GHETTO PRIEST Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Stephen Garfield Townsend is the Ghetto Priest (and also works as Levi Judah and Squiddly) and he is a rather prolific talent who has dropped five albums and some 29 EPs. This one came last year and finally arrives on wax. 'Smile' is a deep dub with endless echo and reverb swirling around the lower end as his vocals bring a smoky soul next to the wispy melodies. The flipside 'Nature Boy' is more light and airy, with sun kissed island feels and another unhurried, storytelling vocal that is delivered with grace and control.

Review: Jo Wallace's Ramrock label has always proved adept at blending reggae, dub and lovers rock with elements of jazz, soul and Balearic beats. You'll find a similar blend of sounds at the heart of the label's latest 12" - a fine, roots reggae style cover version of Aaron Neville's much-loved rare groove jam 'Hercules' by Asian Dub Foundation singer Ghetto Priest. His version (side A) is effortlessly soulful, with warming horns, clipped guitars and his own sublime vocals rising above a languid reggae riddim. Arguably even better is Darren Morris and Ashley Beedle's flipside remix, which adds bluesy pianos, hazy horns, vibrant Clavinet riffs and Ghetto Priest's vocals to a faithful rendition of the swinging, bumpin' groove that made Neville's 1973 version so addictive.