Roots & Culture Vinyl 250 Items

A touchstone LP from the beginning of reggae's 'post-Bob Marley era,’ Wailing Souls’ Fire House Rock was released by Greensleeves in 1981 to enduring acclaim. The title track became Wailing Souls’ most popular, anthemic song. Features production by Henry Junjo Lawes, backing by the Roots Radics with mixes by Scientist.

For the Record Store Day 2022 edition, the original mixes were transferred from reel-to-reel to a pristine 24-bit/96k digital master. These are paired in a deluxe gatefold sleeve with a bonus 12-inch single disc of alternate, extended mixes originally released through VP’s Jah Guidance imprint.

Sticker application; 180g Heavyweight Vinyl Pressing Gatefold sleeve with full-colour Inner Bags featuring rare photos and extensive notes.

The ‘3000 Volts of Holt’ album was the third in a series of records that launched John Holt into the UK charts in the 1970’s. To say that every home had a copy of a 1000 Volts and many 2000 Volts of Holt might be an overstatement but it certainly felt that way, as all good radio stations and parties seemed to have these tracks on permanent rotation.’3000 Volts of Holt’ was the more roots sounding of the three albums but still carried that sweetened string sound that set these recordings together.

Even though Lennon & McCartney compositions have been recorded by every genre of artist in the music industry, this selection by The Jamestown Sheiks, is unique in that the famous songs are presented in reggae style, and what a treat it is! Every song is a gem and it is refreshing to hear a different treatment of these all-time pop standards.

A seriously soulful vocalist, Earl George appeared on numerous classic records under a number of different names including Earl Lawrence, L Lawrence, George Earl, George Faith and, on occasion, Earl George.

This album ‘One & Only’ was recorded for Phil Pratt. Originally released in 1978 through West London’s Burning Sounds organisation and credited to Earl George, the set contained his three Terminal single releases and seven brand new tunes. Produced by Phil Pratt and featuring Sly & Robbie, Tommy McCook, Ansel Collins.

Singer and producer Mike Brooks along with Jah Lloyd created their Teams label kin 1969. This Vinyl re-issue is of 1976 Burning Sounds release What A Gathering – a compilation of tracks recorded at Channel One, produced by Jah Lloyd and named after Mike's biggest hit.

One of the two new 7" from All Nations Records coming early 2022 is a rework of a legendary tune that all reggae fans know. “I Know Myself” from Ernest Wilson has been a regular play by all champion sounds from Sir Cosxone to Jah Shaka and alikes since late 70’s. Never would be the intention to do better, but All Nations Records likes to do his thing a little bit different, so Simon Nyabinghi has rebuilt the tune entirely in his studio in 2022 style. With a clever recipe of carefully picked sounds and a grooving way of playing, it has the original vibes with a bouncing twist that should suit to all original fans and beyond. All in all, a great humble tribute to a legendary artist sadly gone to zion earlier in 2021.

Earlando Arrington Neil became Early B on the Jamaican sound system scene, working his way through Soul Imperial, King Majesty and other sets before coming to prominence in the early 1980s on Kilimajaro, where he became known as ‘The Doctor’ for unleashing his lyrical cures on the mic. Recording for various producers from 1981, Early B reached another level upon linking with deejay-turned-producer Jah Thomas in 1984, the humorous hit ‘Sunday Dish’ leading to this explosive LP of the same name, an enduring classic of early dancehall that also features the equally hilarious ‘Learn Fi Drive.’ All killer, no filler!

Outstanding re-issue of 1974 roots classic album in expanded and remastered form! - The original 1974 release of Keith Hudson's "Flesh Of My Skin" showcased the enduring strength and pivotal importance of the development of reggae music, Keith Hudson's complete mastery of the genre and the unqualified praise that followed its release was fully justified. This suburb re-master features the original mix available for the first time since the 1974 Mamba pressing and comes with the addition of the 7-inch single only "Darkest Night Version" and the restoration of the lost "My Nocturne" omitted from the 1988 & 2004 remix versions, also includes the previously unreleased "Hunting Version". Liner notes are written by Keith Hudson’s official biographer Vincent Ellis.

Original Quotes: "The most moving, satisfying piece of Jamaican music I've heard since "Catch A Fire" and surpasses that album, this is the album of the year without a doubt" (Carl Gayle, Black Music Magazine)

"One of the best albums to be released this year, it combines strong, heavy rhythms with strong, heavy lyrics" (Chris Lane, Blues And Soul Magazine)

"Flesh Of My Skin" is the most potent reggae performance in a long, long while, a remarkable piece of music". (Let It Rock Magazine)

Packaging: LP vinyl with liner notes printed on the inner sleeve, packed into matt UV finish Sleeve, box lot 25

70's Jamaican Roots produced by Lloyd Charmers.

The concluding 12” in The Pearls trilogy shows the origins of the band with two playful Rootsy numbers, ‘No Follow Bad Company’ and ‘Duke Street’ backed with the essential Dub versions. Both tracks went on to feature on The Pearls debut LP ‘The War’ released on Sly & Robbie’s Taxi label in 1981.

"Good Life" was originally released in 1979 as Greensleeves longplayer number 6 and presents the renown vocal harmony group after Leroy Sibbles had left the group and Naggo Morris had officially joined the trio. The 10-track longplayer was remastered by Kevin Metcalfe, recorded at Channel One studio with producer Joseph Hoo Kim and the musicians of The Revolutionaries. The artwork was designed by Bloomfield/Travis and photographs were taken by David Hendley.

The year is 1978 and one hot thing from the musical underground is Reggae music from Jamaica, the USA or UK, where most of the acts had musicians of Caribbean descent. Reggae had the groove, the rebel spirit and the relaxed attitude all in one, to enchant a big part of the world’s inhabitants. And while at least Jamaica as a relatively poor and so called „Third World“ country proved to spawn Reggae acts of highest quality, literally nobody dared to look further and dig deeper into the underground except of a few maniacs who were not satisfied with spinning Marley over and over again. And maybe they stumbled over the 1970s Afro Beat sound from countries like Zambia or Nigeria and then got interested. What did they find in the simmering metropolises of this still mysterious continent? Somewhere in Nigeria they would have certainly caught a glimpse on mind blowing performanes of THE SEA Lions, a six piece group mixing the then hip Reggae and Afro Beat styles to generate fresh and furious music with a hypnotizing atmosphere. Polyrhythmic beat patterns build the foundation, the utterly fruitful soil for the heartwarming melodies wailed out by the guitars and the commanding vocals with their conjuring charme. Great organwork builds the link between the groove section and the melody instruments. You can imagine what a pleasant experience this band might have been live back in 1978 when their sole album „Free the people“ got released. And this album, of which copies in only good conditions already fetch prices of 450,00 US$, while nice clean pieces might go up to 1200 US$, lives up to the expectations one might have from watching a live show by the SEA Lions. The sound is vivid, transparent, powerful and clean enough to make the music a real pleasure listening to, but earthy enough to present nothing but the band going wild here. The songs all have similar pace, not too fast, but swinging and pulsating to spread their energy to and among the listeners. The melodies are simple but come from the depth of the heart. This feels typical for African 70s music and despite being kind of reduced, these melodies keep haunting you still even hours after the record been taken off the turntable and put back into its sleeve. They bring images of an ever pulsating city by night, warm climate, palm trees, people at the bar, a witches cauldron of sounds, smells, voice and pictures. And you feel the magic floating through the air while this groove will not let you go so easily. You can either dance your soul out to this ultimate reissue or you can sit down, listen and let the music tell you a story of the dark corners of the big city, the narrow alleys that lead you into a boiling labyrinth of mystical dreams. And in songs like „You can make it if you try“ you will find the whole magic of the African world, a world so fascinating for us Europeans but still so unapproachable in some ways and dangerous for the weak. Do not try to resist, this is your pleasure. Grab a copy and the SEA Lions, carry you off to their place. I haven’t heard such a killer Afro Beat and Reggae album with songs this exciting and wild in a long time. If you equally love Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Segun Bucknor and Fela Kuti, look no further. Here is the spiritual essence of all these great artists merged into one giant act.

Re-issue, 1975 Bunny Lee production, on blue vinyl.

1977 Reggae Bloodlines release, with m-m-m-murderous Lee Perry dub

Lee Perry’s playful nature credited this 45 to Jane Fonda’s character in Klute!! About as post-modern as you can get. The music is a storming uptempo joy ride. ‘I may forget your name but not your face’ possibly relates to the story of ‘Klute’ which obviously caught ‘Scratch’s’ attention. Comes with a lush version on the flipside. A custom printed sleeve as well. ‘You build me up and get me high’. Killer

Delroy tune from 1983. Reissue on his brand new label "Prosperity" Records. Delroy started his career in the late 60's as member of the Afrotones. Later in the 70's he will join Augustus Pablo Circle with whom he released his deepest roots tunes.

Delroy Williams over "555 Crown Street" rhythm. Arranged by Augustus Pablo in 1979. Reissue on the brand new Delroy's label "Prosperity" Records. Jah Bull DJ version on the flip.

Barry Biggs hit song from 1976. On the flip, Clarence Wears guitar version. Both (vocal & guitar) followed by its dub.

Underground Mod Obscurity from South Africa!

Killer conscious lyrics in soulful harmony, backed by a solid drum machine tune, recorded
at Earthman Studios, originally released in 1988

Reissue from 1988 originally,
top digital Oswald Creary production

Reissue from 1988 originally, top drawer digital Oswald Creary production

Killer 1989 digital bizniz from the one and only

Jamaican deejay Shorty The President may have been one of the more obscure figures to rise from the Kingston sound system scene, but the impact he made on vinyl recordings during the 1970s is no less important and his work remains coveted by reggae connoisseurs. Born Derrick Thompson in rural Trelawny in 1949, like many of his peers, he moved to the Jamaican capital as a teenager in search of better opportunities. As he gravitated to the Rastafari faith, an affiliation with the sound system Conquering Lion sparked interest from producer Rupie Edwards, who produced debut hits “President Mash Up The Resident” and “Yamaha Skank.” Edwards issued debut album Presenting Shorty The President in 1976 and after sparse work for Enos McLeod, Joe Gibbs, Pete Weston, Winston Riley and Keith Hudson, sophomore album Fire Fire was produced by Bunny Lee in 1978, with Shorty riding typically tough Aggrovators rhythms of the day, including Ronnie Davis’ updated version of Bob Marley’s “Kaya” and The Cables’ “Baby Why,” Delroy Wilson’s “Have Some Mercy” and Barry Brown’s take of Wilson’s “I’m Not A King,” as well as killer cuts of Brown’s “Natty Roots Hold Them” as “Roots Man” and “Best Thing In Life” as “Do My Thing.”

Your opportunity to get this at HHV now. If you want it, order it. We will only stock this if you pre-order it. After your order it will be in stock within 2 weeks.

Seminal 1979 roots LP from Barry Brown reissued here by Black Soldiarity, featuring classic production from Bunny Striker Lee.

Originally released in 1978 "Leggo Dub" produced by Ossie Hibbert is one of the iconic dub albums of the seventies. Seen as the dub companion to Gregory's classic "Mr. Isaacs" album it boasts six mind-expanding Cool Ruler dub treatments plus four further speaker-shakers to showcase the Revolutionaries in full effect. Now re-released in finest remastered sound quality on VP Records’ sub-label 17 North Parade!