Back catalogue: Reggae

Review: This third volume of instrumentals continues the faultless Isle of Jura label's deep dive into dub versions and beyond. Side one takes in references from UK street soul and reggae and features two late-'80s tracks by Howard Hill with machine-led rhythms, rudeboy reggae skank and soulful pads. Protek's 'I Love to Dance With You' is a proto-house gem featured in a Jura Soundsystem mix and here it gets a loving re-edit by The Nightlark. Side B includes an instrumental-driven track with spacey FX from The Cool Notes' and Ilija Rudman's 'Dub 4 Love' which is a knowing nod to acid house's golden era.

Review: A slept-on roots gem from the mid-70s gets a timely reissue, perfect for warming up those cold winter days. Originally produced by Hector Wright at Lee "Scratch" Perry's legendary Black Ark Studios, this timeless piece showcases the vocal harmonies of The Blue Bells. A-side 'Come Along' features a captivating blend of soulful vocals and uplifting melodies, while the flipside offers a dubwise reimagining, stripping back the arrangement to reveal its hypnotic depths. Originally released in 1976, this repress makes a rare gem accessible once more.

Review: Timeless digital roots and dub from The Disciples here featuring the late Jamaican singer Creation Stepper, who i most famously well known for his iconic 70s roots reggae classics. This release includes a fresh take on Stepper's 1978 track, 'Kill Nebuchadnezzar' and it is paired with another vocal gem, 'Ozone Layer,' plus two powerful dub versions. Originally mixed and produced by Russ D in The Disciples' studio in 1991, this music finally saw the light of day in 2011 on the Disciples Vintage label where it quickly sold out. Now back on a great sounding 12", this is a must for roots and dub heads.

Review: The 7" record has been the preferred format for reggae for over 60 years now. Releases like Leon Dinero's Heartbreak offer that classic record feeling in more ways than one. The A-side features Leon Dinero's 'Heartbreak,' a classic Reggae track with distinct early Rocksteady influences. The vintage recording exudes authenticity, with a sound that harkens back to the roots of the genre, almost reminiscent of mono recordings from the past. On Side-2, 'Cuts Both Ways,' another classic reggae tune that embodies the essence of the genre. With its infectious rhythms and soulful melodies, this track is sure to get any Reggae enthusiast moving and grooving. Leon Dinero presents a treat for Reggae DJs and classic 7" collectors with their hip double-sided single 'Heartbreak/Cut Both Ways' on Daptone Records

Review: Judah Tafari's new 7" Great Escape / Bezos vs. Musk delivers a potent dose of classic roots reggae with deeply spiritual Rastafari themes. Though not widely known, Judah Eskender Tafari has garnered a dedicated following through his work since the late '70s. His music continues to resonate in roots reggae sound systems and DJ sets, maintaining relevance nearly fifty years later. On Great Escape, produced by Victor Axelrod for Daptone, Tafari reflects on humanity's quest for salvation, drawing on Old Testament imagery. The track's lush, authentic roots production allows Tafari's earnest vocals to shine, reminding listeners of the powerful spiritual messages that have always defined his work. On Side-2, 'Bezos vs. Musk,' adds a contemporary twist, showcasing Tafari's ability to remain both relevant an rooted in his spiritual mission.

Review: Wackie is back with what they call a 'modern gem from the Wackie's vaults' and it comes from one of their most revered 12 Tribes-related artists, the late great Judah Eskender Tafari. He offers up a 'Rocky Road' which is a super hard and digital stepper that comes with uplifting synth work and plenty of authentic Bronx vibes. After that pearler comes a flips side version that strips things out and is a more ghostly version from Bullwackie for headier moments. Both sides of this one offer plenty of dub delights on a well-pressed 45rpm.

Review: This release presents two standout, previously unreleased tracks that share the same rhythm as Singing Melody's 'Friday Evening,' so is built on a classic 1987 digital riddim. Rod Taylor's contribution on this 7" highlights his concise but powerful late '80s output, making it a key example of his impact during that era. Both tracks were recorded at the iconic Dynamic Sounds studio during a golden period for digital reggae. They capture the raw energy and authentic dancehall vibes of the time, making this release essential for lovers of vintage digital reggae.

Review: A rather calming lovers rock track reissued on 12". When reggae drummer Lindel Lewis teamed up with singers Vincent Taylor and Claudia, few could anticipate the sonic romance that would blossom. 'You, Me & He' seems to capture two such triangulations, one lying at the heart of the real collaboration between artists, and the other evoked in the imaginary love tryst explored in the song. Wafty reverb vocals from the sweetly voiced Claudia give an admissive, coy impression of the persona she channels, which is lent a soothing antiphony from Taylor. Lewis, meanwhile, evidences his solo drumming and dubbing chops on the smooth 'Me & He' versions under the name One Man Band, twinning coldness and haziness.

Review: 'Denshi Lenzi' by Tokyo Riddim Band offers a splendid fusion of past and present, blending elements of Japanese reggae with contemporary dub sensibilities. Recorded and mixed by the renowned Prince Fatty in South London, this track presents a unique cultural amalgamation. Featuring three generations of female musicians from Japan, the band combines reggae drums, funky basslines, and smooth City Pop guitar melodies, creating a stellar live dub experience. Tokyo Riddim Band's emergence has been celebrated by Gilles Peterson, NTS, Pitchfork, and Bandcamp Daily, gaining recognition for their fresh take on classic Japanese reggae. Led by pianist and composer Izumi 'Mimi' Kobayashi, the band's reinvention of the Natural Mystic riddim in 'Denshi Lenzi' injects new life into the original Japanese production. With dubbed-out vocals, sirens, and electrifying e-tom sounds, the track delivers an authentic reggae/dub experience infused with a distinct UK flair.

Review: Get your lugs around this, the first single from Leo Vidal & The Rayvelles, and you will soon be keen to know more. 'Haunted By Your Love' is a modern take on the West Coast oldies sound from Leo Vidal, a 70s soul singer from rural Virginia who brings his East Coast harmonies to croon about lost love. The Rayvelles is the duo of Fergal McBride and Tuck Nelson and are the creative force behind Echo Ray Studios in London, a space that channels the soul of Motown into contemporary music. Backing vocals are provided by Cassandra Dali and Marietta Smith while the flip has a remix by Call Sender who layers in some inviting dub weight.

Review: These two powerhouses of pioneering dub meet up for the second time on this fantastic reissue by Burning Sounds originally released in 1978. The mostly instrumental album shows the duo helping to define the dub sound for the next generation of producers. Thanks to the inspirations and usage of Studio One, the sound is quintessential dub, like in the 'Garvey Dub' and title song 'Guerilla Dub'. They've not fully abandoned the traditional roots as you can hear in 'Malcolm X Dub' and 'Martin Luther Dub' though, turning them into more of remixes than original tracks. This album is a must for any 70s and 80s dub afficionado.

Review: Erroneously credited solely to Fred Locks on its 1978 release, this superb set is in fact a showcase of the work of the 12 Tribes Of Israel band in collaboration with the aforementioned artist; the collab also includes Earl 'Little Roy' Lowe, Albert Malawi, the Creation Steppers and Cherry Rock. With the 12 Tribes first forming in 1968 as a Rastafarian organisation based in Kingston, this troupe brought exceptional works of OG lovers' rock to the table, amidst a wider cultic organisation that saw each member grouped into a formation modelled on the Biblical 12 tribes of Israel. You wouldn't know it from the sense of pure relief and love that wafts from the music here: Love & Harmony is a brilliant one, carrying a universalist message of racial and spiritual unity amid an acknowledgement of tough beginnings and the necessity of lock care.

Review: After the successful digital release of Paulette Tajah's Journal Of A Butterfly EP, it's time for these sounds to make their way to vinyl for the first time ever. The of the pressing is quality is outstanding which means this is the best way to soak in the sounds of this great album. Each song is brilliantly recorded and Tajah's artistry is laid bare with fat dub drums, rich low ends and plenty of signature soulful vocals from Tajah who can sound aloof, emotive, empowering and plenty in between, as she shows here.

Review: 'Music & Time, 1983-1985' by Take Three brings together the soulful sounds of former South London vocal harmony group Alpha, fronted by sisters Jackie & Jean Heron and Marlene Richardson. This compilation, produced by the trio S.H.E. (Steve Sinclair, Peter Hinds, and Kevin Ellis), showcases their work during the mid-'80s, including both released and previously unreleased tracks. From the infectious groove of 'Tonight's the Night' to the reggae-infused 'Can't Get Enough (Nice Up Reggae Mix)', this collection captures a rich blend of UK soul, funk and dance, spotlighting an era of underground brilliance.

Review: With a career spanning over 50 years, Linval Thompson stands as one of the last living legends of Jamaican reggae. As a singer and producer on the renowned Thompson Sound label, Thompson has left an indelible mark on roots reggae with hits like 'I Love Marijuana,' 'Jah Jah The Conqueror,' and 'Don't Cut Off Your Dreadlocks.' He has also produced for major artists including Barrington Levy, Eek-A-Mouse, Johnny Osbourne, and Freddie McGregor. Known for his discretion and humility, despite owning one of the largest reggae catalogs in the world, Thompson is a cornerstone of the genre. His album, Ganja Man, features ten tracks and five dub versions. The album showcases his unmistakable voice and addresses current social issues, urging listeners to fight against corruption and embrace self-improvement. The title track, 'Ganja Man,' celebrates the plant he holds dear. The album features top reggae musicians such as Roots Radics, Jammys, Med Tone, The Ligerians, Irie Ites All Stars, Nambo Robinson, and Dean Fraser, with mixing by Roberto Sanchez and Irie Ites. Notably, singer and toaster Trinity features on the track 'Tune In.' If you don't know this man, get to know him by picking up this great album.

Review: Spanish dub maestro Roberto Sanchez first met Channel One artist and all right reggae legend Linval Thompson 15 years ago. In the time since, the pair have collaborated on numerous projects, though nothing as ambitious as this. It sees Sanchez provide an authentically dusty, deep and rhythm-focused dub translation of Thompson's 1978 album I Love Marijuana - a set that, despite King Tubby handling production duties - had never been fully re-worked in. Largely working with the original master tapes, Sanchez has delivered a dub re-imagining that sounds like a long-lost King Tubby or Lee 'Scratch' Perry production - all weighty low-end 'riddims', effects aplenty and echoing organ, guitars and vocals.

Review: The Travellers' 1977 roots reggae harmony classic is back with a collectible original artwork re-issue. This album, produced by the legendary Prince Jammy, features crucial rhythms from The Aggravators and the High Time Band, recorded at renowned studios Channel One, Joe Gibbs, Harry J's and King Tubby's. As vocal harmony groups began to wane in the late 70s, Prince Jammy continued to work with exceptional talent, creating this gem alongside his seminal work with Black Uhuru. This re-issue includes rare singles 'Jah Give Us This World,' 'Keep On Trying,' and 'Black Black Minds,' as well as other standout tracks like 'Peace & Rest,' 'Tell Me Why,' and 'Poor Man Cry.' Roots reggae enthusiasts take notice, this is a glimpse into a pivotal era of Jamaican music with true riddims and timeless harmonies.