Today Only: Roots/Lovers Rock sale vinyl

Review: One online reviewer described Shakeena's sole album, 1987's 'Dance Music', as a 'lover's rock jewel'. We tend to agree. Now available again on wax for the first time since the 80s (when it was pressed and released by a tiny label and sunk without trace), the album offers an enticing mix of echo-laden drum machine beats, dub-wise reggae basslines, cheery 'FM' synth-sounds, soulful vocals and nods towards freestyle, boogie and '80s soul. Highlights are plentiful throughout, with our picks of a very strong bunch including the club-ready title track, the glossy 'Your Love' (where Shakeena raps as well as sings), the classical lovers rock of 'Reggae Music' and the sweet and tender 'We Are The Mothers of the World'.

Review: Emotional Rescue and HMV Record Shop (Japan) end their DISCO REGGAE LOVERS 7" series with reggae legend Sugar Minott and this utterly unique UK soul-boogie rarity, I Remember Mama.

Reggae star, vocalist, producer and sound system operator, Kingston JA born Minott released over 50 albums and hundreds of singles for the likes of Studio One, Wackies, Suffering Heights and his own Black Roots label.

His distinctive soulful voice pioneered the Dancehall style and following his UK hit "Hard Time Pressure" he moved to London in 1980, adopting the rising Lovers Rock sound. On a visit to Wackies' offices in Soho he met Steve Parr, who had recently opened a studio next door.

Keyboard player for the likes of Desmond Dekker and Geno Washington, Parr moved into composition, mixing, sound engineering and production, before setting up the Sound Design Studio in Dean Street.

Principally a studio, the meeting with Minott hatched the idea to create a label to showcase their capabilities. Produced by Parr, he played all the instruments except the distinctive sax by friend Andy MacDonald.

With Minott's heartfelt lyrics, this marriage created a one-off, a ground-breaking synthesised 4/4 rhythm track with funk groove and soulful vocals. Released on 7" and 12", the versions noticeably differ and is the perfect closing to the DISCO REGGAE LOVERS series.