Back in stock: Reggae

Review: ***B-STOCK: Missing original outer sleeve but otherwise in perfect working condition***


Mikal Asher, a scion of Jamaica's Morgan family dynasty, reunites with Chocolate Star Records here and does so with a collaboration with disco legend Gary Davis. Asher, akin to his brother Denroy Morgan, upholds the family's legacy of righteousness through music. Known as the Binghiman, he crafts captivating tunes with profound lyrics and has recorded in Ghana's Hustle Hard Studios and collaborated with industry pioneers in Kingston and Brooklyn, setting new standards in musical excellence along the way. Here, 'Wicked Ah Fi' transforms into a modern dub stepper, while 'Black Woman' offers a soulful, laid-back dedication to Davis' wife, Sonjia. This 7" also comes with innovative remixes from California-based DJ and producer Knoe1.

Review: Black Carbon by Akae Beka featuring Chronixx delivers deep Jah vibes and chilled reggae rhythms that capture the soul of Jamaican life. On Side-1, the track unfolds smoothly, blending reggae and dub elements into a mesmerising sonic experience. The lyrics delve into profound themes, reflecting on societal issues and spiritual insights. On Side-2, the dub version amplifies the instrumental aspects, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the rich layers of the music. Overall, Black Carbon is a captivating release that shows the talents of both artists and offers a refreshing take on contemporary reggae music.

Review: Many of you reading this may recognise this song from Dennis Brown's rendition on his iconic Visions LP, but this version actually predates that one. It was originally penned by Winston MacAnuff, also known as the Electric Dread, and features vocals by Earl Sixteen. It has previously debuted as a 7" on Gibbs' Belmont label in 1975, while Sixteen went on and recorded it again for Derrick Harriott on the Wild Flower label a year later. This rendition is often considered the definitive cut, but we shall leave you to decide on that one.

Review: Oi oi, some red hot roots here in the form of a powerful collaboration between Tuff Scout and Alex Marley. Produced and mixed by Vinney Satta at Ellis Studios in Spain and featuring backing vocals by Adriana Rogan, plus big horns by Leroy Horns, Tommy Peach, and Sam Dorrell, some fat bass by Amando Gottafunker, and nice earthy guitar by Vinney Ellis, this heavyweight track is ready to shake your nearest and loudest sound system with its dynamic energy and top-notch production. Flip it over for a nice and weighty dub version.

Review: The Joe Gibbs label is busy reissuing some classic and often fairly sought-after roots tunes from back in the day and next up is this one which comes on a limited run of 45rpms. It kicks off with Junior Murvin who is of course best known for his iconic 'Police & Thieves' tune used in Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Her hit is his tough vocal cut 'Cool Out Son' from the late 70s gets served up and is sure to get put through its paces on plenty of big systems this summer. On the flip is a fine dub from The Mighty Two.

Review: Messengers is a young label already doing great work and this second outing comes from Spanish artist Message and takes the form of a superb new instrumental roots rocker. What makes it really pop is the fine featured guest Gorka 'Junior G' Fernandez who bring some magic on lead trombone. Behind him we're treated to the full and unstoppable force of the A-Lone Ark players who master their instruments once more and make this one another schooling tune. It comes as a nice heady dub on the flip-side too, of course.

Review: The Pressure Beat crew throw it back to the heyday of roots reggae here with a superb pair of tunes from 1969. One of these in original for will cost you a few quid so it's nice to have good sounding copies on fresh wax available once more. Ken Parker's A-side cut 'It's Alright' is short at under three minutes but boy does it hit a super sweet spot with his delicate falsetto vocal over rickety roots low ends and rolling, warming bass. On the flip, things get more upbeat and energetic with some raw horn work on Johnny Moore & The Cobbs's 'One Love' with its off-balance chords.

Review: On this reissue of a Mighty Two instrumental classic, Prince Far I rides the rhythmic hand dealt by 'The Deck Of Cards', making for a dazzling reminder of the collaborative synergies between dub legends Michael Williams, Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson. Released under Gibbs' contemporary imprint, which lends posterity to his work, 'Deck Of Cards' is a shockingly well-shuffled suit (not skimping on the jokers, either), with many trademark quirks and idiosyncrasies, such as an on-beat trumpet bubble, abounding on the infectious instrumental version. Far I's vocal, which captures our immediate attention, is just as righteous and steadfast as its backbone.