Hip-Hop News

In March 2018 Blackwood Soundsystem hosted a dubplate session with King Alpha and Fikir Amlak in Lahr (Germany). Fikir Amlak voiced a dubplate called “Ancient Man” for Tree Of Life Soundsystem on the “Harder Than The Rest Dub”, a heavyweight version of Culture’s “Holy Mount Zion” from 1978.

This dubplate marks the birth of the “Tree Of Life Sessions”. The raw dubplate material was sent to T-Jah to get the final mix. He was inspired by the lyrics and the art of singing so that besides mixing fyah hot dubplates he produced an own version of “Ancient Man”, which is featured here with two additional dubs.

The song’s trademark sounds are the playful erhu theme, a bansuri flute and a kalimba that create the unique atmosphere of the tune.

Excellent vocal roots.

Another sure fire 7" from Home Hitters, bringing 2 more pure party starters to wax - this time focussing on when hip hop meets reggae

This is the first in a series of remixes of tracks from Dubkasm’s acclaimed 2018 LP, Rastrumentals. The 10” opens with Alter Echo and Zam Zam/Khaliphonic label head E3, who have an impressive list of previous collaborators including Lee Perry, Pinch and The Bug. The Portland, Oregon duo have taken the driving roots energy of ‘Lei Áurea’ and used pounding drums, flurries of aggressive foley and veering synth attacks to flip it into an apocalyptic dancehall banger.

Side B comes courtesy of recent Bristol arrival Om Unit, a truly unique producer and DJ, headlining shows around the world, and collaborating with artists as diverse as Goldie, Joker, and Machinedrum. Always impossible to classify, his remix of LP opener ‘Eco do Jongo’, , dives deep into dub territory, its ethereal, stripped-back nyabinghi drumming, crystallised synths, and a slipstream of horns bringing Ras B’s righteous message to the fore

This release has been expertly mastered via 1/2” tape by Lewis at StarDelta, and is backed and distributed by Unearthed.

Smooth & groovy cuts from diggin' fanatics Obscure & Obsolete featuring space disco, french boogie, german cheesecake, and calypso steel drum madness. Limited pressing!

Raggatek sound with a masterpiece from Manidextrous and Vandal alltogether in disarmony ! Then newxt comes a thrumpet abuse from E-Coli :) The Flip offers a Guigoo banging tribe dub progressor... The EP finishes

ONLY 1 LIMITED COPY PER CUSTOMER !!

Killer compilation of Bro David's work.. It sounds like a blend between digital reggae, disco and calypso, ''Bredda David Obi'' calls it ''Kungo'', a mélange of traditional Belizean brukdown music. Hard to describe exactly - its various ingredients make it feel somewhat familiar but the recipe with which he blends them is slightly strange, fresh, intriguing and damn groovy!! BIG one..

Sir James and King Johnny are the leading figures of the mysterious crew: L'ENTOURLOOP.

These elders, fed on the sound of sound systems, vinyl culture and lulled by the epic dialogues of the cinema of yesteryear, concoct a fine fusion of Reggae and Hip Hop.

These beatmakers like to use scratches and samples, all blended with a vintage french touch that makes us travel from France to Kingston, London and New York! The two unstoppable seniors come back this fall to hit ever stronger with a new EP called "Golden Nuggets" in collaboration with the Jamaican Skarra Mucci aka the "Dancehall President".

"Golden Nuggets" is a 6-piece-EP in which we find all the ingredients that make the magic of the sound of Entourloop and Skarra Mucci.

7"

As we continue our project with the Foundation voce of UK Reggae - Sandra Cross - the next instalment is the electrifying 7"| Sound System weapon called 'Jah Love". This monster riddim has been shaking up speakers across the dub world all summer.

Sandra Cross needs no introduction, she is a true legend whose career begun at the age of 14 with a no.1 hit in the UK Reggae charts. Since then she has gone on to be one of THE defining female voices of British Reggae. Sandra’s award winning career has seen her hook up with the likes of Mad Professor and Sly & Robbie for a near endless round of hit singles & albums.
Vibronics, the future sound of dub, have been vibrating the world with bass since 1996. Their music is at the forefront of the UK Dub scene, proven by over 60 releases on their own legendary SCOOPS label as well as a host of albums, singles and remixes for a myriad of other labels such as Jarring Effects, Dubhead and Jah Tubbys. In the studio they have worked with Michael Prophet, Iration Steppas, Macka B, Aba Shanti, Brain Damage, High Tone, Big Youth, Gaudi and an almost endless list of dub & reggae luminaries.

Music Mania and Indica Dubs is proud to present a triple colour vinyl 7” series in their Mania Dub series. These unreleased songs have been produced by one of the biggest pioneers of UK Dub; The Disciples! The Disciples were formed in 1986 by brothers Russ Bell-Brown and Lol Bell-Brown. They were given the name by Jah Shaka, after producing exclusively for Jah Shaka.

True Love: played with exclusive mixes over the decades by Aba Shanti-I! The slow but heavyweight bass line and synths are the perfect combination of a serious sound system killer tune! One of the most popular demanded dubplates for release. African Odyssey: named after the spiritual vibe of the tune, this tune has always got people dancing in sound system sessions. Deep Space: played regularly as dubplate by King Shiloh sound system and many more. This fast tempo steppers tune drops well in sessions every time.

Extra: pressed in colour vinyl to make a red - yellow - green set for the Disciples Dubplate 7” Series.

Music Mania and Indica Dubs is proud to present a triple colour vinyl 7” series in their Mania Dub series. These unreleased songs have been produced by one of the biggest pioneers of UK Dub; The Disciples! The Disciples were formed in 1986 by brothers Russ Bell-Brown and Lol Bell-Brown. They were given the name by Jah Shaka, after producing exclusively for Jah Shaka.

True Love: played with exclusive mixes over the decades by Aba Shanti-I! The slow but heavyweight bass line and synths are the perfect combination of a serious sound system killer tune! One of the most popular demanded dubplates for release. African Odyssey: named after the spiritual vibe of the tune, this tune has always got people dancing in sound system sessions. Deep Space: played regularly as dubplate by King Shiloh sound system and many more. This fast tempo steppers tune drops well in sessions every time.


Extra: pressed in colour vinyl to make a red - yellow - green set for the Disciples Dubplate 7” Series.

Music Mania and Indica Dubs is proud to present a triple colour vinyl 7” series in their Mania Dub series. These unreleased songs have been produced by one of the biggest pioneers of UK Dub; The Disciples! The Disciples were formed in 1986 by brothers Russ Bell-Brown and Lol Bell-Brown. They were given the name by Jah Shaka, after producing exclusively for Jah Shaka.

True Love: played with exclusive mixes over the decades by Aba Shanti-I! The slow but heavyweight bass line and synths are the perfect combination of a serious sound system killer tune! One of the most popular demanded dubplates for release. African Odyssey: named after the spiritual vibe of the tune, this tune has always got people dancing in sound system sessions. Deep Space: played regularly as dubplate by King Shiloh sound system and many more. This fast tempo steppers tune drops well in sessions every time.

Extra: pressed in colour vinyl to make a red - yellow - green set for the Disciples Dubplate 7” Series.

Released in Japan on the legendary Jazzy Sport imprint

180g heavy vinyl, comes with download card

Former member of the Kingdom Afrocks band and one of the most talented artists of today's Japanese music scene, drummer and multi-instrumentalist Naoito creates with "dotA" an explosive and unique mix of spiritual jazz, afro flavors and soul.

Sung in Japanese and English and bringing the very best musicians of Tokyo's underground scene, "dotA" is released in Japan on the legendary Jazzy Sport imprint. 180g is proud to bring to the international audience this essential album of contemporary grooves straight from the far-east!

We are happy to welcome Vibronics & Saralene in the Moonshine Recordings family. Their long awaited track "Let Love Be Your Guide" will finally see the daylight in October.

With their 2013 debut single "Vintage Voudou," Conjunto Papa Upa cemented themselves as the torchbearers of a rare breed of Afro-Caribbean psychedelic soul, a clear delineation from the wonderful world of Venezuelan poly rhythms. That original song, named after the short lived but heavily influential Amsterdam brick and mortar record shop that band leader Alex Figueira founded, was a perfect clue into the deep exploration that Papa Upa would begin to take on their musical journey. Like the store itself, known for its solid connection to the musical footprints put down in relatively undiscovered places like Suriname, Curacao, Cabo Verde, Portugal and of course Figueira's native Venezuela, Papa Upa has captured a sound that is entirely unique, a new concoction of influences that at once sound strange, yet totally familiar. Perhaps because Venezuela shared such a rich & diverse mix of sounds from the Atlantic, Caribbean & US, a kindred spirit to their neighboring country, Colombia, an equal in terms of their industry output from the 60's & 70's, yet not nearly as publicized and compiled in recent years. Like many places in the greater Afro-Caribbean nexus, they were musically ahead of their time.


This futuristic mélange of sounds is reflective of Papa Upa itself, made up of musicians from Venezuela, Uruguay, Cuba & The Netherlands, all living, practicing & recording at Figueira's Amsterdam studio, Barracão Sound. With such a wide range of tropical influences, in a cosmopolitan and diverse city like Amsterdam, it's no wonder that Papa Upa's first extended project would find kinship in a collaboration with New York's Names You Can Trust.


Their lead single for the label, a preview of an upcoming full-length project in 2020, features "El Secreto Del Metalero" & the 45-only bonus B-side, "Chicharrón Pelúo." Metalero, or "The Metalhead's Secret" is a fitting anecdote for Papa Upa, with Figueira's synthesized vocals leading the way. It's an allegorical exorcism of a debauched headbanger on a discreet dance floor of a tropical rave. The shedding of a gruff & gothic exterior for the buckle-to-buckle bliss of the changa. Similarly in the music itself, under the cloak of vintage synths and a woofer exploding bassline, lies a frenetic fusion of afro-latin percussion that is highlighted by the intense rhythms of Angola's giantguacharaca (or scraper), thedikanza. At its heart is a sugary sweetness that is capable of converting the roughest of rockers into a tropicalista on the dance floor.

Transcendent Yemenite interpretations of Bollywood soundtracks from 1982. An ultra-rare album by Jacky Mckayten who combines his own Yemeni heritage together with popular Indian music from film. A deep journey amidst tablas, sitars, and electric guitars, through heartbreaking songs of love and betrayal. McKayten was a highly influential musical figure in Israel yet remained largely underrated until his recent untimely death. This is his most powerful work, reissued for the first time, from the original master tapes, excavated by Fortuna Records.

The legendary Disk Union Japan and180gpresent the best of today's Brazilian music!

An essential album from contemporary Brazil, Xenia's first solo effort pays tribute to the sounds of the black diaspora, masterfully blending soul music with jazz, samba, r&b and electronic flavors.

Latin Grammy nominated album

180gheavy vinyl, comes with download card

Xenia França is a singer from Bahia, Brazil. She has been nominated for the 2018 Latin Grammy for this debut album Xenia, and for the song "Pra que me Chamas?", a favorite among listeners. Part of an art scene concerned with reviving and disseminating the African-Brazilian culture, the singer became a reference of female empowerment and behavior, especially among black women.

Xenia has performed at major Brazilian festivals, such as Recbeat, Coala, Coma and Queremos, among others. In 2018 she took to Central Park's SummerStage Festival in NYC, and has also performed in Philadelphia and at the Pablo Toblón Theater, in Medellin, Colombia.

Her first solo effort here, "Xenia", is an essential album from contemporary Brazil, paying tribute to the sounds of the black diaspora, masterfully blending soul music with jazz, samba, r&b and electronic flavors, now available for the first time outside of Brazil!

50 years ago, a young Panamanian singer by the name of Ralph Weeks, who a few years prior had cut his teeth in the US music landscape with the group Johnny & The Expressions, self-produced and independently released a record with an absolute monster of a soul ballad called "Something Deep Inside." It was a song that Weeks had come up with on the spot during one of many gigs in the heart of Brooklyn's Prospect Heights, at the time a cultural hub and community for many Panamanians living in the borough. Along with his group, The Telecasters, Weeks often played at a Panamanian-owned club in the neighborhood called 4 Star's (STA4R's) which would independently sponsor the release of the tune on a 7-inch single.

Fast forward to 2019, where a serendipitous meeting between Ralph Weeks and Names You Can Trust turned into a solid formation of musical synchronicity, bonded over a shared belief in musical fusion, a weaving of musical threads that was similarly the foundation of that earlier era in Panama. It's a fusion that has become a constant theme throughout the Names You Can Trust catalog in the last 10 years, connecting the dots from NY, the Caribbean and Latin America. An immediate plan was put into motion: return Weeks to a studio atmosphere that had eluded him in the preceding decades, a vibe and live musical presence that would be reminiscent of his time recording with The Telecasters and The Exciters in Panama.

In the ultimate tribute to Weeks and that foundation, NYCT label mates Combo Lulo unpacked the 50-year old original tune and refashioned it into a timeless rocksteady ballad. It was an opportunity for Weeks to acquaint himself with a new band and a new generation of musical talent. Ultimately, it was an unexpected chance for Weeks to reconnect to the music he wrote one fateful evening in a Brooklyn club. For Combo Lulo, Names You Can Trust, and now the rest of his musical admirers, it's a chance to hear how gracefully Weeks' voice has aged, still silky smooth with those beloved falsetto runs, sweet and rounded like a barrel-aged añejo rum. It's a testament to the timelessness of Weeks' original music, and certainly another reminder of how far and wide even the smallest of musical blips can spread.

Presented as a double-sided bilingual 45 single, both versions of Weeks' classic tune, "Algo Muy Profundo" and "Something Deep Inside," have been formatted in the traditional Jamaican style, skillfully cut live and mixed under the guidance of NYCT and Combo Lulo's talented musicians. It's a tribute to a brilliant record and an unsung architect of Latin American sweet soul, but also a love letter to a very particular NY-Caribbean fusion that theoretically could have happened 50 years ago, depending on the borough you resided in. After all, there was always something deep inside. Comes with NYCT / STA4R'S Company Sleeve & Liner Notes.

For decades, any sound system worth their salt headed to the dub cutters to get a piece of the “Late Night Blues” riddim. Acetate after acetate of the riddim rumbled through speakers from Brixton to the Bronx, making it a certified sound system classic. Now, Pressure Sounds comes with four exclusive cuts of the Late Night Blues rhythm. The first 2 cuts combine Diggory Kenrick’s always-in-demand flute with the legendary Matic Horns on Side A. The flipside takes the riddim into deep, dubbed-out territory with two dangerous cuts, one laden with dreamy chimes, the other snatches of vocal.
A welcome addition to the Late Night cult!

With the original version already proving a massive hit with DJs such as Target, Mistajam, Toddla T and Rene Lavice on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, as well as becoming something of an anthem at festivals across the summer, we've enlisted the help of the one and only Gentleman's Dub Club to give "Stranger In Town" the roots reggae remix treatment.

Taking the original parts and dubbing them up, adding extra guitar, bass and horns, they've taken the vocals of Canadian reggae star Exco Levi back to its roots in a classic style adding some vintage sounding vibes. With a dub version that is exclusive to this vinyl (not available digitally) - this should be massive with DJs.

Edition of 100 copies only.

Side A: 'Vodou'. Head priest: Gran Sèvitè Jean-Daniel Lafontant. Vodou priests: Oungan Eddy Saint-Jean and Anperè Jean Céus. Vodou priestesses: Manbo Françoise Célestin, Manbo Christine Lamour, Manbo Marie-Marthe Similien and Manbo Jacqueline Thélus. Other participants: Ounsi and members of Sosyete Na-Ri-VéH. Percussionists: Ountògi and the drummers of The Sacred Temple Na-Ri-VéH 777. Side B: 'Rara'. All-female rara band: Forever Rara Fanm of Belair.

Grand Rue recordings made by AMé in front of the Atis Rezistans, Port-au-Prince on 21 December 2015, 4:54pm to 5:18pm. Vodou ceremony and all-female rara band recorded by AMé at Temple Na-Ri-VéH 777 in Port-au-Prince, 16 December 2015, 9pm to 1am. Edited by Philip Marshall with AMé in Cologne, 16 May 2016. Mastered by Zachary James Watkins at Stank House, 3 August 2016. Artwork by Stefan Fähler. AD&D by Don Wyrm.

With thanks to: Ghetto Biennale, Leah Gordon, Atis Rezistans, Gabriel Toso, the priests and priestesses, the members of the all-female rara band, the percussionists, Clocktower Radio and all the Haitian People.

An introduction to Vodou music and Rara, by Gabriel Toso:

"Tanbou prete pa janm fè bon dans" ("A borrowed drum never makes good dancing")

"Music is to Vodou what water is to our bodies or fire to our hearts: all embracing, all inflaming. The spirits of Vodou are called upon and energised by the inexhaustible rhythms of Africa. Brought by the slaves to the New World, and merged with indigenous and European traditions, their magical power is the soundtrack of Vodou itself, its life-force.

Dancing, singing, praying are all fundamental aspects of Vodou; but above all it is the drumming that plays a major role during the ceremonies, an invitation to the lwas (gods) to join and partake in the rituals. Like the heartbeat of an infant in its mother's womb or the vibrations of our planet, the percussions of the tanbou (drum) are at once instrument and creator. Different batteries of drums correspond to different rites, countless rhythms to a multitude of nations of laws. The drum is not only a musical instrument but a sacred object, an expression of the divine. Its sound guides the initiates to their appointment with the spirit world.

Rara festivals are yearly celebrations that begin following Carnival during the Catholic Lent season, when the activity of the Vodou temples is at its quietest. During those six weeks Rara bands parade for miles playing music, dancing, and performing rituals for Afro-Haitian laws, while wearing specific costumes and using a variety of musical instruments. Probably originated in Haiti during the colonial period, Rara bands and their vast repertoire of songs are both politically and socially engaging while keeping an amusing, irreverent, and at times risqué personality. Traditionally connected with a Vodou temple, Rara bands leave the ceremonial spaces to interact in the public sphere through parading, thus reminding both participants and spectators of the physical presence of the lwas." – Gabriel Toso, London, 3 November.

Welcome to the ROCKSTEADY SOUND from Jamaica..

Towards the end of 1965 some say due to the extreme heatwave that was hitting the island, the people that followed the Sound System Dances demanded a slower beat so they could still move and groove to the all night musical affairs.

So sit back and enjoy the tunes that rocked the island between 1966-1968 the Rocksteady Sound that hit the town…..

Welcome to the ROCKSTEADY SOUND from Jamaica..

Towards the end of 1965 some say due to the extreme heatwave that was hitting the island, the people that followed the Sound System Dances demanded a slower beat so they could still move and groove to the all night musical affairs.

So sit back and enjoy the tunes that rocked the island between 1966-1968 the Rocksteady Sound that hit the town…..

This album is a must have for anyone interested in Lee Perry. He produced this album just after the birth of his daughter and you can feel his joy in the music.

It is filled with top-quality music -- instrumental for the most part -- with the spaciest thing being the sound of a roller-rink organ over reggae. The grooves are solid and slower than before, Perry stacks all the sounds just right, and Count Prince Miller’s buoyant and animated take on “Mule Train” is not to be missed. Neither is Dave Barker’s sweet crooning on “Will You Still Love Me” or “The Result’s” sparkling keyboard line.

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry was a pioneer in the development of dub music and worked together with artists such as Bob Marley and the Wailers, The Clash and The Beastie Boys.

Now available as a limited edition of 1000 individually numbered copies on orange coloured vinyl.

A heavyweight astral shower of rhythm and vibes, Ash Walker’s third album ‘Aquamarine’ is set for release on
19th July via Night Time Stories / Late night Tales
An avid collector of jazz, blues, soul, funk, reggae, and all things in-between; Ash has DJed far and wide... from the infamous
Royal Mail squat party to the canals of Venice, spinning vinyl in Brixton with The Specials to scattering dub across San Francisco and LA.

The Souljazz Orchestra return with a brand new studio album for our troubled times, 'Chaos Theories', released on Strut.
Always known for their uncompromising social and political messages, the Canadian collective hit harder than ever on 9 new tracks, outing the hypocrisy of modern day politics, police brutality and the everyday struggle of the working man. Led by chief songwriter and arranger Pierre Chrètien, the band continue to evolve their sound, drawing on a broad palette from their trademark Latin, Afro and Caribbean styles to some of the UK's political sounds of the early '80s, the era of The Clash, The Police, 2-Tone and frontline reggae.

More UK roots classics from Reggae On Top, this time a reissue of Pablo 'Hard Times' Gad's 1980 12" 'Fly Away Home' backed with 'Well Insane'. Crucial.

Soundway Records completes the Lord Echo
album collection, finally reissuing the second
album in the trilogy from the in-demand New
Zealand multi-instrumentalist and producer.
Originally released in 2013, ‘Curiosities’ is now
available as a DJ friendly double LP for the first
time.
The entirely self-produced album blends jazz
with disco-tinged neo-soul, reggae and classic
afro-beat in effortless manner - and joins the
dots between the more downtempo first album
‘Melodies’ and the disco, electronic, club-ready of
his third album ‘Harmonies’.
The album also features a dub-funk cover of
Pharoah Sanders’ “The Creator Has A Master
Plan”, with vocals from Lisa Tomlins.

Glasgow-based soundsystem and production unit, Mungo's Hi Fi, are pleased to announce the release of new album ‘More Fyah’, a stunning collaboration with UK singer and MC, Eva Lazarus. Released 19th July via Scotch Bonnet Records, the album follows the success of their 2017 hook-up on the extremely popular ‘Amsterdam’ EP. A genre-melding masterpiece, ‘More Fyah’ traverses between reggae, dub, dancehall and other bass flavours. Eva seamlessly tackles every track with her unique lyrical flow and wide vocal range, matched by Mungo's infectious signature sound. From the rocksteady relick of ‘Dub Be Good To Me’, the ragga mash-up title track ‘More Fyah’, the summery riddims of ‘Light As A Feather’, featuring London reggae artist Kiko Bun, to the roots sampling ‘Babylon Raid’, featuring Jamaican reggae legend Max Romeo, Mungo’s have a sound that is deeply rooted in dub and reggae’s lineage, backed by the sharp, sassy and slick vocals of Eva Lazarus. Raised out of one of the most musically creative cities in the UK, Mungo’s Hi Fi have made a massive contribution to Glasgow’s musical story with a respectful nod to Jamaican sound system tradition. Founded in 2000, Mungo’s was formed by two like-minded DJs, inspired by the free party scene but following the Jamaican tradition of King Tubby and Jah Shaka. True to reggae/dancehall’s DIY ethos, they built their first sound from speakers found in a skip and began producing on an old Atari. They started inviting visiting vocalists to their regular nights in Glasgow to hold the mic and then join them in the studio. Following early recordings on London’s Dubhead records, including debut album ‘Mungo’s Hi Fi Meets Brother Culture’, they founded the Scotch Bonnet Records label in 2005. Today Mungo’s Hi Fi’s three DJs, Craig, Doug and Tom play all over the world, assisted by the team at Scotch Bonnet Records: all committed to spreading their philosophy of serious, seismic productions plus easy going democratic dancehall fun. Highly collaborative, they’ve worked on remix projects with Leftfield, Coldcut, Submotion Orchestra, Kahn and Prince Fatty in the UK to Major Lazer in the US and are currently expanding links with East African Records based in Uganda. The vocal collaborations go much further, from foundation Jamaican legends such as Sugar Minott, Ranking Joe and Johnny Clarke to contemporary artists like Charlie P, Kenny Knots, YT, Solo Banton, Parly B and Marina P. This is Eva's first full length album, having recently featured on tracks with Swindle, Zed Bias, Jus Now and Gentlemans Dub Club. A multi genre artist, she has been making waves worldwide, fresh from her first global tour which took in Panama, Dubai, Uganda, Kenya, India, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand. Her releases include The Nextmen vs Gentleman's Dub Club ‘Pound for Pound’ and Benny Page ‘Front Left’. She is also set to release her first solo EP later this year and has a starring role in ‘Kid_X’, a theatre production that charts a futuristic romance between a boy with a bionic heart and a famous rooftop selfie queen.

Big loud and proud Greensleeves 12” rounding up back to back 80’s vocal and dub Prince Jammy digi-killers.
Junior Murvin’s lethal Cool Down The Heat’ complete with killer dub backed with Nitty Gritty’s original ‘Run Down The World’ vocal cut now matched with the sought after Jamaican only dub mix.



12 inch single contains vintage King Jammy productions and exclusive dub mixes, released here for the first time