Juno Recommends Reggae Classics March 2021

Review: Pressure Sounds latest essential reissue breathes new life into Yabby You and the Prophets' brilliant 1975 album Conquering Lion, an early roots reggae gem that has long been a favourite of knowledgeable reggae heads. The first record naturally showcases the original EP, offering us a chance to savour such classics as 'Run Come Rally', the intoxicating and pitched-down brilliance of 'Conquering Lion' and the shoulder-swinging skank of 'Jah Love'. The second record, meanwhile, gathers together rare dubs, versions and alternate takes not featured on the original LP. It's almost worth buying the reissue for this alone; 'Tubby's Vengeance', 'Anti Christ Rock' and 'Warning (Dub)', in particular, are spectacularly good.

Review: Roots and reggae masters Partial know which EPs need reissuing and once again they prove that this month by casting it back to 1992 for Earl 16;s revered Natural Roots. For those who were there back then, it is well known that Jah Shaka played the tunes of this EP at every gig for almost 10 years and they never failed to get you moving even though you knew he was still only warming up. An original copy will set you back 50 odd quid so don't sleep on this great sounding reissue, which features the exact same play list as first time round.

Review: Wailing Souls are veteran roots reggae artists - is there any other kind? - who make a welcome return with new album 'Back A Yard' (which is of course patois for 'back in Jamaica'). It is a strong offering of 11 crucial tunes with longstanding members, Winston "Pipe" Matthews and Lloyd "Bread" McDonald, in the studio with producer/ singer Alborosie. All-star guests such as keyboardist Tyrone Downie and bassist Errol "Flabba" Holt also feature to make this a real coming together of greats from over the course of Jamaican reggae history.

Review: Uluru returns with Smile Davis on fine form as he pays tribute to the legendary and late reggae icon Toots Hibbert. Davis flips a beat using parts from Toots tunes first made in the late 60s after he was arrested for possession of weed. The original was one of the first tunes to break out of the Caribbean and make a mark on the wider world and it remains potent to this day. On this version, underground MC Blurum13 delivers some sharp lyrics that spread a message of peace and unity. On the flip is the deep dub and contemporary edge of Italian artist Skanky Puppy's 'Humble.'

Review: Of late, Neil 'Mad Professor' Fraser has served up a number of essential 12" singles whose lyrical content and track titles were undoubtedly inspired by the continuing quest for racial equality and the Black Lives Matter movement. That trend continues with 'Black Skin', a co-production with Starvybez Production and dancehall vocalist Grantie Asha that celebrates the beauty of blackness. Asha's vocals are slick and soulful, mixing passages of both toasting and singing, while the backing track is a warm and attractive mixture of contemporary roots and lovers rock. Over on the flip Mad Professor strikes out on his own, turning that instrumental into two typically weighty, attractive 'Emancipation' dubs.

Review: According to Discogs, this is the first ever release from Arthur Freestyle, but it could just as well be the sound of some overlooked MPB star from back in the day. He delivers his gentle rhythms over a lazy, reggae tinged beat tinged with sunshine and Latin flair, and overload with simple but effective keys and a female accompaniment. It's hard not to fall for this one. Flip it over for 'Outro Lugar,' a Brazilian take on slow motion hip hip crossed with deep loves rock that is as good as it sounds on paper.

Review: Silvertones vocalist Delroy Denton laid down some real rootsy heat with this one way back in 1975. His vulnerable vocals and heartfelt ad clubs really get you in a sweet spot as the party ridders rumble along in earthy fashion. It's a timeless cut that is perfect for big systems and warmer climes. On the flip, as you'd expect, is a filter heavy dub from Sky Nation that will twist your melon inside out and back again. Sweeping in and out with filters, the original is smeared and stretched to make for a whole new vibe that is just as crucial.

Review: The Roots Man Dub album was originally released in 1978 on Hit, a label from the GG Records crew. It features a ton of superb dubs by Alvin Ranglin, who flipped versions of tunes by The Maytones, Al Brown, The Starlights and many more besides into sonic wonders for mind, body and soul. This compilation pulls them all together again and results in plenty of indisputable sonic fire for when the warmer months come, we laze about in the garden and partake in a toke or two.