Ska Vinyl 261 Items

Spain's top act returns with a new punky 3rd wave meets 2-Tone ska sound for fans of THE INTERRUPTERS, TIM TIMEBOMB (RANCID). Lead by captivating vocals of ISA GARCIA over a driving ska beat that is very reminiscent of 90's American ska, following albums on GROVER and LIQUIDATOR.

Punky reggae rockers from Baltimore, fearlessly lead by singer-guitarist LADY HATCHET. An infectious sound that blends classic Jamaican grooves with 2-Tone spirit, produced/mixed by DAVE HILLYARD & AGENT JAY of THE SLACKERS. Includes a funky reggae cover of LORDE's "ROYALS".

Debut full length album from South Korea's boss early reggae band, who are stylistically funky reggae ala Toots & THE Maytals fueled by the energy of British 2-tone. For fans of THE Aggrolites, Boss Capone, THE Slackers and THE Upsessions. Ten tracks on white vinyl.

Jump UP partners with Easy Star to release limited edition vinyl for the dub version of Loving PAUPER's latest "ladders" by the one and only Victor Rice. Random colored vinyl, hand numbered stickered sleeve limited to 200 copies. Darlings of BBC presenters DON Letts and David Rodigan.

Debut vinyl release from Indonesia's punky reggae band, an expanded edition of their latest full length - now 14 tracks strong. A must for fans of THE Clash, THE Aggrolites, THE Skints - aggressive guitar, high-octane tempos and a chant vocal style. Pressed on red vinyl limited to 400.

Jump UP reissues the 1997 Moon SKA classic from Milwaukee's traditional ska reggae darlings, lead by the sultry voice of Shahanna McKINNEY. Includes bonus mixes, dubs, and rare compilation cuts. Sixteen tracks with original art pressed on heavyweight red vinyl.

First time on vinyl for this 2007 classic from Washington DC ska reggae soul legends. Includes fan favorites "don't Wanna Know", "keep ON Lyin'", "late Night Call", "change MY Ways" and their TOM Petty cover of "listen TO HER Heart". White vinyl limited to 300 copies.

First time on vinyl for debut album from Wash DC ska/reggae troop, on red wax. This 16 track 10th Anniversary edition includes many early favorites with guest appearances from ANGELO MOORE of FISHBNE and JORGE PEZZIMENTI of THE PIETASTERS & LOVING PAUPERS fame. Limited to 500 copies.

Punky reggae rockers from Baltimore, fearlessly lead by singer-guitarist Lady Hatchet. An infectious sound that blends classic Jamaican grooves with 2-Tone spirit, produced/mixed by Dave Hillyard & Agent JAY of THE Slackers. Includes a funky reggae cover of LORDE's "royals". Repressed!

One of the holy grail's of early 90's US ska is back on blood red vinyl. Satanic 2 Tone ska! This debut was released in 1994 with the MTV video hit "doomsday", thirteen tracks inc "saba", "bumble BEE Tuna Song", "dance ME Not" and more!

NEW Dani hit the scene w/SOUL Radics in 2012, releasing several LPs & EPs of blistering ska, reggae, and rocksteady full of gritty soul. In 2019 her comeback began entering the studio with NYC's THE Slackers, resulting in 5 songs contained on this red vinyl 10" mini-LP w/bonus poster.

Brand new album from Minneapolis ska/reggae/rocksteady band, who've backed many Jamaican greats inc Derrick Morgan and Stranger Cole. Twelve tracks of authentic Jamaican foundation sounds for fans of Trojan, Studio 1 and Treasure Isle. Golden orange vinyl with insert

Brand new album from Washington DC ska-jazz legends, who are regulars on the European ska/reggae festival scene. Twelve tracks of uptempo scorching instrumental ska, laid back soulful vocal rocksteady and reggae vibes. Includes new versions of their "the Dragon" 7 inch. Red vinyl.

Debut album from Toronto based singer who unleashes a dozen tracks of 90's style ska-punk for fans of Dance Hall Crashers or Save Ferris. Guests inc Tara from Half Past TWO and Aaron Barrett & Scott from Reel BIG Fish. Nice bright yellow vinyl with insert.

Italian Jamaican boogie, calypso & ska trio return with a brand new album. Ten tracks including wonderful versions of "got MY Mojo WORKING","L-O-V-E', "buona Sera", "that's Amore", "down IN Mexico" plus the title track. Back in print on random color heavyweight vinyl.

Repress of second LP from Minnesota's top traditional ska/rocksteady act, a great mix of Treasure Isle and Studio ONE style tunes. The band has backed Derrick Morgan, Stranger Cole, ROY & Yvonne and their last studio project helped revive the career of Charley Organaire. Twelve tracks. Repress on yellow vinyl.

Debut full length from Texas singer Jon Bravo with his all star band feat Roger Rivas (aggrolites), Dave Hillyard (the Slackers) produced by Esteban Flores (the Interrupters/catbite). Eleven tracks of scorching Jamaican ska, soulful rocksteady, and hard hitting boss reggae. Repress on white vinyl.

Jump UP and Detroit producer Eric "super Tiger" Mazurak create a twelve trax rots reggae sampler with vinyl exclusives from John Bunkley (gangster Fun), Gain Stages, JAH Ques, Leaving Lifted, Rachael Stokes (the Tellways), plus Jade Tremba of Rude Girl Revue & Scotch Bonnets. White wax ltd 250 copies.

Attention all California 17 band ska collection on random color vinyl, includes Half Past TWO, Left Alone, Goodwin Club, Bite ME Bambi, THE Step Daughters, Monkey, Hooray FOR OUR Side, Gabriela Penka, Codename Rocky Tunnel Vision, DAY Labor, Ghetto ON Phyre, Noise Compliant, Meddlers & more

Washington DC's messengers of ska-jazz are back with their first new studio album since 2010. Their signature sound of bop jazz, Jamaican ska, blended with soul and reggae is intact - and has made them a perennial touring act all across Europe. Includes their cover version of SAM COOKE's "CHANGE IS GONNA COME".

Brand new digital printed pic disc from Cali's Half Past TWO, music side includes ska versions of "holiday" by Green DAY, Weezer, Vampire Weekend, and Madonna. Picture disc side is very colorful in an alien theme!

Second album from long running NYC ska pop new wave act, mixed by Agent JAY of THE Slackers. Multiple US tours including an appearance at Sxsw21 under their belt, this female fronted powerhouse delivers 8 tracks including a cover of Bikini KILL's "rebel Girl". Limited edition pink vinyl.

California based ska/reggae act teams up with the singers from 60's British legends Symarip for a collectible maxi 10" single with two new songs plus dubs from Roger Rivas (the Aggrolites). Both ROY Ellis and Monty Neysmith shine on these rootsy reggae cuts. Sleeve art by Chema Skandal

New album from long running Washington DC act, produced by Agent Jay of THE Slackers. Soulful female vocals with a sound that infuses psychedelia and jazz into traditional ska & rocksteady. Features members of fellow DC jazz ska loyalists Eastern Standard Time. Twelve tracks on white vinyl.

UK ska/reggae charity collection tributes the crooner RAT PACK style, inc FRANK SINATRA & TONY BENNETT songs! Ten trax from RUDE GIRL REVUE, CRAZY BALDEAD w/JESSE from THE AGGROLITES, KING DJANGO, SPECIAL BREW, SKAPONES, EASTERN STANDARD TIME, MR KINGPIN and many more. Generic white sleeve.

THE SKA Punk Legends Return With First NEW LP IN 8 Years, Produced BY Bill Stevenson On retail exclusive “Duct Tape Silver”, limited to 250 No band embodies the spirit of modern ska music the way Mustard Plug does; relentlessly dedicated to the craft, to their scene, and to a lifetime of playing music purely for the love of it. They've seen the 'waves' come and go, and through the best and worst of times have stayed true to themselves and to their fans while keeping a consistent touring schedule for 30+ years. "Where Did All My Friends Go" finds Mustard Plug creating the most powerful, proficient, and flat out fun songs of their career... no small feat with an 8 album discography full of classics. You can hear everything that has made the band loved and revered throughout their history distilled into these 13 new tracks, along with a proficiency and polish that could only come from years of experience and the production expertise of Bill Stevenson (Descendents, ALL, Nofx, Rise Against). You might call this new record a 'return to form' from that way it captures Mustard Plug's youthful energy and excitement, but make no mistake that Mustard Plug has never left. They've never deviated from their mission to show how important, relevant, and fun ska punk can be, and their new record makes it clearer than ever why they're able to continue whipping audiences into a frenzy around the world.

In 1997 Bad Manners released their 8th album of original studio material not including live recordings, comps and bootlegs. This album however, is none of the above. This is a compilation of demos, outtakes, remixes and rarities from the Bad Manners vaults.

Legendary 80's Los Angeles 80's Ska/mod band release their first new single in 35+ years - a collectible picture disc 45 designed by Chema Skandal. A wonderful summery ska take on the Blue Swede / B.J. Thomas oldies hit with a dubbed out version on the flip. Limited edition 750 copies.

Debut Epitaph/Hellcat release for the pietasters. Produced by Brett Gurewitz of Bad Religion/Epitaph Records. Peaked at #44 on 10/25/1997

Studio One Freedom Sounds is the new collection from Soul Jazz/ Studio One focussing on the intense period in the second half of the 1960s when Studio One’s vast and unbeatable output of ska, soul, rock steady and reggae made it literally one of the hottest musical empires in the world.
During this highly successful period, Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd released hundreds and hundreds of superlative singles seemingly on an almost daily basis, in the process making huge stars out of Jamaican singers such as Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson, The Wailers, Slim Smith, Jackie Opel and many more.
Powered by the finest in-house musicians working in Jamaica, whether it was The Skatalites, Jackie Mittoo’s Soul Brothers, The Sounds Dimension or The Soul Vendors, Studio One functioned as hit factory on the scale of Motown in the USA, shaping and defining reggae music for decades to come.
Singlehandedly Studio One’s founder Clement Dodd was able to create the most successful vertically-integrated record company that Jamaica had ever known with pressing plant, printers, studio, shops, and sound systems all running at once, with over 50 employees and hundreds of artists working with Studio One during this time.
Studio One Freedom Sounds tells the story of Studio One in the 1960s with a stunning set of ska, soul, rock steady and reggae killer tunes as well as informative sleevenotes and track-by-track info by Noel Hawks. The album is released as heavyweight double vinyl (+ free download code), deluxe CD and digital album.

A blistering collection of ska tunes from Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd's legendary Studio One Records, Jamaica's foundation label of reggae music. Featuring classic cuts from the originators of Ska - The Skatalites, The Wailers, Lee Perry - alongside a heavy dose of superb rarities from the might vaults of 13 Brentford Road - pure Ska Fever !

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.

Nubiyan Twist return with their brand new album "Freedom Fables" on Strut on 5th February, the follow-up to the acclaimed "Jungle Run" from Spring 2019. Woven around soul searching, cautionary tales and parables for modern life, the new album is the most accomplished yet by the Leeds / London collective, effortlessly fusing different soul, jazz and global styles with great musicianship and lyrics. "Freedom Fables reflects on the power of narratives. Each vocalist on this record explores their own memoirs, a freedom of expression underpinning our belief that music is the ultimate narrative for unity," explains Tom Excell. "The record references a lot of music that we all loved during our formative years; you can hear touches of broken beat, blunted hip hop, highlife, Latin, jazz and UK soul running through the tracks." The album is also packed full with illustrious guest appearances: regular collaborator Cherise features on the brilliant "Tittle Tattle", calling out gossip through acerbic nursery rhyming, the loping "Flow" dealing with the ebb and flow of anxiety and the epic Brazilian jazz workout, "Keeper"; UK jazz saxman Soweto Kinch brings a burning alto solo and rhymes to the determined "Buckle Up" alongside the band"s own vocalist Nick Richards as the track aims to "find the door to peace" among life"s challenges. "Soweto is a trailblazer of the UK scene both as an alto player and as a rapper with a unique flow and important lyricism," reflects Tom Excell. "It was really important for us to invite him to contribute to the album." Richards continues the "dust yourself off and find hope" theme on the rousing "Wipe Away Tears"; Ghanaian great Pat Thomas voices a gorgeous Accra meets London highlife jam; massive new vocal talent Ria Moran (a contemporary from the band"s time at Leeds College Of Music) steps up on the sensual "Morning Light" tackling delicate complexities of the heart and long time friend of the band, KOG, brings his trademark full strength Afro dancefloor energy.

Frontline is the 9th studio album by Dub Pistols. Chief rabble-rousers & festival favourites, the band are known for their veritable feast of jump-up party-starting sounds, melding dub, reggae, dancehall, ska & DnB into an irresistible tonic that has seen them amass a merry band of Pistoleros across the world.

For this chapter, they are joined by a stellar band of featured artists including both legendary & award-winning collaborators such as Horseman, Top Cat, The Freestylers, Myki Tuff and Chezidek alongside long-term Posse members The Ragga Twins, Lindy Layton, Natty Campbell, King Yoof and Cheshire Cat, and regular Dub Pistol frontman Seanie T.

So, saddle up and join the gang, it's time to ride to the Frontline!

Chicago's first reggae band gets it's first proper anthology of rare and unreleased recordings. Twelve tracks of rock infused reggae ska that was light years ahead. Inc "jesse James" and "heart Full OF Soul" singles + "IT Happened", "strange Cargo", "tonight" & more. Yellow wax w/poster.

Russian ska reggae act's all dub outing, an inspired opus with beautiful solos, guitars, brass & percussion. Nine reinterpretations of standards by Miles Davis, Dizzy Dillespie, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Henry Mancini and more, superb mix by Victor Rice. Heavyweight black vinyl.

Originally released in 1987, this album is considered by many to be the birth of modern "third wave" ska in the USA. Remastered audio with "new" artwork that includes illustrations by legendary comic book artist BOB Fingerman. Repressed on random color vinyl in picture sleeve

Debut vinyl outing from British ska/reggae act who formed in the early 90s, a infectious concept album that lyrically references 60's political events using samples and looped drums/horns. A 90's style electronica/ska hybrid that's unique in today's scene. White wax, pic sleeve, limited pressing of 300.

Keyboard wizard from reggae kings THE Aggrolites, Long Beach DUB ALL Stars, and Jason MRAZ's recent ska/reggae album releases his third solo album on Jump UP. Ten tracks of instrumental Jamaican grooves that swing and sway, includes 5 dubs on the B-Side. Beautiful retro sleeve and blue vinyl.

The smooth and funky sound of prime-time Japanese reggae pop in the 1970s and ‘80s fired up an obsession with Jamaican music that persists to the present day.

If there is a year zero for the introduction of reggae music to Japan, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was 1979 when Bob Marley and the Wailers toured the country, trailed by an entourage of journalists, photographers and fans ready to spread the message of the music into all corners of Japanese society. But the story of Japanese reggae is not a linear one, and the music that is collected on Tokyo Riddim 1976-1985 captures the moment J-reggae entered the broader public consciousness, merging commercial city pop style with an infectious backbeat, that has drawn comparisons with the emergence of Lovers Rock in the UK.

Rather than look directly to Jamaica, many producers and artists in Japan were inspired instead by the more approachable sounds of The Police and Ub40, their reggae fix arriving pre-filtered through the lens of new wave pop from the UK. Playful and groovy, these album deep cuts have been overlooked for too long. Among them are Miki Hirayama, the idol singer who borrowed the bassline from Bob Marley’s Natural Mystic on ‘Denshi Lenzi’, Chu Kosaka, who headed to Hawaii to cut the Jimmy Cliff-inspired ‘Music’ and Marlene, the Philippine songstress whose cover of Roberta Flack’s ‘Hittin’ Me Wear It Hurts’ owed much to her producer’s obsession with Sly & Robbie’s Compass Point sound. Then there was Izumi “Mimi” Kobayashi, who enlisted the Babylon Warriors to perform on a dubbed-out version of her own track ‘Lazy Love’, the city pop-meets-new wave reggae sound of Miharu Koshi’s ‘Coffee Break’, Junko Yagami’s anti-apartheid deep cut ‘Johannesburg’ and Lily, whose ‘Tenkini Naare’ was produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto and closes out the compilation with a flourish.

While these stories may not always conform to neat narratives, they do provide a more accurate reflection of the indirect ways in which styles infiltrate one another and, in their naivety, have the potential to create something beautifully strange and entirely new. Previously only available in Japan, the tracks on this compilation are a testament to that curious alchemy.

Tokyo Riddim 1976-1985 is released on vinyl and as a full album download (no streaming), featuring original artwork by Japanese Fukuoka-based artist Noncheleee, whose cover pays homage to the iconic dancehall album art of Wilfred Limonious. Released on 1st September, Tokyo Riddim 1976-1985 is part of Time Capsule's Nippon Series, a loose series of compilations exploring different musical scenes from Japan between the 1960s and 2010s.

Reissued for the very first time on a limited vinyl edition, here’s the fifth work of the godfather of ska Laurel Aitken. Originally released in 1973 on Count Shelly Records, “Moria Sofia” was completely written, arranged, produced and sung by Aitken himself. The album is a skillful blend of soul & calypso tunes with a splash of rocksteady. A mandatory gem to be rediscovered by all Jamaican music fans!

a Sino/Japanese twist.

In the early 1960s Justin Yap and his brother Ivan [aka ‘Jahu’] ran the Top Deck sound system from their family’s ice cream parlour and restaurant in Barbican, Kingston. The local success of the sound system encouraged them to venture into the recording business, and by 1962 Justin had recorded singers Larry Marshall, Ephraim ‘Joe’ Henry and Ferdie Nelson. The fledgling label enjoyed a modest local Jamaican hit in 1963, with trumpeter Baba Brooks and the Trenton Spence Orchestra's “Distant Drums” issued on Top Deck Records as the b-side to Larry Marshall’s hit “Too Young To Love”. As a fan of exotica composer Martin Denny, Justin had heard “Jungle Drums” on Denny’s 1959 LP “Afro-Desia”. His liking for Martin Denny would prove fruitful later, when Justin recorded the Skatalites in a mammoth all-night session in 1964 at Clement Dodd’s Studio One on Brentford Road.

By 1963-1964, hundreds of ska tracks were being recorded by Clement Dodd, Arthur ‘Duke’ Reid, Vincent Edwards, Vincent Chin, Leslie Kong and Prince Buster and others. Justin had linked up with Allen ‘Bim Bim’ Scott, a friend of Clement ‘Coxson’ Dodd, owner of the Studio One label who had already recorded the musicians who became the Skatalites.

Justin and Ivan organised a session in November 1964 at Studio One; it lasted 18 hours. The length of the session allowed for alternate takes to be recorded, but the highlights of the sessions were the five original compositions by Don Drummond – “Marcus Junior”, “The Reburial”, “Confucious”, “Chinatown” and “Smiling”. The first two are in tribute to the Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey; “The Reburial” refers to the occasion of his interment in Jamaica in 1964, his remains having been brought from the cemetery in Kensal Green London, where he was originally buried in 1940, and reburied in King George VI Memorial Park Kingston [later renamed National Heroes Park].

Along with these originals were some well-chosen cover versions. Two came from the Duke Ellington songbook: “Ska-Ra-Van” is of course Ellington and his trombonist Juan Tizol’s classic composition “Caravan”, while “Surftide Seven” is Ellington’s “In A Mellotone”. The LP title track “Ska-Boo-Da-Ba” is a version of Bill Doggett’s 1958 “King” US 45 “Boo-Da-Ba”. “Ringo” had also appeared on Arthur Lyman’s “Taboo” LP [1958] as “Ringo Oiwake”. Originally it was sung by Hibari Misora – a very famous vocal song in Japan, recorded in 1952, the melody composed by Masao Yoneyama. Yet another tune copped from Lyman’s “Taboo” LP is “China Clipper”, composed by the pianist / arranger / orchestrator Paul Conrad.

The last track on this fine LP is “Lawless Street”, a feature for Roland Alphonso. Unlike the other Skatalites, Roland wasn’t a graduate of the celebrated Alpha School, like many of Jamaica’s top musicians from Bertie King to Yellowman. Alphonso was a graduate of Boys Town School in Denham Town. “Lawless Street” was another tune that was recorded twice at the session – the second version features vocal ‘peps’ and exhortations by DJ King Sporty.

By late 1966, Justin emigrated to the USA, settling permanently in New York. There he took up US citizenship and was called up to serve in the US Army in Vietnam, In the early 1970s he worked in computers and eventually drove a New York cab. In his all too brief involvement in the competitive Jamaican music business he certainly left his mark as a producer. He produced some of the best ska ever made, and the LP reissued here is perhaps the most coherent LP in that genre, deriving as it does from a single session.

The celebrated record producer at Randy’s Studio, Clive Chin:

“It wasn’t the fact that they [the musicians] really love Justin; it was the fact that Justin used to pay them the right money and make them comfortable. Make sure them have them smoke, them food, them drink, and after them finish they got paid.” Unlike many other producers, Justin actually attended the sessions.

It stands as his defining legacy in Jamaican music history.

First two cassette tape releases now on heavyweight metallic copper vinyl limited to 250 copies. A loving tribute to dank 70s dub reggae, deeply in debt to the original Jamaican engineers who turned their mixing consoles into the lead instrument a la LEE Perry and King Tubby.

A collection of rare 60's sound sources, mainly by the Skatalites, that shows the heat of Kingston in the heyday of Ska!! Selections from Indian-Jamaican Dada Tewari's Caribou and Down Beat labels. Caribbean Recording Company, owned by Dada Tewari, was one of the first Jamaican studios to follow in the footsteps of Ken Khouri and Stanley Motta, and this album contains songs from the boogie shuffle to the heyday of ska. In addition to Lord Tanamo's ska anthem "In The Mood For Ska", this is the label's first album of mega-rare singles and top Caribou ska, including Don Drummond's last recording "Bellevue Special", "Up & Down" by the Mighty Vikings and "Way Of Fortune" by Pat & Roxie.

Limited edition one side music one side digital-print picture disc from legendary NYC ska punk pioneers. Six tracks, four from their latest EP plus two bonus demo versions of songs. One time press of 500, housed in a black stickered sleeve.

Record Store Day 2023 limited run of 650 copies.
During the final two years of the original Jamaican ska era, producer Arthur ‘Duke’ Reid released arguably his finest works in the genre. The popularity of his work from this time is reflected in the high demand for his productions from this period, with most of the 7” singles he issued between 1965 and 66 now fetching three figure sums on the collectors market. ‘Ska La-Rama’ brings together 14 of the Duke’s most elusive works from this golden era, with half of the tracks on the album appearing on vinyl for the very first time. Among those that have previously seen issue are a number of recordings widely regarded as being among the finest ska productions of the period, notably, the title track, ‘True Confession’ and the hugely collectable ‘Renegade’ by the Zodiacs. Pressed on Colored Vinyl and boasting an insert featuring a fascinating essay on the recordings by esteemed music historian Tony Rounce, this limited edition collection album comes housed in a stylish, retro-style sleeve, which captures the exciting spirit of the original ska era. An essential addition to the collection of any self-respecting fan of ska and Duke Reid’s inimitable sound.

Record Store Day 2023 exclusive limited to 1300 copies.

Following on from Part 2 (released exclusively for Record Store Day 2021) ‘I Do Like To Be B-Side The A-Side Volume 3’ includes 12 Madness B-Sides across hit singles from Wonderful’s ‘Lovestruck’, ‘Johnny The Horse’ and ‘Drip Fed Fred’ to The Dangermen Sessions’ ‘Shame & Scandal’, including covers of Kilburn And The High Road’s ‘The Roadette Song’ and Horace Andy’s ‘Skylarking’. Released on 180g heavyweight Black Vinyl, the LP features brand new artwork designed by Paul Agar in association with the band.

This is the first volume of the HOT Sauce compilation LPs dedicated to the Trojan related UK labels between 1965 and 1975. The initial plan is for at least 3 albums of 14 titles. HOT Sauce Volume 1 features Rocksteady, Boss Reggae, early Dub & early Reggae outstanding original Jamaican tracks including rare songs, overlooked gems, hidden treasures and some hits. The record labels showcased on the first volume are Attack, Amalgamated, Black Swan, Blue Cat, Downtown, Doctor Bird, Duke, Grape, High Note, Randy’s and Trojan. The tracks here have been selected according to their musical interest firstly, their rarity, and their complementarity. These tracks are all outstanding tracks, “killer tracks”, there are no “fillers” whatsoever. Particular attention has been paid to the way the songs are sequenced (or “mixed”) so that the album builds up nicely and gradually, generally starting with the Rocksteady songs on the A side and the 70s songs on the B side. HOT Sauce is a musical journey across the early Reggae UK labels and across different Jamaican musical genres & talents and the way they interact together. Since the early 70s “Tighten Up” series, no compilation have really explored these labels in depth on vinyl…

Catbite, WE ARE THE Union, Kill Lincoln & More Combine FOR A Modern DAY “dance Craze” Showcasing THE Current State OF SKA 2xLP Gatefold With 11x17 Poster on Doublemint Green Vinyl Recorded live across the 24 dates of the 2023 Bad Time Records tour, “this IS NEW Tone” captures the energy and diversity of the modern ska punk scene through 24 brilliant tracks from some of the genres best and brightest bands. With Catbite, We Are The Union, and Kill Lincoln highlighted as the tour headliners, you get a taste for what makes each of these bands so special live... the songs have a unique energy, you can feel the crowd responding, and it’s easy to imagine being packed into a club somewhere across the country sweating it out to your new favorite bands. Joined by fellow label mates BAD Operation, J. Navarro & The Traitors (Jay of The Suicide Machines), JER, Omnigone, Eichlers, The Pomps, Joystick, and Thirsty Guys, each of the bands contributes their unique brand of ska and punk to this jam packed celebration of one of the best live genres in music. With the help of engineer / mixer Rick Johnson (Mustard Plug, Jeff Rosenstock), the album captures the raw experience of being at the club while also maintaining a high audio fidelity in order to truly document these bands properly. The record also accompanies a live concert film / documentary of the same name which will premiere in Spring 2024. If you’re looking for evidence that ska is still alive and thriving, look no further than “this IS NEW Tone”.

The Bluebeaters landmark debut album from 1999 receives a first-ever vinyl release. Featuring band's hits like Cher's "Believe" or Black's "Wonderful Life" all cooked in a strictly mid 60s Jamaican Blue Beat & Rock Steady style. Gatefold 2LP clear vinyl with printed inserts, limited to 500 copies, instant collector's item. Record Kicks in collaboration with Universal Music Italy presents the release of The Bluebeaters seminal debut LP "The Album" for the first time ever on wax on a limited edition clear vinyl double LP on March 31. Way before the vinyl comeback of the 2010s, "The Album" was released in 1999 on CD and on two limited edition promo 12"s that are now very in-demand in the scene on V2 Records. "The Album" marked a generation of Soul, Rock Steady and Reggae fans in Italy selling over 40.000 physical copies and now 24 years after its original release, it gets published on full vinyl. Fronted by "The King" Giuliano Palma on vocals backed with members of cult Italian bands of the 90s such as "Casino Royale", "Africa Unite" and "Fratelli di Soledad", The Bluebeaters' analog recordings finally find the vinyl format they deserve. On the album's track list you can find Jamaican music classics such as "World's Fair" from the Skatalites, Joe Higgs' "There's a Reward" or Bob Marley's "Coming In From The Cold" mixed with hits such as Cher's "Believe", Black's "Wonderful Life" or even 1978 "See You Tonite" by Gene Simmons from The Kiss that perfectly sound as if they were recorded by Clement "Coxsone" Dodd at Studio1 in Kingston in 1966. The Bluebeaters are not newcomers on Record Kicks, the Milan label released their "Everybody Knows" album in 2015. Top Italian musicians in love with vintage Jamaican ska and reggae and blessed by Ken Booth, during the last 25 years of their career they headlined festivals like Rototom Sunsplash and International Ska Fest in London. Among their fans, they count the likes of Gaz Mayall, David Rodigan and the legendary late lamented Lloyd Knibb (The Skatalites).

Death Is Not The End together all three LP volumes of the critically acclaimed If I Had a Pair of Wings LP compilation series for a bundled edition.
"...all of the music on this compilation is the result of the forward-thinking artists and producers that realised the worth of local Jamaican artistry during a time when the island's leading political figures had not yet managed to throw off the colonial yolk. These are sounds with a certain innocence and the optimistic promise of better to come, with the influence of American pop ballads and doo-wop looming large, yet already pointing to the innovations of the future. Listen keenly and take in the sounds of the Jamaican music industry at its very beginnings, its singers and players drawing from the popular styles of the island's larger neighbour and already changing those styles into something their own." - David Katz
Lauren Laverne's comp of the week on BBC Radio 6 Music w/c 11th Jan.
Guardian feature: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/oct/12/a-thousand-teardrops-how-doo-wop-kickstarted-jamaica-pop-revolution-reggae-rocksteady

Original album + live. 2 x 140g Crystal Clear / 2 x Printed Inner Sleeves / Gatefold LP Jacket / RSD Sticker