Hip-Hop News

The second 7'' release from the Dirty Dubsters Camp which features Chip Fu & Screechy Dan on vocals. Last 7'' (Special Request EP) Sold out fast. This time producer Bazza Ranks (Dirty Dubsters) has enlisted UK Reggae/Dancehall/Junglist Veteran Top Cat on the B-Side for a fun rework of a classic Riddim.

In the early seventies Leroy 'Mabrak' Mattis studied at Howard University in Washington DC, where he joined a drum and dance group named Contact Africa. Instructor Kojo Fosu introduced him to the talking drum.
'I had only seen it in magazines. He started showing me, and taught me the history of it. Talking drum is the highest level of drum music...
'Going back home in 1973, I knew I was now ready to record. That's when I bumped into an old friend, Bim Sherman. He knew I was a musician, and he was going to King Tubby's studio that day. I tagged along. I recorded rasta repeater drum overdubs on his first hit, 100 Years. This allowed me to re-connect with Tubby...'
With brilliant guitar instead of horns, here is a different version of the rhythm Bim used for Love Forever. The same as on Mabrak's Drum Talk LP — but a little brighter and more dynamic, and bringing a deep, unmissable Tubbys dub.

Composed of some of the most gifted musicians to ever walk the mean streets of the Jamaican capital, the Kingston All Stars project is a celebration of the heyday of vintage reggae, taking the form of a contemporary music project that pays homage to the glory days of the music's past. Spearheaded by Canadian producer, engineer & musician Moss Raxlen, who was also the driving force behind the great* Rock*steady*: T*he Roots *O*f Reggae feature documentary, and who produced Lynn Taitt'slast-ever works, the Kingston All Stars revolves around a robust core of legendary session players who have been respectively responsible for the lion's share of the greatest Jamaican music ever committed to tape.

Drumming mastermind Sly Dunbar is of course half of the great rhythm duo, Sly and Robbie, who have collaborated with a galaxy of global stars in addition to their exhaustive work for every producer of note in Jamaica; bassist Jackie Jackson joined the Supersonics at the birth of rock steady, became a key player in the reggae revolution as part of the Beverley's All Stars, and has been a touring member of Toots and the Maytals since the early 1970s. Guitarist Hux Brown was a rhythm player in the All Stars and Toots' band, too, and also cut key work for Lee 'Scratch' Perry in the early 1970s; lead axe man Mikey 'Mao' Chung was in the Now Generation with his brother Geoffrey and went on to make a dramatic impact in both the Revolutionaries and the Compass Point All Stars, notably backing Grace Jones and Joe Cocker in the latter. Keyboardist Robbie Lyn was an important session player at Studio One in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and was also part of the In Crowd band, as well as Now Gen, which led to work with Peter Tosh, along with Robbie & Sly. And after something of a false start in the mid-60s as a drummer and singer with the Caribbeats, Ansel Collins switched to the keyboards, making an instant splash with 'Night Doctor'(one of Sly Dunbar's first recordings), and then reached the UK pop charts through hit recordings like 'Double Barrel' and 'Monkey Spanner' foWinston Riley, as the musical part of the duo Dave and Ansel Collins. Jimmy Cliff, the Mighty Diamonds, Marcia Griffiths and Black Uhuru are just a few of the noteworthy acts to subsequently benefit from Collins' recording and touring input, and he has enjoyed success as a solo artist too. *

Such a powerhouse of talent would overwhelm most album rosters, but the Kingston All Stars project does not end there: the resident drummer of Lee Perry's Black Ark, Mikey 'Boo' Richards also contributed, as has the sax and trombone team of Everton and Everald Gayle. There are kette drums from Supersad and Calvin, lilting steel pan from Dean Barnett, and guitar and percussion from Roger White and Mossman, as well as Stranger Cole and Trevor McNaughton of the Melodians on backing vocals.*

The album's guest vocalists are in keeping with this music pedigree, since select numbers are tackled by Cedric M*y

Ton of the Congos, his singing sparring partner, RZee Jackson, and the original Greenwich Farm Rastaman, Prince Allah, along with the otherwise unknown Alana Jonsana, an elder dread from the downtown trouble zone brought to the project by Mikey Chung. Everything was captured on tape at Mixing Lab studio in Kingston during the winter & spring of 2016, withfurther overdubbing and mixing overseen by Moss in Montreal. With a corresponding dub album in the works and a set of prominent live performances to come in different international locations, this album is only the beginning for the Kingston All Stars, whose continued presence speaks to the general longevity of Jamaican popular music. Long may they continue to reign!

David Katz is author of People Funny Boy: The Genius of Lee 'Scratch'

Perry and Solid Foundation: An Oral History of Reggae.

The third album by Blundetto, the man behind French radio station Radio Nova. For this album, he digs further his own musical way: soulful reggae, with a cinematic, Latin or African vibe and the same team of trusted musicians around him. His previous two album have been championed by the likes of Gilles Peterson, LeFtO and Laurent Garnier.

As usual he invited some guest vocalists, some big names on the French reggae scene (Biga Ranx and PupaJim), New York MC Jahdan Blakamoore, plus newcomers John Milk and Marina P. With his first two albums, Blundetto has built a strong fan base of music lovers around the world and this is sure to grow with the release of 'World Of'.

Once again, in parallel to the quality of the music is the quality of the packaging: double 180g LP presented in a in a gatefold cover with stickers and download card included.

Obscure roots vocal cut produced by Niney The Observer with a nice dub on the b-side

Off to a flying start in 2017, with four new tracks from Diggory Kenrick and Jah Wobble. A side has the flute business plus a dub, with an alternate cut on the B side with a lush xylophone workout. Wobble's bass comes up from the cellar and Digs' melodies are inspired. Mixed by Diggory Kenrick at Foggy Road studios.

Reward For Me is one of Joe Higgs finest songs. Evocative of the Trenchtown ghetto where evenings were spent rehearsing and songwriting in Joe's informal 'yard' sessions, it has the added bonus of Eric Gale's jazz guitar licks accompanying Joe's rhythm guitar. The B side is a tasteful instrumental, rather than a heavy dub. Absolute classic song long been unavailable on a 45, comes in a hand stamped bag. Essential.

As Dub Reggae music becomes a global force, Vibronics & Conscious Sounds present an album that celebrates 50 years of dub music. Dougie Wardrop & Steve Vibronics present an album that takes classic music from each decade of dub, starting with 1970s Jamaica music right up 2010s worldwide dub sounds. The two prominent UK Dub producers will take each decade in turn, as the listener is catapulted across half a century of roots rocking Reggae music. This unique dubwise concept album will feature reworking of classic tunes from 1970s, 1980s, new versions of crucial music from the Conscious Sounds & Vibronics back catalogue from 1990s & 2000s and some brand new future dubs for the 2010s. Dubwise music across 50 years.

PROMO : Don Letts 6Music London, Culture Dub France, Jah Shaka, Iration Steppas & Aba Shanti full sound system support, radiodirectx promo

deDUBros begins the 2017 releasing their first 7" vinyl! And it's Elastica N° 100!
Let yourself go in the warm atmosphere of a Caribbean beach with Mr. Caraibo!
Classic roots instrumental tune, singing saxophone and the B-side DUB version Mr. Caraidub!
Limited copies in the marvellous graphic art packaged vinyl!
Get your own one and #STAYDUB

1985 Headphone scorcher reissued for the first time, with original label artworkon translucent vinyl, in spined house bag.

1988 Little John Nheng release reissued for the first time, with original label artwork, on translucent vinyl, in spined house bag.

Taken from "Turn Up" their first album in 11 years, one of the leading figures of the Japanese ska scene The Ska Flames dropping the Japane bred Jamaican ska "Hoppin' Steppin'" backed with a cover of classic ballad "Someday" by Dave Bartholomew.

Aketi Ray / Alpha & Omega - Mirror / Reflect & Rise

Excellent comp which marked the 30 anniversary of Bob Marley's death in May 1981, this double album collects together highlights from Marley's pre-Island Records recordings. Bob Marley had already established himself as the leading voice of Reggae music before his signing to Island Records in 1972 and his rise to international super-stardom. This is evident from these 20 gems from his earlier recordings made with The Wailers, which many reggae authorities consider to be his finest and purest work. Very much roots-based, they are in marked contrast to Marley's later ones for Island, where his sound was tailored towards the lucrative rock market. These remarkable recordings from the late 60's and early 70's remain as testament to Marley's genius as both a songwriter and a singer. Comprising in the main of titles from his sessions with famed producer Lee Perry, the set features several titles which Marley was successfully to return to in later years, such as 'Trenchtown Rock', 'Lively Up Yourself', and 'Natural Mystic'. The set also contains several sought-after titles and versions as well as his original recording of 'Concrete Jungle', a highlight of his 'Catch A Fire' debut album for Island.

Excellent comp which marked the 30 anniversary of Bob Marley's death in May 1981, this double album collects together highlights from Marley's pre-Island Records recordings.

Bob Marley had already established himself as the leading voice of Reggae music before his signing to Island Records in 1972 and his rise to international super-stardom. This is evident from these 20 gems from his earlier recordings made with The Wailers, which many reggae authorities consider to be his finest and purest work.

Very much roots-based, they are in marked contrast to Marley's later ones for Island, where his sound was tailored towards the lucrative rock market. These remarkable recordings from the late 60's and early 70's remain as testament to Marley's genius as both a songwriter and a singer.

Comprising in the main of titles from his sessions with famed producer Lee Perry, the set features several titles which Marley was successfully to return to in later years, such as 'Trenchtown Rock', 'Lively Up Yourself', and 'Natural Mystic'.

The set also contains several sought-after titles and versions as well as his original recording of 'Concrete Jungle', a highlight of his 'Catch A Fire' debut album for Island.

The Hoodna Orchestra is a 12 members orchestra who studies and investigates the African origins of western popular music. The Orchestra formed in 2012 in the south side of Tel Aviv, by a group of musicians, and it functions as a collective and a record label.

Hoodna's musical director is The Guitarist and composer Ilan Smilan. The cultural and musical environment that surrounds the group has a great effect on its creative process. Exposure to Ethiopian', Eritrean and Arabic musical traditions, coupled with an ongoing study and exploration of different jazz styles, creates a unique blend which has made The Hoodna Orchestra one of the most appreciated and sought-after live shows in Israel.

YELBEN (from my heart in Amharic) is the new single from the Hoodna Orchestra and Tesfaye Negatu. It is a love song, reflects a painful longing for a love that is long gone.

The song was written by the Ethiopian poet and singer Demisu Belete and composed

by Ilan Smilan.

The B-side is the instrumental song BEZE ("on my side" in the ge'ez language).

Both songs recorded live in the Hoodna studio, on mostly analog equipment.

The songs convey a respectful nod to the glory days of Ethiopian jazz and pop in

Adis Abbeba, during the 60's and 70's.

The new single is the first in a series of collaborations between the Hoodna Orchestra and Ethiopian singers and musicians, both from Israel and Ethiopia.

Der Newcomer mit dem Top-A-Top Rootsalbum 2016 produziert von Clifton "Specialist" Dillon und Bobby Digital.A forthcoming masterpiece of a new artist! - With traces of Burning Spear and Culture in his voice, Spiritual's original songs share with buzz artists like Chronixx, Protoje and Alborosie the aims and destiny of Reggae's new roots re-generation. Production credits are a seal of quality, as there is the main producer Clifton "Specialist" Dillon (producer for Alborosie, Shabba Ranks in the 90ies, world hit by OMI and many more) alongside Bobby "Digital" Dixon, who also mixed a good part of the album. The main recording took place at Digital B, plus some at Anchor, Tuff Gong and Oufah Recording studios, with a big credit list of finest musicians, both veteran or new generation of the Jamaican scene appearing and with the final mastering touch by Kevin Metcalfe. Additonally Iba Mahr and Droop Lion (from the New Gladiators) appear as guests for fine combination tunes. "Awakening" is an album which might stand alongside classic reggae 70's albums like 'Natty Dread' (Bob Marley & The Wailers), 'Marcus Garvey' (Burning Spear), 'Two Sevens Clash' (Culture) and 'The Right Time' (Mighty Diamonds) and is available with a new artist introduction price level!

Two Killer dubcuts from the Aggrovators.
A band who were named by the legendary Bunny Striker Lee who produced these two rare dubs of Johnny Clarke and Delroy Wilson.....enjoy

Soul Jazz Records' are releasing their long-out-of-print album 'Hustle! Reggae Disco' in a new expanded 2017 edition which now features five extra tracks.
This ground-breaking album features non-stop killer reggae versions of original funk and soul classics in a disco style. Reggae disco updates of seminal classics by Anita Ward ('Ring
My Bell'), Chaka Khan ('I'm Every Woman'), Michael Jackson 'Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough,' Sugarhill Gang ('Rappers Delight' here performed by Derrick Laro and Trinity for producer Joe Gibbs) and more, all showing the hidden but inseparable link between the dance floors of New York, Kingston and London.
New bonus tracks to this collection include Derrick Harriott's funky take on Eddie Drennon's 'Do It Nice and Easy', the classic disco reggae of Risco Connection's take on McFadden and
Whitehead's 'Ain't No Stopping Us Now' and the London rare groove lovers rock take on Barbara Acklin's soul classic 'Am I The Same Girl'.
'Hustle! Reggae Disco' has been one of Soul Jazz Records' best-selling releases since its first release 15 years ago (and subsequently featured heavily in the early Grand Theft Auto
games!). This new edition comes complete fully re-mastered and with all original titles plus new tracks. This new expanded edition now comes a triple album (+ download code), CD and digital album.
'The effect of American R&B and soul music on Jamaican reggae is well documented, but the story doesn't stop there, for disco (and more so now for rap and hip-hop) have also been
subsumed into the reggae mix, and while one might suspect that the resulting hybrid would die of its own implausibility, the feral mix of disco with reggae rhythms is so darn infectious that it hardly matters. Once you take your brain out of the frame and just let your feet go, this collection is a dancer's delight all done up in full-blown disco style, but with huge dub-style rhythm tracks ... if you're looking for an impossibly infectious dance collection, this is
it.' All Music

100 copies only !!

Hopeton Overton Brown Aka Scientist is a true legend, he took Dub Reggae to a completely different level. Trained and mentored by the late, great, lamented King Tubby, he blew the scene into smithereens with his knowledge, skill and complete understanding of the mixing desk. He introduces today his new album The Untouchable, a really great collaboration with some of the best artists of the international reggae scene such as Tippa Irie, Rod Taylor, Sabrina Pallini, Da Real Storm, Dubiterian, Ilhame Paris, Kelli Love. Scientist's The Untouchable album is a concept of reintroducing rhythms produced by Bunny Lee from the 70s and some rhythms produced by Scientist from the 80s by introducing some New School Artists alongside the Old School to preserve the Power of Dub Reggae Music. No matter where you are the music has the power to cross the borders to soothe your heart and soul and make you feel alive.

Hopeton Overton Brown Aka Scientist is a true legend, he took Dub Reggae to a completely different level. Trained and mentored by the late, great, lamented King Tubby, he blew the scene into smithereens with his knowledge, skill and complete understanding of the mixing desk. He introduces today his new album The Untouchable, a really great collaboration with some of the best artists of the international reggae scene such as Tippa Irie, Rod Taylor, Sabrina Pallini, Da Real Storm, Dubiterian, Ilhame Paris, Kelli Love. Scientist's The Untouchable album is a concept of reintroducing rhythms produced by Bunny Lee from the 70s and some rhythms produced by Scientist from the 80s by introducing some New School Artists alongside the Old School to preserve the Power of Dub Reggae Music. No matter where you are the music has the power to cross the borders to soothe your heart and soul and make you feel alive.

Grand Ancestor's ninth release features Swedish badman,
Blue Hill. On the A side, 'Natty Natty' is a ruff & tuff 140 bpm dub steppers tune produced a few years ago with a classic sample from the mighty Yabby You. This one is sure to be a sound system anthem as it will relentless stretch any bassbin tasked with the duty. On the flip, 'Bassuka' is hardcore steppers track with a proper distorted bass line giving off a proper industrial vibe.

7"
* One of the earliest recordings from Bush Chemists aka Dougle Wardrop & Chazbo which features vocals from King General on what was his first ever released recording dating from 1994
* Highly sought after by collectors. General's vocal cut previously only ever appeared on a Dubnology 12' back in the day. Also, the dub cut featured on the B-Side is a different mix from the version on the 12'.
* Another successful archive raid from Partial Records.