Prince Alphonso & The Fever - "Malostran-Ska" (2:42)
Junior Dell & The D Lites - "Remember To Forget" (2:51)
Woodfield Rd Allstars - "Beseda Blues" (2:43)
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: The latest release from Peckings Records features two classic tracks that exemplify the golden era of reggae. On the A-side, Alton Ellis and Phyllis Dillon deliver a heartfelt rendition of 'I'm Just A Guy,' showcasing their harmonious vocals and timeless appeal. The B-side presents Joya Landis's 'I Love You Baby,' a soulful tune that complements the A-side's emotive tone. This 7" single is a must-have for collectors and reggae enthusiasts, offering a nostalgic journey into the rich musical heritage of the genre.
Review: The Pressure Beat crew throw it back to the heyday of roots reggae here with a superb pair of tunes from 1969. One of these in original for will cost you a few quid so it's nice to have good sounding copies on fresh wax available once more. Ken Parker's A-side cut 'It's Alright' is short at under three minutes but boy does it hit a super sweet spot with his delicate falsetto vocal over rickety roots low ends and rolling, warming bass. On the flip, things get more upbeat and energetic with some raw horn work on Johnny Moore & The Cobbs's 'One Love' with its off-balance chords.
Review: Is there a more celebrated combination in all of reggae than Lee Perry & The Upsetters? The master producer and his iconic backing band laid down many of the genre's most vital sounds and helped subtly evolve it across the seventies and beyond. This single 'Jungle Lion' came right in the midst of that in 1974. An original 7" will cost you upwards of 500 quid, and that's if you can find one. Here it gets reissued on the young but already well-formed Skank & Groove label and is backed with a version by The Upsetters named 'Freak Out Skank' that gets even more warm, cavernous and dubby.
Review: Dubtastic reinterpretation of the Isaac Hayes' classic of the same name that was itself sampled in Erykah Badu's gem 'Bag Lady'..... B/W "Electric Boogie" a toe tappin' nod to 80's dancehall destined to brighten the smokiest of rooms. Originally released back in 2010 and now repressed due to public demand...
Review: "Better Herring" has become a big money tune from the Pioneers and it was last available as part of the mega-comp "The Story Of Trojan Records". Before that, the title tune had only been released in England on 7" on Attack in 1970 under the Soul Directions alias but thanks to Boss Records, this lo-fi bit of ska and retro soul is now available to DJs and dancers once more. "Mama Look Deh" on the flip is a much more laid back tune, with a happier outlook, gorgeous guitar riffs that seem to grow ever quicker and tight drum playing to get you moving.
Review: Jamaican reggae / rocksteady vocal trio The Pioneers hear two classics of theirs reissued: 'Some Having A Bawl' and 'Whip Them'. First released in 1968 by Joe Gibbs' Amalgamated Records, the tracks are raw, melodic social anthems, with the A-sider musing: "no time for fun, 'cos we're on the run", deliberating on the tearful unjust plight of some, and the unfair delight of others (note the clever entendre "having a bawl"). The B, meanwhile, iroincally likens singer-songwriting to coercive power; "left and right... I'm gonna whip them with my songs".
Review: When it comes to digging deep into the vast reserves of dub and reggae the world has amassed since the 60s and 70s, few labels do it with a more knowing and cultured ear than Original Gravity. This time they look to The Pioneers and Prince Deadly for another crucial pair of riddims. There is a ska twist to The Pioneers' original 'Jump Up!' thanks to its bold brass, woody back beats and plucked guitar riffs, all topped off with a loved up vocal. Deadly steps up on the backside to dub things out to perfection.
Review: The Pioneers return here on this Amalgamated Jamaica reissue alongside Hugh Malcolm and between them they are renowned for their popularity and numerous hits produced by Joe Gibbs and Leslie Kong. With approximately 40 recordings under Gibbs alone, this track embodies the classic elements synonymous with their collaborations and comes complete with a distinctive penny whistle. Bursting with energetic vibes and trademark topical lyrics characteristic of the Pioneers, this song resonates with the musical essence that defines their legacy.
Review: Johnny Powell's 'Moving Out' is a killer reggae classic, charting the 80s dubstar's staunch decision to move "way out, way out, way out" of Babylon, after much abuse by the figurative city of vice. Against a wicked riddim by an unknown production crew, we've got laboured horns, ghostly vocals and snake-rattles, all of which make this a certain addition to the ranks of the politically charged reggae and ska of the time. This reissue is backed with another track by Powell, 'Love Is The Answer', which balances out the 12" with a 'positive vibe' of true love.
Review: A shining example of soundtrack reggae, 'Sally's Song' was first incarnated in an unlikely spectacle: Tim Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas. Originally composed by the film's scorer Danny Elfman, reggae reinterpreters Aanant Pradhan and Larry McDonald (of Skatalites fame) here lay down a dour dub cover version. Wistful, moody and clean. The B-side, meanwhile, shows off the pair's knowledge of film music even further - Henry Mancini's 'It Had Better Be Tonight' from the 1963 version of The Pink Panther makes similar waves as a kettle-drum heavy dub version.
Prince Alphonso & The Fever - "Burning Spear" (3:22)
Woodfield Rd Allstars - "Burning Spear" (3:32)
Review: Original Gravity's latest release, Burning Spear, offers a dynamic reggae and ska experience with two distinctive and exciting tracks. Side-1 features Prince Alphonso & The Fever's 'Burning Spear,' a classic ska sound that stands out with its outrageous and unique flute solo. This fast-paced track is a dancefloor burner, perfect for lively gatherings. Side-2 brings Woodfield Rd Allstars' dubbed-out version of 'Burning Spear.' This alternative take maintains an upbeat and groovy vibe, providing a fresh perspective while keeping the energy high. The essence of classic reggae and ska is here on one 7", delivering two fun tracks that highlight the genre's rich and vibrant musical traditions.
Review: Caught in a Prince Buster fever, Rock-A-Shacka complement an eagerly awaited release - the third album from the legend so named, offering 12 tracks spanning Jamaican funk to rocksteady to early reggae - with a promotional 7", bolstering the full-length's legitimacy with an as-it-was 45. Here 'Funky Jamaica' and 'Clap Your Hands' coincide. The first is an early dancehall phenotype, its strong tresillo matching a heady array of audio-mancer's chants; instructive shouts from Buster himself. Then the B-side follows, a brilliant James-Browned toasting of an uptempo pre-ska progression, put together against a rhythmic cage of swift, proficient drums.
Review: Rock A Shaka continue their tributary exegeses of Jamaican rocksteady legend Prince Buster with a new 7", 'Got To Be Free'. Pulled straight from the corresponding Funky Jamaica compilation issued separately - which in turn compiles the best gems to coruscate his illustrious career - the 45s format does well to counterbalance the fallacy of comprehensiveness with a throwback in form. 'Got To Be Free' is a rather pleasant anthem to freedom: "we love the birds, we love the trees, we love the honey, we love the bees..."
Review: Prince Fatty's 'Mercedes Benz' with Shniece and Horseman is a rub-a-dub version of a 1970s hit from Janis Joplin that now gets a very special pressing courtesy of Lovedub Limited. The A-side kicks off with the spine-tingling and epic original vocal before disappearing into a world of reverb. At that point the dubby low end arrives and brings a different vibe to the stunning vocals but one that really makes a mark next to new bars from Horseman, police sirens and funky riffs. It's a tough sound system groove that is backed with a fine version and has been a firm fixture of Prince Fatty's record box for a while now.
The Regulators - "Don't Look Back In Anger" (Re-mixed & Re-mastered) (4:55)
Prince Deadly - "Dub Look Back In Anger" (4:47)
Review: You can't beat a good cover of a classic tune and they don't come much better than this version of Oasis's masterpiece 'Don't Look Back In Anger' by The Regulators. Original Gravity come through with it on 7" in its 'Re-mixed & Re-mastered' form. The lead melodies come from big fat horns, while the lazy drums sway to and fro and bring an all-new kind of energy. Prince Deadly then gets to work on the studio dials to dub it out to perfection on 'Dub Look Back In Anger'. Two doozies.
Review: Dutchess returns with Folk Song, a two-track dub release featuring the talents of Tony and Howie alongside the legendary Phyllis Dillon. Known for curating rare gems, Dutchess continues to deliver high-quality vinyl for lovers of classic reggae and dub. With past releases from icons like Eric Monty Morris and Tommy McCook, the label has solidified its reputation as a source for top-tier Jamaican music. Folk Song follows this tradition, blending soulful vocals with deep, atmospheric dub. Fans of Alton Ellis, The Melodians and The Paragons will find this release a perfect addition to their collection. It's another must-have for those who appreciate the timeless sound of 60s and 70s Jamaican music.
Review: Given that Neil Anderson's Original Gravity label is an unashamed tribute to the 1960s ska and rocksteady sounds he loves (with occasional diversions into rhythm & blues and reggae), it's little surprise to see the imprint's house band, Woodfield Road Allstars, take on 'Shank I Sheck', a much-loved 'riddim' that was written, and first recorded, by Baba Brooks way back in 1964. The Woodfield Road Allstars version is a hazy, head-nodding rocksteady treat rich in heady Hammond organ licks, languid trumpet solos and jazz guitars aplenty. Over on the flip, Prince Deadly (likely an alias for Anderson) provides a lightly rewritten riff on the same core ingredients, naturally pushing the trumpet to the fore while reaching for dub-style effects and other 'versioning' studio tricks.
Review: The Dutchess label continues to establish itself in its early life with third outing that delves deep into some ageless reggae and ska sounds. It is The Paragons who are behind this one with 'Blackbirds Singing' opens up with some gorgeous vocal harmonies android back grooves topped with nice natty guitars. It's brilliantly sunny, laidback music for slowed down sessions and will sound best played through a serious system nice and loud. What music isn't, though? 'Memories By The Score' on the flip is a heavyweight sound with a fat bottom and some great spoken word vocal and backing harmonics for a nice lush sound.
Review: Lloyd Parks was born in May 1948 in Kingston, Jamaica, and went on to live a rich life in reggae that made him an icon of the genre, in particular, known for his soulful melodies and fantastic bass playing skills. He began his career in the late 1960s with the Invincibles band before later forming The Termites with Wentworth Vernal. As a solo artist, Parks achieved success with his 1973 hit 'Officially' which also became the title of this sought-after album. He worked with artists like Justin Hinds, Dennis Brown and The Abyssinians and later founded the We The People Band. This reissue brings 'Officially' back into the spotlight where it belongs.
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