Hip-Hop News

Dub Dynasty’s acclaimed second album “Thundering Mantis” returns. With support from the top reggae/dub sound systems around the world, such as Channel One, Jah Shaka, Iration Steppas, OBF and media platforms such as Q Magazine, Mixmag, Wire, BBC and Rinse FM to name a few. Demand for this LP has been steadily growing, with the help of the press, taste-makers and streaming success (1M plays on YouTube + 3M on Spotify and multiple millions across all platforms).

Dub Dynasty once again deliver an international line-up featuring vocalists and instrumentalists from around the globe; UK, USA, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Italy, Ireland, Spain and Suriname. With diverse contributions ranging from the soulful vocals of Wellette Seyon, Cian Finn and Prince David, to the militant chants of N’goni and Ras Tinny, traversing the enchanting flute melodies of Don Fe to the spoken word teachings of internationally recognised spiritual guru Mooji. This album is a musical journey to be experienced both at home and at sound system volume

Dub Inc, one of the most famous French reggae bands, is back with a new studio album! For ten years, the musicians and singers have been sharing on stage their inimitable sense of melody, sincere lyrics and human ethics. They managed to get fans all over the world (from the US to North Africa, Germany, Portugal etc) and collaborate with the most prestigious international artists (Tiken Jah Fakoly, David Hinds, Tarrus Riley...) With their unique mix of reggae, dancehall, kabylian and world music, the band, led by singers Bouchkour et Komlan, delivers his universal message around the planet, advocating for diversity and spreading their explosive energy!

OVERVIEW: DUB TREES is one of Youth’s most revered dub projects, it helped define the Liquid Sound Design sound that fans around the world hold dear. This project is the third in a triptych of albums Youth has made with a specific Celtic / Hindu fusion. Starting out with the classic Celtic Cross ‘Hicksville’ 20 years ago, featuring the mythical Simon Posford (Shpongle) through to ‘East of the River Ganges’ (ft Klaus Shultz / Tangerine Dream amongst many others) in 2004 followed by the last piece of this mystical puzzle ‘Celtic Vedic’ ,released on compact disc only in 2016 , which charts the journey of the Celt from Northern India to Snowdonia. The idea stems from Youth’s firm belief that there is a strong correlation between Celtic and Vedic cultures and their Northern Indian roots. Youth has assembled a host of collaborators to weave their labrynthine magic on ‘Celtic Vedic’: Jah Wobble (PiL) on bass, Matt Black/Coldcut (Ninja Tunes) on warped soundscaping duties, Galician Celtic pipe and flute player Daniel Romar, Bollywood contemporary Indian singer Shridevi Keshavan and Elfic Circle. It features many field recordings made by Youth on his various Indian odysseys and is all harnessed together with cutting-edge electronica that the Liquid Sound Design team pioneered 20 years ago. The team today are still pioneering new directions within ‘Downtempo Electronica Music’ and beats that create 3 dimensional landscapes for the helioscopic imagination to explore and psychoactive maps for the inner astronaut in all of us. ‘Celtic Vedic’ promises unchartered bass annihilation and heliotropic soundscapes, pounding basslines overlayed on 3D holographic beats and wrestles with serpentine melodies and psychedelic textures.

Fat Freddy's Drop's legendary performance at London's Roundhouse from 2008 is finally available on vinyl for the first time ever to celebrate its 15th anniversary. 3LP with a neon green sleeve, gatefold

Fat Freddy's Drop present the ‘LOCK-IN’ album, a sonic moment in time as the band jam conscious songs of freedom and hope for a generation.

The studio session was captured at the iconic Michael Fowler Centre in the band’s hometown of Wellington, New Zealand during the pandemic lockdown. Devoid of audience, it’s a reflection of the surreal times that’s halted tour life 2020.

The band re-located their BAYS studio to the MFC and set up in a circle on the MFC stage for the recording, providing a unique space to jam slow burn classics such as ‘Soldier’, ‘Hope’ and ‘This Room’ as well as test drive ‘Avengers’ a brand new track in the making.

The other tracks recorded are 'Special Edition', ‘Six-Eight', ‘OneFourteen’ and 'Trickle Down’ from ‘Special Edition Part 1’ the band’s most recent album.

The crisp multi-track production was recorded by Western Audio, monster mix back at BAYS studio by DJ Fitchie, Freddys beat master and producer. Mastering at Calyx studio in Berlin.

The ‘LOCK-IN’ session melds Freddys fastidious studio chops and love of freewheeling jams with a tautness that comes from 21 years in the business and a reputation as one of the finest live draws in the world.

M.J. Dorane (Disco Dub Band,etc.) production, 1976, with sax instrumental

"What makes ""Flox in Dub"" so special are the captivating sounds. The album is a perfect fusion of reggae, dub and electronic music, creating an atmospheric and hypnotic trance.

Deep bass and subtle sound effects transport the listener on a captivating musical journey. The melodies are both catchy and soothing, offering a unique listening experience.
Each song is carefully produced, showcasing Flox's talents as a composer and producer."

Great modern roots tune from Frankie Diamond of Still Cool, with rhythm by his long time collaborators Carl "Stereo" Fletcher and Pablove Black. The vocal saw very limited release on JA 45 back in the late 00's, the version side is now released for the first time ever.

1977 Bunny Lee production, with organ led instrumental version, first time on 12"

Freddie McGregor was born in Clarendon, Jamaica on June 27, 1956. At age seven, he started singing backup for a local ska harmony duo called The Clarendonians and did his first recordings aged 10 years with the name "Little Freddie" or "Young Freddie", and as a duo with Ernest Wilson aka "Freddie & Fitsy".

During the 1970s, McGregor was closely associated with the legendary Studio One label. He sang lead for groups like Generation Gap and Soul Syndicate, and also recorded off and on as a solo act during the '70s. In 1975, McGregor converted to Rastafarianism.

His debut album Mr. McGregor was released in 1979. The album opens with "We Got Love" featuring a Tower of Power influenced horn section underneath McGregor's tale of love conquering all. The classic "Rastaman Camp" combines muted horn and an earthy, Nyahbinghi-like chorus for one of producer Niney's deeper constructions, but the lightweight fare is equally welcome as the easy strolling and not too sugary version of "Brandy" displays.

Mr. McGregor is available as a limited numbered edition of 750 copies on orange vinyl.

1973 Killer with 2 Dubs & 2 Clavinet Instrumentals

One of Jamaica’s most influential vocal groups, revered and imitated by the young Wailers and the Heptones.

Produced by Ben Mckone
Recorded at Boogie Back Studios, London & Prince Fatty’s, Brighton
Features include DENNIS BOVELL, TOPCAT & HORSEMAN

Classic re-issue celebrates the birthday of the late singer. The album marks a pivotal time in the early relationship between Isaacs, producer Ossie Hibbert and VP Records.



First released in 1977 the ‘Mr Isaacs’ album established the template for Gregory Isaacs’ subsequent superstar status. Conceived by Gregory and Ossie Hibbert as an album project it contained three of the Cool Ruler’s greatest hits ‘Smile’, ‘Slave Master’ and ‘Set The Captives Free’. ‘Mr Isaacs’ status as one of reggae’s cornerstone albums was cemented when it was reissue in 2001 on the Blood & Fire label.


Re-mastered by Kevin Metcalfe the deluxe 32 track 2 CD set includes more Gregory, DJ Cuts plus complete companion ‘Leggo Dub’ album plus the lethal ‘Mr Know It All’ version ‘War Of The Stars’. 2CDs in 6 panel digi-pak with 16 page booklet

Classic reggae from Gregory Isaacs 'the cool ruler,' this single is taken from the latest re-packed collection titled Mr. Isaacs.

Gregory Isaacs was a Jamaican reggae musician who reached an international audience in the early ‘80s by releasing Night Nurse. The follow-up on the Island records label was Out Deh!, where he and the Roots Radics band continue in being an excellent combination. Political statement and spiritual lyrics reflecting on the different things that happened in his life. Maybe not as strong as Night Nurse, but it proved how much great stuff he recorded during this period.

180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
REGGAE SERIES WITH SELECTED REGGAE CLASSICS STICKER ON SEAL
FEATURING “PRIVATE SECRETARY”, “SHEILA”, AND MORE SONGS

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.

‘Rat Patrol’ was first released in 2001 on Jet Star’s Charm label and features Isaacs’ signature mix of dancehall tunes and forlorn love ballads.

Demon Records is proud to present the vinyl debut of ‘Rat Patrol’, pressed on 140g black vinyl and featuring a printed inner sleeve with liner notes from John Masouri.

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.

‘Work Up A Sweat’ was first released in 1994 on Isaacs own African Museum label and was coproduced with his wife June. Highlights include ‘Lead Me’ and ‘Got To Come Back’.

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.

Legendary Jamaican songsmith Gregory Isaacs' 1995 album 'Private Lesson' on Radiation Roots. The set includes laidback cuts 'Preacher Boy', 'Feeling Sad Tonight', Diplomatic Fool', 'She Doesn't Want Me', 'Slave Master' and many more.

Killer mid 70s roots rocker from The Cool Ruler with the sound of babylon dubwise on the flip from The Mighty Two Joe Gibbs

Warehouse Find!

Coupled with Ken Boothe, Memories. Double-barrelled digital onslaughts from Niney The Observer — the Dealing rhythm is aka Power-Saw, not for nothing — and both vocalists are inspired.

Memories Version is a Basic Replay exclusive.

"Jamaica Funk, that's what it is"

Cool Rasta is an album by The Heptones, which consisted of Earl Morgan, Barry Llewellyn, and Leroy Sibbles. Brought up in the Trench Town area of Kingston, their first successful record was “Fatty Fatty”, first released in 1966. Since then, they have had several hits including “Country Boy”, “Mama Say” and “Book Of Rules”. At the guiding hand of top producer, Harry Johnson they recorded Cool Rasta, which came out in 1976.

The title track of the album is a typical example of The
Heptones at their brilliant best.


Cool Rasta is available as a limited edition of 750 individually numbered copies on orange coloured vinyl.

This studio collaboration between the French Dub pioneers and the famous Dub kids from Lyon seems to have been really prolific in terms of quality and quantity. All along these tracks, you can hear a successful hybridization between two major dub bands. The steppa rythms are mixing themselves with the ethnic ambiances of scratches, synths and drum rolls so precious for High Tone. Try to recognise which sound comes from which band on this album made of improvisations with electronic breaks and floating atmosphere.. To make it short, an awesome meeting displaying its devastating effects.

When High Tone Live dropped on Jarring Effects, it wasn't just another live album - it was a statement. Captured in the spring of 2003, the Lyon-based collective condensed years of experimentation into an 11-track journey that redefines what live dub can be. Since their formation in 1997, High Tone have stood at the crossroads of dub, electronic music, rock, and urban culture. With Jarring Effects as their home base, they built a reputation for transforming the stage into a laboratory - a place where basslines mutate, beats deconstruct, and every frequency breathes. High Tone Live draws from four key releases - Low Tone, Opus Incertum, Bass Température and ADN - Acid Dub Nucleik - revisiting them through the raw energy of the stage. Classics like "Dehli Katmandou" and "Enter the Dragon" are stretched, twisted, and reborn in extended, improvisational forms. Two unreleased tracks, "112 Dub" and "Onew Dub," complete the set, adding a dose of fresh material to a disc that feels both retrospective and forward-looking. As with any live recording, there are rough edges: the mix shifts, some moments feel caught mid-explosion. But that's the beauty of High Tone Live. The imperfections add warmth, immediacy - a reminder that this music is made by humans pushing machines to their limits. High Tone Live stands as one of the strongest documents of Europe's post-dub explosion. It's a record that bridges continents and genres - a sonic travelogue where analog grit meets digital hypnosis. More than a live set, it's a manifesto of independence and sound exploration, stamped with the unmistakable seal of Jarring Effects.

"Happy Hour in Dub" ist ein himmlisches Set von Dub-Versionen, basierend auf Hollie Cooks von der Kritik gefeiertem 2022er Album "Happy Hour", und ihr erstes komplettes Dub-Album seit 2012. "Happy Hour in Dub" wurde durch das genaue Anhören des modernen Lovers Rock des Originalalbums ins Leben gerufen. Cook und Mckone erklären: "Der Grund und die Inspiration für die Dub-Platte ist, dass "Happy Hour" in seiner ursprünglichen Form so viele komplizierte musikalische Feinheiten hat, die sich durch die Songs ziehen - von den Hintergrundgesang- und Streicherarrangements bis hin zu einigen viel subtileren Details. Und als wir beim Abmischen einige dieser Parts alleinstehend über dem Schlagzeug- und Bassfundament hörten, hatten wir das Gefühl, dass es noch so viel zu erforschen und freizulegen gab..." An den Reglern sitzt neben Hollie der Produzent von Happy Hour, Ben Mckone, der ihre gefühlvollen Kreationen bis an ihre klanglichen Grenzen ausreizt, dazu kommen neue Gesangseinlagen von Josh Skints und Kiko Bun.

Horace Andy's voice is an instrument that once heard is never forgotten, regardless of whether you first hear it on one of the numerous Jamaican reggae singles that he recorded during the 70s or - like most people - on one of the Massive Attack albums he collaborated on as a vocalist. His falsetto and his characteristic slow-motion vibrato breathed life into tracks like "Spying Glass", "Cuss Cuss", "In The Light", "Skylarking" or "(You are My) Angel", ensuring that they still continue to resonate deeply with listeners. His vocal style influenced countless root singers and the combination of his timbre with Massive Attack's spartan hip hop beats still inspires legions of fans and copyists all over the world. Echo Beach has now picked up on this tradition - and the much older tradition of versioning - by asking friends of the label to rework Horace Andy's classic tracks in their own sound outfit. But this time the label hasn't trawled old Studio One tapes for historic vocal snippets - that would sooo nineties; no, Horace Andy personally put in an appearance to sing new versions of his classic tracks on top of timeless and contemporary riddims. Age may have deepened his voice, but it is by no means weaker, as can be heard on this album, on which Echo Beach welcomes old friends and new faces: there's Rob Smith, who as part of More Rockers and Smith & Mighty was just as crucial for Bristol's musical reputation as Massive Attack or DJ Krust & Roni Size. Today, he ensures continuity by working under the label and producer name.

Jamaican roots reggae master, and frequent collaborator with British trip hop group Massive Attack,
teams up with former PiL bassist Jah Wobble for a
brand new set of studio recordings!
•Andy’s voice is one of the most distinguished and
inimitable in reggae and thoroughly shines on such
classics as Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” The Beatles’
“Come Together,” and America’s “A Horse With No
Name” PLUS new versions of Andy’s own classics
“Skylarking” and “Natty Dread A Weh She Want” and
more!
Wobble’s production blends reggae with modern
dub and world music for one of the richest reggae
albums likely to be relased this year!

Howie Atkins' first release after he had moved to Canada, recorded in 1978 by King Culture. Conscious Roots Reggae tune carried by rolling hand-drums, guitar strums, horns and quality production by King Culture. Later on two albums were released, "Rock and Come In" and the sophomore album "Howie Smart Meets King Culture in Dancehall Style".

Ishmael Ensemble return with another mighty south-west link up this time handing the controls to dub & roots music legends Dubkasm.

As soon as Ishmael Ensemble finished their collaborative ‘New Era’ EP with Rider Shafique, bandleader Pete Cunningham knew he wanted to have it remixed in the classic dub-style; and who better to enlist than Bristol’s finest, DJ Stryda & Digistep aka Dubkasm.

Following in the well worn footsteps of dub legends such as King Tubby, Mad Professor & Scientist - Dubkasm rework and authentically dub the original recordings and warp them into a sound-system ready collection of heavy hitting, deep sonic explorations complimented perfectly by Rider’s iconic voice and potent, thought provoking lyricism.