Original Gravity Schallplatten & CDs

Review: The fourth edition in Original Gravity's Down In The Basement series, which gathers instrumental soul and swing cuts onto worthy 7" slabs, resounding the fervent 1960s decadal gap in which mod reigned supreme. With juleps flowing and kneecaps knocking, Abramo & Nestor bring newfangled electric pianistic swing with 'Dig It!', while a twinned "hit it!" injunction is heard from Floyd James & The GTs on the reissued 'Work That Thang'; James' voice is tubed and speed-delayed to terrific effect, achieving a sprung intonation. Curtis Baker brassifies the bonanza with the lively 'Fried Fish 'n' Collard Greens', while The Native Yinzer's exiting excitation 'The Hip Strip' quilts our ears with a mnemic, down-feathery Hammond-breaks bit.

Review: The third volume of this series delivers an irresistible blend of funk and 60s-inspired grooves. Side-1 kicks off with a surf-rock-infused funk jam packed with energy and retro vibes. Following that, a swinging 60s sound that combining catchy rhythms and pop sensibilities keeps the momentum going. Side-2 shifts gears a groove-heavy track led by a soulful organ that oozes vintage charm. Closing the collection, there is a gem that features smooth, funk-driven melodies, topped off by a standout sax solo and a subtle British flair. This compilation offers a vibrant mix of styles, perfect for fans of classic funk with a modern twist.

Review: The Original Gravity label's Reggae Dynamite series sure is packed full of dance floor heat. This fourth volume turns up the temperature once more, starting with Dave Barker's 'Move It On Now' with spoken word mic work over a guitar laced riddim. Woodfield Rd Allstars bring plenty of big horn energy and hints of ska to their 'San Salvario Stomp' then appear again on the flip with the organ-lead sounds of mid tempo wobbler 'Norwegian Wood'. Melbourne Douglas completes the picture with 'Wheel & Come Again', another raw as you like and classic sound.

Review: The superb Original Gravity label is back with more OG reggae brilliance and ska classics. This second volume of Ska Fever kicks off with a big stepper from Junior Dell & The D Lites in the form of 'Rude Girl' while Prince Alphonso & The Fever bring big playful brass to 'Malostran-Ska' and Junior Dell & The D Lites then return on the flipside of this 7" with 'Remember To Forget' which picks up the pace and is built on a hardcore rhythm. The legendary Woodfield Rd Allstars shut things down with a more melancholic vibe on 'Beseda Blues.'

Review: London's Original Gravity is a bastion of top notch dub and reggae and has been for a while. For their next outing they round up some of their best bits on a new compilation series they are rightly calling Boss Sounds. Volume 1 is a doozy that opens with label regulars Junior Dell & The D Lites and Woodfield Road Allstars. 'Skinhead Vibration' kicks things off with singing organ chords over slow, ska-tinged drums with plenty of sweet fills and a lively vocal up top. The Allstars then drop the more wobbly and funky number, 'The Mighty Big Ben Silekta' and two further jams on the flip that keep the riddims rolling.

Review: If you're reading this you will already be familiar with Jamaican rocksteady and reggae vocal trio The Heptones and their very many lovely tunes. This one with Woodfield Road All Stars is as smooth as they come. 'Love Has Got A Hold Of Me' has slow motion grooves and lazy drums with the most gently persuasive acoustic riffs next to soul drenched and warm vocals. On the flipside is 'Breezin' Up Brentford Road' which has some lovely hammond organ vibes and an evn more laid back swagger to it.

Review: London reggae band Junior Dell & The D-Lites are mainstays of the Original Gravity label, which really knows its stuff when it comes to old school cool. Many of their greatest tunes have all been repressed and reissued over the years and this is the next one to get its moment in the sun. 'Twenty Flight Ska' has a nice rough edge and ska-styled horns with languid rhymes up top and liquid bass down ow. On the flip is 'Orange Street Breakdown' which is even more laidback, relaxed and sunny in its disposition.

Review: Across four artists and four versions, Original Gravity present 'Woolly Bully', a woollen repackaging of the longtime Sam Sham & The Pharoahs classic. Laid down in 1964, this terpsichorean prancer kept to a 12-bar blues progression, and made for the first American record to sell a million copies during the storied British Invasion. Its mixture of skiffly British rock and Mexican-American conjunto was an intentional blend, and a succesful one at that. Its enduring impact is now felt in these rollicking cover versions from Junior Dell, Donnoya Drake, Luchito & Nestor Alvarez and Curtis Baker, all roomy, costume vintage retrofits of the original. Listen closely to the lyrics for strange talk of a mythical creature: the original song's lyrics were so strange that some radio stations banned it for fear of popular befuddlement.

Review: Latin Fever Vol. 3 offers a vibrant collection of tracks from Luchito & Nestor, as well as solo efforts by Nestor Alvarez (a.k.a. Neil Anderson). Luchito & Nestor's rendition of The Olympics' 'Good Lovin' kicks things off with a blistering Latin boogaloo twist, featuring infectious rhythms and lively brass. The instrumental Part 2 replaces lead vocals with a dynamic flute topline, adding a fresh layer to the classic hit. On the flip side, Nestor Alvarez's 'La Gordita Americana' is an uptempo boogaloo groover led by horns and piano, delivering an energetic and danceable vibe. The collection concludes with 'Ixo's Taxi,' a skeletal xylophone-led funk track that brings a unique, nostalgic charm. Each track on this release has a rich blend of Latin rhythms and boogaloo energy, making this an exciting 7" to hit the dancefloor to.

Review: Reggae Dynamite Vol.6 explodes onto the scene with four irresistible tracks that capture the essence of early reggae. Max Iss & The Minions kick things off with the infectious title track, setting the tone for an EP filled with soulful rhythms and vibrant melodies. Donnoya Drake delivers a stellar rendition of the funk-soul classic 'Mr Big Stuff,' while reggae legend Dave Barker lends his smooth vocals to 'Gimme Little Sign,' adding his own twist to the soul nugget. The instrumental track, 'Gimme Little Version,' by Woodfield Rd Allstars, rounds out the EP with its lively organ-led groove. Produced by Neil Anderson, each song is expertly crafted, blending elements of reggae, funk, and soul to create an electrifying listening experience. Whether you're a seasoned reggae enthusiast or new to the genre, Reggae Dynamite Vol.6 is guaranteed to get you moving and grooving from start to finish.

Review: Guillermo aka Existencia Pasajera is part of a new wave of artists from the Andes who is making rightful waves in the wider underground. He's got a few great releases dropping this year, and this one on the tasteful Prozpektiva is among them. 'Dreamless' starts off with an eerie piano progression that is suspenseful and noir as twitchy techno beats and synths bring an intergalactic feel. 'Universal Express (feat Dismal)' is a brightly melodic tech stomper with Italo overtones and then hints of garage underpin the nice and punchy 'Now Or Never'. 'Disco Cydonia' (feat Dismal)' best more wiry and weird again then 'Space Groove' closes out with more celestial energy and squelchy acid lines.

Review: The original Gravity label has assembled its Woodfield Allstars once more for a jam-packed 7" that offers up some summer ready and ska tinged reggae rollers. 'Hipshaker' is denied by its gleeful organ work which shines brighter over the earthy drums. 'Ruff & Tuff' has well defined guitar plucks and bendy baselines that pull you in different directions and 'Striker's Shuffle' picks up the pace with a little more immediacy while 'Rudeboy Riot' shuts down with a fat-bottomed groove and lovably lazy vibe.