Jamwax Vinyl & CDs

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.