Rock A Shacka Japan Vinyl & CDs

Review: The good folks at Rock A Shaka have long been encouraging us to slow down and sink into a softer way of life, at least that's what we assume from their continually excellent output. This latest downtempo delight is a split 7" featuring Cassandra and Tyrone David. The former's 'Happiness Togetherness' opens up with heart-aching and soul-melting vocals unfolding in graceful fashion over the the lover's rock rhythms below. Tyrone David then offers 'Tell Me Why' which has more great vocals with a more indie twist. The drums remain cuddly and persuasive.

Review: Rock A Shaka is hella busy right now and continues to drop mad heat on a very busy schedule. It is now Dave & Earnest who step up with their unique take on reggae. This one is coloured by disco and boogie with dazzling results. 'Moving On' has big horns over soul-stepping beats and retro 80s drum sounds. The vocals drip with sexiness and a killer bassline finishes in style. The version dials it back to a fleshy dub with the tooting horns left in to get your juices going.

Review: Jamaican singers Sonia Ferguson and Tyrone David recorded 'Use To Be My Dread' in the late 70s for producer Bunny Lee. A lovers' rock gem, Ferguson's vocals are rhythmically deft, and Bunny Lee's production is glitzy and dynamic, adding to its sense of serene and playful humour. The song concerns a former lover who has changed for the worse, though, despite this change, Ferguson regards this person as akin to a dreadlock, a permanent lock of hair and an enduring part of her being. Though it was originally released as a single on the Attack label, it has since become a sought-after collector's item, and so thoroughly deserves this reissue via Rock A Shaka.

Review: Rock A Shaka comes thorough with more of the sort of sun-kissed and horizontal reggae sounds that have us dreaming of summer. This one finds Phil Francis working with The New Horizon Band on the heart-melting 'Smile On My Face'. It has fat, lazy drum wobbles with steamy trumpet motifs ringing out into a cloudless blue sky. Neat guitar riffs compliment the groove with a blue-eyed soul vocal up top and plenty of lovely lo-fi production finishing it in style. On the flip-side is a version without the vocal that still makes its way into your affections, but the vocal really is the one to beat.

Review: Lloyd Charmer's 'Skin Tight' is a well-respected roots jam that first made its mark back in 1975. An OG copy of that first pressing will cost you a pretty penny these days as the Jamaican singer, keyboard player and producer's reputation has only grown over the years - no wonder when you put out some 19 albums and 147 singles and EPs. This one is a mid-tempo roller with laidback vocals packed with soul and natty organs dancing in the background. Well worth picking up.

Review: This new 7" from the Far East is part of the Neville King Lovers Rock Revisited series. It's as smooth and heartfelt as roots reggae gets with One Blood and Simplicity really tapping into a loved-up vibe. 'Lady Lady' has meandering basslines and lazy horns unfurling next to the buttery sweet and tender vocals which muse on a dream girl. On the B-side is 'Loving Kind', a more traditional dub with tropical island vibes, subtle steel drums and this time a female vocal delivering a carefree lament.

Review: Delroy Witter ran the Success Sound System out of Harlesden, North London, becoming one of the key figures in the UK's burgeoning reggae and lovers rock scenes. Pulled from his label D-Roy, this second volume of carefully curated classics get the fresh airing they deserve at a time when appreciation for the importance of lovers rock as a branch of reggae has never been stronger. There's ample sentimental, romantic jams contained within, but plenty of heavyweight riddims too, all remastered and presented with the Rock A Shaka attention to detail.