Review: The studio of Harry J's in Jamaica has turned out another pair of belters here. This limited edition and hand-numbered 7" features two killer 1969 tunes. The first is a bittersweet roots tune with a lead trumpet that does all the work. It's in conversation with the organ below and as they to and fro, expressing their pair, the bass rumbles and the percussion jangles. As well as that standout from Richard Ace, the flip-side has a super rare tune 'Candy Lady' by Hugh Black & George Ferris. It's another earthy tune with lovestruck vocals.
Guru Pope - "Reggae Soldier" (Saxaphone mix) (3:15)
Aba Ariginal - "East Meets West" (Hornix mix) (3:15)
East Meets West (dub mix 1) (3:14)
East Meets West (dub mix 2) (3:18)
Review: A powerful collaboration between Jennifer Barrett, Guru Pope and Aba Ariginal released on a striking red 12". The original track blends smooth reggae rhythms with heartfelt lyrics that celebrate strength, resilience and the spirit of the reggae soldier. Each artist brings their unique flavour to the release and that leads to a harmonious fusion of voices and styles. Add in its infectious groove and uplifting message, and 'Reggae Soldier' is a standout tune that begs to be played loud.
Brother Wildman - "Too Many Worries & Problems" (3:42)
General Soria - "Too Many Worries & Problems" (dub) (3:28)
Review: Rain A Fall returns with more of its lovely roots goodness on a new and crucial 45rpm that pairs General Soria with Brother Wildman. The latter kicks off with 'Too Many Worries & Problems' which is a heavy, hard-hitting digital roots tune with tough lyrics that do not pull any punches. It's perfect for all roots and sound system enthusiasts, as is the flipside dub from General Soria which rewires it with extra heavy low ends and cavernous kicks for summer fun.
Review: The on-point Burning Sounds is a treasure trove for proper dub and lovers rock delights from years gone by. They have been digging in the vaults again and come up with a new 12" which they have pressed on nice heavyweight wax, and the sounds more than deserve that. Hortense Ellis and General Roy's 'Give Thanks' is a crucial rhythm with lazy chords and guitars, DIY percussive sounds and deft little keys with a yearning vocal up top. Lawes Rockers is responsible for the flipside version and as you may expect it's dubbed out and reverb-heavy.
Review: Producer, selector and mixing engineer Kai Dub heads up Dub Forward and formerly was in Maasai Warrior but is now busy co-running Concrete Lion Soundsystem with Dubtronics. He is back on his own label with some more devastating dub here, first in collab with Galas on 'Rasta Come From Zion' then in solo mode on 'Dub To Zion' which has earth-shattering kicks and reverb-heavy low ends. Kai Dub Meets Aba Arigina' on 'Majestic' which is a warrior anthem with a zippy melodic lead and a final dub closes out a meaty package on nice yellow wax.
Review: Stephen Garfield Townsend is the Ghetto Priest (and also works as Levi Judah and Squiddly) and he is a rather prolific talent who has dropped five albums and some 29 EPs. This one came last year and finally arrives on wax. 'Smile' is a deep dub with endless echo and reverb swirling around the lower end as his vocals bring a smoky soul next to the wispy melodies. The flipside 'Nature Boy' is more light and airy, with sun kissed island feels and another unhurried, storytelling vocal that is delivered with grace and control.
Review: Vin Gordon, also known as Don Drummond Jr, is a celebrated trombonist from Jamaica who now drops a second 12" on Finnish Dub & Sound International with the Dubsetters. It carries on the good work of their first outing with rootsy and organic reggae rhythms topped with the signature smooth sounds of Gordon's melodies up top. After the original version of 'Get On The Groove', the B-side keeps things sweet with a Groove Dub that is as deep as they come and stacked with echo and reverb for that lovely authentic sound and then closing it out is 'Groove 78 Style' which is more percussive, splashy and cavernous with some deft studio effects added in.
Review: Dub & Sound International returns for a third time and this one welcomes legendary Jamaican trombonist Vin Gordon who is rightly 'Digging The Vibes.' The title track kicks off and pairs his playful patterns with a Dubsetters rhythm and some nice sunny and soothing melodies from Trommie aka Don Drummond Jr.. After the horn-led, organic and unhurried instrumental comes a dub that is fleshed out with a little more echo and is a sublime bit of roots. A second version adds another perspective to the original and we already look forward to hearing more from this project.
Review: There's a lot to like about this expansive EP from lyricist/vocalist Guux and producer Mr Ites. Guux naturally takes centre stage on vocal opener 'African Blood Defender', a jaunty and attractive number in which stirring synth strings and jangling piano stabs rise above a sturdy riddim. Mr Ites delivers two heavier, echo-laden dub revisions, with the weighty-but-melodious 'Afrikan Raw Defender' being our pick of the pair. Over on the flip, legendary Jamaican toaster Junior Dread lends a hand on 'This Road', which is then stripped-back and beefed up for the dance by Mr Ites on the equally impressive 'Dub Road' and 'Raw Road' versions.
Review: Brixton Heights Records' 'This Crazy Feeling Called Love' is a collaborative single by the Brixton Heights Crew, Kieko De Stefanis, and Gaudi. The track features Mafia & Fluxi on drums and bass, Gaudi on piano and co-production, and contributions from the Ital Horns, N. Gatti, and R. Rassi. Legendary reggae singer Peter Hunnigale provides new English lyrics that have been adapted from an old reggae song by the Italian band Sensasciou. The A-Side showcases Hunnigale's iconic vocals, while the B-side, 'Caruggi Jazz,' is an instrumental tribute to Genoa's charming alleys with a dub-infused orchestral sound. Mixed by Gaudi and mastered by Augustus "Gussie" Clarke, this is sure to become a dancefloor hit.
Review: The mission continues here for Reservoir Dub Records who have been working most recently on putting out this one "Aim High' tune on a 10" with four different cuts from four different artists. This one features the legendary Macka B and the talented saxophonist Guru Pope bring their skills to a rhythm that was originally produced by the one and only dub-making don that is Jacin, while all the cuts have been expertly mixed by Gamma Sound's N-Tone DUB. It's a heavyweight package of fresh dub sounds with nods to the old school but plenty of new school cool.
Review: Independent Italian label Unemployment has put together a package of fresh dubs here that bring a range of different influences. Rod Taylor's 'Ruff 'N' Tuff' kicks things off with edgy chord vamps that never let up while his vocals unfold up top next to brighter synth stabs. Filomuzik then brings a version, the Cuss Cuss Riddim, that locks down the same groove without the vocals. Mikelino Rutz's 'Call Me Champion' has new vocals with a more stylised angle laid over the same rhythm and two further reworks from Paco Ten and George Palmer add yet more different styles to this package.
Review: Jamaican trombone player Vin Gordon played in heaps of different groups throughout his most active years. He also worked under myriad variations of his own name and other monikers but few of his works compete with his 1980 album Way Over Yonder. A timeless document of roots reggae goodness, it has become increasingly hard to find and ever-more expensive when you do. This reissue redresses the market, though. Opener 'Easy Living' sets a cheery tone with plenty of Gordon's fulsome trombone sounds and those good time feelings never let up until the final track.
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