Roots & Culture Vinyl Sale 313 Items

A cover of Ollie Baba's song, which appeared only on Sonia Ferguson's only album, "Magic Lady" (1980). It is a pure and healthy love song. The flip side is a Smokey Robinson classic that everyone knows, backed by the iron-clad rhythm section of Sly & Robbie, and is one of the biggest hits of the UK Lovers Rock era.

7inch black vinyl 45 RPM - Hsrss-0025 Special Edition - Strictly Limited TO 500 Copies This is the first re-release on 7inch vinyl single of the early Reggae classic “She Caught The Train” by Ray Martell released in 1970 on the Trojan sublabel Joe in the U.K. and later covered by UB 40 in 1983. The original Jamaican song, a huge hit, has featured on many compilations but has never been repressed as a single, until now…It is still extremely popular and very much in demand today. It was initially released with the track “Tea House From Emperor Roscoe” by Dice The boss on the B side - which we also release separately on the 22nd of March 2024 – see below. On this release, we chose to showcase a super rare song written and performed by Ray Martell, the gorgeous “Cora” initially released on Attack in 1970. Both tracks have never been reissued until now.

company sleeve

This is the first re-release on 7inch vinyl single of the super rare killer single by The Pioneers released in 1968 on Amalgamated Records in Jamaica and on Doctor Bird in the U.K. that same year.

Attention: This is a special limited edition - strictly limited to 500 copies - one release only.

"Good music never dies!" - This was Diane Ellis' mantra when she set out to produce this, her first record, in 1979. She recalls hearing the Rose Royce classic Love Don't Live Here Anymore on the radio and instantly thinking it would make for a great reggae cover, immediately envisioning the sound she was looking for. Drafting in the legendary Boris Gardiner and vocalist Sharon Forrester they created this timeless version of a perennial classic - now available here in it's full extended discomix glory for the first time on 12" since it's original outing, and backed with hornsman cut placing Dean Fraser's sax front row center.

The record was made when Ellis was studio manager for the world-famous Tuff Gong studios, but wanted her outing as a record producer to be a totally independent venture - gaining the great Bob Marley & the TG team's blessings in the process. And so Aquarius Studio in Half Way Tree was where it was all laid-down. Diane credits the Legendary owner and pioneering producer, Herman Chin Loy, as also being of great help on the record, providing a guiding ear throughout the process.

Despite this the evident strength of this first production, Ellis would follow up with only one other production, Junior Tucker's cover of "One of the Poorest People" (this time one recorded at Tuff Gong studios, and releasing the 56 Hope Road subsidiery). While both records performed well on local radio and charts, Diane exited the music industry shortly after. Now 43 years later, Diane is overjoyed her production is having a comeback, saying that "the support and love felt during the project can never be replicated, and I give thanks to all who supported then and now".

Ballad back with funk stormer.

picture sleeve / 500 numbered copies

Rikitakeman Meets Hummingbird's second release is, as the title suggests, a party tune!! The message, however, is as strong as ever. "Life is a party, let's have some fun before we get old!" - This is a call that resonates with those of us who have experienced the pandemic. The melodica on the familiar rhythm track is provided by Anna Ozawa, who has also worked with THE Slits and DRY & Heavy, and the dub mix by Hummingbird is unexpected, but also has a deep, lingering feel. The debut single was so well received that it almost sold out, so we recommend you get this one as well as soon as possible!

Next from Jerry Harris' new label Motive is this killer modern roots tune, a version of a classic roots rhythm, with excellent dub wise side by Wackie's own Prince Douglas. Top shelf contemporary reggae from two OG's here, don't miss it.

Black Pride' is the seminal Lovers Rock tune from Brown Sugar pressed loud for the first ever time on this new one-off press limited-edition (just 1,000 copies worldwide) 12" on Soul Jazz Records! Brown Sugar formed in London in 1976 made up of teenagers Pauline Catlin, Caron Wheeler and Carol Simms. After Brown Sugar Caron Wheeler became known worldwide as the vocalist in Soul II Soul and Carol Simms launched a successful solo career under the name 'Kofi'. "Black Pride" was originally released on the Lovers Rock label, a fledgling reggae label formed by musicians Dennis Bovell and John Kpiaye and producer Dennis Harris. Brown Sugar were unique - not only were they one of the most important of the first wave of lovers rock groups, they were the only group who managed to successfully blend together a reggae roots consciousness with a lovers rock sensibility. The classic 'Black Pride' perfectly reflects this unique sound.

Cool Ska Inst. Cover Of Spanish Flea backed with a funky vocal cut.

A premium series of limited edition Japanese pressed 7"s - featuring unreleased and impossibly hard to find gems from the Duke Reid archives.

Earl Lindo production from 1984...

Fresh heavyweight speaker-distressing business from The Disciples with a vocal track from the legendary Dixie Peach (Jah Tubbys, Fashion labels and many more).

During the early 1980s, stylistic dancehall toaster Earlando Neil became Early B chatting on the sound systems Soul Imperial Hi-Fi and King Majesty, consolidating his reputation on the mighty Kilimanjaro. Scoring many hits before his untimely death in 1994, the posthumous compilation Immortal was compiled by Ossie Thomas, the producer of some of B’s greatest work; highlights include the smash hit ‘Gateman Get Fraid,’ the desultory ‘Imitator,’ the sadly prescient ‘If You A Coward Leave Out Badness’ and the salutary ‘Honourable Nesta Marley.’ Highlighting Early B’s lyrical prowess, Immortal lives up to its title for sure.