Roots & Culture 345 Items

With visual and literary references from Dr. Who, Star Trek, Buck Rogers, H.G. Wells, or Moëbius, the new album by Reggae Per Xics (the family oriented project from The Penguins) delves into time-travelling, one of the yearnings most dreamed of by children and adults of all generations to the rhythm of Jamaican styles such as ska, rocksteady, reggae or dancehall.

Jamwax presents the resurrection of a hard-hitting space synth masterpiece that's set to ignite your senses and shake the very foundations of sound systems worldwide. 'In Ting Sound' is a sonic juggernaut, a hard-as-nails sound bwoy killer that refuses to be confined to the constraints of time. With its pulsating beats and infectious rhythms, this track commands attention from the moment the first note hits. But it's the heavy drums that truly set it apart, pounding with relentless force and driving the groove forward with unstoppable momentum. Get ready to embark on a sonic journey like no other as this reissue comes with three exclusive unreleased tracks : 'Mandela': Feel the pulse of liberation with this uptempo digital killer, featuring Winston's impassioned plea to "Free Nelson Mandela...he never done no wrong, he is just a conscious man..." Let the rhythm of justice resonate as you groove to this powerful anthem of freedom. 'Life All Over': Flip over to the B-side for a digital roots tune that- hits hard with its strong bassline and conscious lyrics. "Life AllOver" dives deep into the essence of existence, delivering a message of hope and resilience that reverberates with every beat. 'Finnegan' aka 'Life All Over Dubwise': Prepare to enter the realm of dub mastery. The second part of "Life All Over" takes you on a journey through the echoes of space and time, where the music transcends boundaries and the spirit of dub reigns supreme. About Winston Fergus : Winston Fergus, a stalwart of the UK reggae scene whose career spans over four decades. Winston kickstarted his journey in 1976 as the vibrant lead singer of The Equators, renowned for their iconic track 'Father Oh Father' released under Joe Sinclair's esteemed Klik label. Not only did The Equators make waves in their own right, but they also provided the musical backdrop for rising star Pablo Gad, solidifying Winston's reputation as a mentor in the industry. In 1977, Winston ventured into solo territory with the soulful release 'Give Me Love' on Jah Jah Bus, marking the beginning of a prolific solo career. Lightning Records recognized his talent and signed him, resulting in the release of 'African Woman'. Throughout the '80s, Winston remained a prominent figure, collaborating with luminaries like Clement Bushay, Clive Stanhope, and John Dread, producing hits such as 'Jezebel Woman', 'Keep On Dancing', and 'Hope For The World'. In the late 80's, Winston's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish his own imprint, Fergie Music label, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career.

The first 7" by "Boso Vinyl Aikoukai," formed by record-loving members in Kamogawa, Boso, Chiba Prefecture, is now available! The recording features Pancho from K-zion, active in Kamogawa, Boso, and guest performers MR Hero and Matsurika united, who is well-known for her work on "the Entertainer" produced by Naniwaman. The song "Toki Wo Koete Yukou" (Let's Go Beyond the Time) is a wonderful song filled with positive messages like 90s Japanese reggae. Limited Pressings!!

Blue Beat Players' latest music release is now available! “Scootering on!”, a power ska tune that starts with the exhaust note of “Lambretta” (The NUMBERS!) and features Masayuki “Marc” Hayashi's vocal and chorus interplay, is included on the A-side. The B-side is “Marseile Soreil”, an authentic lovers' rock full of love dedicated to Yumi, a member of the band who passed away earlier this year.

Rude Bones, a pioneer in the Japanese ska-core scene, releases two of its latest releases on 7”!! This EP features a bold Rocksteady arrangement of the Northern Soul classic “I'm Where It's At” by The Jades! In contrast, “Losing Track” is an up-tempo ska number with a sharp and catchy melody that is sure to get ska dances and singalongs. Both are big tunes that symbolize the current Rude Bones and will resonate well with past and future fans.

Two roots classics from Bunny Wailer originally released on the Solomonic label.

No Wahala Sound Orchestra is a contemporary, London-based collective with members from backgrounds as diverse as Jamaica, Ghana, Bangladesh, Poland, Trinidad, Denmark, Ireland and the UK.Gideon Coe ( 6Music) Neil Luscombe (bbc Radio 3) and Steve Barker ( BBC Radio Lancashire) have all offered their support over the years.
The music takes in elements of electronica, jazz, reggae, dub poetry, Afrobeat, classical Indian music and many other global sounds."On Gossamer Clouds" is a compilation of some key recordings over the last ten years. It features 12 tracks which vary in styles and mood, but form a coherent whole.

Two classic rocksteady sides from Derrick Harriott's Move & Groove label.

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.

After the digital release of their first EP last September, which already accumulated over 1 million streams on Spotify, Blundetto and Pupajim return on a full-length version of their recent collaboration.

Les Rythmes Ruban invites you to immerse yourself again in the unique sonic universe of Pupajim and Blundetto. They welcome saxophonist Laurent Bardainne on "Les Plages du 22" and deliver 8 tracks blending Roots Reggae and Poetry.

Originally made back in 2002, this tune has never had a well deserved single release, so here it is remastered and backed with a version previously unreleased on vinyl! U Brown tells a story of his involvement in the soundsystem scene since the late 60’s, so come take a ride on this heavy musical excursion...

Produced by Jah Warrior, mixed by Dougie Wardrop at Conscious Sounds Studio, mastered by Sam John at Precise Mastering.

Two years on from the seductive disco deviance of his previous full length, Mystic Jungle returns to his home base Periodic Records with a two track 12” single titled “Words of Love". Masculine and feminine vocals interplay amidst textures of dreamy dub delirium, their tones smooth, yearning and androgynous as they plead over and over... repeating “Say You Love Me” like some spell of desperate romantic magic. Splatters of tropical island percussion move through starbound synth hooks, and sparkles of stellar vapor sooth the soul as moonlit organ chords ride equatorial riddims and chunky funky FM-bass riffs while all around, saxophonics blow like a humid mediterranean breeze. And on the flip, the extended version gives plenty of space over to club-minded dubwise drum intros, freely floating vocal layers, and seriously sun-scorched guitar solos that send waves of fire ripping through the air.

A Disco Reggae cover of BOB MARLEY's immortal classic “could YOU BE Loved” in a Vortex sound! "Could You Be Loved“, one of BOB MARLEY's best-known songs, has been given a new spin on Disco Reggae by Robert ‘’dubwise”” Browne, while remaining faithful to the original! The song starts with an a cappella chorus and then moves on to the guitar riff that is essential to this song. The gradual build up of the song will shake both your body and your heart! An instrumental version is included on the reverse side. The mix engineer is Steven Stanley, who created the innovative sounds of Grace Jones, Tom Tom Club, and others.

With the fantastic 'Black Rabbit,' dub don Prince Fatty masterfully navigates the realms of dub and reggae, infusing each track with his signature vintage sound and infectious grooves. The single is a great trip through rich basslines, swirling echoes, and soulful melodies that all showcase Fatty's exceptional production skills and deep understanding of Jamaican music traditions. From the laid-back instrumentals to his lively vocal performance, this tune has timeless charm and undeniable authenticity so is a testament to Prince Fatty's enduring influence in the contemporary reggae scene.

The Skatalites’ massive dancefloor ska Anthem + some serious dub on the flip

Bob Marley is considered one of the pioneers of reggae. The Jamaican singer and songwriter formed Bob Marley & The Wailers in the sixties, with worldwide success following in the 70’s. By 1973, Marley was a superstar. Reggae's most transcendent and iconic figure, Bob Marley was the first Jamaican artist to achieve this international level of superstardom. This live studio recording is the peak of his career and features hits like ‘Get Up Stand Up’ and ‘Lively Up Yourself’.

Muffin Records' second single is an original song by Sonia, created based on the concept of "making music out of requests for radio programs". Singer-songwriter Sonia from Aomori emotionally sings about a heart shaken by being dumped by a loved one. EMI (radio DJ) and GEL (guitar) from Nagoya's Japanese duo "EMI&GEL," who captivate listeners with their unique worldview, will complement the Showa mood of the music. Enjoy it with a killer dub b-side by 2shanti (Dub mix) and Goja Bongos (Kette Drums).

Erika Crymson, who has consistently released on Loop DUB Records and continues to spread her love of reggae, and U-key, who is known for his globally successful "vibes Still Alive", have combined to release a new 7" vinyl! Guest musicians include Koji Shiono (dubjuana Midnight System/rude Bones) on basic tracks and mixing, MAI (ex-THE Redemption) on trumpet and Kiichi (dubjuana Midnight System) on percussion! Side-AA is mixed by Ga-pi, the frontman of the Thailand-based ska band T-bone and dub master of Jahdub Studio, which features and produces artists from around the world! Mastered by e-mura (mura-sta/Bim One Production), cover design by Voba Head.