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.

Following hot on the heels of Ethbo's excursion to Russia, with Letov, Suchillin and Pillayev, Howard Williams' Ethbo swivels its telescope to Deptford, South London in 1978.

The band Alternative TV were, and remain, a radical creative force. Originally formed by Mark Perry (Mark P), and Alex Fergusson (later of Psychic TV) in the early days of punk, when Perry was editor of the pioneering punk fanzine, Sniffin' Glue.

Early rehearsals were held in Throbbing Gristle's Industrial Records studio, with Genesis P-Orridge on drums. After line-up changes, the 1978 release of Life After Life saw Dennis Burns on bass, Chris Bennett on drums, Kim Turner on guitar and Mark P. on vocals. The session was produced by prolific Trojan Records artist and producer Joe Sinclair, and released on the independent label Deptford Fun City Records.

The song presents a “conscious” lyric through an urban music form of its time. And here’s the result, more than 40 years on, the dub still rocks. Perry’s vocal, like no other from the punk era, talks of the afterlife, in a twisted nod to Nietzsche, he chants “Wake Me Up When We Are Dead”.

A Venn diagram of Mark P and Mark E Smith, leader of The Fall, would show some common ground. Both band leaders survived numerous member changes throughout the decades, had a baleful eye on the producers and consumers of their music, and expressed themselves through a poetic, existential form of lyric writing and musical experimentation. In the early days Smith cited Alternative TV in a list of favourite music - alongside Johnny Cash.

Remastered with love, pressed at RAND, with sleeve and label artwork re-jigged by Will Bankhead, there's no better way to skank yourself to Armageddon.

Here is part two of Etienne Jaumet’s dubs from his latest new album, '8 regard obliques'.

Following on from part one with DJ Sotofett and I:Cube, DJ Athome (from the Belgian 'Front de Cadeaux') turns the jazz classic, 'Caravan' into a slow 90's breakbeat oddball whilst Jaumet himself revisits his own 'Ma révélation mystique' in a more Reggae fashion.

Seekers and FT team up for a squishy and blasted disc of digital danchall laced madness, two songs in typical mindbending SKRS formation to send out 2019. Wow!

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

Mala joins forces with Natty and wordsmith Benjamin Zephaniah on new single Word & Sound.

Word & Sound - a reference to the Rastafari terminology, word-sound power - the idea that the vibrations of speech and music impact the world, far beyond both that we can touch and see.

Speaking about the record, Mala said:
'The making of this record happened so naturally, the words inspired me to create the music. Their message and intention was set. Conscious vibrations using words and sounds.'

The single sees the official relaunch of Mala's I&I Music - famed for its limited and much sought-after vinyl only white labels.

Holy smokes batman! Brand new label straight outta MCR here as esteemed clubnight House of Wax launches a new, vinyl only imprint entitled Jupiter's Melody. What a coup for this debut release - The Drop are a London based, 9-piece reggae band operating since 2009 and with a soundsystem informed mentality. Fitting then that soundsystem operative, UKG legend and accalaimed bass music progressor DjRum is enlisted on remix duties to take these UK reggae skankers into the club for some grooving 2-step business. Felix Manuel has a storied history across UK dance music, most notably through releases on the iconic 2nd Drop records and a much lauded Resident Advisor mix. "Looking To The Sky" is THAT festival burner you wish you'd have packed for the Summer just gone. Gliding in on waves of undulating bass, punctuated by a typical but none less arresting 2-step beat, the rastaman vox from the Drop fit so well you won't actually believe it's a remix! Deep, emotive and beautifully poised, its retroist in many ways but this only adds to the warm and welcoming nature of the track. The flip is more introspective, and in someways melancholic, but with a massively uplifted message. Again, taken from a completely different OG piece (check youtube for The Drop's original vid), the vocal sits perfectly in another crisp and frenetic take on the UKG beat. This side builds slowly, with a defined song structure and lush musicality, never quite climaxing but simmering gently with a mindful glow. Appearing out of nowhere and instantly having us climbing over each other to see what was playing, we expect this to be a big smash here in Manchester over the coming months. If you've felt something missing in your life since MJ Cole, Zed Bias and Todd Edwards last released summat, then you could do much worse than adding this to your collection! Limited copies so get those orders in quick folks...

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.

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 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.

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.

Joachim Nordwall digests and mutates dub in unique industrial style on The iDEAList’s almighty
follow-up to a tape and 7” in this killer mode, bringing guest vocalists, JA’s Nazamba and polymath
John Duncan, for a deeply crooked ride worthy of rinse & repeat
Picking up where his raw ‘Early Tactical Experiments In Techno & Dub’ left off in spring 2019, the
rugged styles of ‘Say Yes to No’ poses only slightly less risk of contracting salmonella with a more
stewed and treated suite taking in proper songs starring Nazamba and John Duncan amid all
manner of virulent, wayward electro-dub variation.
As with his superb tape for Industrial Coast, that wicked 7” with Genesis P-Orridge, and even
his recent albums as Joachim Nordwall - ‘Conventional Wisdom’ with John Duncan, and the
collaborative CD ‘Communication Is Key’ - The iDEALIST naturally highlights fundamental links
between dub and noise - the core principles of manipulating sound in space - with a critical blend
of tactile playfulness and rigorous pressure.
The two vocal cuts are outstanding in their own rights; ‘Bigga Boss’ features Kingston-based poet
and playwright Nazamba utterly possessing the opening shot with his baritone growl, rooting the
LP at one pole, while John Duncan’s equally compelling appearance on a similar riddim in ’Tough
Doubt’ comes to epitomise the project’s direct approach toward alloying and allying styles with
alchemical suss comparable to The Bug, Ossia or Andreas Tilliander.
Vocals also spill out into the LP’s other tracks, but here they’re more textural and elusive,
scudding thru ‘Everyone Fucking Relax’ in a way recalling DJ Scud’s thudding remix of Bong-Ra,
or masticated into intelligibility on the amorphous dub-noise lurch of ‘Inner Space Dub (Insane
Version)’ and the LP’s cataclysmic closer ‘Say Yes To Dub’, which are all held tight in contrast with
the more defined techno and electro-dub structures of the LP’s club-ready highlights, ‘The Ecstasy’
and ’Shit Skull/Golden Mind.’
It’s a hugely enjoyable album - one that leaves bits in your teef and gets up in your head like a
healthy dab of shatter.

ODD OKODDO is a Kenyan/German duo formed by Olith Ratego and Sven Kacirek. This vinyl single marks their first outing, announcing the album "Auma" which will be ripe and ready in autumn 2019. Olith Ratego performs his immaculate vocals in the musical style called "dodo", which originates from the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya, high in pitch and soulfully expressive. He himself refers to his music as "dodo blues". As a skilled luthier, Olith Ratego designs and builds his string instruments himself, first of all the five-stringed Okoddo which lends its name to the project. Sven Kacirek is a multi-instrumentalist commuting between Germany and Kenya for many years now. He plays the marimba, percussions and piano, next to producing this project. He has closely collaborated with various international musicians, among them Nils Frahm, Shabaka Hutchings, F.S. Blumm and Marc Ribot. "Okitwoye" is one song of the first ODD OKODDO album "Auma“, it comes in a multi-layered, ambiguous rhythm between three and four. The remix on the B side amplifies the essence of the song. Peter Power is a part of the Voodoohop collective from Brazil and his releases on Multi Culti or Polychrome Sounds fuel the rather slow, organically hypnotic dancefloors. He premiered this remix at the Heliodora festival in Brazil, at sunrise next to a giant waterfall, and it was just perfect.

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.

URA is entertainment for the enteric and libidinal, heads foregone. Sub sonics, sludge-ness and front left atmospherica soundtrack your tsunami-ravaged beach bar cocktails/ cloudy sun bathing/ lounge of a dystopian future. 2K19 - Tripping Not Dipping. Rays of sun break through clouds. Don't forget to call your loved ones. Comes in heavyweight sleeve.

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

Two Jah Warrior / Peter Broggs classics never before seen on vinyl.
Hail Him backed with a heavy previously unreleased dubplate mix.
Backed with Rastaman A Trod It In A Babylon a rootsy steppa backed with a tasty dub!

LegsMan records 5th release is from Germany’s JANE BEE. ‘One man a gaan’ is a wicked DJ cut
that boasts that this lady MC is not to be taken for granted – infectious lyrics straight to any man’s
head that thinks otherwise. With a killer chorus that showcases Jane’s ability to combine great
harmonies with her one of a kind DJ style. This all sits on an original low slung riddim written by
Grant Dell, called – LOW BLUES DUB – Check it. Only 300 pressed !
LegsMan Releases are picking up Plays from – DAVID RODIGAN – ANDREW WEATHERALL
NICK MANASSEH and ASHLEY BEEDLE.
LegsMan Records is a new London based Reggae Label brought to you by GRANT DELL along with long time spar –
JAYMAN – Featuring release’s by some of Reggae’s Greatest singers and Dj’s, Like – CARLTON LIVINGSTON –
LONE RANGER – PAPA KOJACK – HORACE FERGUSON – TONY TUFF - PRINCE MOHAMMED - LINVAL
THOMPSON - STRANGER COLE - CARL DAWKINS - KING EVERALD - LITTLE JOHN – ROD TAYLOR –
LLOYD HEMMINGS - U BROWN – and showcasing the talents of Germany’s great – JANE BEE and the uk’s
COREYSAN two new artist’s to watch out for – The LegsMan sound takes in the best of Rub A Dub – Roots – Digital –
and Dancehall with fresh takes on some of reggae’s well known foundation rhythms and some killer new original
rhythms to, written by Grant dell, that will sure to rock many a sound system. All releases are Vinyl only and limited 12’
press – extended play – with DUB’S and featuring live horns by K-BONE. Original LegsMan art work by SIL

* Livity Sound continues to be one of the most innovative labels of its era with another essential release, this time in the form of a debut long player from Forest Drive West. This extended 2 x 12' and digital release, 'Apparitions' lands in October 2018 and is a fascinating further development of the producer's intricate fusions of techno, dub and jungle.

* The acclaimed UK artist has released two EPs on the label before now, as well as on its sister label dnuoS ytiviL and the likes of Hidden Hawaii, Appian Sound, and London drum & bass outlet Rupture. Little is known about the London based producer but in just a couple of years he has established his own unique blend of complex rhythms and tactile sound design, distilling a rich history of UK musical influences into fresh new forms.

* This record continues in that tradition with a mix of sparse rhythm tracks that contrast heavy weight drum programming with rich and deft sound design. From menacing and mysterious, to cinematic and hypnotic, it makes for a compelling and immersive experience. 'Apparitions' is a landmark release for one of the UK's most exciting new producers.

In an era of boundless self promotion, anonymity is a rare and precious thing. Listening to Trevor Jackson's NTS show one night we heard a glorious piece of music by something called Elite Beat. A quick search found 10 years worth of recorded material but not a single photo or youtube clip. They had made a record with Niger born guitarist Mdou Moctar but were based in Portland, Oregon. More questions than answers but we knew we had just heard one helluva cosmic link up!

We still don't know what they look like but we can tell you Elite Beat is a 6 piece ensemble now in their 12th year as a musical collective. Their sound is non prescribed rhythm music with an emphasis on live playing, free form expression and dubbing techniques. Players who have absorbed the plethora of global grooves from dub, Ethiopoques and Tuareg guitar music (probably the odd Dead bootleg too). They aren't retromaniacs or here to revive a genre. Just some cats from Oregon talking that universal language, fueled by laugher and a vision of the eternal.

"By The Light Of The Pyramids" and "Postcards From Gortupal" are their latest and greatest offerings, birthed out of live sessions.

*The vinyl versions are shorter edits of the original / digital to preserve sound quality.

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s return to his most spaced-out work, that marks his 2002 comeback album Jamaican E.T. The extra-terrestrial is back with some groovy reggae which creates a bridge between dub, roots and hip hop. But in the end it never ventures to far away from the traditional reggae. The album continues in showing his fascination with aliens, drugs and religion. His own voice is often multi-layered and contrasting with each other. It’s a wonderful record and it shows that even after all those years he was still capable in recording an album which stands out during the time of release.

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry was a pioneer in the 1970s development of dub music and worked together with artists such as Bob Marley and the Wailers, The Clash and The Beastie Boys. Nowadays he’s still performing and recording music.

Jamaican E.T. is available as a limited edition of 750 individually numbered copies on orange coloured vinyl.

15 song compilation LP of rare '70s singles from the UPRISING and STEREO BEAT labels, including 5 previously unreleased tracks. Comes in 2-sided hand silk screened jacket.

With this LP DKR continue to mine the output of producer Carl "Stereo" Fletcher and his UPRISING and STEREO BEAT labels. A nice collection of mellow roots reggae, this album features singers, deejays and instrumentals. With classics like Little Roy's "Christopher Columbus" alongside five previously unreleased tracks, all roots fans should find something to love here. Housed in two sided hand silkscreened jacket.

Thirteen track LP collecting 1970's versions and dubs from the labels of producer & singer Milton "Billy Hutch" Hutchinson, including three previously unreleased tracks. With several tracks mixed by King Tubby himself and several backed by the Wailers Band, plus many other JA musical luminaries, this is a prime collection of real raw '70s roots reggae in dubwise style. The ten previously released tracks are all culled from rare 45's on Bill's Rocking Time, Judah Music and Gemini labels. Housed in two sided hand silk screened jacket.

On Eternal Children, “forward thinking music group” Equiknoxx, comprising of – (Shanique Marie, Bobby Blackbird, Gavsborg, Kemikal Splash & Time Cow) do something they have never done before: express themselves as a collective.

For the better part of a dancehall decade, producers Gavin “Gavsborg” Blair and Nick “Bobby Blackbird” Deane have created a who’s who list of collaborations including Aidonia, Busy Signal, Masicka, Kabaka Pyramid, Spice, Beenie Man & Missy Elliott; while Jordan “Time Cow” Chung and Gavsborg have scored numerous ‘Album of the Year’ accolades from publications such as FACT, Pitchfork, The FADER, Passion Of The Weiss & Rolling Stone with their Bird Sound Power and Colón Man releases parsed and pieced by Demdike Stare & Jon K for Demdike Stare’s DDS imprint.

Eternal Children however is the result of five (5) creative forces combined to form the group Equiknoxx. Three producer/vocalists (Blair/Chung/Deane) combine with two (2) vocalists: Shanique Marie and Kemikal for a comprehensive family affair. Shanique Marie’s debut EP “Uno” was produced by Gavsborg & Bobby Blackbird while the lyricist Kemikal’s only previous solo foray “Graffiti” was handled exclusively by Chung. Eternal Children represents the synthesis of ideas as the group created the album in typical organic style, recording half of it in a single session at the legendary Anchor studios in Kingston, Jamaica.

The resulting eight track effort is as eclectic as the collective; spanning experimental and classic dancehall, hip hop and even a ballad, all while staying true to the unique sound they have become known for. From abstract sound and astral storytelling from Kemikal and Shanique Marie on the opening track Solomon Is A Cup, the pace jumps several notches on the energetic ode to the borough of Brooklyn. Shanique Marie returns to the dancehall lashing line after line on the Riddim driven Corner and takes the lead once more on a tribute to the city of Manchester (fast becoming a second home to the group). The track also features Swing Ting lyrical heavyweight Fox and was co-produced by the younger brother of Gavsborg: Brent Blair aka Brent Bird.

Side C sees Time Cow on the buttons for Good Sandra complemented by the pen of a witty Kemikal & Gavsborg plus the suave of a cool Shanique Marie. Move Along performed by Shanique Marie & Time Cow is a sub 150bpm belter that was conceptualized somewhere in Eastern Europe prior to an Equiknoxx Live Set. Both tracks are reminiscent of the hard hitting off-kilter rhythms of Bird Sound Power and Colón Man with vocals that could only be delivered by those intimately familiar with the psychedelic offerings. In keeping the family close, longtime Equiknoxx collaborator Alozade makes a feature appearance alongside Kemikal & Gavsborg on the penultimate Grave: a dark assault on the senses. Eternal Children closes with the soothing Rescue Me, a duet with Blackbird and Shanique Marie that occasionally trespasses into a pseudo-pop territory.

Eternal Children represents a new direction for the collective, venturing into parts unknown. They are not totally alone on the journey as several familiar faces were key in the release of the project: Karen Cazabon (Sleeve design), Rub-A-Dub (Distributor), Mothashipp (Mixing) and Nick Sinna (Mastering). The cover art was done by Bobby Blackbird himself. The direction of the entire project would have been an impossible task without the guidance of Balraj Samrai of Swing Ting Records

Irie Mona goes for a Dub adventure on Mystery Booms ! An already two classic tunes EP in town. He’s a producer based in Lyon since a decade and he perfectly knows how to inject new digi-attitude in the old-school way of dub productions. A perfect ballad for some delicate sunbath. Two songs to sing onnnn! Its a tribute to Dub Masters Tubby and Pablo, delivering Sunshine Skanks, Spring Beats and Sisters and Brothers Love for the Summer.

Early Support : Judaah (BFDM), Tarba (BFDM), The Pilotwings (BFDM), Sacha Mambo (Macadam Mambo), Leo James (Berceuse Héroïque), Nummer, Chez Emile Crew, NVST, Folklore Crew, Groovedge, Emeline XIII (Sumo Smash), Warzou (Jump, Nous Disques), Eddy Larkin…