Back catalogue: Reggae

Review: After the successful digital release of Paulette Tajah's Journal Of A Butterfly EP, it's time for these sounds to make their way to vinyl for the first time ever. The of the pressing is quality is outstanding which means this is the best way to soak in the sounds of this great album. Each song is brilliantly recorded and Tajah's artistry is laid bare with fat dub drums, rich low ends and plenty of signature soulful vocals from Tajah who can sound aloof, emotive, empowering and plenty in between, as she shows here.

Review: Tchiss Lopes's Stranger Ja Catem Traboi is as good a debut album as you could ever wish to hear. It is a world fusion of great rhythms, high-energy grooves, politically and socially aware vocals and reggae and funana collisions that brims with life and vitality. It was recorded in Rome after the artist spent 11 months at sea and was drawn from his personal and collective experiences of hardship, education, love and the loss of lives at sea. Though now 40 years old, the album has stood the test of time musically and lyrically and now gets a welcome reissue on CD.

Review: The 5th studio album by Jamaican reggae artist Lincoln Thompson released back in 1983, 'Ride With the Rasses' was well-loved by those who knew it. A proud proclamation of his Rastafari faith, Prince Lincoln and his Royal Rasses are considered one of the mainstays of roots reggae. The record is conscious at every turn, influenced by the band's label going bankrupt the year prior forcing their return to Jamaica from the UK (referenced in 'Come Spring', the yearning for hot weather). The tone gambol's from serious messaging on the state of the world at the time, to a relaxed and chill attitude like in 'Ride With The Rasses'. The real attraction in Lincoln's work is his falsetto voice, something that distinguished him from his roots peers Bob Marley and Peter Tosh (the latter of which taught Thompson to play instruments). This is a well-deserved repressing of an incredible piece of underrated roots history.

Review: Toots and the Maytals were sent back to Dynamic Sound Studios in Kingston for new recordings that eventually gave rise to the album after their Funky Kingston success. It features a number of covers of material aimed quite specifically at the English market such as John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads." Though first recorded in 1974, it still packs a punch and of course delivers plenty of the Jamaican band's melodic reggae with beautiful vocal harmonies. The whole thing oozes soul and is underpinned by a certain sense of spirituality that makes it all the more alluring and enduring.

Review: Jamaican reggae don Winston Hubert 'Peter Tosh' McIntosh was a core member of the Wailers alongside Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer, but he also had a successful solo career. This Greatest Hits compilation spans his entire Parlophone catalogue with iconic tracks from albums like Johnny B. Goode, Wanted Dread and Alive and Bush Doctor. Originally released in 1987 exclusively in Brazil, this reissue marks its global availability for the first time and it comes on striking red, green, and yellow tri-colour vinyl that helps showcase his powerful blend of reggae, rock and political activism. Tosh's revolutionary spirit and musical mastery were second to none, as this collection proves.

Review: Peter Tosh's Mama Africa album, now reissued on red vinyl, features the legendary reggae artist at his finest. Combining reggae with African musical influences, the album opens with a powerful ode to the motherland in its title track. Tosh's adaptation of Chuck Berry's 'Johnny B. Goode' is another standout, blending rock guitar with a reggae rhythm and relocating the lyrics to Jamaica, further cementing his crossover appeal. The Tamlins' backing vocals enrich three tracks and Donald Kinsey's impressive guitar work is featured throughout. Tosh revisits his Wailers days with a reworked version of 'Maga Dog' and the fan-favorite 'Stop That Train'. His militancy comes through on 'Peace Treaty'. a scathing critique adorned with sound effects of gunfire. Tracks like 'Not Gonna Give Up' aim to uplift Africa's people, while 'Feel No Way' is a minimalistic rub-a-dub tune with understated backing. Tosh's unrelenting advocacy for justice and his Rastafarian beliefs permeate the album, reflecting his rebellious spirit and commitment to social equality. His solo career, following the dissolution of The Wailers in 1974, was defined by a fearless approach to music and activism, until his life was tragically cut short in 1987. Mama Africa remains one of Tosh's most significant works.

Review: A reissue that captures the essence of Tosh's deeply spiritual and politically charged reggae. The album opens with the iconic title track, blending soulful melodies with a powerful message. 'Recruiting Soldiers' follows, reflecting Tosh's political activism, while 'Can't You See' offers a heartfelt plea for peace. Tracks like 'The Day the Dollar Die' and 'Rumors of War' showcase his unique ability to combine social commentary with infectious rhythms. Pressed on limited heavyweight green vinyl, this reissue delivers a fresh way to experience an album that remains a cornerstone of reggae's rich legacy.

Review: Bush Doctor is a groundbreaking studio album by reggae legend Peter Tosh that was released in 1978. Featuring a fusion of reggae rhythms and socially conscious lyrics, the album stands as a powerful statement on global issues that are as relevant today as they were back then. From human rights to the legalisation of marijuana those issues come thick and fast on tunes like 'I'm The Toughest', 'Nosos - The Prophet' and 'Dem Ha Fe Get A Beatin'. Produced with a polished sound, it brought reggae to a wider audience and solidified Tosh's legacy as one of the genre's most influential voices. A true classic.