Hip-Hop News

Born in Kingston in 1952, Oku Onuora is a one-of-a-kind artist in Jamaica music history. Poet, but most of all political activist, he creates a new musical style in the late 70’s : Dub Poetry, engaged poetry written in Jamaican patois and vituperated on reggae rhythms. Right after, Mutabaruka in Jamaica, and especially Linton Kwesi Johnson and Michael Smith in England march in his footsteps to spread the genre and make it famous.

With six albums to his credit, including the famous ‘Pressure Drop’, Oku Onuora returned in 2018 with the reissue of one of his most beautiful albums, ‘I A Tell... Dubwise and Otherwise’, on which he is backed by none other than Bob Marley’s Wailers.

Two decades after his last CD, the founding father of Dub Poetry comes in 2019 with ‘I’VE SEEN’, sixteen titles produced by the Swiss of Fruits Records and Doctor T. This new album alternates between a cappella poems and powerful riddims performed in the purest Jamaican tradition by the musicians of The 18th Parallel, to which is added Doctor’s T modern electronic touch. The outcome is a refreshing blend subtly put together which should delight both specialists and genre enthusiasts with its innovative sonorities. Available on LP and CD.

Rising High LP is a debut album of Bristol's own Tubby Isiah - brand new project launched by Jevon Ives (De-Tu) & his dad Jason Ives.

While ZamZam Sounds is a dub label without reservation or qualification, our roots as music lovers reach deep into punk, metal, folk musics, and other sounds from the well. Thus it's a great pleasure to introduce ZamZam 79, a musical blessing from Al Cisneros of Sleep and Om fame. As bass player and vibe-controller for two of the most seminal bands in the 'stoner metal' and heavy drone zones respectively, Cisneros has toured the globe countless times anchoring multiple projects with his distinctive, melodic bass weight. So singular is his tone and approach that Rickenbacker recently released an Al Cisneros signature bass guitar. His deep love of reggae has manifested most explicitly in a number of releases under his own name, on his own Sinai imprint as well as Drag City, and it was these releases that convinced us we had to reach out.

Holy Tongue is a collaboration between percussionist Valentina Magaletti, best known for her work with Vanishing Twin, Tomaga, UUUU, Raime, Nicolas Jaar and Jandek among many others, and producer Al Wootton.

Mungo’s Hi Fi cement their long-standing connection with Italian-born, Paris-based singer Marina P, by releasing eagerly awaited concept album Soul Radio. Over six years in the making, Soul Radio is an ambitious representation of the artistic fullness of Marina P, expanding into multiple genres while keeping its roots in rocksteady, reggae and ska.

The first release on DJ Stryda’s Sufferah’s Choice label features two exclusives from the pen of the legendary Nick Manasseh. Side A opens with the deep and heavy ‘Babylon Outside’. A tightly-coiled bass line underpins energetic percussion and a siren that wails into the night. Followed by a dub in the traditional style, it’s raw, driving power and statue-toppling weight perfectly capture the frantic time we are living in. A straight-up soundsystem classic.

Recorded and produced in the late seventies with Lee Perry, the album which Congolese artists Seskain Molenga and Kalo Kawongolo recorded together is one of the most mysterious projects to surface from the Black Ark Studio during the late 1970s. Its also one of the most misrepresented of Perry’s productions, with myriad explanations for its existence falling far short of what actually happened.

The intention of the original band, formed in France by the producer Bernadette Duget and composed of a mixture of Congolese, Senegalese and French musicians, was to head to Jamaica to record a rock album with African undercurrents in Lee Perry's Black Ark studio. However, in Jamaica things didn't go according to plan and the project turned out to be a failure. The Congolese duo Seskain Molenga and Kalo Kawongolo continued working with Lee 'Scratch' Perry and this collaboration would eventually bear an unexpected reggae fruit. These recordings were originally released on LP in 1979 and re-released in 1991, yet the vinyl album remains highly sought-after .

Now finally re-issued with extensive liner notes by the American journalist, author and reggae aficionado David Katz sheds more concerted light on the complex tale that lies behind the work. Most notably thanks to the emergence of new eyewitness accounts such as Seskain Molenga, Wasis Diop and Lee Perry.

The debut album by Seskain Molenga and Kalo Kawongolo remains a unique slice of musical ingenuity, an intoxicating sonic storm that resulted from their temporary presence at the magical space of the Black Ark. Tribal grooves coagulate in a thick swirl beneath trademark Black Ark bass lines. The two cultures connect in electrifying ways, while the reggae beat thrives in a more ancient setting. The songs are sung with gusto in Lingala and there’s an exuberant spirit to proceedings. This record is a document to what happens when fate intervenes and fetches victory from the clutches of defeat. There is blood and there is fire.’

A roots reggae vibe, a nonchalant melody...We’re kicking back, Jamaican style, with a glass of warm beer poured from the latest collaboration between O.B.F. & Nazamba.

Drinking a cold beer in a hot country isn’t necessarily the best idea. Your body starts to think that it’s cold, and slows the perspiration that helps you to control your temperature. Result: you actually feel hotter. But a warm beer, according to any Jamaican barman worth his salt, can just as easily be drunk in the morning as at midday or when the night falls.

Nazamba may sing the praises of cold drinks to Aza Lineage, taking her on a tour of the best ice-cold beverages on the planet, but she refuses to give in: “ A cold beer, never!” This single is best served with the animated clip made by Laska and one of the 500 limited edition, specially stamped “Hot Beer” bottles.

Until Now, All Is Well is the latest track to be shared by The Nix, a loose collection of uniquely talented musicians corralled together by Nick McCarthy (ex Franz Ferdinand) and Seb Kellig around their Sausage Studio in east London.

Based around the original composition ‘Warm Canto’ by Mal Waldron, the track features founding member of the avant-pop band Stereolab Laetitia Sadier.

Out on Moshi Moshi Records, Seb of The Nix said about the making of the track:

A night at Sausage Studios and nothing falls into place...we talk, we laugh, we mess about. But the 'record' button remains un-hit.
Time is not on our side, we need inspiration, and we know where to find it:
We saddle our bikes and ride into the mild London night. Down to Homerton, along the Canal, passing Springfield, we end up in Tottenham.

The mighty Jah Shaka tears the place apart. Low ceilings, the place is filled with smoke and bass. One love, unity, another version....the mids, the tweeters - in perfect harmony. Familiar riddims, unknown dubs. Shaka on the wire.

We get back to Sausage as the sun rises. Our senses are numb. We can't hear, don't want to see, how good it feels not to be guided by ears but by the heart. We close the curtains and plug in.

Moonshine Recordings and Steppas Records have reconnected to deliver the 3rd instalment in the Moonshine Steppas series, a debut release of Modi Bardo featuring Carlton Livingston backed by remixes from Alpha Steppa & Bukkha. Same as with the previous releases, it's a limited edition one time vinyl pressing.

Demon Records presents three new reissues from the cool ruler of Reggae, Gregory Isaacs.

Often described as the ‘ultimate rude boy Reggae star’, Gregory Isaacs recorded some of the greatest Reggae albums of all time and became known for his iconic, laidback vocal style.

‘I Am Gregory’ was first released in 1993 on Jet Star’s Charm label and was co-produced with Gregory’s wife June. Highlights include ‘Goosie Gander’, ‘Mommy Doesn’t Understand’ and a cover of Bob Marley’s ‘I Am Still Waiting’.

Demon Records is proud to present the first vinyl reissue of ‘Work Up A Sweat’, pressed on 140g black vinyl and featuring a printed inner sleeve.

This is a Dubquake Sign Series #1

2 dirty steppers for a pure dark electro dub banging sound !

A collaboration between dub producer Manasseh and virtuoso violin-viola player Praise, this is the culmination of their work together over the last ten years and follows the 2011 single 'Matter of Struggle'. An audiographic blend of classical and reggae music, the unique result of the artists' backgrounds, creates a heavy rhythm that carries many layers of feeling and reflects the calm within the chaos of city living.

The multi talented 'Nathan 'Flutebox' Lee' joins Manasseh & Praise on 'Nathan The Prophet' his majestic flute lines cascading through the echo chamber on 'dub the Prophet'.

After featuring on Prince Fatty's 'In The Viper's Shadow' album last year, Shniece has played a key role in Fatty's productions ever since. They have covered Kraftwerk's 'The Model,' Tom Browne's 'Funkin' For Jamaica' and also worked together on Shniece's highly acclaimed debut EP 'Disco Deception.'

A real journey of a record, "Black Rabbit" features 60s mind bending guitar, trippy samples from a public service broadcast on drugs, plenty of delay and reverb with a heavy pounding hypnotic backbeat. With Shniece's vocals taking on the melody, this is euphoric dub at its finest. On creating the record, Prince Fatty added: "A tough arrangement is always good in the studio and risks tend to bring dub rewards. Reborn as Black Rabbit in a down tempo twist featuring
the immaculate Shniece McMenamin on vocals."

Between them, Prince Fatty and Shniece McMenamin have worked alongside some of music's most respected names. Their collaborative efforts span from Blur's Graham Coxon to Lily Allen, Hollie Cook, The Last Poets, The Skints and Mungo's Hi-Fi. They've also received heavy radio support from David Rodigan, Craig Charles and Don Letts to name a few. It's becoming more and more apparent that this duo has an inimitable energy that shines through on every single release.

Devon Russell originally recorded his sublime version of the Curtis Mayfield club anthem back in 1984 ultilising his own falsetto vocals to a fantastic soul reggae rendition . Years later in 1993 he subsequently record a whole album of Curtis Mayfield versions for the Darker Than Blue album from which his lesser known version of 'Give Me Your Love' is taken from. Both tracks here are lovingly remastered for this special Mukatsuku dinked 45 .

First record work of the Valencian Ska Jazz band «Jamaican Jazz Lovers» feat. Payoh SoulRebel & Alberto Tarin led by trombonist Jonas Sánchez (New York Ska, Skatalites, Mediterranean Roots) consists of 6 tracks, 3 vocals and 3 instrumentals, edited by Newentun Resistance & Solidarity (Valencia) and pressed by Krakatoa Records (Castellon)

On this limited edition 7” production heavyweight Prince Fatty puts his own unique signature stamp on Kraftwerk’s 1978 electro masterclass ‘The Model,’ with a helping hand from vocalist Shniece McMenamin and Drummer / MC Horseman. Includes a killer dub remix on the flip. Renowned for his collaborations with reggae and dub royalty, Prince Fatty’s reworking of ‘The Model’ maintains the essence of the original but with a smooth rock-steady twist. Replicating the famous synth melody on a rumbling bass groove, the foundations are laid for Shniece McMenamin’s impeccable vocal performance and Horseman’s experimental percussive rolls to flourish.

With infectious rhythm, the song moves effortlessly from start to finish and takes you on a euphoric journey of musical heritage.
On producing the track Prince Fatty added: “This one always takes people by surprise, The Model by Kraftwerk is a under cover roots rockers classic - Synthesiser melodies and echoes blend as one in sound system harmony with a sweet lovers rock vocal by Shniece and MC Horseman’s signature Rub a Dub Style - enjoy!”

Prince Fatty recently worked alongside Shniece McMenamin and Horseman in his latest album, ‘In The Viper’s Shadow,’ a 10-track masterclass of dub delights that featured a whole host of global talent including Cornell Campbell, Tippa Irie, Big Youth, George Dekker, Earl 16, Winston Francis and Marcia Griffiths. Working alongside some of music’s most respected names is now something of the norm. His collaborative efforts span from Blur’s Graham Coxon to Lily Allen, Hollie Cook, The Skints and Mungo’s Hi-Fi. Prince Fatty’s ever-growing reputation as one of the go-to producers of modern times is being recognised on a global scale and his new single ‘The Model’ is no exception.

A collection of contemporary reggae, dub and electronica, which marks a broadening of musical horizons for the label beyond reissues of lost African guitar dance music. The LP covers a range of Jamaican inspired sounds, including roots reggae, dancehall, dub and jungle, which may act as a taster for potential future releases.

Due for release in July 2019. Interest for airplay from Tom Ravenscroft and Gideon Coe from BBC 6 Music. Steve Barker plans to review for The Wire magazine

Steppas Records is back with another heavyweight single in collaboration with Dubzoic, Alpha & Omega and Fikir Amlak.

The earth-rocker sounds of Italian producer, Dubzoic, alongside A&O's mystical foundation style, blend with Caribbean/American singer Fikir Amlak's ethereal and enchanting lyrical and vocal talents to deliver a stand-out Soundsystem single.

This release features Dubzoic and Fikir's original vocal edit, with a mystical flute cut plus two incredible mixes from UK dub pioneers Alpha & Omega (Greensleeves, Steppas Records).

Until now played as an exclusive dubplate, Steppas Records is excited to unleash this tune to the world, beautifully mastered and pressed to limited edition vinyl.

Black Ark In Dub is another piece of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s limitless musical puzzle.

Featuring a bedrock of deep and heavy rhythms recorded at the Black Ark just before its demise, Black Ark In Dub features bass heavy spooky dub deconstructions of ‘Jah Love Is Sweeter’, ‘Ethiopia’, ‘Lion A De Winner’, ‘Open The Gate’, ‘Guideline,’ and ‘Mr Money Man’, along with an embellished dub version of Ras Keatus I ‘Dreadlocks I’ and the much sought after ‘Guidance’ a longime Jah Shaka killer exclusive to this set.

Originally released in 1981 the hard to find Black Ark In Dub remains a frozen sonic timepiece, captured at the beginning of the end of one era and poised at the start of another.

Black Ark Vol. 2 is another piece of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s limitless musical puzzle. It’s a bedrock of deep and heavy rhythms recorded around Jamaica =just before the demise of Perry’s famed Black Ark Studio. Black Ark Vol. 2 is the follow up album to the acclaimed Black Ark In Dub that unsurprisingly for an Upsetter release, took a different path. More vocal oriented, the album features extended dubwise cuts of (former wife and co-producer) Carol Cole’s ‘Ethiopia’, The Originals ‘Got To Be Irie’, Junior Byles ‘Mumbling & Grumbling and The Inamans remake of the Bee Gees hit ‘How Deep Is your Love’, along with an alternate take of the Silvertones roots classic ‘Give Thanks’ with flute overdub and a couple of solid covers from Third World lead vocalist Bunny Rugs. Originally released in 1981 the hard to find Black Ark Vol. 2 remains a frozen sonic timepiece, captured at the beginning of the end of one era and poised at the start of another.

Eight Unreleased Digital Roots tracks made in Nigeria in the late 80s, never released or pressed, if not on a couple of test presses made on recycled plastic. Now Ready to be spreaded worldwide!

Label says: "It's been a long journey from the day in Nigeria when we found, inside an Alpha Kuffa - Messiah I sleeve, a blank test press of the Yangaman Bob Lp with a little Top Rank sticker on it to the day we met the producer, the great and brilliant George Dureke, who gave us the test presses of the remaining unreleased albums from his Top Rank label, till to the complicated audio Restoration handled by Colin Young and Bassi Maestro. After two years of hard and intensive work it's finally arrived the time for this compilation to be ready and see the light!"

The Geneva based combo Cosmic Shuffling strikes again with two superb Ska instrumentals taken from the "Magic Rocket Ship" studio sessions. The album release has been postponed due to the COVID crisis, but it’s our pleasure to give you a glimpse of what’s coming soon. These two cuts will not be on the upcoming album, 7" single exclusive, with beautiful silver ink labels! Pure fireball to make you dance and twist during the summer.

Reissue of Lara's 1985 album with 2 added bonus tracks, a great blend of boogie funk, roots reggae and lovers rock here. Pressed on a double 12'' and cut at 45rpm..
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Produced by Black Solidarity Records in 1985, this album is a masterpiece from the Studio One princess. Recorded at Tuff Gong and Music Mountain studios in Jamaica, the rhythm tracks are played by some of the best musicians from the island in the sun: Lincoln 'Style' Scott (Drum), Errol 'Flabba' Holt (Bass), Robbye Lyn (Piano & Synthetiser), Dean Frazer & Ronald 'Nambo' Robinson (Horns). This reissue was carefully remastered from Black Solidarity master tape, now presented as a double LP 45 rpm DJ friendly edition. The original Limonious artwork was reloaded and a bonus track was added to complete the set: 'In My Time', an obscure slow synth groove, full of hope and melancholy.

Jennifer Lara was first taken to Studio One in 1969 by keyboardist Richard Ace, who was a session musician. She never left the Studio One family and became resident harmonist. She added backing vocals to the songs of some of the camp's biggest names, including Delroy Wilson, Freddie McGregor, Dennis Brown and Sugar Minott. In 1974, Jennifer Lara recorded her debut album with Coxsone Dodd at Studio One in Brentford Road. The results of the sessions appeared on 'Studio One Presents Jennifer Lara', which was an instant success. Jennifer Lara was one of Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd's protégés. One year after Coxsone passed, she died at the Kingston Public Hospital. She is survived by two children, daughter Ika and son Cheka. Jennifer Lara was a very likeable person, got on with everyone. She was involved in many benefit concerts to help to poor and the needy in Jamaica.

Our first release in 2020 is coming from Toni Wobble, who is providing four versions in a heavyweight Dubwise Style.

Horace Andy first recorded 'Life In the Ghetto' back in the 1990's with Victor Cross and William the Conqueror as an anti racist broadcast. Here the Mad Professor and Horace vamp up the monster Lovers Rock meets

Roots track and with a flash here it is so slap this sucker on ya turntable and listen to a righteous tune! Produced by The Mad Professor and featuring Black Steel on keyboards, guitar

and bass, Victor Cross on piano and William the Conqueror the vibe is back with a bang.

Zum 25-jährigen Nightmares On Wax Jubiläum veröfffentlicht Warp alle LPs noch einmal neu als edles Doppelvinyl mit Downloadcard im Gatefold mit bedruckten Innentaschen und neuem Sticker. Das Meisterwerk "Smokers Delight" aus dem Jahr 1995 mit seiner innovativen Fusion aus Jazz, Dub, Soul und Hip Hop definierte als Post-Club-Comedown-Trip das Genre des Instrumental-Hip Hop/Downbeat/Trip-Hop.f

New album of one of the biggest Reggae/Dub french soundsystem starring MacGyver, Rooty Step & Pupajim (who worked with Alpha Steppa, Biga Ranx, High Tone, Mungo's Hi-Fi ...).

Available as super limited edition including 60x60cm Poster !

Since their inception at start of the 2000s, Stand High Patrol have rocked sound systems to their own riddim, assimilating and re-purposing the codes of the genre in their own unique style. From tiny bars in Brittany to huge festival stages, on independent radio or across national airwaves, the crew have quietly trod their own path, never compromising their core value of independence. Connoisseurs have long recognised Stand High’s credentials both as a dub group and a leading sound system, but they stand out from the crowd because of their ability to deliver the unexpected, whether live or on record. Their ability to draw such a diverse audience is testament to this atypical approach to making music.

In 2020, almost 20 years since their humble beginnings, the collective presents their fifth album, “Our Own Way”. As with their first two albums “Midnight Walkers” and “Matter Of Scale”, now considered as classics in their genre, this new opus asserts itself as the latest representation of the crew’s versatile approach to crafting sound. Their music, a blend of its own known as “Dubadub”, has always borrowed influences from multiple sources, and over the course of their career their roots in dub and reggae have intertwined with hip-hop, jazz, new wave, trip-hop and numerous other genres. The ‘Dubadub Musketeers’ have never ceased experimenting, forever seeking to increase the sonic territory they cover, day after day. Both live and recorded, they’ve made it a point of honour to never offer up the same thing twice. Any resemblance that “Our Own Way” might bear to those first two albums is a consequence of this obvious creative continuity, rather than of going “back to basics”.

In contrast to the last two Stand High Patrol records, the hip-hop inspired “The Shift”, or the Bristol indebted “Summer On Mars”, “Our Own Way” doesn’t have a unifying concept or theme. Rather than being limited to a single aesthetic, the LP pays respect to the entire canon of Jamaican music, all unified under Stand High’s inimitable production values. With the wealth of experience gained during the recording of their last two records, the collective decided to aim for a freer project, letting themselves be guided by their own music and their own instincts. The end result is a musical portrait of what Stand High Patrol is in the present moment.

The tracks that make up the new LP burst out of the studio, each born out of unbridled, impulsive creativity. Previously unheard compositions and specially re-tooled dub plates have been assembled into a tracklist that shifts and moves like a classic Dubadub Musketeer live set. Each step of the process has been refined by years of practice : composition, effects, and the final mix. Throughout “On Our Way”, the brutal dub stepper, though still a favourite for sound system sessions, is noticeable by its absence. Instead, it’s the full weight of the crew’s reggae heritage that’s expressed in the mix. It's not just the depth and weight of each tune that strikes the listener, but also the spaces heard between the notes that grab and hold their attention.. The sense of a trip, whether musical, internal or geographic, is omnipresent throughout the LP, linking each track to those before and after. “Our Own Way” finds Stand High Patrol exploring as usual, yet also narrating their journey as they’ve rarely done before

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.

7"
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.