Hip-Hop News

Cosmic Shuffling, the Geneva based combo, made a strong impact a couple months ago with its double A side ska 7” single “Eastern Ska” b/w “Western Ska”. Before releasing the band’s new album, we are happy to give you another double scorcher on 7” record. The gorgeous instrumental “Short Break” on the A side brings us right back to the mid sixties of Jamaica, when Rocksteady was king. “Revenge” on the flip side is a shuffle ska led by a magnificent six-piece horns section. Named after Anne Bonny’s boat, this song is an exclusive 7” release, it will not feature on the upcoming album. Real authentic sounds to make you jump and twist!

Dope 12! Both tunes taken from early 80's LP tracks... HEAVY!!

Reggae On Top 10"- Stomp It Out w/ Dubs / Twinkle Brothers

Floxmade! Anglo-French binational FLOX has been sowing his Nu-Reggae seeds for years now in venues all around France, and a new genre has sprung up, somewhere between roots reggae and electro. Deeply influenced by the Jamaican Culture, from LKJ to The Police, to the more modern Fat Freddy’s Drop.

Ramrock Blue Records are incredibly proud to announce the forthcoming album release from Mr Greg Blackman – GB4. After years of collaboration with a wide range of artists, labels and producers including Lowkey, The Hidden Jazz Quartet, Wordsworth, Talib Kweli, Masta Ace and Daz I Kue, genre-spanning British vocalist Greg Blackman returns to his roots in blues and soul to deliver his first solo album in a decade.

"GB4 is something rare and special for me; a love letter to the music that got me through hard times", Greg explains. "This is the cream of the crop from the last ten years of writing and collaborating. My most sincere, most heartfelt and most truthful songs. I've been flexing my wings and trying different things these last few years. Now it's time to bring it on home."

Greg Blackman is known for his unforgettable voice, his powerful song writing and his passionate approach to the subjects of music, mental health and masculinity. His music has been played extensively on BBC Radio, featured on the NME website, played on MTV and received glowing reviews in Blues & Soul Magazine. As a seasoned top line writer, Greg can be heard on commercials from Coca Cola, Ikea and Uber Eats.

"This dude is so sick! Get to know!"
Rag N’ Bone Man

"...fast becoming one of the best in the business!"
Craig Charles

Slinger Francisco, better known as The Mighty Sparrow, has a career that spans over 40 years and counting. He has entertained audiences across the globe and earned his rightful place as « King of the Calypso World » by defeating every other competitor/pretender to his throne.
"I've Got You Under My Skin" is a song written by Cole Porter in 1936. This song was performed by so many American singers, such as Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, The Ravens, Frankie Valli
and The Four Seasons. Recorded at Trinidad Hilton hotel, Sparrow’s version became a classic for calypso music lovers all over the world.

"Omne trium perfectum" is an ancient Latin phrase suggesting everything that comes in threes is perfect, or, every set of three is complete. And in this case, it certainly rings true as the third single from The Allergies' third album 'Steal The Show' is pure musical gold…

Mixing it up amongst international hip-hop big guns - ASM the boys get the floor moving with 'When The Heat Comes Down'. The ASM crew have been doing hip hop right for over 10 years and have collaborated with some giants of the music world including Bonobo, Wax Tailor and DOOM.

Bombastic and always strutting, the track is built around a bouncing guitar riff and classic funk horn stabs - the perfect home for some upbeat party raps from Green T and Funk E Poet. We're inclined to agree - when the heat comes down they're definitely coolin'…

Honey LaRochelle is a 'Big Bad Woman' and she'll eat you alive. And that's exactly what she threatens to do in the track of the same name… It's a hand clapping, foot stomping, 12-bar fiesta on a jazzy piano rhythm and blues tip. Yes Ray Charles himself would be happy with this one and as an added bonus The Allergies use the instrumental gaps to showcase their skills on the decks.

Limited 2019 edition of « Clandestino », remastered for the first time on triple Vinyl + CD.
2 x 180 Black Vinyl and a Blue 10’’ (+ dedicated printed inner sleeve) with 3 new songs : « Bloody Bloody Border », « Roadies Rules » & « Clandestino » featuring Calypso Rose (2019 version).
Includes the remastered CD. Gatefold packaging. Vinyl Mastering and lacquers cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering Studio.

De la musique engagée comme il y en a peu mais qui ne laisse pas la musicalité pour autant.

Varié et truffé de bons artistes et de futurs chants révolutionnaires?!!!!

Another killer Barry Issac production from 2007 back out on re-press.

Chameleon Collective is an Anglo-Portuguese creative hub, formed in 2015, which takes its inspiration from the late 70s jazz influenced pop music of west coast America, paying tribute to the music and vibes of Steely Dan, The Crusaders, Herb Albert, Joni Mitchell, Sergio Mendes, George Duke and Miles Davis.

The album 1979 is our musical homage to all things LA West Coast during the late 70s. Born from a love of bands and producers from an era perhaps defined by Steely Dan and their work with Roger (The Immortal) Nichols, it is influenced by the orchestrations of Sergio Mendes and Herb Albert and the emotional intensity of Joni Mitchell.

Each of us having a long history in recording of our own, we sought out analogue-based studios where microphones still mattered and based our songs on open chord structures that enabled each musician to add their own layer of unique harmony. After the initial scratch pad sessions jamming on piano and bass to create the building blocks from which we assembled each song’s structure. Some are based around the normal verse, chorus, verse chorus format but others, such as After You, evolved to become longer, more free-form pieces.


To ensure each of us was free to react to each other’s performances as they were added, the first performance to be recorded and defined was Gary O’Toole on drums, bringing his unique blend of technique and creativity to each song’s rhythm part. Next came Jed’s piano and organ. His original Hammond, recorded in the studio of Portuguese legend Rui Veloso, colours the music of the album in warm and unique shades while the piano offers also many highlights. Scott Garland was next with his brass parts and wonderful solo’s alongside Matt Holland’s incredible trumpet – inspired by the 70’s work of Tom Scott and Michael Brecker – in a brass section that flows like liquid gold throughout the sound of the album.

We needed a very particular kind of feel and groove from the guitars – and we had the good fortune to have the talents of Tim Froud and Ronnie Johnson weaving incredible solos and rhythm grooves into each arrangement that were somehow as tight as they were loose.



But the really unique moment for us was first hearing the songs sung by fellow Chameleon Maria Leon, recorded with a special vintage microphone Neumann U67 after our early writing sessions in which she wrote and sang each song lyric almost simultaneously, before seamlessly layering up her voice in banks of backing vocals where desired.



Finally… The mixing!

After a four-year journey working away at each song until we at last reached a point where we knew it was finished as a recording, we had the grace of Andy Bradfield to mix it. Crafted in layers of sound, the final arrangements and details blended together in a magnificent yet transparent way.



Have a look at the unique artwork that Digital artist Claire Stone at Jump Design has created to accompany each song – we have written much more about the inspiration behind each song and how we went about recording it.



We hope you enjoy listening as much as we did making it!

South London-based band Soothsayers are set to release their ninth studio album 'We Are Many'. Held together by heavy basslines, solid grooves, and socially and politically charged lyrics; the album takes the listener into different sonic spaces with elements of dub, Afrobeat, improvisational jazz and electronica.

The initial steps in recording 'We Are Many' came in January 2019 when the band's founders - saxophonist Idris Rahman and trumpeter Robin Hopcraft - set out on a journey to Brazil. With executive production in the Sao Paulo studio by renowned music journalist and author David Katz, they hooked up with bass player and producer Victor Rice who they'd met sharing the bill at Freedom Sounds festival in Cologne, Germany a year earlier. Victor organised a session in Studio Traquitana, home of acclaimed Brazilian band Bixiga 70, and invited a selection of local musicians. Percussionist and singer Ligia Kamara contributed lyrics and melodies written in the studio, and drummer Bruno Buarque, guitarist Joao Erbetta and bassist Victor provided some solid, personality-driven input. Fresh and vital, what came out was a fascinating blend of Soothsayers' dub and Afrobeat mixed with distinctly Brazilian inflections.

After arriving back in the UK, Idris and Robin set about creating the remainder of the album in a different, yet complimentary way, and called on the services of Wu-Lu and Kwake at their The Room studio in South London. Things started to take shape very quickly, Wu-Lu and Kwake combining Soothsayers' music with electronic elements, while also referencing elements of the current UK jazz scene.

When lockdown hit in March 2020, there was still a lot of work to do in order to complete a full album and Robin and Idris set about working on tracks with their musicians remotely. Having time to consider the album as a whole, they found strong connections between the music recorded in Brazil and the tracks recorded in London and they set about fusing and combining these elements further into a satisfying whole.

UK based Sengalese singer Modou Toure was enlisted to guest on one track while percussionists Satin Singh and Maurizio Ravalico were engaged to help affirm a sound-world where Brazilian flavours, such as the low-end Surdo drum, were combined with sounds more readily associated with reggae and Afrobeat.

Soothsayers' three part vocal harmony is a defining factor in this album. With strong references to the vocal styles of reggae legends such as The Gladiators, Mighty Diamonds, Heptones, and Abyssinnians; it has benefited from the long-standing friendship between Robin, Idris and Julia Biel. Lyrics, melodies and harmonies were presented, discussed, explored and recorded at Idris' and Julia's home studio in Streatham in a relaxed and positive way, with concepts from social and political commentary turned into powerful songs.

Themes cover political observations of Trump and beyond alongside Brazil's president Bolsanaro (Rat Race), speaking out against increasing levels of violence from the Brazilian government towards its native and indigenous people (Love And Unity) and keeping hopeful despite the impending horrors of a no-deal Brexit (We Won't Lose Hope).

Elsewhere they discuss striving to create space for meditation and reflection against the background noise of 24/7 news and social media (Move In Silence), the daily grind (No Sacrifice) and workers' rights (Slave), while highlighting those that fall through the cracks in society and end up without a permanent address, what led to this and how close we all are from this happening (One Step Away).

'We Are Many' represents a positive and uplifting statement in the face of challenging times - the overriding force, power and positivity of the music to continue forward, pushing the boundaries of musical concepts into the future.

"Whilst heavy questions of life and death and the future of our species surround us all, music is a guide that can help us perceive the challenges in a different way - a guide that can help us towards a deep inner peace. If we listen, music can help light the way. We hope you will listen, and we hope you will experience the joy, meditative power and beauty in the connection of different musical cultures that was experienced in the creation of this album."

- Idris Rahman and Robin Hopcraft

The next single on All Nations Records is a tremendous stepper riddim of French dubmaker Higher Meditation now based in Leicester UK. Veteran UK singer Kulture D from the local underground scene rides this rough riddim smoothly, calling out the almighty one to set everyone free. His prayer is still resonating deep in mind when entering the dub version of this track with the help of a subtle melodica line.

Hot on the heels of his recent Eddie Kendricks/Q Tip outing on the 2Dogs imprint, Redmo once again comes up trumps with this 2 tracker on the newly formed Felt Tip label.
The all time Bob Marley classic 'Is This Love' get's stripped back to it's absolute bare bones then strung back together resulting in a majestic dubbed out acoustic masterpiece.
All the original parts...horns, guitar, piano and of course the vocals (both lead & backing) are brought back to life in an arrangement and version that's sure to raise pulses and eyebrows alike. On the flip we have 'Sadi Soul'.....A double bass led jazz-funk groover which we believe is based on a rather rare 70's Belgium jazzer that's worth a pretty penny or two! Redmo get's us instantly locked in with the drums underpinned by that walking bass line, vibes slip n slide effortlessly over the top resulting in mightily cheeky little dance floor gem.Keep 'em peeled.....Redmo is one to look out for!

The second instalment of the ultimate collection of tracks from legendary reggae superstar, BOB MARLEY! Marley sold more than 20 million records throughout his career, making him the first international superstar to emerge from the so-called Third World. Also available, Volume 1.

Barry Brown one of reggaes vastly overlooked talents. His militant conscious style has over time lost none of its appeal. Truly one of the sweetest roots vocalists to come out of Jamaica.

Born in 1962, Kingston, Jamaica, he cut his musical teeth working under producer Bunny Lee. Their first release was a track called ‘Girl You’re Always on my Mind’, although a minor hit, Bunny Lee saw his potential  and was rewarded with his 1979 cut ‘Step it up Youthman’ which became a hit  and has become a roots classic, leading to an album of the same name.  The late 70’s was a great period in Barry Brown’s career and its from this period that we have culled this set of tracks. Straight from the master tapes some of his finest moments and some unreleased gems that we believe should be heard. A great set from his timeless 'Trying Youthman' a tail of struggling times in the heart of Kingston Jamaica.
His rastafarian inspired chants 'Stop Them Jah Jah','Give Thanx and Praise','Natty Rootsman' and 'Lead Us Jah’ work alongside socially charged cuts as 'Politician', 'Big Big Pollution' and 'Mr Money Man'. As with all his tales and inspired lyrics they are put across in such a tuneful way that like all the best songs that carry a message can be remembered also through the strength of the song.

As with many of his artists Bunny Lee encouraged him to go into self-production, and after a time spent with producer Linval Thompson ‘Separation’, and Sugar Minott ‘Things & Time’, he did just that and produced his first release ‘Cool Pon Your Corner’ in 1980 followed in 1981 by ‘Problems Get You Down’.

 We hope this release will find a place in your collection and remind us of the talent  of Mr Barry Brown. If somewhat overlooked, but certainly now not forgotten. Let’s celebrate with the man and  go to the blues one more time....

The Signz Series Keeps on growing with the OBF Familly !

The Signz Series Keeps on growing with the OBF Familly !

The familly record : closest friends and singers ! OBF crew !

The Signz Series Keeps on growing with the OBF Familly !

2 track Single from Al Brown released by Inbidimts/Dub Store Records

CRUCIAL! *also highly limited with floppy disk artwork and spinning fantascope magic by Ellen G – C:\>ECHO not to be missed!

Two heavily dub-encrypted data packages by disrupt, retrieved from Jahtari deep storage and transferred to 7″ floppy disk for the very first time.
On side A 'Chip on Fire', a 2005 favourite, mutates through it’s dramtic arc with hypnotic bass pressure, exploding psycho-synths and CPU-straining mind bender moments until reaching an intense conclusion. 'Jojo’s Skank', the desperate battle against a merciless metronome on side B, gives a nod to the immortal ‘Monkey Island’ adventure game soundtracks by Michael Z. Land (1990 / 91). For those who know…

Rivertones - the recorded music of Caught by the River - have repressed their classic 2012 Dylan Thomas-in-dub 7" Under Dubwood by the Dubwood Allstars.

Although Under Dubwood might seem an incongruous mix - the words of Dylan Thomas, the voice of Richard Burton and the studio sounds of King Tubby - the resulting single actually makes perfect sense - a gloriously woozy psychedelic skank that places Llareggub somewhere just outside downtown Kingston, JA. Since its release five years ago, Under Dubwood has been a staple on BBC6 Music and was used as soundbed music for the BBC's coverage of Dylan Thomas' centenary in 2014. It remains hugely in demand from the Caught by the River shop and has been sold out for the last eighteen months. The identity of the Dubwood Allstars remains a mystery to all at Rivertones.

On the B-side of the Under Dubwood 7" is River Theme by the Time and Space Machine (aka acid house stalwart Richard Norris of the Grid and Beyond the Wizard's Sleeve). River Theme is a hypnotic, fuzzed-up garage groove that's equal parts Dirty Water Club and Trash.

(180 gr, Purple/pink/white marbled coloured vinyl) 'Morning Star' is a combination of the sound of The Congos and the Pura Vida Sound. It features 6 new Congos songs, 3 songs from Pura vida and a dubversion called Dub Love. The Album has the vintage LastArk Sound and was mixed the oldschool way using the mixer as an instrument.

We present to you our eleventh release on 7” format, a collaboration between Ojah and UK singer Dan Bowskill, a.k.a. Danny Vibes.

The A side contains the track “Rebels”, a modern roots vocal performance by Dan over a new steppers riddim. These lyrics first appeared on his collaboration with Russ Disciples in 2014 and is now given a completely new perspective and delivery over this riddim.
On the B side we find a dub version as usual, in this case an instrumental dub,
mixed live in analog by Ojah at his studio in London.

Barry Issac - Mau Mau / Dub 1 / Dub 2 / Dub 3 (Reggae On Top) 10"

* First appearing on A&O’s album `King and Queen’ in 1991, `Pure and Clean’ became an instant classic, with Jah Shaka cutting the track and running it on dub. Fast forward to 2013, Partial Records release it on 45 for the first time backed with one of the Shaka-championed dub cuts,
it remains the best fastest selling 7” on Partial.
* So, all good things come to those who wait. Partial have repressed it with 300 only copies available, with a tasty hand stamped outer sleeve.

The Nassau Sessions were recorded in Nassau Bahamas in March of 2013 using zero analog equipment. This debut 7" features four sedated, rum-fueled dubs by Double Pelican Man.
The sounds chosen are familiar to the Dub Reggae lexicon. Deep sub bass, guitar chords, synth bleeps and clacking percussion. All drenched in echo and reverb, each ingredient added with careful consideration to the mix. The rhythms tumble and sway confidently. Grooves are proudly extended, while the occasional overdub effect gives each track a paradoxically haunting undertone.After inhaling these tracks, your perception of time may be altered. Seconds slowing to minutes, minutes drifting towards the open sea and out into the abyss. Suitable for a euphoric afternoon smoke or a back room deal. The Nassau Sessions will be one of the most distinguished dub EP's you will hear this year.

* Dubplate style from The Disciples and Boomshackalaka Sound System from the early 90’s.
* In-demand heavy-weight instrumental in-a Jah Shaka style.
* Featuring 3 mixes for maximum speaker distress.
* Strictly limited to 300 copies only.

Barry Issac - Protected / Dub 1 / Dub 2 / Dub 3 (Reggae On Top) 10"

One of Jamaica's most highly-rated vocalists, Alton Ellis made an incredible contribution to the island's popular music. Blessed with a particularly emotive voice that brings shivers to the spine whether singing original material or cover tunes, Ellis was born and raised in Trench Town, the west Kingston ghetto area that gave rise to Bob Marley and the Wailers and countless other singers. Ellis and singing partner Eddie Parkins hit big in 1961 with the ballad 'Muriel' for Coxsone Dodd, and after Parkins moved to the USA, Ellis teamed briefly with John Holt, and then began fronting the Flames harmony group. He excelled in the rock steady style, christening the genre with 'Rock Steady' and 'I Have Got A Date,' bouncing between Studio One and Treasure Isle for a number of years. From 1971, he spent increasing period in London, but continued to record hits in Jamaica for various producers. The 1979 release Love To Share was arranged by the great Studio One keyboardist, Jackie Mittoo, who co-produced the album with Junior Lincoln, founder of the London-based Bamboo label, the disc straddles the line between lover's rock and roots reggae, remaining a lesser-known classic.