Hip-Hop News

Double A side, 80s roots, produced by Lincoln Minott, and mixed at Channel One.

*Another UK roots reggae treasure unearthed by Partial Records in the shape of
Mikey Mystic's` Burial' which originally appeared on the CD version of Mikey's `Warzone'
album on Roots Records in 1994.
* Produced by Nick `Manasseh' Raphael, who back in the 90's was running Manasseh sound system and also the label Riz Records, along with Gil Cang.
* First time on 45 for this gem, backed with a Manasseh dub cut.
* Tracklist:

* A UK roots / dub classic produced by Riz All Stars aka Nick Manasseh and Gil Cang (Tuff Scout) with Time Unlimited member Orville Smith on vocals.
* Originally released on the 'Who Gave the Permission' Riz Records compilation LP in 1995 and then remixed for Orville's 'Walking on Tightrope' set in 1996.
* Crucial roots fodder with blazing horns and tasteful flute.
* These are the original vocal and dub cuts.

* A 90s sound system classic produced by Riz All Stars aka Nick Manasseh and Gil Cang (Tuff Scout) with Time Unlimited member Orville Smith on vocals.
*Originally released on `Themes From Riz' LP in 1992 and remixed for Orville's 'Walking on Tightrope' set in 1996.
*Featuring two previously unreleased mixes.

* 300 unit limited edition stamped 10' vinyl only sampler for the forthcoming Smith & Mighty compilation 'Ashley Road Sessions 88-94', a collaborative release from Tectonic Recordings and Punch Drunk Records.

* In a classic Bristol live roots style, Love is The Key features vocalist Dan Ratchet at Ashley Road Studios, home to the legendary Smith & Mighty.

* The forthcoming compilation 'Ashley Road Sessions 88-94', due out in November 2018, celebrates 30 years of Smith & Mighty by collecting an album of previously unreleased material from the influential golden era of their original studio in Bristol.

UK Dub pioneers Alpha & Omega (Greensleeves / A&O Records) represent 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. Steppas Records is overjoyed to present the first in the A&O LP reissue series; King & Queen. A timeless and much sought after album originally released in 1989 currently only available at sky high prices. Lovingly re-mastered and presented in the original sleeve featuring the iconic A&O artwork. King & Queen is a genre-defining album and a true piece of musical history.

PRESS:

'Enter a path few can follow, but many can appreciate. A studio or sound's dub-plates are like a Shaolin monk's sacred teachings. London-based Alpha & Omega take us into their world of mesmerising roots and divulge their exclusive 'specials'.'
MUZIK

'Through minimal manipulation, (Alpha and Omega) deliver the listener to a place of great sonic peace.' OPTION MAGAZINE

'The compelling presences at the hear of these airy sonic worlds have a harder edge than some of their ancestors.'
WIRE

'Massively thunderous bass lines, galloping drum tracks and a willingness to tastefully adorn dubs with digital flutes and various electronic sounding washes.'
PULSE

Roots dub versions and instrumentals ! Olschool !

I'm In Love With A Dreadlocks: Brown Sugar And The Birth Of Lovers Rock 1977-80


Soul Jazz Records are releasing this first ever collection of the pioneering British reggae Lovers Rock group Brown Sugar including rare singles, dubs and extended mixes. The album comes with extensive sleevenotes and interviews with Dennis Bovell, Pauline Catlin, John Kpiaye and Winston Edwards (Studio 16).
Brown Sugar were formed by three young teenage girls - Pauline Catlin, Caron Wheeler and Carol Simms in South London in 1976. In the short period of time 1976-1980, the group - working with Dennis Bovell on the mixing desk and John Kpiaye ('Brownie T) in the studio - recorded barely a handful of singles on the new Lovers Rock label, a number of which went to the top of the UK reggae charts. But success stopped there, and with no album release and no industry support the group broke up in the early 1980s.
Following their split Caron Wheeler became the lead vocalist for the hugely successful group Soul II Soul, Carol Simms launched a solo career as Kofi (re-making a number of Brown Sugar songs with producer Mad Professor) and Pauline Catlin returned to education.
Despite their relatively low-key mainstream public exposure Brown Sugar (and the label on which their first records appeared) announced to the world a new genre of reggae music, Lovers Rock, which spoke for the first time with the sensibility of a new segment of British society; that of first generation-born Black British female youth.
And while Lovers Rock became synonymous with sweet love songs, Brown Sugar's music in fact expressed far more; a righteous pride and consciousness in being Black and British, a political stance more often associated with UK roots groups like Black Slate, Aswad, Misty in Roots and other British reggae acts in the late 1970s. Brown Sugar were in fact their own genre of 'conscious lovers rock' - an expression of ideological black cultural pride. 
Brown Sugar's handful of three-minute love songs (often plus extended dubs) somehow manage to encapsulate all the complexities of identity, sexual politics and youthful righteousness of Afro-Caribbean youth living in Britain in the 1970s. Songs such as 'I'm in Love with A Dreadlocks', 'Our Reggae Music', 'Black Pride' and 'Dreaming of Zion' spoke with a straightforward righteousness and consciousness that few roots groups could hope to match. The fact that they were all teenagers is even more striking. 
In the mid-70s British reggae came into being as first generation Black Britain was able to find a voice able to express the issues of growing up British with Caribbean roots. This came about in two different ways - the British roots music of (essentially male) groups such as Aswad, Steel Pulse and Black Slate - and Lovers Rock, the expression of a black essentially (but not totally) female consciousness - Brown Sugar, Louisa Mark, 15-16-17, Marie Pierre, Janet Kay, Carroll Thompson, Jean Adebambo and others. And significantly, while British roots music was a variant on a Jamaican style, Lovers Rock was uniquely British - the first authentic British reggae sound. 
Dennis Bovell comments, 'For Lovers Rock we needed a pulpit, a way of saying 'this is the style'. Sound systems were already saying 'this is lovers,' brandishing it in the dance. Our intention was to create a style of music that my generation could identify with - one that had a beat, and you could dance to with your partner in a sound system setting.' 
Dennis Bovell's mixes for the group gave a further dimension to Brown Sugar records - a sound system mentality, adding sound effects and dub elements. 'I'm in Love with A Dreadlocks' was the debut release for both Brown Sugar and the Lovers Rock label, a fitting calling card for both. The record was a hit on many sound systems across the UK, reaching the top of the reggae charts. 
John Kpiaye: 'They never put out an album. And all these records were seven-inch singles; when 12-inches turned up it just killed the seven-inch.'
Although the career of Brown Sugar was short-lived, their legacy and influence remains significant and now, 40 years on from these first records, all of the members are still involved in music. Pauline Catlin has recently re-launched her career under a new moniker, Shezekiel; Carol Simms, aka Kofi, remains a successful solo artist, one of the queens of Lovers Rock; Caron Wheeler, after leaving Soul II Soul at the end of the 1980s, embarked on a solo career, before re-joining the soul super-group which she continues to front to this day.
This new collection brings together all the groups essential recordings for the first ever time.

3rd chapter of ultra-heavyweight dub and UK steppers from the mighty King Earthquake.

More killer UK digital steppas from the legendary King Earthquake.

Earl Zero's tuff retake of his monster classic track produced by Bertram Brown. Much sought after and now finally released on 7" for the first time, accompanied by the Soul Syndicate backed version.

We Are Proud To Announce The Latest Addition To The Moonshine Recordings Artist Roster - Halcyonic & G Roots - Two Young Talented Producers Out Of Bristol, Uk. Their Debut Moonshine Release Entitled 'future' With Vocal Support From Junior Dread And Additional Remix By Violinbwoy Will Be Released On The 6th Of July On Vinyl & Digital.

The bombastic track and its Dub version !

Forward thinking dub is the ethos of this highly collaborative future stepper from Scrub A Dub Records. US production duo Alter Echo & E3 have linked up with Bristol's Ishan Sound to create an awe- inspiring warrior stance anthem. Ah Mi Guide features a hypnotic sample from Rider Shafique, over an unrelenting beat crafted by E3 and Ishan then mixed in dub by Alter Echo. The flipside remix comes via ascendant dubstep producer Egoless, who transforms the stark original into a slow burning fire, garnished with a flourishing flute refrain. Either side is guaranteed to shake up and mesmerise a dance!

Classic Lee Perry meets the Mad Professor recorded at ARIWA sounds. Includes the tracks 'Kung Fu Fighting' REGGAE
and 'Mystic Warrior' and backing vocals by The Upsetters

Classic Lee Scratch Perry album gets the Mad Professor treatment. Dubtastic!

One of the most eagerly anticipated albums of the year, Alpha Steppa Meets Nai-Jah 'The Great Elephant'. TGE is the product of a year-long collaboration between renowned UK Dub Reggae producer Alpha Steppa and French-Nigerian singer / songwriter Nai-Jah. TGE tells the story of Nai-Jah's reality growing up in Nigeria, the album paints a picture of corruption, greed, and suffering, a narrative each and everyone accross the globe can relate to. Nai-Jah points to strength through unity and provides great inspiration and hope through his thoughtful lyrics and sincere delivery. Steppas Records is overjoyed to present all 10 original vocal tracks plus the full dub album as one. A truly unique and powerful protest album sure to provoke, inspire and uplift.

'One of the most prolific and inventive dub producers around' Wire

'A serious player in the soundsystem world' Mixmag

Landing on Alchemy Dubs is our sixth release on 7" format, a collaboration between
Ojah and Rider Shafique.

The A side contains the track "Dreams", a mid tempo riddim that goes into the realms of
dub poetry. Lyricist and MC Rider Shafique provides the powerful lyrics and a unique
vocal delivery that combines spoken word with dreamy melodies, while Ojah's music and
production duties complete the landscape.

On the B side we find a dub version as usual, "Dreams Dub". The mix is true to it's name
resulting in a deep meditational dub that will take the listener into the land of dreams.

Limited edition of 500 copies, hand-stamped and hand-numbered, served in a thick custom
reversed kraftliner sleeve with inner black disco sleeves.

Numa Crew and Killa's Army join forces on this banger that will represent the first release of the brand new label Numa Recordings.

The first release of Numa Recordings is all about a mediterranean and jamaican alliance, an explosive blend of grime and reggae vibes.

Killa's Army is a crew from London formed by Killa P, Irah and Long Range, one of the most powerful trios in the contemporary UK Grime scene, their own original style is distinguished by a "heavy" jamaican dancehall & reggae influence.

The italian collective Numa Crew has developed their unique sound over the years, ranging from dubstep to jungle, through a limitless exploration of the different styles in the wide spectrum of genres in the uk underground scene. In the production of "We nuh tek talk" lies the essence of this musical journey.

The main theme of the tune is the legendary motive of Courtney Melody's 'Ninja mi ninja' chorus, adapted to a modern day grime beat.

Backing the title track is the 'We nuh tek riddim' version by Numa Crew, the beat and the bassline are simple and heavy at the same time. It will be fire in the dance!

Dancefloor raggatek with a bit of a new generation of producers and some good oldschool ones such like Mikkim ! Masterpiece !

Massive stepper Mooshine style !

An apposite illustration of the golden era of 70's music

Self produced dub excursion from Dennis Bovell's Matumbi... early pioneers of authentic UK produced reggae

The music contained in this album invokes the vibes and spirit that were so crucial to much of the music recorded during the 1960's & 70's in Jamaica. If you talk to the musicians and singers of this era, they will tell you that the driving force behind the songs they created was the sheer love of music. This is one of the reasons these recordings are so powerful and move listeners to this day. Music like this can only be made by those who were schooled in the studios and yards around Kingston and is not something that can be easily reproduced outside Jamaica. The Kingston All Stars represent some of the most legendary musicians to ever grace the little island & it is thanks to their passion and dedication that we have a lifetime of music to enjoy.

The members of KAS have been working & recording with each other in some of Jamaica's most legendary studios for over 50 years. The vibes and music that are created when they get together is nothing short of magic. This is the 3rd KAS LP showcasing the talents of Jamaica's top session musicians from the golden era of Jamaican music. These are the artists who laid the foundation for Rocksteady, Reggae, Roots and beyond in countless recording sessions around Jamaica & without them the music we love would not exist.

The album's intro piece 'Boo Rock', is a tribute to the legendary drummer Mikey 'Boo' Richards. Mikey has recorded with many of the Kingston All Stars in some of Jamaica's most fabled studios. It is obvious that Mikey is revered by all of the Kingston All Stars and it is fitting that this is the 1st track on the album.

Singer Allen Jahsana who is known for his work with Mikey Chung in the early 70's brings two amazing songs to the project. The first 'Jungle Justice' is a commentary on the lack of justice in the tough streets of Kingston, one which Alan knows firsthand as a longtime Kingstonian. The second vocal 'Rising from the Ghetto' is a call to the youth to rise up out of sufferation with some seriously heavy basslines courtesy Jackie Jackson.

New to the KAS family Carol Brown's 'Only Jah Knows' on a sweet dubbed out Rocksteady riddim shines that much brighter with the help of her daughter, Krystal Mittoo. Carl was married to Jackie Mittoo before his untimely passing.

Greenwich Farm rasta and legendary roots vocalist Prince Alla adds a real classic vibe to a new he wrote titled 'My Vision". The deep and powerful style Alla is known for was voiced on a riddim built by keyboard legend Ansel "Stagalag" Collins.

'Guns & Pulpit', the companion vocal for 'Clappers Dub' which saw release on the KAS Dub LP, finally sees the light of day. A proper roots anthem from singer RZee Jackson with conscious lyrics and RZee's unique vocal style.

The Kingston All Stars include Sly Dunbar, Hux Brown, Mikey 'Mao' Chung, Ansel Collins, Jackie Jackson, Robbie Lyn, Everton & Everald Gayle with the guidance of musician, writer & engineer Moss ' Mossman ' Raxlen. Members of the Kingston All Stars have been part of / or recorded with The Revolutionaries, Lynn Taitt & The Jets, Studio One's Sound Dimension and Soul Vendors Band, Lee 'Scratch' Perry's Upsetters, Peter Tosh's Word Sound and Power Band, Toots and the Maytals, Now Generation, In Crowd, Wailers Band and countless others.

The music contained in this album invokes the vibes and spirit that were so crucial to much of the music recorded during the 1960's & 70's in Jamaica. If you talk to the musicians and singers of this era, they will tell you that the driving force behind the songs they created was the sheer love of music. This is one of the reasons these recordings are so powerful and move listeners to this day. Music like this can only be made by those who were schooled in the studios and yards around Kingston and is not something that can be easily reproduced outside Jamaica. The Kingston All Stars represent some of the most legendary musicians to ever grace the little island & it is thanks to their passion and dedication that we have a lifetime of music to enjoy.

The members of KAS have been working & recording with each other in some of Jamaica's most legendary studios for over 50 years. The vibes and music that are created when they get together is nothing short of magic. This is the 3rd KAS LP showcasing the talents of Jamaica's top session musicians from the golden era of Jamaican music. These are the artists who laid the foundation for Rocksteady, Reggae, Roots and beyond in countless recording sessions around Jamaica & without them the music we love would not exist.

The album's intro piece 'Boo Rock', is a tribute to the legendary drummer Mikey 'Boo' Richards. Mikey has recorded with many of the Kingston All Stars in some of Jamaica's most fabled studios. It is obvious that Mikey is revered by all of the Kingston All Stars and it is fitting that this is the 1st track on the album.

Singer Allen Jahsana who is known for his work with Mikey Chung in the early 70's brings two amazing songs to the project. The first 'Jungle Justice' is a commentary on the lack of justice in the tough streets of Kingston, one which Alan knows firsthand as a longtime Kingstonian. The second vocal 'Rising from the Ghetto' is a call to the youth to rise up out of sufferation with some seriously heavy basslines courtesy Jackie Jackson.

New to the KAS family Carol Brown's 'Only Jah Knows' on a sweet dubbed out Rocksteady riddim shines that much brighter with the help of her daughter, Krystal Mittoo. Carl was married to Jackie Mittoo before his untimely passing.

Greenwich Farm rasta and legendary roots vocalist Prince Alla adds a real classic vibe to a new he wrote titled 'My Vision". The deep and powerful style Alla is known for was voiced on a riddim built by keyboard legend Ansel "Stagalag" Collins.

'Guns & Pulpit', the companion vocal for 'Clappers Dub' which saw release on the KAS Dub LP, finally sees the light of day. A proper roots anthem from singer RZee Jackson with conscious lyrics and RZee's unique vocal style.

The Kingston All Stars include Sly Dunbar, Hux Brown, Mikey 'Mao' Chung, Ansel Collins, Jackie Jackson, Robbie Lyn, Everton & Everald Gayle with the guidance of musician, writer & engineer Moss ' Mossman ' Raxlen. Members of the Kingston All Stars have been part of / or recorded with The Revolutionaries, Lynn Taitt & The Jets, Studio One's Sound Dimension and Soul Vendors Band, Lee 'Scratch' Perry's Upsetters, Peter Tosh's Word Sound and Power Band, Toots and the Maytals, Now Generation, In Crowd, Wailers Band and countless others

Roffa Sound is kicking off in style with a heavy soundsystem stepper which is guaranteed to shake up the dance. After enjoying the hypnotising melodies heard in the intro, producer Mystic Pulse introduces hard hitting drums and heavy bass whilst Black Omolo furiously sings about the daily pressure and tribulation put on by Babylon. For this very first release Roffa Sound has recorded a video clip as well, which we strongly recommend to check out on youtube. For those wanting less vocal but more echo should check out the version, which will be exclusively available on vinyl.

Super limited, new dubwise soundsystem vibes from System Sound - bless up !!

* In-demand Bush Chemists sound system killer from 1995 coming on 7" for the first time, backed with a previously unreleased dub cut.
*This track was championed by Jah Shaka in the mid-90s.
*Bush Chemists still have a sizeable following throughout Europe, Japan and beyond.

* This cut from east London's King General and Bush Chemists originally surfaced on a Conscious Sounds 7' in 1996, promptly sold out and has been troubling collector's bank balances ever since.

* This welcome repress is backed with a previously unreleased dub version from Bush Chemists.

* Yet another successful archive raid from Partial Records.