Review: This is one of those raw soul sounds that never goes out of fashion, and thankfully neither does it often disappear from availability. It features two r&b classics, the dancefloor-ready 'Last Night' and the soulful 'Don't Break Your Promises', both originally released on the Rainbow label in the UK and a long-time bastion of Aitken's mastery of blending Jamaican and British influences. The opener draws from The Mar-Keys and Georgie Fame, showcasing r&b's imprint on Aitken's style. 'Don't Break Your Promises' is a Milson Luce cover that gained fame in Jamaica before inspiring numerous versions.
Review: Although since 2010 he has been a fully qualified mental health advisor living in the United States, back in the 70s , Wade "Jimmy" Dyce was a key original member of Cultural Roots. He was one of the four vocalists in the harmony group who worked with producer Donovan Germain and released several classics of the day on the Greensleeves label. Wade went it alone in the 80s and lay down some of his own jams with plenty of top musicians at Chris Stanley's famous Music Mountain studio. Now a bunch of them are getting pressed up to vinyl, including this one, the mighty 'Humble.'
Review: Jamwax presents the resurrection of a hard-hitting space synth masterpiece, Winston Fergus' 'In Ting Sound'. Lyrically an impassioned plea to free Nelson Mandela around the time of his incarceration, the titular A-sider is notable for its undeniable fusion of the dub reggae sound with space disco and synth element, owing to its later recognition as a track that refuses to be constrained by the passage of time. Now reissued in full force, it comes replete with the original set of tunes it was recorded alongside, including the teeth-gritting jovial dancehall of 'Mandela', the digital underwater weirdness of 'Life All Over', and the versiony goodness of said track with 'Finnegan', an alternate vocal take of the B1. A curio that all heads must surely know.
Review: Beres Hammond's venture into soul and r&b, backed by a lineup of reggae legends, offers a surprising break from his usual style. The album blends disco-inspired elements with Hammond's rich vocals, yet tracks like 'Keep My Wheel Turning' and 'I'm Lonely' stand out with a raw edge, adding grit to the smooth soul vibes. The title track showcases Hammond's emotional depth in a yearning romantic ballad, yet it's the overall feeling of experimentation that gives the release its unique charm. While this detour into soul isn't a permanent shift, it finds Hammond working at the peak of his expressive powers, offering an unexpected but satisfying listen.
Review: Jamwax breathes new life into a rare and evocative track from Justin Hinds, a heavyweight roots reggae masterpiece that embodies the spirit and teachings of Marcus Garvey. A-side 'Marcus Tradition" delivers a powerful message of tradition and heritage, driven by a down-tempo riddim and distinctive whistle. The flipside offers a dubwise reimagining, stripping back the vocals to reveal the hypnotic depths of the instrumental arrangement. This reissue is a testament to Jamwax's dedication to preserving Jamaican musical heritage, honouring both Hinds' artistry and Garvey's enduring legacy. A must-have for any roots reggae enthusiast or those seeking to connect with the powerful message of Marcus Garvey.
Review: R Zee Jackson's 'Row Fisherman Row EP', released on Jamwax, is a smooth fusion of roots and lovers rock. Born in Clarendon, Jamaica, Jackson (also known as Esso Jaxxon or Castro Pink) eventually moved to the United States in 1973 and later settled in Canada. There, he connected with key figures in the reggae scene, including Oswald Creary of Half Moon Studio, Doug of Comfort Sounds, and the legendary Jackie Mittoo. The EP kicks off with the title track, 'Row Fisherman Row', a melodic roots rock jam enriched with smooth dub elements. The warm, laid-back groove sets the tone, followed by 'Blackheart Man', where a deep, wobbling bass carries a more traditional reggae sound. On Side-2, 'Long Long Time' is a spiritual, echo-heavy vibe that exudes class and depth. Jackson continues to contribute to the reggae community as both a performer and producer, keeping the spirit of roots music alive.
Review: Jahlin was not only a talented singer and songwriter but was also someone who made music with a strong message. He got his education in Canada after moving there in 1975 following his younger days in amid and after booming a welder - which seems a popular first career choice for eventual reggae stars as Bob Marley took a similar path - he pursued his musical career. His 'Roots Reality' is as the title suggests a roots reggae song from the Roots Reality label in 1983. It has a positive vibe and the rather rare addition of a violin which is not so often heard in reggae tunes.
Review: Dennis Anthony Thomas is known as King Kong and is the celebrated Jamaican singer behind hits like 'Trouble Again' and 'Legal We Legal.' His track 'Song of Love' was originally released by Pisces Productions and is a rare gem and a powerful anti-apartheid anthem. The song confronts South Africa's apartheid regime, referencing President P.W. Botha while urging unity and human rights. Through themes of love and resilience, King Kong highlights the strength of cultural solidarity in a tune that is rooted in reggae's tradition of political advocacy. As such 'Song of Love' transcends music and symbolises global support for freedom.
Review: Showcasing the band's early contributions to reggae and ska, 'Back Out' offers a vibrant, rhythmic groove that highlights the Wailers' mastery of upbeat, catchy melodies. On the flip side, 'Can't You See' is a classic example of the track's influence on the evolution of ska, with its more upbeat tempo and infectious horn section, the Wailers blend infectious rhythms and dynamic instrumentation laying the groundwork for the genre's future development. A glimpse into this iconic band's roots and their role in shaping the sound of reggae music.
Review: Johnny Powell's 'Moving Out' is a killer reggae classic, charting the 80s dubstar's staunch decision to move "way out, way out, way out" of Babylon, after much abuse by the figurative city of vice. Against a wicked riddim by an unknown production crew, we've got laboured horns, ghostly vocals and snake-rattles, all of which make this a certain addition to the ranks of the politically charged reggae and ska of the time. This reissue is backed with another track by Powell, 'Love Is The Answer', which balances out the 12" with a 'positive vibe' of true love.
Review: Jamaican music legend Joe White is truly in his element on this much needed reissue. Alongside contemporaries such as Augustus Pablo, Peter Tosh and Bobby Kalphat he was one of very few melodica players on the scene. He had his first success in 1965 with the song "Every Night" and went on to release beautiful instrumentals like "Kenyata", "Call Me Trinity" (for Derrick Harriott) and "Cheer Up" for Glen Brown. White formed the group Roots, Trunks & Branches to release several tracks on the label Splendour Heights. "Forward To Zion" was released in 1979 and became a true reggae roots stepper banger for sound systems across the globe. Probably electronic music fans will appreciate the futuristic dub aesthetic. "Forward To Zion" is a song of peace, love, freedom and emancipation of people.
Review: Trinidadian eccentric Shadow has seen interest in his 1980s work rocket in recent times. Jamwax continue their love affair with the artist via this essential reissue of his obscure 1980 single "D'Hardest". Like much of his work, the track offers up a take on soca for the synthesizer age, with dusty electronic melodies and drum machine hits working in perfect harmony with his confident vocal and jangling acoustic guitar flourishes. On the flip you'll find the dub style Version, which strips out much of the vocal and using the chorus as a mantra-like chant.
Review: Original copies of T.Z Junior's bubblegum-boogie cut "Sugar My Love" are hard to come by outside of the artist's home country of South Africa. It's been that way since the single was first released on Roy B Records in 1985, hence this tidy reissue from the on-point Jamwax label. The title track remains a breezy, melodious, cheery and soul-flecked treat, with T.Z Junior delivering a brilliantly evocative lead vocal over bustling bubblegum synths, delay-laden machine drums and an inspired electrofunk bassline. "Are You Ready For Love", meanwhile, may not be quite as celebrated but is equally as impressive. It's the kind of sun-kissed "bubblegum" treat that would sound perfect blasting out of a soundsystem on a hot summer's day.
Review: Reggae is a genre that always existed on 7" in the early days. However, this album from The Wailers changed that as the first to ever be recorded as a full-length album. The Best Of The Wailers was actually their very first and it was recorded before their involvement with Lee Perry. It didn't drop until 1971 and showcased the group at the peak of their soulful powers. Each of the tunes is deceptively simple but impactful with plenty of memorable harmonies between Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. The sounds are perfectly raw and undercooked to give them an authentic and emotive edge and many of the tracks remain classics to this day.
The Wally Brothers - "The Man Who Sold The World" (2:37)
Wally's All Stars - "The Man Who Sold The World" (instrumental) (2:25)
Review: On Side-1 of this 45, a rootsy rendition breathes new life into the original track, transforming it into a laid-back, soulful cover of an alternative classic. The Wally Brothers' 7" reissue of 'The Man Who Sold The World' offers a fresh reggae twist on the iconic David Bowie classic, later popularised by Nirvana. The reggae rhythms, smooth basslines and heartfelt vocals make this version uniquely their own, while still honouring the song's original power. Side-2 delivers a dub version of the track, providing a dynamic instrumental take that emphasises the groove and atmosphere. The dub's subtle effects and stripped-back sound, meanwhile, will excited DJ's looking for a cool groove to play.
Review: Laury Webb is a lesser-known reggae artist active since the 1970s, and 'Woman My Queen' is one of his few releases; a heartfelt piece that features a smooth and soulful production by Philip Sloley, as well as a wompy, clipping kick sound and a haunting confession of love. This reissue is of one of two of Webb's to come out on the original label Reality Records; two further cuts which didn't feature on the original 12" appear here, from the triumphant 'It Seems The Same' to its uplifter-dub version.
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