Back catalogue: Reggae

Review: Inspired by David Hill and Nick Manasseh's work on the soundtrack to Idris Elba film Yardie, Soul Revivers' debut album On The Grove is a love letter to 60-plus years of reggae culture and its long connection with West London. Joined by a wealth of Jamaican stars and fast-rising British musicians, Hill and Manasseh explore the moodier side of reggae whilst doffing a cap to a multitude of historic variations. There's much to enjoy throughout, from the sub-heavy sweetness and hazy horns of 'Gone Are The Days'(featuring Alexia Coley), and the Clavinet-heavy, Wailers-esque shuffle of 'Look No Further' (featuring Ms Maurice), to the rocksteady revivalism of Ernest Ranglin hook-up 'Harder' (which boasts wonderful jazz guitar solos), and the dub-wise roots-reggae warmth of 'Got To Live' (with Earl 16).

Review: Steel pan, disco and dub from the 1970s in Steel An' Skin's 'Reggae Is Here Once Again'. Yet another lost gem from EM. Ultra-postive consciousness from Afro-Caribbean London, circa 1979. Members of the legendary 20th Century Steel Band (one of Grand Master Flash's favourites) sailing Trinidad-wise over gratifyingly intricate African ritual rhythms. Strong vocals compliment reggae, funk, disco and soul influences to form a relentless groove machine. Steel 'n' Skin, a unit composed of young nightclub musicians born in Ghana, Nigeria, St. Kitts, Trinidad and the U.K., who once performed with Ginger Johnson's Afrikan Drummers, a highlife band under the tutelage of the late Ginger Johnson and played at Johnson's Iroko Country Club in Hampstead, London. Steel 'n' Skin began performed concerts and workshops in London schools, expanding nationwide to schools, prisons, psychiatric hospitals and summer festivals, including the world-famous Notting Hill Carnival. The group combined a mix of musical forms with community outreach, non-cynical and untainted by preachiness or "social work." Good feelings from good hearts. This EM reissue consists of Steel 'n' Skin's 1979 debut 12 inch single "Reggae Is Here Once Again", featuring "Afro Punk Reggae (Dub)", a fine disco-dub workout, plus 2 tracks from their 1984 LP ACID RAIN as well as one un-issued track. Also included is documentary DVD by Steve Shaw featuring commentary from Steel 'n' Skin's founder Peter Blackman, killer live and rehearsal footage of the band, workshop scenes (check out the 1970s suits and parkas!) and devastating views of inner-city Liverpool. Steel 'n' Skin soars above the 1970s ruins.