rhythms. It is paired on the flip with Bobby Kalphat's smooth melodica-driven production on the gene that is 'Zin Hill' which has laid-back vibes, sunny melodies and lo-fi aesthetics that make it all the more lovable.
Heptones - "Ain't That Bad" (with The Supersonics) (2:33)
Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - "Ska Jam" (2:51)
Review: For those truly in the know, rocksteady didn't begin with the legendary producer Coxsone Dodd. If you need any evidence then check out this tidy 7" which presses up a couple of tunes from before his era really began. Originally released in the mid-sixties on Caltone, it is an early jam from The Heptones who were already showing their class by this point. 'Ain't That Bad' is a bright cut with some captivating vocal harmonies as well as majestic horn leads and grooves that recall early ska. On the flipside that comes more to life with Tommy McCook's storming 'Ska Jam'.
Review: Hawaiian enka singer Torao Hikariyama is renowned in his circles for winning a foreign talent singing competition on TV. He is utterly beloved in his home country, and rightly so, for his performances at Bon dance festivals. He has several hits to his name and now one of them, the wonderful 'Torao no Tairyo Sen' has been daringly remixed and dubbed by Tengaku Dub. This brilliant release now makes its long-awaited debut on double-sided 7" and is sure to get plenty of heavy plays.
Review: A rare gem from the golden age of early reggae, this 1970 cut by Justin Hinds was originally released on a Duke Reid 7". It gets a welcome reissue here but still has plenty of lo-fi aesthetics, vinyl crackle and dusty sound that keeps it authentic rather than overly polished. Hinds' soulful vocal delivery and signature rhythm style shine as they capture the spirit of the era with subtle flair. On the flip side, a slinky, instrumental organ version by Gus McIntyre adds serious depth and makes this an irresistible double-sider or cracking up nice and loud through some towering speaker stacks.
Review: The influential John Holt has an immediately recognisable voice and contributed it to a huge array of reggae and dub hits. For this one, he works with Alton Ellis, master dub maker and ledge in his own right. This killer roots tune, 'Live & Love,' from the two titans was released originally in 1986. Yet all these almost 40 years later it still resonates with its signature 1980-81 Roots Radics style. The sweet vocal on the a-side is backed by a hard-hitting dub version on the flip that gives more room to the natty chords and endlessly echoing hits.
Review: Brixton Heights Records' 'This Crazy Feeling Called Love' is a collaborative single by the Brixton Heights Crew, Kieko De Stefanis, and Gaudi. The track features Mafia & Fluxi on drums and bass, Gaudi on piano and co-production, and contributions from the Ital Horns, N. Gatti, and R. Rassi. Legendary reggae singer Peter Hunnigale provides new English lyrics that have been adapted from an old reggae song by the Italian band Sensasciou. The A-Side showcases Hunnigale's iconic vocals, while the B-side, 'Caruggi Jazz,' is an instrumental tribute to Genoa's charming alleys with a dub-infused orchestral sound. Mixed by Gaudi and mastered by Augustus "Gussie" Clarke, this is sure to become a dancefloor hit.
Peter Hunnigale & Tippa Irie - "Hard Times" (3:43)
Nick Manasseh - "Dub Hard" (3:42)
Review: The cult figure that is Peter Hunnigale and South London reggae sound system mainstay Tippa Irie have teamed up to deliver a fresh rendition of Pablo Gad's classic riddim 'Hard Times.' This new version is just the fifth release from the Tok 2 label and it arrives on a 7" that showcases both artists' distinctive styles with Hunnigale's soulful vocals and Irie's dynamic DJing making it a real winning sound. The B-side features a dub mix by renowned producer Nick Manasseh, and he adds real dub depth to the track.
Paul Maiden & Manwel T - "Unconditional Style" (3:46)
Review: Yi Mas Gan is back with a new and timeless roots 7" that will keep the summer vibes alive even as Autumn begins to bite. On the a-side, this one features J.A. singer Clive Hylton who was recorded by French producer Manwel T as he did his thing on 'Show Some Love.' Empowering warrior leads rise up out of the mix as the trad reggae rhythms roll down low and his impassioned vocals ring out. Flip this one over and you will find Paul Maiden & Manwel T flipping it into a version they call 'Unconditional Style.'
Review: Abendigo introduces a rising star from Jamaica, Abka Kaba, with this powerful new 12". His tune 'Mighty People,' pairs bold, fat-bottomed drums with some classic harmonicas and sleek synths. It is accompanied by two dub mixes from Hermit Dubz and on the flip side, legendary artist Prince Alla presents 'Backstabber,' marking his sixth collaboration with Abendigo Records. This special release includes two dub mixes and is limited to 300 copies on 12" vinyl.
Review: The Pioneers return here on this Amalgamated Jamaica reissue alongside Hugh Malcolm and between them they are renowned for their popularity and numerous hits produced by Joe Gibbs and Leslie Kong. With approximately 40 recordings under Gibbs alone, this track embodies the classic elements synonymous with their collaborations and comes complete with a distinctive penny whistle. Bursting with energetic vibes and trademark topical lyrics characteristic of the Pioneers, this song resonates with the musical essence that defines their legacy.
Higher Meditation - "Dreader Than Dread" (version) (3:48)
Review: Nia Songbird teams up with producer Higher Meditation for a powerful new roots 12" straight out of Leicester. Featuring the stirring tracks 'We Are Warriors' and 'Dreader Than Dread', this release is a great window into Nia's evocative vocals paired with Higher Meditation's hard-hitting production. The record delivers four compelling versions that blend conscious lyrics with deep, brutalist rhythms that echo the essence of modern roots. With its commanding message and richly layered soundscapes, this release pushes boundaries while staying true to the genre's soulful and revolutionary spirit.
Review: This crucial new Lion's Choice 12" packs a punch with two powerful tracks by Val Tribulation from Grenoble in southern France. 'Words of Wisdom' highlights Haroon Ayyaz's knack for uplifting vocals and they are deeply inspired by holy scriptures and delivered over a 90s-style instrumental enriched by Mandlion's meditative mandolin. The second track, 'What's Left For Me,' features Alpha B and explores the state of the modern world through thought-provoking lyrics layered atop a saxophone-driven riddim. Both tracks include dub versions, offering deep, reflective vibes.
Review: You can probably work out what's going on here from the title: a superb collection of reworked Hall & Oates classics inna reggae style. They are the fine work of Black Market Dub who likes to reimagine classic sounds through a 70s Jamaican lens. The techniques used throughout are superbly authentic with hissing hi-hats, lazy tumbling beats and snaking baselines. The vocals remain in their original, often polished, falsetto style and extra horns are added for a lush sunny impact. Great fun, but also great quality.
Review: Mercy is a collaborative work between the late great Lee "Scratch" Perry (during his post-Black Ark Studios era), Peter Harris and Fritz Catlin, the drummer from the industrial funk dub act 23 Skidoo. What they cook up is unashamedly experimental outsider works that collide mad mixing desk trickery, Perry's trademark vocal mutterings and plenty of occult sound designs. Melodies are smeared and smudged, rhythms are drunk and off balance and moods range from balmy to bonkers, often within the same damn track. A maverick collage, for sure.
Review: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Keith Hudson's legendary album Pick A Dub, this deluxe reissue includes a second album, Pick A Vocal, featuring 8 bonus tracks. Released in 1974, Pick A Dub highlights Hudson's mastery and reggae's period of evolution. The original album's raw, unadorned sound and superb rhythms stand out and are free from excessive effects or studio gimmicks. Its austere sonic quality continues to captivate listeners, and that is what in part makes Pick A Dub as mesmerising today as it was an incredible 50 years ago.
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