Juno Recommends Reggae Classics: Ocotber 2022

Review: Victor Axelrod aka Ticklah is the venerated producer beyond this new toast from Jamaican reggae and dancehall singer Mikey General. The pair came together during the pandemic and found plenty of common musical ground as they throw it back to the early 1980s analog rub-a-dub style. The backing track has been used in years gone by but Mikey adds his own spin to it here. He has been a mainstay in the scene since the 1980s and has fans in New York, London and Jamaica. On the flip of this one is an instrumental and dub mix, 'Prattle,' which features keysman Earl Maxton on clavinet.

Review: 'Pass The Dutchie' is a cover of a reggae tune by Jamaican band Mighty Diamonds. It has enjoyed a return to the spotlight thanks to being identified as a key track in Season 4 of Netflix's massively successful 'Stranger Things' series, in which it adds character to Argyle, Jonathan Wheeler's weed-loving new best friend. It is a classic tune with iconic vocal riffs and slow rolling digital-dub drums that have you wanting to reach for a smoke the second it starts playing. Snap up this limited 10" before it's gone.

Review: Original rudeboy Roy Ellis is best known for his Symarip association. Here he's back with an all-new 7" that shows he is still on top of his game. 'Rudy Skankin' On The Moon' actually first dropped as a set of vocals by Melbourne Douglas on Original Gravity's Reggae Dynamite Vol. 2. Now it comes as a sequel to 'Skinhead Moonstomp' which was an OG skinhead reggae anthem by Ellis's Symarip. It's a timeless sound with all the swagger you would expect, great vocals and plenty of Hammond organ action. Flip it over for an early reggae version by the Woodfield Rd Allstars.

Review: Japan has an always eye opening and left of centre take on most of the world's most established genres. Urban Discos save sup plenty of it and this time it is a Far Eastern take on lover's rock that is in the sights. Here we have two cuts from Qimygo who also records as KIMIGO. Up first it is 'Aitai To Omoeba' with its shiny dancehall beats and glistening, innocent melodies all topped off with the pure and clean vocals of Qimygo. After that upbeat opener comes the swagger and ever so slightly more tradition dub of 'Abatina (Calypso Rose)' but still served up through a bright melodic lends.

Review: 32 years have now passed since London ska band Maroon Town delivered their debut album, High & Dry. As this timely reissue proves, the set has undoubtedly aged well. Many of the lyrical themes remain startlingly relevant (see 'Thatcher's Children', a commentary on poverty under a Conservative government; 'Women Say No', which tackles male violence against women; and 'Pound To The Dollar', where they take aim at the gap between the rich and poor), while the band's blend of jaunty ska grooves, sung and rapped vocals still sounds fresh all these years. Highlights are plentiful, with confirmed dancefloor smashers 'Welcome' and 'Possee' being amongst our current favourites.

Review: Classic dub here from Jimmy London that now gets reissued on some sweet heavyweight vinyl for loud deployment of beefy sound systems. London recorded it back in 1980 for the Burning Sounds label with a seriously talented cast of assistants taking up lead guitar, rhythm guitar, drums, bass, sax, trombone and much more. They all make for a colourful exploration of reggae sounds that are as impactful now as they ever were. Jimmy's effortlessly sweet and soulful volts are the icing on each of these alluring reggae rhythm cakes.

Review: New school reggae and organic rocksteady sounds from The Appetizers never sounded so good as on this fresh long player. It's on heavyweight vinyl for serious sound system detonation and comes with plenty of catchy hooks and buttery smooth vocals. The guitar riffs are subtle, the bass fat and the rhythms all nice and earthy and original. Lyrics muse on the usual subjects of love, loss social turmoil and are well written even though this band is Italian-born, forming in Milan in 2020.