SpringlineJamaica

Slip N Slide Yabass Yaba Radics

2012-01-29T09:50:00.000Z

Slip N Slide

Yabass Yaba Radics

Early 1980s dub re visited

From the Come Fi Conquer Imprint 2 versions of the same album !

The Download Album

The CD/Tape Album

Already at download stores is the first version of the album which features 2 spoof style radio mixes of 15 minutes each in length entitled The Gold Side and The Platinum Side put together by Springline's "Gibsy Rhodes" the album also features 2 bonus tracks

Coming early February is the CD and Tape version of the album which features 6 straight cuts only of which 3 feature on the download album version. Variety is the spice of life as they say and the Come Fi Conquer stable are putting every effort into keeping that philosophy alive and well!

Dub engineer and multi instrumentalist Yabass has been part of the underground reggae and dub scene since day one, considered by many as one of the foundation underground artists he's already released the album 'Back A Yard Dub' on Cherry Red Records which was followed recently with his 'Guns Down The Obeah At OK Corral Centrale' album on SpringlineRecords. This latest venture with Springline's Gibsy as producer has a heavily western themed vibe to the album.

Full website presentation of Slip N Slide will be arriving shortly at

Springline Records . com

Jimmy Castor

2012-01-23T12:56:00.000Z

It is with deep sadness that we here at Springline have heard that Jimmy Castor the New York funk and soul saxophonist, singer and songwriter has died of apparent heart failure in a Las Vegas hospital.

He was born on the 23^rd of June 1947 in New York and began his musical career as a doo-wop singer when he wrote and recorded "I Promise to Remember" in 1956. He then went on to replace Frankie Lymon in The Teenagers in 1957 before switching to the saxophone in 1960. It is with this instrument he is probably best known as he became leader of his own disco/funk band The Jimmy Castor Bunch with whom he scored his biggest hit single, 1972’s million seller, "Troglodyte (Cave Man)". Before then he also had a solo hit with "Hey Leroy, Your Mama's Callin' You" on Smash Records in 1966 and played sax on Dave "Baby" Cortez's hit "Rinky Dink."

As leader of The Jimmy Castor Bunch in the 1970s, and also as a solo artist, he released several successful albums and singles. The group reached the peak of their commercial success in 1972 with the release of their album, It's Just Begun, which featured two hit singles: title track and the afore mentioned "Troglodyte (Cave Man)," which peaked at #6 in the US Billboard Hot 100. The track stayed in the chart for 14 weeks and was a million seller by 30 June 1972, and received a gold disc award from the R.I.A.A.
Castor continued the trend in 1975 with "The Bertha Butt Boogie" and later recorded "E-Man Boogie," "King Kong," "Bom Bom," and "Potential”. The Castor band included keyboardist/trumpeter Gerry Thomas, bassist Doug Gibson, guitarist Harry Jensen, conga player Lenny Fridle, Jr., and drummer Bobby Manigault. Thomas, who simultaneously recorded with the Fatback Band, left in the '80's to exclusively record with them. Castor recorded as a solo performer from 1976 until 1988. He had one of his bigger hits in many years with a 1988 revival of "Love Makes a Woman," which paired him with disco diva Joyce Sims.
Many of the Castor Bunches tunes have been heavily sampled in films and in hip-hop with the saxophone hook and groove from "It's Just Begun" with the Jungle Brothers, ‘On The Run’ springing to mind in particular as well as the spoken word intro from "Troglodyte" , namely “What we're gonna do right now is go back….”.

His son, Jimmy Castor Jr., 45, a filmmaker from Redondo Beach, California, told The Associated Press “he's seen instant recognition hundreds of times at the first sax chords of "It's Just Begun" - even before the lyrics begin. No matter what country you're in, no matter what language you speak, everyone knows it."

Ska Madness 2

2012-01-21T15:29:00.002Z

Out Now!…. is 'Ska Madness 2' another one of those collections of classic Ska and Rocksteady sounds that helped inspire the 2-Tone movement that rose to prominence in the UK in late 1979.

As you will derive from the title this is the follow up to 2010’s 'Ska Madness!' which collected together a selection of the original tunes that the 2-Tone bands, such as The Specials, The Selecter and The (English) Beat had covered during their time. This time however the collection, compiled by Rhoda Dakar (The Special A.K.A and Bodysnatchers), focuses more on tracks which influenced the original bands, were favourites on the tour buses during the various Two Tone package tours and were used to fill the interludes between the bands at these gigs. Amongst the 20 tracks featured are 7 Top 10 UK Chart hits including Desmond Dekker’s #1 Israelitesfrom March 1969, a #9 from June 1970 Love Of The Common People by Nicky Thomas and from an artist who recently ventured some way back to his roots with his‘Sacred Fire’ E.P is Jimmy Cliff’s excellent Wonderful World, Beautiful People which surprisingly only peaked at #6 in October of ’69. Also there are some tunes that maybe aren’t so well known from these type of compilations such as Wear You To The Ballfrom The Paragons, Ali Baba by John Holt, The Jamaicans Ba Ba Boom Time and UK act Symarip’s Skinhead Girl.

This may just sound like more of the same to some but the original 'Ska Madness!' has now sold over 115,000 copies and was the 4th biggest selling budget album of that year and at last count was the 6th biggest selling budget album of 2011! So it just goes to show that there is still, thankfully, great interest in these old songs. So if you are one of the people who brought volume one then this is its must have companion and if you are new to these sounds then this is as good as place as any to start and explore what drove these great bands on….oh and don’t forget to give volume one ago while you’re at it!

Full Track list
01. Israelites – Desmond Dekker
02. Monkey Spanner – Dave & Ansell Collins
03. Pressure Drop – Toots & The Maytals
04. Elizabethan Reggae – Boris Gardiner
05. Cherry Oh Baby – Eric Donaldson
06. The Tide Is High – The Paragons
07. Sweet Sensation – The Melodians
08. Ba Ba Boom Time – The Jamaicans
09. Wear You To The Ball – The Paragons
10. Ali Baba – John Holt
11. Return Of Django – The Upsetters
12. Skinhead Girl – Symarip
13. Red Red Wine – Tony Tribe
14. Tighten Up – Untouchables
15. If It Don’t Work Out – Pat Kelley
16. Wonderful World, Beautiful People – Jimmy Cliff
17. Young Gifted And Black – Bob & Marcia
18. Love Of The Common People – Nicky Thomas
19. Black Pearl – Horace Faith
20. Wear You To The Ball – John Holt & U Roy

Available at AMAZON

Dubmatix "Atomic Subsonic" Made Available For Free Download

2012-01-17T12:18:00.000Z

As a great way to start the New Year Dubmatix has, for a limited time, made his 2006 follow up to Champion Sound Clash available for free download.

This 12 track album features various reggae styles from straight roots and its dub to steppers and electro dub. It also features a host of artists including Freddie McGregor, Anthony B, Howie Smart, Raffa Dean, Fredlocks, Rasta Rueben, Treson plus Treasure Chest Productions.

To get yourself a free copy of this album visit Soundcloud now

Mystic Soul - I Am The One

2012-01-16T12:14:00.000Z

Released in the summer of last year Mystic Soul’s debut album 'I Am The One', is one of those albums that I’m surprised we didn’t get to hear more about.
Now I’ll admit this album is probably not going to go down to well with the hardened dancehall and roots crowd, but this album does I believe have huge crossover potential, as it, at times, slips into that reggae/pop/soul Bitty McLean territory sort of thing with its easy going vibe. The most striking thing about it all though is the great silky smooth vocals that Mystic Soul delivers with a very clean and vivacious delivery that coupled with his boyish good looks is sure to attract many female fans.

Read more and hear sound clips at ......

Boom One Sound System - Japanese Translations In Dub

2011-12-29T16:19:00.000Z

Boom One Sound System (BOSS) is a group of American songwriters, beat creators and entertainers, who formed in 2009 and use current events as a catalyst to help them fuse the elements of dub, hip-hop and electronica to create unique beats with heavy bass lines and synthesizing rhythms that merge with influences of world music.

This collective have performed across the USA, Canada and Japan and have now released their debut EP, on the Dutch label TerraLogica Records, titled 'Japanese Translations in DUB', four songs that were inspired by their last tour in Japan and the tsunami that happened there in early 2011.

to find out more about this exciting E.P visit........

Foundation Dub Engineer Yabass & Springline's Gibsy form new Imprint..

2011-12-26T11:55:00.002Z

Underground foundation dub artist and engineer Yabass along with Springline's Gibsy have set up their own publishing imprint to caretake all releases from Yabass Yaba Radics and associate collaborations featuring the engineers dub music.

All releases from the imprint will be put out under the SpringlineRecords umbrella.

First album release is already out on CD with the Download version due out end of January.

The CD features 8 brand new dubs all recorded during the run up to Christmas.

"Guns Down The Obeah At OK Corral Centrale"

can be purchased as CD from Here

Engineered and Mixed by Yabass Yaba Radics

Produced by Paul 'Gibsy' Gibbs

with Executive Production credits going to Steve Leclair and Karl Pearson
Listeners to the album will discover a new found clarity of sound quality that
the team have been honing for quite some time.
Gibsy; "We want Come Fi Conquer to have it's own trademark sound quality and mix style that's instantly
recognisable to listeners and fans of the early eighties era in reggae, the sparse dubs and down tempo
dancehall riddim styles from '81 through to '84 and Yaba has been working flat out during the past months getting his sound right, now we're ready"

A second release is already underway entitled 'Jah Jah Come Again'

a one riddim special featuring special guests from the underground.

To hear a version from the 'Jah Jah Come Again' riddim special Click Here

To hear a tune from the "Guns Down The Obeah.." CD Click Here

(These will open in a new window)

Stay tuned....

Ashley's Land Of Dub

2011-12-17T16:13:00.000Z

What interests me when listening to dub music today and it’s many sub genres is when I get to hear the more unusual approaches to mixing and instrument choice applied to album works, the use of instruments not usually heard in reggae for example, the use of speed and pitch shift controls on synths and keyboards, forward and reverse mixing and plenty usage from an array of unusual percussive instruments such as Glockenspiel and Xylophone style sounds and exotic stringed instruments like the Sitar, well, 'Land Of Dub' by Ashley has all these and more.........

To read more visit .......

To get a free download of the album visit

DUBKEY

Cambridge105.fm Radio Station Reggae Show 'Revelation Time'

2011-12-15T10:41:00.000Z

Roots Temple Dubplates Showcase On SJR

2011-12-10T12:49:00.000Z

Wednesday December 21st at 7PM GMT

SpringlineJamaica Radio is putting on a special 3 hour show

for the Roots Temple stable and their brand new album release

with proceeds from sales to the Japan earthquake/tsunami appeal fund.

The whole show will be looped for a few days afterwards for listener convenience.

SJR Station

Dance Craze - The Original 2-Tone Book

2011-12-08T15:22:00.002Z

Hey you, don’t read that, read THIS! This is the heavy, heavy monster book, the nuttiest read around! It’s

also the only introduction you’ll ever need to the boss sound of the 1980s: THE SPECIALS! MADNESS! THE BEAT! BAD MANNERS! THE SELECTER! and The BODYSNATCHERS!

With a saucy portion of Judge Dread thrown in for good measure...

Researcher Paul Hallam had this to say about the book....

"Basically it’s the text from the 1981 (Dance Craze) magazine, with postscripts epilogues and much more. Several pages at the back taken from sounds of that era - dress like a rude boy for under a tenner - coach trips to marakesh for £30.00 (how long did that take in 1980?), and 30 plus unseen pictures taken by photographer David Arnoff in Los Angeles 1980 of the Specials/Madness/Selecter and The Beat."

It’s in HMV stores from Monday 12th December and online to pre-order now at Facebook and Acid Jazz

Dub Vision - Counter Attack

2011-12-06T18:23:00.001Z

“Never judge a book by its cover” is how an old saying goes and that is definitely the case here for this album with its cheery cartoon cover of three Mafiosi looking types flying a helicopter while blasting out, what I presume is this album, at people dancing in the street below and with a band name Dub Vision may lead you to expect all different types of things from those of what you actually get.

Find out more at........

Bring Out The 7s

2011-12-06T18:19:00.000Z

Listen to Gibsy's latest mix at..........

UNITED REGGAE

SpringlineRecords Set To Release 200 Digital 7s In 2012

2011-12-01T15:47:00.000Z

In an attempt to finally categorize and make available it's back catalogue Springline embarks on a bold 200 digital singles release project for 2012 with it's own mp3 download store.

Springline is known for it's love of today's underground reggae and dub scene, the true home made reggae and dub sounds that have been created from a broad spectrum of nationalities under the guise of artist and/or producer.

Springline has released since 2007 14 albums and a few dozen singles plus a couple or three private press promo CDs, all these tunes plus the couple of hundred or so unreleased in archive will selectively be finding themselves exclusively released as a single and each single will be allocated to one of the 9 subsidiary labels operated by Springline and by doing so the whole catalogue will be available and presented in coherent uniform.

There will be of course be a few tunes that wont be appearing on a single release

either due to contractual obligations or due to mastering problems

but I'm told Springline will be starting off with 200 cuts!

Check the SR website for more info

Go To SpringlineRecords HQ

Amongst the more wider known tunes that have appeared in the past on the label there will be quite a few lost and hidden gems plus newer cuts from artists recently acquired.

From mid February 2012 the new Springline store and its digi 7s collection will be launched.

Jimmy Cliff – Sacred Fire E.P

2011-11-28T12:43:00.000Z

The Sacred Fire EP sees Jimmy Cliff back at his best and with Armstrong at the controls creating the perfect backdrops to encase these pertinent lyrics and sparkling vocals, that have not diminished with the passing years it all bodes very well for the album that is due to follow next year.

To find out more about this excellent release visit........

Mungos Hi Fi – Forward Ever

2011-11-22T13:11:00.000Z

Forward Ever is an album steeped in the very best reggae traditions, with Mungos immense live work feeding directly into the studio production and despite the riddims being digitally made there is a warmth and depth to them that betrays their stark roots. The art work on the cover, beautifully created by Elen also harks back to those golden days with a cartoon of a dance in full effect, which if you get the gatefold double vinyl opens out so you can really appreciate the colour and life in the picture.

The end of the year is fast approaching and I fully expect to see this album feature in many of those annual top 10’s.

read a full review at...........

The Selecter - Made In Britain Tour 2012

2011-11-14T12:32:00.000Z

With The Specials just finishing their triumphant ‘Ghost Town 30th Anniversary Tour’ another 2-Tone legend The Selecter, featuring original members Pauline Black and Gaps Hendrickson, have announced the full details of an upcoming tour of the UK through March next year. The band will be plugging new material, taken from the Made In Britain album, which so far has only been available on download but is due a CD release soon plus a selection of classic oldies.

The tour includes the following shows:

01 Mar. - Sub89, Reading

02 Mar. - Bogiez, Cardiff

03 Mar. - The Fleece, Bristol

08 Mar. - The Assembly, Leamington Spa

09 Mar. - Citrus Club, Edinburgh

10 Mar. - Reading Rooms, Dundee

11 Mar. - Apollo 23, Glasgow

15 Mar. - Guildhall, Gloucester

16 Mar. - Rock City, Nottingham

17 Mar. - 229, London

18 Mar. - The Garage, Swansea

22 Mar. - The Brook, Southampton

23 Mar. - Brundenel Social Club, Leeds

25 Mar. - Concorde 2, Brighton

29 Mar. - Phoenix, Exeter

30 Mar. - Robin 2, Wolverhampton

31 Mar. - Erics, Liverpool

Original guitarist and song writer Neol Davies will unfortunately not be appearing with this version of The Selecter, but will be will performing with his own version at the London International Ska Festival that takes place between the 3rd and 6th May 2012 across 3 venues. Also confirmed on the bill for this event at present are Jamaican greats Dandy Livingstone and Dawn Penn, plus The Dualers, Capone & The Bullets, Hotknives (original line up) as well as European bands The Moon Invaders (Belgium) and Los Granadians (

Spain

Dubmatix presents Clash of the Titans - The System Shakedown Remixes

2011-11-08T12:29:00.000Z

Last years System Shakedown handed over to some of the reggae world’s most talented remixers/producers read a full review at.........

Pat Kelly - Vintage Rocksteady

2011-11-02T15:06:00.001Z

When it comes to rocksteady reggae of the late ‘60s Pat Kelly is sometimes a forgotten man, with the likes of Alton Ellis and Slim Smith stealing nearly all the accolades. This is something of an injustice as his beautiful falsetto voice is easily up there with the best and his standard of work is as good as any.

He was born in Kingston in 1949 and after leaving school in 1966, went to Springfield, Massachusetts in the United States where he spent a year studying electronics before returning to Jamaica. On his return he was invited to replace Slim Smith as the lead singer of The Techniques who were recording for Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle label. Kelly's falsetto voice was strongly influenced by the American Soul singer Sam Cooke and in combination with Winston Riley and Bruce Ruffin The Techniques easily maintained the success they had enjoyed with Smith. The first record they released with Kelly on lead was "You Don't Care", adapted from Curtis Mayfield's "You'll Want Me Back". The song spent six weeks at number one in the Jamaican singles chart, and was followed by further hits with "Queen Majesty", another Mayfield reworking ("Minstrel and Queen"), "My Girl", "Love Is Not a Gamble", "It's You I Love", and "Run Come Celebrate".

In 1968, Kelly himself decided to go solo and moved to Bunny Lee. His debut for Lee was yet another Mayfield cover, "Little Boy Blue" which was followed by "How Long Will It Take" with this song becoming the biggest-selling Jamaican single of 1969. It was also the first Jamaican record to feature a string arrangement, which was overdubbed when it was released in the UK on the Palmer Brothers' Unity label.

A Lee "Scratch" Perry-engineered album ‘Pat Kelley’ Sings was then hot on its heels and led to a £25,000 contract offer by Apple Records, which he was unable to accept due to existing contractual commitments.

Despite this commercial set back Kelly continued to record, having big hits for producer Phil Pratt in 1972 with "Soulful Love" and "Talk About Love", and returning to record with Duke Reid where he had another hit with a cover of John Denver's "Sunshine". As singing work dried up a bit He fell back on his earlier training to work as an engineer at Channel One Studio and worked on albums like Johnny Clarke’s ‘A Ruffer Version’ and ‘Rockers Time Now’ as well as Jah Woosh ‘Dreadlocks Affair’ and the dub album Morwell Unlimited Meet King Tubby's Dub Me.

In 1978 he moved to production, producing his own Youth and Youth album and co-producing John Holt's The Impressable John Holt (Disco Mix) with Holt the following year.

The late 1970s and early 1980s saw Kelly recording more regularly again, with albums like ‘One Man Stand’, ‘Cool Breezing’, ‘Wish It Would Rain’ and ‘One In A Million’.

The last new recording I can find from Kelly is ‘Jesus Is The Answer’ released in the US in 1998 but although no new recordings are coming he is still active and recently performed with L.A Boss Reggae band The Revivers in San Francisco

King Jammy Specials At ReggaeRecord.com

2011-11-02T14:47:00.000Z

ReggaeRecord.com is at it again with another batch of King Jammy dubplate specials all taken from the original master tapes.

The company have just released four 7” heavyweight vinyl records that include some rare dubplate specials originally recorded for Jammy’s Super Power soundsystem by artists such as Pad Anthony, Little John, Anthony Malvo, Johnny Osbourne and Thiller U, who recorded their songs at King Jammys Recording Studio, plus unreleased dubplate recordings by Junior Reid and US soul group the Chilites. These dubplates were then played against the likes of Black Scorpio, Killamanjaro, Downbeat, African Symbol and other soundsystems who tried to test Jammys Super Power, at various sound clashes and go some way to show why the Prince became a King.

For more information and sound bites visit ReggaeRecord.com

Bob Andy honored in Press Area Forum

2011-10-30T09:47:00.000Z

Bob Andy honored in Press Area Forum

Reggae Room Forums

2011-10-30T09:43:00.000Z

Reggae Room Forums

Fans - Artists - Labels - DJs - Reviewers all welcome

Gregory Isaacs – The Ruler (1972 - 1990)

2011-10-27T17:53:00.001+01:00

On October 25^th last year the “Cool Ruler” Gregory Isaacs passed away at the age of 60. He was dubbed “The Cool Ruler” not only for his dapper style that often included a fedora style hat but also for the smooth delivery of his plaintive crooning that led to him being once described as “the most exquisite vocalist in reggae”.

DUBMATIX Presents Clash of the Titans - The System Shakedown Remixes

2011-10-27T17:47:00.000+01:00

An epic Double Vinyl journey of remixes from some of the world’s most talented producers: Zion Train, G.Corp, Marcus Visionary, Liondub, Vibronics, Victor Rice, Duibvisionist, Mungo’s Hi-Fi, Aldubb, Nate Wize, TVS, Subatomic Soundsystem, Webcam Hi-Fi, DJ Shine, Eccodek & DJ Brace, through dub, dubstep, ragga, jungle, future dub and roots.

Now let Dubmatix tell you more …….

“The concept for this new release materialized in the summer of 2010: on a tropically hot (hot as hades) summer evening in Toronto, when myself and Karsten Frehe (Irie Ites Music) came up with the idea and immediately set about contacting some of the world’s premier dubheads and have them get involved and contribute a remix. What was to be just a 12” Vinyl release expanded into a Double 12” Vinyl Release, CD Release and Digital release. The remix material was so good and there was so much of it.
The album features an awesome line-up of great remixers/producers: G.Corp (Groove Corporation), Zion Train, Aldubb, Dubvisionist, TVS, Mungo's HiFi, Marcus Visionary, LionDub, Webcam Hi-Fi, Victor Rice, Vibronics, Subatomic Soundsystem and Nate Wize, with myself contributing an alternate version of the Dennis Alcapone track “Struggle”. The resultant release is multifaceted, ranging from roots dub to steppers, more experimental approaches such as dubstep and future dub. Dub has always been open for new styles and ideas! The voices featured on “System Shakedown” also put in an appearance: The Mighty Diamonds, Tippa Irie, Dennis Alcapone, Kulcha Ites, Jay Douglas, The Ragga Twins, Ammoye, Brother Culture and U Brown all feature with vocal parts, embellishing and enriching the futuristic sounds and vibes. Over the past months a great work has emerged and it is now poised I hope to go straight to the hearts and feet of dubheads all over the world.”

"This is a release that's guaranteed to smash up the place! TurnTableTerrorist say so!!!" (WLUW Chicago - USA)

REGGAE ROAST RECORDS PRESENT SENSI SKANK FEATURING RUBEN DA SILVA, MURRAY MAN, MANASSEH & PLACID

2011-10-27T15:36:00.001+01:00

Reggae Roast Records has gathered some serious momentum over the past 12 months with critically
acclaimed releases from the likes of dub heavyweights such as Earl 16, Mungo’s Hi Fi, Nick Manasseh,
Kenny Knots and RSD (Rob Smith). Quickly building a reputation as the UK’s leading label for contemporary dubwise produce. Reggae Roast come with their brand new single; Sensi Skank, yet another home grown sliceof hard hitting digital roots the label has become synonymous with.

There’s no doubt about about it, Sensi Skank is set to be the Ganja Anthem 2012. This 5 mix release by
Ruben Da Silva featuring Skinnyman is set to shake speaker stacks across the land, and is already garnering support from DJ Hype and a host of other top DJs. the Track has been tastefully dubbed by Manasseh and remixed by D&B heavyweights Placid. Twist it all all together and fire it up, for a red hot, smoking release.

Ruben Da Silva, who is quickly becoming a major force in the British roots scene after his recent dance-floor
smasher ‘Bless A Sound’ has once again shown why he‘s one of the hottest new voices in town. The beautifully distinctive tone to his vocal carries the track as he begrudges the fact that he is criminalized for smoking the ‘righteous weed’ and forced to smoke undercover.
Skinnyman, the long time outspoken advocator of the legalisation of cannabis makes a rare but unforgettable
appearance, as ever his flow and delivery are second to none. In the same vain as his critically acclaimed album ‘Council Estate of Mind’, Skinnyman once again delivers a socially analytical commentary, which demonstrates why he is one of the most popular and well respected rappers ever to come out of the Britain.
Murray Man, a true veteran of the UK Roots scene, has been running sound systems since the 80‘s. More
recently he has turned his attentions to running his very own Mellow Vibes imprint. His distinctive Digi-Roots
production style has been smashing up dance-floors across the world with underground hits such as Crying Shame. Nick Manasseh became one of the most respected DJ / producers in British reggae when he began hosting his seminal weekly Kiss FM slot, which ran for over a decade. He has helped to generate an interest in Roots music across the UK with his killer dance-floor selections and crisp authentic production values. Manasseh has once again mixed and dubbed the latest Reggae Roast offering, adding depth, definition and his distinctive sound to the release.
Placid from the Undiluted Records camp, also the home of Ed Solo and Brockie, are on remix duties and come with a hard hitting Drum n Bass stomper that is sure to mash up dance-floors across the globe. Already
receiving plays from Junglist A-listers such as Hype (Kiss FM) and Sub Focus (Ram Records), the DnB refix sure brings some added heat to the release.

Keep you eyes and ears peeled for more exciting releases from the likes of Linval Thompson & Kenny Knots coming very soon on Reggae Roast Records.

Merritone Reissues From Dub Store Records

2011-10-27T13:14:00.002+01:00

Earlier this year Dub Store Records reissued a selection of Ska rarities on 7” vinyl on the Federal Records' Kentone label, all beautifully presented with authentic labels and card covers. Now they have shifted their attention to the rocksteady era with no less than 40 songs across 20 singles presented on the Merritone label.

Merritone was founded in 1966 by Ken Khouri with the label taking its name from Winston Blake's sound system. Although not as well known as the likes of Studio 1 or Treasure Isle it was the largest record company of that time in Jamaica. Many songs were recorded with Ernest Ranglin, and fellow guitarist Lynn Taitt among its biggest stars. However many of theses songs only appeared on vinyl records in limited quantities in Jamaica with a small bunch of titles making it to the UK were they were released on the Island label. Due to this many recordings on the label are hardly known and are now considered being ultra rare collector’s items.

Dub Store are now making some of these unreleased, forgotten and hard to find gems available again and included in the roster are songs like ‘I’m Coming Home’ by Eddie Perkins who worked with Alton Ellis as the duo Alton and Eddy. Then there is Lynn Taitt’s remake of the ‘Batman’ movie theme, Henry Buckley sings ‘Beware Of All Those Rude Boys’ and showcases his conscious style with ‘If I Am Right’ plus there is early Prince Lincoln work with ‘Real Gone Sweet’ and ‘It’s Not Right’ that he performed as a member of The Tartans along with Devon Russell, Cedric Myton, and Berg Lewis. If this short list of some of the songs on offer doesn’t whet your appetite for more then check out ReggaeRecord.com

Brother Culture – City Of Vibes

2011-10-26T12:22:00.000+01:00

Brother Culture the English MC from Brixton who brought us the fantastic album Isis has throughout his long career worked with the likes of Mungos Hi Fi, Dubmatix and major league dance act The Prodigy has now joined forces again with the Swiss production house Kinyama Sounds to bring us this 7-track EP ‘City of Vibes’.

To find out more visit......

Lack Of Afro - This Time

2011-10-25T12:33:00.000+01:00

Lack of Afro, AKA British multi instrumentalist /producer/remixer/DJ Adam Gibbons one of our favourite funkateers here at Springline, has just released his third album ‘This Time’.

The album, as with the previous two, blends funk, jazz, hip hop, soul and 60s pop to create diverse and contemporary breakbeats and cinematic back drops. There are also shows signs of a growing maturity as this has to be his most wide and ranging collection of eclectic sounds. In the past listening to Lack Of Afro was a bit like facing a military big gun bombardment at times as the beats shook right through you, but here there are softer, silky, shimmering soulful sides as well.

These softer sides are primarily shown in two vocal cuts. the first is the exquisite single ‘A Time For..’ featuring the smokey Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye hybrid Wayne Giddens followed by the 60s pop-soul of ‘Fool’, with plucked orchestral strings a la Dusty Springfield and featuring Angeline Morrison who has worked recently with Frootful whose album ‘Colours’ was produced by Adam. These two vocalists also appear again on the album with Wayne on ‘What The Hell’ a more funky stax soul groove a kin to the sort of thing Raphael Saddiq has done on his latest album Stone Rollin’and Angeline on ‘The Importance Of Elsewhere’ which again rides a more funky beat, but this one leans more to a hip hop style while retaining her light soulful vocal.

The other two vocal cuts are the album opener and single in the making ‘Holding My Breath’ which features fellow Brighton dweller Jake Morley on a bounding Madchester beat and previous Afro cohorts rap duo Wax and Herbal T on ‘P.A.R.T.Y.’

the instrumentals is where the cinematic feel comes through with ‘Contusions’ having an afro-beat feel that could be the 21st century son or grandson even of ‘Shaft In Africa’ while ‘Little Fugue’ and ‘One For Bielski’ stray into beefed up Lalo Schifrinesque territory, the latter showing oriental influences, of say Enter The Dragon and Bielski is more Dirty Harry. Album closer ‘Lazy Lazarus’ sounds like a lost funked up, 60s garage band with slightly Latin leanings, you know the sort of thing you find in a Tarrentino movie.

‘This Time’ is an album of solid and diverse grooves that hints that it must surely now be only a matter of time before that big hit beckons.

Listen HERE

Buy HERE

Sugar Minott - Hard Time Pressure

2011-10-24T08:55:00.000+01:00

Last year VP released the 4CD Reggae Legends set on Sugar Minott shortly before his passing, that consisted of the albums “Buy Off The Bar”, “Rydim”, “Time Longer Than Rope” and “Rockers Awards Winner”, a sound clash with Leroy Smart, all recorded in the mid 1980s. Now they are following this up with “Hard Times Pressure”, something of a prelude to that set, with a 36 track collection spread across 2 discs that encompasses some of his best work from the late 1970s through to that time and the birth of digital dancehall reggae where he would earn the title of Godfather of Dancehall.........

To read more visit

Denja - Vampire Slayer

2011-10-23T16:43:00.000+01:00

The second album from the little known Canadian artist Denja is probably one of the most obscure albums I have heard in a very, very long time.

‘Vampire Slayer’ takes traditional dub style leanings and throws into the mix some country and folk styling to create something that verges on the unique in a world that seems to becoming more and more dominated by dub-by-numbers offerings.

To read more visit.......

Bristol Reggae Explosion Vol 2 - The Review

2011-10-18T19:03:00.000+01:00

The Bristol Reggae Explosion vol 2 1978 - 1983 sees Bristol Archive Records digging even deeper into the city's reggae heritage with a selection of rarities and several tracks that have never been previously released. It also serves as a poignant reminder of just how much unheralded reggae talent was out there back in the '80s.

For a full review read more at .............

Hollie Cook Debut Release

2011-10-18T12:45:00.000+01:00

Hollie Cook’s self-titled debut album, released back in June of this year on Mr Bongo, is a beguiling affair as her silky, soft voice treads a fine line between sensuous and melancholy. She is backed by the production of Prince Fatty, with whom she has worked before, and the album bares all his sound making hallmarks as he puts together a dubby, ska, rocksteady montage that encapsulates all of reggaes finest qualities. This is further endorsed with guitar work from Dennis Bovell and Pioneers singer George Dekker plus some DJ chat from another Fatty cohort the impressive Horseman. A soul tilt is then added by singer and instrumentalist Omar.

Lyrically the album focuses on relationships, particularly those that are disaffected and tumultuous which really comes to a head on the dark, bassy throb of "Sugar Water (Look at My Face)" as she vents her anguish at having been messed around and damaged in some way by her man. A couple of songs some that may already be familiar with some are the inclusion of "Milk and Honey" that originally appeared on ‘Survival of the Fattest’ and was something of a small hit that brought both of them to wider attention after its use on the US television show Grey’s Anatomy. and single . "That Very Night" which appeared as a dub on last years Prince Fatty release ‘Supersize’.

Despite the sombreness of some of the lyrics there is something that is very enjoyable about Miss Cook’s slant on life and this blend of "tropical pop"; as the label calls it should appeal to many.

Yabass - Back A Yard Dub

2011-10-16T12:13:00.000+01:00

During the past five years or so dub engineer and multi instrumentalist YABASS has frequented various artist community websites with his foundation dub sounds. He has been in various bands most notably Creation Rockers with fellow producer The Manorand players Drummie Dan, Papa D and Mac although his musical repertoire goes back to the 1970s having appeared on an Alton Ellis single and having played in session with the Skin Flesh & Bones band at Chalk Farm studio to name check but 2 adventures from time and now, right up to date -and surprisingly to many- his first ever album release, a 12 track classic style dub offering entitled 'Back A Yard Dub'.

Read more at............

New Reggae Forum Arrives

2011-10-16T08:15:00.000+01:00

A forum for both reggae and dub fans and for reggae and dub artists.

Collectors - Observers - Listeners

Labels - Artists - Soundsystems - DJs

A well thought out and professionally presented new forum

comes on the scene this week called

REGGAE ROOM

featuring all the genre sections you would expect

plus areas for labels and artists to promote in.

*Check It Out*

DREADFYAH STUDIO

2011-10-12T10:43:00.002+01:00

.http://dreadfyahstudio.com

Keith ‘Slim’ Smith

2011-10-02T12:03:00.000+01:00

Born in 1948 Keith ‘Slim’ Smith is rightly regarded by many as one of Jamaica’s greatest singers. His voice was soft yet full of passion and soul. He first came to real prominence as a founding member and lead vocalist of The Techniques, a harmony quartet that also included Winston Riley, Franklyn White, and Frederick Waite They regularly performed at Edward Seaga's Chocomo Lawn club, where they were spotted by talent scouts from Columbia Records, who released their first single "No One" produced by Byron Lee. In 1965 they were introduced to producer Duke Reid by singer Stranger Cole. Here they released "Don't Leave Me", "When You Are Wrong", "and many others for Reid’s Treasure Isle label. A year or so later Smith left The Techniques to try and forge a solo career but ended up forming The Uniques with White and Roy Shirley. The trio released a few singles in 1966 before disbanding, until late 1967 when Smith formed a new version of the group with Jimmy Riley and Lloyd Charmers. They débuted with "Watch This Sound", a cover version of Stephen Stills' "For What It's Worth" and had a huge hit. This was then followed by a string of subsequent singles, many produced by Bunny Lee including “My Conversation”. The group's debut album release, “Absolutely The Uniques” was released by Trojan Records in 1969, although they broke up in the same year. Smith then commenced recording for Prince Buster and Coxsone Dodd's Studio One label as a solo artist and scored hits with "The New Boss", "Hip Hug" and "Rougher Yet", many of which were later compiled for the album “Born To Love”.

By 1972 personal problems led to him being detained, for a short time at Bellevue sanatorium. The year after, on 9^th October, whilst trying to gain entry to his parents' house, he broke a window, badly lacerating his arm and bled to death before he could receive treatment. His death stunned Jamaica and left the country mourning the loss of yet another great vocalist at a ridiculously young age. Despite the passing of time his enduring popularity has remained and resulted in the reissue of the bulk of his work including The Uniques “Absolutely Rock Steady” from late last year.

Echoes The Remixes Vol 1 - A Free To Download Release From Renegade Media

2011-10-02T11:55:00.001+01:00

"Echoes - The Remixes Vol 1" is a collection of 12 of the best remixes submitted for a contest run earlier this year by Dubmatix’s for his Renegade Recordings label. The object of the contest was simply for aspiring producers to choose one of four tracks from any of the artists on label roster which were, earlyW~Rm, ‘Crawling From The Roots’, Nate Wize ‘Blues Blood’, Rolling Lion Studio ‘Rightful Ruler’ and Dubmatix’s very own ‘Inna Eden’ and create their own highly interesting and original take on the song as they could.

Remixs by: G31, Edumarron, Selec, Dub Terminator, Dubtrak, The Originator, Commie Dread, SUBSET, ultrabase, Dubstructor, and PhOniAndFlOrE were chosen as the best of the bunch and now this album that incorporates styles including Dubstep, Jungle, Roots and Future Dub is available for you to download free via Soundcloud

The Upsessions - Below The Belt

2011-10-02T11:50:00.000+01:00

These self confessed, track suit wearing, rude boys from Holland are back with their third album that contains yet more ska and rocksteady infused grooves that follow on from where 2009s 'Beat You Reggae' left off with some, at times, crazy lyrics and most importantly that infectious upbeat feel........

Bad Manners - Maximum Ska 'N' B

2011-09-27T12:32:00.000+01:00

For some reason Bad Manners never really did it for me when they rode on the crest of the 2-Tone wave of the early ‘80s. I don’t know why maybe it was something about the way they looked… scruffy… despite some wearing suits, they were always a bit Mickey Pearce from the UK TV show Only Fools & Horses, or most likely it had more to do with hits like “My Girl Lollipop” and “Can Can” as well as album cuts like “Wooly Bully” and the “Undersea Adventures of Ivor The Engine” they just came over as too much of a novelty act for me. Despite all this though and being a 2-Tone fan to the core (ok they never actually had a studio release with the label) I still brought just about everything they ever released! Including “My Girl Lollipop” on 12”!!

Now however having purchased “Magnetism” a best of on CD a couple of years ago I fear I may have missed the point and treated one of the best and fun 2-Tone acts with a distain they didn’t deserve. Songs like the afore mentioned “My Girl Lollipop” and “Can Can” still grate mind you but songs like the story telling brilliance of “Lorraine”, the summery feel good of “Walking In The Sunshine” and easy going sing-a-long of “Special Brew” are quite superb. The Specials and The Selecter were perhaps more relevant with their songs about the urban decline that was affecting the country then but at least Bad Manners allowed you to forget your worries and just party for the sake of partying’s sake!

They were formed in 1976 while the members were together at Woodberry Down Comprehensive School, Stoke Newington, London with the literally larger than life Buster Bloodvessel (Douglas Trendle to his mum) fronting the band.

Having become quite popular on the live circuit in their native London and with the recent success of bands like The Specials, The Selecter and Madness, Bad Manners were quickly picked up and signed by Magnet Records in 1980. Their first single was the quirky ‘Ne-Ne Na-Na Na-Na Nu-Nu’ which peaked at a respectable #28 in March of that year. This was followed by ‘Lip Up Fatty’ (#28 June 1980) and ‘Special Brew’ which very nearly made the top of the charts but unfortunately stalled at #3 in the August. 1980 also saw the release of their first album ‘Ska-N-B’ which reached #34 in the UK album chart and highlighted their love of the jump and jive sounds of the 40's and 50's as much if not more than Ska!

The band built on this opening success with the release of more hit singles over the next two years including ‘Lorraine’, ‘Just A Feeling’ and of course the big hits ‘My Girl Lollipop’ and ‘Can Can’. There were also two more albums ‘Loonee Tunes’, that has to be in the running for worst album cover ever (It featured a little dog with a bow on its head sitting on a cushion) and then ‘Gosh It’s…’ which saw the band changing style a bit with more Latino and Jazz/Soul style influences and fusions.

This was also were I parted ways with Bad Manners as 2-Tone’s influence faded. The Specials split and The Selecter and Beat would soon follow. Madness were still going but had become more adventurous and were no longer really a “Ska” band and as is always the way, the country’s musical tastes were changing as ‘New Romantics’ and synth pop started to take over. This left Bad Manners in something of a quandary as to which direction to take and they seemed to just slip away eventually calling it quits in 1987.

This parting however did not last long and Buster soon reformed the band with original members Louis Alphonso, Martin Stewart and Winston Bazoomies. He then licensed the Blue Beat Records name and logo and set up office in a 50ft barge in the back garden of his former home in Spring Hill, London, and released albums by Bad Manners, Napoleon Solo and Buster's Allstars. He closed the record label in 1990, and the band found themselves without a recording contract, but still continued to tour. In 1992, Buster travelled to Berlin and signed a deal with Pork Pie Records and "Fat Sound" was released in Europe.

In 1995, Buster Bloodvessel moved to Margate opening a hotel on the seafront called "Fatty Towers", which catered for people with huge appetites and served food like steak & mushroom pie sandwiches and mega sized English breakfasts. While living in Margate, Buster was a regular spectator at Margate F.C. and Bad Manners sponsored the club for one season. "Fatty Towers" closed in 1998 for a facelift, but did not reopen. After its closure, Buster immediately moved back to London.

During the late 1990s, a Third Wave ska revival renewed interest in the band and Bad Manners released "Heavy Petting" in America in 1997. Six years later, Buster decided to set up another record label and the band released "Stupidity" on Bad Records.

At this present time Buster Bloodvessel still performs with Bad Manners in venues all over the UK and Europe. He is the only original member left in the band, but Winston Bazoomies is an 'honorary member' of the group, meaning he can rejoin Bad Manners at any time he wishes to. The harmonica player currently lives in Hackney.

Louis Alphonso and Martin Stewart went on to play in Skaville UK, who released two albums on Moon Ska World in the UK. Martin announced his retirement from the music business in January 2009, and lives in North London. David Farren now plays in The Rolling Stones' tribute band The Rollin Stoned, while Chris Kane is now a session musician. Brian Tuitt runs a recording studio in Surrey, and Andrew Marson now works as a carpenter in and around London. Paul Hyman lives in Enfield and he has often guested with his trumpet with the ska band, Too Many Crooks.

Bad Manners headlined their own music festival known 'Badfest' in 2005 and is still going strong with last years festival featuring a varied line-up that included, along with themselves, Sham 69, Doctor & The Medics, Musical Youth, Max Splodge, Dreadzone, P.A.I.N, The Sex Pistols Experience, The Lambrettas, Girlschool, Eddie & the Hot Rods, Chas & his Band, The Fish Brothers, and more.

Black Roots - The Reggae Singles Anthology

2011-09-18T14:31:00.003+01:00

Black Roots - The Reggae Singles Anthology is exactly what it says on the tin as it groups together the single releases from one of the UK’s leading exponents of roots reggae and gives you one the finest collection of singles of this kind you are ever likely to find.

MOVEMENT BBC RADIO 1 PEEL SESSIONS – 1977-1979

2011-09-12T18:33:00.000+01:00

John Robert Parker Ravenscroft or John Peel as he was better known is the best Radio DJ the UK has ever known, end of….

He had an immensely eclectic taste in music and always sort diversity in programmes, always pushed boundaries and promoted artists working in various genres, including pop, reggae, punk, hip-hop, dance music, heavy metal, death metal, hardcore punk, breakcore, grindcore and every other kind of ‘core’.

The thing that most people probably looked forward to hearing on his shows was his legendary 'Peel sessions', which usually consisted of four songs recorded by an artist live in the BBC's studios, and often provided the first major national coverage to bands and would often propel them to fame. Many of these sessions have been released before, via Strange Fruit vinyl releases, but now EMI along with the BBC have got together to release ‘Movement – BBC Radio 1 Peel Sessions 1977–1979’ a 2CD compilation of some very rare and previously unreleased tracks from these sessions which will includes artists like The Jam, The Slits, XTC, Steel Pulse, Aswad, The Specials and many more.

For more info visit HERE

John Peel OBE (30 August 1939 – 25 October 2004)

The Caroloregians - Fat Is Back

2011-09-10T16:22:00.001+01:00

An album of predominantly instrumental cuts that should appeal to fans of bands like The Aggrolites and Greenroom Rockers for its interesting blend of reggae and funkified catchiness. Read more at

PHOENIX CITY SOCIAL CLUB.

2011-09-10T16:15:00.001+01:00

A brand new club night is coming to London at the Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curatin Rd not far from Shoreditch High Street, Old Street and Liverpool Street tubes.

The night will be hosted by new label Phoenix City Records and this once a month Ska, Rocksteady, Soul & 2 Tone extravaganza will be known as the

PHOENIX CITY SOCIAL CLUB.

The opening night is to be on Wednesday 21st September from 7pm untill midnight with live on stage an appearance by The Lee Thompson Ska Orchchestra (Lee & Bedders from Madness) plus guest DJ’s Don Letts and Mistah Brown (Tighten Up).

This will then be followed by Owen Grey meets The Sidewalk Doctors whose members have previously worked with Pama Intl, Gregory Isaacs, U Roy, African Headcharge and Acid Jazz soul stars Lord Large, plus DJ Cello (Coast To Coast) and more to be announced on Wednesday 19th October.

Tickets for both nights are now available at

www.londoninternationalskafestival.co.uk/tickets

Dub Vendor Store To Close

2011-09-05T13:33:00.000+01:00

Dub Vendor, probably the most famous reggae record shop in the UK, if not Europe has sadly announced that it is about to close the doors of its shop at Clapham Junction.

Dub Vendor, founded by John MacGillivray, began life in 1976 as a market stall catering for the music needs of the surging West Indian population of Clapham and nearby Brixton. The stall proved such a success that soon a shop was acquired and opened in Clapham and then four years later a second shop opened in Ladbroke Grove right next to the Underground station.

As reggaes popularity grew in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s the little shop in Clapham was struggling to fulfil demand so a move to its current location 274 Lavender Hill was made. This their flagship store also became home to its own in-house recording studio label Fashion Records.

By the end of the ‘80s reggae was still proving to be popular and with the ever-increasing patronage of reggae lovers this meant that in 1991 it was now the turn of the Ladbroke Grove store to move bigger premises just down the road. By the turn of the century reggaes popularity began to quickly wane and as sales fell and the rent increased, plus the introduction of the Western Extension in 2007 to the London Congestion Charge resulted in the store closing its doors to the public just over a year later on the 28th June 2008. Now as from Saturday 10th September 2011 the Clapham Junction record shop will close its doors and as a physical shop will be no more. Dub Vendor the name though will carry on as it becomes an online and mail order service only.

John McGillivray spoke to The

Independent newspaper and told them that he felt compelled to close the store as he feels interest in reggae in the UK has waned. He said:

“The kids over here, it's [reggae] nothing new to them. Their perception is that it's their mum and dad's music and it doesn't define them in the way it defined previous generations. The music has moved in a different direction. And in Jamaica the music has moved away from where most people in the UK would find it relevant to them.”

A sad day but you cannot help but agree with his words.

For more info visit dubvendor.co.uk

Jah Seal – Itopia

2011-09-05T12:44:00.000+01:00

Jah Seal is a singer, producer, sound operator and member of the Digital Roots Movement with Tricky D, Aldubb and Supa DJ Dmitry. In 2008 he released the excellent ITOPIA which was recorded and produced in Berlin, Germany, as a 12" LP, and CD where 8 extra dub cuts were included along with an extended mix of the futuristic roots electronica of 'Jah Soldier' along with an 8-page booklet with lyrics.

The rest of the album moves between the modern roots of tracks like opener ‘Itopia’ and ‘Heart of the Forgiver’, through the rockers/steppers of 'International Criminal' to the easy accessibility of Calypso tinged 'Queen of Spring' and back again.

A very rhythmic album full of conscious lyrics, if you’re a fan of modern roots reggae and haven’t checked it out already you really should.

Amazon
Cdbaby

The Bristol Reggae Explosion Vol 2 – The 80’s

2011-09-02T14:37:00.000+01:00

Due out around the 17th October is “The Bristol Reggae Explosion Vol 2 – The ‘80s” from Bristol Archive Records.

Volume 1 released earlier this year featured many great rare and unreleased gems from the West Country city and it looks like volume 2 is not going to disappoint with songs from Black Roots, Joshua Moses, The Radicals and many more.

You can pre-order a copy and download any 2 songs HERE of your choice now!

Prince Fatty - Supersize

2011-09-01T18:22:00.000+01:00

With Prince Fatty rumoured to have been elevated to king and about to bring out a new album on Phoenix City Records I thought it might be a nice time to revisit ‘Supersize’ from last year….is that all it is….

Producer, Mike “Prince Fatty” Pelanconi has been bubblin’ around on the British reggae scene since the ‘90s and his talents have not gone unnoticed as he has previously worked with the likes of Lily Allen, Blur’s Graham Coxon and not forgetting the late, great Gregory Isaacs, Dub Syndicate, Luciano and Capleton.

Supersize was the follow up to the critically acclaimed ‘Survival Of The Fattest’ from 2007 and basically just carries on where that one left off with yet more good ol’ fashioned rootsy, dubby reggae. Vocals are supplied by some of reggaes royalty in the form of Dennis Alcapone, Winston Francis, with a sublime cover of Bruce Ruffin’s ‘Dry Up Your Tears’ and Little Roy, who brought out the excellent album “Heat” earlier this year, plus Natty, Horseman and Hollie Cook the daughter of Sex Pistol Paul, whose silky voice paired with Alcapone on that ‘Very Night In Dub’ is one of the highlights of the album. As with Survival where Snoop Dogg’s ‘Gin & Juice’ was covered there are a couple of hip hop covers here as well. The amusing ODB classic ‘Shimmy Shimmy Ya’ is given a dancehall work over with Horseman supplying the “chat” as he does on album closer ‘Insane In The Brain’ which takes the iconic Cypress Hill track and adds a lighter air to it with an upbeat vibe.

This is another one of those albums that takes inspiration from the old and brings it up to date. If you’re looking for something to advance the reggae genre then you will be sorely disappointed, but if you want to just listen to some great music based around classic styles then you certainly won’t go wrong here. Whether the new album will offer something new remains to be heard but if it doesn’t and just follows in the blue print of these previous two then I can live with that for they have been two of the most infectious, feel good and fun albums of the last few years.

Buy at....

Amazon

Play

Dub Vendor

The Story Of Trojan Records - 5CD Box Set

2011-08-25T14:14:00.001+01:00

Trojan is a name that personified reggae in the UK during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s and since its heyday back then and the advent of CD’s it has had its name somewhat sullied as various companies have held the rights to its immense catalogue and flooded the market with lots of brash and fairly tawdry releases. Over the last twelve months or so present owners Universal Music have gone along way in putting the some gloss and pride back in to this one of the most important reggae labels ever with their limited edition 7” vinyl series, of obscure and previously unreleased material, re-issued classic albums on CD in their original guise and brought out an improved ‘Trojan Presents’ 2CD albums series. Now, on August 29th, they about to release a 123 track, 5CD box set ‘The Story Of Trojan Records’.

Read more at ....

The ‘Studio One Story’ From Soul Jazz

2011-08-04T18:52:00.001+01:00

Soul Jazz Records’ have just re-released their feature-length documentary/CD/Book titled the ‘Studio One Story’. This DVD/CD/Book and DVD/2LP/Book combination was first released in 2003 but now for the first time you can if you so wish purchase the DVD on its own.

The film took one and a half years to make and was shot entirely on location in Jamaica, two years before the death of the legendary Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd. The producer gave unprecedented personal access to the makers allowing them to tell the unique story of the iconic label’s rise from its early sound system days in the 1950s through to its dominance of the reggae markets in the late 1970s, which saw it described by Chris Blackwell as both the Motown of Jamaica and ‘The University of Reggae’.
The running time is around 4hrs and includes interviews with Horace Andy, Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, Sugar Minott, Denis Alcapone, The Ethiopians, Sylvan Morris, Johnny Moore, Lone Ranger, King Stitt and many others. The DVD also includes rare footage of The Skatalites, Jackie Mittoo, Count Ossie and Marcia Griffiths among others.

This DVD offers a rare insight into how Dodd and the many artists and musicians at Studio One literally shaped the rise of Reggae music, making it compulsive viewing for anyone with an interest in Reggae.

The DVD retails for £9.99 while the DVD/CD/Book and DVD/2LP/Book are both priced at £17.99. For more information and to order your copy visit Soul Jazz Records

Tenor Saw - Ring The Alarm

2011-08-02T18:12:00.002+01:00

Born in the Payne Avenue district of West Kingston, Jamaica on February 11th 1966, Clive Bright would go on to become one of the most influential singers of the early digital reggae when in 1985 he joined up with producer Winston Riley and had his most successful hit single "Ring the Alarm", voiced over the Stalag riddim. This tune even now still brings the house down and has been sampled and had influence on many artists including the megastar Beyonce Knowles who based a performance around Tenor Saw's "Ring The Alarm" which was incorporated in to her The Beyonce Experience shows in 2007. The song had millions of views on youtube and was seen as a highly influential artist in today's media being influenced a genre which is different to her own.

It all started however for Tenor Saw the year with his first single, "Roll Call" recorded for George Phang's Powerhouse label, on the Queen Majesty riddim. From here he moved on, with his friend Nitty Gritty, to work with Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion sound system and label and scored huge hits in Jamaica with "Lots of Sign", "Pumpkin Belly", "Run Come Call Me", and "Fever". This then led to “Ring the Alarm” and its success led him to work with Prince Jammy, recording "Pumpkin Belly" on Jammy's (then) new and popular Sleng Teng riddim. The hits kept coming in 1986 with the Mad Mad riddim tune “Golden Hen" on the Uptempo label with producer Keith ‘Gorgan’ Wignall, plus Minott issued Tenor Saw's debut album, “Fever” that year, which by then was almost something of a ‘best of’.

However by the time of the albums release, Tenor Saw had relocated to Miami, joining the Skengdon crew, where he recorded "Dancehall Feeling" and "Bad Boys". He also recorded "No Work On a Sunday" for Donovan Germain, before moving to New York, where he worked with Freddie McGregor on "Victory Train" plus he made his last ever recording, "Chill Out Chill Out", a duet with General Doggie, because in the August of 1988 while in Houston, Texas he was found dead on the road side, apparently killed by a speeding car in a hit and run, he was just 22 years of age. No one has ever faced charges about that night and conspiracy stories abounded and led to Nitty Gritty recording "Who Killed Tenor Saw?". He was highly regarded with King Kong recording a tribute and Supercat's singing "Nuff man a Dead" about the death of Tenor Saw and other superstars of the time.

Tales From Dis Yuh Underground Download

2011-08-02T17:57:00.001+01:00

It’s been airing at United Reggae since 4^th July and celebrates some of Gibsy’s favourite underground reggae/dub works over the past couple of years and it is now available to you to download for free!

Please it would be nice if you do take a slice of this to hear your comments whether they be good, bad or even indifferent!

SpringlineJamaica Mixtape Tracklist

1. Planet Exile Willie Steen (UK) 2010
2. Crombie Rock Yabass & Oldwah (UK) 2010
3. I'm Free Iditafari Family (Germany) 2010
4. The System Sammy Gold & David Pablo (U.S) 2011
5. Speaking Toys Battle Anti Bypass (FR) 2010
6. Zion Gate Yabass & The Manor (UK) 2011
7. OutaSpace Dub Willyman 2010
8. Tyrant David Pablo & Steve Steppa (U.S) 2010
9. 4 Horseman demo Yabass (UK) 2009
10. Sweet Jamaica The Manor / SpringlineRecords (UK,FR) 2011
11. Ghetto Dub The Manor / SpringlineRecords - overmix by Gibsy (UK,FR) 2011
12. Lo Fi Test Dub Alchemist (U.S) 2010

Jah Army Mixtape 2011 - Free Download!

2011-07-31T12:35:00.000+01:00

Jah Army Highwear, the top-notch online source for the most rootical Reggae Clothing for all souljahs inna Jah Army, have made their recent 2011 Mixtape avail;able for free download as a massive thanks for all the positive feedback they received on it. It includes tracks from many great names in the Reggae arena including Earl Sixteen, Al Campbell, Solo Banton, Errol Dunkley, Freddie McGregor, Peter Tosh and many more.

You can get the download link by visiting The Jah Army HQ

Invasion Of The Mysteron Killer Sounds

2011-07-26T18:52:00.000+01:00

Soul Jazz have over the years garnered quite a name for themselves when it comes to compilations, go listen to their Studio One or Dynamite series for proof and this impressive look at a musical genre that is sometimes cheaply regarded as being cold and soulless completely disproves that theory. The cuts here are varied and exciting slices of technological wizardry and with the majority of songs coming in at just over 3 minutes none out stay there welcome. Although not what I’d call a regular reggae album the traditions and influence of it can be felt in every electronic beat and note and highlights the profound influence that digital reggae music has over many modern dance music styles.

Read More At......

Springline C90 mixtape Side1

2011-07-22T19:14:00.001+01:00

Available for freedownload now

Springline mixtape

Mixed by Gibsy
1 CHANNEL 1 - YABASS (released on Real People Reggae - Now deleted)
2 TEACHERS AND FARMERS - STEVE STEPPA (from album 'Flow Like Version')
3 MY ALL - LYRIKILL (as above)
4 VERSION - FLOW PROD (as above)
5 A SMILE DEM FATHER WANT - I REBEL (as above)
6 MI CANT BELIEVE IT - LION I LEVI (as above)
7 ROCKING THE HILLS - SAMSON (as above)
8 REVELATION - THE MANOR (released on Revelation Congo)
9 KING TUTS REVENGE - HIMPERIAL ROCKERS (released on New dub Evolution)
10 NEW PHAROAHS DUB - HIMPERIAL ROCKERS (as above)
11 NO SOLUTION - STEVE STEPPA (from album 'Flow Like Version')
12 VERSION - FLOW PROD (as above)
13 I AM - LYRIKILL & SPLIFFINGTON (non release)

The "Free The World" Riddim

2011-07-20T18:01:00.000+01:00

This single riddim album from UK DJ Kris Kemist’s Reality Shock production house was recorded at the House Of Hits studio in Spanish Town, Jamaica and features vocal performances from some of the islands leading reggae artists including Jah Mason, Junior Kelly, Lutan Fyah, Jah Mali, Tony Curtis and more that all deliver in fine style.

Read more at ........

Dubmatix "Champion Sound Clash" Available for Free Download.

2011-07-16T13:54:00.001+01:00

Canadian reggae maestro Dubmatix has just made his debut album from 2004 "Champion Sound Clash" available for free download.

All 15 Tracks are included on 320k MP3s with a promise to keep it available until he heads out for some dates in Europe between Aug 6-20th at least.

Download now from Sound Cloud

TOUR DATES

Reggae Geel - Belgiem Dubmatix w / Tippa Irie Aug 6th
Reggae Roast - London, CAMP Basement Aug 12th
Endorset in Dorset w/ Ramon Judah - Aug 14th
Endorset in Dorset DJ Set - Aug 14th (Nite)
Summer Vibes Festival - France - Aug 20th
Festival De Marne - France, October 8th

Jayaben Riddim From Sama Roots Records

2011-07-16T10:26:00.000+01:00

Based in Sheffield England Sama Roots Records, who were responsible for the popular Light Switch riddim championed by Channel One Soundsystem last year, will this month be releasing their second riddim.

The Jayaben riddim is named after Jayaben Desai the Asian worker who led a walkout, by around 100 mainly Asian, female employees at the Grunwick Film Processing Laboratories in Willesden, North London on Monday 23rd August 1976 in a row about working conditions, pay inequality and institutionalised racism within the company. The dispute by the women, who became known in the press as "strikers in saris”, lasted more than two years where there were frequent confrontations between hundreds of trade unionists and the police

Read more and hear samples at

Takana Zion – Rasta Government

2011-07-09T11:36:00.004+01:00

Rasta Government is the third album from the young and increasingly impressive Guinean artist Takana Zion. This album sees him move away from some of the West African influences to a stronger ‘70s Jamaican rootsy feel, enhanced by the fact that it was recorded at the legendary Harry J studio in Jamaica with producers Sam Clayton and Stephen Stewart using musicians such as Sly Dunbar, Sticky Thompson and Robbie Lyn. The album is also mainly in English which suggests that Takana is hoping to appeal to wider audience and gain more of the international recognition he so rightly deserves.
He has been at times described the African version of Sizzla but this singjay star proves he can sing as well. Just listen to ‘My Music’, which sounds like a lovers tune, but the love here is not of a woman but of music and its qualities for spreading messages of freedom, hope and healing as a “medicine for the hopeless”. Elsewhere the lyrics tend to stick to good old Rasta subjects of praising Jah on ‘Give Thanks To Jah’ and ‘Glory’, a duet with Caplton. Slavery is tackled on ‘Stolen Family’ which harks towards Peter Tosh’s 400 years, while the title track ‘Rasta Government’ sings of a utopia a where a “natty dread government rules the world” and everyone lives in harmony with equal rights for all.
This album could no doubt bring comparisons to Marley with its musical sound and content but that would be a discredit to Takana who has self penned this album and is striding to make a mark for himself with what has to be one of the albums of the year so far.

Go Here to hear snipets from the album

Zion Train Dub Revolutionaries

2011-07-06T12:48:00.006+01:00

A 2CD “best of” from one of the most forward thinking British reggae influenced acts of the last 20ish years. This album is a decent retrospective look at Zion Trains previous varied and boundary pushing work and with a new album reportedly out in the autumn this collection acts as a nice prelude to its release and leaves me wondering with some interest as to where they may go next.

Read the full review at

Tales From Dis Yuh Underground

2011-07-05T17:48:00.005+01:00

Visit United Reggae Now To Hear The Latest Gibsy Mix Tape

celebrating some of his fav underground reggae/dub works during the past couple a years, non label ,just what's out there!!

01 Planet Exile Willie Steen (UK) 2010
02 Crombie Rock Yabass & Oldwah (UK) 2010
03 I’m Free Iditafari Family (Germany) 2010
04 The System Sammy Gold & David Pablo (U.S) 2011
05 Speaking Toys Battle Anti Bypass (FR) 2010
06 Zion Gate Yabass & The Manor (UK) 2011
07 OutaSpace Dub Willyman 2010
08 Tyrant David Pablo & Steve Steppa (U.S) 2010
09 4 Horseman demo Yabass (UK) 2009
10 Sweet Jamaica The Manor / SpringlineRecords (UK,FR) 2011
11 Ghetto Dub The Manor / SpringlineRecords - overmix by Gibsy (UK,FR) 2011

12 Lo Fi Test Dub Alchemist (U.S) 2010

Mungo's Hi Fi - Bogle 12"

2011-07-05T17:39:00.005+01:00

The Bogle 180g, vinyl 12”, out on 4th July, is the latest Mungo's Hi Fi release on Scotch Bonnet Records and features vocalists I Bogle and Kenny Knots

This dirty bass fatty, deliciously stripped riddim track is their most pulled up this year, with vocals recorded in Jamaica and Glasgow from undiscovered raw talent I Bogle, and UK veteran Kenny Knots.

to hear visit youtube

“Bites like a bee, stings like yellow wasp”

Rockers Revolt to Phoenix City

2011-06-22T18:32:00.003+01:00

Sad news has reached us here at the Springline HQ that the UK label Rockers Revolt is winding down. We here have been strong supporters of the label run by Sean Flowerdew since 2008 and are very sorry to see its demise as they have brought out many great albums from the likes of his own band Pama Int’l plus the likes of Babyhead, Ed Rome, The Slackers, the fantastic Mungos Hi Fi and more, but as they say all good things must come to an end…..
However this does not mean it is all doom and gloom for the UK ska / reggae scene as just like a phoenix from the flames a new label is about to be launched aptly named Phoenix City Records!
Phoenix City will be a subsidiary one of the UK's longest running independents Cherry Red Records who were founded in 1978 and promises to offer the best in ska, rocksteady and reggae from classic reissues to the best new sounds around from acts around the world.
The label launches in August 2011 and will be run by Sean Flowerdew, and this is why, along with his other commitments to the London International Ska Festival etc Rockers is closing. It is hoped the August launch will see a series of previously unreleased digital releases from The Caroloregians, the original King Fatty featuring members from Big Boss Man, The Bongolian & The Loafers, Intensified, The Sidewalk Doctors, plus reissues from Pama International and Capone & The Bullets. There will also be the release of the first in a monthly series of samplers, titled 'Phoenix City Scorchers', showcasing some of the hottest ska, rocksteady & reggae sounds of now, with Volume One including previously unreleased material from Sir Horace Panter of The Specials, which all sounds very interesting and exciting.

At present the label are looking for new and established acts to sign, so if you think you or your band has what its got in the fields of ska, reggae, rocksteady, dub or even soul then send an email to sean@pamainternational.co.uk with a mp3 or weblink to your music.

Also with the Rockers Revolt label being slowly wound up they are holding a closing down sale with prices starting from as little as prices starting at £0.01p, so visit www.rockersrevolt.com/ while stocks last.

SKA GIGS

2011-06-21T18:05:00.005+01:00

For those of you that like getting out and letting your hair downhere are a few dates you might like to add to your diaries.

July 2011
02 Godiva Festival Coventry - Neol Davies aka The Selecter
08 London Extalgic Festival - Neol Davies aka The Selecter
16 Earagail Festival, Ireland - Neol Davies aka The Selecter
23 Livestock festival, Devon - Babyhead

August 2011
05 Oxford The Cellar - The Sidewalk Doctors & Skylarkin Sound System
06 Party In The Park, Galhampton - Babyhead
12 Boomtown Fayre - Babyhead
14 Endorset in Dorset festival - The Sidewalk Doctors
20 London Jazz Cafe - Babyhead
26 Rhythm festival - Maroon Town +more
26 Isle Of Wight - VFM Scooter rally - Ryde Ice Rink - The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra
27 Rhythm festival - The Sidewalk Doctors +more
28 Rhythm festival - Toots & The Maytals, Steve Cropper +more

September 2011
02 Off The Tracks Festival - Neol Davies aka The Selecter
03 Skabour Folkestone - The Sidewalk Doctors
09 Bestival, Isle Of Wight - Neol Davies aka The Selecter

Nitty Gritty - Rub-A-Dub A Kill You

2011-06-09T17:41:00.005+01:00

This month is twentieth anniversary since Nitty Gritty was gunned down in his prime.
He was born Glen Augustus Holness in 1957, the second of eleven children to devoutly religious parents in the August Town district of Kingston, Jamaica.

His musical career started in the early 1970s when he was part of The Soulites, but it wasn’t until a decade later when in the early 1980s he recorded his first solo single with Sugar Minott handling production duties. From here he went on to the Zodiac sound system and recorded further singles working with George Phang before in 1985 moving on to Prince Jammy, who was soon to be elevated to King. With Jammy at the controls he scored what is probably his biggest hit at the first attempt with his reworking of a Jamaican folk song "Hog Inna Minty" riding on the Tempo riddim. The success of this track in turn gave rise to the classic album ‘Turbo Charged’ which was released the following year through Greensleeves and is regarded as one of the defining albums of the digital dancehall period. The album has stood the test of time well and Nitty Gritty’s voice still remains as distinct and unusual as it did then. Listening to him at time is a bit like taking a rollercoaster ride as his voice wildly undulates between deep baritones and rising to almost touch on a falsetto. The album of course features ‘Hog Inna Minty’ but some of the other great tracks you’ll find on the album include ‘Gimme Some Of Your Something’ on the Things and Time riddim, ‘Rub-A-Dub A Kill You' on Rockfort Rock and ‘Down In The Ghetto’ riding the Satta riddim. To complete a defining year for him he also appeared on the split LP ‘Musical Confrontation’ with fellow up and coming dancehall star King Kong.

Nitty then spent a brief time living in London before relocating to New York City, where he continued to record but less frequently though further albums followed with ‘General Penitentiary’ in 1987, ‘Nitty Gritty’ in 1988 and finally ‘Jah in the Family’ in 1989.

It was also in New York that on June 24th 1991 he was shot dead in front of Super Power Record Shop in Brooklyn at the age of 34. It is alleged that he was killed in a shootout with Super Cat but he was subsequently acquitted of the charges.Nitty Gritty, along with artists like King Kong, Tenor Saw and Anthony Red Rose was way ahead of the pack in the mid to late 80’s and for a short time was almost untouchable in the dancehall arena as he dominated on top of some of the best the digital riddims coming out of Jamaica.

The Aggrolites - Reggae On Rugged Road

2011-05-22T10:55:00.002+01:00

L.A.’s The Aggrolites are back with “Reggae On Rugged Road”, their fifth studio album since they formed around a decade ago. I have to say when I first put the CD in I was initially caught somewhat off guard.........

To find out more visit

Revolutionary Dub Vibrations (Chapter 3)

2011-05-16T19:41:00.005+01:00

This ‘third chapter’ of dub showcases 22 tracks of variant styles recorded at various studios using a variety of techniques and equipment set ups, from the humble bedroom studio through to the pro ‘we got everything’ studio by artists such as Jah Billah, Anti Bypass, Iditafari Family, Don Fe, Steve Steppa, Digikal Roots, Bandulu Dub, El Bib, Early Worm and Mystical Warrior

The album is free to download and provides a very interesting and enjoyable journey through the underground dub scene.

Released Under Creative Commons license.

www.putlocker.com/file/363E2114E05238B9 m/file/363E2114E05238B9

To read a full review of the album by Gibsy go to

2011-05-12T19:19:00.002+01:00

Read the review of the

Himperial Rockers

album
New Dub Evolution
Now at .....

Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin’

2011-05-12T19:04:00.001+01:00

Stone Rollin’ sees Raphael Saadiq carry on in similar vein to 2008s superb “The Way I See It” in that the ‘60s feel is still very much alive and well. This time though the Motownness is replaced by a heavier R&B feel laced with some period teenbeat pop. Take ‘Heart Attack’ that opens the set with its pounding drums and guitar riffing way reminiscent of Sly Stone, then there’s swinging single ‘Radio’ that has a bit of garage/surf band appeal while ‘Over You’ has more pounding funked up drums that almost drown out the orchestral string element of the song. The excellent title track itself is rock & roll soul that with its wailing bluesy harmonica makes it a kind of early Rolling Stones dipped in soul sounding affair.
There are still some quite soulful cuts with the lush ‘Go To Hell’ dipping into Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On” territory as it ascends onwards and upwards. ‘Movin’ Down The Line’ could easily be a forgotten track from his previous album as that Motown two step handclappin’ fingersnappin’ groove returns as does ‘Just Don’t’ with its touches of Motown’s late ‘60s psychedelic soul sound of sitar, and spacey keys added to a big string arrangement. ‘Good Man’ is another slice of smooth soul with a female rap that tips it towards a more 21st century sound.
Comparisons, much as I have here, are going to be made about this album with songs sounding a bit like this and a bit like that and some may say isn’t it about time he found a sound of his own, but at the end of the day so what. The melodies, as with all of Saadiq’s work are strong and he sounds like he is really enjoying himself, which in turn transfers to the you the listener, lifts you and puts a smile on your face and isn’t that something that all good music should do?

Available at:

PLAY

AMAZON

iTunes (US)

King Kong - Rub-A-Dub Man

2011-05-02T15:06:00.003+01:00

Jamaican deejay/singer King Kong was born Dennis Anthony Thomas in Kingston, 1964. He initially started out under the name of Junior Kong and recorded his debut single "Pink Eye" at Tuff Gong in 1982.

He then worked with GT and formed his own Love Bunch Sound System, before recording for King Tubby's Firehouse label. Here his early recordings for Tubby were over fledgling digital rhythms, and included songs such as "AIDS" and "Babylon", which established him as a popular artist. His first album release, Two Big Bull Inna One Pen issued on Firehouse in 1986, was a split with another of Tubby's singers, Anthony Red Rose and featured musicians Dwight Pickney and Bingy Bunny on guitars, Flabba Holt bass, the drums of Cleveland Brownie and Steelie Johnson on keys. The success of this album brought him work with one of Jamaica's top producers of the time King Jammy. It was here that he scored his biggest hits including "Trouble Again" on the ‘Death in the Arena’ riddim, which was also the title track from his Jammy-produced debut solo album that featured a backing band of Steely & Clevie & The Super Power All Stars. Lyrically a lot of his songs were typical in content of the era, but several of them also leaned towards political and cultural themes.
At the latter end of the ‘80’s he relocated to New York, and then to Canada where he released material occasionally on his Conscious Music label. The death of close ally Tenor Saw in 1988 prompted King Kong to release "He Was a Friend" as a tribute, before in 1989 he moved again, this time to England where he reportedly teamed up with Mafia & Fluxy, a riddim section and production team consisting of brothers Leroy (bass) and David Heywood (drums) and engineer Gussie P. I am however unable to find any release details on this partnering so any info anyone has would be much appreciated. The last confirmed sighting I have of Kong was back in 2005 with the release of "Rumble, Jumble Life" on Massive B records and produced by Bobby Konders.

King Kong is a bit of a forgotten name when it comes to dancehall with luminaries Nitty Gritty and Tenor Saw seemingly taking all the plaudits and for me this may be down to the fact that his singing style is so much like Tenor Saw that his songs probably have struggled to stand up on their own merits. This is a shame because Trouble Again is a really good album; ok a couple of synth heavy tracks like “Mix Up” may not have stood the test of time well, but songs like ‘Follow Me’ on the ‘Rub-A-Dub Man’ riddim and the ‘Cuss Cuss’ riddim driven “Legal We Legal” are excellent examples of ‘80s digi dancehall. If only perhaps he had had kept to the delivery style of opener “Mash It Up Already”, which is the least Tenor sounding, he may have cut more of a niche for himself.

Mooji - The Embodiment Of Truth

2011-04-27T08:40:00.007+01:00

Mooji is the name of a Jamaican born spiritual guide in the Hindu-tradition of Advaita which is oneness-teaching beyond all religions. He has many videos on youtube where he holds "Satsang" (association with the truth) a meeting where spiritual seekers come and are given a chance to do self-inquiry. Jonahgold of Goldheart recordings has been very taken with this mans teachings and has decided to put some of his words to music in this case namely the riddim from recent Daweh Congo offering ‘Don’t Be Afraid’.

Jonah said of the recordings “I have made three cuts featuring Mooji and I intend to make many more. I think he's the ultimate dub-vocalist. I'm deeply in love with his teaching and vibe. It's my number one inspiration for all music. I know he has heard and approved of his lyrics being adapted to my reggae-dub and being originally from Jamaica he likes his reggae of course.”

There is no doubt Mooji does have a very deep, soothing voice which gives the song a very peaceful and meditive vibe and it will be interesting to hear what lies ahead.

The song is being given away free with people encouraged to share it around. You can download it here.

Boss Reggae Sounds-Reggae Popcorn (1969-1971)

2011-04-08T16:24:00.003+01:00

Although best known for his vocal prowess, Laurel Aitken was also the most popular British-based West Indian music producer throughout the ska and early reggae era's.

This collection, from Pressure Drop, brings together 30 of these highly collectable boss reggae recordings from between 1969 to 1971 that proved to be just very popular not just amongst the Caribbean ex-pat community but also among the UK's not inconsiderable skinhead population.

read a full review at

Springline Mix Tape (part 1)

2011-04-05T08:31:00.004+01:00

Over at the UNITED REGGAE online magazine

you can now listen to the........

Springline Mix Tape

(part 1)

The mix blended by Gibsy, from deep in his Corsican Dub Bunker highlights some great Springline tracks from past, present and future. If you do give it a listen please leave a comment, it’s always good to hear peoples thoughts.

Soom T & Disrupt - Ode 2 A Carrot

2011-04-05T08:15:00.002+01:00

Soom T & Disrupt’s ‘Ode 2 A Carrot’ is a full on tongue-in-cheek homage to the inhalation of the divine weed on meticulous yet insane 8bit digital reggae riddims. For those of us of a certain age, these riddims, with their bleeps and bloops bring back fond memories of old arcade games like Space Invaders, Pac Man and Defender, but despite all this techno, digital, wizardry these songs, with their heavy bass lines and Soom T’s engaging, yet at times annoying, deejay/rap style have a rough-hewn quality that gives them warmth and charm. This is no completely chilled out stoner album with a lot of the tracks having a zest about them that easily transfers to the dance floor. I expect this is the sort of album that you’ll either love or hate yet despite my penchant for more organic sounds this album and Jahtari production in general, seems to be able to make all the right noises for me.

Tracklist :

Roll It

Boom Shiva

Saved By A Ganja Leaf

Never Get Caught

Bring The Sensi (Zeb & Scotty )

Roll That Shit

Puff The Police

Puff That Weed

I Need Weed

Ganja Ganja

Wee Rant

Jungle Of Peace

Weed Hawks

They Call It Pot

Weed Is Sweeter Than Most

BUY

Pressure Cooker Dub Versions Available for FREE Download

2011-03-30T14:22:00.002+01:00

In 2006 the Boston, Massachusetts reggae band Pressure Cooker released their fifth album Future’s History. Three years later in 2009, whilst doing a show in Toulouse, France, UK DJ Tom Uplifter of the Uplifter Sound System heard the album and was so taken aback with it he contacted the band about the possibility of creating new versions for his “Dub to Dubstep” winter tour.

Pressure Cooker teamed up with Craig “Dubfader” Welsch to mix two fresh new dubs for both the Uplifter Sound System and their fans with a special internet promo release! You can download the two new tracks free and more by visiting The Pressure Cooker website

Roger Rivas Organ Versions Vol.2

2011-03-30T12:28:00.002+01:00

Back in the summer of 2009 Roger released 5 free tracks for download titled Organ Versions Vol.1. Well it appears he received so much positive feedback that has decided to repeat this act with another 5 shots of classic boss reggae sounds.

“This time around I got to sit with some collectors and DJs I really admire. Mark Morales from L.A is the reggae teacher. Always bringing out tunes never before heard! Jurassic sound is like no other! Brazil meets Jamaica! ”

So click on the pic and put your braces together its time for Versions Vol.2….

THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL SKA FESTIVAL & PODCASTS

2011-03-25T13:41:00.004Z

THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL SKA FESTIVAL at The Clapham Grand Theatre, 21-25 St John's Hill, Clapham Junction, London is fast approaching taking place over the Easter weekend of Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th April 2011, with a line-up that runs as follows:

Thursday 21st April'11 - doors 7pm-3am
KEN BOOTHE - JAMES HUNTER - GIULIANA PALMA & THE BLUEBEATERS - MAROON TOWN
DJs Rhoda Dakar (The Bodysnatachers/Special AKA) & Takeshi Okawa (Ska Flames) Club night: Tommy Rock-A-Shacka meets Clive Chin (Randys)

Friday 22nd April'11 - doors 7pm-3am
DAVE & ANSELL COLLINS - DUB PISTOLS - THE LOAFERS - HOTKNIVES - THE CAROLOREGIANS - SKAOS - LES EJECTES
DJs Jim Cox & Greedy G Club night: Gaz Mayall (Gazs Rockin Blues)

Saturday 23rd April'11 - doors 7pm-3am
THE ENGLISH BEAT STARRING DAVE WAKELING - THE TROJANS - INTENSIFIED - NAPOLEON SOLO - THE AMPHETAMEANIES - JIMMY THE SQUIRREL
DJs Felix Hall & one more tba Club night: Lynval Golding (The Specials) & Wrongtom's Ska Revue

Sunday 24th April'11 - doors 7pm-2am
BOB ANDY & MARCIA GRIFFITHS - OWEN GRAY - THE SKA FLAMES - BIM SKALA BIM - THE SIDEWALK DOCTORS - CARTOON VIOLENCE
DJs Mark Lamarr & The Tighten Up Crew ft. Champian MC Club night: Dub Vendor All-stars w/ Papa Face & Oxman

Tickets are selling well and some are still available from www.londoninternationalskafestival.co.uk/ so get in now!

Also DJ Greedy G has mixed up a fantastic official podcast for the event available here and you can also hear his Ska Scorchers mix Pt1 here

Play Music Selecta!

2011-03-22T12:52:00.006Z

There are 2 Big new singles coming out on Scotch Bonnet Records featuring Little John, Jah Thomas, Sugar Minott , Lady Anne and Ranking Levy, with production by Mungo's Hi Fi, Kalbata and RSD.
These awesome releases, due out on April 14th, will be available as 180g 12” vinyls and digital format. Their style is in the rub-a-dub fashion, but they have been blended using modern mixing and production techniques to make them bang up-to-date but without loosing that classic feel.

As you would expect both releases are heavy on the bass with the first EP featuring a remix from Mungo's of seasoned dancehall veterans Little John & Jah Thomas with ‘Play Music Selecta’ and then an RSD cut of Little John’s ‘Sugar Plum Plum’. Both vocal tracks were originally recorded in Jamaica for Kalbata and Mixmonster's fully analogue original 'Sugar Plum' release on Soul Jazz and to complete the release there is also an RSD instrumental work out of ‘Sugar Plum’.
The second EP is solely Mungo’s featuring the vocal talents of the late Sugar Minott with the hauntingly prophetic track ‘Got To Make Tracks’, voiced in Scotland shortly before his passing. Then there is Kingston 13’s Lady Ann giving rough and tough ragamuffin chat to the love song ‘Doctor Doctor’ while Israeli Ranking Levy adds a classic dancehall vibe in the style of Big Youth on ‘New York Boogie’ before again the EP is topped off with an instrumental.

Go Listen to the tracks on Soundcloud or on youtube SCOB024 SCOB025 now!!

Also available now at Mixcloud to listen to is a live session recorded on January 28th at Nantes Dub Station in France from Mungos Hi Fi with vocalists Marina P, YT, Solo Banton and Kenny Knots. Although only recorded on an ambient mic the sound quality is pretty good and well worth checking out.

SCOB024 Play Music Selecta EP1

Kalbata ft. Little John & Jah Thomas - Play Music Selecta (Mungo's Rmx)

Kalbata & Mixmonsta ft. Little John - Sugar Plum Plum (RSD Remix)

RSD - Sugar Plum Instrumental

SCOB025 Play Music Selecta EP2

Mungo's Hi Fi ft. Lady Ann - Doctor Doctor

Mungo's Hi Fi ft. Sugar Minott - Got to make tracks

Mungo's Hi Fi ft. Ranking Levy - New York Boogie

Mungo's Hi Fi - Play Dub Selecta

Smiley Culture Dies In Police Raid

2011-03-16T12:29:00.003Z

Yesterday (Tuesday 15th March 2011) it was reported by numerous sources that the pioneering British deejay Smiley Culture, real name David Emmanuel, had died during a police raid at his home in Warlingham Surrey, south east England.
According to BBC News he died of a suspected stab wound, though at this present time it is unclear how this injury was sustained and the incident is now under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Smiley first found fame in 1984 with ‘Police Officer’ which reached number 12 in the UK charts. His other singles included ‘Cockney Translation’ and ‘Schooltime Chronicle’
In an interview with the Guardian last year, he spoke of his time in the music business and his musical legacy.

"Police Officer was a true story – the police used to take my weed," he said. "It was better than being arrested and I made that into a hit. With Cockney Translation, I was a black man talking cockney. I integrated cultures even though I didn't understand it at the time. I was invited to meet the Queen, who said she listened to my records in the palace.
Although I paved the way for people like the Streets and Dizzee Rascal, I left the music business because I wasn't rich."

Smiley was a bubbly personality and great story teller and also one of the first wave of UK talents like Maxi Priest, Tippa Irie and Aswad, to cross over to the mainstream. Some may think his songs a bit corny but they were full of fun and are certainly fondly remembered here at Springline, indeed ‘Police Officer’ is still a firm favorite at the Notting Hill carnival, where it is guaranteed to get the party rockin’!

We pass on our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this tragic time.

The One Love Festival Returns To The UK At Wembley Arena

2011-03-12T19:21:00.002Z

It is 10years since the last One Love Festival was held in the UK and now to to celebrate the life and times of Bob Marley on the 30th anniversary of his death it returns to the Wembley Arena on Sunday 31st July.

This all-day festival will commemorate Bob Marley’s untimely passing in 1981 aged just 36, and pay homage to his musical legacy with a series of themed sets from a host of international superstars, including legendary rap star Busta Rhymes who will headline the event in a UK festival exclusive.

Also on the bill will be Grammy-award-winning superstars Shaggy and Sean Paul and man of the moment Gyptian, as well as roots royalty Aswad plus an appearance by Marley’s son Ky Mani Marley who will be performing a selection of his father’s greatest hits including ‘No Woman, No Cry’ and ‘One Love’.

Other reggae acts appearing on the day include the Godfather of Lover’s Rock John Holt, Third World, conscious newcomer Natty King, Jamaican born DJ Trinity, roots-soul songstress Etana and prolific vocalist Wayne Wade appearing in the UK for the first time.

Another act worth a mention is one of the UK’s most vibrant urban acts the Grime stalwart Skepta. Further artists performing are hoped to be announced soon, but it is already shaping up to be one of the best festivals of the year!

Tickets are now on sale and are available from Wembley Box office, ticketmaster.co.uk, seetickets.com, ticketline.co.uk, gigantic.com with prices starting at £35.

THE BRISTOL REGGAE EXPLOSION 1978-1983

2011-03-10T13:04:00.003Z

When you think of British reggae from the late ‘70s and early ‘80s people like Aswad and Misty in Roots who came from Ladbroke Grove and Southall in London respectively or Steel Pulse who were from Handsworth in Birmingham seem to take all the plaudits, but over in South West England there was, as the title of this LP would suggest, also something of a reggae explosion happening in Bristol and this album, on Bristol Archive Records goes a long long way to highlight some of the bands from that area that did not perhaps get the recognition that they deserved.
The first band up is Black Roots with ‘Bristol Rock’ a mighty slice of UK roots styled reggae plus plus in the fold are Juvenile Delinquent’ and a 12” mix of ‘Tribal War’, both of which carry on in the same excellent vein, with strong melodies, potent harmonies and rock solid bass lines. Believe it or not this band apparently throughout their career recorded no less than ten albums and released more than eight singles before bowing out of the public eye in the mid-90's so why oh why is it I have never heard of this group before!
Another band featured heavily is the multi cultural Talisman with two live tracks recorded on the main stage at Glastonbury in 1980 and a 12” dubwise version excursion mix of their first single ‘Dole Age’, which originally saw release on Recreational Records in 1981.
Restriction are another one of those bands who unfortunately only ever had one release a four track 12” in 1983. It was mixed and engineered however by Mad Professor at his Ariwa Studio in London and the two tracks taken from that EP are the deejay lavishness of’Four Point Plan’ and something of an easy going, echo laden, self titled theme tune. It is not all about the dread and heavy reggae though as Sharon Bengamin pops up with a lush not sloppy lovers track in the mould of Janet Kay with ‘Mr Guy’. That said if there is one reason to by this album it is for Joshua Moses’ ‘Africa Is Our Land’, which is undeniably a roots classic to match anything from Jamaica.
I can’t recommend this album highly enough every track shines bright and Bristol Archive Records should be duely comended for putting this together and showing what we have sorley missed from Bristol’s vibrant reggae scene.

Buy on vinyl or CD direct from Bristol Archive Records

MAROON TOWN - URBAN MYTHS

2011-03-01T17:47:00.001Z

Maroon Town, who are soon to found be appearing at the London Ska Festival, have been peddling their ultra radio friendly blend of brass bustin’ ska, infused with Latin beats and rap since 1988 when they first struck out with their debut single a version of Prince Buster’s ‘City Riot’. Since then they have travelled the globe playing in places as diverse as Brazil, India, Jamaica, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Argentina and Indonesia as well as all over Europe.
This new…..well nearly new album continues to encapsulate their sound and it could easily slip into the mainstream market especially with its opening salvo the very boisterous booze fuelled chant along ‘Ya Ya (Lemme Tell Dem)’. ‘Latin Moshpit’ is another pacey workout which knocks on the door of Ricky Martin ‘She Bangs’ territory, though there is no denying that those funky Latin beats are infectious and soon win you over, plus there is more chant along madness on the amusing 'Wreckless', which features Eastend MC trio, the Wreckless Crew.
Interspersed and putting some brakes on all this high tempo early frivolity is the sultry rocksteady, pop groove of ‘Lion’ and some jazzy coolness on ‘Bella Cosa’.
Now here is where we get to my point of…nearly new…as up pops ‘Are You Ready’, ‘Bullit’, ‘Innocent Mind’ and ‘Clarendon Calling’ from 1997’s Don Drummond with the latter two replacing the male rapped vocals for those sung by a smooth and soulful lady. They then go even further back to give you their cover of the Herbie Hancock jazz standard ‘Watermelon Man’ from 1995’s New Dimension. Now if you are a hardened fan of Maroon Town and already own both of these albums you may feel a little cheated by this fact, but if you haven’t then this will not be a problem because despite all these age differences between songs they all easily fit together to create a vibrant album that has plenty of feel good factor about it and one that I feel that with a few months to go could build into one of the party albums of the summer.

CD available at Rockers Revolt

Tempo Explosion

2011-03-01T12:41:00.004Z

Originally released in 1985 on the Black Victory label this rare album is to see the light of day courtesy of Dug Out.

Produced by Bullwackie & Sugar Minott this one riddim album plays on versions of King Tubby's classic Tempo riddim and is regarded by many as one of the greatest one-riddim LP’s of all time.
Minott takes the mic on opener ‘Devil Is At Large’ and this is followed by three more superb vocal cuts from Chris Wayne, Willie Williams and Ras Menlik Dacosta

Renowned saxoponist Jerry Johnson appears on the first of four instrumental cuts, which originally made up the ‘B’side with the final three all being played by The Black Roots Players who also supplied backing on Sugar Minott’s classic 80’s ‘A True’, ‘Rydim’ and ‘Time Longer Than Rope’ albums.

This album with its meticulous and mesmerising mix of electronic and analogue techniques that is sure to appeal to fans and collectors of the digital revolution that took place within 1980’s reggae.

Available at

Honest Jons
Hard Wax
Dub Vendor LP CD

Playlist :

Sugar Minott - Devil Is At Large
Chris Wayne - Dont Worry Yourself
Willie Williams - Solid Rock I Stand
Ras Menilik Dacosta - Free South Africa
Jerry Johnson - Tribute To Prince Knight
The Black Roots Players - Temp Dub
The Black Roots Players - Slow Tempo
The Black Roots Players - Up Tempo

Charles Bradley - The Story Behind The Man

2011-03-01T12:32:00.006Z

Just the other month I reviewed the fantastic debut album from Charles Bradley, ‘No Time For Dreaming’. Now to follow this up is a short biography on the singer that gives you some idea in to where all the emotion that appears on that record has come from…

Charles Bradley is no stranger to hard times. Born in Gainesville, Florida in 1948 and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Charles spent the better part of his childhood living on the streets. One of the more optimistic moments of his childhood came in 1962, when his sister took him to see James Brown at The Apollo. Brown’s energy formed a lasting impression on Charles. He went home and immediately began practicing microphone tricks with a broom attached to a string, imitating the Godfather’s every move. With his newfound inspiration came an urgent desire to get off the streets and make something of himself.

Charles made his way out of Brooklyn via Job Corps, a federal program for helping underprivileged families. His job placement took him to Bar Harbor, Maine where he learned to cook. While in Maine, he put together a band and began to pursue his passion for performing. He had his first taste of the stage when he was asked to perform for some female employees of Job Corps in Poland Springs. The ladies went wild and Charles knew that he was destined to be an entertainer. Unfortunately, his fate was put on hold when his band mates were drafted in the Vietnam War, and he was forced to find work as a chef in Wassaic, New York at a hospital for the mentally ill.

After nine years cooking for 3500 people a day, being harassed by local police officers, and having no musical outlet, Charles decided to leave Wassaic and head west in search of a dream. He had saved up enough money to buy a new Ford but soon realized that he couldn't keep up with the payments; he promptly returned it to a dealer and began hitchhiking. He caught rides all the way from New York to California and up through Canada. He persevered through the dangers of the road (including one driver who confided in him that he had just killed his wife and children) and eventually landed in Alaska where he once again found work as a chef. Though the job paid well, he was not well liked by his fellow chefs, and soon made his way back to California via airplane.
Charles spent over 20 years in California, making his living as a chef, all the while playing music on the side. He had no regular band, but he played pick-up gigs when they came along and sat in on recording sessions to feed his musical cravings. Things seemed to be looking up for Charles, but just as he was about to put a down payment on his first house, he was laid-off from his job of 17 years. Being fired forced him to re-evaluate his life out west. Ultimately, he decided to come home to Bushwick, Brooklyn to be with his family again. Charles took every penny he had saved, loaded up a truck with the musical equipment he collected over the years, and drove back to New York. At this point, he was fed up with the tribulations of being a chef and took up work as a handyman to allow himself the flexibility to pursue his musical career.

Charles finally found an audience when he began making appearances in local Brooklyn clubs performing his James Brown routines under the alter ego "Black Velvet". At 51, he was finally making a life for himself back home. His musical career was moving forward, but he was to be tested once again.

Charles awoke in his mother’s house one morning to the sounds of police sirens. He was devastated to find that his brother had been shot and killed by his nephew. Life did not seem worth living anymore.

Charles was down and out when Gabriel Roth of Daptone Records happened upon him performing his Black Velvet act at the Tarheel Lounge in Bedstuy. Roth recognized his raw talent and directly brought him into the Daptone "House Of Soul" Studios for a session with the Sugarman 3. "Take It As It Comes" was Charles' first single on Daptone and it proved him as a worthy vocalist. Roth eventually brought Charles out to Staten Island to see Dirt Rifle and the Bullets, a young funk band playing James Brown and Meters influenced songs. Thomas Brenneck, songwriter and guitarist for the Bullets, hit it off with Charles and they began working together. They released two singles on Daptone under the name "Charles Bradley And The Bullets", but the Bullets soon dismantled in order to form the afrobeat influenced Budos Band.

However, Brenneck knew that Charles had something more to give and after moving to Bushwick himself, he and Charles reunited. In time, they became close friends and Charles confided his life story in Brenneck. The young producer was moved when he heard Charles tell the painful story of his brother’s death. Brenneck said, "Charles, we gotta put that story to music". Brenneck had put together a small bedroom studio and was working on instrumentals with a new group soon to be named Menahan Street Band. His new sound was the perfect compliment for the heartfelt and troubled lyrics that sprang from Charles' story. Brenneck had just launched Dunham Records, a division of Daptone, and would release Charles' "The World (Is Going Up In Flames)" and "Heartaches And Pain" as it’s second single. A departure from his Black Velvet act, the songs showed a new side of Charles as a compelling artist in his own right and proved to be a great success. Many late night writing and recording sessions later, he and Brenneck completed their first full-length record, "No Time For Dreaming". Charles always knew he was born to entertain, but in the making of this record he discovered a proclivity for songwriting as well.
The record was a labor of love for both Charles and Brenneck. After years of working together, "No Time For Dreaming" is due for international release on Dunham Records. In the meantime, Charles has been touring with The Menahan Street Band and honing his passion as a singer and an entertainer. If you know Charles today, then you know one of the most loving, humble, honest and genuine human beings you will ever know. Charles Bradley spent most of his life dreaming for a better one, and now there is no more time for dreaming, just time for singing, dancing and loving.

You can buy "No Time For Dreaming" from Play and many other good outlets..

The Hills Man Riddim from Zion Gate

2011-02-26T15:48:00.003Z

French label ZION GATE MUSIC the people who brought you the crucial I LOVE JAH. ROCKERS and DETERMINATION ROCK riddims are now about to unleash a new one called the HILLS MAN

This riddim is a fantastic almighty one drop and will be released on 3 singles, all produced by Ras Abubakar, with the first being a maxi single featuring vocals cuts by Danny Red, Nassadjah (singing in his native French) and Anthony John plus a straight instrumental version from the Zion Gate Players.
The second single is due to be released a month after the first and will feature Anthony Que and Ras Mac Bean and the third, released the following month with Lorenzo, Vivian Jones and Solo Banton fulfilling vocal duties.
I have no confirmed release date as yet but it is sure to be soon and once heard everyone will want it. So keep checking out their Myspace and Facebook for further details.

Dub From Atlantis - Silly Little Things

2011-02-18T14:07:00.002Z

Ranking Records have just brought out their first release from Bristol bass giants, Dub From Atlantis.

DFA have been playing and promoting all styles of reggae music in Bristol since the summer of 2000, performing with most of Bristol’s best known reggae artists as well as newcomers to the scene & big names from out of Town.
‘Silly Little Things’ shows dub from Atlantis’s unique ability to fuse a classic dub foundation with modern production twists. The sax played by James Gardiner Bateman harks back to those vintage studio one records, as vocalist Celestine floats over the riddim with beautiful melodies, taking influence from classic reggae and soul, with the low end taken care of by some mighty sub bass frequencies.
Dub from Atlantis draw deep for the dub, which is peppered with stylish licks from James Gardiner Bateman and Josh Archaleo.
Cymatic is a production crew consisting of some of the most prolific and respected producers in UK dance music: Ruckspin, DLR, Quantum Soul and Chris Octane come together for their first ever release on Ranking, a nasty brooding dubstep stinker that lurches and grooves towards a synth rinseout on the Second Drop.Kähn is from a new generation of Bristol producers and DJs, brought up in the city's renowned culture of Sound Systems, Punk Rock and Hip-Hop. While true to its tradition and respecting its influence, he's building a following based on a sound of his own. His ‘Silly Little Things’ remix comprises a funky as hell 2- step shuffle that bubbles over Celestine’s vocal so neatly that it could almost be an original version. Reverse instruments and long, ambient reverbs pad the background, and as the Beats and Bass Develop, a dreamy sonic landscape reminiscent of ranking regulars Ruckspin and Quark oozes out of the speakers.

1. Silly Little Things (ft.Celestine)
2. Silly Little Things (ft. James Gardiner Bateman and Josh Archaleo)
3. Silly Little Things (Cymatic Remix)

4. Silly LittleThings (Kähn)

SUBSCRIBE TO DO THE DOG SKAZINE & GET 2 FREE CD’s!

2011-02-14T10:41:00.006Z

March will see the publication of the 60th issue of Do The Dog Skazine! and to celebrate the occasion they are offering you the chance to get 2 free CD’s when you subscribe to the zine for 4 issues.

A 4 issue subscription to Do The Dog Skazine costs just £5.00.

So for a measly fiver you will receive 4 issues of essential ska news & reviews plus 2 top notch ska releases!

All subscriptions are a huge help in keeping Do The Dog Skazine alive & kicking! the zine has been going since 1989, when it was originally called Rude Skazine. 52 issues of Rude were published before changing the name to Do The Dog Skazine in 1996, so the March issue will in fact be the 112th issue to date!

Due to the continual rise of printing & postage costs they now actually lose money on each issue that is published so please help support the zine that supports the scene by buying a subscription!

If you are already a subscriber to Do The Dog Skazine you can still help out & also take advantage of the 2 free CD’s offer by topping up your subscription for an extra 4 issues.
The Do The Dog Skazine 2 Free CD Subscription Special Offer will run until the end of February 2011 & you can choose from the following Do The Dog Music label & distro CD’s for the offer:

Amphetameanies – Say Something Special (Scottish 2 tone ska)
APB – Karoshi (UK 2 tone ska, reggae & dub)

The Bakesys – Return To The Planet Of The Bakesys (UK 2 tone ska)
The Bakesys – self titled (UK 2 tone ska)
Robb Blake – No Time To Waste (UK 2 tone ska & reggae)

Robb Blake – One Man Ska Explosion (UK 2 tone ska & reggae)
Robb Blake – Ain’t Got No Soul (UK 2 tone ska & reggae)
Robb Blake & Liam O’Kane – Heavyweight Acoustic Ska Showdown (UK acoustic ska)
Capone & The Bullets – I Don’t Feel (Scottish 2 tone ska)
Captain Black No Stars & Rasta4Eyes – Boss Sounds Of The Boom & Bust (UK reggae & 2 tone ska)

Cartoon Violence – Whatever Happened To The Likely Lad? (UK 2 tone ska)

Catch It Kebabs – Skanking Sausages (UK ska/punk)

Dirty Revolution – Its Gonna Get Dirty (UK 2 tone ska & reggae)
Drewvis – For The Win (UK acoustic ska)
Ettin – Rise Yourself (UK 2 tone ska & reggae)

Four 0 – Across The Borderline (UK 3rd wave ska)
Four 0 – Tales Of The Unexpected (UK 3rd wave ska/rock/reggae)
Honeyshop Screamers – Going Out Dancing (UK 2 tone ska)
Jimmy The Squirrel – self titled (UK 2 tone ska)
Jimmy The Squirrel – Whatever The Weather (UK 2 tone ska)

John Player Specials – Identification (UK 2 tone ska)
Los Tres Puntos – 10 Ans Ferme (French 2 tone ska)
Los Tres Puntos – Live (French 2 tone ska)
Los Tres Puntos – Si Oh (French 2 tone ska)
New Town Kings – Sound Of The New Town (UK 2 tone & trad ska)
Liam O’Kane – Happy Days Sad Songs (UK acoustic ska)
Pama International – Float Like A Butterfly (UK trad ska & reggae)
Rebelation – Pounds & Pence (UK trad ska & reggae)

Rebelation – State Of The Union (UK trad ska & reggae)

Rebelation – Steppas (UK trad ska, reggae & 2 tone)

Rebelation – Yo Swing Dat Mama (UK trad ska, reggae & 2 tone)

Rebelation – The Berlin Session (UK trad ska & reggae)
Resolution 242 – self titled (UK reggae, dub & acoustic folk)
Ruby Throat – Hit By A Pavement (UK 2 tone/pop/reggae)
Rude Bones – 6 Rude Radio Show (Japanese 2 tone ska/punk)
Sadies Doll – self titled (UK 3rd wave ska, reggae & dub)

Sally Brown – Mi Palabra Es La Ley (Spanish 2 tone ska)
Skauci – self titled (Polish 2 tone ska)
The Skints – self titled (UK ska/punk, 2 tone, reggae & dub)
Skylar – self titled (Uk trad ska & reggae)

Smoke Like A Fish – Here’s One We Made Earlier (UK 2 tone ska)

Smoke Like A Fish – self titled (UK 2 tone ska)

Smoke Like A Fish – Survival Of The Hip’est (UK 2 tone ska)

Squid 58 – Dismantled (UK 2 tone ska)
The Steady Boys – Roots (UK street punk & 2 tone ska)
The Supatones – Unity Avenue (UK 3rd wave ska)
3 Minute Warning - Tramps Jackpot (UK ska/punk & 2 tone)

Too Many Crooks – Bounce (UK 2 tone ska)

Too Many Crooks – Inside (UK 2 tone ska)

Too Many Crooks – Spanish Fly (UK 2 tone ska)
Various – Shack vol. 3, Transatlantic Ska (UK & US ska comp)
Zlodzieje Glow – Siedmiomilowe Buty (Polish ska/punk)

Please Note that only the 52 CD’s listed above are available with the subscription offer and that they are only available with the offer while stocks last. Postage & packing is included in the subscription price.

The offer is I'm afraid only available to UK residents and the closing date is 28th February 2011.

How To Pay:
1. By cheque or postal order. Simply write the 2 free CD’s you would like with your subscription on a piece of paper along with your name, postal address & email address & send it, with your £5.00 cheque or postal order to…

Do The Dog Music, 65 Blackdown Way, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG19 3FY.

Please make your cheque or postal order payable to "Do The Dog Music".

2. By Paypal. If you have a Paypal account then you can send your £5.00 zine subscription payment by Paypal to dothedogmusic@yahoo.co.uk

Make sure you write the words “zine subscription” & the 2 free CD’s that you would like with your subscription in the notes section when you send your Paypal payment.

Reggae iPhone Apps

2011-02-14T10:22:00.008Z

Recently United Reggae brought out an iPhone app and it would appear that it is not the only reggae orientated app out there.

Dubmatix has had his own iPhone app available for some time now with over 4400 downloads reported to date. The Dubmatix app allows you to

* Stream 80+ songs anytime
* Watch videos
* Keep up on new tours and show dates
* Post your comments on the fan wall
* Follow Dubmatix on Twitter

If this is the sort of thing that appeals to you then click on FREE DUBMATIX iPHONE APP to download.

Also out there and featuring the music of Dubmatix is the DUB SELECTOR APP (For iPhone, iTouch & now iPad) that allows you to become a reggae DJ. The app gives you control of the sirens, beats and effects while you play with its interactive graphics and games creating your own version songs that feature vocals by Michael Rose from Black Uhuru, Dennis Alcapone, Fredlocks, Mighty Howard and Raffa.
To view a video of the app in action click here…View Video

Or if you want to get your free or paid version straight away go here to Download

There are I'm sure many more apps out there, indeed Protoje who has just released his "7 Year Itch" album has an app similar to Dubmatix here as does his cousin the producer Don Corleon. If you know any more great reggae apps please feel free to let me know and I'll add the links.

Culture at Joe Gibbs

2011-02-07T19:11:00.002Z

Last month it was Dennis Brown now it's the turn of Culture

This essential 4CD collection reassembles the three classic sets produced at Joe Gibbs, 'Baldhead Bridge', 'More Culture' and of course 'Two Sevens Clash', The success of which led them into the mainstream and introduced Culture to an international audience.

The fourth disc, titled, 'As Hard As The Rest' rounds up the non album Joe Gibbs sides from Culture including their debut Belmont single “This Time”, together with all eleven dubs from that classic run of roots rockers from the golden age of reggae, the majority of the tracks on this album are appearing on CD for the very first time.

Read a full review at UNITED REGGAE

Read this blogs profile on the band here

Buy: Amazon

Play

MAROON TOWN & INTENSIFIED

2011-02-02T14:40:00.004Z

Both Maroon Town & Intensified are out now promoting their soon to be released albums. Maroon Town’s ‘Urban Myths', out on 7th March is available for pre-order now at Rockers Revolt

It is already picking up a heap of praise and airplay so check out the video for the lead track off the album 'Lemme Tell Dem (Ya Ya)'

It is destined to be one of the hits of the summer and you can catch ‘em live at.....

25.02 London Brixton - Hootananny
13.03 London Streatham Hideaway - 2 Empire Mews
21.04 London Intl Ska Festival - Clapham Grand Theatre
11.05 London Trafalgar Square - Cafe in The Crypt (underneath St.Martins church)

Intensified meanwhile are celebrating their 20th anniversary as one of UK's first trad.ska outfits by bringing out a brand new album 'Lunar City Groove' complete with DVD documentary out soon on Rockers Revolt and can be caught live at the following venues soon

04.02 Oxford, The Cellar (w/Skylarkin Sound System)

11.02 Newcastle, The Cluny (w/The Sidewalk Doctors & DJ Wrongtom)
19.03 Germany, Mainz Reduit
23.04 London Intl Ska Festival - Clapham Grand (W/English Beat, Dub Pistols, DJ Lynval Golding & more)

Dancehall Culture In Pictures

2011-02-02T12:47:00.002Z

For lovers of reggae, especially dancehall culture, take a look at a new website that has just opened dedicated to the works of photographer and author Beth Lesser.
Beth along with her partner David Kingston first got involved with Reggae music and its culture when they started a fanzine called ‘Live Good Today’, for Augustus Pablo’s organization Rockers International in 1980. The magazine grew and eventually became ‘Reggae Quarterly’. As part of Beth’s duties she took hundreds of photographs that captured the rise of Dancehall Culture.Many of these pictures are now available to view at http://www.bethlesser.com/ where you’ll find the artists like Gregory Isaacs, Eek a Mouse, Tenor Saw pictured in the streets, Sly Dunbar, Jah Thomas and Bunny Tom Tom at work in the studio, or in the case of Michael Palmer and U Roy giving a live performance.
Many of her photographs have also been used by major reggae companies for album covers, like on VP’s recent ‘Henry Junjo Lawes Volcano Eruption Anthology’ plus gracing the covers of books and magazines, Reggae Explosion, Natty Dread, Reggae Vibes and more from all over the world.In addition to her photography she has also written books and was the first to write a biography on the producer "King Jammy" and the book depicting dancehall’s story from its roots to its heights, "Dancehall, the Story of Jamaican Dancehall Culture" which was accompanied by the Soul Jazz Records album of the same name.The site is well worth a look as there are some fascinating pictures to be seen and gives people a rare opportunity to dive directly in to the Jamaica of the 1980’s for a feel of its fashions and colourful nature of the time

United Reggae - iPhone App

2011-01-27T12:34:00.004Z

United Reggae has just launched its iPhone app so you can read, listen to and watch United Reggae content on your mobile!

It features:

Weekly news with audio samples
Interviews, reviews and reports on reggae music and culture
New reggae albums new releases
New videos
The monthly PDF version of United Reggae

The app can be downloaded from iPhone App Store for free by searching for "United Reggae" or direct on itunes.

It is also compatible with iPad and iPod touch and will soon be available on other phone platforms such as Google Android, Nokia OVI and Blackberry.

Visit unitedreggae.com/phone/ for details.

Dennis Brown at Joe Gibbs

2011-01-23T13:18:00.002Z

Released on January 10th via 17 North Parade, a VP Records imprint, is an insightful compilation of Dennis Brown’s most popular Joe Gibbs produced songs.

It is a four CD set that forms a comprehensive overview of Brown’s classic work at Joe Gibbs including the two iconic album sets “Visions Of Dennis Brown” & “Words Of Wisdom” plus a further 38 classics collected together on discs 3 & 4 making this set the very blessed of Dennis Emmanuel Brown.

To read a full review on this release visit United Reggae

A biography (on this site) about Brown's life can be found here

To buy Play

Amazon

The Menahan Street Band - 'Make The Road By Walking’

2011-01-22T08:55:00.003Z

Having been recently listening to the fantastic debut album from Charles Bradley, I was left wanting to hear and find out more about his backing group the Menahan Street Band, who are the brainchild of guitarist/producer Thomas "Tommy TNT" Brenneck.
The idea for this group came while Brenneck was living in an apartment on Menahan St. in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York and he put together a small bedroom studio (must have been some bedroom with all that brass) to use in creating this fine selection of instrumentals we have here, some of which have been utilised on the Bradley album.
The opening and title track of this 2008 album is 'Make The Road By Walking', which is named after a membership-based organization, located just around the corner from Menahan Street (on Grove Street), that promotes social and economic justice for the community through organizing, legally advising and aiding with numerous other forms of advocacy. The song itself is a steady paced tune with a slightly melancholy, jazzy vibe that wouldn’t have sounded too out of place as an interlude on Marvin Gaye’s ‘Trouble Man’. In fact 'Make The Road By Walking’ sets the tone for the whole album with emotive horns, solid basslines then a sprinkling of conga drums, vibes or flute placed on top. None of the instrumentals are also either too frenetic or too laid back in tempo; the whole ambience of it just flows along serenely and elegantly.
This is definitely an album for the hip and the cool, that has a gritty cinematic feel to it, so not surprising to learn then that triumphal sounding 'Going The Distance', was actually composed for the Stallone film 'Rocky Balboa'. It has also been endorsed by the Hip Hop community as they look for breaks, with Jay Z sampling the title track on his ‘Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)’, while 50 Cent, Kid Cudi and Royal Roach have all used ‘The Traitor’ for various projects.
I don’t know if Brenneck has more plans for the Menahan Street Band, but on the strength of this creative soulful, jazzy, afro-beat fuelled album I for one hope to one day hear more.

Daptone Records

iTunes

Amazon

Charles Bradley - No Time For Dreaming

2011-01-14T13:31:00.002Z

I hate this time of the year, in the UK it’s cold, damp, dark and miserable but a beautiful debut album has arrived to make this period a whole lot more bearable. It may not be an album full of big summery vibes, but Bradley’s voice and the quality of the musicianship, with sparkling keyboards, slight guitar and prominent horns in recreating that classic Stax flavoured soul sound of the 60’s, warms your cockle’s right through.
Now who is this Charles Bradley you may ask, with his James Brown styled vocal, is he some young upstart trying to emulate one of his heroes? Well no at 62 years of age Bradley is old enough to have worked with them back in their heydays, indeed he saw Brown at The Apollo in 1962, when his sister took him and the energy of that night formed a lasting impression on him, but Bradley is he more than just some kind of James Brown karaoke, impersonator. Yes, this is a man, whose voice has evolved from a lifetime of paying dues, having nomadically laboured for decades at various day jobs from Maine to Alaska singing and performing in his spare time. Yes, this is a voice that with its distinctively rough-hewn timbre has that unmistakable sound of experience in each note that makes you feel every step of his gruff, and sometimes rocky, personal path.
Despite all this talk of classics from times gone by some of the lyrics are very relevant and up to date such as the gospel soaked blues of philosophical opener “The World (Is Going Up In Flames)”, an obvious take on the troubles in the world today, the up-tempo “Golden Rule”, that rule being the one of love for your fellow man and “Why So Hard”, which is most definitely a personal tale of trying to make it in America and with a voice like his it does make you wonder why it has taken so long for somebody to finally give this man a break!
As with all soul albums there are plenty of stories of love and heartache and Bradley can certainly make you feel those highs and lows as he wrings out all the emotions.
As I said at the beginning the musicianship is great and when I tell you that the music is supplied by guitarist/producer Thomas "Tommy TNT" Brenneck’s musical ensemble the Menahan Street Band, which features musicians from Antibalas, El Michels Affair, the Dap-Kings and the Budos Band, then you’ll know why.
This is an incredibly atmospheric album with a real nostalgic sound and for me is great and powerful way to start the New Year.

“No Time For Dreaming” is available via Dunham Records from January 25th 2011

TRACKLISTING

01. The World (Is Going Up In Flames)
02. The Telephone Song
03. Golden Rule (love for one another)
04. I Believe In Your Love
05. Trouble In The Land (inst break)
06. Loving You, Baby
07. No Time For Dreaming
08. How Long
09. In You (I Found A Love)
10. Why Is It So Hard?
11. Since Our Last Goodbye
12. Heartaches And Pain

iTunes

Mungo’s Hi Fi remix “Everyman Does His Thing A Little Way Different”

2011-01-14T13:12:00.003Z

Mungo's Hi Fi are to release their remix of "Everyman Does His Thing A Little Way Different" taken from the album ‘Time Will Tell’ by Henry and Louis meets Blue and Red (aka RSD). The vocal is by Pacey and is a reworking of the Errol Dunkley original of the same name.
The song came about following a chance encounter with UB40 in Jamaica, who linked up a legendary recording session with top artists like Johnny Clarke, Tony Tuff and Willie Williams.
Mungo's Hi Fi have taken the vocal and crafted a one a way riddim track bringing it bang up to date in the only way they know how by adding a very heavy bass vibe to proceedings that you can feel as well as hear.
The flip side of this 180g heavyweight 12" features a dub work out by Mungo’s and it will be available from the 24th of January on Scotch Bonnet records.
Check their website http://www.scotchbonnet.net/ for more details.

Visit Youtube to see what I'm talking about

Maroon Town – ‘Urban Myths’ To Be Released On 7th March

2011-01-14T13:07:00.002Z

I have been lucky enough to hear the new Maroon Town album ‘Urban Myths’, which is due out on the 7th of March on Rockers Revolt.
The album blends ska, rocksteady, latin beats and rap to create a totally infectious vibe and if you liked their early songs like ‘Pound to the Dollar’ and ‘Average Man’ then I’m sure you’ll find plenty to like about this.I hope to have a full review available soon, but be sure this is an album you won’t want to miss.

Forthcoming Releases from Vp & Greensleeves

2011-01-12T12:01:00.005Z

For the first quarter of this year VP & Greensleeves records will release many new projects with just about something to please any reggae fan.

This month (January) will see the release of two new 4CD box sets on the 24th titled ‘At Joe Gibbs’ from Culture & Dennis Brown and I’ll be reviewing these for United Reggae.

Also out on the same day is the new album from Bushman called Sing The Bush Doctor.

For February they have lined up from the 7th Etana "Free expression"(VP Records)and compilation “Songs for Reggae Lovers” (Greensleeves Records).

On the 14th they will be releasing Elephant Man "Dance & Sweep - the adventure of the energy god"(VP Records)and the fantastic Maikal X "Genesis" (Rock 'N Vibes / Greensleeves Records).To close the month out will be a release from Diplo on the 21st titled " Riddimenatry "(Greensleeves Records)March will bring Tiger " Most Wanted "(VP Records)on the 7th with Richie Spice " Book of JOB "(VP Records) on the 14th plus two various compilations for the 21st “Ragga Ragga Ragga 2011” and “Evolution of Dub - Volume 6” both on Greensleeves Records.

End Of Year Report & Top 5 Reggae Albums Of The Year

2010-12-20T16:11:00.003Z

For me this year has not seen the same great wealth of quality reggae releases as last year, although in truth that was always going to be a difficult task. This year has also seen the further demise in record sales. I myself posted on here and reported about this for United Reggae at the end of 2009 and now they have followed that up with the news that another prominent London based specialist reggae shop is about to close.
That said this year was not been completely barren and full of gloom and doom by any means. Veteran reggae stars Don Carlos (Changes) and BB Seaton (Ready for the World) released excellent new albums and stalwarts Luciano and Gyptian both had critically acclaimed albums out. New comers Toussaint, with his own brand of reggae soul on ‘Black Gold’ and Dutch born Maikal X’s ‘Genesis’, both show great promise for the future, also crowds at reggae based festivals appear to be up, with Rototom Festival in Spain attracting over 130 000 people.
The death of reggae maybe a bit premature, but for some of reggaes big names may find that they will have to evolve somewhat and maybe add different styles to their portfolios for if they want to progress and maybe even get reggae to flourish again. This will on doubt upset many traditional fans, but for reggae to get back to the position where it was in the late ‘70s and early ’80s it may have to fight its way to the forefront from within other musical genres.
The underground reggae scene appears to have a wealth of talented people out there, and a lot of hardcore support, in fact without the absolute dedication and passion of today’s underground reggae and dub artists from many nations Reggae, as we know it would possibly not exist. Reggae today is the underground; they hold onto and create what we remember from time.
Springline label has played its part with many releases this year from the likes of, The Manor, Steve Steppa & Samson plus a couple of well received compilations. Next year, it is hoped, will be no different with an alternative, off centre dub album from Denja entitled ‘Shamen's Trip’ due for release in February and a 2nd album from The Manor in the pipeline for early summer. Also as I’ve been speaking about diversifying Springline will also release its first non-reggae offering ‘Cheap Dress Full Of Stars’ by the David Powell Experience at the end of January

To find out more about these artists you can visit

http://www.manors-ark.com/
http://www.denjasounds.com/
http://www.davidpowellexperience.com/
http://www.upsteppa.com/

Finally, as is so often the case at the years end, here are Gibsy’s and mine top 5 reggae albums of the year. I have chosen mine on the basis that these are from artist that were either new or just ones that I had not heard of before and therefore gave me an unexpected surprise when listening to them.

Skarl's Top 5 for 2010

5. Kinyama Sounds Present Reggae Dishes
4. Babyhead - Heavy Weather
3. Naptali - Long Journey

2. The Bullets - Sweet Misery

1. Zema - Jubilee

Gibsy's Top 5 for 2010

5. Pato Ranking Meets Don Fe - Vol 1
4. Digikal Roots - Let There Be Version (EP)

3. Manor - Revelation Congo

2. Avatar - From River to Ocean

1. Pama Int’ Meets Mad Professor - Rewired

Josey Wales – Reggaes Best Outlaw

2010-12-12T15:38:00.007Z

Josey Wales was born Joseph Winston Sterling in West Kingston, Jamaica. He took his stage name from the Clint Eastwood Western The Outlaw Josey Wales and along with his sound-system partner Charlie Chaplin and the likes of Brigadier Jerry was widely regarded as one of the best DJs on the dancehall scene of the early ‘80’s.

Wales’s first DJ performances were with the Roots Unlimited Sound System in 1977, but it was as part of mentor U-Roy's King SturGav Hi-Fi Sound System in the early '80s, where he spent three and a half years, that he really made his name. At King SturGav he teamed up with fellow DJ Charlie Chaplin and the two sparring partners became one of the most potent one-two punches of the era, which in turn made King SturGav arguably the biggest sound system around.

His first recordings were live performances issued on producer Bunny Roots' label, but it was when he hooked up with the primary producer of the day, Henry "Junjo" Lawes and began moonlighting for his Volcano sound system that in 1983 he issued his first-ever single on the Volcano label, "Baby Come Home."The song wasn't much of a hit, but its follow-up, "Let Go Mi Hand," on the Mad Mad riddim, from an old Alton Ellis tune which was made popular by Michigan and Smiley’s use on ‘Diseases’, was a breakthrough smash that established Wales as a recording star, not just an electrifying live performer.

His debut album, ‘The Outlaw Josey Wales’ soon followed, helping to cement his status as one of Jamaica's top DJs, behind only Yellowman at his peak.
Further hits followed, including "Bobo Dread", which appeared on the ‘Two Giants Clash’ album recorded with Yellowman and "Drug Abusing", taken from his self-produced second solo album ‘No Way No Better Than Yard’.
In 1985 he cut an album for George Phang in called ‘Undercover Lover’ before moving over to producer King Jammy's label and recording a series of hits that included "Na Lef Jamaica," "Ha Fi Say So," "Right Moves," "It's Raining," and "Water Come a Mi Eye," among others. The ‘Rulin'’ album appeared in 1986 on the Black Solidarity label, and several collections of his work for Jammys also followed in the late '80s. By this time, however, Wales' conscious and Rastafarian style seemed increasingly out of date with other toasters, who were upping the ante for lyrical technique, with slackness and gun talk beginning to rule the dancehalls. Nonetheless Wales remained true to his beliefs and was an active presence on the Jamaican music scene for quite some time, both as a recording artist and as a mentor to up-and-comers like the young Shabba Ranks.

During the early ‘90s he mainly focused on collaborations, releasing duo albums with old cohorts U-Roy ‘Teacher Meets the Student’ and Charlie Chaplin ‘Kings of the Dancehall’ which appeared in 1992 and 1994, respectively, and a duet with Beres Hammond, "Hey Girl," was a smash hit in the U.K. reggae charts in 1993. The solo album ‘Cowboy Style’ was also released on in 1994 on Greensleeves and he also worked with the likes of Gussie Clarke, Tappa Zukie, Philip "Fatis" Burrell, and Bobby Digital during the decade. It was also during this decade, in 1997, that he was robbed at gunpoint in a Kingston bar. He was wounded in the incident and this ironically helped briefly revitalize his recording career, as he scored Jamaican hits with the singles "Bush Wacked" and "Who Shot the Colonel" (The Colonel being another of Wales’ aliases).
In 1998, Wales joined the reunited King SturGav Hi Fi Sound System, touring with the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Brigadier Jerry, and U-Roy and to this day he remains a popular figure in the dancehall scene and still knows how to get a crowd moving, as was witnessed in 2008 at the Reggae Geel festival in Belgium.

(Respects to Steve Huey)

Toussaint - Black Gold

2010-12-12T15:35:00.002Z

Released back in August on I Grade Records was Black Gold by Toussaint. This album has been described as reggae soul and reggae roots music for its blend of reggae interweaved with soul, funk, jazz, R&B, and deft folk/rock elements, but call it what you want, I quite like soulful reggae, one thing is for sure Tousssaint has found a classy way of putting his message across.
It is not the first time soul has been mixed with reggae after all the likes of Ken Boothe, Alton Ellis and others were covering Motown and Stax classics for labels like Trojan way back. Ok maybe not in a way like this but their voices and some of the arrangements were not that far away from the originals and moving on into the late ‘70s Prince Lincoln Thompson was adding elements of Gamble and Huff’s Philly sound to his music. I suppose where this differs is that it is that here is an artist that has made something of a name for himself as a soul and jazz vocalist who has been drawn to the power of reggae and its association with being the music of the sufferers, for make no mistake despite its silky, easy on the ear sound this is an album fighting against the exploitation of the masses by the elite, a constant reggae theme.
There are also personal stories on here such as ‘Conquering Cocaine’, which touches on the singer's own history of trouble with the drug and softer moments like the R&Bish ‘Unforgettable’.
Some tracks are slightly Marleyesque in their qualities and this applies to "Roots In the Modern Time" one of the main stand out tracks for me. Here Toussaint tells how people are often found neglecting their roots as they pursue the comforts and symbols of the modern world, while the other stand out, and well away from a reggae vibe is the neo-soul sounding ‘Changes’. This tune has one of those jazzy vibes a kin to Erykah Badu and looks at the American political system and warns that though Obama may be president don’t expect things to change over night and that equality and fairness for all will still be a constant battle.
Hopefully this album should appeal to both reggae and soul fans in equal measure and maybe just maybe with the added help of the diversity in instrumentation it will see Toussaint reach wider critical acclaim.

Tracklisting
1. Nobody Knows
2. This Song
3. Roots In A Modern Time
4. Be You
5. Sunshine In Morning
6. Hello My Beautiful
7. Black Gold
8. Look Up
9. Conquering Cocaine
10. Rise and Fall featuring Jahdan Blakkamoore
11. Marching
12. Patient
13. Unforgettable
14. Changing
15. Rain Again

Available from System Records