Hip-Hop News

Brooklyn-based label and sound system collective Dub-Stuy prepares for the summer with a brand new EP alongside Jahdan Blakkamoore, who first appeared on the label’s “Pool Party” single back in 2014 and again in 2017 on Von D’s Wicked Scam EP. This time around Jahdan is front and center, flexing the creativity and versatility that has kept him at the cutting edge of Jamaican music for more than two decades: whether collaborating with hip-hop icons like Smiff-N-Wessun and Snoop Dogg or with global bass providers such as Major Lazer, Liondub and Dutty Artz (who first introduced Jahdan and Dub-Stuy!).

The Linkage EP is a family affair, born after Jahdan and Dub-Stuy connected for a gig in Montreal in December 2018. The energy and vibrations from their performance that night inspired both parties to discuss a new label project. Soon enough, Dub-Stuy had sent Jahdan a pack of dancefloor-minded riddims and beats crafted by in-house producer DJ Madd. Within a few days, Jahdan locked himself up in a studio, writing and recording the five songs that make up the EP in a burst of creativity. Dub-Stuy then enlisted Bay Area based producer Kush Arora to mix the tracks, putting the finishing touches to a showcase of deft songwriting and melody-driven singing that has made Jahdan a favorite of many.

On “Absolutely” and “Properly” Jahdan celebrates the fun and vibes of a good session, switching effortlessly between singing with an irresistible lilt to rapid-fire lyrics against revamps of two timeless dancehall riddims - “Hot Milk” and “African Beat.” The results are surefire party starters! “Sort Out” taps out a syncopated skanking riddim to keep the dance going while the rest of the EP addresses more serious themes with Jahdan reaching for the deeper parts of his range. The hip-hop infused “Round of Applause” reflects on everyday struggles, and the EP’s namesake track “The Linkage” draws for deeper bass as Jahdan calls for unity.

This release by The Band of Enlightenment, Reason & Love presents a new instrumental version of the heavily sought after debut release "Zota Yinne" by Alogte Oho, the meanwhile classic second release on Philophon from 2014 (PH45002). So far, The Band of Enlightenment, Reason & Love, as Philophon's house band, never had any release under its own name, but here we go! It's sure: more will follow.

"Zota Yinne" is a dubbed out variation of the original Frafra gospel classic with the one and only Jimi Tenor as a guest on flute and synth. "Starlet Road Filling Station Romance" is an other-worldly search for love, perfectly characterized by Jimi Tenor's love cries on the saxophone.

Reaching the milestone of its 100th single/EP release, Circus Company welcomes back Aquarius Heaven with a new EP of poignant, uplifting house music loaded with a meaningful message for these transient times. It's nearly three years since Brian Brewster delivered the Parallela Mundi 12', and in that time he has been on a relentless mission to spread his unique blend of house music, Caribbean roots and psychedelic magic across the globe in a whirlwind of live performances and collaborations. In a manifestation of his well-travelled soul, these new pieces call upon traditional influences in amongst the modern motifs that Aquarius Heaven has been built on, while lyrically dealing with the pressing issue of refugees escaping conflict, poverty and famine. The proud drum throwdown and carnival bleeps of 'Bato Chargé' conceal the seriousness of its theme. In Brewster's native tongue Creole, bato chargé translates as overloaded boat. With the Caribbean as equally rooted in the history of displaced humanity at the hands of sinister powers, the groove of 'Bato Chargé' takes on a defiant, hopeful tone directly inspired by the traditional percussive music style Gow Ka. '50 Drops' by way of contrast takes on a noirish tone with its gritty, street-weary tale and nocturnal melodics played out through enchanting arpeggios and warbling leads. Cooling off the tempo and heading into a digi-dub skank that plays off Brewster's roots in reggae and dancehall, 'Marie Galante' takes those same warm synths and runs them through a low-but-heavy stepping landscape; the perfect backdrop to the vocalist's dexterous ramblings on the mic. It's not often you hear Creole New Release Information delivered in contemporary electronic music, with a rare exception being the legendary work of Tikiman et al with Rhythm & Sound in the 90s.

The Brussels-based trio of Virginia Genta, David Vanzan and Ernesto González (Bear Bones, Lay Low) have been playing as Yader for some years already. Bagigi Dub and WW Dub sees them run two tracks from their 8 track tape through effects for more spaced-out versions of their sound, under the name Jahder. This 7", also with cover design by Virginia, features two cuts of prime dubbed-out drum machines, loping bass lines and widescreen delays for expansive listening.

This single features two tracks that date from the mid-1980s: ‘Give Me Back (What You Take From The Poor),’ first issued on a C&E 12-inch circa 1987, has Thompson tackling the unequal distribution of wealth that has marred so many parts of the world, while ‘Lump Sum’ is a minimal digital-dub re-cut of a tun. By virtue of its transitory format, this single sees Linval stepping into somewhat unknown territories…

Clear vinyl version of J.Robinson's 'More than Music' LP.

The Jamaican lovers masterpiece by Sharon Forrester and UK lovers classic

Bunny Lee's tiptop productions reissued in finest quality by Dub Store Records.

What could be better than an EP from Mungo's Hi Fi and Soom T How about TWO EP's from Mungo's Hi Fi and Soom T! These stalwarts go together like fish and chips and have been them been successful for putting Glasgow on the reggae map! The first EP, titled Bong bong is a foray into the world of digital reggae. The much requested title track takes Sister Nancy's Bam bam bang up to date in a smoky fashion. Soom's singing abilities shine through in the ultra modern 31st Century song. I need weed and Boom Shiva are familiar tales about the good ole chronic which appeared on Jahtari's Ode to a carrot . These versions are from a much earlier recording session and have a different edge. The Listening bug EP is a different kettle of fish, showcasing the Mungo's Hi Fi sound that does not fit straight into the reggae mold, featuring more electronic, bass heavy excursions. The edgy Listening bug is a LFO bass driven flurry with minimal meandering melodies. Jump up quickly is full of eastern mystique before cutting to a hard hitting rap style mixed in with Eek a mouse. Run fool is dark, jittery and hard. War song has a sound that would not be out of place as the next James bond theme tune. Tracklist:

After introducing the world to the elusive named Gitkin last year with the release of his debut album "5 Star Motel", Wonderwheel Recordings is back with another special 7" of two deeply funky, lo-fi globally influenced cuts from the travellin' man himself. "Saint Claude Dash" with it's 70's disco influenced drum machine undertone brings in Middle Eastern & North African vibes on the melody, while shifting into an even funkier B section reminiscent of the Meters. On the flip side, "Chicha Nola" finds Gitkin vibing on the mysteriousness of late night New Orleans (where his studio is now located) playing the South American instrument Charango & juxtaposing the NOLA bump with a just enough twang. Just a taste of the brand new album to come this year…or when the spirits will it.

Early 1980, UB40 scored their first success with “Food For Thought”, reaching high positions in the charts. By the time they released their first album they were already so successful that they had signed off on unemployment benefit, leading to the stamped Signing Off featured on form 40, for the sleeve of their debut album. UB40 Collected has captured all the different phases of the band in one complete album, from classic hits combined with the new!

The members of UB40 chose their name after a piece of paper most of them were all too familiar with: Unemployment Benef it form 40, in short: UB40. The name was put on posters and the band was promoted even before each member fully understood his instrument. The first dub album ever to reach the album charts in the U.K. included “One In Ten” and “Don’t Slow Down”. In 1983 the band put on a new project, boasting ten cover versions of Jamaican hits and, contrary to low expectations, it became a huge hit and the band’s first number one album. Tracks included are “Cherry Oh Baby” and “Please Don’t Make Me Cry”and “Red Red Wine”. The latter was a rather poppy song and became the band’s biggest selling single ever, entailing their definitive worldwide break through.

There have been lots of collaborations through the years and most of these became huge hit songs. Together with Chrissie Hynde UB40 recorded two singles: “I Got You Babe” (1985) and “Breakfast In Bed” (1988). They teamed up with Afrika Bambaataa for “Reckless” (1988) and with Robert Palmer the band released “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” (1990), just to name a few.

UB40 Collected is available as a limited edition of 1500 individually numbered copies on gold vinyl.

Historically renown Dave Brubeck's Take 5 covered in rocksteady style. It later became one of reggae's standard repertoire.

Names You Can Trust's long-running Swing-A-Ling party in Brooklyn has become an epic warm weather celebration of all classic styles of Jamaican sound system music on vinyl. The party itself, set in the deepest crevices of BK's Caribbean community, has been known to stretch for 12+ hours each session, serving non-stop musical entertainment and buckets of jerk chicken & curry goat to an adoring crowd of all ages, young and old. The event has also been the occasion of some extremely limited edition record presses that have come to embody both the ethos of the party and the NYCT label. The second in the series of the playfully titled Swing-A-Ling NOW SOUNDS is a new entry in modern reggae production from The Mad Geezers. Like the party's signature sound, the tunes on this double-sided single are timeless, intriguingly left-of-center, and most importantly in deep homage of the vast influences and inspirations that have been carved to vinyl throughout Jamaican recorded history. Elements of rock steady, dub, soul and middle eastern snake charmer sounds all find their way through the hands of the Geezers' skilled musicians and the resulting 45 record is sure to be another sneaky staple in sound systems all over.

For years, Diggory Kenrick has been re-energizing classic roots and rocksteady through his musical collaborations with original source material taken from master tape. For “Vengeance,” Kenrick crafts a welcome, new addition to the Yabby You catalog with a sax-led, scorching take of “Jah Vengeance.” On the B-Side Kenrick takes to the mixing board for a vital dub mix.

Tommy McCook’s mighty hornsman version of Yabby You’s “Jah Vengence” re-mastered and reissued in perfect style. This 7” finds the great multi-instrumentalist re-imagining the dark vocals of the original track as a slithering horns track that bursts to crescendo amid the heavyweight bass and drums. The B-side offers up echo-drenched dub.

Essential up-tempo roots classic from Yabby You aka Vivian Jackson and the Prophets. “Judgement Time” layers heavy bass and horn arrangements against driving, “militant” style drums to create the perfect backdrop for deep, conscious lyrics and The Prophets’ gorgeous harmonies. The B-side is a heavyweight dub that finds King Tubby expertly using his vaunted talents to create a “Judgement Time” version as powerful as the original vocal side.

Powerful, inspiring roots reissue of one of Yabby You’s finest songs. From the moment this tune was released in the 1970s, it became a sound system classic, sought after by both collectors and DJs. This plea for repatriation glows with a mystic vibe accentuated by stunning harmonies, driving flute and horn arrangements. Repatriation Rock flips the A-side on its head, with a mesmerising dub.

2019 repress!
Reissue of this essential Black Uhuru - Sly & Robbie produced, extended mixes!

Following the mighty rendition of "I Want You", Soul Sugar (a.k.a. Guillaume 'Gee'
Metenier) is back with another massive Soul-Reggae version, this time taking on Luther
Vandross' "Never Too Much".
Fearlessly taking on such timeless classics is serious business, and Leo Carmichael
delivers, once again, with a maximum dosage of finesse and feeling. Seductively delicate
backing vocals from Carl Lee Sharshmidt and Karene Brown keep it as warm and
intimate as one would hope, while Thomas Naim's tasteful guitar licks and Gee's minimal
production allow the song to breathe and flow steadily on its own.
Recorded in Paris, Kingston, Miami and London, the resulting blend of Soul and Reggae
riddims has rarely felt so natural. On the A-side, Gee's "Discomix" dubs a generous dose of
the sultry backing vocals over a minimal, bassy groove that dips, dives and flows on into the
sunset. UK producer Adam Prescott lets loose with an infectious 90's dancehall rerub,
aiming straight for the dancefloor... ladies' choice! Finally rhythm legends Sly & Robbie
drop the BASS with a heavy dancehall treatment, taking it low, letting it ride, while the
vocals float on... Never Too Much!

Woxow is back with another 7 inch and this time it’s all about reggae. After pressing the original song and K+Lab Remix, now this is the turn for Dj Maars’ remix. “Chaos” is a track where the Italian producer Woxow managed to persuade not just rocksteady legend Ken Boothe to appear on it but also Akil from Jurassic 5 and Blurum13 as well. The Australian producer Dj Maars, co-founder of Easy Now Recordings and master of the reggae-hiphop vibes, “plumps for a warm reggae riddim which is a natural fit with Boothe’s voice” (Monkeyboxing). On the b-side secret producer “Smile Davis” make his debut throwing a reggae flip on Woxow’s jazzy vibes “Look Around", featuring conscious lyrics from New York MC “Stimulus". Powered by Little Beat More Records.

Authentic 80's roots capturing the 70's vibes in solid manner. Female vocal on "Declaration of Rights" rhythm calling for repatriation although on the other hand a slick dancehall cut by Super Black on the very same rhythm.

This time the Polyversal Souls come along with the Bolga All-Stars, named after their hometone Bolgatanga up in the north of Ghana. The Bolga All-Stars are a choir consisting of the leading local Kologo and Frafra-Gospel artists: Guy One, Alogte Oho, Florence Adooni, Bola Anafo, Amodoo, Ana'abugre and Lizzy Amaliyenga.

This is Bolga! is a hymn of praise about the very vital music scene coming out of Bolgatanga. After an instrumental introduction with solos by Barou Kouyate on the Ngoni and Christian Magnusson on the trumpet, radio Dj Messy from Bolgatanga's leading station World FM is shouting out all names of the singers, before the choir finally comes in and take lead. Carried on by a heavily rocking rhythm section the piece reaches its peak throughout the eloquent solo of saxophone viking Søren Jagtkylling.

Channel One artist The Jays' big dancehall tune for King Tubby. Although its pop element is clearly heard this one also consists of tougher side. Skillfully arranged in dancehall fashion yet deeply resonates with the spirit of roots reggae.

Tubbys, as well as Jammys tunes after the digital revolution, you can find many that sounds great but not all of them will stick to your heart forever. However this Michael Prophet digi killer comes with absolute presence and confidence reflecting his true soul.

Another unreleased material from Tubby's studio. Although dancehall was the thing back then this tune is going to another direction by drawing a great roots vibes.

1973 reggae soul cover of Robert John's classic by Sonny Wong who started his career early with The Mighty Vikings. Chung brothers had a clear vision of creating what is believed to be the origin of lovers rock. Splendid arrangement from In Crowd on flip is a must.

Nippon Afro-Groovers AJATE are back with two dancefloor bombs teaming up with French Garage Funk providers NY.KO!

180g heavy vinyl

Limited edition of 500 copies

Fresh from their highly acclaimed KEXP live session!

Includes two remixes by beatmaster Deheb

New Ajate album to be out late 2019!

Formed in 2011 by band leader Junichiro "John" Imaeda, Ajate consists of 10 Japanese musicians who play a unique blend of afro-groove dance music mixed with Japanese traditional festival music called "Ohayashi". Their album Abrada is out in 2017 on the 180g label, selling out immediately and being followed by two highly acclaimed European tours. Teaming up this time with French groovers Ny.Ko, Mammamelie and With Regularity are two dancefloor destroyers announcing Ajate's brand new album to be out late 2019!


[b] 2. Mammamelie (Deheb Remix) [feat. Ny.Ko]

[d] 4. With Regularity (Deheb Remix) [feat. Ny.Ko]


[b] a2. Mammamelie (Deheb Remix) [feat. Ny.Ko]

[d] b2. With Regularity (Deheb Remix) [feat. Ny.Ko]

Back in 2007 Names You Can Trust was launched with an EP from Greenwood Rhythm Coalition. For NYCT's landmark 50th single release, the group returns, drawing on the same long-simmering stew of African, Caribbean and American funk and dancefloor vibes that flavored that first release, but with a sound more deeply infused and farseeing than anything they've done before. The spacey, arcing cut is woven through with guitar that blurs the lines between western twang and soukous popcorn and anchored by cabinet-rattling low end. Spread over two sides of a seven-inch single or available in unedited form digitally, "Jewels" is hypnotic and quite uncategorizable, except to say that sitting still will not be an option when it spins. Adventurous DJs, headphone journeyers, underground dancers, postmodern tropicalistas, and all those whose musical tastes dwell somewhere in the magical twilight of imaginary cities, take note.

Arguably one of the best King Tubby's digital known to mankind. Going through his tapes this was one of the earlier digital sessions took place at Tubby's dated 19th November 1985. Inner Vibes a.k.a. Dilly Dally lyrically unleashing his strong observation towards one woman. Tracks laid by King Asha and engineered by Peego & Fatman.

Reggae's African connection meets the global ethos of Glasgow's Scotch Bonnet Records for their historic new EP. French-born, Glasgow-based producer Stalawa has voiced a talented selection of East African vocalists to thrilling effect, over his heftiest roots rub-a-dub rhythms. This project is the culmination of multiple fruitful visits to Kenya and Uganda by Scotch Bonnet proprietors, Mungo’s Hi Fi sound system. It has been fine-tuned between Glasgow and Kampala over the last three years.

The A side features the wailing voice of Ugandan singer and emcee Blessed San. Showcasing a vocal style not unlike legendary Jamaican reggae veteran Michael Prophet (despite never actually having heard him before), Traitor is a mournful rebuke to all who violate his trust. Stalawa has mixed a haunting accompanying dub: all crashing drums and biting horns.

The B side hosts a Kenyan-Caribbean collaboration on a vintage classic. Connoisseurs’ Jamaican singer Delroy Melody has recut his 1979 local hit Ease Up The Pressure, adding verses from Luganda Rasta lyricist C Wyne Nalukalala (meaning “the troublemaker”). The remade backing, based on Dennis Brown’s Easy Take It Easy, was built in Jamaica by renowned drummer Sly Dunbar and keyboardist Dennis ‘Jah D’ Fearon. Also on the flip is Kenya's “first lady” of hip hop and reggae Nazizi. Her song Ukiangalia (“when you see” in Swahili) rides a dubby update of King Tubby’s famous Tempo rhythm.

All vocals bar Mr Melody’s were recorded in Kampala, Uganda by David Cecil and Wana Benjamin of East Africa Records, with brass parts dubbed by Stalawa in Glasgow. The guitar on Traitor is the work of popular Scottish vocalist Tom Spirals. Hornplay comes courtesy of Tim Quick, Liam Shorthall and Matieusz Sobieski.