Arabusta Schallplatten & CDs

Review: After his first LP Stranger Ja Catem Traboi, Tchiss decided to further experiment with reggae and funana, inspired by the local rhythms of the island of Santiago. Gathering some of the best Cape Verdean musicians of the time, in 1984, together with Ze Antonio on guitar, Bebethe on bass and Alirio on drums, he recorded his second LP Ja Bo Corre D'Mim. An album that sings of a young man far from home, his unrequited love and saudade, the struggles of street life in a foreign land and a world of inequality. Recorded in just 3 days at the Pomodoro Studio in Sutri, the album fully expresses the deep and layered sound of Tchiss' music, where upbeat tempo, powerful vocals and electrifying guitar solos tangle together in a dynamic mix of traditional melodies and cosmic reggae.

Review: Tchiss Lopes's Stranger Ja Catem Traboi is as good a debut album as you could ever wish to hear. It is a world fusion of great rhythms, high-energy grooves, politically and socially aware vocals and reggae and funana collisions that brims with life and vitality. It was recorded in Rome after the artist spent 11 months at sea and was drawn from his personal and collective experiences of hardship, education, love and the loss of lives at sea. Though now 40 years old, the album has stood the test of time musically and lyrically and now gets a welcome reissue on CD.

Review: Paketo Wilson's Praise Him is a cult roots album that is hard to find on the seance hand market. When you do, it will cost you a small fortune, so this reissue will be music to the ears of fans old and new. He proved it back in 1982 with Trevor Davis under the Child of God label in just one day. It has hints of lovers' rock over the nice reggae rhythms with vocals that touch on classic themes of peace, love and unity, the trials of ghetto life and losing those close. Bobby Ellis and Headley Bennett bring mystical horns to most tunes and help make them all the more spiritual. This is positive and heartwarming reggae from a top songwriter.

Review: Just over 40 years have passed since Paketo Wilson headed into the studio to record 'Praise Him' at Harry J Studio in his home city of Kingston, Jamaica. The album, which effortlessly blends roots and lovers rock with the help of producer Trevor Dais and a cast of musicians that includes legendary trumpeter Bobby Ellis, has long been an overlooked, hard-to-find gem - hence this timely reissue from Milanese imprint Arabusta Records. Wilson's honeyed voice remains the focal point throughout, with standouts including 'Jardan Dance', the subtly dubbed-out 'My Daily Bread', and the wonderfully life-affirming 'Jumpy For Joy'. Recommended!

Review: Paketo Wilson's 'Immigration' is a hymn to freedom from the Kingston, Jamaica-born artist. It first arrived on the Child of God label in 1982 and is one of the self-declared "positive rastaman"'s finest tunes. He was introduced to music by his father and through watching them play managed to pick up his own skills with no formal turning. His career began at age 16 when he played concerts all around the island with the New Vibration Band before going solo with Daddy U-Roy's King Stur Gav Sound System. Now back in its original form, 'Immigration' is a tune that remains as relevant now as ever.