Hip-Hop News

Studio One Freedom Sounds Is The New Collection From Soul Jazz/studio One Focussing On The Intense Period In The Second Half Of The 1960s When Studio One's Vast And Unbeatable Output Of Ska, Soul, Rock Steady And Reggae Made It Literally One Of The Hottest Musical Empires In The World.
During This Highly Successful Period, Clement 'sir Coxsone' Dodd Released Hundreds And Hundreds Of Superlative Singles Seemingly On An Almost Daily Basis, In The Process Making Huge Stars Out Of Jamaican Singers Such As Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson, The Wailers, Slim Smith, Jackie Opel And Many More.
Powered By The Finest In-house Musicians Working In Jamaica, Whether It Was The Skatalites, Jackie Mittoo's Soul Brothers, The Sounds Dimension Or The Soul Vendors, Studio One Functioned As Hit Factory On The Scale Of Motown In The Usa, Shaping And Defining Reggae Music For Decades To Come.
Singlehandedly Studio One's Founder Clement Dodd Was Able To Create The Most Successful Vertically-integrated Record Company That Jamaica Had Ever Known With Pressing Plant, Printers, Studio, Shops, And Sound Systems All Running At Once, With Over 50 Employees And Hundreds Of Artists Working With Studio One During This Time.
Studio One Freedom Sounds Tells The Story Of Studio One In The 1960s With A Stunning Set Of Ska, Soul, Rock Steady And Reggae Killer Tunes As Well As Informative Sleevenotes And Track-by-track Info By Noel Hawks. The Album Is Released As Heavyweight Double Vinyl (+ Free Download Code), Deluxe Cd And Digital Album.

Heart wrenching vocals, proto-ska R'n'B, killer hidden B sides and demos, all presented in beautiful gold embossed artwork with info & photo booklet.

Heart wrenching vocals, proto-ska R'n'B, killer hidden B sides and demos, all presented in beautiful gold embossed artwork with info & photo booklet.

There were some cool ska albums released at the turn of the millennium, including 2 albums by THE SPECIALS! Both 'SKINHEAD GIRL' and 'CONQUERING RULER' dig into the TROJAN RECORDS songbook, and the band's sound was top notch, lead by RODDY RADIATION, NEVILLE STAPLE, HORACE PANTER, and NEOL DAVIES. The release of these records on vinyl from Black Butcher Classics gives the albums a new lease on life and will be enjoyed by an entire generation of vinyl fans!

There were some cool ska albums released at the turn of the millennium, including 2 albums by THE SPECIALS! Both 'SKINHEAD GIRL' and 'CONQUERING RULER' dig into the TROJAN RECORDS songbook, and the band's sound was top notch, lead by RODDY RADIATION, NEVILLE STAPLE, HORACE PANTER, and NEOL DAVIES. The release of these records on vinyl from Black Butcher Classics gives the albums a new lease on life and will be enjoyed by an entire generation of vinyl fans!

The Ethiopians Was One Of Jamaica's Most Popular Bands During The Late Ska, Rocksteady And Early Reggae Periods. Their Third Album Woman A Capture Man Is A Quieter Record Than Their First Releases. During That Time Reggae Music Was Shifting From The Rough And Faster Songs Towards A Smoother And Slower Level. With The Vocals Of The Ethiopians In Front Of The Mix And The Organ Sound In The Background They Recorded Some Harmonic And Sweet Songs. Woman A Capture Man Shows Us A Band That's Still Developing And Changing, In A Good Way.

To mark the 50th anniversary of Trojan Records comes 'Trojan Ska & Reggae Classics', a double vinyl album comprising 24 of the most celebratory Jamaican music hits from the iconic label's legendary catalogue.

Released in tandem with the TV advertised 3CD version of the same name, this joyous collection showcases the very best in classic Caribbean sounds, from rude boy ska to dancehall anthems, with the set featuring an incredible 22 Top 50 UK chartbusters, including 4 UK Number 1s and 13 Top 10s.

The perfect musical accompaniment for the summer of 2018 and beyond, this blistering 2LP vinyl collection compilation ably demonstrates just what makes Trojan so special and why it remains the world's greatest reggae label, half a century since its launch.

As an integral part of the Trojan 50 marketing campaign, the LP will be heavily promoted via the label's website, Facebook & Twitter pages, Instagram and YouTube channel.




















[T] D2 | Desmond Dekker - You Can Get It If You Really Want

Album First Released 1980 Now Available On 180 Gram Vinyl And Cd. All Songs Are Performed By Byron Lee's Allstars. Featuring Ken Lazarus, Jo-jo, Keith Lynn, Smokey 007, Hubert Lee And Cecil Barker. All The Tracks Originally

Recorded In The Mid-sixties, Were Produced By Alty East, One Of The First Producers Of Ska In Jamaica. Dvertising In Riddim, Black Echoes And Record Collector Magazine

Gründungsmitglied Dave Wakeling präsentiert mit seiner Ausgabe von The Beat das 1. Studioalbum seit Auflösung der gefeierten Band 1982 - Here We Go Love ist eine Sammlung von 13 neuen und lebendigen Songs, mit einer perfekten Verbindung zwischen zeitgemäßem Sound und den zeitlosen Klassikern, die die Band berühmt machten.
- Das 1. The Beat (Starring Dave Wakeling) Album seit Auflösung von The Beat 1982 - Bundesweite Promotion
- Feat. Roddy - Radiation Byers (The Specials, The Skabilly Rebels), Als die Hauptakteure von The Beat - Dave Wakeling und Rankin Roger - auseinandergingen, einigten sie sich, dass sie beide weiterhin unter dem ursprünglichen Bandnamen mit dem jeweiligen Zusatz - starring bzw. - featuring auftreten und veröffentlichen dürfen. Mit - Here We Go veröffentlicht nun Dave
Wakeling mit seiner Ausgabe von The Beat den ersten Longplayer seit der Trennung von Rankin.
Wakeling hat ein besonderes Feingefühl für kritische Pop-Nummern sowie eine politische Schärfe. Mit einer Mischung aus Witz und Weisheit sowie Ska, Punk, Soul, Reggae, Pop und weitere Genres, die in den späten 1970ern in Birmingham aufkamen, waren The Beat ihrer Zeit voraus und schufen damals einen Hybriden Sound, Der Ihre Zeit Definierte. Mit Insgesamt Fünf Top 10 Hit Singles Stürmten Ihre Ersten Beiden Alben - just Can't Stop It Und - whap'pen Die Charts Und Der Erfolg Brachte Sie Bis In Die Großen Arenen In Ganz Amerika.
- here We Go Love Steht Für Eine Enorme Vitalität Und Erfahrung Zugleich Und Ist Von Beginn An Angereichert Mit Zischender Energie Und Entschlossenheit. Wakeling Thematisiert In Seinen Songs Was Es Bedeutet Im Hier Und Jetzt Zu Leben - Vorstellungen Von Liebe, Einem Selbst, Identität Und Selbstverständlich Politik. neben Der Live-band, Die Für Einen Tollen Groove Auf Dem Album Sorgt, Sind Einige Gäste Wie Roddy - radiation Byers (the Specials, The Skabilly Rebels), Train Gitarrist Luis Maldonado Und Backing-sängerin Durga Mcbroom, Kevin Williams Und Jelani Jones Besonders Zu Erwähnen. Das Neue Album Ist Der Höhepunkt Einer Langen Reise Für Dave Wakeling. Hier Werden Die Wurzeln Von The Beat Geehrt Ohne An Der Vergangenheit Festzuhalten. Wakelings eueinschätzung Beginnt Genau Hier. Das Album Gibt Den Fans Eine Gelegenheit Sich Mit Einem Wahrhaft Unentbehrlichen Uk-act Wieder Zu Verbinden.

Roddy Radiation is a legendary English musician who played lead guitar for The Specials, as well as many rockabilly bands such as the Bonediggers and the Tearjerkers. He wrote the Specials classics 'Concrete Jungle, 'Rat Race' and 'Hey, Little Rich Girl', later covered by Amy Winehouse. Roddy now leads The Skabilly Rebels, a band that mixes ska rhythms with rockabilly.

- The second album from the critically acclaimed ska band - The Hotknives.

Recorded at Camden Dingwalls London, 24th February 2002.

Featuring 4 hit singles: On My Radio, Three Minute Hero, Missing Words, The Whisper. Plus a nine minute version of Train to Skaville.

- 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
- INCLUDES INSERT
- 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LEGENDARY ALBUM
- REMASTERED AUDIO

Fishbone was one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s. With their hyperactive, self-conscious diversity, goofy sense of humor, and sharp social commentary, the group gained a sizable cult following during the late '80s.

Truth and Soul is their second album, originally released in 1988. The album features a wide array of genres including punk, ska, reggae, soul, funk, elements of hard rock and blues. Truth and Soul contains a cover version of Curtis Mayfield's Freddie's Dead', originally from the soundtrack of the film Super Fly and it is the first single of the album.

Three other tracks were released as singles Ma and Pa', with a video directed by Mike Lipscombe, Change' and One Day'.

The album was awarded four-out-of-five stars in 2004's The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Music critic Tom Moon called the album one of his 1000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die' and Robert Dimery listed it as one of his 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die'.

This year we are celebrating the 30th birthday of Truth and Soul. The album is finally available again on vinyl and includes the original insert with lyrics and liner notes.

- 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
- INCLUDES INSERT
- 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LEGENDARY ALBUM
- REMASTERED AUDIO

Fishbone was one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s. With their hyperactive, self-conscious diversity, goofy sense of humor, and sharp social commentary, the group gained a sizable cult following during the late '80s.

Truth and Soul is their second album, originally released in 1988. The album features a wide array of genres including punk, ska, reggae, soul, funk, elements of hard rock and blues. Truth and Soul contains a cover version of Curtis Mayfield's Freddie's Dead', originally from the soundtrack of the film Super Fly and it is the first single of the album.

Three other tracks were released as singles Ma and Pa', with a video directed by Mike Lipscombe, Change' and One Day'.

The album was awarded four-out-of-five stars in 2004's The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Music critic Tom Moon called the album one of his 1000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die' and Robert Dimery listed it as one of his 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die'.

This year we are celebrating the 30th birthday of Truth and Soul. The album is finally available again on vinyl and includes the original insert with lyrics and liner notes.

Southern Californian hard
-
rock legends FU MANC HU have announced plans to release their 12th studio album, Clone of the Universe , on February 9th,The upcoming record will be their first in 4 years, following the 2014 release of Gigantoid . In addition to the album news, FU MANCHU has also announced a world tour in support of the record. Dates are listed below. Clone Of The Universe marks a new chapter for the fuzz rock' pioneers as they mix the straight ahead blistering rock with the unexpected time shifts, featuring tracks like the roaring cuts Don 't Panic' and (I've Been) Hexed' and the dynamically complex Clone of the Universe' and Slower Than Light.' The centerpiece of the album is IL Mostro Atomico,' an 18 minute 8 second, side long epic featuring a special guest performance by Alex Lifeson, guitarist and songwriter of the legendary band RUSH. Heavier than anything they've ever done and broken into 4 distinct sections, it's new ground for a band that's been pushing the boundaries of fuzz and wah'
since its formation in 1990.The band will be playing 2 album release shows in Southern California before hitting the road in Europe in March of 2018 and returning to the US in May of 2018. Additional 2018 shows will be announced in the coming months. We are excited to get out and play this stuff, especially Il Mostro Atomico,' says founding guitarist, Scott Hill. We think it's some the strongest music we've ever done. We really love the overall sound of the album and having Alex (Lifeson) play on it is just incredible.
It gives it that special vali dation for the idea that we had to try something like a side long song.' The album was recorded and produced by FU MANCHU and Jim Monroe at The Racket Room in Santa Ana, CA with additional recording by Andrew Giacumakis at SUSSTUDIO in Simi Valley CA and will be released worldwide for streaming and on vinyl and CD on the band's own AT THE DOJO RECORDS. FU MANCHU is Scott Hill (vocals, guitar) Bob Balch(Guitars), Brad Davis (Bass) and Scott Reeder (Drums and Percussion).

1969 proved a crucial year in the development of Jamaican music. Reggae had just superseded Rock Steady in becoming the island s national sound, with the new exciting style swiftly embraced by a fast developing British working class youth movement noted for their smart, functional clothing and cropped hair Skinheads. So it was in such an environment that leading independent Doctor Bird Records released Laurel Aitken s long awaited second album, Laurel Aitken Says Fire, a collection comprised of his most popular singles from the preceding months along with previously unreleased material. Unsurprisingly, the LP became an immediate best-seller, its success only hindered by the record company's sudden and unexpected demise soon after.

When talking aout Ska Music one group of musicians whose name always comes to the forefront of the conversation are The Skatalites.
Formed around 1965 and named originally after the Soviet space satellite which was big news at the time.
With a little help from band member Tommy Mc Cook making a play on the characteristic 'Ska'sound made by the guitar when following the 'after beat' of the music.
The band would have a name to go with its distinctive musical style.
The time span of The Skatalites career considering their output of hundreds of tunes was a relatively short one of around two years.
We have caught a great set of tunes that the band cut at the legendary Treasure Isle Studios, built out of wood and positioned above Duke Reid's liquor store, it somehow worked in getting a great sound out of the band.
We have cherry picked a selection for your musical pleasure..
We hope you enjoy the set....

Launched in London in December 1976, punk stalwarts 999 are one of the most successful and long-lasting acts of the upstart movement. Third studio album The Biggest Prize In Sport was their first for Polydor, the band's competency at a peak, despite the temporary appearance of fanboy drummer Ed Case, drafted in from the Southall Crew supporters when Pablo LaBrittain broke his arm. Often ranked as the greatest album of their entire career, The Biggest Prize In Sport had noticeably smoother edges than their earlier work, yet still holding plenty of bite, the combination pushing it into the Billboard top 200 in the USA. Unmissable!

** Japanese pressing * Hand stamped *
Dug out from the Duke Reid / Treasure Isle archive tapes.

Tough mid 60s Rhythm Rock Steady Instrumentals. TIP!

Great Rock Steady Vocals on this one from the don of Rock Steady, Alton Ellis.

A premium series of limited edition Japanese pressed 7"s - featuring unreleased and impossibly hard to find gems from the Duke Reid archives.

Soul-Skasteady & Rocksteady Soulreggae von zwei neuen Bands: ARTE BELLA & THE FELLAS und TIGHTEN UP! Acht Instrumente, drei Sprachen, eine Liebe zur Musik: das sind ARTE BELLA & THE FELLAS Inspiriert durch ein musikalisches Spektrum von The Skatalites über Etta James bis hin zu Manu Chao ist die Berliner Band angetreten, um mit ihrer besonderen Soulful Ska Fusion eure Herzen zu erfreuen, eure Seelen zu trösten und natürlich eure Beine zum Tanzen zu bewegen. Respect the roots - enjoy the fruits! Wherever you are - let's do the Ska! - Mit dem Jahreswechsel 2021/22 erblickt die Band Tighten Up das Licht der Welt. Die sieben befreundete Musiker:innen aus Dresden und Berlin kennen sich schon seit vielen Jahren, gemeinsam waren und sind sie in den Bands Mola (Soul & Funk) und Yellow Cap (Ska & Rocksteady) aktiv. Der enthusiastische Yellow Cap Sänger überzeugte die sechs anderen Musiker:innen von seiner Vision einer ,Early Reggae & Rocksteady" Band, die sich vorerst ausschließlich mit jamaikanischen und britischen Cover-Songs aus den 60er und 70er Jahren beschäftigt. Und es wird Zeit, dass Tighten Up mit ihrer extrem tanzbaren und energetischen Musik überzeugen darf und mit ihr eine längst vergessene Zeit wieder erwachen lässt. 300 Stück weltwweit, klassisch schwarzes 180gr Vinyl, handnummeriert.

The only physical 7” currently available from Arthur Kay and the Originals. Recently described by Mojo as the unsung hero of ska, Arthur is featured in March’s Record Collector.

Yellow limited edition vinyl recorded at The Fat Surfer, Greys, Essex Friday, June 18, 2004.

Bad Manners gained popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s as part of the 2 Tone Ska revival scene. Known for their high-energy performances, humorous lyrics, and distinctive style, Bad Manners became one of the most recognisable bands of the Ska movement. Bad Manners continues to perform and tour regularly, with Buster Bloodvessel remaining at the helm. The band has a loyal fan base and continues to attract new fans with their infectious energy and fun-loving approach to music.

Wer kennt sie nicht, die Berliner Ska-Matadoren? Denn für viele gelten BLECHREIZ immer noch als die beste Live-Band Berlins! Sind sie nicht "ein Gemisch wie Nitro & Glycerin, das jeden Saal zum Kochen bringt"? - diese geballte Power macht jedenfalls das neue Album deutlich, dass jetzt von Smith & Miller Records auf Vinyl veröffentlicht wird. Gleich nach erstem Reinhören in den Tonträger wird klar, hier ist ein Ska-Dauerfeuer-Dampfhammer aufgelegt, bei dem man Gefahr läuft, sich die DocMartens-Sohlen durchzutanzen. Die ersten sechs Titel sind ein furioser Ritt auf dem Offbeat, bei dem die enorme Energie der Band deutlich wird. Neben ganz neu aufgenommenen Krachern, wie beispielsweise ihrem Ska-Hit "Bumble Bee" oder der legendären Arbeiter-Hymne "Which Side Are You On?" sind auch viele markante Blechreiz-Songs der Bandgeschichte auf dem neuen Album versammelt. Bei den ersten drei Titeln wurden BLECHREIZ von der Brass-Section der befreundeten Ska-Band "Memoria Insuficiente Ska" aus Bogotá in Kolumbien unterstützt. Ansonsten sind noch einige weitere Gäste bei den Aufnahmen mit dabei. Den Abschluss des Albums bildet mit dem Live-Song "Gewalt regiert" ein deutliches Statement gegen Nazi-Glatzen.

The Blue Beat Label Celebrates 60 Years 2020. The 60th anniversary celebrations of The Blue Beat Label will continue with the release of The Blue Beat Label 60 Year Celebration Album, "BLUE BEAT IS BACK IN TOWN" on a 12" Vinyl Album in black with a printed inner sleeve on Friday November 20th 2020.

This is the only dub album available to date of Bob Andy’s music. At Ariwa studios, Britain’s dub master

MAD PROFESSOR was let loose on twenty years’ worth of classic Andy cuts. Tracks like “Unchained”, “War in the City”,

“You Don’t Know”, “Ghetto Stays in the Mind”, and “Going Home” have been given the full Neil Fraser treatment.

Das Album Bob Marley mit dem Titel ”Africa Unite” ist das Ergebnis von den besten afrikanischen Künstlern, um die größten Hits von Bob Marley neu zu interpretieren. Auf dem Album sind Künstler wie Davido, Rema, Sarkodie, Ayra Starr, Tiwa Savage, Fireboy DML, Oxlade & Tems zu hören, die jeweils einen Klassiker von Bob Marley neu interpretieren. Dieses verbindende Projekt symbolisiert den Einfluss, den Bob Marley auf das moderne Afrika hatte. Africa Unite für die Welt!

Ab dem 04.08 als CD und auf roten und schwarzem Vinyl verfügbar.

When Belgian Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone in the mid-19th century, he could not have imagined what he had set in motion with his invention. Neither in classical music nor in military music did his new woodwind instrument find much appreciation. It was only long after his death that it became the most important instrument in jazz music via swinging big bands. It would probably have amazed Mr. Sax if he had been able to witness a young trio from Germany playing loudly against climate change and the lack of political consequences with two noisy saxophones and a drum set on a stage in front of the Reichstag in Berlin in front of more than 50,000 people jumping up and down during the climate strike in September 2021: BRASS RIOT.

The trio around Constantin von Estorff (Sax), Simon Sasse (Drums) and Carl Weiß (Sax) have been a band since their school days in Lüneburg. What started there as street music became a permanent and sought-after formation through the proximity to political initiatives, above all the Fridays-For-Future movement, and appearances at countless demonstrations. The band's name is slightly misleading, as "brass" in music refers to brass instruments such as the trumpet or tuba, even though most brass bands always include a saxophone. Moreover, the word "brass" means something in the German language, which in turn fits perfectly with this young, energetic trio: Fury.

On the heels of their debut album "Matschsafari" (2018), their second studio album "The Never Acting Story" is now released on Fun In The Church. The album title, in critical allusion to the world-famous fantasy book by Michael Ende, sums up well what the music of BRASS RIOT is about at its core: the possibility to get a noisy outlet for all the fury about the failed politics of the last decades and the frustrations and fears that go with it, and to free oneself from it for a moment. That this path has produced the wildest live music on this crisis-ridden planet is an irony of history - and certainly not the first time it has happened. It's no different in the jazz of Charlie Parker than in the songs of Patti Smith, the raps of Little Simz or the Afro-beat of Fela Kuti.

Musically, BRASS RIOT move more in the area of the melodic ska-pop of Madness, the fake jazz of the Lounge Lizards and contemporary rave brass ensembles like MEUTE between house music and electro beats. The fact that they have managed to politicize their sound so strongly over the years, despite all the party that goes with it, and without any song lyrics at all, is truly phenomenal.

“DAWNING OF A NEW ERA” is a fascinating collection of demos, now officially re-released for the 40th anniversary of the recordings, and making the tracks officially available on vinyl for the first time in over 2 decades!

Produziert und gemischt von Roger Rivas (The Aggrolites), zeigt ,Home For Dinner" den Saxophonisten David Hillyard und seine genreübergreifende Band Rocksteady 7 in Bestform. Das Album mischt Einflüsse aus Ska, Jazz, afro-kubanischer Musik und Reggae mit einer All-Star-Besetzung, darunter die Percussion-Legende Larry McDonald, den Sängern Chris Murray und B Negao sowie Mitgliedern von The Slackers und The Aggrolites. Von groovigen Eigenkompositionen bis hin zu kreativen Interpretationen von ,Ca Purange", ,Mack the Knife" und ,Jackpot" ist ,Home For Dinner" eine Meisterklasse in Sachen Groove, Melodie und kultureller Fusion.