Back in stock: Reggae Classics/Ska

Review: Emmanuel 'Rico' Rodriguez was a British ska and reggae trombonist who was brought up in Jamaica and put out 19 albums from 1969 onwards. Up there with the best of them is Man From Wareika which has been reissued many times over the years and this time out comes on lovely translucent gold vinyl. His style of reggae is swaggering and sun-kissed, with lazy trombone leads bringing character to each tune and plenty of neat organ work and natty melodies layering in extra musical vibes. This is regarded as a classic of the genre for good reason.

Review: Rico Rodriguez, all-round brilliant Jamaican horn and and trombonist, played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of ska, rocksteady and reggae. Born in Kingston in 1934, he began his career in the 1950s then joined the Skatalites in the early 1960s, and whether one chalks this lucky break up to birthrights, shrewd decisions or chance sliding door moments is up to the historian. But his talent cannot be denied: over the years, Rico worked with Toots And The Maytals, Bob Marley, and The Specials. His masterful trombone solos lent parping bombast to a scene which abhorred tinniness, and the Man From Wareika album exemplified this. This dub edition is a crucial pre-release dub edition from the 1976 classic, in which we hear a full instrumental brass-and-bass dive-bombing across nine formerly unreleased Island Records trinkets.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


First released in 1981 on Sonia E. Pottinger's esteemed High Note Records, this album features the delicate brilliance of a one-woman band whose talents have only grown more revered with time. Overlooked on its debut, the album has since become a coveted gem among collectors and reggae enthusiasts, thanks to its heartfelt lyricism and lush arrangements. Now receiving its first official reissue on vinyl, this lover's rock masterpiece finally gets the care and recognition it deserves. Anchored by tracks like the soulful 'Let Love Flow On', immortalised on Jeremy Underground's Beauty compilation, and the dreamy 'Fantasy', Spence's voice exudes warmth and sentimentality. The ten tracks radiate tropical charm, blending soothing rhythms with romantic optimism, making the album a perfect soundtrack for sunlit afternoons. Spence's untimely passing at 54 imbues her work with added poignancy, as her lyrics carry a quiet resilience and hope. An excellent blend of soulful crossover appeal and roots reggae music.

Review: London-based Tokyo Riddim Band is a fusion of cultures, uniting three generations of Japanese female musicians with London's eclectic soundscape. Their vibrant performances merge reggae drums, funky basslines, and City Pop guitar, all live and dubbed-out on stage, creating a cultural phenomenon in the reggae scene. Following their debut single's success, "Denshi Lenzi," Tokyo Riddim Band presents "Canoe Boy," a hypnotic Japanese new wave reggae track. Originally penned by Japanese punk rock pioneer PANTA in 1980 for Tomoko Kuwae's album, this gem makes its single debut now. Dubby and funky, Tokyo Riddim Band's rendition, enhanced by Prince Fatty's dubwise touch, features siren machines, extended solos, and a groovy outro.

Review: Renowned pioneers of ska and rocksteady, Toots and the Maytals emerged in the early 1960s as pivotal figures in the popularisation of reggae. Fronted by the late Toots Hibbert, regarded alongside Bob Marley and Peter Tosh as one of reggae's chief pioneers, his soulful vocals drew comparisons to Otis Redding. Rolling Stone hailed him among the top 100 male singers ever. Their 1968 hit 'Do the Reggay' notably coined the genre's name and introduced it globally. This Is Toots and the Maytals, their third album originally released on Beverley's Records, captures their influential sound from that transformative era.

Review: The more erudite record digger will know that Japan has long since had a thriving ska, dub and reggae scene. This new entry in the Nippon series from London's Time Capsule label proves that - Tokyo Riddim 1976-1985 dives deep into its early days when J-reggae artists were looking to the likes of UB40 and The Police for inspiration rather than the Jamaican originators. And you can hear that here in this fine collection of backbeat gems which are playful, loose and catchy, with subtle hints of city-pop and new-wave sounds. These tracks have only been available in Japan before and are now sure to find a welcome new audience on European shores.

Review: Tokyo Riddim Vol. 2 looks into the eclectic fusion of reggae and Japanese pop, uncovering a unique musical journey that began when Ryuichi Sakamoto traveled to Kingston in 1978. Collaborating with Jamaican icons like Neville Hinds and Rita Marley, Sakamoto's experience set the stage for a burgeoning connection between Japanese artists and Jamaican reggae. This compilation showcases tracks like Teresa Noda's 'Tropical Love' and 'Yellow Moon', highlighting the innovative blend of dub, electronic, and new wave that emerged in Japan during the late 70s and early 80s. The album features genre-bending contributions from key figures such as Yosui Inoue, Kay Ishiguro, and Tomoko Aran, who reimagined reggae with bold, unconventional styles. Tokyo Riddim Vol. 2 explores the hybridisation of these sounds, demonstrating how the exchange between Tokyo and Kingston birthed a fresh, boundary-defying genre. This collection shows Japan's experimental spirit, weaving together reggae's rhythms with the era's cosmopolitan influences, carving out a place beyond Western musical conventions.

Review: With standout tracks from proper legends like Barrington Levy, Delroy Wilson, Dillinger, The Mighty Diamonds, Yellowman and more, Reggae Anthology: The Channel One Story is an essential compilation chronicling one of Jamaica's most influential studios during its most famous golden era. Plenty of historic moments are included such as the country's first 12-inch maxi-single release (The Jays & Ranking Trevor's 'Truly Deejay Mix') and 'Queen Majesty,' a soul-drenched reggae rework of a Curtis Mayfield classic. Also included are extended cuts and rich production which means this anthology celebrates Channel One's lasting impact on reggae history with a little extra insight than you might have already heard.