Back catalogue: Reggae

Notes: 'I Ain't Mad at Ya' by Owen Broomfield (aka Hulk) is a document of the social, cultural and political realities of growing up in the 60's/70's, as a black youth on the Aston/Handsworth border.

Owen exposes the issues faced by the black, predominately African-Caribbean, community and the daily racism they faced in school, on the streets and in the workplace. He then takes us through his seminal years of growing up, from the physical fights with white racists to the battle of wills with teachers and sports coaches. But the book really comes into its own when Owen writes about his three constant companions and passions: sport, music and his family.

Owen excelled at a number of sports and could have been a professional basketball player if fate (and a rehearsal) hadn't interfered. Instead he turned to music, which came naturally to him, and for a few fleeting years was part of an extraordinary movement in Birmingham's and indeed the UK reggae scene.

He vividly brings to life some of the musicians, characters and hustlers of Handsworth and the venues where they plied their trade, giving a voice to these lost and hidden bands, encouraging the reader to discover them. As an added bonus, the discographies at the end of each chapter are incredibly deep and will offer even the most knowledgeable reggae lover something to discover.

The book's central theme is of Owen's spiritual journey and of the love he shares for his mom Gladys, a formidable but loving presence through his life, Dad Hartnel, and brother Lewis as well as a dizzying cast of relatives.

'I Ain't Mad at Ya' offers a rare insight into Birmingham's black community and shines a light on the incredible amount of black music culture produced in the vibrant suburb of Handsworth and the role its musicians and entrepreneurs have played in shaping and influencing popular music in the UK.

Notes: Compilation of features and interviews, many of which first appeared in Ray Hurford's renowned reggae fanzine Small Axe during the eighties and nineties. Includes articles on Bob Andy, Willie Williams, Jah Shaka, Peter King, Wackies, Judah Eskender Tafari and Dancehall.

Notes: The fourth volume of Ray Hurfords stirling little More Axe booklets focusses on the late 70's early 80's dancehall era, with typically in depth interviews and articles featuring Sugar Minott, I Roy, Barrington Levy, Ranking Joe, Jah Life, jah Screw, Michael Prophet, Edi Fitzroy and Mikey Dread

Notes: Roots book featuring articles on Lynn Taitt, U Roy, Max Romeo, Earl 16, Dwight Pinkney, Winston Grennan, Admiral Tibbet, Clevie Browne and Hedley Jones. Writers include David Katz, Beth & Dave Kingston, Carter Van Pelt.

Notes: Reggae music is a living music, and much of it's history is a mystery. It would be impossible for anyone to say that there are only X amount of versions to a rhythm, unless that rhythm was brand new. The only claim being made is that having checked over 1000 LP's and about the same amount of 7" & 12" this is the imformation that has been gathererd. The music available for checking starts in the ska era and goes up to the Ragga era 1988.

50 Rhythms sorted by Rhythm, Producer and Artist.

Notes: To celebrate their 20th Anniversary the Jamaican Recordings label have collaborated with reggae historian and writer, Noel Hawks, in producing a trilogy of books detailing the growth of the Jamaican recording industry told through the various studios where the music was made and manufactured.

This fascinating story has been assembled after exhaustive, extensive research and includes interviews with many of the key players from defining periods in the history of reggae music. 'Jamaican Recordings' is presented in three separate volumes. This is the first volume, outlining the Jamaican recording business from its earliest manifestations in the local mento and the American rhythm & blues styles through to the first identifiable Jamaican creation ska, and the establishment of the Island's most important studio Studio One, owned by Clement "Coxsone" Dodd.

Notes: New series of pamphlets, or "bookzines" as Ray puts it, from the Small Axe publishing house. No. 1 features Junior Byles - packed with info and graphics.

Notes: New series of pamphlets, or "bookzines" as Ray puts it, from the Small Axe publishing house. No. 2 features Jah Shaka - packed with info and graphics.

Notes: New series of pamphlets, or "bookzines" as Ray puts it, from the Small Axe publishing house. No. 3 features Culture - packed with info and graphics.

Notes: New series of pamphlets, or "bookzines" as Ray puts it, from the Small Axe publishing house. No. 4 features Reggae 68-71 - packed with info and graphics.

Notes: New series of pamphlets, or "bookzines" as Ray puts it, from the Small Axe publishing house. No. 5 features King Tubby - packed with info and graphics.

Notes: The market town of Huddersfield, nestled within the Pennine Hills of West Yorkshire, has made a remarkable contribution to UK sound system culture. From Armagideon to Zion InnaVision, the Arawak club to Venn Street, Matamp to Valv-a-tron, this unlikely location has been a stronghold of the British scene, yet has remained largely overlooked. For the first time in print and featuring a wealth of previously unseen archive material, this book celebrates the people who helped establish Huddersfield as the reggae and sound system capital of northern England.

Notes: The birth and growth of the Jamaican recording industry...

Records have played an integral part in the history of Jamaican music and the importance of making records, as opposed to making music, can never be overstated.

These are the stories, told through first-hand accounts wherever possible, of the men and women... manufacturers, musicians, arrangers and record producers... who made the records and who made the sound of reggae available worldwide.

"An absolutely crucial survey of the origins of the Jamaican music industry replete with chapter and verse quotes from many of the pivotal movers and shakers. A wealth of new information, expertly marshalled: this is a book whose time has come."

Steve Barrow- Co-author of 'Reggae The Rough Guide'

"Noel Hawks' history of Jamaican studios and the characters involved provides an intriguing insight into the development of ska, rock steady and reggae. His lifelong love and deep knowledge of the music prove to be invaluable assets as he takes us on a journey from the primitive 'direct-to-disc' mento recordings of the Fifties through to the sophisticated roots and dub reggae of the Seventies. As both a music fan and a reggae business insider he has had access to the main players in the Jamaican music scene, and this book offers a genuine and unique insight into Kingston's studios and the producers and musicians who worked in them."

Chris Lane- Fashion Records

"Any music reference book should balance knowledge of an expert and enthusiasm of a fan in roughly equal measure. Noel Hawks' 'Jamaican Recordings' unquestionably succeeds in doing both. The wealth of facts and information that Noel has amassed in almost fifty years of researching and collecting reggae and its musical antecedents are presented here in a way that will show any reader that Noel still gets as much pleasure out of finding new classic music, not to mention acquiring new know how about it, as he and others among us did when we started our individual collector odysseys.

'Jamaican Recordings' is a fine read and a book that anybody with more than a passing interest in Jamaican recordings will need to add to their library right away."

Tony Rounce- Author & Music Historian

Format: 188 Page Hardback Book Illustrated throughout with period photos, artefacts & record labels

Notes: Featuring in the guide nearly 100 bands and vocal groups over 300 photos and graphics. An A to Z of mainly Jamaican bands from The Abyssinans to The Wailing Souls and with a check list of must have or hear albums...

Notes: 1979-1985 guide to Jamaican Dancehall featuring over 150 albums profiled including pre digital singers, deejays, bands, vocal groups and producers.

Notes: A guide - A5 book - 140 pages featuring instrumentals albums from all the great reggae players. Bass Players, Drummers, Keyboard Players, Bands etc.

Notes: Another of Ray Hurford's handy paperback books on reggae music. This one looks at this fascinating genre through the examining the producers, including Coxsone, Duke Reid, Lee Perry, Bunny Lee, Joe Gibbs, King Jammy, Winston Riley etc. as well as lesser known names such as Alvin Ranglin, Phil Pratt, Tony Robinson and Spider Johnson. Very informative.

Features over 100 producers, 400 albums, 100 photographs and 200 graphics.

Notes: Another Small Axe guide, this one looking at the golden era between 1968 and 1970.

Notes: Title: A History Of The Jamaican Recording Industry 'The Upsetter To The Computer' From the Black Ark To Firehouse

Authors: Noel Hawks & Jah Floyd

Format: 230 Page Hardback Book Illustrated throughout with period photos, artefacts & record labels

About this book

The growth of the Jamaican recording industry

Records have played an integral part in the history of Jamaican music and the importance of making records, as opposed to making music, can never be overstated.

These are the stories, told through first-hand accounts wherever possible, of the men and women- manufacturers, musicians, singers, deejays, arrangers and record producers- who made the records and who made the sound of reggae available worldwide.

"Clearly this series is set to become the standard reference work on Jamaican music, such is its dizzying depths of research and the vast amount of oral evidence it has compiled from many years of interviews alongside critical quotes from recognised existing literature."

Steve Barker- The Wire

"In this third volume the authors skilfully weave interview material into its narrative. Among other histories, it examines the work of Lee 'Scratch' Perry, who transcended genre and became author of his own productions and, in the process, influenced the development of the major global artist Bob Marley. It examines the development of dub, the studio process that transformed the music, and in doing so exerted yet another influence on popular music on the world scale. It also examines the work of Lloyd 'King Jammy' James who utilised digital technological innovation to become a champion of sound system and record production and, thus, became the Eighties. equivalent of the earlier innovator Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd.

All this, and much more, is told by many of the protagonists who created the phenomenon of reggae as a cultural force that has travelled far beyond the confines of Jamaica."

Steve Barrow - Co-Author of "Reggae The Rough Guide"

"Noel Hawks' & Jah Floyd's third book on the history of the Jamaican recording business is another triumph. As with the first two volumes, they seamlessly weave quotes and recollections from the key players into the narrative, giving the reader a unique, and genuine, insight into the development of Jamaican music and the business of selling it. An essential read for anyone interested in ska or reggae and for all music lovers."

Chris Lane - Fashion Records

"I can confidently say, without fear of contradiction, that the final part of Noel Hawks' & Jah Floyd's trilogy is every bit as meticulously researched and mentally stimulating as the first two volumes. It may be that no history of Jamaican music can ever be totally definitive given how many of reggae's key singers, players and producers had already left Earth before anyone had the opportunity to get their takes on how it evolved. But, as of now, you will not find a more accomplished telling of the tale than that which is presented across the three volumes of 'Jamaican Recordings'... an Order of Distinction-worthy accomplishment that should henceforth become an essential component of everyone's reggae library."

Tony Rounce - Ace Records Ltd