Roots & Culture Vinyl 289 Items

Limited edition of 200 copies on golden vinyl.

Reissued for the first time in over 40 years, Show the World is an unrated and relatively unknown soul / reggae album from the Caribbean. Having recently been sampled by Benny The Butcher, collectors and producers are starting to pay attention to what has been an overlooked gem until now. With the album ranging from sweet soul that sounds like it could have been released on Motown in its prime, to funky numbers that could be played in clubs, to reggae that could stand alongside some of the Studio 1 releases, this is sure to please many. No filler.

HHV exclusive vinyl edition on multi-colored vinyl, limited to 100 copies. Only available at hhv.de!

Joe Yamanaka, born in Yokohama, was of mixed descent. His father was a US Army soldier who hailed from the Caribbean. He played Psychedelic Rock with the Flower Travellin' Band. He was also a philanthropist, travelling around the world to help people in countries where conditions aren't great. He himself was raised in harsh conditions as well, being born in a brothel and growing up in an orphanage. In post-war Japan, it was not easy for him to grow up looking racially different from his peers. Joe Yamanaka joined The Wailers after Bob Marley had passed away and recorded with them 'Reggae Vibration'. The very first track is also called 'Reggae Vibration' and can be seen as his introduction to the genre, being a Rock artist in his home country. You will still hear a strong Rock influence in his songs. 'Reggae Vibration' was Recorded And Remixed At Tuff Gong Studios, 56 Hope RD Kingston Jamaica, In April 14th 1982 ~ April 30th 1982

A truly exceptional song showcasing the pinnacle of Jack Ruby's productions, "Black Slavery Days" by The Skulls stands out as a remarkable gem that gained significant popularity in the Ochi Rios sound system scene. The lead singer of The Skulls, Tony Thomas, penned all their tunes, bringing his experience from singing with the original Justin Hinds & the Dominos group. This piece is a manifestation of pure 70's roots music in all its glorious essence.

Rids the World of the Curse of the Vampires (1981) not only ably displays the mix masters varied approach of, but clocks in as one of his best outings! Scientist keeps things lively with plenty of reverb and echo-treated percussion, ghostly piano parts, video game sound effects, and other various wobbly interjections from the mixing board. And adding to the record’s expert evocation of the Halloween spirit are some fiendishly voiced intros, the cover art’s cartoon potpourri of horror film characters, and the dubious claim made in the liner notes that Scientist mixed it all at midnight on Friday the 13th (reach for the flashlights kids). Along with Keith Hundson’s Pick a Dub and Lee Perry’s Blackboard Jungle Dub, this excellent Scientist release is one of the essential dub albums available.

“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.

TRS Records unveils the next instalment of our Harry J reissues, shining a spotlight on the timeless classic "Callie Weed." The debate over who the lead singer is has been resolved, confirming that Jackie Bernard from the group Kingstonians is, in fact, the soulful voice driving this iconic song. Teaming up with Bernard, are friends Telford "Tilly" Nelson and Leroy Sibbles who contribute unique background vocals that effortlessly enhance Bernard's emotive delivery. Coming together to provide the instrumental backdrop was the Soul Syndicate band, enhancing the composition's depth. Reflecting on the creation of "Callie Weed," Telford Nelson vividly recalls auditioning the song on his guitar for producer Harry J in 1975. Before the official recording, Harry J reached out to Leroy Sibbles (who had just returned from living abroad in Canada) in hope to enrich the track with his distinctive backing vocals. This collaborative effort resulted in a dynamic blend, showcasing the different vocals and musical elements. It's important to note that the record was initially attributed to the 'Heptones Expression,' likely for marketing reasons. However, in reality it was Telford Nelson's composition from the beginning. As the only member of the actual Heptones involved in this recording, Leroy Sibbles contributed by providing a subtle touch of backing vocals, even though Nelson's harmonies takes precedence in the final vocal mix following Jackie Bernard's lead. Remarkably, on the Dub side, Telford's vocals are isolated in the mix, resulting in a clear and distinct presence.

Produced By Donovan Germain, recorded at Channel One and Harry J's, backed by The Roots Radics & The Taxi Gang, originally released in 1982. A pre-digital taste of what was to come.

Reissue from 1989, amazing leftfield Lovers Rock featuring extended dub version - emotional love bomb. Re-mastered and restored.

Another inferno is ignited by the legendary producer Jack Ruby in the next installment of the reissue series. Once again, featuring the iconic Tyrone Taylor with "Birds of a Feather," whose vocals soar above a foundation of pure roots reggae, originally recorded in 1976. The heat doesn't stop there, as for the first time on 7-inch vinyl, we unleash the fury of "Death Before Dishonour," an instrumental by Jack Ruby's militant Black Disciples backing band with seriously blazing horns that leave an undeniable mark. This is the first time ever that "Birds of a Feather" and its instrumental counterpart are paired together.

Limited edition of 300 copies on golden vinyl.

Reissued for the first time ever, Power Struggle is one of the grails of tropical record collectors. Incredible dancefloor disco, once edited by Roger Thornhill and now selling for close to $100. This is the first time the original arrangement of “dancing” has been re-released. No filler, a great listen from beginning to end, and one that doesn’t turn up often in good condition. Highly recommended, great from start to end.

Emotional Rescue is delighted to reissue for the first time, the legendary Ernest Ranglin teaming up with Noel Williams aka King Sporty, on this 1983 meeting of reggae guitar legend and Miami disco boogie don that resulted in this highly sought after 6 track mini-LP.
A defining guitarist and composer in the development of Jamaican music, Ranglin leads little introduction. In a career spanning over 50 years, he was involved in the move from mento and calypso to ska and on to reggae, playing on the groundbreaking recording of My Boy Lollipop itself, before going on to work with the likes of the Skatalies, Prince Buster, Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley. Born in 1932 in Manchester, West Jamaica before moving to Kingston, Ranglin's self-taught chordal and rhythmic approach blended jazz, mento and reggae with percussive guitar solos. On moving to Florida in 1982, he teamed up with scene king, Williams to present 'a new style', mixing the bass heavy boogie disco the producer was famous for with Ranglin's unique playing. Featuring a who's who of the Miami scene including Bobby Caldwell, Timmy Thomas, Betty Wright and Williams himself, the rearranged order starts here with Soft Touch. A retake of Thomas' TK Disco and Cosmic) classic Africano, before a skanking remake of the William's standard, Keep On Dancing and title bomber Be What You Want Be, crown the match of reggae and vocal disco. Also, included is a beautiful take on Anthony Hester's R&B classic, In The Rain, while the record closes with the choice Papa "Doo" and jammer Why Not.

Peak 1987 all time, top tier digital reggae. Killer one-away rhythm and awesome militant vocal from Hopeton Lindo. One of our all time favorite politically conscious reggae tunes, still relevant today. Better still, this release is taken straight from the original master tape and is nearly a full minute longer than the original release, wherein Hopeton drops a bit of our favorite dancehall vernacular. Real hardcore DKR heads will know when they hear it.

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.

Cool Rasta is an album by The Heptones, which consisted of Earl Morgan, Barry Llewellyn, and Leroy Sibbles. Brought up in the Trench Town area of Kingston, their first successful record was Fatty Fatty, first released in 1966. Since then, they have had several hits including 'Country Boy,' 'Mama Say,' and 'Book Of Rules.' At the guiding hand of top producer, Harry Johnson they recorded Cool Rasta, which came out in 1976. The title track of the album is a typical example of The Heptones at their brilliant best.

Remastered and pressed on audiophile virgin vinyl for your listening pleasure.

Toots and the Maytals' Funky Kingston is a brilliant reggae album and suitable for both beginners as for experienced listeners. The album was released twice and with so much success that it charted in the Billboard 200 and eventually made it to the Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Killer combination roots tune from these two legends. Released in 1986, but the music sounds more in a 1980-81 Roots Radics style. Backed with hard dub version.

Reissued for the very first time on vinyl here's Prince Alla's (aka Keith Blake) debut album, under the Ras Allah pseudonym, originally released on Tappa Zukie's Stars Records in 1978. Featuring a who's who of the roots reggae community with top notch contributions from the likes of Sly & Robbie, Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith, Don Drummond Jr., Bingy Bunny (Roots Radics) and more. Recorded at the almighty Black Ark and mixed at Tubby's. Produced and Arranged by Tappa Zukie.

This is a gem of a Chicago soul masterpiece by Barbara Acklin, faithful to the original, but sublimated into a superb lovers' rock with tough drum & bass. On the flip side is a refreshing number by Charisma. The ear-catching phrase, reminiscent of Young-Holt Unlimited's "Soulful Strut," is impressive.

Jahlin, whose real name is Colin Pitter, was born in Clarendon, Jamaica and moved to Canada in 1975 for his education. He graduated from high school majoring in welding in 1979 and began working as a welder in Toronto while pursuing his musical career. In 1980, Jahlin joined the reggae band Joshua on the recommendation of a fellow musician, Gregory Frank. Later, he recorded his first single "Roots Reality" under his own label, Black Echo. Jahlin's "Roots Reality" is a roots reggae song that was originally released on the Roots Reality label in 1983. Overall, "Roots Reality" is a powerful roots reggae song that showcases Jahlin's talent as a singer and songwriter, as well as his commitment to spreading messages through his music. Its particularity is the addition of violin which is rarely heard in roots reggae music.

10 tracks

Recorded in the 1982. Roots Radics backing in a dancehall style with the drums and bass of style scott and errol flabba holt on extended 12" mixes. Produced by Jah Thomas at Channel One Studio.

* First ever official reissue * LP includes insert featuring lyrics, archival photos and liner notes with artist bio and album story * Pressed on black vinyl

Praise Him

In September 1982, together with Trevor Davis, Paketo recorded and produced Praise Him, under the Child of God label. Recorded in just one day at Harry J Studio, the album mixes together roots reggae with a splash of lovers rock, singing of peace, love and unity, of enjoyment and upliftment, but also of the tribulations of ghetto life, of losing bredrins and friends. The mystical horns of Bobby Ellis and Headley Bennett carry us to a higher dimension, that same dimension from which Paketo wrote the lyrics to his spiritual poems, while the deep and overwhelming bass keeps us rooted to the ground.

Paketo Wilson

Born on October 24th 1956 in Kingston, Jamaica, Paketo Wilson grew up right in the heart of it all. His father, one of the best sign artists of the island, introduced him to the top musicians of the time, opening the doors to the world of music. His mother, on the other hand, wanted him to learn a trade. She sent him to learn dentistry close to home, unaware that every day Paketo would sneak in a bands room just a couple of steps from the dentist shop instead.

With no music teacher other than his own two eyes, Paketo would sit and watch. He soon came to understand each and every finger position, and the day he held his first guitar, fire came out of his fingertips. In 1972, at the age of 16, Paketo began his musical career with the New Vibration Band, playing in concerts all around the island, and quickly established himself as a solo artist through Daddy U-Roy’s King Stur Gav Sound System.

Following the release of Praise Him, Paketo travelled to Canada and performed at the Toronto Concert Hall, together with Leroy Sibbles, Errol Dunkley, Phyllis Dillon and Chester Miller. Soon enough his stage became international and in 1987 Paketo toured the world, playing in Germany, England, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria. Paketo defines himself as a positive rastaman and never stops writing, playing, singing, but most of all smiling.

Limited edition for Record Store Day 2023!

Another one from the fruitful collaboration with LA's highly regarded Patrick Houchen aka Shakaman. After Shakeena's “I bet you” 12" re-issue flying off the shelves, we deepen the exploration within Shakaman's treasure chest of Reggae/Dub gems with Shakeena's first and last album on Majicaa Records. Originally released in 1987, this album is a proper act of musical generosity, not so easy to point out the “hit” track here – clearly a case of all killer no filler. Unlike too many albums where the format length sadly gets the best of the artists' work, rest assured with this one you can play from the beginning to end and you'll only have to come back to flip it. The professional execution of what is hands down an ensemble of highly seasoned musicians sets the tone for the dreamy lyrics and arrangements to unravel. Besides expected reggae rhythms, Shakaman brings in other influences with subtle electro/freestyle hints that might have been hard to ignore in LA at the time. New remastered version sounding especially big and cozy on the low end. Can't go wrong!

Fully remastered and licensed, ltd to 500 copies. Reissued on vinyl for the first time here, this legendary Johnny Clarke recordings - originally released in 1982 on UK label Arts & Crafts - is something you wouldn't miss. Completely written by the Jamaican singer himself - backed here by Roots Radics (the Channel One studio session group) - and arranged by Clarke and Stafford Douglas (alias Mafia Tone). ”Can't Get Enough" witnesses the peak of his career with his first British production. The beginning of a period that would bring Clarke to London and see him churn out a string of hits with Douglas's production, before returning to work with Bunny Lee and Mad Professor, King Tubby, Errol Thompson, Prince Jammy. Roots reggae at its best here!

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.

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!

Among the most important full-length album works from one of reggae’s greatest singers, "Mr. Isaacs" shows the great Gregory Isaacs in the prime of his career in 1976. Better known for his love songs, Isaacs was equally adept at cultural themes. The tracks "Set The Captives Free" and "Slave Master" are among the most popular in his catalogue, the latter immortalized on film in the movie 'Rockers'. The track "Storm" became an early favourite in the dancehall, its rhythm track (aka the Storm riddim) is re-imagined no fewer than 75 times over the last 40 years. Gregory Isaacs love of Rocksteady shines in his cover of the Silvertones’ "Smile", and his soulful side comes through on a cover of The Temptations’ "Get Ready". The breadth of material on "Mr. Isaacs" is the hallmark of a reggae classic!

Get On Down presents an often overlooked crucial reggae release from the 1970s with Johnny Clarke’s “Rockers Time Now.” The record is a mix of covers and originals, including ethereal versions of the The Abyssinians “Satta Massagana” and “Declaration of Rights,” smash hits on the island just the year before. “Rockers Time Now” was first issued in 1976, Clarke had just been named artist of the year in Jamaica for the second year in a row. This is just one of three full lengths he released that year as this was a very prolific period for Clarke, in particular from 1974 onward when his output was directed by legendary producer Bunny Lee. The pairing resulted in a creative energy that resonates to this day. The release was recorded at Channel 1 with Bunny Lee producing, which of course means the band backing the popular Jamaican vocalist was The Aggrovators, which at the time included Robbie Shakespeare, Earl ""Chinna"" Smith, Augustus Pablo, and Aston “Family Man” Barrett. The release was mixed at King Tubby’s by Osbourne Ruddock…aka King Tubby. Crucial all the way around. Now is the time to rediscover a classic of the genre, “Rockers Time Now”.

Emotional Rescue and Jamwax come together to present the first of three essential 12's from NY/Jamaican label Capo Disco, all officially licensed and remastered for the first time. The brainchild of reggae vocalist, musician, producer and label owner Glen Adams, the label married disco with his Caribbean roots to perfection. TIP! Born and raised in Jamaica, Adams story is a similar one to the performers of the golden period post-Independence. Initially discovered as a vocalist by Coxsone Dodd, he went on to work with such luminaries as Ken Boothe and Stranger Cole before co-founding The Heptones and working Duke Reid, Bunny Lee and Lloyd Charmers.
As a session organist he worked for The Hippy Boys, The Reggae Boys and later with Lee Perry's The Upsetters. Here he came in to the orbit of The Wailors, touring England with them in the early 70s and with Perry co-wrote Mr Brown. When most of The Upsetters became Marley's rhythm section, Adams stayed with Perry before making the move to Brooklyn in 1975.
There he started Capo Records, running it and it's sub-labels, successfully until the mid-80s. During these later years he ventured in to mixing Reggae with Boogie and Disco rhythms and released just four 12's under Capo Disco as well as recording boogie and hip-hop influenced releases with T Ski Valley and as Glen Adams Affair for SAM and Moonglow Records.
Here then the spotlight is on Adam's nascent disco releases and the series starts with the wonderful, uplifting A Beat For You. Actually appearing on a one off sister-label, Top Secret, this is a beautiful 'Lovers' anthem from Adams over a laidback dub-bass riddim. Backed with a simple instrumental Version, the space and interplay of the keys and guitar over drum and bass is superlative. 'There is a beat in my heart, just for you...just for you.'

“Best Dressed Chicken in Town” is the debut album by Jamaican deejay Dr. Alimantado. It was first released in 1978, and collects many of his self-produced singles from 1972 to 1977, employing the engineering talents of Lee Perry, King Tubby, and Scientist.

It was the first album released by Greensleeves Records, and found favour with followers of both reggae and punk rock in the United Kingdom. The album employed several major hits as the basis for the tracks, including Horace Andy's versions of "Ain't No Sunshine" (on the title track) and "A Quiet Place" ("Poison Flour" and "I Shall Fear No Evil"), John Holt's "Ali Baba" ("I Killed the Barber"), and Gregory Isaacs' "Thief a Man" (on "Gimmie Mi Gun") and "My Religion" ("Unitone Skank"). The album was described by The Independent as "one of the finest albums from reggae's golden age".

The front cover photography is credited to D.K. James and the back cover artwork and photography to David Hendley.

The 1982 solo-album by founding member of Black Uhuru!

Vinyl re-issue in the original 1981 LP artwork! This is Eek-A-Mouse finest album recorded and mixed at Channel One and King Tubby's studio by Scientist, Prince Jammy and Barnabas, produced by Henry 'Junjo' Lawes with the Roots Radics as backing band!

Limitierte Neuauflage der beliebten LP von 1982 mit dem markanten Cover des jungen Triston Palma. Aufgenommen und abgemischt im Channel One Studio mit Soldgie am Mischpult, als Musiker fungierte die Roors Radics Band mit dem Produzenten Jah 'Nkrumah' Thomas. 10-Track Longplayer mit den Evergreens und Titelstück "Joker Smoker" und "Two Timer"!

Dennis Brown's roots classic "Milk and Honey" freshly remastered, complete with Clive Hunt's original "Bitter Sweet" dub (under his Azul moniker) on the A Side. On the B side, Jay Glass Dubs unfolds a skewed and deconstructed contemporary dub. Strictly limited-edition white label vinyl.

Reissued for the first time on vinyl, here's Jamaican reggae singer George Faith second album, originally released on Hollywood Records in 1979. Amazing soulful reggae melodies backed by the likes of Sly & Robbie, Aston "Family Man" Barrett, Tommy McCook, Earl "Chinna" Smith and more. Produced by the one and only Bunny Lee at Harry J Studios, and mixed by Scientist at King's Tubby's Studios!