Joseph Cotton & Earl Heptones - "Misty Morning" (4:00)
Room In The Sky All Stars - "Smoking Horn" (feat Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton) (4:21)
Review: The latest from the Joe Gibbs label features a powerful roots rockers reinterpretation of The Sensations' classic rocksteady tune 'Everyday Is Like a Holiday.' The new version from Ruddy Thomas brings a different kind of energy while honouring the soulful essence of the original. It's packed with plenty of mad mixing desk effects and endless echo while warm vocals and deep basslines lock in a steady, hypnotic rhythm. On the B-side, Joe Gibbs & The Professionals deliver 'Holiday Style' which has happy horns and melodies that sparkle in the hot summer sun. Real roots authenticity and dub mastery make this another vital 7".
Review: Many of you reading this may recognise this song from Dennis Brown's rendition on his iconic Visions LP, but this version actually predates that one. It was originally penned by Winston MacAnuff, also known as the Electric Dread, and features vocals by Earl Sixteen. It has previously debuted as a 7" on Gibbs' Belmont label in 1975, while Sixteen went on and recorded it again for Derrick Harriott on the Wild Flower label a year later. This rendition is often considered the definitive cut, but we shall leave you to decide on that one.
Review: Irie Ites is a French label that is back with two more reggae heavyweights and frequent musical sparring partners in the form of Eek-A-Mouse and King Kong. They tackle a relic of the 'Murderer/Hot Milk' rhythm, a production that will take you back to the 80s reggae sound in an instant. 'Musical Ambassador' comes first and is a happy-go-lucky sound with some slow, dubby drums and lazy hits as well as stylised vocals, while the flip from King Kong, 'Money Could A Buy' fleshes it out with more reverb and natty guitar riffs that hang in the air above the cavernous low end.
Review: The Liquidator Music crew have been putting out classic Jamaican rhythms ice the mid-cities and still goes strong. This is an all new one from Jamaican act Roy Ellis who sings over his backing band, Cosmic Shuffing, from Switzerland. They are acclaimed in ska and rock steady circles for good reason and help bring these tunes to life. 'Shine Your Light On Me' is an easy going roller with lo-fi drums and dusty riffs that hook you in while Ellis does his work up top. 'Merry-Go-Round' then cuts loose on a summery and swirling vibe with conversational lead trumpets and natty chords.
Review: Dutch label Fontoyard is back and doing what it does best early in this new year, and that is serving up fresh rhythms from some of reggae's best talents. This one is the sound of T Gibbs in collaboration with Empress Ahavah who is responsible for writing the original tune. It is a superb stepping riddim that is perfectly driven by a heavy bassline. Up top, like all the most crucial dub, is a mystical melody that captivates the imagination, and some silky smooth vocals. Flip it over and T Gibbs offers up a nice and tasteful dub that dials things back to the inviting low end.
Review: The emotionally charged 'Rebel Man' is a powerful reggae rhythm imbued with a socially conscious message. It has a famously smooth groove and strong bassline that set a fine standard while the compelling lyrics that speak to themes of resistance and empowerment. The single comes in two parts with the first being a relatively direct sound laced with psyche out guitars and shuffling drums and the flip brings a more laidback and cavernous sounds with plenty of echo on the low end, dreamy guitar leads and lush vocal harmonies.
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