Back catalogue: Reggae

Review: Huzzah! New music from Liam Bailey, who has voiced a couple of the most gorgeous reggae, soul and dub fusion 7"s we've got in our collection in recent years. He has, we're told, recently been recording a new album and the two tunes pressed up here on Big Crown are taken from it. El Michels Affair man Leon Michels is the go-to producer once more for Bailey and they strike gold as always with 'Dance With Me'. It is a hella catchy two-stepper that harks back to the earliest days of reggae. On the flip, 'Mercy Tree' has hard-hitting drums and big horns that come with a powerhouse vocal that speaks of racial tensions that sadly persist throughout the world. It's a standup jam with a potent message.

Review: Dave Barker of 'Double Barrel' fame is back on the mix here for the Original Gravity label. This is the second form the many in as many months and is on the faster end of the reggae tempo scale so prepare to be swept up and skanking in no time. The lo-fi 60s reggae and early ska vibes are strong on this one as the dancing Hammond organ chords compliment Barker's effortless flow. Horn stabs and drums with infectious swagger complete the a-side 'Peace of Mind'. On the flip, The Regulators offer up a nice and laidback, deep-cut dub version with 'Jamaican beat.'

Review: Isle of Jura's 18th tasty 7" is from Melody Beecher who serves up a lovers rock cover of an 80s classic. 'Careless Whisper' was originally released as part of a very small run of 45rpms back in 1985. It was written by Beecher and produced by her husband Paul Beecher. The OG has been re-mastered from the original session tape here and then served up in a nice kraftboard sleeve. It is a gorgeous and fleshy cut with splashy hi hats and nice snaking leads with a more heady and fx filled dub on the flip.

Review: Death Is Not The End's 333 series reissues the exceptional original cut of the late Hortense Ellis' wonderful 'Hell & Sorrow' here. It was originally produced by Jimmy Radway and released on his Fe Me Time label in the mid-1970s and remains a popular joint on the sound system circuit. Here this most classic track is paired with the iconic DJ counteraction 'Tribulation' by Big Youth, which offers a compelling glimpse into reggae's rich history while also laying down a nice fat rhythm.

Review: Big Crown Records is proud to present Zero Grace, Liam Bailey's sophomore album on the label. Following the success of 2020's Ekundayo album, the tried and true chemistry of Bailey and producer Leon Michels (El Michels Affair) is on full display again as they take the sound they established and push it further. On Zero Grace they lean more into the bleeding heart singer-songwriter side of Liam. The album is full of freedom and love; working with Leon Michels and Big Crown Records has encouraged Liam to be himself. On opener 'Holding On', Bailey speaks to his observations & fears when looking out at the world in front of him and also to the dedication it has taken to get on the other side of his personal trials & tribulations. 'Dance With Me', meanwhile, is an instantly infectious two-stepper that nods to those incredible soul records that were coming out of Jamaica during the early reggae days. Bailey addresses the racial tensions that plague humanity and encourages everyone to step up and do their part to help foster equality. What starts out as a declaration of injustice turns into a call for action and an inspiration for hope.

Review: First released in 1972, this authentic and essential reggae album showcased the most popular tracks recorded by a young Dennis Brown under the guidance of renowned producer Derrick Harriott. The third album in Brown's career, Super Reggae and Soul Hits marked a significant turning point and helped to establish him as a versatile singer-songwriter capable of crafting deeply soulful music. It highlighted his ability to connect with an adult audience as he explored the interaction of reggae with soul influences, emotional depth and musical maturity. This album played a crucial role in solidifying Brown's reputation as one of reggae's most influential artists so remains an essential part of his story.

Review: Doctor Bird's latest must-check double disc retrospective focuses on the work of influential Jamaican producer Lloyd Charmer during the 1970s. Each disc contains a significant, Chalmers produced album: keyboardist Harold Butler's reggae-soul/reggae-disco classic Gold Collection sits on disc one, with Debby Dobson's fine tribute to Jamaican music pre-ska, Sweet Dreams, following on CD2. In addition, each disc also features a wealth of Chalmers-produced singles and rarities, including a swathe of killer cuts from Richard Ace (the 12" version of 'Supernatural' on CD2 is particularly special), Sister Stern and Delroy Wilson. You also get a handful of surprise solo cuts from Chalmers, who of course started his music career as a vocalist-for-hire rather than a producer.