EARLY B Vinyl & CDs

Review: Death Is Not The End sublabel 333 Records reissue, in their estimation, one of the key 45s in the output of Prince Jazzbo's Ujama label, active in the late 1980s, and which preceded and perhaps presaged the oncoming digidub movement of the 90s. At this point, the artist known as Earlando Neil aka. Early B was a favourite fixture of Jazzbo's roster, famously channelling a proto-digital sound before the advent of digital dub production proper would unfortunately eclipse him. 'Imitator' is one such originator and version: a gruff, monophonic, bassy dancehall dragger, pon which B's vocal toasts are effortless to the point of burnt and hair-raising, and the basses sound like blowpipes; clock the synth bell too, also heralding the digital revolution to come.

Review: Some rare dancehall history is brought to light with this new reissue from Acid Jazz. Originally released only as a white label promo via Jah Thomas's Midnight Rock, Early B Meets Super Cat compiles early Channel One sessions powered by the iconic Roots Radics and features two standout artists: Early B and a then rising Super Cat, whose energetic side-stepping vocals allowed Thomas's production prowess to shine. Though only promo copies were pressed initially, this release allows a new generation of fans to deep dive into formative dancehall grooves full of crisp rhythms, vintage dub tones and real vocal energy.