Hip-Hop News

Dub Dynasty (Alpha & Omega/ Alpha Steppa) & Ras Tinny's Monsoon Come remixed by UK dub duo Dutty Hands & Cranky General. The 2013 release of Monsoon Come disappeared off the shelves and has been in high demand ever since, inspiring this heavyweight rework of the original. Featuring a powerful vocal mix with a mesmerising melodica cut to counterbalance, previously locked down as an exclusive dubplate and played on heavy rotation around the globe. Bosnia & Herzegovina's Zentash Gigawatt also strike with a dark and thundering riddim fronted by the unconventional and unforgettable lyricist Ras Tinny himself.

Vibronics new album is crammed to capacity with bass heavy sound system dub. From the roots of orthodox reggae right through to the far reaches of new UK bass music culture, The Return Of Vibronics is a no-compromise dub mission. This time Vibronics have hooked up with some proper JA reggae heavyweights, in the form of King Tubby/Yabby You legend Michael Prophet and Mad Professor microphone don Macka B, as well as contemporary UK talents including the Scottish firestorm MC Soom T and Leicester vocal luminary Madu Messenger. 12 brand new tracks of pristine vocals, militant instrumentals and intense dub mixes.

Based in the city of Leicester, right in the middle of the UK, Vibronics have been on the rise since 1997. Their music productions have helped define the sound of modern UK Dub music, and their live show is a must see that is constantly on the move across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

It all started for Vibronics way back in the last century working with Aba-Shanti-I and Zion Train. Since then a label was formed (SCOOPS Records) and a near endless list of collaborative artists (Ranking Joe, Fun Lovin Criminals, Big Youth, Jah Tubbys, Iration Steppas, OBF, High Tone) have worked with Vibronics in the studio and on stage. Ever restless, past projects include releasing a single every month in 2010 and producing the World War 1 concept album 'Empire Soldiers' with France's Brain Damage in 2013. Now with a new studio built that combines vintage analogue equipment with the latest digital technology, Vibronics and a cast of incredible collaborators present this brand new album, taking inspiration from the original Jamaican roots of Dub and bringing it full force into the 21st century.

Here comes Strike150, the 150th Shitkatapult release. We're doing the same thing again that we did for the milestone releases Strike50 and Strike100: Sensational tracks, most of them previously unreleased, collected in the hope of presenting a certain contemporary attitude and music of the now.
Feat. Apparat, Oval, Phon.O, Christian Vogel and many more

Late '70s Deep Miami Disco Remixed by Kenny Dope. Includes Download Card For Remixes AND Original Versions. This is the first official reissue of Pazazz's deep disco two sider, originally released as an obscure, promotional-only 7' single in South Florida circa 1980. And, while it took nearly two years, this 12' contains the excellent Kenny Dope's remixes of both tracks. Naturally, Kenny brought the funkiest parts of each track to the fore and, while they're DJ friendly, they're now our preferred way to listen to these tunes. We're using this as an excuse to relaunch our Soul Cal series (though fans of our physical releases will note that there was a Soul Cal logo on the Split Decision Band 7" we recently issued). Hopefully we'll have more of these types of records to reissue in the future. Tony Castellanos (guitar and vocals) and Tim Boynton (bass and vocals) founded the Zanzibar band in Miami, Florida, in 1974 for gigs at
the Bahia Cabana Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, with the addition of Rick Gritz (drums and vocals). Inspired by the likes of Bill Withers and Steely Dan, Zanzibar played a soulful series of club dates and private parties as well as a their requisite beach hotel gigs at Miami area staples like the Fontainebleau, the Eden Rock and the Marco Polo hotel. In the late 70s, Castellanos changed the name of the band to Pazazz and, while the band was working for the Norwegian Cruise Line, he penned the band's first single So Hard To Find.' This and The Right One,' written by interim drummer Al Varon, who played on the single, were recorded and readied for release on a silver Pazazz label, complete with picture sleeve. It wasn't until Castellanos received five hundred copies of the single that he realized that the record was flawed. He demanded a second press run - this time issued on a red Pazazz label - but it too was, in Castellanos opinion, flawed. So the band decided against any sort of release, opting to gift copies of both versions to fans at their gigs.
The band split in 1981 and forgot about their single until Los Angeles record collector Mike Vegh found a random copy of the record and, impressed by the steady funk of Pazazz's soulful disco, tracked down Castellanos and brokered the purchase of the last remaining copies of his records. Vegh connected us with the man and we're happy to represent Pazazz's small, but great, catalog on this special 12'.

Considered to be the heaviest tune ever recorded by Jah Thomas, Cool Profile was only available on his 1983 LP 'Dancehall Connection'. The next cut to Earl Cunningham's seminal tune of the same name, this soundsystem monster is presented here for the first time in it's full 45 glory. Interestingly enough, 'Cool Profile' depicts the 1983 oil crises in Jamaica. With billions of dollars in debt, oil supply to the Island was cut off which had a severe impact on life in Jamaica as well as on it's music industry as records weren't pressed for a good part of that year.

Remastered from the original master tapes with a seal of approval from Mr. Jah Thomas himself, this is a dance destroyer of the highest order!

Onlyroots continue their Pablo Moses re-issue project with this album, the 1980 follow up to the classic Revolutionary Dream they put out a few months ago and the brace of 45's that preceeded that. Produced, arranged and engineered by Geoffrey Chung at Dynamics in Jamaica and Island's Basing Street studio in London and featuring a star studded caast of musicians, two of the tracks Dubbing Is A Must and Revolutionary Step were issued back to back on an Island 12" back in the day, and One People emerged on a Jamaican issued 7". Pure quality roots reggae.

180 gram vinyl issue of the Trojan Beatles Album, The Blue Album.



1 Eleanor Rigby - B B Seaton
2 Yesterday - Jackie Edwards
3 My Love - Ken Boothe
4 Happy Christmas War Is Over - John Holt
5 Norwegian Wood - Marshall Williams
6 Ob-La- Di, Ob-La-Da - Joyce Bond
1 Don't Let Me Down - Marcia Griffiths
2 Carry That Weight - Dobby Dobson
3 Imagine - Susan Cadogan
4 Let It Be - the Mohawks
5 Here Comes The Sun - Sharon Forrester
6 Ob-La- Di, Ob-La-Da - The Heptones
7 Hey Jude - Rico & The Rudies

Ladies and Gentlemen we would like you all to give a gregarious Great To Meet Ya'' to Daptone's newest sensation, The Reigning Rocksteady Kings of Queens, New York: The Frightnrs.
If classic Reggae done correct is your game, then kindly get ready to party down. Seriously... Once you hear their version of the late great Etta James' classic (pressed into Daptone Family recipe petroleum based chips), I'd Rather go Blind', you will find it impossible to not want to get down with friends and foes alike, imbibing on rum-flavored hooch lovingly poured into a pineapple or preferred tropical-fruit shaped vessel. Rejoice in the newfound excitement! Had enough NO! YOU WANT MORE!

Well, flip over this waxen platter of reggae perfection and find the dubbed-out 'VER- SION', expertly produced by long time Daptone ringer, Victor 'Ticklah' Axelrod. Honestly... This record is a killer, and only available on this here Daptone 45rpm record.

Following a number of singles on NICE UP!, Greek producer Blend Mishkin has delivered a full length album for the label. Teaming up with a five piece band to help realise his rhythms, Roots Evolution have taken Blends sound to the next level - real authentic reggae music! This first single, featuring Exco Levi - up and coming Jamaican superstar and part of the current Reggae Revival movement (alongside artists such as Chronixx, Protoje and Kabaka Pyramid) is a perfect taster of whats to come!

GWz All The Way is the highly antcipated debut album from the Future Dancehall duo Ghost Writerz.
The longplayer showcases the range, the inventon, the heart and the fre in this talented pair's unique
mix of Bashment, Hip hop, Jungle, Reggae and Dub.
Pioneers of the UK's very own Sound System Music, GWz create supernatural, soaring bass music
infused with conscious lyricism, melodic hooks and virtuoso live instrumentaton. Adding extra magic
to the duo's vision, 'GWz All The Way' features a host of guests, the inimitable voice of Rodney P, the
revered fow of Serocee and a host of other features from RTKal, Amy True, Jago (onlyjoe) and more.

The core GWz duo is producer Harry 'Sleepy Time Ghost' Metcalfe and vocalist (and producer) Jason
'Jimmy Screech' Bradshaw. Both are proudly part of the Unit 137 Sound System family, while many will
also know Bradshaw from his Jimmy Screech days which saw him tour internatonally in Roots Manu-
va's Banana Klan and earn serious acclaim for his solo LPs.
It has been a massive six months for Ghost Writerz (GWz) since signing to Tru Thoughts to spearhead
the label's Sound System Culture platorm, Sharp And Ready. Their frst two singles hit home with
heavy play across BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, live radio features with Toddla T, Jamie Rodigan (BANG FM),
Lukan De Legend (Déjà vu) and Resonance FM, plus diverse support elsewhere from Ras Kwame, Tom
Ravenscrof, Steve Lamacq, Huey Morgan, Goldierocks, Clash, Radio Nova (France) and many others
including props from Mercury winners Young Fathers on their Solid Steel radio show.)

1. INTRO
2. SHUT UP! FEAT.RODNEY P
3. OVER & OVER
4. BACK IT UP FEAT. G.O.L.D & SHIFFA
DAN
5. WIND UP YOUR WAIST FEAT.SHIFFA
DAN, RTKAL & G.O.L.D
6. SURVIVE FEAT. ZICO, GALAK & JAGO
7. TELL ME FEAT.SHIFFA DAN & G.O.L.D
8. SKIT
9. SHANGRI LA FEAT.SEROCEE &
RTKAL
10. FOR THE LOVE FEAT.AMY TRUE
11. HAUNTED HOUSE
12. ROSE
13. OUTRO

With their debut "Invisible Joy" the Polyversal Souls are ready to take off. Produced at the Berlin based Ru-Ting Clan Sound Lab by Max Weissenfeldt (Whitefield Bros., Poets of Rhythm), the band invited artists from all around the world to join their musical journey: from N.Y.C. Africa Baby Bam (Jungle Bros.), from Ethopia Hailu Mergia (Walias Band) and from west Africa's beautiful Ghana the music award winning griot Guy One, Ebo Taylor's son Roy X and freedom poet Y-Bayani. The result is a unique piece of global raw soul.

One roots and one stepper.

Electro thick roots dancefloor dub. Swinga.

SIDEWALK KILLER!
Version excursion! Action takes place at Treasure Isle Recording Studio Kgn., birthplace of the original Sidewalk Doctor riddim circa 1969. Beginning with killer instrumental Stupid Doctor featuring Tommy McCook on flute and a Winston Wright acid organ, followed By a wicked Deejay I Roy joint & soul sister Phyllis Dillon cut to Marlena Shaw classic conscious tune Woman of The Ghetto. Last track sees Tommy & The Supersonics back for another great horns & flute cut. Earth Sound comes with the best sound nothing more,nothing less!

Brand new 3 track 7" singles from UK 2-TONE ska darlings, whose debut album was produced by PRINCE FATTY. Frantic and furious, humorous, w/ catchy horn arrangements - it's a knockout female first vocal punch that brings to mind the DANCE HALL CRASHERS vs THE SPECIALS. Pic sleeve. Colored wax.

There was once a young African princess who embarked on a huge journey in pursuit of herdreams. She arrived at a mystical island covered in clouds where she met a cunning wizard... Sounds like the beginning of some Disney fantasy but the truth is not so different. The Princess is Sena who came from Accra, Ghana to a festival in the centre of Budapest, Hungary and met a musical wizard by the name of DJ Vadim... that was in 2005. What happened that night was the meeting not only of like minded souls, but the beginning of a future journey into sound and space. First came recordings for Vadim for the Soundcatcher album Talk To Me (2007 BBE) which was much lauded by Gilles Peterson at the time... Which led to a long process of creating an album. Much happened in between. Each had many of their own adventures. Grammy Award shows, sell out arena shows for Sena's band in Hungary - Irie Mafia - plus the birth of her beautiful daughter Kekeli and the release of her second solo album Lots Of Trees on French Soulbeats Records, world wide shenanagins for DJ Vadim with his groups, One Self, The Electric and many solo projects...

Robert Lee and Bunny General in this combination song adopted the phrasings of a classic song, 'Midnight Hour' by The Sivertones. The original pressing was only available as a 12" single vinyl on the Unity label.

Ginger Johnson's life is one of the greatest untold stories of African music in Europe. Born George Folunsho Johnson in Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria in 1916. Aged just 18 he joined the Nigerian Navy, and made his first visit to Britain. After World War II Ginger decided to make London his home, working with many artists including British saxophone legend Ronnie Scott who first really utilised Gingers amazing technique to full effect, featuring him in not only his live concerts, but also several recordings for the Esquire jazz label in the 1940's & 50's.

In the 60's Ginger was mentor & guru to a young Fela Kuti. Gingers London home became a vibrant hub of African music activity for Fela and an entire host of musicians who would gather there to exchange news, talk, eat and jam for hours on end. To Fela, and all who gravitated towards Ginger's home, he was simply known and addressed as 'Father'.

Aside from his music, Ginger was something of a social activist. Not only was he a musical educator, and instrumental in the beginnings of The Notting Hill Carnival, he also opened his own venue Club Iroko in Haverstock Hill, North London, which was a creative hub for groups like Osibisa, and also a welcoming hang out for visiting legends like Sun Ra, George Clinton and Funkadelic, and British group Cymande (3 members of Cymande cut their teeth playing in Gingers group).

Ginger and his group performed at The Royal Variety Performance, his music featured in the James Bond film 'Live & Let Die' and Ginger himself appears on screen drumming in the Hammer Films cult classic 'She'. As a session musician he played for a bewilderingly wide range of acts such as Georgie Fame, Osibisa, Madeleine Bell and Quincy Jones. Ginger & his group also collaborated with many early rock bands such as Hawkwind, Argent, Thunderclap Newman, Genesis and Little Free Rock.

Intense Belly Dance disco workout from Lebanon ! Fortuna Records deliver two absolute dancefloor killers by Lebanese maestro Ihsan Al Munzer taken from his 1979 album, descriptively named: 'Belly Dance Disco'. Side A 'Jamileh', is a Moog filled, heavy disco-funk belter, while Side B 'The Joy Of Lina (Farha)', is a fast belly dance beast layered with synths and organs, dropping heavily in an almost modern day fashion. Swinging Beirut in full effect on this limited press 12". Don't sleep !

Supported by The Gaslamp Killer / Lefto / Acid Arab / Gilles Peterson / Kutmah.

Aloe Blacc's affecting voice, perceptive lyrics, and dapper sartorial flair are already familiar to music lovers around the world. The soulful singer-songwriter co-wrote and provided vocals for Swedish DJ Avicii's international hit single ''Wake Me Up,'' which hit No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs and Dance/Electronic Songs charts, as well as in over 100 countries around the world, including the U.K., where it became the fastest-selling single of 2013.

It is the latest global hit that Blacc has been involved with. In 2010, his international Top 10, platinum-selling single ''I Need A Dollar'' surged across the world, ringing out from the streets of Paris to the soul clubs of London, combining social consciousness with irresistible pop. Throughout 2011, Blacc and his touring band, The Grand Scheme, hit the road in support of Blacc's second solo album and international breakthrough Good Things, turning in memorable sets at iconic festivals like Montreux Jazz in Switzerland and Glastonbury in the UK. Blacc performed ''I Need A Dollar'' on the French TV programs Taratata and Le Grand Journal, as well as the influential British music show Later... with Jools Holland, spurring the track to become the de facto anthem to the post-Great Recession recovery. Blacc has cast an eye toward expanding his phenomenal European success to America. It's where the California native was born and raised, and where he has been a voice on the indie hip-hop scene since high school. It's also where most people know ''I Need A Dollar'' as the theme to the HBO series How To Make it In America.

This year Blacc made his first major-label debut via XIX Recordings/Interscope Records in September with the release of his EP, entitled ''Wake Me Up''. Blacc has also been in the studio working on his upcoming album, Lift Your Spirit, with such songwriters and producers as Pharrell, DJ Khalil and Harold Lilly, among others.

DELUXE VINYL EDITION!!!
The best of the early singles by Bob Marley and the Wailers vol. 1. The partnership of Bob Marley and the Wailers in its short life would create
what many consider to be some of the greatest reggae ever recorded.




[D] a4 Mr. Brown [Mono]
[E] b1 Kaya [Mono]

DELUXE VINYL EDITION!!!
The best of the early singles by Bob Marley and the Wailers vol. 2. The partnership of Bob Marley and the Wailers in its short life would create
what many consider to be some of the greatest reggae ever recorded.

It's Dub, but reverberating far beyond the genre's borders. It has a summer Reggae vibe, but doesn't sound like just another chapter of that good, old story. It's perfidiously dope, but at the same time extremely danceable. It has clever lyrics, but it's all about the sound. It's what JPattersson describes as PROGaDUB - because he's not from Jamaica, he's from East Germany. Inspired by heavyweight bass lines, bicycle rides and Caribbean riddims, by chocolate, vintage groovebox sounds and the carefree ruckus of kids playing on the street, the young talent delivers an album that is chiefly progressive and diverse. We Came In Peace' is build around dynamic chanting and passionate trumpet play. Ravers Dub' is a smooth melange of straight beats, mellow offbeat chords and the psychedelic echoes of a steel drum. The chorus of Turn Off Your Smartphone' invites to sing along, and Vagabond' is a dreamy interplay of hand-made music and synthetic groove. Some tracks come with a sublime hint of Balkan sound, some with an air of Jazz. In doing what felt right, JPattersson has successfully defined his very own genre: PROGaDUB.

Fat Reggae, Dancehall, Booty, Steppy, amiga bloody good album ! Full Suport ! Once again !!!

Raving ragga jungle remixes. Well done !

7" Shrink wrapped Vinyl Full artwork sleeve

Denmark's deadliest riddim construction duo is back with a vengeance and a fresh 6-track EP. With killer vocals by Junior Roy, Colonel Maxwell, Peter King and Asher Senator. Listen in and quickly get a copy before they're gone HERE!

One night in 2011 King Midas Sound's Roger Robinson returned to Brixton from touring and inadvertently walked into the centre of the London riots. Through the flames and smoke he felt compelled to tell the stories of the people he saw rioting on the street that night. With disrupt's dub soundtrack highlighting the triumphs and tribulations in the lives of the people of Brixton, the album unfolds like a documentary film, extending from the epicentre of the riots and rippling out from there. Roger showcases all his poetry and singing styles over the sonic tower blocks and underground caverns of disrupt's dub soundscapes, evoking the golden era of dub poetry of the likes of Prince Far I, Big Youth and Linton Kwesi Johnson - a time when dub poetry made you dance in the club but also made you think on the way home. Done with lots of voltage, old school samplers, DIY synths, home made delays, dictaphones and even onboard computer mics this gritty disc will take you straight to Brixton's streets. Cover artwork by Elen G. / MyLord

Out now on LP is THIS gritty dub poetry epic by Roger Robinson, taking you straight to Brixton's streets. With hand-crafted riddims done by disrupt with lots of voltage and strictly old school gear, that's the kind of record that makes you dance in the club but also makes think on the way home. The amazing cover artwork was done by Elen G. / MyLord, this time in an acrylic painting technique, that looks nothing but gorgeous in full LP size.

Soul Jazz Records continues it's journey into the vaults of the mighty Studio One with this next instalment featuring everything from classic ska and rocksteady to the deepest roots, heaviest dub and dancehall roots.
As ever the album includes incredible reggae artists such as The Heptones, Ken Boothe, The Skatalites, Johnny Osbourne, Wailing Souls all of whom launched their careers at Studio One, 13 Brentford Road, under the guidance of Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd.
This album features some of the most in-demand and collectible Studio One tracks over the years, all digitally remastered. The sleevenotes are by Rob Chapman, author of the celebrated books about Studio One Records, 'Never Grow Old' and 'Downbeat the Ruler'

Sticking with the Black Ark stable on this one, Rock A Shacka continue to issue quality unearthings ... this one is ridiculous! HUGE TIP!
Sam Carty's 'Bird In The Hand' with (dub) is a cover of a Hindi love song "Milte Hi Ankhen Dil Hua Diana' translated "As Soon As Our Eyes Met, Our Hearts Went Mad'. This is the first time time this full vocal version has been released - an unheard cut of a true reggae classic.

Featured in the classic movie 'Babul' from 1950 and produced/composed by the musical talents of Naushad Ali. The song is sung by the legendary Indian duet Shamshad Begum and Talat Mahmood and tells a tale of love between a couple. Here Sam Carty delivers his Hindi style in mystical Black Ark fashion as you would expect from The Upsetter.


The flip side starts with a dub of the A side (also unreleased) and 'Upsetting Rhythm 2' is another raw Ark rhythm workout using that signature Perry drumbox we know and love!!

Jeanie Tracy's rarest and best 12 re-mastered and shrunk down into a perfectly formed 45. Produced by the late Harvey Fuqua with backing vocals and adlibs. Around 81 Harvey went over to Europe to be with Marvin Gay. He called Jeanie and asked him to give "Can I Come Over And Play With You Tonight" to Marvin for his Sexual Healing album. Jeanie decided because she wanted the track for my next single and felt it had potential....probably not a good move. The record never really got the release it deserved and faded from conscience. On the flip "Hot" a pumping erotic boogie banger with backing from "The Play Boys"....Maurice Mo Long, Michael Brown, Herman Harper Jr. Solid and tight. What a package!

Exactly 30 years now went by since the last time any Hailu Mergia's original material was released.

In the past few years the reissues of his old recordings brought him back to the scene allowing a wider audience to discover his great music.

The combination of african roots and western influences gave his music a unique touch which is again the strenght and charm of the two new tracks released on this 7" for Philophon. A wave of elegant melodies will hit your ears while your body won't stop be driven insane by the polyrhythmic funky beats.

The songs were recorded in Berlin at Philophon's studio, run by the german drummer and producer Max Weissenfeldt (Poets of Rhythm, Whitefield Brothers, also known for his collaborations with Dan Auerbach and Dr. John).

This 45rpm gem perfectly reflects the aim of the label: to put on vinyl something precious that will make you forget time and space and leave you alone with what really matters: awesome music.