Back catalogue: Reggae

Review: The newly formed Dreadlionsmusic label out of Austria debuts here with a fresh EP featuring the eponymous producer Dreadlionsmusic. They take charge of two tunes - the first features the mic work of Fitta Warri on 'Full Control' which has fleshy drums wobbling backwards and forwards and natty dub vocals with some fresh and futuristic synth work next to classic chords. Dreadlionsmusic then offers up a dub take, as they also do of the second tune 'Heart & Soul'. The original is another bit of well-made dub steeped in tradition but with fresh production bringing it right up to date.

Review: This always standout lovers' rock and disco track by Sonia was originally released in 1980 on North London's Cha Cha label. The immediately much-loved tune became a firm favourite in clubs and on big sound systems and features a smooth, soulful vibe that's perfect for fans old and new of lovers' rock. On the B-side is 'Nigril Swamp Rock,' a harmonica-led instrumental by The Overnight Players that adds a unique touch to the release. The pressing is crisp and clean, so it is a real gem that is well worth copping on a tidy 7".

Review: A fascinating new long-player from Justin Robertson under his new Five Green Moons alias, marking another new stylistic turn for the Mancunian DJ and producer, whose main remit is house music to most. Moon 1, by contrast, is not "Justin at the house controls", but rather him delving into "his roots, digging around through the likes of P.I.L, Gang Of Four, On-U-Sound, Current 93, Coil, Sabres Of Paradise and all manner of post punk echoes", a "haunted ballroom of memories", in the artist's own words. Our glossing of Moon 1 is that this is probably the best post-punk come dubstep crossover record you'll hear in 2024, though it does also cross over into wonky beats and monologuing ambi-trance on occasion too. The record moves increasingly mauve-psychedelic as it progresses, with 'Everything's A Song In A Sound World' paring back its off-the-top vocal slogans for a purer exercise in rattling psyche-dub and 'I See All And I See Nothing' admitting to the contradiction of humility and quixotism in the same fret-slid breath.

Review: Justin Robertson is a musical maverick who can really do it all and Moon 1, released under his Five Green Moons alias, marks another new artistic direction for the Mancunian legend. Unlike his usual house-focused work, Moon 1 explores his roots while drawing inspiration from P.I.L., Gang Of Four, On-U-Sound, Coil and more to create a 'haunted ballroom of memories." This album blends post-punk with dubstep, wonky beats, and monologuing ambi-trance and as it unfolds, the record becomes increasingly mauve-psychedelic with tracks like 'Everything's A Song In A Sound World' and 'I See All And I See Nothing' pushing boundaries with rattling psyche-dub and introspective lyrics.

Review: Froid Dub's new album Deep Blue Bass on French label Delodio is as deep as the Mariana Trench. The bubbling bass and gurgling synth lines bring a new aesthetic to digi-dub that places you at the centre of the cavernous and aqueous sound worlds. Mystic synth leads take the mind away up top as those bottom ends rumble on in an atmospheric fashion. Tunes are subtle marbled with acid lines and echoes, digi-dub bleeps and icy hi-hats that all help oil the rhythms and accent the basslines. A superb work.

Review: Mercy is a collaborative work between the late great Lee "Scratch" Perry (during his post-Black Ark Studios era), Peter Harris and Fritz Catlin, the drummer from the industrial funk dub act 23 Skidoo. What they cook up is unashamedly experimental outsider works that collide mad mixing desk trickery, Perry's trademark vocal mutterings and plenty of occult sound designs. Melodies are smeared and smudged, rhythms are drunk and off balance and moods range from balmy to bonkers, often within the same damn track. A maverick collage, for sure.