New releases last four weeks: Roots/Lovers Rock

Review: Doncaster-based reggae producer (you don't read that often, do you?) Lewis Bennett teams up with veteran vocalist Donovan Kingjay for this new single, which is a heavyweight slice of spiritual roots and steppers. 'Jail House' delivers deep basslines, militant rhythms and conscious lyrics in classic sound system style. Kingjay's commanding vocal presence brings a timeless message of justice and resistance, while Bennett's production strikes a perfect balance between movement and meditative depth. This is a powerful, no-frills release for true roots heads, designed for the dubwise dance and built to shake speaker boxes.

Review: In the mid-70s, reggae great Dennis Brown was on a creative high with producer Niney propelling him to stardom. However, around this time, he was transitioning back to working with Joe Gibbs, another masterful studio hand who would later cement Brown's superstar status. Gibbs had previously worked with him on the acclaimed Visions album, and this particular track was likely recorded during that era or slightly earlier. Despite its quality, the tune didn't reach the audience it deserved, largely due to Gibbs' lack of UK distribution at the time. For much of the seventies, Joe Gibbs remained sidelined in England, limiting the global impact of his exceptional productions, but reissues like this do a fine job of underlining his importance.

Review: Johnny Clarke is of course, a roots reggae legend with a vast, and high-quality, discography that has contributed to the evolution of the genre over many years. For this one he teams up with Green Cross on 'Never Give Up On Jah', a heavyweight drop on Heartical in France. Clarke's unmistakable voice delivers a message of perseverance and spiritual strength, and it serves as a fine reminder of roots reggae's enduring power to move you in more ways than one. The riddim is deep, warm and dubwise and on the flip is the flaky, wobbly, Green Cross cut 'Style Ah Weh We Love.'

Review: The Japanese label Black Liberation Sound System has made an impressive start to life over its first three outings. The fourth is another strictly vinyl-only 7" featuring vocalist King Stanley. His tones are buttery and full of yearning as he delivers gentle patois and well-articulated lyrics over a sleek, future-facing dub rhythm. Plenty of studio effects make for an absorbing atmosphere and on the flip is a dub that allows them more room to shine. Two killer tunes as sound system season fast approaches, and another big moment from this ever more essential label.

Review: Dubstoned Records is back with more fresh wax and heavyweight Rub-a-Dub rhythms, this time straight from Seville. Produced, mixed and dubbed by Variedub, 'Give Dem' features the powerful vocals of Tenor Mario, who is also part of Cool Up Records, and whose energetic delivery always cuts through. Rafael Arcos brings his signature guitar flair while The Sherlock Horns light up the groove with tight brass from Toni Martin on trombone, Pedro Caballero on sax and Mr Monkeyface on trumpet. Anchoring it all is Agustin Paris on bass. It's a deep, dynamic cut that blends roots tradition with local talent and comes with a flip dub for extra low-end heft.

Review: The Top Ranking crew has pulled another doozy out of the bag here. Freddie McKay's 'Mope & Cry' finds the vocalist at his most vulnerable and expressive. It was originally released in 1974 during the golden era of Jamaican music and is steeped in rich harmonies with a rolling bassline with gently skanking guitar that cushions McKay's aching vocals. With a voice that effortlessly conveys sorrow and resilience, he delivers a timeless tale of love lost and emotional survival. The killer dub on the flip makes this one a no-brainer.

Review: This new platter captures UK dub pioneers Alpha & Omega linking up with Pensi & Iries Roots for a pair of new school dub cuts on the Livity-Ites label. The A-side 'The Signs' has mesmerising warrior leads and harmonicas that drift in and out over the yearning vocals and sleek digital synths amidst myriad effects. On the flip, 'Dub Signs' is a version with even heavier low ends and more snaking leads that are sure to hypnotise when played nice and loud on a serious system. Two crucial cuts for dub heads, whether old or new.

Review: Jamaican reggae and dub don Willi Williams had hit with 'Armagideon Time,' back in 1977. He recorded it at the famous Studio One in Kingston and it was later covered by The Clash as the flipside of their seminal 'London Calling' single. He's back here with 'Length Of Days' which packs in his trademark vocal styles and rides on a loose, tumbling and dubby low end. On the flipside is Shilo Ites All Stars subtly tweaked dub version, 'Days Of Dub,' for more paid back sound system vibes. Two big tunes as the summer approaches.