Juno Recommends Roots / Lovers Rock: May 2022

Review: Originally released in 1986 on the LA based label Majicaa Records, here comes a much warranted official reissue and remaster of Shakeena's super good bubblegum lovers rock jam 'I Bet You'. Shakaman was a reggae master dummer who shows off his stick skills here on a searing groove that is fleshy and warm. The vocal is a sunny, aching one that brings the soul and is sure to dissipate any bad vibes on your day. Flip it over for the stylish dub version for a different kind of ride.

Review: Israel Movements is an 80's roots reggae band from Birmingham. Someone has been digging in the vaults and tuned out some multitrack tapes for this underrated opus so that they can be pressured. The talented band bring deep roots, mad steppers, dii sounds and on this version some newly extended dubs that really make their mark. 'No sniff, no coke, no heroin, just stick with sinsemilla' is a fine hook to kick off the opening track with and from there things remain essential as many different reggae styles are explored with great social-political commentary up top.

Review: Tuff Scout come through with some crucial riddims here from Peter Mereo and Daddy Culture. Metro goes first with his particularly natty 'Dancing Spirit', the intense vocal work never letting up over the suspenseful chords that drop in from great height. A dub version pairs things back to the heavy weight drums and bass. On the flip is 'Give Them Style', a digi-dub stepper with shiny synths bringing electric feels to the plucked acoustic guitar and lumpy drum work. All three tunes are primed and ready for sound system deployment this summer and beyond.

Review: Prolific dub vocalist Linval Thompson has got a vast catalogue but is there any tune better in it than the title track from this newly reissued album originally from 1978 on Trojan Records? Sure, it's silly, it's juvenile, but for any tokers of the dope out there it is an anthem to live by. That one is worth the cover price alongs, frankly, but the rest of the tunes on this green audiophile pressing are just as natty, with heavy dubs and stoned sounds from front to back. Plenty make their praise to jah and if you put this one on it is sure to make your BBQ 100% more sunny no matter the actual weather.

Review: Legendary trombonist Vin Gordon recorded the album from which the title tune here is taken at the Bakery Studio Manchester. It was recorded and mixed using tape and analogue equipment which lend it that authentic frayed edged and earthy feel. The original title track 'African Shores' is featured with its snaking trombone leads and hissing hi hats, and on the flip trumpet master Nat Birchall steps up with Al Breadwinner for a Gold Coast dub. It is slow, fat bottomed and filled with great studio effects that warp the mind.

Review: One of many Studio One-affiliated releases to crop up as of late, Dadawah's 'Peace And Love / Wadadasow' is a rarity few heads can claim to know. A side alias of practising Rastafarian and musician Ras Michael (Michael George Henry), Dadawah ended up his magnum opus despite original intent as a lower-key piece. This one's made up of a weird and wonderful cross-section of styles: wah guitar, plodding bass and the rhythmic chants of his religious music influence of choice, the Nyabhinghi - Rastafarian devotional music combining African drumming and gospel. A classic, reissued whirlwind of laid-back joy.