Back catalogue: Reggae

Review: Reggae singer, soundsystem heiress and "first lady of dub" Aisha (Pamela Ross) had already made an enduring name for herself by 1997, at which point she was already ten years into her singing career. A veritable blue-blood of soundsystem culture, Aisha had also already released four albums before 'Give A Little Love', which was contrastingly released as a standalone single not intended as a part of any wider record. Notably enough, it was also produced by Mad Professor, whose boxy, whistly production brings a ghostly, wastelain feel to the otherwise lively track; the instrumental version connotes entirely different themes without the lyrics, proving the infatuating effect of Aisha's words and delivery: with her, it becomes the quintessence of lovers' rock; a rousing floor-filler and lyrical impulsion to give over, so to speak, to the virtues of sharing, as opposed to withholding for oneself, love.

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: 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.

Review: Sao Paulo's Junior Dread brings his world reggae excellence to this latest gem from Red Peak Sound. The collaboration began when J.Brenner met Junior at Minneapolis' Word Sound Power Festival back in 2022 and soon after they began making music and it led to two powerful tracks act were finely crafted through extensive mixing and testing. On the A-side here is a slow, heavy stepper evoking a vision of resilience atop Babylon's heart, paired with a dubwise mix that strips the rhythm to its core. The B-side offers a meditative one-drop rhythm and uplifting lyrics and is also accompanied by a swirling dub version that transcends space and time.

Review: When reggae vocalists The Heptones joined legendary producer Joe Gibbs, they collaborated with the Now Generation band to create the incredible track 'Hypocrites.' This truly lovely song stands out as one of The Heptones' finest works while also being a standout reggae classic. The track captures a powerful message and features Leroy's heartfelt performance over lovely organ work and catchy ridders. This notable period in The Heptones' career was preserved on two exceptional albums released by Joe Gibbs, including Heptones and Friends which is well worth finding for a showcase of their impressive work from the era.

Review: Jah Mason and Kojo Neatness bring an authentic island flavour to this solid 4/4 roots rhythm that was crafted by the Roots Defender Riddim Section. The track features soulful horn arrangements as well as mesmerising guitars and keys by Black Steele and Maestro Inyaki. Originally recorded as a full band piece in Brixton over a decade ago, it underwent multiple stages to perfect its organic vibe for sound system heads. The multitrack was then taken to Ital Soup studio in South London where Petah Sunday served up a brilliant analogue mix while also adding some mind-blowing dubs all of which have already made their mark.

Review: Jamaican rocksteady vocal group The Jamaicans linked with Tommy McCook & The Supersonics back in 1967 for this piece of rocksteady gold. The a-side of this reissue comes with the original Treasure Isle-version of the 1967 festival song. It's heavy, love struck, earthy and organic. The super B-side is a remixed version of the A-sides's backing track, but with the addition of some overdubbed percussion and syndrum parts as well as a sweet but uncredited toasting and DJ appearance by Jah Thomas. Both sound as hot and crucial now as they did all those many years ago.

Review: This classic wedge of roots originally came back in 1977 but has a distinctly futuristic edge even now. The license for the reissue comes from Jasaro's Everand Thompson which will be great news to collectors as currently an original of this, even though no one can be found on second-hand markets, will cost you the best part of three hundred quid. Everand Thompson and Jasaro really struck gold with 'Suffering' which pairs fat dub and tweaked synth energy with a meaningful and pained vocal. The Simba version fleshes out the heavy riddim with more effects and extra vocals.

Review: Originally released in 1985 on Jo & Neville Carnegie's Brixton-based Dove Records, the wonderful 'Flying' returns on 12" and has been cut from the original master tape so could not sound better. Jo wrote the track while imagining the world from above and in an attempt to escape the tensions of war and political unrest. Amid Britain's lovers rock explosion, the song offered a breath of fresh air and truth be told, with so much raw still raging across the world, it still does. "Back in the day, sound systems would string up giant speakers, and that's when the dances were the best," Jo once recalled. This tune revives the spirit of an era when music provided solace and freedom and will help you soar high above the negativity of the times.

Review: UK dub label Partial Records welcomes dub cats Vivian Jones and Vinney Satta for a new split 7". Jones's 'Return Ticket' kicks off in slow, libidinous fashion with sparse wooden rim shots and joyous horns bursting out of the laid back rhythm while the wailing vocals bring a traditional touch. On the flip, Satta steps up for a dub out version of the original which is more roomy, liquid and heady for those late night sessions when you can hook on to the endlessly echoing chords and bass. Two classy sounds with a contemporary twist.

Review: This is one of a pair of new slabs of wax from Amsterdam's Sound System and label of the same name, King Shiloh. It features an array of modern dub and reggae talents and first up, Lavvosti & Black Omolo offer the modern sheen of 'Red Gold Green'. Kare's 'Better Days' rides the same rhythm but with more stylised and soulful vocal turns that empower with every bar. Jah Works dubs things out with a ton of effects and Tiger Simeon & Brada Jahziel layer in storytelling bars. Brasspect brings a fresh horn-led sound that is romantic and hypnotic and Roots Mechanic pairs things right back to an 80s sounding Jamaica dub vibe.

Review: The mission continues here for Reservoir Dub Records who have been working most recently on putting out this one "Aim High' tune on a 10" with four different cuts from four different artists. This one features the legendary Macka B and the talented saxophonist Guru Pope bring their skills to a rhythm that was originally produced by the one and only dub-making don that is Jacin, while all the cuts have been expertly mixed by Gamma Sound's N-Tone DUB. It's a heavyweight package of fresh dub sounds with nods to the old school but plenty of new school cool.

Review: King Shiloh is back with more heavy and modern dub sounds from a range of talents who all add their own spin to a couple of heavy rhythms. Tiger Simeon & Brada Jahziel's 'Rastaman Vibration' gets underway with some bold, brassy horns and natty pianos that make for a full fat sound. Jah Works gets to work on the mixing desk and dubs it out to perfection while Lavosti brings a more modern sounding digital synth sheen and rousing vocal top line to the delightful 'Real Reggae Warrior.' Again it is Jah Wrks who steps up to do his thing and strip it back to deep dub vibrations.

Review: Seafront International returns with some classic roots sounds from U Brown with a dub from Jah Warrior. Recorded at Conscious Sounds studio in London 2001, the sounds are stripped down to raw bass and drum dynamics by producer Jah Warrior who was clearly intent on allowing his work to be a personal platform for U Brown to offer up his own lyrical expressions and his musical messages. It's a track delivered with energy and serious focus and will sound best nice and loud.

Review: Timeless Roots is a brilliant collaboration between reggae legend Horace Andy and renowned bassist Jah Wobble. Known for his ethereal vocals, Andy breathes new life into classics like Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition' and The Beatles' 'Come Together', while also revisiting his own iconic tracks like 'Skylarking' and 'Natty Dread A Weh She Want.' Wobble, former PiL bassist, Orb collaborator as well as a solo artist of some renown, blends reggae, modern dub and world music to create a rich sonic landscape that perfectly complements Andy's distinctive voice. The album stands out not only for its reinterpretation of well-known songs but also for its innovative production, which maintains the essence of roots reggae while introducing contemporary elements.
Wobble's deep bass grooves provide a solid foundation, allowing Andy's vocals to soar, particularly on new takes of his classics. This collaboration is a seamless fusion of two musical worlds, making Timeless Roots one of the standout reggae albums of the yearia true match made in musical heaven.