Review: The Original Gravity label's Reggae Dynamite series sure is packed full of dance floor heat. This fourth volume turns up the temperature once more, starting with Dave Barker's 'Move It On Now' with spoken word mic work over a guitar laced riddim. Woodfield Rd Allstars bring plenty of big horn energy and hints of ska to their 'San Salvario Stomp' then appear again on the flip with the organ-lead sounds of mid tempo wobbler 'Norwegian Wood'. Melbourne Douglas completes the picture with 'Wheel & Come Again', another raw as you like and classic sound.
Review: Sam Binga has established himself with boundary-pushing club tracks on labels like Critical and Exit and for this one teamed up with Welfare, a junglist and the Rua Sound label boss. Together they were inspired by the rugged beauty of Conamara, County Galway and began the project in a 300-year-old cottage overlooking the sea in a place free of creature comforts but rich in inspiration. Using a handheld recorder, the duo explored tidal caves, ruins and windswept coastlines while recording the ambient sounds they heard on the way and then turned them into these deeply textured dub compositions through live desk mixing at Dubkasm's studio.
Prince Alphonso & The Fever - "Malostran-Ska" (2:42)
Junior Dell & The D Lites - "Remember To Forget" (2:51)
Woodfield Rd Allstars - "Beseda Blues" (2:43)
Review: The superb Original Gravity label is back with more OG reggae brilliance and ska classics. This second volume of Ska Fever kicks off with a big stepper from Junior Dell & The D Lites in the form of 'Rude Girl' while Prince Alphonso & The Fever bring big playful brass to 'Malostran-Ska' and Junior Dell & The D Lites then return on the flipside of this 7" with 'Remember To Forget' which picks up the pace and is built on a hardcore rhythm. The legendary Woodfield Rd Allstars shut things down with a more melancholic vibe on 'Beseda Blues.'
Review: Junior Dell & The D-Lites are one of reggae's most accomplished outfits and they have a vast arsenal of tunes to back that up. This one is one of many delightful dubs - and it now makes its way to us via Original Gravity. 'East Of Hurghada' has a noodling melodic lead and nice dusty drums with a more textured horn eventually taking the main stage. On the flip, Woodfield Rd Allstars step up with 'Lickle Fat Mattress' which is another blend of ska, reggae and dub with some natty keys.
Review: Original rudeboy Roy Ellis is best known for his Symarip association. Here he's back with an all-new 7" that shows he is still on top of his game. 'Rudy Skankin' On The Moon' actually first dropped as a set of vocals by Melbourne Douglas on Original Gravity's Reggae Dynamite Vol. 2. Now it comes as a sequel to 'Skinhead Moonstomp' which was an OG skinhead reggae anthem by Ellis's Symarip. It's a timeless sound with all the swagger you would expect, great vocals and plenty of Hammond organ action. Flip it over for an early reggae version by the Woodfield Rd Allstars.
The Heptones - "Love Has Really Got A Hold Of Me" (3:50)
Woodfield Rd Allstars - "Breezin' Up Brentford Road" (3:44)
Review: If you're reading this you will already be familiar with Jamaican rocksteady and reggae vocal trio The Heptones and their very many lovely tunes. This one with Woodfield Road All Stars is as smooth as they come. 'Love Has Got A Hold Of Me' has slow motion grooves and lazy drums with the most gently persuasive acoustic riffs next to soul drenched and warm vocals. On the flipside is 'Breezin' Up Brentford Road' which has some lovely hammond organ vibes and an evn more laid back swagger to it.
Review: London reggae band Junior Dell & The D-Lites are a superb combination who do a fine line in cooking up brilliant covers of nostalgic classics. Original Gravity is their home and after a few supper drops in summer they are back once again with 'I'm A Man'. It's a big old ska number with raw horns and hard hitting vocals delivered in a passionate style that is sure to get big reactions. On the flip, as is always the way, Woodfield Road Allstars step up with a more languid and laid-back dub sound for chilled out sessions.
Review: As Whodemsound races towards its 50th outing, it presses up yet another great little 7", this time with Bopper Ranking delivering some great spoken word roots. 'The Man That I Am' is just under four minutes of super clean dub with digital synths adding a future-facing feel to the sultry horns that drift up top and the traditional dub rhythms that roll deep down low. The conscious lyrics make this an even more heady experience and on the flip is a dub version for those who prefer to whittle things down to the bare dub essentials.
The Umoza Music Project - "Down By The Beach" (3:05)
Woodfield Rd Allstars - "Ghetto Guitar" (4:25)
Review: The crucial Original Gravity label is busy this month with three red hot new 7"s all dropping in quick succession. The top-notch funk crew has this spilt 7" from Umoza Music Project and The Woodfield Road Allstars up here on limited wax. The a-side is a sunny bit of original rousing 70s reggae direct from the islands. Backing vocalists provide plenty of butter while the lead laments a love lost and the rhythm rolls on. On the back side is a much more stoner-paced and funk drenched laidback instrumental with Balearic guitar licks that look to the stars as organ chords warm you through and the rocksteady rhythm gently sways to and fro. Two gems for sure.
Mighty Two - "Lost In A Dream" (Dreaming version) (3:00)
Review: Lopez Walker is best known for his roots classics 'Jah Jah New Garden' and 'Send Another Moses' which were recorded for Roy Francis' Phase One label in the late 70s. His talent caught the attention of Joe Gibbs, who then went on to produce this sorely overlooked bluesy dance tune. The track's forlorn vocals and a haunting flute melody capture the essence of heartbreak while on the flip side, Errol Thompson delivers a stellar dub mix. It is fleshy and warm and full of trickery and is a must-hear for fans of Joe Gibbs' iconic productions from that era. Though underappreciated, this should be a hidden gem no more.
Review: Foundational reggae artist Dennis Walks' 'Waste Time in Babylon' has long been a much sought-after track and it is now the latest 1980s digital gem to be reissued on 45 as part of the 333 series. The tune was originally produced by Prince Jazzbo for his Ujama label in 1987 and finds Walks, who first gained recognition in the early 1970s working with producers Harry Mudie and Joe Gibbs, delivering his trademark powerful vocals over the iconic 'Racecourse Rock' rhythm. The track also features legendary keyboardist Winston Wright in fine form which helps to make this reissue a must-have for fans of classic reggae and digital-era fusions.
Ano Kane O Narasuno Wa Anata (feat Ken Yokoyama) (3:16)
Ano Kane O Narasuno Wa Anata (feat Mayumi Kojima) (3:16)
Review: Popular Kayou ska band What's Love? is back with some more of their delightful sonic creations. This time they release two 7" nuggets on Warner Japan and both feature their own idiosyncratic pop cover songs. One of the highlights is their ska rendition of Akiko Wada's well-known national hit 'Ano Kane o Narasuno wa Anata,' which was originally put out to great success back at the turn of the new millennium in 2001. The A-side features vocals by Yokoyama Ken from Crazy Ken Band, while the B-side showcases a vocal version by Kojima Mayumi. These releases are a must-have for anyone looking for a little left-of-centre magic to drop into their curveball sets.
Review: Stefan Schwander is known for aliases like Harmonious Thelonious, A Rocket In Dub and Antonelli Electr and now strikes once more with his third EP, 'While My Sequencer Gently Bleeps'. Entirely crafted on Elektron's Monomachine, this one delivers deep basslines, ravey bleeps, piano chords and synth melodies that evoke the sounds of Jamaica, UK and Chicago while looking toward the future. The EP opens with the groovy 'Title Track' followed by the minimal, dub-influenced 'Sublime' with shuffling beats and a smooth synth line. On the flipside, 'Definition Of ...' combines deep bass, lively percussion and subtle melodies that are both danceable and storytelling.
Review: Back in 1973 Big Youth started the Negusa Nagast label, translating as the king of kings in Ethiopian. The first single was a split 7" from Leroy Willacy, also known as Cookey Monster, and Big Youth himself. Nearly 50 years on, this treasured record is back in print and it sounds as magical as ever. Willacy's 'Far Beyond The Blue' is a powerful slice of roots reflecting on the mire of slavery which forms a backdrop to so much of reggae's emotional impact. On the flip Youth delivers a deejay cut which rolls slow and easy, the legendary singer freestyling over the lazy groove in his inimitable fashion.
Review: Any real reggae fans will be familiar with the work of Delroy Williams. He was very active throughout the 1970s, 1980s and on into the 90s and this month has a few reissues dropping. This one comes on Only Roots and features his loving and loving 'Hear Say' on the a-side. It's got a languid and loose low end and is pure sunshine music. On the flip is Revolutionaries with 'Hear Say' (dub) which dials back the vocal and adds plenty of studio effects.
Review: Studio One have put out plenty of big tunes and this is the latest to get a big reissue on a super loud-cut 12" single for extra devastating impact. It's a well-known classic every self-respecting reggae fan should know and blows up any party, especially when tweaked like these two versions. They were originally produced by Studio One bossman Coxsone Dodd and have been covered by The Clash as well as sampled by The Fugees and hip hop MC KRS One. The snaking lead synth, the rumbling drums and classic ska trumpet are all straight up irresistible.
Review: The wonderful 'Love Rasta' is a lively and playful reggae track by Jack Wilson with a light-hearted vibe. The London-based vocalist has real Jamaican heritage and that shows in his delivery here of a vibrant song which authentically honours Rastafarian culture and acts as a unifying anthem for the community while spreading a message of togetherness. The track was mixed by Dougie Wardrop, a prominent figure in UK reggae, at Conscious Sounds studio in London and it sounds seriously loud and clear so snap it up and drop it on the biggest system you can find for maximum pleasurable impact.
Review: London label Original Gravity excels once more here with some authentic dub sounds from the one and only Woodfield Rd Allstars. This excellent collective has been on many a great tune on this label as well as several others and this limited 45 rm proves their might in the field once more. 'Big Shot' is a funky cut with some natty chord work and off-balance drums that tumble to and fro, while the percussion is organic and crisp up top. Things slow right down on the flip for a more traditional reggae sound that hints at the sounds of ska. 'Soul Shakedown' is perfect to go those asses wriggling.
Review: The original Gravity label has assembled its Woodfield Allstars once more for a jam-packed 7" that offers up some summer ready and ska tinged reggae rollers. 'Hipshaker' is denied by its gleeful organ work which shines brighter over the earthy drums. 'Ruff & Tuff' has well defined guitar plucks and bendy baselines that pull you in different directions and 'Striker's Shuffle' picks up the pace with a little more immediacy while 'Rudeboy Riot' shuts down with a fat-bottomed groove and lovably lazy vibe.
Review: Reggae is a genre that always existed on 7" in the early days. However, this album from The Wailers changed that as the first to ever be recorded as a full-length album. The Best Of The Wailers was actually their very first and it was recorded before their involvement with Lee Perry. It didn't drop until 1971 and showcased the group at the peak of their soulful powers. Each of the tunes is deceptively simple but impactful with plenty of memorable harmonies between Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. The sounds are perfectly raw and undercooked to give them an authentic and emotive edge and many of the tracks remain classics to this day.
Review: Come and Get It was the fourth album by Boston's Westbound Train, and it was originally released in 2009 on Hellcat Records. The album is a smart mix of traditional Jamaican music with classic notes of r&b and plenty of contemporary influences that offer a great glimpse of the band's refined, soulful sound with rich horn sections and groove-driven rhythms. From uptempo ska anthems to heartfelt ballads there is plenty of ground covered here and all with trademark energy and musicianship. The album was produced by David Hillyard of The Slackers and Obi Fernandez, and this reissue marks the first-ever vinyl pressing with two bonus dub tracks for extra pleasure.
Review: Delroy Wilson's Live As One was originally only put out as part of a white label run on Waricka Records. It had a slightly different tack listing and was produced by Sir Collins. It's an archetypal mid-70s roots record before the rockers sound came into it and finds Delroy himself in powerful form. Some of the gems include come 'Into My World', 'Baby Love' and 'You Keep On Running' amongst others. This version is a great pressing with a new cover and makes up for the fact that an original is mega rare and pricey.
Review: Paketo Wilson's Praise Him is a cult roots album that is hard to find on the seance hand market. When you do, it will cost you a small fortune, so this reissue will be music to the ears of fans old and new. He proved it back in 1982 with Trevor Davis under the Child of God label in just one day. It has hints of lovers' rock over the nice reggae rhythms with vocals that touch on classic themes of peace, love and unity, the trials of ghetto life and losing those close. Bobby Ellis and Headley Bennett bring mystical horns to most tunes and help make them all the more spiritual. This is positive and heartwarming reggae from a top songwriter.
Review: Delroy Witter ran the Success Sound System out of Harlesden, North London, becoming one of the key figures in the UK's burgeoning reggae and lovers rock scenes. Pulled from his label D-Roy, this second volume of carefully curated classics get the fresh airing they deserve at a time when appreciation for the importance of lovers rock as a branch of reggae has never been stronger. There's ample sentimental, romantic jams contained within, but plenty of heavyweight riddims too, all remastered and presented with the Rock A Shaka attention to detail.
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