Hip-Hop News

Interstellar digital dancehall with stunning synth, superb vocal by Robert Ffrench in extended mix & mad style by obscure DJ Shortie Ranks. Recorded at Creative Sound Studio (Kingston, JA) in 1985.
"On “I Am Wondering” – a lovers of sorts – Ffrench is Dennis Brown in the high notes, and Gregory Isaacs in the song`s playboy sentiments. A guitar gently wah-wahs, while the synths do a giddy glissando. Midway through this discomix the bass becomes boss – throwing everything else – chopped piano chords and all – into echo. Then it`s rewind for the DJ cut – a brag and boast toast from Shortie Ranks – recounting his triumphs at legendary Kingston reggae venue, Skateland”. (Ban Ban Ton Ton - April, 21 of 2020) Robert French grew up in central Kingston and attended Kingston College. He recorded his first singles in 1979, at the age of 17. He achieved success in 1984 with his performances at the Festival Song Contest and the Reggae Sunsplash festival. He had a combination hit with deejay Clement Irie with "Bun & Cheese", and his first two albums were released in 1985. He had another hit in 1989 with "Modern Girl", a collaboration with
Courtney Melody. In the mid-1990s he relocated to New York City, where he teamed up with rapper Heavy D, with whom he had a hit with "More Love", with an album following on Ras Records, featuring collaboration with several artists including Lady G and General Degree. He has since returned to Jamaica, where he runs the
Ffrench record label and distribution company. He released the album Yesterday and Today in 2001, collecting many of his earlier singles. After a period of inactivity as a recording artist, he returned in 2009 with the single "I Do". As a producer he has worked with artists such as Dennis Brown, Buju Banton (he produced Buju's first single
"Ruler" on Stamina riddim), Beres Hammond, George Nooks, Luciano, Jah Cure, Yami Bolo and Sizzla to name a few. Robert French was the cosin of the late great Pat Kelly. As a french label, big fan from Ffrench productions, i'm very proud and happy to start a collaboration with Robert Ffrench, the most french jamaican. Stay tuned for many many more.

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On the A side we find the track “Livity" written and produced by Ojah who has played the melodica on this one as well. It was first recorded as a dubplate in 2013 but the recording itself was a bit rough, and since a few of the Alchemy Dubs team’s members where insisting on putting it out as part of the Melodica Trilogy, the melodica was re-recorded again in 2016 (as well as some of the percussion) and the track was given a new mix and new dubs.

On the B side we find a very stripped-down dub version that breaks the original structure and brings to the foreground elements that were part of the background before, and that features heavy manipulation of the analog fx, performed and executed live in one take by Ojah at Alchemy Dubs Studio.

UK Dub pioneers Alpha & Omega (Greensleeves / Steppas Records) represent a major part of the foundation of soundsystem culture and bass music migration from Jamaica, via the UK, to the world. Formed in the 1980’s and with over 30 studio albums to their name, A&O deliver us their latest production. Shadrach, Meshach And Abednego is a remarkable return to the mystical UK dub sound introduced by A&O in the 1980s. A powerful album in both word and sound featuring some of the greatest conscious reggae vocalists of our time; Danny Red, Joseph Lalibela, Wellette Seyon, Ras Tinny and Nai-Jah.

Raise The Ark - The new album from Alpha Steppa, marking ten years of Steppas Records. This vocal-dub album defies convention and introduces the listener to a new world of soundsystem music. Raise The Ark evolves and expands the distinct avant-guard dub style of Alpha Steppa, exploring the realms of Hip Hop, Trap, Trad, Folk and Bass Music. True to the Steppas Records ethos, the music carries a deep and crucial message, covering current and timeless topics; from the climate crisis, sociopolitical issues, to roots, culture and spirituality. Working closely with known artists from the Steppas imprint and as we have come to expect, introducing us to new and emerging talent from across the globe. Raise The Ark features include; Pupa Jim of Stand High Patrol (France), Sista Awa (Italy/Senegal), Cian Finn (Ireland), Ras Tinny (Suriname), Nai-Jah (Nigeria), Tenor Youthman (Russia), Eva Keyes (Ireland) and Block Mameli (Italy/Ghana). The collection features 12 evocative and provocative vocal tracks and 10 thundering instrumental / dub mixes. Raise The Ark is a truly eclectic, profound and exciting album not to be missed.

In partnership with onetreeplanted.org we will plant a tree in Ethiopia for every record sold.

“One of the most prolific and inventive dub producers around” Wire

“A serious player in the soundsystem world” Mixmag

“Obliteratingly heavy bass” Q Mag

“Album of The Month” MIXMAG (March 2013 & October 2014)

Following the success of Roots Garden records 2019 release ‘Pain Killa’ by Tiawa we are proud to present the second vocal instalment over this deadly contemporary Reggae riddim track from producer Nick Manasseh.

Making his debut appearance on Roots Garden Skari is a versatile & talented young vocalist hailing from Mandeville in the central hills of Jamaica. His sweet vocal tones and singjay style deliver a heartfelt & militant message as he outlines the injustices of Jamaica’s land tax and corrupted socio-political system…..”the country down in the wrong hands, take it from them give who it belongs, ay people who unah charge yah man? A we pay them with tax taxation a we run this nation...”

Producer Nick Manasseh transforms the riddim track on ‘Wrong Hands Dub’ , his trademark sophisticated and subtle mixing skills creating a driving and upbeat dubwise version.

Reggae On Top 10"- Teachings Of His Majesty - Barry Issac

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

Shark Attack / Dub Attack / Toture The Devil / Dub Torture : King Earthquake Ke10-12

Sylvia Fagan aka Guardian Angel is the oldest sister of Bevin Fagan which is Matumbi's lead singer. Matumbi was the top british Reggae band from the 70's and early 80's. Bevin Fagan and Euton Jones (drummer and founder member of Matumbi) produced Woman At The Well, the only LP by Guardian Angel in 1980 with a blend of disco, boogie funk, lovers rock and roots reggae. Recorded at Gooseberry and T.M.C. studios (London, UK) in 1980. Produced by Euton Jones & Bevin Fagan. Analog 1/4inch tape transfered at FX Copyroom by Euton 'Matumbi' Jones & Engineer Harvey Birrell on a Studer A810. Mastered and lacquer cutting by François Terrazzoni at Parelies Audio
Visuel. Special thanks to all musicians who made it possible, Dennis and Andy Robinson, Jason and Valerie Fagan, Euton Jones and his daughter Shana Jones, Winston Francis and Dennis Bovell.

2 track Single from Sons Of Negus released by Zion Disc/Dub Store Records

King Earthquake 10". Hot Like Fire + See Dem A Come w/ Dubs - Joseph Lalibela

King Earthquiake 10". Where Were You / Sister Olidia + Jah Kingdom Come / Sista Olidia Feat. Winston Furgus.

A Collection with An Exceptional Sound and Visual Aesthetic, In Collaboration With The British Photographer Chris Steel-Perkins, The Counter-Cultures Photograph.

Incredibly deep roots tune composed end of the 70s by Winston McAnuff and the Black Kush Band. Re-recorded in the 2000s and now for the first time on 7"

Vintage Winston McAnuff tune, long out of print. First time on 7" with dub on the flip by Fatman Riddim Section.

Vintage Winston McAnuff tune, long out of print. First time on 7" with dub on the flip by Fatman Riddim Section.

Parallel pairings from NYC and Melbourne. Long drip-feeding insane productions via their NTS Radio residency, Blazer Sound System materialise ‘Tanka Riddim’. The slow burner menacingly slithers like a serpent coiling its prey; its victim praising the reality-dismantling guitar delay and exuberant roots of the afterlife. CS + Kreme’s flipside mystics summon ‘Crushed Cream’ from the forest floor. Neck-snapping hypnobeat that was seeded between their dual Total Stasis initiations - the prelude to an untouchable streak on The Trilogy Tapes. White label 10” with hand stamped motifs by Thomas Jeppe.

For the first time since its original 1984 release, the original U.K. edition of the album, a.k.a. “BMW1,” is being issued on vinyl – this time with the two original U.K. cassette bonus tracks. With 16 tracks, LEGEND will now be a 2-LP set for maximum audio fidelity.

Note that this is vinyl-only, there will be no digital equivalent.

Rickard Jäverling is a musician with a lot of projects going (Dödens Dal, Liljor, e.g.) and now two of the songs from his previous Höga Nord Rekord album ”3” is released in new versions remixed by Stockholm based Ganjaman_72. Heavy urban dub influenced by old agent movies is what you’ll get on this 7”.

The music is both retrospective and futuristic and the subtle dub influences in Jäverlings music comes together naturally with Ganjamans_72s ambition. On ”Chasing our hours” the baseline is
still the driving force of the song but the reverb drenched melodies, that in the original version is clearly fronted, now lies echoing in the ackground and creates new depth to the song.

”Insane Pissapes” has developed into being the more dance floor oriented of the two tracks and takes Jäverlings music from the soil
of Dalarna out beyond Earth’s orbit. These songs are the perfect soundtrack to a long, lonely night drive trough a big city, going nowhere, getting lost.

It's time to Pack Up And Run! Glaswegian producer Escape Roots has been steadily plying his trade crafting steady rocking dubwise riddims and remixes for artists such as Daddy Freddy and Parly B as well has holding down a residency at Mungo Hifi's legendary "Walk & Skank" weekly session, supporting a who's who of UK and international reggae all stars. Along with regular appearances at festivals such as Boomtown and Kelburn Garden party over the last few years, he has been building an arsenal of his own productions and killer dubplates. Always built for soundsystem, his production has grown and developed immensely over the last few years and the added dynamic of an amazing selection of vocalists really helps to deliver a deeper message.

Jamaican artist Asha B, features on observational Roots Reggae and Grounation style vocals, with Dubs mixed by Alien Dread. The tracks were recorded at Asha B’s studio, late 2018. The vocal tracks were produced by Asha B and the vocal tracks & Dubs have been re-mixed by Alien Dread…

Asha B has been a regular session musician, not only in Jamaica, but also when he moved to the UK and has worked with most of the ‘Reggae Greats’, in particular, Jackie Mittoo, IJahMan-on tour & studio work and also studio work for many others, both JA & UK. Asha B has had several single releases to date, and also an album: Hard 2 Smile (Quartz Music - 2005).

Blind Prophet returns to Dub-Stuy with the Clash EP, showcasing his versatility and increasing maturity as a producer. Following two previous 12” singles for the label, the Portland producer takes full flight with a 5-track EP exploring various tempos and styles of bass music, old and new. To take us along the journey, he is accompanied by various friends from the global sound system scene including Rider Shafique, Redders, Titus 12, and Tailored Sound from Bristol, Tenor Youthman from Russia, and GREAZUS from Vancouver.

2 track Single from Maytals & Don Drummond released by Dub Store Records

- 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl
- Mono Recording
- Limited Edition Of 750 Copies On Orange Colored Vinyl

Morwell Unlimited Aka The Morwells Was A Reggae Group Formed In 1973 By Maurice 'blacka' Wellington. After Releasing Some Successful Singles In Both Jamaica And The United Kingdom They Recorded New Songs For Their 1980 Album A1 Dub. The Channel One Studio Celebrated In-house Band, The Revolutionaries (including Sly & Robbie), Provided The Instrumentation For The Album. It's A Great Example Of The Ability To Reach Out To Higher Grounds With Attractive Reggae Music. After The Release Of The Album The Band Broke Up And Maurice Continued His Work With His Morwell Esquire Label Until His Dead In October 2000.

A1 Dub Is Available As A Limited Edition Of 750 Copies On Orange Colored Vinyl.

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Kalakuta Soul Records is back and starts the year with a new collaboration with one of the most inspiring record stores and well of fortune for all music lovers, especially for those who enjoy carribean music and the profound musical heritage of Jamaica - the infamous Bahlo Records.

For this first release, both have created a new imprint that brings both labels together and goes by the name KABA that stands for (well…) Kalakuta Soul Bahlo Records.
For their first collaborative release, they were able to license two songs originally released on a private pressed LP by the mighty "Golden Sunshine Steel Band" in 1980 that will definitely wave you through day and night, whether you're listening to it at home, on the road or in a furious set on a mind-blowing sound system.

More releases will follow through 2020!!

First time Repress "Greensleeves Records", 12” Classic from
1979- 2 Roots anthems back to back!

• Deep- and heavy extended workouts from "The Dark Prince of Reggae" • Both Sides made big impressions on the sound system scene on raw dub-plate, continued heavy Jah Shaka rotation means they remain in-demand to this day!

First time Repress "Greensleeves Records", 12” Classic from
1981- 2 more Roots anthems back to back!

• Both Sides mixed by Scientist at King Tubby’s in a 12” murder style
• Original Roots Radics drum & bass from reggae’s golden age
• Produced by Linval Thompson!

2 track Single from Tartans released by Dub Store Records