Roots & Culture 245 Items

Emotional Rescue and HMV Record Shop (Japan) present the 2nd Disco Reggae Lovers with the music of Haile Maskel and his 101 Band and their cult Jamaica meets America reggae disco bomb Crazy Kind Of Feeling, in it's super rare 7" Mix. Heralding from the furtive 60's Trenchtown, Jamaica, Michael Ashley aka Haile Maskel grew up around music, recording his first sessions with friend Bob Marley, alongside the likes of Peter Tosh, Robbie Shakespeare and Carlton Barrett. Working with Lee Perry, he joined Light Of Saba, while touring with Dennis Brown and Sugar Minott led him overseas, settling in Los Angeles in 1983 and soon launching his Opulence (Sound) label. The label's in house project, Maskel's 101 Band mixed a conscious message in love song, crafted around a boogie discodub. Coming as 7" and 12" (erc101) releases, here the single is presented alongside the true dub version. Dub Take 2 was discovered when the original master tapes were recently unearthed and while the recent 12" reissue featured an "instrumental alternative mix", Dub Take 1, this 7" includes a real dub version, cutting and dropping back and forth between drums, bass, key, vocals and horns in a cool excursion for the heads.

"The Wiseman & The Fool" , the last brand new Roots & Culture track arranged & played by mighty Abeng , extra deep mood with horns , falsetto voice and an extra Dark dubwise by Eeyun Purkins. Around April/May 2020 , during the toughest Lockdown we had a very productive and constructive period , Abeng aka Claudio , which arrange, play and sing almost all the instruments of all the chunes we released by him , did a great job finalizing a number of demos he sent us in the previous month and ourself as a label tried to create some fresh connections , we like , when possible to be able to work with a wide number of artists so that each production have some unique magic into it. Eeyun Purkins from the Co-Operators (uk) is surely one of the brightest lights in this Roots & Cultures movement that is bringing to light some fresh fantastic music and during that period he helped us mixing some of Abeng's chunes and passed us some of his riddim (Check Dtws009 "The Moonlight Runner") , he did a majestic job mixing this track , and we are extremely thankful for this. Last but not least , we had the shining Rootikal Horns how did some special horns finalizing and some tuff Sax and Trombone solo....that by now will remain unreleased. Final Touch by Pressure Mastering that did put all the things in order to be pressed and spreaded!

For us is a big pleasure to work together with Claudio AKA Abeng , other than a long time friend is a great musician with a deep Ska, Rocksteady & Roots Knowledge First side Abeng - Poor Man is an Old-Fashioned Bluesy-Rocksteady lovers track talking about the pains of love. Flip side Abeng - Together Soul Rockin' is a different cut to the riddim , a celebration of the feelings that reggae music carries on "Come everybody a come ya , rock together in this sorrow"

Akae Beka's inimitable style, developed over decades performing with St. Croix based band Midnite and countless recordings (including 2014 iTunes reggae album of the year Beauty FOR Ashes and Ride Tru). At the point of his untimely passing in 2019, he had released over 70LP's. He is without a doubt one of the most prolific reggae artists ever known and his quanity is always matched with quality, with his albums consistently featuring in the top 10 on the billboard charts reggae LPs.

This release makes no exception. 5 years on from the original 2016 CD and Digital release which charted at number 6 in the reggae billboard charts, this timeless masterpiece is being re-released on 12" Vinyl and Cassette tape, courtesy of Before Zero Records. Produced by ZIK bassist, JAH David, Livicated was Akae Beka's debut release on the Zion High Productions (zhp) label. The album features solid original riddims composed and arranged by the ZIK family with musical contributions from Aston Barrett Jr. (drums), JAH Bless (horns), Chet Samuel (guitar), and Yami Bolo (melodica). Particularly striking on Livicated are the strident, Burning Spear-like horn arrangements and the variety and range of Drew Keys' keyboard voices.

Released on CD and digital on the 21st May 2021, this eagerly anticipated LP from I Grade Records immediately soared to the number one position in the iTunes reggae charts. The LP is now being released on 12" vinyl and cassette tape courtesy of Before Zero Records.
Polarities is the 13th and final full album of new material from Vaughn Benjamin and I Grade Records, the culmination of a 20 year working relationship that began with 2001's Nemozian Rasta album, which was Midnite's 4th album released to date at that time.
Polarities was produced jointly by the Zion I Kings production team, with Tippy I of I Grade at the production helm, alongside Vaughn Benjamin himself.
The album also includes two notable guest features: Tiken Jah Fakoly of Ivory Coast on "Everything Bless" and Chronixx of Jamaica on "Black Carbon", which were both released in 2020 as the first singles off of Polarities.

First ever spanish language solo recording for Alberto D'Ascola aka Alborosie! - "Asi" (translated in english as "So") is a romantic ballad with a reggae feeling. The 7-inch single is offered as one-time deluxe pressing with four colour jacket art, an inner sleeve and custom label prints.

Italian born reggae star Alborosie has a wide range of guest appearances to his recording credit, spanning multiple genres. His recent work with Catalonian reggae band Green Valley and Brazilian reggae band Ponte de Equilibrio are just two examples of his music bridging borders and languages. Now, Alborosie presents his first Spanish language solo recording, a romantic ballad with a reggae feel titled "Asi". The single will be supported by an official music video, filmed in black & white with dramatic ocean views of Jamaica to emphasize the romance in his performance.

The new studio album featuring all the great digital only singles from previous months, brandnew songs and illustrious guests like Collie Buddz, Jo Mersa Marely, Wailing Souls and Quino from Big Mountain!

Alborosie is committed to authentic reggae, to honoring and preserving its heritage. His work with Roots Radics band, The Wailers United, King Jammy, Wailing Souls and many of today’s leading artists, is a testament to his study of the origins of reggae, and his contribution to its future. He is unique among non-Jamaican reggae artists in his personal commitment to saturating himself in the culture of Jamaica and reggae music.

The album "For The Culture" was written and produced (by Alborosie) during the darkest months of the Covid 19 Pandemic and gives voice to many thoughts and emotions felt around the world during the period. Like most of the world, Jamaica is blessed (or cursed) with steady, high-speed internet connectivity and it is through this personal (computer) window that many of the songs were conceived. Through the music, darkness gives way to light and the finished work conjures a subtle, yet powerful feeling of hope, for the future and for the culture.

"Dub For The Radicals" are ten unearthed rock solid Roots Radics rhythm tracks dub charged by Alborosie and Flabba Holt at Shengen Studio, Jamaica. This is speaker shaking drum and bass from the original Roots Radics - pure dub fire - Alborosie meets The Roots Radics at their best in a heavyweight dub showdown! - It is Alborosie's fifth dub project following the strictly dubwise albums "Dub Clash" (2010), "Dub The System" (2013), "Dub Of Thrones" w/King Jammy (2015) and "Freedom In Dub" (2017).

Another hard hitting pair of Spencer/Hill Reggae. Originally composed and recorded by Italian brothers Duo Oliver Onions brought to a Caribbean feel of off-beat, police-band-horns and muted guitar. Check out the dynamic sound of this!

Original Gravity Archive Series. Hand-numbered, limited edition, original 7" vinyl single. Only 250 copies!

Rare and unreleased Augustus Pablo from the vaults of Gussie Clark. Includes full 12" versions of the mind-bending 'No Entry' and 'Classical Illusion' (complete with King Jammy dub). Also included is the rare JA 45 take, two unreleased Skylarking shock-outs and impossible to find 45's like 'Believe A Dub'. This is classic Augustus Pablo - Are you ready to be Dubbed?

One of the goals of our label is to create special connections and this release is perfectly matching this. Around a couple of years ago we started discussing with our friend Daniel Tuffs from Shaolin Sound (uk) about joining forces to create some positive musical projects , between the various ideas we asked him to create for us an heavy Roots or Rub a Dub riddim and what we got in return exceeded our expectations...Fyah RUB A DUB , a new style of riddim that gave us a sure feeling about who to ask to voice it! Awa Fall , also known as Sista Awa , I guess for many needs no introductions , she is a super talented and versatile singer based in north Italy with countless musical contributions. We remember seeing her years ago , still very young and already felt she had a great artistic future ahead. So it is! We are glad 100% to have her included in this project , part of our little label's family. Be ready for her Powerful lyrics as this riddim deserves! Sounds Heavy!

Dubwise is handled by Shaolin Sound too

This release by The Band of Enlightenment, Reason & Love presents a new instrumental version of the heavily sought after debut release "Zota Yinne" by Alogte Oho, the meanwhile classic second release on Philophon from 2014 (PH45002). So far, The Band of Enlightenment, Reason & Love, as Philophon's house band, never had any release under its own name, but here we go! It's sure: more will follow.

"Zota Yinne" is a dubbed out variation of the original Frafra gospel classic with the one and only Jimi Tenor as a guest on flute and synth. "Starlet Road Filling Station Romance" is an other-worldly search for love, perfectly characterized by Jimi Tenor's love cries on the saxophone.

First time re-issue for this golden age righteous rastaman business from Barrington Levy & Trinity. In the rockers era Trinity cemented his place as the number one deejay scoring countless hits and becoming almost an almost essential ingredient on the onslaught of discomixes from yard. Moving into production with his own Flag Man label this 1979 crucial combination killer with Barrington „Lose Respect“ was also the first in a long parade of Mr. Levys 12-inch single hits for Greensleeves Records. The flipside features the soulful lovers rock lick of „Since You Are Gone“ / „Give Love A Try“ from Roman Stewart & Trinity to rival the previous and much loved versions by Delroy Wilson, Pat Kelly & David Isaacs.

This concert was held during a political civil war in Jamaica between opposing parties Jamaican Labour Party and the People's National Party. The concert came to its peak during Bob Marley & The Wailers' performance of "Jammin'", when Marley joined the hands of political rivals Michael Manley (pnp) and Edward Seaga (jlp

Featuring Johnny Clarke, King Tubby, Dillinger, Prince Jazzbo, Tommy McCook, The legendary Aggrovators, The Mighty Diamonds & many more.

Freestyle Records mark the recent passing of the great Lee "Scratch" Perry with this gem of 45 showcasing 2 of his stellar early Black Ark-era productions - plucked from the To Love Somebody LP reissue project from earlier this year, which unearthed the Perry-produced debut from Bunny Scott (aka Bunny Clarke aka Bunny Rugs, later of Third World).

The Blaxploitation-influenced funk track 'Kinky Fly' features members of The Chi-Lites' backing band (passing through the infamous studio whilst in Jamaica for a series of shows) - their horn section and Chinna Smith's wah-wah guitar shine through with synth overdubs adding to the mood, underpinned by the ghostly click tracks of the Conn Rhythm Unit (constituting one of Scratch's earliest experiments with drum machines). On the flip, the upbeat 'Sweet Loving Love' boasts a jaunty synthline high up in the mix and a stellar rhythm section augmenting Bunny's soulful tenor.

Freestyle Records are proud to present the first ever reissue of this rare Black Ark-era Lee "Scratch" Perry production on LP & CD w/ bonus tracks. Both formats feature liner notes from author of the acclaimed People Funny Boy: The Genius of Lee 'Scratch' Perry and Solid Foundation: An Oral History of Reggae, David Katz.

The late Bunny Rugs was best known as the frontman for legendary reggae band Third World, but prior to that he completed an apprenticeship at Lee Perry's Black Ark resulting in this solo LP, originally released in 1975 and credited to Bunny Scott.

The album captures the laid-back sessions of the early Black Ark, with a few surprising innovations lurking amongst the soul covers and love ballads. Highlights include the sought after Blaxploitation-influenced funk track 'Kinky Fly' featuring members of The Chi-Lites' backing band, passing through Perry's infamous studio whilst in Jamaica for a series of shows - their horn section and Chinna Smith's wah-wah guitar give the track its outstanding difference as synth overdubs add to the moody feeling, underpinned by the ghostly click tracks of the Conn Rhythm Unit - one of Perry's first times experimenting with drum machines.

Breakup track 'Second Avenue' shows how suited Rugs' powerful, deep tenor was suited to a soul framework, the Chi-Lites' horns again making a striking difference. The Bee Gees' evergreen 'To Love Somebody' takes James Carr's soulful rendition as its reference and 'Big May' re-works the 'Return Of Django'/'Sick And Tired' rhythm, with a new drum part. while the broken-hearted 'What's The Use' was cut at the request of Sonia Pottinger, who ultimately failed to release it.

Somehow the sublime rendition of William DeVaughans' 'Be Thankful', recorded during the same session, was left off the LP - but appears here as a bonus track on the CD along with I Never Had It So Good & Hip Harry + it's version track.

Looking back on the sessions documented on this LP, Rugs said that Perry's creativity taught him that music could be limitless. As he explained, 'It was so simple that it became complex. The approach he has to music and to recording, I think the music nowadays lack that kind of intuition. He's somebody that would use pliers and a screwdriver to create percussion; he wouldn't hesitate to experiment. He was a little...not crazy, but somebody with that kind of thinking must be somewhere else, in another zone sometimes.'

Rocking digi gospel roots

Limited Blue Colour Vinyl For National Album Day 2021 - Celebrating Women In Music. 2000 Units for UK.

Affectionately dubbed ‘Queen of Lovers Rock’, Carroll Thompson first took the UK’s music scene by storm in 1980 when her classic single, ‘Simply In Love’ propelled her into country’s reggae chart, where it remained in the Top 10 for over four months. The achievement was repeated the following year with the breathtakingly beautiful follow-up, ‘Hopelessly In Love’, the immense popularity of which spawned the multi-talented performer’s best-selling debut long-player of the same name.

Reportedly selling in excess of a million albums worldwide, the 10-track album included the aforementioned hits alongside additional new original works that have since become widely regarded as classics of the genre.

Recently voted by readers of Mojo magazine as the greatest lovers rock album of all time, the “Hopelessly In Love” LP also demonstrated the breadth of Carroll’s talent, with the singer not only performing and penning all of the material, but also coproducing the entire set.

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Trojan Records proudly make this seminal long-player available once more. Remastered and re-presented in its original sleeve, the vinyl version has been pressed on high quality 180g colour vinyl and is further augmented by newly written sleeve notes and rare imagery from Carroll herself, “Hopelessly In Love” finally receives the deluxe treatment its status and profound influence has long since deserved.

Discover the history of the Bam Bam Riddim written by reggae masters Sly & Robbie, among the greatest producers of the genre ! From the instrumental track ë Santa Barbara û to the cult version of Chaka Demus & Friends ë Murder She Wrote û, and including the fantastic versions of Brent Dowe or from Anthony Red Rose.

We have been on this project for months and like some of our Reggae projects took a wide international cooperation to get to the final point! When we 1st heard the riddim by Rockers Disciples we knew something good was gonna come out but we didn't expect how good! Both sides are in fact on the same riddim but comes with totally different moods, Clive Matthews's side in a conscious and militant vocal while Mara's side is mellow and sweet with a lover vocal. To complete the 12'' there's the magic touch by Roberto Sanchez who mixed the vocals and made the Dubwises!

"Music Is Our Business" is a premium blend of the very best of Cocoa Tea's non-album tracks recorded for Bobby Digital alongside a gold leaf selection of previously unreleased nuggets. All recorded between 1985 and 1986.
The tracks gathered together here are amongst the most loved tunes in Cocoa Tea's illustrious catalogue and this collection is sure to please Cocoa Tea's many fans both old and new, his message are songs of the struggle, Love, Peace...
The success of VP's recent two Bobby Digital anthologies "X-Tra Wicked" and "Serious Times" has shone the spotlight bright and alight on the outstanding work that was coming out of the Digital B studio during this golden period. The release of "Music Is Our Business" shows there is still a lot more gold in the Digital B vaults.

All new and exclusive recordings by finest artists from Jamaica! - The latest project from reknown producer & engineer Bulby York features eight special combination tunes from Busy Signal & Cecile "Stay Home Tonight", Jimmy Cliff, Capleton & Bounty Killer's "Humanitarian", Malica & Beenie Man's "Wiggle Wiggle", Deanna & Rygin King's "Going Blind", Beres Hammond & Agent Sasco with "Teenie Weenie Love", plus fabulous cover versions of Tracy Chapman's "All That You Have Is Your Soul" by Etana & Lutan Fyah, and Lord Creator's world hit for Ub40 "Kingston Town" by Kumar & Chino. All this and more alongside solo cuts by Anthony Red Rose, Charly Black, Sanchez and the Dean Frazer version of the Duke Ellington classic "Sentimental Mood". A must have for vinyl fans and contemporary reggae music lovers - heartcrafted for real!

"I Man A The Stal-A-Watt" gathers together 13 sure shots from Cornell Campbell blending the very best of his all-conquering hit run of forty-fives for Bunny "Striker" Lee alongside a stretch of crucial cuts produced by Joe Gibbs - from the 1970s - 80s classic era. The title is a boast from the early soundclash era when many of Campbell's tracks, here produced primarily by Bunny Lee, would play first on King Tubby’s Home Town Hi-Fi in Jamaica. The songs run the range from clash-ready standards like "Mash You Down" and "The Gorgon" to cultural commentaries like "Jah Jah Me Horn Yah" and "Bandulu" to the lover’s masterpiece "The Investigator" which leads off the set. Stretching into the early 80s, the collection includes two originals that would spawn countless re-interpretations, "Rope In" and "Boxing Around".

Legendary Reggae vocalist Cornell Campbell is to release a new E.P entitled 'Time For Peace', to mark the 52nd Anniversary of Martin Luthur King Jr's assassination, 4th April 2021. Taking its title from Cornell's lyrical addition to Black Man In A White World, "I want you to understand, I need, I need everyone to hang on, in love, peace and unity", the new 12" EP features bold interpretations of two of soul music's most iconic songs about race, identity and injustice. Both Michael Kiwanuka's 'Black Man In A White World' and 'Outernational Blues' - a take on the Marvin Gaye classic 'Inner City Blues' - evoke the sentiment and spirit of MLK's peaceful protest, and act as a reminder as to the importance of grace, pride and dignity in difficult times. Capturing a unique combination of vocal vulnerability and wisdom, this is music that demands deep listening. Cornell Campbell's voice at 75, carries a new found poignancy and depth of emotion; one which feels perfectly suited to delivering an elders perspective on such emotionally loaded topics. The E.P was recorded and produced over four countries, with the music for all tracks having been recorded in London, England at The Total Refreshment Centre, before being voiced in Kingston Jamaica at Anchor Studios. Additional backing vocals were added at Heritage Recording Co in Burbank, California, before the track was finally mixed and produced by Sergio Lopez, in Andalucia, Spain. 'Time For Peace' is the first in a series of four releases from icons of reggae, including 'Time For Love' by Tabby Diamond, of The Mighty Diamonds, 'Time For Change' by Fred Locks and 'Time For Unity' by Big Youth; all to be released on limited 12" vinyl. All music recorded by Kristian Craig Robinson at Total Refreshment Studios, London. Vocals recorded by Delroy 'Phatta' Pottinger at Anchor Studios, Kingston, Jamaica. Mixed and produced by Sergio Lopez. Keith 'Mindlink' McKintosh: MD, Arranger and Keys Ajani 'aj' McKnezie: Bass Brian 'Rim Bim' Gustave: Drums Benedict Wood: Guitar Jordi Viella: Guitar Alabaster DePlume: Saxaphone Jackson Mathod: Trumpet Tamina Johnson-Lawson, Aankha Neil and Moira Mack: Backing vocals Backing vocals recorded by Chris Rondell at Heritage Recording Co, Burbank, California and arranged arranged & produced by Brandon Eugene Owens.