Review: Jamaican born singer Roland Burrell had a pretty vast catalogue by the later stages of his career, most of it recorded at the legendary Channel One Studio with the likes of Sly & Robbie, The Tamlins and Winston Wright. They were engineered by dons like Scientist and he went on to work with Lee 'Scratch' Perry. After he produced 'Lonely Man' he went on to some solo acclaim and recorded the hit 'Johnny Dollar' which topped several global charts. That one along with other beats like 'Hey Mama' and 'Stormy Night' feature here on a fine overview of his work.
Review: Clement Bushay's Dread In Session album has been hard to find but much desired pretty much since it was first released back in 1975. It finds him working with guest musicians such as Ken Boothe, Delroy Washington, Bob Davis, Gene Rondo and more including some former members of the Cimarons. The late great reggae engineer Lee "Scratch" Perry worked on some of these cuts at his legendary Black Arc Studio so they have a real stamp of authority and quality as they explore 12 sublime and classic reggae sounds. A timeless album for reggae heads old and new.
Review: Reissued for the first time on vinyl, On the Rock was the third album by pioneering UK reggae band The Cimarons. Those who know consider it to be their standout masterpiece. It was originally released in 1976 on Vulcan and this reissue includes a bonus track which arrives via Lantern Records. The Cimarons are widely known as the first British reggae band and gained recognition by backing Jamaican icons like Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley and as session players for Trojan Records. Their legacy has seen renewed attention thanks to the acclaimed 2024 documentary Harder Than The Rock and this album will add to their allure for a new generation of reggae heads.
Review: One of the most notable voices of his generation, Jonny Clarke's tender tones have soundtracked many a crucial reggae record. His 1982 album Can't Get Enough is a fine statement of his skills and an original copy will cost you a pretty penny. Thankfully it has been remastered for this reissue which has the original tracklist intact. Opener 'Can't Get Enough' sinks you into a reverie immediately while it's like 'Morning Star' are slow motion rollers with buttery vocals over lazy dubs. Elsewhere classics like 'Give Me Love' and 'You Better Try' keep the good vibes going on this essential bit of reggae history.
Review: Jackie Edwards is like catnip for reggae lovers and the good news is that two of his albums are being reissued. Original Mr Cool Ruler has never been reissued on vinyl before and is a classic from 1983 that was recorded by Scientist and produced by Bunny Lee - two serious heavyweights of the scene. Musicians featured on the album include some of Jamaica's best - Sly & Robbie, Jackie Mittoo, Winston Wright and Earl Chinna Smith. As well as his solo work, Edwards - who had chart-topping singles in Jamaica in the 60s - also worked with The Aggravators and recorded duets with Millie Small.
Review: Jamaican singer-songwriter Alton Nehemiah Ellis OD has been inducted into the International Reggae And World Music Awards Hall Of Fame since 2006 - just two years before his death - which shows how much he contributed to the genre in his heyday. And that was the early 70s, when most of the music on this new album Valley Of Decision: The Collection is taken from. His style was high-impact reggae, often delivered with extra power from superb horn arrangements. For many, he was an important pioneer in the development of what became known as the rocksteady style and as such was known as the Godfather of Rocksteady.
Review: Prince Far I's debut album was originally released in 1976 and produced by Lloydie Slim. It's a powerful and spiritual work in the roots and lovers rock world and features Far I chanting Psalms and prayers over heavyweight rhythms including reworks of Alton Ellis' 'Truly,' Ronnie Davis' 'Power of Love' which was also used on Horace Andy's 'You Are My Angel', and the thunderous 'Jah Jah Jahovia.' Although previously reissued over a decade ago, this new edition comes with original artwork and is pressed from fresh stampers made using the original mother plates. The result is a deep, full sound that faithfully captures the richness of the original Jamaican mastering.
Review: This is an extremely rare roots and dub album first put out in 1978 on Chalwa Records. It features some of the genre's most iconic figures including the likes of King Tubby, Skin Flesh & Bones, Augustus Pablo and Dennis Alcapone. This is said to be a one-off pressing from Hornin' Sounds (who to be fair are known for their reluctance to repress their releases) and is an album that takes you back to a fertile and thrilling time in reggae history. Recorded at King Tubby Studio it's packed with deeply hypnotic rhythms and influential production that has aged to perfection.
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