Roots & Culture 138 Items

Amazing instrumentals in best El Michel's tradition with a touch of Roots Music, straight from Canada - we love it.

Stix Recordings rounds up all those essential Mato 7" anthems onto this extended player, with all the cuts remastered for the occasion! Includes two unreleased hits featuring Blackstreet (No
Diggity) & Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre (The Wash). Woopiwoop, that's the sound of reggae-hip hop perfection!

The 'Dub To Go EP' represents the first teaser for the upcoming Kabanjak solo album 'Tree of Mystery' which will be released by ESL Music in the late summer of 2010.

Jay-Z's 'Black Album' acapellas mashed up with classic Studio One riddims striaght out of 70s Kingston.

Jay-Z's 'Black Album' acapellas mashed up with classic Studio One riddims striaght out of 70s Kingston.

Recorded at Black Ark, Ariwa and Channel 1

Mungo’s Hi Fi are at the controls delivering their latest productions featuring megatons of talent from a dream lineup of MCs. Mungo's Hi Fi champion the evolution of reggae, dub and dancehall music and are reinvigorating soundsystem culture.

This album here is a lightning roller coaster musical journey through the music of Studio One, the most important record company in the history of Jamaican reggae music. Ska and Rock Steady feature from the greatest names in reggae: The Skatalites, The Maytals, Marcia Griffiths and The Heptones alongside vocal and roots styles from Horace Andy, Willie Williams and Wailing Souls; DJ and dancehall styles from Michigan and Smiley, Prince Jazzbo and Lone Ranger; plus some wicked instrumental and dub. It's all here! 100% essential foundation style.

The 45rpm vinyl edition is produced with a different track order across four sides and promises to deliver super fat loud audio.

Part 1 of a double album, ‘Special Edition Part 1’, comprises of six tracks of which ‘Raleigh Twenty’, ‘Trickle Down’ and ‘Six-Eight Instrumental’ were written and recorded undercover at the band’s Wellington studio, BAYS, while the other tracks; ‘Special Edition, ‘Kamo Kamo’, and ‘OneFourteen’, have all been developed and evolved from the band’s celebrated live jam sessions, whilst on the road in front of audiences worldwide.

Supremely crafted at Freddy’s own BAYS studio in hometown Wellington, the deep musical and rich vocal layers reflect Freddy’s inspiration from the black music lexicon and is a response to the crowd energy at their world dominating live shows.

‘Special Edition Part 1’ is the first release of a long envisaged double album project with separate chapters. The next journey, Part 2 will be released in 2020 after stringent road-testing with audiences over 35 shows across New Zealand, UK and Europe celebrating the release of the Part 1. These upcoming live performances will allow the band to fully explore new song-writing technology and give rise to a slamming Part 2.

The new album follows on from 2015’s ‘BAYS’ LP, which saw support from Financial Times, Resident Advisor, Dummy, the DJ Mag and Clash-acclaimed ‘Blackbird,’ second album ‘Dr Boondigga and the Big BW’ - which gained rave reviews by The Guardian and BBC Music - and the band’s record breaking debut album ‘Based on a True Story’, which went nine times platinum and remained in New Zealand’s top 40 charts for over two years after its release in 2005.

The album cover artwork is by Wellington artist Otis Chamberlain, a continuing evolution from his creation for the ist first single ‘Trickle Down’, a work that's morphed from digital cover art to the band’s massive summer tour backdrop and the recently released late-night buttery steppers ‘Kamo Kamo’.

Greatest dub album ever. Combination between the "Far East" style of Augustus Pablo playing Melodica, Clavinet & Organ and Dub's master Osbourne Ruddock aka "King Tubby's". Featuring the finest Jamaican musicians, Aston & Carlton Barret, China Smith, Vin Gordon, Bobby Ellis...Mixed at King Tubby's Studio in 1976. Produced by Augustus Pablo. A must have !

Rare Jamaican Digital tune. Tribute to Peter Tosh, recorded the year of his death in 1987. "The greatest man 'have ever known was raised in Kingston ghetto... They call him the Bush Doctor...Dread ! They call him the Bush Doctor ... Man ! They call him the Bush Doctor but Winston McIntosh was his name "

Legendary innovative instrumental tune by Augustus Pablo. Recorded at Randy's Studio in 1971. Produced by Clive Chin.

The African Brothers are Lincoln "Sugar" Minott, Winston "Tony Tuff" Morris, and Derrick "Bubbles" Howard. Famous 70's hit song recorded at Randys Studio, Produced by Clive Chin.

Second single by Black uhuru. Recorded in 1975 at Randy's Studio. Augustus Pablo on Melodica. Produced by Clive Chin.

Deep instrumental & dub album. Recorded in 1978 in the best Jamaican studios, including Lee Perry's famous "Black Ark" along (as always !) the cream of the musicians including members of "The Wailers". Pablo mystical & meditative sound take us far away, to the ethiopian roots.

Recorded at Harry J & Channel One in 1982 with iconic musicians as China Smith, Flabba Holt, Robbie Shakespear, along with Norris Reid and Delroy Williams on backing vocals.The album include a recut of the classic "Java" and the singing of Hugh Mundell on "Ratafari Tradition". Reissue with the artwork of the original Jamaican press.

Reissue of this classic roots anthem sung by Hugh Mundell & produced by Augustus Pablo. Accompanied by 4 Instrumentals & Dubs tracks. Mundell, prolific artist tragically died at 21, murdered in 1983. The year of his announced prophecy.

Produced by Alvin "GG's" Ranglin in 1980. Killer roots vocal & Dj's, Dub on the flip.

Killer roots reggae tune produced by Alvin "GG's" Ranglin in 1977. Taken from the "Best of Freddy McKay" Album. First time on 7 inch with Dub on the flip !

"Killer roots" tune of one of the most prolific Jamaican singer. Heavyweight dub on the B side.Recorded in the 70's at Randy's Studio 17 North Parade.

First cut recorded at "Randy's Studio 17" in 1973. Produced by Clive Chin.

"Look at the trees, how their leaves are blowing away in the sky. Listen to the birds, how they're singing away their time. Look at the sun, how it shines, bright in the skies. Well, all these things were, created by the Father." Cover of the Dennis Brown's song. Recorded at Randy's Studio in 1975

First 12 inch on "Sound of Thunder" Label. Meeting between the SOA band and Ossie Gad, founding member and lead singer of the 80's roots UK band "Naturalites". On A side a recut of the "Black Roses" tune that appeared on the album "Picture on the wall", on the flip side, a version of the famous "Drifter" Riddim. Both come with dub version.

This is the first release on All Nation Records new label, courtesy of French producer Simon Nyabinghi.
With all instruments and mix done in his freshly rebuilt studio, Simon delivers a proper roots and dub riddim that has already done the rounds as dubplate magic around the globe prior to its official release. With the help of young and upcoming talent Youthie on trumpet duties, this uplifting track will rock any sessions as well as your living room, especially when followed by the wild dub mix you’ll find on the flip of this record.

Limited Edition EP, Tribute to Stare McCallum. Four deep roots titles from the 70's with extended version.

The longtime portuguese dj-producer DEDY DREAD lands on DJ’S CHOICE label for his first full-on original production. "Don't Wanna Wake Up" kicks off the collaboration with the soulful Hawaiian-born singer OLIVIA RUFF, a velvety warm r’n’b banger which will certainly tear through the airwaves. On the flip side, a “bikini-dub” version by THE REBEL - helped by the sax of Danilo Desideri (Funkallisto) - which will make you wish summer comes sooner rather than later. Published and worldwide distributed by the Italian cinematic label Four Flies Records.

"The next release in the Lion’s Choice series is spread on two vinyl. One 12inch and one 7inch. Both are with the same vocal by the well-known MC Kenny Knots from the UK - a powerful tune called ‘Rise Again’ - but presented as several different mixes. While the 12inch offers another collaboration with Massive Dub Corporation from Bourges, France, on one side and a ruff and tuff remix by Digitron Sound from Zagreb, Croatia, on the flipside, the 7inch holds a more rootikal version by Ashanti Selah from the UK, ‘spiced’ with some violins by Ras Divarius from France. Of course each mix comes with a dub excursion.

Conscious music for heavy weight sound systems."

This release represents the first original Zion Train album in 5 years and features 9 vocalists alongside extremely talented musicians. Vocalists include Cara, Michel Grena Prince Jamo and Rider Shafique whilst amongst the musicians are such luminaries as Paolo Baldini, Don Fe and Gianni Denitto.Zion Train are working alongside the Stop Ecocide and Extinction Rebellion campaigns with the release of this music to help attempts to build a brighter future for our planet - to this end we are reprinting the Leap Manifesto authored by Naomi Klein and friends with this release.

Roots reggae stepper released on B.B. Seaton's album Reggae Land. Strong actual lyrics, heavy dub "The People's Dub". Previously unreleased on 7inch. "B.B. Seaton is a musical veteran, having begun his career in the 60s as one of the Gaylads – finding himself harmonizing with the likes of Ken Boothe and Delroy Wilson – while this track is lifted from his 2005 long-player, Reggae Land. Bottom-end booming, it`s an impassioned Jah Shaka-esque steppers. A warning of revolution, which calls out the rich, the greedy, the heartless and callous – as a plaintive guitar figure unwinds in the distance. It`s flipped by a version, suitable for disciples and bush chemists, that shifts between banging and ethereal. A flute floating in amongst the righteous thunder." (by Ban Ban Ton Ton)

Interstellar digital dancehall with stunning synth, superb vocal by Robert Ffrench in extended mix & ad style by obscure DJ Shortie Ranks. Recorded at Creative Sound Studio (Kingston, JA) in 1985. "On “I Am Wondering” – a lovers of sorts – Ffrench is Dennis Brown in the high notes, and Gregory Isaacs in the song`s playboy sentiments. A guitar gently wah-wahs, while the synths do a giddy glissando. Midway through this discomix the bass becomes boss – throwing everything else – chopped piano chords and all – into echo. Then it`s rewind for the DJ cut – a brag and boast toast from Shortie Ranks – recounting his triumphs at legendary Kingston reggae venue, Skateland”. (Ban Ban Ton Ton - April, 21 of 2020) Robert French grew up in central Kingston and attended Kingston College. He recorded his first singles in 1979, at the age of 17. He achieved success in 1984 with his performances at the Festival Song Contest and the Reggae Sunsplash festival. He had a combination hit with deejay Clement Irie with "Bun & Cheese", and his first two albums were released in 1985. He had another hit in 1989 with "Modern Girl", a collaboration with Courtney Melody. In the mid-1990s he relocated to New York City, where he teamed up with rapper Heavy D, with whom he had a hit with "More Love", with an album following on Ras Records, featuring collaboration with several artists including Lady G and General Degree. He has since returned to Jamaica, where he runs the Ffrench record label and distribution company. He released the album Yesterday and today in 2001, collecting many of his earlier singles. After a period of inactivity as a recording artist, he returned in 2009 with the single "I Do". As a producer he has worked with artists such as Dennis Brown, Buju Banton (he produced Buju's first single "Ruler" on Stamina riddim), Beres Hammond, George Nooks, Luciano, Jah Cure, Yami Bolo and Sizzla to name a few. Robert French was the cosin of the late great Pat Kelly. As a french label, big fan from Ffrench productions, i'm very proud and happy to start a collaboration with Robert Ffrench, the most french jamaican. Stay tuned for many many more.

The Vintage sounds collection is well known for all the albums gathering the best of a musical style in a beautiful vinyl ! Theses two albums introduce two important trend part of huge Music Family - Reggae Dub and French Rap by introducing the best of the artists that create or influence each style.

The Hempolics return with ‘Kiss, Cuddle & Torture: Volume 2’, the follow-up to their triumphant 2017 album which won them accolades including a BBC 6 Music ‘Album Of The Year’ selection. The new release builds on their trademark mash-up sound of reggae, dub, soul and pop but explores new territories with elements of hip-hop, shoegaze and trip-hop welcome additions to the mix.
As with Volume 1, the release is underpinned by the masterful production of main man Grippa – an engineer who cut his teeth working with Faithless – and he’s once again joined by unmistakable Hempolics vocalists Dandelion and Nubiya, who continues to turn heads with her Amy Winehouse meets Hollie Cook timbre.
Highlights of the album include the upbeat soul and reggae hit ‘Play On’, the trip-hop meets dub-influenced single, ‘Full of Surprises’, and the British reggae-funk stomper ‘Bongadashi’. ‘Gotta Thing’ sees the band deliver a fast hip-hop house track laced with classic Hempolics’ reggae flavours, vocals courtesy of Miami rapper Cojack, whilst ‘Place Is Here’, written by Grippa alongside Faithless vocalist Pauline Taylor, is a 90’s shoegaze influenced cut with a languid psych groove.
These releases are to be collected, and hopefully Volume 3 isn’t too far away.

It's been a long journey from the day in Nigeria when we found, inside an Alpha Kuffa - Messiah I sleeve, a blank test press of the Yangaman Bob Lp with a little Top Rank sticker on it to the day we met the producer, the great and brilliant George Dureke, who gave us the test presses of the remaining unreleased albums from his Top Rank label, till to the complicated audio Restoration handled by Colin Young and Bassi Maestro. After two years of hard and intensive work it's finally arrived the time for this compilation to be ready and see the light! Eight Unreleased Digital Roots tracks made in Nigeria in the late 80s, never released or pressed, if not on a couple of test presses made on recycled plastic. Surely it includes some of the most interesting Reggae Music made in the Roots Land call Nigeria! Now Ready to be spreaded worldwide!

Time for the 5th Dig This Way Records singles release. One of those releases we are very proud of! Since the beginning of our Dtw adventure we have been working together with Greg Jata Illustrator who designed our logo and made some graphic works for us till to discover around a year ago, he also plays in a roots group: The Royal Horses! As a natural progression of our friendship and working cooperation we decided to try finalize together a couple of riddims they had ready! In the meantime, since around 2005/2006 we've been big fans of Keathus I Jah Dynasty (Milton Samuels) music, Red Hot have always been an hit in our selection. Since a few years we have gladly seen him joining the reggae community on Facebook , bringing on his own productions , sharing his love for Africa , Ethiopia and Rastafari...so we thought could have been a great idea to have him singing on a riddim we got from Greg....a dream coming true to be able work together with a veteran artist involved in some of the best tracks that ever came out of Jamaica. So it was, Keithus I is a nice & easy person, a Talented singer with a deep sensibility to this music and the lyrics and interpretation for the riddim we got from him...it's just perfect! We had the track finalized by Ian Prince Jamo Campbell who worked to Backing vocals and Roberto Sánchez at Lone Ark studios who took the whole raw idea and carved it to perfection on what you will hear impressed on the Dtws005 plastic! We still have a 2nd riddim by Royal Horses ,it's as good as this...and we are working to something special , so hold on! Much more to come out of Dtw stables!

Recorded at Federal Records Studios in early 70's & produced by Alvin Ranglin. The song appeared for the first time in 1973 on the compilation "Pipeline" .The B side instrumental was previously unreleased, transfered from original tapes by Aad Brakus aka "Dr Buster Dynamite".

music by Russ Disciples, Jonah Dan & Mighty Massa

music by King Earthquake & Word Sound and Power