Review: This crucial platter features two gems in 'Windrush Scandal' and 'Give A Little Love' which are fine tunes from Lizzi Bee and Ranking Ann, who makes a great return and lays down some superb vocals that will get you thinking as well as skanking, and what's more it all comes on a flame red vinyl 12". The track offers a perfect blend of reggae and dancehall influences, featuring catchy melodies, uplifting lyrics and a smooth rhythm that will have you swaying along and lost in the cavernous bass depths. Sax versions and dubs are all included to make this the complete package.
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.
Derrick Harriott & The Tamlins & Joy White & Reasons & U-Brown - "Christmas Songbook" (11:27)
The Chariot Riders - "Christmas Songbook" (instrumental dub Style) (11:32)
Review: Lifelong reggae fans, vinyl lovers and frequent Juno readers will be familiar with Crystal D's Reggae Disco mix series. It was a 70s thing where artists served up their own unique reggae versions of Christmas classics and now we get volume 17 of the Christmas Songbook. This one comes on 12" in hand-stamped sleeve and the A-side is an 11+ minute collection of tunes from Derrick Harriott & The Tamlins & Joy White & Reasons & U-Brown with natty chords, sleigh bells and choral reggae vocals. What a mix. In authentic reggae fashion, the flip side is a dub of the whole lot by The Chariot Riders.
Roots Defender Riddim Section - "No Justice Dub" (4:18)
Kojo Neatness - "Bun Dem Down" (4:02)
Roots Defender Riddim Section - "Dub Dem Down" (4:19)
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: 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: Some super good roots here to bring some sunshine back into your life despite the freezing temps outdoors. The brilliantly talented female singer on this is Nagai and she hails from Reunion Island. Her vocal on the title tune 'Back to My Roots' is full of yearning and pained soul while the rhythm below is a clean and nimble one with nattty chords all mixed by Roberto Sanchez at A-Lone Ark Music Studio. A melon-mangling dub plus two further versions close out this fine 12".
Review: Dutch label Ghetto Cornerstone presents a new and limited 12" here that offers some high-class roots. The release features Jamaican singer Prince Alla in top form as well as dubs produced by Ray Ranking, along with an additional vocal track by Ras Ruben. They are all fine blends of classic roots reggae with fresh, dynamic elements, starting with 'Warn Them' with its flabby and wobbly low-end and happy vocal energy. Ras Ruben's 'Jah Guiding Star' on the flip is a more pained and yearning sound with a slower, more pillowy and cavernous low end.
Review: OTO Records and Red-i Soundsystem combine here to unveil 'Mystic Prophecy,' a fresh collaboration between Rastaveli MC and Red-i which comes on 12" vinyl. This new release features two original tracks and two dub mixes designed for nice and loud sound system sessions. On the A-side, deep, mystical vibes and conscious lyrics come from Rastaveli MC and are paired with a raw, meditative dub mix by Red-i. The B-side offers melodic, spiritual strings and forward-thinking verses from Rastaveli MC, complemented by a powerful, militant dub steppas remix with a roaring bassline by Red-i. This is an alluring fusion of sounds for summer fun.
Stop That Train (Outta Babylon) (feat Ranking Joe & Donovan Kingjay) (4:01)
Dub That Train (4:01)
Mr Bossman (feat Ranking Joe & Donovan Kingjay) (3:34)
Mr Bossman (version) (3:33)
Review: Much loved roots and lovers rock outfit Reggae Roast drop their hot new 12" on their own label with featured guests including Ranking Joe & Donovan Kingjay. The UK's leading Soundsystem collective kick off with 'Stop That Train' with some fresh and contemporary did-dub styles and sleek synth work all topped off by the carefree and soulful vocals. 'Dub That Train' slows it down, dials it back and ups the effects for a more heady sound and then 'Mr Bossman' is a bright, dancehall-tinged track with nimble drums and heartfelt, buttery vocals. The version is another sure-to-be-classic sound system dub.
Review: Jamaican music legend Joe White is truly in his element on this much needed reissue. Alongside contemporaries such as Augustus Pablo, Peter Tosh and Bobby Kalphat he was one of very few melodica players on the scene. He had his first success in 1965 with the song "Every Night" and went on to release beautiful instrumentals like "Kenyata", "Call Me Trinity" (for Derrick Harriott) and "Cheer Up" for Glen Brown. White formed the group Roots, Trunks & Branches to release several tracks on the label Splendour Heights. "Forward To Zion" was released in 1979 and became a true reggae roots stepper banger for sound systems across the globe. Probably electronic music fans will appreciate the futuristic dub aesthetic. "Forward To Zion" is a song of peace, love, freedom and emancipation of people.
Review: Ruffy & Tuffy were teenage twins when they dropped this one back in 1982. It might be one of the first recorded uses of a vocoder in reggae too as they served up their seriously heavyweight low ends and drenched them in synths in a rub-a-dub style. 'If The 3rd World War Is A Must' is one of only a few tunes this pair dropped and although they weren't prolific, they were influential. They were also in a film, Ted Bafaloukos' iconic 1978 Rockers, in which the twins are sparring in red Pony tracksuits. They were proud Rastafarians who remained symbols of defiance.
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