Back catalogue: Roots/Lovers Rock

Review: It's time to take a trip back to the legendary 1980 production era of Sly & Robbie's Taxi label. By 1980-81, Taxi's stripped-down, heavyweight drum and bass sound ruled the dubplate scene at Channel 1 and while tracks like 'Heart Made of Stone' and 'Black Uhuru's' saw official releases, others like 'Warrior' and 'Rocks and Mountains' remained elusive and only surfaced decades later. 'Don't You Cry' by The Viceroys is one such raw, haunting roots track from that time with a thunderous drum and bass version also cinder. Straight from the dub room at 29 Maxfield Avenue, this long-lost gem is another special delivery.

Review: 17studio double up as both visual designer and indie label and it's this combination that amounts to the roots-radical sonic spectacle we hear here. 'King Of My Castle' is a regnant lyrical musing, hearing a collaborative work with producer and multi-instrumentalist Bob Vito, and with additional vocals and percussion by the band Riciclette, for an impressive meditation on the nature of power and its perverse enjoyments. First produced in 1998 by Wamdue Project, this fresh reggae cover is best remembered as an era-definer, and this cover and Version extends the monarchy's rule by way of bubbling wahs, boxy fills, and owwing basses; simple, clean, effective instruments of force.

Review: Little Lion Sound's journey in the world of music reached a significant milestone with the release of their iconic album, Kingston Journey. The album stands as a testament to the group's unwavering dedication to reggae & dancehall, taking us on a mesmerizing odyssey into the heart and soul of Jamaican music. With each track, the album pays homage to the rich heritage of each genre, foregrounding an unparalleled ability to blend and curate both with finesse. Emerging talents such as Eesah, Jae Prynse, and Mr. Bertus lend their voices, resulting in a profound fusion of experience and contemporary creativity. As Kingston Journey resounds, it captures the evolving essence of Little Lion Sounds' sound.

Review: Legendary dub head Mad Professor manage to turning his mixing desk into an instrument in its own right. He coded all manner of heady and futurist sounds of it it by twisting nobs and playing with faders in a way no one had before and fee have managed to recreate ever since. He has turned his hand to reworking countless classic albums as well as turning out his own heart works, not least this album that was originally released in 1984. Ariwa Sounds (The Early Sessions) captures his work with artists like Errol Sly, Rock A Way & Sister Audrey and Sergeant Pepper, all of who he left with his magic dub touch.

Review: This double-disc collection offers a fascinating glimpse into Lee Perry's evolution as a producer during a pivotal year in reggae music. 1970 saw Perry at the top of his game, fresh off the success of Return Of Django, and these recordings capture his adventurous spirit and groundbreaking studio techniques. The compilation features a wealth of instrumental works, showcasing the proto-dub experiments of his backing band, The Hippy Boys. With 14 tracks new to CD and many others unavailable since the 1990s, this release is a treasure trove for dedicated Upsetter fans. From the infectious grooves of 'Yakety Yak' to the dubwise explorations of 'Bush Tea' and the soulful sounds of 'Let It Be', this collection is a must-have for any reggae enthusiast.

Review: Since launching late last year, Harlem Shuffle Records has reissued a string of killer reggae recordings from the 1960s and 70's. Here the imprint offers up its first compilation, a 14-track selection of early reggae, dub and rocksteady hand-picked from the vaults of such legendary labels as Black Swan, Blue Cat, Duke, Doctor Bird, High Note and Trojan. It's a fine and hugely entertaining collection all told, with highlights including the easy, laidback skank of Stranger & Patsy's 'Tell it to Me', the trumpet-laden instrumental shuffle of 'Walk With Des' by Des All Stars, the Hammond-powered dancefloor heaviness of Clancy Collins' 'Brother Moses' and the prototype dub brilliance of 'Black Out' by the Hardy Boys.

Review: A true staple of the Soul Jazz compilation canon, Studio One Rockers originally came out in 2001 and has remained an authoritative overview of the Studio One sound ever since. As one of the major powerhouses of Jamaica's music industry during those heady years of ska, rocksteady, reggae and dancehall, Studio One's legacy deserves acknowledgement from anyone with even a passing interest in the music. This collection takes in legends like Horace Andy, Dawn Penn, Johnny Osbourne and Jackie Mittoo, and shines a light on many other iconic artists with that perfect balance of broad appeal and deep-rooted knowledge that Soul Jazz nail when they pull a collection together.

Review: Soul Jazz have done it again with the Space Age Dub Special, compiling a selection of dub bits from the legendary Studio One label and its head honcho Clement "Coxsone" Dodd (Dub Specialist). One of the best producers and facilitators in the game, this comp is chock-full of the patented box delays and makeshift tinkerings that made Coxsone particularly famous in his day. Homing in on a space-age theme, one can expect an extra out-of-this-world FX palette here, with snippets of the original tracks' vocal channels phased in and out of their thoroughly effected instrumentals - like eclipsed satellites in orbit.

Review: Volume One of For the Love Of You was an instant hit and so it makes sense the irrepressible Athens of the North label has come back with a second volume. Once again this is a collection of soul covers featuring interpretations of Grover Washington Jr., Midnight Star, Meli'sa Morgan and Simply Red and loads more. The music is golden, the soul vibes rich, and the new styles brought to these classics is instantly appealing in a whole new way. As alwayss, this is another superb release from Athens of the North.

Review: 'Reggae disco' might not be a very well-known style, but Soul Jazz are hardly intimidated by any sense of obscurity, especially when it comes to a fusion between their two most prized genres. Homing in on reggae disco versions of funk, soul and disco classics, this curt but precious compilation features reggae covers of classics by Michael Jackon, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Candi Staton, with coverers including Risco Connection and the Crashers.

Review: The latest collection from the mighty Soul Jazz draws together a myriad of different styles favoured by black British sound systems, not only reflecting the roots of different communities reaching these shores but also the UK twist that that music has received as result. Reggae forms the backbone of the collection, from the blissful consciousness of Pebbles' 'Positive Vibrations' to the more protest-orientated Brown Sugar's 'Black Pride' and Tabby Cat Kelly's 'Don't Call Us Immigrants'. But the presence of Shut Up & Dance, Ragga Twins, Ray Keith aka The Terrorist and Digital Mystikz helps show the uniquely British areas into which sound system culture evolved - rave, breakbeat, jungle and dubstep.

Review: This legendary compilation from Soul Jazz has seen many iterations, but now it comes out in its most comprehensive glory to date, with versions on vinyl, CD and cassette in tow this January 2023. Charting the very best and funkiest tracks from the revered reggae musical imprint known as Studio One, greats from Jackie Mitto (covering Booker T & The MGs' 'Hang Em High'), Soul Bros (reinterpreting the James Bond theme tune, '007') and Alton Ellis (with the snappy reggae cut 'It's A Shame') render this a highbrow compilation of rare soundtrack cuts, originals and classics.

Review: Studio One Power Mix! is a vibrant and essential compilation from Soul Jazz Records that dives deep into the influential sounds of reggae, ska, rocksteady and more, focusing on the late 1970s, 1980s and beyond. This collection captures the essence of Studio One, the legendary Jamaican label founded by Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd, which has been at the forefront of every major development in reggae music since the 1960s. By the late 1970s, Studio One had already established itself as the undisputed leader in the genre, nurturing the careers of icons like Bob Marley & The Wailers, Marcia Griffiths, The Skatalites, and Dennis Brown. During this period, long-standing artists such as Alton Ellis and Jackie Mittoo returned to the label, producing some of their most creatively fulfilling work. Meanwhile, new talents like Sugar Minott, Johnny Osbourne, and Freddie McGregor propelled Studio One into the dancehall era, pushing musical boundaries while honoring the label's roots. The compilation features a dynamic range of tracks that celebrate this golden era, from classic hits to hidden gems. Each song reflects the creativity, innovation, and unmistakable groove that have made Studio One a cornerstone of reggae history. Whether you're a seasoned reggae enthusiast or new to the genre, Studio One Power Mix! offers a great tracklist through the evolution of Jamaican music, celebrating the enduring legacy of one of its most influential labels.

Review: Reissued almost ten years on from its first appearance, Soul Jazz's Rastafari compilation resurfaces once more. Famed for its recognition of the religion's influence on the emergence of dub and reggae in the early 1950s through to the 80s, this compilation proves Rastafari's influence and core ideas as inexorable from its sonic expression. Chief among reggae's pioneering players is Oswald Williams, aka. Count Ossie, whose influence is heard here is a sort of orthopaedic sonic stem from which all offshoots follow. Ossie's many posthumous contributions to this compilation, largely with The Mystic Revelation of Rastafari, laid the foundations of reggae as we know it, and are charted from his various nyabinghi chants and drum workouts, and come peppered by those of his sono-spiritual antecedents - the likes of Mutabaruka, Rod Taylor and Bongo Herman.

Review: Soul Jazz returns with another of its supremely assembled and vital compilations, and this one focuses on reggae. Down Beat Special offers a thrilling journey through timeless hits carefully selected from Jamaica's revered Studio One Records, the epitome of reggae excellence. From Michigan and Smiley's 'Nice Up The Dance' to Dawn Penn's 'No, No, No' and The Wailers' 'Simmer Down,' this collection pulsates with iconic tracks. Originally a limited edition 7" box set, this remastered edition boasts 18 rare gems, including works by The Skatalites, Bob Marley, and Horace Andy.