Review: Poor Man's Friend Records has assembled a tasty new 7" featuring reggae legend Cornell Campbell. With a career spanning over 60 years, Campbell is known for his distinctive falsetto and both heartfelt love songs and deep spiritual roots music. His latest track again delivers a powerful message against judgment and ego: "Just try sweeping up your backyard, before you find fault with people's yard," he sings, quite rightly. Produced in a classic mid-70s roots style and recorded by the Poor Man's Friend Rhythm Section in Bristol, this one comes with a fine dub version by Yakka and horn arrangements by the Cornerstone Horn Section.
Review: A mock-vintage version of a well-known but also tragic reggae classic, 'Satta Massagana' by the Abyssinians. Legend has it that the original tune was slated for release on Studio One, but, for reasons unknown, the dubplate ended up rejected by the label's founder, Coxsone Dodd. Indeed, sometimes it's a record's repression, not its release (get it?), that lends it its staying power. To add insult to injury, this new cover version by the Dig This Way All Stars and Yakka was first produced in acetate form and ended up cracked and unplayable only weeks after its receipt. A miracle cure, in the form of a vinyl restoration service in Rome, salvaged the record: just know that you're in an extra lucky position to be hearing this one at all. A cursed record? Perhaps, but the release of 'Sata' also implies proof of the original song's point; that some higher power really did give praise.
Review: This double A-side is a classic release from 1967 on the Caltone label. The tracks showcase the richly and newly emerging rocksteady sounds of the era with the uncredited Lynn Taitt and The Jets providing the dynamic backing on Lloyd & The Groovers's 'Do It To Me Baby.' It's a buttery smooth vocal harmony with swaggering drums and bass combos and nice plucked guitars. On the flip the lo-fi and breezy 'Take My Hand' provides a deeper, more emotive groove with a whimsical edge.
Review: Mad Professor's 'In The Name of Love' is a compelling fusion of dub and reggae, showcasing his signature production style. The track opens with a deep, resonant bassline that anchors the composition, while subtle percussion elements add rhythmic complexity. The dub version on the B-side further enhances the track's atmospheric depth, offering a more stripped-back interpretation that allows the intricate soundscapes to emerge more prominently. This release underscores Mad Professor's adeptness at blending traditional dub elements with contemporary production techniques, resulting in a track that is both rooted in the genre's history and forward-thinking in its execution.
Review: Appearing here for the very first time on 7", this track from Vivian Jackson, aka Yabby You, was originally released as the title cut off the Jah Jah Way LP back in 1980. It was later pressed on a 12" by Yabby You some 20 years after its initial release and is one of those heavy, fat-bottomed dub cuts that demands to be played loud from a towering speaker stack while the sun is blazing. The bassline does most of the heavy lifting with dusty tambourines and passionate vocals adding the soul. The dub version on the flip gets some serious mixing desk treatment and tons of echo for even more mind-melting brilliance.
Review: The Vivian Jackson label has locked in this crucial reissue of a roots classic from Yabby U, a late Jamaican artist and producer who released it originally back in 1977. 'Chant Down Babylon' is a warm one with lazy and rolling drums and natty acoustic guitar riffs with Jah worshiping vocals and Babylon yearnings that unfurl up top with a real smoothness. On the flip, you will find the 'Chant Dub Mix' which removes the vocal chantings and allows the hats to hiss and the snares to take off like UFOs while the fleshy low end is couched in oodles of reverb.
Review: The Young Souls spent some of their early years working with legendary producer Joe Gibbs. In 1968, they produced some iconic tracks and here come two of the standout tunes from the era on a Pressure Beat 7". 'Man A Wail' is raw, lo-fi, and built on a classic riddim with some soul-drenched vocals up top. 'Why Did You Leave' in the flip is a more up-tempo and full of sync swagger as well as lush vocal harmonies. Tow lovely tunes for any situation.
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