Roots & Culture 412 Items

You don’t often see Nassau, Covid and Grace Jones in the same sentence but these were in part the starting blocks for the creation of the brand new album Feel UP by DJ Vadim.

If someone had said in 2019 that a year later the world would literally close down due to a pandemic, very few would have believed a word (well, apart from those who have been expecting the apocalypse since yk2). But Covid did indeed come, countries shut their borders, clubs closed, and people retreated into various degrees of self-confinement.

As a very active international DJ, this was nothing short of armageddon for Vadim. The skies were blackened but rather than sink into inactivity and hibernation, DJ Vadim created his own tropical music festival in his mind, an alternative universe which shared some sort of kindred spirit with the recordings at Compass Point Studios orchestrated by Chris Blackwell for Grace Jones (1980-82), James Brown, Ac-dc…

It was a melting pot of world class musicians melding reggae, pop, soul and african vibes… together creating some of the worlds most influential albums of that period and that spirit was the inspiration and the title for this new DJ Vadim album, Feel UP.

40 years on since those sessions, the same quest of discovery descended upon Vadim’s studio in Barcelona. The urge for growth, self-discovery and the creation of new sounds took place. Out went the dubcatcher with its 80’s digital sounds and returned a global musical tapas of sounds.

Inhale, exhale, Feel UP is the soundtrack you never knew you were missing!

A Journey Rediscovered: 'Bless Go Roun' by Akae Beka & Higher Bound Production LP vinyl release distributed by TRS Records.

In the world of reggae, some albums possess an enduring quality that transcends time and genre boundaries. Akae Beka and Higher Bound Production's 'Bless Go Roun,' originally recorded in 2006, is undoubtedly one of those albums. Making its vinyl debut, 'Bless Go Roun' presents an exciting opportunity to rediscover this gem.

'Bless Go Roun' encapsulates the essence of Akae Beka's musical genius, blending roots reggae, dub, and mysticism into an intricate tapestry of sound. From the moment the needle drops, you're transported to a world where spirituality and rhythm unite to create something truly magical.

The album's opening track, "Ye Lands," serves as a captivating opener, setting the tone with VB's signature, spiritually charged lyrics. As the album progresses, tracks like "Nomo", "Bless Go Roun," "Starting From" and "Exodus" showcase Vaughn Benjamin's lyrical prowess, addressing themes of Rasta, love, unity and self-discovery. As the album unfolds, it becomes evident that 'Bless Go Roun' is not merely a collection of songs but a spiritual journey through sound and soul with tracks like "Giddeon", "Homing Zone" and "All Out" to name a few. Akae Beka's profound lyrics, combined with the impeccable and intricate arrangements and production by Ryan "Ishence" Willard of Higher Bound, create a sonic landscape that feels both familiar and otherworldly. A level of spiritual introspection rarely found in modern reggae.

In a world overflowing with ephemeral music, 'Bless Go Roun' stands as a timeless masterpiece, a testament to reggae's capacity to inspire, uplift, and provoke contemplation. Akae Beka's spiritual wisdom, coupled with Higher Bound Production's meticulous craftsmanship, has yielded a vinyl gem deserving of a place in every music enthusiast's collection. This release isn't just a reissue; it's the rediscovery of a hidden musical treasure that demands repeated listens, as each spin reveals new layers of complexity and lyrical depth.

A cover of the hit song "I'm In The Mood For Love," sung by Frances Langford in the movie "Every Night At Eight" and later released in many versions as a standard. This take, which was not very successful in Jamaica, was loved in the UK and is now one of the most popular ska anthems and Tanamo's most popular songs. The Jamaican version was pressed in small quantities by Down Beat, and a UK Ska Beat version is in distribution, but it too is rare. The combination of Tanamo and Skatalites is excellent. The coupling is a bright and simple melody sung by the mysterious one-hit wonder Orville Alphonso, and nice ska vocals backed by a vigorous rhythm.

Disco mix sides from the Jah Life archives. On the A side we have one of Barrington's best, "Black Heart Man", in its original disco mix from 1983, with killer Scientist dub wise. On the flip is one of the all time sleepers from the Jah Life catalog, way under the radar since its original release in the early '80s. Terrie from the Nairobi Sisters voices the immortal "Left With a Broken Heart" on the killer original cut of the rhythm, which follows into a dub wise melodica piece, which sounds to us like the maestro Augustus Pablo. Both sides are pressed using new stampers made from the original mothers, so what you get is identical to the original pressings.

Loaded E.P. of mid 90s Mad Professor productions on his own Ariwa (uk) . . . A suite of three slightly comical but straight deadly phasered dubs on A side. On the flip is a strong soulful Lovers tune from Wendy Walker followed by a hazy version... TIP!