Roots & Culture 41 Items

“Gun The Man Down ” by Dice The boss aka Pama Dice was first released in 1969 on the Trojan sublabel Joe with the track “Thief” by Joe Mansano on the B side. “Thief” is also reissued by us on a separate single dedicated to Joe Mansano. “Your Boss DJ” was also released in 1969 on the Joe Label with the track “Read The News” by Joe All Stars on the flip. Both titles are skinhead reggae classics that have never been reissued and are very much demand.

Fully remastered and licensed, ltd to 500 copies. Reissued here for the first time, in an extended version, the UK reggae band’s only album, originally released on Ball Record in 1978. One of the best-kept secrets of the late 70’s/mid 80’s British reggae scene who, with Steel Pulse, competed for the title of best reggae band in Birmingham. The album includes these eight tracks plus both sides of the bands final single and a brace of previously unreleased tracks.

First single from Ekowmania's upcoming album "Dr. Afrodub" is the grand Roots/Reggae track "Kwame Nkrumah". This Jimi Tenor production is simply a classic Roots track thatmight have it all; tight big horns, riding drums, a strong voice and magnificent backing choir support elegant and Class-A song writing rarely surfacing in our days. B-side of this 7" is a DJ Sotofett Mix where only the vocals, choir and horns are used for full effect choral version. Ekowmania aka Ekow Alabi Savage from Ghana is the drummer and percussion player in KabuKabu who plays with Jimi Tenor since almost 20 years. Also he is one of the founding members of one the first Afro-Reggae bands in Germany back in 1982. Album released by Ronet Records later in 2024.

Singer-songwriter Haruno is releasing the long-awaited 7-inch version of "Spring Has Come," a collaboration song for the Technics Eah-az80 Wireless Earphones! The theme of the album is spring, and was produced in collaboration with Taku Inoue, who has written songs for Ado, ano, and Hoshimachi Suisei, among others. The B-side features a remix by "pas TASTA," a six-member Jpop project that uses the Internet as a medium to transcend national borders.

“Skinhead Revolt” by Joe The boss aka Joe Mansano was first released in 1970 on the Trojan sublabel Joe as a B side to the track “Tony B’s Theme” by Joey’s All Stars. “The Thief” was released in 1969 on the Joe Label with the track “Gun The Man Down” by Dice The Boss on the flip. “Gun The Man Down” is also being repressed by us on a separate single. Both titles are British Boss Reggae classics that are very much demand.

Kazufumi Kodama is a Japanese trumpet player and producer for some of Japan's earliest and most influential dub groups. His claim to fame is the work he did with the group Mute Beat in the late 80s, many articles citing this group as the very first dub group to exist in Japan. Even if this isn't true, he certainly pushed the genre to its most popular in the country. His current band "Kodama And The Dub Station Band" released their first cover album "Tomoshibi" in 2023 from P-vine, and now some finest songs are released on 7inch ep! This 7" ep includes a cover of Bob Marley's classic 'Is This Love' which inspired Kodama to make a covers album. Bob Marley's positive vibrations are arranged as an instrumental song and made into a dynamic and excellent cover.

Kazufumi Kodama is a Japanese trumpet player and producer for some of Japan's earliest and most influential dub groups. His claim to fame is the work he did with the group Mute Beat in the late 80s, many articles citing this group as the very first dub group to exist in Japan. Even if this isn't true, he certainly pushed the genre to its most popular in the country. His current band "Kodama And The Dub Station Band" released their first cover album "Tomoshibi" in 2023 from P-vine, and now some finest songs are released on 7inch ep! "You’ve Got A Friend" was written by Carole King for her album "Tapestry" in 1971, and Kodama & Dub Station band arranged the masterpiece as a dub song.

City Pop / Reggae singer "Natsu Summer" releases new album in 2024! Produced by Cunimondo Takiguchi from Ryusenkei. Natsu Summer's latest release is a blend of danceable lovers' rock and soothing city pop, with ama-piano rhythms and steppers. Produced by Cunimondo Takiguchi of Ryusenkei, the album is not just reggae or city pop, but also throws out some new ideas. The cover of a hidden Japanese Lovers Rock song from the 90's, which is not easily released on record due to rights issues, is sure to attract attention!

300 copies

Kultural Grooves is thrilled to unveil Shakedown Unlimited’s inaugural album, a masterpiece crafted amidst the vibrant cultural backdrops of Italy and Spain. This album is a testament to the eclectic talents that are part of the contemporary European Reggae, Funk, Soul, and Jazz scenes. Steering this sonic expedition are the adept Michal “Michu” Krygiel, also known as Baodub, and the inventive Davide “Deez” Di Sauro. Michu, a stalwart in the dub sound system and electronic scene, not only anchors the album with his foundational drum beats but also takes the helm in mixing and recording. Davide, with his creative spark, orchestrates the album’s arrangement and composition, weaving in his unique bass rhythms that echo his past work with The Officinalis and Napoli Rockers Syndicate, alongside the pulsating beats of Afrodesia’s ‘Episode One’. Their artistry is amplified by the spirited strumming of guitarists Andrea Farias and Alessandro “Sugar / Papa” Rizla, and the percussive precision of Giosuè Perna, whose collaborations with Periodica Records and Aloe Vera have refined their collective harmony, enriching the musical journey with a diverse palette of auditory hues. The album’s vocal prowess is delivered by Payoh Soul Rebel, whose voice stands unrivaled in the European reggae and soul landscape. The icing on the cake is undoubtedly the presence of Andres Balbucea, the singer, composer, and pianist of the breakout Disco/Afrobeat band, Parlbleu. A fellow member of the Napoli Rockers Syndicate, like the pianist Giulio Neri, Andres is entrusted with the entire composition of the organ sound for this album—an indispensable element of offbeat music—imbued with his unmatched touch. The brass arrangements, a soul-stirring element of the album, are the brainchild of jazz maestro Enrico Fumo, with the alto saxophone melodies woven by the esteemed Jah Wind, a name synonymous with reggae aficionados. The fusion of these musicians and their diverse styles, rooted in a strong reggae foundation yet infused with Soul, Funk, Latin, and Jazz, is visually encapsulated by Riccardo Corda. Corda, a visionary designer whose work has graced albums like ‘The Mauskovic Dance Band’ by Soundway Records and ‘Bar Mediterraneo’ by Nu Genea, lends his artistic signature to this album, further solidifying its place as a modern classic. The trumpet and trombone are in the capable hands of the Valencian duo, Jonas Sanchez and Manuel Pardo, masters of brass who bring a vibrant soul to every note. Shakedown Unlimited’s debut is more than an album; it’s a musical journey enriched by the essence of the Mediterranean, a reggae anthology that resonates with the soulful rhythms and vibrant influences of its heritage. We are beyond delighted to present this auditory treasure, a testament to the enduring spirit of reggae and its universal appeal.