Roots & Culture 232 Items

All Nations Records comes back again with a 12" composed and mixed by established sound system and rising producer Agobun out of Lille, France. It features the sweet voice of Jacko, well known by the french sound system followers, here singing in his unique style, about the constant efforts and works that man and woman shall do all their life to be a better person. In a pure sound tradition, this record comes with two dub cuts and a mesmerizing guitar cut that comes in as the cherry over the cake

With Happy Hour, her ravishing new LP, Hollie Cook matures into the queen of modernday "lovers rock"... the lush girly harmony reggae style beloved in Britain since the 1970s. Evolution rings from the bittersweet opening title track; tender yet assertive, Hollie's voice caresses evocative lyrics through the arrangement's tumbling changes. Hollie dares to invite listeners into her true personality through these alluring songs, which she co-produced with her General Roots band members Ben Mckone and Luke Allwood, and executive producer Youth. "Particularly with the songwriting, I was trying to really push myself and be open, to not be restricted in any way. I have always been a fan of theatrical pop music and wanted to experiment more with the song form." Indeed, the dizzying arrangement of "Gold Girl" shows Hollie as boldly orchestrated, cinematic. "Now I don't shy away from it when I want to be dramatic," she declares. Full of emotion, leaning into healing and understanding, Hollie's lyrics on Happy Hour speak directly to our pain and confusion and steer us towards resolution on tracks like "Moving On," "Unkind Love," and "Love in the Dark." Touring as a teenager with punk legends The Slits encouraged the fierceness within her sweetness. Hollie's mentor was Ari Up, the band's lead singer and a lifelong friend of Cook's parents (Sex Pistols drummer Paul and her singer mother Jeni). "My father always said I would be a singer. But I discovered lovers rock on my own. I heard it on pirate radio and at friends', and I was bewildered, enchanted," she recalls. "The Slits are the reason I have pursued this career. I was surrounded by powerful women at a young age, and when my time came, I was never fazed by male dominance. They were my wall of courage." From those feisty roots, Hollie has only grown. Her soulful directness on Happy Hour is relatable and authentic.

"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".

We are glad to present to you the 1st Abeng Maxi 12'' : "Sun Will Rise" and "Eastern Lights" are two instrumentals based on the same riddim, one a way style Roots & Culture Music done during the LockDown of 2020. Mix and Dubwises are handled by Roberto Sanchez at A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio (es) , ready to play loud on your HiFi or Sound System!

Terrific single from Patrick Andy, written and produced by Yabby You. This is the first time this track has been released on vinyl. Killer dub on the flipside mixed at King Tubby’s. Heartfelt uncompromising and rootsy vocal from Patrick Andy as good as anything he recorded for Yabby. A smooth rhythm punctuated by Tommy McCook’s led horns section. Comes in a Yabby You sleeve. You need this.

Chronixx makes an overdue but welcome return to the airwaves with the soulful reggae track titled “Never GIve Up”. A rootsy, uplifting and inspiring song containing all the essential elements for a classic, Chronixx joins forces with award winning producer Inflo to create something very special!

Formed in 1989, Hepcat is a musical group that look too Jamaican, American Soul, Jazz, and Latin music from the the 1960’s and 1970’s to influence their music feast of Ska, Rocksteady, and Reggae. With a focus on highlighting soulful vocal harmonies, intoxicating rhythms, with rich and clever horn arrangements, Hepcat has been a unique and refreshing musical addition to the California music scene. The Group is composed of vocalists Gregory Lee and Alex Desert, keyboardists/vocalist Deston Berry, guitarist Lina Trujillo, saxophonists Efren Santana, trumpeter Kincaid Smith and drummer Greg Narvas. Hepcat has released 4 successful albums, 1993s Out of Nowhere on New York based record label Moon Ska Records; 1996's Scientific on Los Angeles based BYO Records; 1998’s Right On Time and 2000’s Push N' Shove on Los Angeles based Hellcat/Epitaph Records. Hepcat has hypnotized audiences all around the world and were often the first to bring their unique take on Ska, Rocksteady, and Reggae to audiences of other musical genres. Hepcat has shared audiences and stages with the likes of The Allman Brothers, Taj Mahal, Ben Harper, Public Enemy, and many, many more. The band would be the first to tell you that the greatest reward has been being able to play with the very people who initially inspired them to play music as a group, from the Skatalites to Toot’s and the Maytals, whom they have enjoyed as fans.

King General’s follow-up to the classic `Money Run Tings’ (1996) arrives in the shape of `Broke Again’, originally emerging in 2009 on CD only. So now, on vinyl for the first time: 6 vocals from the General with 6 dubs from The Bush Chemists Including the singles `Them Wrong’ and the title track `Broke Again’ Two tracks that couldn’t fit on this vinyl release: `Got to be Conscious’ and `Long Way to Go’ will appear separately on a forthcoming 12” (prtl12014).

Tapper Zukie still asking the questions and stating the facts that few artists of his calibre would attain to.His classic Dee-Jay style has been copied by many but bettered by few.Over some of his killer rhythms that he previously worked up while producing fellow roots groups such as ‘Prince Allah’, ‘Knowledge’ and ‘Junior Ross and the Spears’. Alongside some fresh rhythms, he has taken these as a backbone to some further questions and biblical reasoning that needed answering. Tapper tells it as it is on this mighty collection of tunes put together under the name ’X is Wrong’. This is the first time this set of remarkable tracks have seen a proper release only previously being available as a download from Tapper’s website. A great set of songs that finally get the release they deserve…. Hope you enjoy the set….

4LPs and 4CDs

Highly regarded deep roots nugget from ’73 now twin-spinned with the famed Big Youth microphone attack. A first time Glen Brown rhythm coupling and a limited one-time press only, 7-inch-single with Pantomine label prints in a grey/white sleeve, both tracks mixed by Osbourne "King Tubby" Ruddock. European pressing.

Released in the UK as part of Brooks’ ‘One Love’ album in the early 1980s, ‘No War Over Woman’ was originally recorded at Channel One around 1975, with musicians apparently including Sly & Robbie rhythm section, Ansel Collins on keys and Deadly Headley on saxophone, and mixed at King Tubby’s. It is arguably the first time it gets issued as a 7’’ single including a version on the flip side. Extra tip: roots fans will recognise the riddim from Knowledge’s monumental ‘Stumbing Block’, which appeared on the Tamoki Wambesi label.

Bob Marley was a Jamaican singer and songwriter. He is considered to beone of the pioneers of reggae. Marley began his professional musical career in 1963, after forming Bob Marley & The Wailers. The group attained international success in 1973. Reggae’s most transcendent and iconic figure, Bob Marley was the first Jamaican artist to achieve international superstardom. Including the hits “I Shot The Sheriff”, “No Woman No Cry”, “Is This Love” and more.

"Grammy-winning outfit Black Uhuru is one of the most known and beloved reggae bands of all times. The group was formed in 1972 in Waterhouse, Kingston. Initially known simply as ‘Uhuru’ (the Swahili word for ‘freedom’) it was formed by the likes of Garth Dennis, Don Carlos and Duckie Simpson. But it wasn’t until 1977, when Errol Nelson and Michael Rose joined Duckie to replace Carlos and Dennis, that they started to build a solid reputation both in Jamaica and the UK with a stream of now legendary albums. African Love is part of Black Uhuru’s debut album ‘Love Crisis’, produced and mixed by Prince Jammy in 1977. The somehow ‘raw’ production quality of this early versions allows the listener to sink into the band’s unmistakable talent."

We are happy to unveil a new collaboration with prolific Jamaican singer and producer Mike Brooks. Born in the Westmoreland parish in the early 1950s, Mike Brooks’ journey in music kicked off around the legendary Channel One studio where he was involved with Lloyd Park’s Skin Flesh and Bones band for some time, before devoting himself to singing and producing, mainly through his own ‘Teams’ label.

Picturedisc, ltd. 500 copies

Born John McMorris in Kingston, Jamaica in 1970 his nickname originally described this young man to a tee but, as time passed, his stature in the reggae music business continued to grow, Little John became more akin to his Sherwood Forest namesake. Little John first burst on to the Jamaican music scene in 1979 as a precocious nine year old on an un-credited combination with Captain Sinbad on ‘51 Storm’ for Sugar Minott’s Black Roots label . His ‘Unite’ album is a reminder of the continuing relevance of the dancehall style. Rough, raw and rugged they represent the real authentic sound of young Jamaica from nearly forty years ago when the youths “forgot their troubles and danced”.

Recorded At Channel One, Kingston, Jamaica Produced By Anthony Dehaney Mixed By Scientist Backing Band The Roots Radics Recorded 1984

Oscure 80's Jamaican roots by Oswald 'Timbo' Stewart.

Talented singer who used to sing alongside Larry Marshall back in the 70's.

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

David Hillyard & The Rocksteady 7 are back with their first LP since their 2018 album, The Giver. The new album, "Plague Doctor," blends the Rocksteady 7's signature sound, which combines elements of American jazz and Jamaican influences, with classic Brazilian rhythms and themes. The Rocksteady 7 features some of the best players in the current ska and reggae scene, including members of NYC ska staples The Slackers and percussionist Larry McDonald (Toots & The Maytals, Gil Scott-Heron. Lee "Scratch" Perry).

Back In Stock for summer 2013! - Erstmalige Vinyl-Wiederveröffentlichung des Longplayers von 1981! - Aufgenommen im Channel One und King Tubby's Studio und overdubbed im Mark Angelos Studio (London), am Mischpult saßen in Kingston Barnabas & Scientist, sowie Mark Lusardi in London. Hier handelt es sich um eine Henry 'Junjo' Lawes Produktion und einen Klassiker der DeeJay Historie im Combination-Style. Musiker: Bass: Flabba Holt, Robbie Shakespeare, Drums: Santa Davis, Sly Dunbar, Style Scott, Guitar: Sowell, Bo Pee, Dwight Pinkney, Chinna Smith, Bingy Bunny, Horns: Dave Cummings, Hameed Taroghion, Mark Alder, Keyboards: Ansel Collins, Delroy Donaldson, Gladdie Anderson, Steelie, Winston Wright, Percussion: Mikey Spratt, Skully, Sky Juice.

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.

Following the inspiration of the great 70's Roots, Abeng drop this brand new Heavy Weight Roots track " Run Come Rally " spreading Gathering and Unity Vibes. After a long time of de-socialization "locked in Babylon, it's time to gather and be free" he sangs.

Abeng, the multi-instrumentalist "roots-head" arranges, plays and sings the whole track. This project signs a new co-operation for our label in order to follow our ideal of worldwide connections!!! Flip side "No Botha Dub" is the dub version coming from our friend Michael Exodus at the Dub Basement Studio in Rome.

Missed out on first pressing - waiting on repress

The definition of deep roots, here are a pair of almost never before heard tracks from the mythical Creole.

The A-side "Fishers of Man" is an extended mix, while the B-side "Walls of Jericho" is a vocal cut followed by a synth added version retrieved from dubplate. The vocal cuts are the band's personal rough mixes, which thankfully survived to now be heard. These tracks were meant for an LP that never materialized

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.