Search "Era – Ameno" 111 Items

Sweet Aisha tune on 7" produced by the UK's dub pioneer, Mad Professor. Check the huge sample The Orb lifted off this one.

Comes with a deadly Mad Prof dub on the b side. Recorded mid 80s, these versions were first re-issued in 2008.

Vaughn Benjamin, the voice of Midnite and Akae Beka, was one of the best and most prolific reggae vocalists of the modern era. He was a scholar, poet, teacher, and solver of mysteries. A voracious reader, he was incredibly creative - constantly writing poems and songs. Those close to him advise that he had a photographic memory, which helps explain the broad field of topics he discussed with precise detail in his work. He released over 70 albums in a 20-year period.

Living Testament is the final album Vaughn Benjamin recorded before he transitioned in November of 2019. In late October of 2019, he travelled to Grass Valley, California, recording this 11-track album at Ras Biblical’s studio, Trinity Farm, over a period of 2 days. The producers gathered 11 masterful musicians on these tracks, including Manuel “Go A Chant” Guerra, Denfield “Ras Pulse” Potter, Walker Pillow, Scott Lynwood Davis, Befekadu Assefa and Tuff Lion. Together, these musicians weaved together a powerful family of songs that that tell a timeless and truly unique story, a masterpiece of roots reggae.

Living Testament includes the single ‘Who Will Go For Us’ which was released on January 6th 2024 with a video filmed on location in Ethiopia. In the coming weeks, we’ll be speaking with Go A Chant and Biblical, who were present for the creation of this album. We’ll learn about these recording sessions and what happened behind the scenes.

bam bam rhythm

Strong nyabinghi drum dubbings from 1981, with Mad Professor at the control. Huge flip of The Revolutionaries famous 70s classic, Kunta Kinte .

Bernard Cumberbatch - presumably no relation to actor Benedict - and Garnett Cross are Aquizi, the dub duo fromed in the early 80s and Ariwa label mainstays. Their most notable 12" - aside from maybe 1981's 'Merry Christmas' was 'Kunte Kinte' earlier in the same year. It is a bit of a collector's fav that has more than held its value over the ensuing 40+ years. Driven by lazy dub swagger and carefree keys, it's a lovers rock outing peppered with toms and hits and plenty of echoing depths. Flip it over for version if you want something that will boggle the brain more with its endless mixing board effects.

Crafted at the renowned Ariwa Studios in South London, the new track features lyrics and vocals by Askala Selassie, which have been combined with an iconic Aswad instrumental “Warrior Charge”

Sung by I Jah, co-produced by First Eye, with guitar by James Shepherd and harmonies by Tree (a classical singer from Trinidad), this is immediately identifiable as a classic in the truest traditions of the Caribbean community. Add it to your playlists, honour the memory of the Windrush Generation and discover exactly why they had to be Tuff Like Iron

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.

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.'

Hot off the press this riddim from No Ice Cream Sound sees Charlie P & Jman go truly back to back inna sound system style and pattern.

This instrumental fuses elements of both rubadub and roots. The heavy organic drums and the rattling bass line is seasoned with driving horns and a skank perfectly suited to the incredible lyricism of Jman & Charlie P. Don't sleep on this one, especially if you are after a hard copy as only a run of 300 X 45s will be up for grabs. A must have for any discerning collector.

The B side takes a delve into the depths of a true dub mix; an amalgamation of spring reverb and tape delays take this mix into a different listening space. The dub keeps true to the A side's rhythm while simultaneously entering a new realm which gives a nod to some of the great dub mixing engineers of our time.

"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".

Lovers rock style soul runnings from Sydney, Australia on this debut 7” from D.D. Mirage featuring Private Joy. The Original has a true 80’s lovers vibe with sweet harmonies from Private Joy and the flipside features a dubbed version. Labels and sticker designed by Bradley Pinkerton.

clear plastic sleeve

By drawing on the poetic pearls of Omar Khayyām's rubaiyats (quatrains), Erau dub sound takes us on the wings of a soaring dub that shines with a thousand lights. Mixing programmed beats, saturated or delicate keyboards, deep bass and oriental samples, he revisits, in his own way, the fascinating world of Nichapour's troubadour. The raw sound of the melodica rubs shoulders with the zarb and oud loops, giving another breath of fresh air to the dub. A richness which is given both in the form and the subject, creating a protean work combining musical, literary, choreographic, socio-cultural and even political dimensions.The captivating voice of Jo Corbeau makes the French translation of these quatrains roll in a controlled ebb and flow where the swell of past centuries roars. The Occitan poet Roland Pécout adds his translations and those of the legendary Max Rouquette who, in his time, proposed versions of the rubaiyats in his language of the Languedoc scrublands.

Vinyl close to VG+

Here's the first dip into previously unreleased heat from Parish. Fire late '80s Everton Chambers, riding a wicked lick of the tonight riddim. Another one proving yet again that Parish is one of the finest labels of the era.

stamped sleeve

Reggae covers of Che'Nelle's "Baby I Love You" and Narumi Yasuda's "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind"!

7" cut from the compilation "J-Pop Covers in Reggae Lovers" produced by Smart Move Records/Lee Francis!

This is a 7" cut from the compilation "J-Pop Covers in Reggae Lovers" produced by UK reggae label Smart Move Records/Lee Francis, featuring a cover by Irie Love, an island reggae songstress from Hawaii. Side A features Che'Nelle's "Baby I Love You" and Side B features Narumi Yasuda's "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.

Jamaican trio Israel Vibration are one of Reggae's great vocal groups from the 1970s roots era. The trio re-formed in 1988, signed to the RAS label and set to work on a new album known as 'Strength Of My Life'. Produced by Doctor Dread and backed by the mighty force of the Roots Radics, the I-Vibes returned to form and found a new strength and power. The Radics perfectly complement their songs, laying down bass driven rhythms to create a masterful backdrop over which the harmonies conjure up a wide spectrum of moods. Featuring on this Limited 12" release is the crucial and perhaps more relevant to our current climate 'Middle East' plus 'Greedy Dog' with guest musician Augustus Pablo on melodica duties. Under licence and for the very first time ever with their Dub counterparts this release is one for the fans!

A slice of deep ethereal roots and dub from Summer Records label boss Keith "Jerry" Brown circa 1978.

Hailing from Trenchtown, Jerry was an original member of the Rocksteady group "The Jamaicans" before migrating to Toronto. He set up Summer Records in the basement of his suburban home in Malton near the airport, a subterranean music sanctuary for the likes of Prince Jammy, Jackie Mittoo, Johnny Osbourne and Willi Williams.

Dreadlock Lady features Jerry's yearning falsetto over a hazy instrumental courtesy of the Ishan Band and showcasing horns-man Fitty's transcendent flute and Sax solos. The Dub enters even more surreal territory with Jerry at the controls putting the tape machine through its paces, reminiscent of wilder outings at Wackies Studio.

Stay tuned for a short documentary on Jerry Brown featuring a wealth of archive and never before seen footage Co-directed by Chris Flanagan and Directed by Graeme Mathieson, produced by The National Film Board of Canada.

Next from Jerry Harris' new label Motive is this killer modern roots tune, a version of a classic roots rhythm, with excellent dub wise side by Wackie's own Prince Douglas. Top shelf contemporary reggae from two OG's here, don't miss it.

Junior Cat is one of reggae music's most prolific artists. An icon, Junior Cat"The Wild Indian," is known by reggae and hip hop fans across the globe for his dapper Bad Azz style that made the fellas crave and adoring ladies rave over his deliv-ery of edgy lyrics that ricocheted through dancehalls and stages in the 90s with hit classics like “Iron Gloves”; “Top Dog”; “Anorexal Body”; and as featured in the mega-hit movie “Shottas”, “woulda let you go”. Junior Cat is the Don that lesser deejays imitate but never duplicate.

Jr. Thomas & The Volcanos’ sophomore effort Rockstone is more than just a love letter to the roots of Jamaican music. It’s an actual love letter. Tom McDowall aka Jr. Thomas explains, “I could write a musical love letter to all things I loved: my wife, my family, my friends, my band mates. I could write a song to tell me to Chin Up when times got tough. I could give gratitude to the Jamaican artists that paved the way for the beautiful music we now call reggae. I could write a song about what it’s like to lose someone important to you. Or write a song to invigorate me spiritually. Music is healing and that’s the best therapy there is for me.”
Rockstone isn’t just another throwback record to an era gone by. It’s a record that takes risks within the genre, but more importantly it’s a genuinely honest record.
“I called the album Rockstone because true love cannot be defeated. It lives forever. We write tributes on our tombstones because they live on beyond our lives as a remembrance of something special and important to us.”
Recommend for fans of: The Frightnrs, Toots & The Maytals, Jimmy Cliff

Jr. Thomas & The Volcanos’ sophomore effort Rockstone is more than just a love letter to the roots of Jamaican music. It’s an actual love letter. Tom McDowall aka Jr. Thomas explains, “I could write a musical love letter to all things I loved: my wife, my family, my friends, my band mates. I could write a song to tell me to Chin Up when times got tough. I could give gratitude to the Jamaican artists that paved the way for the beautiful music we now call reggae. I could write a song about what it’s like to lose someone important to you. Or write a song to invigorate me spiritually. Music is healing and that’s the best therapy there is for me.”
Rockstone isn’t just another throwback record to an era gone by. It’s a record that takes risks within the genre, but more importantly it’s a genuinely honest record.
“I called the album Rockstone because true love cannot be defeated. It lives forever. We write tributes on our tombstones because they live on beyond our lives as a remembrance of something special and important to us.”
Recommend for fans of: The Frightnrs, Toots & The Maytals, Jimmy Cliff

A smooth Reggae version of the Randy Newman classic, most famously covered by Nina Simone, that was originally released in 1985. Licensed from producer and bona fide reggae legend Errol Dunkley, this version features killer horns and soulful vocals from Judy & Lynda. Backed with 'Heavenly Day'.

A 140 gram pressing in 3mm spine black disco sleeve with sticker and labels designed by Bradley Pinkerton.

Black Redemption is back with a fresh 12inch featuring the iconic Scion Success on vocals. A tune entitled ‘My Father’s House’ aka ‘Love & Hate’, two different cuts, each with a dub. One side features Kheru Jahman Dan on the riddim and mixing duties in an uptempo steppers style, the other side Keety Roots in a heavy one drop style. Deep roots and culture music for your stereo!

Liam Bailey comes out swinging with "White Light," an instant-classic, dancefloor filler. The rough and tough drum break intro catches you from the first beat before the track gives way to an infectious and uplifting reggae-dis- co number. Liam's instantly recognizable voice showers his muse with praise over deep round bass lines and a four on the floor beat. The combination of Leon Michels' crushing production and Bailey's lyrics like "You love yourself, you're so exciting, like no one else"... is sure to make this a staple in dj sets around the globe.The B side "Cold & Clear" is a proper lighters in the air, slap the wall, top ranking tune. The track struts in the door with a natural and undeniable confidence. Liam weaves a heavy metacognitive story over the one drop drums, perfect basslines, and organ stabs that will have people stepping in rhythm. The lo-fi production weaves elements from the finest early rocksteady era with touches from the late 70s / early 80s digital era and takes the entire vibe into the present with unorthodox arrangements and vocal treatments. Bailey has a tune here that will hold up next to the classics in the dancehalls from the yards of Jamaica to the discotheques in his homeland of England.

Check out this nice Roots material by Lieutenant Stitchie and Lilly Melody presented from Irie Ites Records!
"African Princess" rhythm.

Pt. 2 of the 'Dub me crazy' series by Mad Professor. Reggae meets twisted electronics for wild dub trips!

Originally released in 1982 on the same Ariwa imprint. True D.I.Y. business from this UK dub pioneer.

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!

Death Is Not The End sub-label 333 turns up the gold again with this repro of the much in-demand Flames cut of Nairobi Sisters' Promised Land. Sampled by Q-Tip for "Whateva Will Be" (appearing on ATCQ's final long-player) and on a range of earlier 90s boom-bap era productions, it is not at all hard to figure out why it's a coveted record. That break is as low-slung and funky as it gets, and best showcased on the superbly stripped-back dub on the flip.

The Nairobi Sisters were singers Terrie Nairobi and Judy Mowatt (later of the I-Threes, alongside Rita Marley & Marcia Griffiths). Promised Land was originally recorded together with The Gaytones for Sonia Pottinger's Gay Feet label, with this later version cut for Winston Jones' Brooklyn-based Flames Records. It is issued here under license from producer and songwriter Jones - the original singer and composer of Stop That Train (later made world-famous by Keith & Tex's version) with his Spanishtonians in the early 1960s - who later moved from JA to NYC where he established and ran the Flames label, a core imprint in Brooklyn's reggae scene from the mid-1970s until the early 1990s. 333 has licensed a range of Flames-era productions from the now Texas-based Jones, so keep and eye out for more as it comes... but for now, jump on this before it's gone!

Fully licensed, 140 gr vinyl. Reissued for the first time on vinyl, an amazing showcase of roots & reggae lovers, originally released on Trojan in 1977.Although his place as a reggae pioneer cannot be questioned, Owen Gray has felt for many years that he never got his due from Jamaica, his homeland. On August 6 2023, the government finally recognized his contribution awarding him with the honor of Order Of Distinction, Jamaica’s sixth-highest honour. Gray, now 87, is ecstatic about what he considers an overdue and deserved reward. In the rocksteady era, he recorded for producer Sir Clancy Collins AKA sir collins .His popularity continued throughout the 1960s, working with producers such as Clement Dodd, Prince Buster, Sydney Crooks, Arthur "Duke" Reid, Leslie Kong, and Clancy Eccles, including work as a duo with Millie Small, with songs ranging from ska to ballads. He continued to record regularly, having a big hit in 1968 with "Cupid". His 1970 track "Apollo 12" found favour with the early skinheads, and in 1972 he returned to Island Records, recording reggae versions of The Rolling Stones' "Tumblin' Dice" and John Lennon's "Jealous Guy", although they met with little success. During this period, he regularly had releases on Pama and Pioneer Internacional label, Camel Records, and one single on Hot Lead Records. He had greater success in Jamaica, however, with "Hail the Man", a tribute to Emperor Haile Selassie, which was popular with the increasing Rastafari following.

Here comes a special tribute to Hamburg’s dub and sound system history of the 90s - an important chapter for dub and reggae music in Germany on a whole. One of the local veterans, Pensi, also known as the man behind Ire Hi-Fi, meets Dub Me Ruff at the Sound Navigator Studio. An unearthed gem from that era entitled ‘Generation Of Change’. The infamous ‘Dub Me Ruff System’-dubplate-mixtape from the 90s, which was run heavily on cassette by fans and collectors alike, featured a vocal cut and one dub. This and some dances at the time were the only way one could hear the tune. We just had to get in touch with Pensi directly, and carefully inquire if there could be a chance to release it after all those years properly. To our joy he was excited about the project and went back into his archive and found the original DAT-tapes and some lost mixes. We are honored to now present to you, transferred from those DATs at Soon Come Studio (a project run by Pensi and a collective of Hamburg producers nowadays) and freshly remastered and cut at Star Delta in the UK, this first ‘90s salute’ from 1995 on 12inch vinyl. Vocal plus three wonderful dub excursions crafted by Danielle ‘Yell’ Mommertz, with her going heavier on the fx with each mix - from ‘gentle’ to ‘Iration style’. The lyrics could not be more fitting today and seem to not have lost any relevance almost 30 years after they were written. A powerful message on an uncompromising roots riddim à la dub me ruff.

Obscure digi dub gem from 2010 by French one-of-a-kind vocal scientist Pupa Jim, available on wax for the first time since its initial short run 14 years ago.

Programmed by the Maffi crew, the Copenhagen riddim experts of the myspace era, this relentless 7″ module aged oddly well, with its futuristic AI-theme and timeless simplicity.

Jahtari main electrician disrupt is taking a closer look into the strippped down riddim schematics on the flip side, kicking it with a minimum set of transistors to wreak maximum havoc dubwise.

>> Run this program:

10 DUB 20 A 30 Goto 10

After the release of their hugely popular !Turn Up the Heat" debut album which reached No.2 in the Itunes Reggae Charts, featured the cream of the UK dub scene and was released through Trojan Reloaded in 2020, Reggae Roast are back with a brand new release, guaranteed to set dance floors alight this summer. The double A side release features true MC legend Ranking Joe from Jamaica, as well as Reggae Roast Soundsystem front man and award-winning vocalist Donovan Kingjay.
The lead track is a contemporary take on the classic Stop That Train" by Kieth & Tex with Donovan"s sweet vocal take on the original the perfect complement to Ranking Joe"s quick-fire lyrics.
Mr Bossman is a killer 90"s dancehall style track with Donovan lamenting the treatment received by workers from their bosses in their fancy cars and houses, while people like him are stuck in poverty. A sentiment felt by many across the land in these difficult times.
Reggae Roast have established themselves at the forefront of the UK Reggae / Dance- hall scene with a string of forward-thinking productions, with their debut album reaching No. 2 In the iTunes Reggae Charts. Reggae Roast built their following running one of the capitols most loved and long-standing Reggae Soundsystem parties.
This EP epitomises the sound that they have been championing for over a decade, witha nod to 80"s and 90"s nostalgia they are simultaneously bringing the music into a new era.
Ranking Joe is one of the original mic men to chant or chat lyrics on the mic. Along with artists like U Roy and Little Roy in the 70"s and 80"s, their style influenced a slew ofother deejays or Rappers who would talk on the mic and hype up the crowd. This technique of chatting on the mic was later adopted by DJs in New York like Kool Herc and it later developed into their own style: Hip Hop and later in the UK as grime. But before rapping ever existed Ranking Joe was one of the first to originate the style. His first release was on the legendary Studio One in 1974 and he has been active ever since with releases on Greensleeves, Joe Gibbs, Trojan, Ariwa and many more.
Donovan Kingjay is the Reggae Roast Soundsystem Front man and award winning vo- calist. As a figurehead of the UK Reggae scene his soulful voice, and charismatic per- sona make him one of the UKs most sought after singers. He has twice won Best UK Vocalist at the UK Underground Music Awards and continues to release consistently quality output through various labels across and UK and internationally.
Reggae Roast are in full flow working on a new album, and with the covid recovery look- ing promising this summer, they are bringing back there Soundsystem parties too.
Look out for Reggae Roast in a field or venue near you in summer 2021!

Drummer "Drummie" Joe Isaacs had already created history as the house drummer at Studio 1 in Jamaica on countless pre-reggae classics before moving to Canada in 1968 and is credited with slowing down the fast pace of ska during the rocksteady era. With Risco Connection, Isaacs released a series of choice reggae / disco covers, from 'Ain't No Stopping Us Now' and 'Good Times' to 'I'm Caught Up (In A One Night Love Affair)' and 'It's My House' as limited 12" singles on his own Black Rose imprint. "Arriving in Canada, we were one of the first set of musicians out of Jamaica coming here," explains Isaacs. "With Risco Connection, we wanted to try something new, songs that would have a crossover between disco and the rocksteady feeling and the right lyrics. We had trouble getting them well distributed widely at the time but people still picked up on the sound." 'Risco Version' brings together all of the vocal versions, dubs and extra tracks from the singles. Both formats feature an interview with Joe Isaacs and liner notes by journalist Angus Taylor. Audio is restored by Sean P and fully remastered and cut loud and proud by The Carvery.