Back in stock: Reggae Classics/Ska

Review: An attention-evader even for the most ardent dub reggae fan, Black Jade's Contempo remains a mystery decades after its release. In the act of reissuing the LP, Solid Roots still only partly lift the veil: first set to tape between 1975 and 1976, the album was recorded by a still shadowy cadre of Notting Hill residents, who are said to have freely distributed it during Carnival. Their continued anonymity may form part of a decided effort to mythologise, though it almost certainly also reflects a niche facet of deeper-shades dub. Authenticity abounds: we hear preemptions of the hiss-floored undulations of Chain Reaction in this record as much as we do the busy instrumental imbroglios of Horace Andy, with the manly bass-charges of 'Virulence' polarising the sensitive subby coos of 'Love, Love, Love'.

Review: Leonard Dillon aka Ethiopian is a bonafide reggae legend who was backed by a top shelf selection of musicians for this previously unreleased album. Omnivore Recordings have acquired Nighthawk Records and Blackheart Music Publishing which is what has made this possible, and they do a fine job with it. The original album was recorded in 1987 when Leonard had already penned two great albums. This one was inspired by hearing tales of a Jamaican drummer on tour who talked of playing with a hot studio band. Leonard wanted to recreate that, and so followed this all-star session band.

Review: The Lee "Scratch" Perry produced Revelation Time is often said to be a definitive record from the Jamaican canon and is widely regarded as the best album Max Romeo ever wrote. Initially it was only put out in Jamaica in 1975 then two years later in 1977 under the name Warning! Warning! A year after that, the rest of the world was treated with a release, again under a new name, this time Open The Iron Gate. Now it is served up under its original name with all 10 tracks hitting hard and making their mark.

Review: Many reggae lovers have declared this one Jackie Mittoo's most consistent album - it features a superb mix of rhythms that are all enhanced by some inspired keyboard additions. This album was originally released back in the early 70s and features a dozen smooth, sultry sounds. While vintage reggae albums often mix recording eras, the tracks here evoke the essence of classic rocksteady - some of the grooves have a trance-like quality, hinting at the forthcoming dub era, but all of them capture the rich, immersive sound of that time in some style. A real treat.

Review: Jamaica Soul Shake Vol 1 is one of the many seminal compilations put together by Soul Jazz. It first arrived in 2006 and provided, as you would expect, a perfect overview of the goddamn funky Sound Dimension. They were one of the many crucial in-house bands that worked at Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd's pioneering and influential Studio One. The original has been impossible to find since forever so do not sleep on this new, one-off limited edition pressing on silver coloured double vinyl. The sea re all rocksteady rhythms and delicious dubs that will keep you moving and grooving for days.

Review: Barely a week goes by without another Soul Jazz compilation, and never are they anything else than superb. This time out we're cerated to another collection of tunes from Kingston's seminal Studio One, but rather than the straight up reggae we're used to, it is more of a melting pot of funk, soul, jazz and dub. All of these tunes were written in the 1970s under the watchful eye of studio chief and producer Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd and there is a wealth of deep, sunny, funk cuts that have more than stood the test of time.

Review: Reggae is a broad and deep world with many artists all with their own style. This new collection is compiled from the vast array of Jamaican artists, groups and its diaspora and gets form the genres early days right through its many subtle evolutions. As such it incudes gems from Jimmy Cliff, sonnet cold classics from Third World, Peter Tosh and Toots & The Maytals, some seductive lovers-rock from Dennis Brown, Linton Kwesi Johnson and Gregory Isaacs and and chart topping hit from Althea & Donna in the form of 'Uptown Top Ranking'.

Review: This reissue brings a rare gem from Jamaica's golden era of ska back into the spotlight, offering an authentic snapshot of the genre's flourishing evolution in the early 60s. Prince Buster takes centre stage, delivering five exclusive tracks that exemplify his mastery of infectious, horn-driven rhythms, including the lively 'Flying Ska' and the gritty 'Eye For An Eye.' However, it's not just Buster's presence that makes this collection stand out; the inclusion of tracks from legends like The Maytals, Don Drummond, and Roland Alphonso highlights the diversity within the ska scene. The Skatalites' 'Perhaps' is a moment of unmistakable instrumental brilliance, while 'Ska War' from The Maytals pulses with that unmistakable energy that still defines the genre today.