Back catalogue: Reggae

Review: Mediation in Dub by The Revolutionaries, reissued as part of Death Is Not The End's 333 series, delves into the archives of NYC-based Flames label. The Revolutionaries, a renowned reggae session band, comprised a rotating lineup of top Jamaican musicians, anchored by the formidable duo of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare. Recorded at Channel One studio in Kingston during the mid-1970s, under the guidance of producer Ossie Hibbert, these tracks feature dub versions of Winston Jones's Flames label releases. Jones, known for his work on 'Stop That Train,' established Flames in NYC in the early 1970s, becoming a key player in Brooklyn's reggae scene. Meditation in Dub is a collector's gem, offering essential dub versions of popular rhythms from the era. This reissue, licensed from Jones and mastered with assistance from DKR, provides a valuable snapshot of reggae's roots and early dancehall periods.

Review: The Roots Man Dub album was originally released in 1978 on Hit, a label from the GG Records crew. It features a ton of superb dubs by Alvin Ranglin, who flipped versions of tunes by The Maytones, Al Brown, The Starlights and many more besides into sonic wonders for mind, body and soul. This compilation pulls them all together again and results in plenty of indisputable sonic fire for when the warmer months come, we laze about in the garden and partake in a toke or two.

Review: From Then 'Til Now marks Roots Architects' debut full-length album, a monumental project bringing together over 50 of Jamaica's most iconic session musicians. Spanning from the birth of reggae in the late 1960s to the present day, the album is a celebration of the unsung heroes of reggae music: the rhythm builders or Roots Architects. Conceived by Swiss keyboardist and producer Mathias Liengme, the album is the culmination of years of dedication to honoring Jamaica's musical legacy. Liengme's journey began in 2013 with "The Inspirators" project, leading to his immersion in Kingston's studio scene and the eventual formation of Roots Architects. Recorded in Kingston studios over February and March 2017, the album features a stellar lineup of veteran musicians aged 60 to 85, including legends like Robbie Lyn, Fil Callender, and Dalton Browne. Together, these Roots Architects revive the spirit of reggae, creating nine instrumental tracks that pay homage to their enduring legacy and timeless artistry.