Hip-Hop News

REISSUE

Like Sun Ra's Arkestra and John Coltrane are to jazz, the Mystic Revelation of Rastafari are to reggae - the ultimate expression of roots music and Rastafarian ideology in reggae music, music functioning at a high level of spiritual consciousness combined with an equally avant-garde and forward-looking approach to sound. The group's stunning, unique and groundbreaking 1973 album 'Grounation', a mighty conceptual triplealbum (the first ever reggae triple!) is, similar to Marvin Gaye's 'What's Goin' On', a definitive allencompassing cultural statement of its time and place. A sprawling album of raw and unique cultural expression that combined Rastafari consciousness with deep spiritual jazz music - an absolute and essential classic of Reggae music. The Mystic Revelation of Rastafari group came into existence at the start of 1970s, the union of two artists (and groups) of equal repute - Count Ossie and his African Drums and saxophonist Cedric 'Im' Brooks' and his group, The Mystics. Both Ossie and Brooks were alumni from the great Studio One Records.

First single from Ekowmania's upcoming album "Dr. Afrodub" is the grand Roots/Reggae track "Kwame Nkrumah". This Jimi Tenor production is simply a classic Roots track thatmight have it all; tight big horns, riding drums, a strong voice and magnificent backing choir support elegant and Class-A song writing rarely surfacing in our days. B-side of this 7" is a DJ Sotofett Mix where only the vocals, choir and horns are used for full effect choral version. Ekowmania aka Ekow Alabi Savage from Ghana is the drummer and percussion player in KabuKabu who plays with Jimi Tenor since almost 20 years. Also he is one of the founding members of one the first Afro-Reggae bands in Germany back in 1982. Album released by Ronet Records later in 2024.

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The first in a series of compilations by Jura Soundsystem is a blend of Dub, Ambient, Downtempo, Boogie and Proto House with a focus on music never before released on Vinyl, sought after out of print titles and some special versions edited specifically for the album.
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The intention with this project was to delve deeper into the reissue pond and unearth some lesser known tracks and artists. Highlights include Smackos (AKA Legowelt) Ambient epic 'We Can Watch Alf In The Hotel Room', never before released on Vinyl, the Dub / Psych hybrid of Minus Group's 'Black Shadow', Kash's sought after 'Percussion Sundance' and special edits of Ken Dang and Tabou Combo.

The end of the album includes some soothing Ambient tools.

NOW Music is proud to present the next instalment in our ongoing ‘Yearbook’ series, NOW – Yearbook 1978; 85 tracks from a magical year in Pop! The 85 track special edition CD is housed in ‘hard-back-book’ packaging, including a 28-page booklet featuring a summary of the year, a track-by-track guide, a quiz, and original singles artwork. NOW – Yearbook 1978; 46 tracks on a 3LP set pressed on translucent pink vinyl - from a magical year in Pop!

* The Blackstones were formed by Leon Leiffer in 1974. Since the initial group formation, there have been several line up changes, currently the group consists of: Leon Leiffer, Tony Mahoney, Jr. Bailey, and they have recently been joined by A.J. Franklin (Chosen Few, Federals). On tours they have supported Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions, Rufus Thomas, Dennis Brown, Owen Grey, John Holt, Alton Ellis and many more Soul / Reggae greats.

Over the years they have worked with many notable Jamaican producers, Count Shelly, Fatman, Phill Pratt, Lloyd Charmers, Lindel Lewis, Tony “Ruff Cut” Phillips, Winston Curtis, Jah Larry, Tony Owens, and the late great Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee and the legendary, Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd, at Studio One in JA.

This release features two rootical vocal sides of their consistent repertoire. The 4 track EP features a re-work of “Selection Train” (Orig,”Selected Few”-JA) and “Hell & Heaven” (Orig-Lloyd Clarke-JA). The vocal tracks are replete with Instrumental Versions from Alvin Davis (Horns / Steven 'Marley' Wright (Guitar) / Asha B (Perc/Congos)..

Leeds' finest reggae rhythm constructors are back with an industrial strength combination enlisting two of Jamaica's top lyricists.
Following the success of their last 12 inch release,
Up Deh with Mark Iration, the duo have laid down two heavy duty slabs of pure sound system mayhem.

Mercy features the unmistakable voice and flammable lyrics of ferocious rockstone deejay Capleton. Thunderclap gives a similarly hard stepping backdrop to the younger brother of Supercat, Junior Cat, who carries the hypnotic family style. The Capleton vocal comes with a pair of spiky, heavily filtered dubs, making mass movement a must.

This release was originally due to come out in 2020, but got locked down in the lockdown and is now back due to popular demand.

Remastered Reissue des bahnbrechenden Israel Vibration-Albums "Strength Of My Life" von 1988 mit den Hits "Cool And Calm", "Pay Day" und "Live and Give", die Bestandteil aller ihrer folgenden Welttourneen sein sollten. Begleitet von der legendären Backing-Band The Roots Radics, wurde das Album von Doctor Dread für das Kultlabel Real Authentic Sound produziert und von Jim Fox im Lion & Fox Studio abgemischt. Remasterte Auflage im CD-Digipak und auf schwarzem 180g Vinyl.

Dennis Brown's roots classic "Milk and Honey" freshly remastered,
complete with Clive Hunt's original "Bitter Sweet" dub (under his Azul
moniker) on the A Side
On the B side, Jay Glass Dubs unfolds a skewed and deconstructed
contemporary dub. Strictly limited- edition white label vinyl. Once it's gone its
gone.

All Nations Records present a new 12" with 2 original instrumental tracks, followed by their own dubs.
Thoses 2 tracks are the result of a collaboration between Higher Meditation and Simon Nyabinghi.
Simon sent the drum patterns to Addis from Higher Meditation, for him to play the rest of the instruments. A task he accomplished brilliantly!
The stunning melodies and bass fit perfectly with the raw drums.

Side A offers "Conquering Dub", a stepper tune that will surely be played on sound system sessions, as it has all the ingredients selectors and massives need when the dances get hot.
On B Side you will find a different groove, a tune called "Lion Dub", more down tempo, but as interesting as the first track.

Travelling Without Moving; long considered one of Jamiroquai’s most
popular albums and the best-selling funk album of all time celebrates it’s 25th year in 2021 with this special heavy weight coloured vinyl release.

Originally released in September 1996, the album features seminal hits ‘Virtual Insanity’ & Cosmic Girl’ which helped catapult it to #2 in the UK charts and Jamiroquai into the limelight globally.
This edition includes an updated sleeve for 2021, new liner notes by
Jamiroquai frontman JayKay and the Dimitri From Paris Remix Radio Edit of Cosmic Girl, previously only available physically in limited numbers on Dimitri From Paris’ own label.

Wise Records is thrilled to announce the release of the EP 'Max Romeo Sings Classics'. The EP includes newly recorded versions of "Kingston Town", "Man Next Door" and "No Place Like Home", recorded with Max's touring band during a break between gigs on tour in France, and mixed by legendary producer Dennis Bovell.

Prince Fatty's 'Mercedes Benz' with Shniece and Horseman is a rub-a-dub version of a 1970s hit from Janice Joplin that now gets a very special and very limited edition pressing courtesy of Lovedub Limited. The A-side kicks off with the spine-tingling and epic original vocal before disappearing into a world of reverb.

At that point the dubby low end arrives and brings a different vibe to the stunning vocals but one that really makes a mark next to new bars from Horseman, police sirens and funky riffs. It's a tough sound system groove that is backed with a fine version and has been a firm fixture of Prince Fatty's record box for a while now.

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....

A classic UK roots reggae outing, originally appearing on the Goldmaster label in 1998 and fast becoming a collector’s item.
This reissue by Partial Records includes two previously unreleased mixes, vocal and dub.
Featuring Southend On Sea–based Goldmaster All Stars, with the cream of the crop of hot-shot reggae musicians featuring female singer Christel, on her one and only release, who was only 14 years old at the time of this recording.

* Top notch slice of roots and dub from reggae legend Earl Sixteen, best known for his work with the likes of Lee Perry, Augustus Pablo, Mikey Dread, Leftfield and Dreadzone.

* Earl revisits and updates a track from earlier in his career, featuring two vocal cuts, one dub version and a drum-led nyahbinghi style instrumental workout.

* Production and mixing duties come from the long-established Cultural Warriors crew.

From Lova Lova to Skand, ska and Roots, the al;sbum is a pure jewel of an autoprod / Autodistro !

Support da Sound System culture ! Support its roots !

The four horsemen are the rhythm section of The 18th Parallel riding down the plains to the sound of an heavyweight stepper inspired by the late 70s playing of the Revolutionaries at Channel One. Slow, refined and powerful, the interaction of the drums, bass and organ leaves room to an otherworldly horns chant calling everyone to dance and sing along. Probably one of Fruits Records heaviest release ever!

The first 7“ of this series features Spanish based UK singer Benjammin known for his superb work with Roberto Sánchez. He chants down all ‘Warmongers’. His singing style reminiscent of BurningSpear’s greatest days sends shivers down your spine! Dub by Roberto Sánchez on the flip.

Careening from the Black Sublime of Dadawah to the, er, Foxy Brown of Jennifer Hylton, Dug Out lets off this early~nineties r'n'b~spiced piledriver, recorded by Lloyd Pickout Dennis at Dynamic, with the Firehouse Crew - George programming drums, Danny the bass, and Wrong Move the other keys

Rare late 80s reggae/dancehall heat coming yet again on DINTE sub-label 333. This time it's the turn of Hugh Maddo's Pop Style LP. Recorded in Jamaica at Byron Lee's Dynamics & Herman Chin-Loy's Aquarius studios for the Bronx-based Jamaazima label in 1987, it is issued here under license from co-producer and label owner, Nami Harmon. The record features a host of celebrated and renowned musicians incl. Winston Wright, Bobby Ellis, Carlton "Santa" Davis, Dwight Pinkney, Willie Lindo and Mikey "Boo" Richards amongst many others - alongside the sublime vocals of Killamanjaro's Hugh Maddo aka UU Madoo. A must.

The series third 7” presents Geneva based singer Jah Bast. ‘Far I Love’ is a chant to the Most High. The riddim and mix get as dread and terrible as Jah Bast message of love gets powerful. Version of the B side for all DJ to mash up the riddim inna dance!

This record follows on from the string of mid~eighties hits for Firehouse, Jammy's, Ujama and co, for which Dennis Thomas aka King Kong is most celebrated.
Originally released in 1988 as a tribute to his friend Tenor Saw, killed that year in suspicious circumstances in Houston, Texas, at the age of twenty~two, it came as a twelve~inch on Thomas' own Concious Music label (then re~locating from Canada to London), and as a seven (without Try Not I) on Jah All Mighty in New York.For sure this is the great dancehall singer at his most powerful. His grieving, heartfelt vocal is woven through with the haunted quotation of Saw's finest moments.
Both vocals come with dubs, and the rhythm is driving, hard and sombre, with nervous, grubbing synths and ringing claps, and a lethal bass~line.

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NINEY'S BIBLICAL EPIC 'BLOOD AND FIRE' STILL RESONATES IN TODAY'S TROUBLED TIMES!! RELEASED HERE ALONGSIDE IT'S VERSION... YES MORE 'BRIMSTONE AND FIRE' FROM THE OBSERVER HIMSELF

TWO ABSOLUTE KILLER TRACKS FROM THE MAJESTIC PRINCE ALLA. ESSENTIAL STUFF.

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The great slim smith’s last single release before he sadly passed. the soulful ‘the time has come’, alongside slim smith’s classic ‘it’s alright’…

The second 7” introduces to the world The Mighty Gravillons, an obscure vocal trio bringing us right back to the golden days of roots reggae. With powerful and thought-provoking lyrics, ‘Crumbling World’ is a desperate cry to the world we’re building for the next generations. How can we leave such a world of wars, political conflicts and environmental crisis to our kids? The B side shines by it’s simplicity: The 18th Parallel invited one of their favourite musicians of today’s reggae scene to blow his spellbinding saxophone, Anant Pradhan. The legacy of Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso or Cedric Brooks has found its worthy embodiment. New York saxophonist graces us with ‘Peace Treaty’.

Labrish’ is one of jamaica’s great talkover tunes, producers bunny lee and lee perry discussing hard times and funny stories over a great rhythm. the flipside is another cut to the rhythm by cornell campbell & the original b-side to the single on it’s release ‘power pressure’.