Hip-Hop News

While the story of Jah Wobble, from post-punk bassist to Tube driver to world music explorer is well documented, the fact he founded his own label, Lago Records, at the age of just 23 years old has oft been overlooked. Lago Records was set up by John "Wobble" Wardle soon after his acrimonious departure from college friend John Lydon's Public Image Ltd band at the end of the recording of the Metal Box sessions. Although still young, Wobble had already experienced a music career most would dream of and was experienced enough and singular in his thinking that while now working with both Island and Virgin Records, he did not want to be constrained by the traditional label / artist format and release schedule. With a mindful of music ideas and working with a group of friends and musicians, Lago allowed Wobble to express his wider musical interests that now forms it's own unique document in time. This release takes a collection of songs from the 6 EPs released on the label between 1981 and 1985 and captures some of his best ever music, covering a wide palette including dub, jazz, spoken word and even some pop sensibilities, all held together by his instantly discernable bass rumble. The driving post-punk-dub of Invaders Of The Heart is clear a link to the PiL years, while the psychedelic nature of Long Long Way and Fading offer long, drug-induced meditations. Nocturnal and East take this further with long-form instrumental experiments, before both Voodoo and the now highly sought after Blowout take in (Balearic) pop touches that the mid-80s were beginning to encapsulate. Packaged with DJs in mind as much as for the "Heads", the Lago Years double pack is a revelation to those who thought they knew the Jah Wobble sound and offers a perfect framing of a unique musical journey.

Serving avid listeners around the globe with ample amounts of quality bass weight, Albion Collective untethers their third, highly anticipated vinyl installment. The U.K.-based imprint has quickly grown to showcase a multifaceted approach to Dubstep - releasing prime selections driven by low frequency oscillations. Ranging from Vaun & Jafu's jazzy reverberations with J.Sparrow on contemplative version business to the experimental dancefloor music of talented producer Taiko - their return to the spotlight amasses a dream team of Dubwise visionaries - Digid, Dubbing Sun and Croatian bass wonder Egoless, contributing a version. Based in Belgium and Austria respectively, Digid and Dubbing Sun have swiftly ascertained themselves as one of their countries leading figures in Dub-affine bass music with joint vinyl releases on J:Kenzo's Lion Charge and Archetype Records among others, as well as successful solo projects, such as Digid's recent ZamZam Sounds debut and Dubbing Sun's own quality vinyl-only imprint.

Emerging through pristine and crystal clear sound, Digid's 'Rainbow Dub' kicks off the record in a colourful exhibition of livid chord stabs and melodies, minimal percussion tastefully appended. As low frequency oscillations set the air in motion, listeners find themselves in a true-to-the-roots modern dub extravaganza, skanking: mandatory. As is customary 'Come Dung' allures listeners as the expertly crafted fusion of version and original business that is is, hurling another massive rhythm, accompanied by a lively arrangement, that does the pioneers of the old days justice.

Coming together for the flip-side, Digid & Dubbing Sun crafted a roots earthquake of tremendous proportions. 'Dread Come Again' has come to conquer keen sound systems all over as anthemic brass stabs echo along the dub-infused soundscape and a monumental bassline hauls both its weight and groove to every last fibre of your body. Last but in no conceivable way least, the recent Deep Medi and Tempa signee Egoless turns 'Dread Come
Again' on its head - stripping the music down to its warbly core of rhythm and bass, drenched and covered in shifting spaces and creative usage of his varied palette of analogue effects - a mind-bending version, worthy of the anthemic original.

Soulful dancehall apartheid anthem

Cool Ruler brews it up moodily for this digital meltdown

Lovely female voiced 70s UK reggae version of Nat King Cole number (also covered by Sun Ra, no less).

70s Dennis Bovell UK roots bizniz, covering Burning Spear's Resting Place

INNA DE YARD bring to life the unique and original passion of singing with acoustic reggae music.

Several iconic figures from Bob Marley's island and spirited young musicians are gathered on the terrace of a house, in the hills of Kingston, to bring the essence of their musical culture back to life. United in the same place, and united in time, because they have recorded an original album in just four days.

They are Ken Boothe, Cedric Myton from the Congos, Lloyd Parks, Derajah, Var, Kiddus I, Steve Newland, Bo Pee, Kush & Winston McAnuff.

You've never heard a Jamaican sound like this before.

The Aggrovators would produce some of the hardest rhythms cut at the legendary Channel 1 studio, these cuts here represent a selection of some of those fine rhythms selected together for the first time.

The Aggrovators were one of Jamaica's finest session bands put together by the hit make from J amaica Bunny Striker Lee.
The group would produce some of the hardest rhythms cut at the legendary Channel 1 studio.
These tracks would provide the backbone to songs that were usually voiced over at King Tubby's own studio.These cuts here represent a selection of some of those fine rhythms selected together for the first time.
The Aggrovators were a group of Reggae musicians that usually featured Carlton'Santa'Davis on drums playing alongside Robbie Shakespeare on bass with other musicians addedlike Earl'Chinna'Smith on guitar and Tommy Mc Cook and Vin Gordon and Lennox Brown added for horn arrangements,Keyboards and organ duties normally fell to Ansel Collins and Bernard'Touter'Harvey.
We have compiled some great tracks recorded by this fantastic group of musicians and focused on those cut on Channel 1 studios to give you a feel of what those times were like.
Hope you enjoy the set.....

*CD BONUS TRACKS

Es war ein bewegender Abend, der weit bis in die Nacht hineinreichte, im ausverkauften Hammersmith Palais in London am 05. Juni 1977. Unter den 2.000 begeisterten Zuschauern waren auch Joe Strummer und Mick Jones. Beide waren von der Show der jamaikanischen Top-Stars dermaßen inspiriert, dass der frühe Single-Hit von The Clash "(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais" daraus entstand. Zur Feier des 40-jährigen Labeljubiläums präsentiert Greensleeves die gleichnamige 4-Track EP (33 rpm) in attraktivem Packaging inklusive eines Nachdrucks des Posters, mit dem das Konzert seinerzeit beworben wurde. Hier finden sich die besten Stücke von Leroy Smart und Dillinger mit "Ballistic Affair" und "Cokane In My Brain", sowie Ken Boothes unnachahmliche Coverversion von Sixto 'Waiting For Sugar Man' Rodriguez und dem äußerst raren und gesuchten Delroy Wilson Song "Rascal Man (False Rasta)".

We hope you enjoy listening to our music as much as we enjoy
performing it for you!' That's how Tommy McCook used to greet
to the audience by at every performance of The Skatalites that he hosted.
Since reforming after an almost 20 year hiatus in 1983, and beginning regular touring as a unit in 1989, they have not stopped thrilling audiences in every corner of the globe. Even after 48 years, and various lineup changes as members leave one stage for another, the band continues to perform and record new music in the inimitable Jamaican style, like only they can. The road has been long and hard, and sadly, seen most of the original members pass on. Often asked when will you stop' and how do you keep doing it after all these years', the answer is simple: never - It's the love of the music and the way our fans respond that keep us going Forward! Featuring original alto sax man Lester Ska' Sterling and vocalist Doreen Shaffer, along with the current lineup of outstanding musicians they have chosen to accompany them, the band proudly presents Walk With Me -their long-awaited collection of newly recorded classics and brand new compositions. This new release features some of the last tracks ever recorded by founding member and legendary drummer Lloyd Knibb, who not only perfected the ska beat but paved the way for nearly every single reggae drummer after him. Love Is The Way' was the last song he recorded. RIP.
We are forever indebted to the inspiration and talent of Roland
Alphonso, Lloyd Brevett, Don Drummond, Jerome jah jerry'
Haynes, Lloyd Knibb, Tommy McCook, Donat Jackie' Mittoo, John Dizzy Johnny' Moore, and Lester Sterling, collectively known asThe Skatalites.
Thanks to all who gave so much of themselves to make this project possible and pleasurable.

International reggae star Alborosie returns with the dub version of his celebrated "Freedom & Fyah" album from last year titled "Freedom In Dub". The distinctive production of these ten newly recorded dub mixes underscore Alborosie's skill and credibility as a master of dub. All tracks are produced and (mostly) played by Alborosie and recorded at his Shengen studios in Kingston, Jamaica.

Das Beste von dem Sänger mit der rauchig-smoothen Stimme, der seit mehr als 30 Jahren als Solokünstler, Songwriter und Produzent erfolgreich ist. "Can't Stop A Man" präsentiert 36 ausgesuchte Songs aus den Jahren 1976 bis 2003 auf Triple-LP im Gatefold Sleeve und ausführlichen Liner Notes & Track by Track-Notes, geschrieben vom US-amerikanischen Reggae-Experten Rob Kenner. Erstmalig in Jahre 2003 parallel zum gleichnamigen 2CD-Digipak Set erschienen, ist dieses Beres Hammond Porträt wieder als Vinyl erhältlich. Das Zitat von Prime Entertainment zum Konzert im Kölner Stadtgarten bringt es auf den Punkt: "Beres Hammond beeindruckt mit seiner durch tiefes Timbre geprägten, dennoch smoothen und sehr eindringlichen Stimme. Seine Texte sind stets von einer emotionalen Dichte und der Wahrheit getragen, dass wir eigentlich alle nur nach Liebe suchen. Diese essentielle Message verpackt er in große Dancehall-Smasher, ebenso wie in romantische Balladen und in spirituelle Rootsgesänge."

Die Reggae Anthology-Serie präsentiert zwölf ausgesuchte Singles auf Longplay-Vinyl, die alle zwischen 1972 und 1985 veröffentlicht wurden. Inklusive der beiden 12-Inch Maxi-Single Versionen "Promised Land" (Extended Mix), der in Kooperation mit der renommierten UK-Gruppe Aswad entstand, und "Children Of Israel" (Special 12" Mix), produziert von Ossie Hibbert. Darüber hinaus gibt es seltene 7Inch Single A-Seiten, die von Jackie Mittoo, Niney The Observer, Phil Pratt, Herman Chin-Loy, Joe Gibbs & Errol Thompson, Derrick Harriott und Dennis Brown & Castro Brown produziert wurden. Die Aufnahmen wurden von den Musikern der Backing Bands eingespielt: The Taxi Gang, The Professionals, The Now Generation, Crystalites. Aggrovators, Roots Radics und Soul Syndicate. Erstmalig erschien diese LP parallel zu dem 2CD+DVD Set "Crown Prince Of Reggae" im Jahre 2010 und ist jetzt wieder erhältlich!

Nach siebenjähriger Auszeit meldet sich das britische Reggae-Oktett Pama International mit dem brandneuen Album "Love & Austerity" zurück, begleitet von den Sängerinnen Jewels Vass (Mad Professor, Zion Train) und Anna Uhuru (Abstract Orchestra). Den Kern des Albums bilden 8 Songs in verschiedenen Versionen zwischen Rocksteady, explosiven Dubs, Studio-One-like Discomixes, Southern Soul-Balladen und einem Killer-Orgel-Instrumental, inspiriert von Jackie Mittoo. CD mit 12 Tracks, LP mit 8 Tracks plus Download-Code für alle 12 Tracks.

"Besonders gut gelungen ist das bei der Coverversion des alten Soulstompers "Heatwave", der eine ganz neue Basslinie erhält, so als hätten sich die Aggrovators mit den Funk Brothers zusammengetan. Die vielseitige Stimme der grossartigen neuen Frontfrau Jewels Vass hält den musikalischen Gemischtwarenladen aus Ska, Dub und Soul mühelos zusammen. Auch wenn oben Easy Skanking drübersteht, "Love & Austerity" sollten sich alle zu Gehör führen, in deren Plattensammlung Amy Winehouse neben Delroy Wilson steht." - "Easy Skankin- Album Der Ausgabe" RIDDIM Q3

Emotional Rescue presents the final part of their Suns Of Arqa trilogy with two of their deepest world dubs in Acid Tabla and Asian Rebel. Capturing their fusion of folk, reggae and dance to perfection, these heavy vibrations are backed with pulsating remixes from Adrian Sherwood and The Hyphen Collective.
Following the success of the Brujo Magic (ERC002) and Muslimgauze Re-mixs (ERC013) in highlighting and reappraising the music of SoA, it is fitting to return to the band some 3 years later with a special EP putting two of their best tracks alongside subsequent remixes.First appearing on their debut album, Revenge Of The Mozabites, Acid Rebel has appeared in many forms - celtic folk influenced original, dub and remixes. Here though is a special extended version, bringing all the best elements in to an ultimate version. Fiddle, harmonium, bass and piano all come together via the mixing controls of leader Wadada and the legendary Adrian Sherwood. Fitting then that the On U Sound founder would create a later master class of a remix of his own. Pushing the drums, bass and piano up in the mix to accentuate each parts role, before a breakdown putting the celtic influences through the echo chamber. This is the fundamentals of dub at it's finest by a master of his trade.Joining is possibly one of the band's most twisted dance cuts. Having only appeared on the little known 1981 On U Sound compilation 'Wild Paarty Sounds Volume One', Asian Rebel has long been a secret play for the more discerning DJ. Picked by Trevor Jackson for his excellent recent Science Fiction Dancehall Classics release, here is finally presented on 12' for the first time.
With Wadada and Sherwood at the controls, this is an undeniable classic. Twisted to the extreme, bongo's interplay, bass maxed deep in the mix to distortion, with otherwordly flute all riding skipping off kilter hats to mess with minds and feet. This is concluded with a unique dub retake by Wadada and friends via a new project - The Hyphen Collective. Taking the original further in to the dub chamber this is a smoker's delight and worthy end to our collaboration.

- 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
- FIRST PRESSING OF 750 NUMBERED COPIES ON ORANGE VINYL

Although best known in the UK for his toasting talents as half of the chart-topping duo, Dave & Ansel Collins, Dave Barker is in fact one of the most accomplished singers Jamaica has ever produced. After making his recording debut in 1968, partnering Glen Brown on a series of local hits, Dave launched his solo career under the auspices of the Lee 'Scratch' Perry.

Their subsequent collaborations spawned a number of best-selling singles, culminating in the singer's debut LP, Prisoner Of Love. Released by Trojan Records in 1970, the album marked Barker's arrival as one of its most promising and versatile talents on the reggae scene.
Highlighting his skills as both singer and toaster, the set provided an ideal showcase for Dave's versatility at the mic, while also perfectly illustrating Perry's rugged production style of the period.
One of Trojan's best -selling long-players from the golden age of reggae, the album can finally be acquired again at a price that won't burn a hole in the pocket!

- 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
- INDIVIDUALLY NUMBERED SLEEVES
- FIRST PRESSING OF 750 COPIES
PRESSED ON ORANGE VINYL

Arguably the finest Jamaican soul singer of his generation, Ken Boothe burst onto the international stage when his sublime rendering of Bread's melancholic Everything I Own topped the UK charts in the autumn of 1974.

Within months of this success, the native-born Kingstonian returned to the national listings with the captivating Crying Over You', which made number 11 later that year.

To coincide with the release of the latter, Trojan Records released the album, Everything I Own, a supremely soulful collection that featured his two international hits alongside a number of sublimely produced songs, cut in both Jamaica and the UK.

Unavailable on vinyl since '74, this essential LP is now available on the format for which it was created, with the use of the original analogue masters and artwork ensuing complete authenticity.

A must for all Ken Boothe fans and those who like their reggae sweet and soulful.

A multi-faceted performer and songwriter, Taz straddles both the hip hop world and dancehall/reggae arena. He first came to the world's attention performing alongside Dizzee Rascal on their Just a Rascal video, having co-written it and earning himself an Ivor Novello Award into the bargain. After becoming the youngest rap artist to be signed to Def Jam UK in 2004, Taz released his massively acclaimed Analyse This album and has never looked back. After teaming up with Jamaica's Jazzy Kitt Music Group, Taz released Up Deh which was immediately snapped up by Ramrock Records for UK vinyl release. Already getting BIG props on Jamaican radio stations, an exclusive on Ras Kwame's Capital Xtra show, signal from Original Memzee and Pyro Radio, Up Deh is set to mash up the dance worldwide - trust me!

CAMAR FLAVA - 'GET UP BACK'
Seasoned reggae artist Camar Flava has been long established on the international music scene as a prolific performer and songwriter, recording and producing hits such as Whine and Twist, It's You, Your Body Is

From the Italian DUB duo Babe Roots comes the group's third vinyl release since their debut 7' last year on the Sardinian ROHS imprint which sold out in record time. Like the A-side's artwork suggests (a photo of the Major League Baseball pitcher Doc Ellis famous for pitching a 'no-hitter' while on LSD), this record will take the listener on a trip. In classic Babe Roots fashion, each song was carefully crafted using traditional Jamaican dub techniques, blending 90's Chain Reaction / Basic Channel atmospheres and UK trip-hop elements. Spiritual Connection / Brown Walls aims to be their strongest release yet. US-based label Visceral Vibrations teams up with Big Horn Sound (a sound system out of Las Vegas, NV) to provide a record worthy of any dub-head's collection, presented on 12' vinyl and professionally mastered by Beau Thomas at TenEightSeven.

Kicking stepping and dancefloor dub flavour !!

The story of the great roots reggae harmony trio Black Uhuru is one defined by many unexpected twists and turns. In its best known form, led by Michael Rose and with founding member Duckie Simpson and the black American female vocalist,
Puma Jones, the group would enjoy the greatest popularity of any act in the wake of Bob Marley's untimely death in 1981, but the origins of the group lay in the turbulent Waterhouse district during the mid-1970s. Duckie first formed the group as Uhuru, the Swahili word for unity, with Garth Dennis as lead singer and Don Carlos to join him in harmony, after cutting an adaptation of the Impressions' Romancing To The Folk Song' at Dynamics, Time Is On Our Side' at Randy's for Clive Chin, and Slow Coach' for Raymond Benno' Anderson, Dennis drifted into the Wailing Souls and Don Carlos went solo, leading Duckie to recruit rising Waterhouse vocalist Michael Tony' Rose as lead singer, and Errol Nelson from the Jays for harmony. Their debut album, Love Crisis, was produced, voiced and mixed at King Tubby's studio by Prince Jammy and remains and outstanding example of Jammy's roots reggae production phase. The song Hard Ground' vamps on a similar theme to Marley's Talking Blues': Rose sings of a life of everyday hardship, with destitution and homelessness the pervading factors. On the extended dub portion and dub the instrumental cuts that follow the alternate vocal take of this enthralling 12-inch EP, you can hear the non-standard instrumentation that helps make the work so innovative, with Winston Wright's harpsichord melody emphasising the hopelessness of Rose's emotive lyrics, the commanding rhythm and understated bass and guitar from Robbie Shakespeare and Chinna Smith completing the picture.

Frans Zwartjes is famous for his art-house films (look him up on YouTube). A Dutch underground auteur, his prolific output dates from 1968. A unique talent, Zwartjes produced, directed and edited his own films (his last work was in 1991), but more importantly he created and improvised the soundtracks too. Zwartjes is still alive today and his large body of work is only now being recognised by a wider, more international crowd, with screenings at the NFT and other important art-house cinemas across the world. The recordings on Tapes 1 were mixed directly from the Zwartjes soundtrack tape archive. They were assembled directly and in real time by Zwartjes archivist Stanley Schtinter and were originally issued three years ago on cassette, in an edition of 50. Don't bother trying to find one of them.

The music, sound and speech have been put together as two long, seamless sequences; they are dreamlike, peculiar, plugged-in, prescient and unlike any other soundtrack we have heard.

All cues mastered and sequenced by Jon Brooks, AKA The Advisory Circle

We are back! We move out from our production traditions, but we come in the traditions of the dub now! We bring to your attention the SV-11 of our beloved artist Pawel Granacki aka Desove with his amazing dub melodies from the album Solo Dub Works. In the best traditions of Wackies Sampler. 10 dub tracks, 10 dub fires! Dubwise grooves, heavy basslines, inspired dub melodies, dub delays, horns, dub siren, djembe.. it is all there! Flavoured with analog effects and mixed old fashion way. Hot riddims straight out of Bialystok - as he himself says, everything like in the classic dub you can find in his album. All that Pawel does is let the dub flow through him. It's modest, in fact we understand that behind all this is a lot of work, it sounds as if he was playing with his band, but this is SOLO DUB WORKS! This is an excellent musical gift for all of us for the coming summer! We hope it will be kind, warm and peaceful for all living beings!
Strictly Ltd!

Tapes at the control! Superstar follows up his previous 12" for the Estonia's Porridge Bullets, this time with a collab project with Tapes (Jahtari, EM, Sextags, Meeuw Muzak...) . Ltd pressing, cut reggae 45 style (large centre hole). Big TIP!
"..a disconsolate love-cry of a man gripped with feelings of loss. Emotions laid bare on a tender night-drive dub with tinkling synths, recalling the memories of an unearthly beauty."

10 track Album from Various Artists released by King Tubby's Music & Dub Store Records.

10 track Album from Various Artists released by King Tubby's Music & Dub Store Records.

7 track Album from Rico Rodriguez & Friends released by Dub Store Records

Delroy Wilson the original 'Cool Operator' was also known to many as 'Teacher'.
A title given to him as he unselfishly taught the up and coming singers including one youth Dennis Brown, the art and delivery of singing technique.
Delroy's rich tone to his voice added a depth to any song that he chose to sing.
Delroy Wilson (b.1948 Kingston,Jamaica) began his musical career at the school that was Coxonne Dodd's studio One label.
After a brief stop in 1969,which saw Delroy working for producer Sonia Pottinger's Tip Top label.
Again producing such hits including 'It Hurts' and 'Put Yourself in my Place'.
The 1970's saw Delroy Wilson's arrival at Bunny 'Striker 'Lee's door and what would result in a winning formula,scoring hit after hit.
It is from this great period in Delroy's career that we have compiled this selection of killer tunes,cut with the drum and bass rhythm kings themselves Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare.Such classis as 'Who Care' ,'Can I Change Your Mind','Get Ready','You Must Believe Me' and the timeless title track to this collection 'Here Comes the Heartaches'.
An album of great tracks cut with 'The Hitmaker from Jamaica' Bunny Lee and his team.
A match made in Heaven....Enjoy the set....

*CD Bonus tracks

Awesome moody cut of this classic tune, first time on 7" and with PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED dub!
.
Monster roots cut from the Naggo Morris era of the Heptones, who cut an album & more for Channel 1 in the late 70s. This tune was released on LP only, and like a handful of great roots produced by Channel 1 in the 70s, the dub cut was available only on dubplate via the dub room at 29 Maxfield Avenue. A tremendous moody interpretation of this classic roots anthem, with some unique brush work by the drummer at the start to add to the mystical feel. The dub mix is suitably sound system style, heavy and raw.