Harlem Shuffle Vinyl & CDs

Review: Since launching late last year, Harlem Shuffle Records has reissued a string of killer reggae recordings from the 1960s and 70's. Here the imprint offers up its first compilation, a 14-track selection of early reggae, dub and rocksteady hand-picked from the vaults of such legendary labels as Black Swan, Blue Cat, Duke, Doctor Bird, High Note and Trojan. It's a fine and hugely entertaining collection all told, with highlights including the easy, laidback skank of Stranger & Patsy's 'Tell it to Me', the trumpet-laden instrumental shuffle of 'Walk With Des' by Des All Stars, the Hammond-powered dancefloor heaviness of Clancy Collins' 'Brother Moses' and the prototype dub brilliance of 'Black Out' by the Hardy Boys.

Review: Harlem Shuffle knows what's up when it comes to reggae and few labels did it better than the legendary Trojan Records. The ongoing Hot Sauce series hits a fourth volume here with another red hot mix of gems from Trojan's vast vaults and plenty of classics sit next to a few lesser-known delights. Standouts come thick and fast but include a levied up vibe from The Rulers & The Carib Beats on 'Let My People Go (As The JJ All Stars)', a keys lead wobbler from The Hippy Boys on 'Wondering' and Dennis Alcapone who is in fine form delivery his patois over fat drums on 'Shades Of Hudson.'