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Gregory Isaacs (b.15 July 1951, Kingston, Jamaica) the Cool Ruler as he became known, grew up in the ghetto district of Kingston Jamaica. His influences lay not only in the American singers he heard on the radio such as Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, but also local singers such as Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson, and John Holt. His debut release ‘Another Heartache’ was recorded for producer Winston Sinclair and was released under Winstons’ name in the U.K. This saw Gregory move on to work with producer Rupie Edwards forming a vocal group called The Concords alongside two local singers Bramwell and Penros Releasing ‘Buttoo’, I Need Your Loving’ and ‘Don’t Let Me Suffer’ as a trio on Rupies’ Success label. Then as a solo artist with ‘Far Beyond The Valley’, ‘Too Late’ and ‘Black and White’. The latter track becoming a big hit in the U.K. for the group Greyhound. Gregory Isaacs always had his sights on forming his own label which he did in 1972 alongside Errol Dunkley, called African Museum. Working out of his record shop of the same name on Chancery Lane in Kingston town itself. Gregory carried on working with various other producers throughout his career,work that helped fund his own label. One of these producers was Tappa Zukie.

Tappa Zukie (b.1956 , David Sinclair, Kingston, Jamaica.) was also raised in the rough and tough areas of Kingston Jamaica, and very much like Gregory Isaacs found music as a way out of the tough environment in which he was surrounded. Music seemed like the only way out of a life of crime and gang culture. A path that Tappa Zukie found and by the mid 1970’s was establishing himself as a named star on the DJ Roots circuit. Back home in Jamaica he was also getting a name for his production work for other local singers such as Prince Allah and the group Knowledge. To release his own productions, like Gregory Isaacs, he formed his own label called `Tappa Records’. These two artists working

together was a match made in heaven and resulted in this set of songs.

Nine of these songs originally saw the light of day in 1988 released on Tappa Zukie’s `Tappa Records’ initially called ‘Red’. We had added some additional material also produced by Mr Zukie around the same time to expand that release and make their work together more of a complete story. The CD edition of this release carries the version sides to ‘Tickle Me’ and ‘One Man Against The World’. The title track of this release seems to suit Mr Isaacs stance perfectly. A great set of songs worked by two of the great names in reggae. Songs that we think deserve to be put out again to enjoy.

The second part of the famous collaboration between two UK based electronic pioneers: John Bolloten aka The Rootsman and Bryn Jones aka Muslimgauze. For this album the original The Rootsman material from his albums “Into The Light” and “52 Days to Timbuktu” was remixed and deconstructed by Muslimgauze. As always with Bryn Jones, all material is inspired by Arab culture. We hear distorted dub rhythms, sawn-off loops, traditional music, male and female voices and then distorted rhythms again. Closing your eyes, you can find yourself in the middle of an eastern city, walk along its noisy streets, admire the ancient architecture. This noise can tell amazing stories!

Soul Jazz Records' new Studio One release Rocksteady Got Soul is a collection of uplifting and superb rocksteady and soulful reggae from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Studio One is the number one label in the history of reggae and he album features - as ever with Studio One - an impeccable and unbeatable line-up of reggae superstars, all soaring at the height of their creative powers. Alton Ellis, John Holt, The Heptones, Jackie Mittoo, The Ethiopians, Lee Perry and more. The album is a mix of classic tunes and rhythms alongside super-rarities that were released in a dazzlingly complex web of Studio One labels and issues, deftly navigated with new sleevenotes from author and Studio One authority Rob Chapman. But enough with the chatter, just spin the platter - these tunes rule the town, hands down! This Soul Jazz/Studio One album is released as deluxe gatefold double-vinyl + house inners + download code. Also as jewel case CD housed in card slipcase. Both formats come with full sleeve notes/discography and exclusive photography.

Soul Jazz Records' new Studio One release Rocksteady Got Soul is a collection of uplifting and superb rocksteady and soulful reggae from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Studio One is the number one label in the history of reggae and he album features - as ever with Studio One - an impeccable and unbeatable line-up of reggae superstars, all soaring at the height of their creative powers. Alton Ellis, John Holt, The Heptones, Jackie Mittoo, The Ethiopians, Lee Perry and more. The album is a mix of classic tunes and rhythms alongside super-rarities that were released in a dazzlingly complex web of Studio One labels and issues, deftly navigated with new sleevenotes from author and Studio One authority Rob Chapman. But enough with the chatter, just spin the platter - these tunes rule the town, hands down! This Soul Jazz/Studio One album is released as deluxe gatefold double-vinyl + house inners + download code. Also as jewel case CD housed in card slipcase. Both formats come with full sleeve notes/discography and exclusive photography.

Cassette Week 2020 release. A classic from the Moon SKA NYC days, this streetpunk oi/ska classic was one the the labels most popular titles and is now on tape for the first time every. Expanded edition (90 minutes) with bonus material taken from early demo tapes and live shows.

By the dawn of the seventies, Laurel Aitken was well and truly established as the UK’s top Jamaican singing star. Over the years following his move from Jamaica in 1960 he had acquired a strong and faithful following in Britain and well beyond, but the recent Reggae explosion increased this many times over. Eager to exploit Laurel’s astounding popularity, Pama Records fought off competition from esteemed rivals, Trojan and Doctor Bird, to acquire rights to issue his material, the bulk of which subsequently saw release on their newly launched Nu Beat imprint. By the Spring of 1970, he had provided Pama with series of best-selling singles, and the hugely popular long-player, Scandal in a Brixton market, but with demand for his works showing no signs of diminishing, the company decided to collect a dozen of his most popular sides to date for what became the aptly titled collection, The High Priest Of Reggae. Despite selling in huge numbers at the time, the LP soon became a rarity and this, added to the enduring appeal of Aitken’s work has resulted it becoming one of the most sought after Reggae long-players around. Now, after four decades of waiting for its re-release, fans can finally obtain the LP, with the added incentive of 4 bonus tracks from those 69 sessions. Dust off your pork pie hats and fedoras and enjoy the 'madness'.