Roots & Culture 52 Items

As many artists before them (Gainsbourg, Snoop Dogg, Lavilliers, Sinead O'Connor…), DA Break embarques us to revisit their best tracks “Inna Reggae Vibe”, and invites us listeners to rediscover their repertoire with a more than ever “Roots” sound. An enchanted break that will seduce the early fans as well as reggae connoisseurs; A suspended moment with a band on their new musical quest, assuming a different side of their DNA. The idea of an “old school reggae auto remix” had bloomed for quite a long time, with the will to dive into the 60s & 70s sound esthetics and to pay tribute to this reggae culture - this unique cultural temple they love and respect so much. DA Break concerts are always rich and intense musical moments, thanks to a crew of solid musicians, so the choice to record Live, all in the same room, was quite obvious; with “vintage” instruments and microphones, to enjoy this warm and authentic sonic texture. The result is a “Roots & Rock Steady” album without electronics, leaning towards sweaty and rough Jazz, tropical Soul or even Gospel with sand between the toes… definitely Reggae! DA Break remains DA Break, with its inner light, this time looking towards the Caribbean musical culture. Given the historical influence of Jamaican Sound Systems on the American Block Parties, it seemed logical for DA Break to pay tribute to the artists that influenced them since day one, and still do today: Bob Marley & the Wailers, Jimmy Cliff. Culture, Toots & the Maytals, Burning Spears, The Gladiators, YellowMan, Israel Vibrations, LKJ & Mad Professor, Ub40, Shaka Demus, Peter Tosh... Just to name a few.

“Gun The Man Down ” by Dice The boss aka Pama Dice was first released in 1969 on the Trojan sublabel Joe with the track “Thief” by Joe Mansano on the B side. “Thief” is also reissued by us on a separate single dedicated to Joe Mansano. “Your Boss DJ” was also released in 1969 on the Joe Label with the track “Read The News” by Joe All Stars on the flip. Both titles are skinhead reggae classics that have never been reissued and are very much demand.

Fully remastered and licensed, ltd to 500 copies. Reissued here for the first time, in an extended version, the UK reggae band’s only album, originally released on Ball Record in 1978. One of the best-kept secrets of the late 70’s/mid 80’s British reggae scene who, with Steel Pulse, competed for the title of best reggae band in Birmingham. The album includes these eight tracks plus both sides of the bands final single and a brace of previously unreleased tracks.

First single from Ekowmania's upcoming album "Dr. Afrodub" is the grand Roots/Reggae track "Kwame Nkrumah". This Jimi Tenor production is simply a classic Roots track thatmight have it all; tight big horns, riding drums, a strong voice and magnificent backing choir support elegant and Class-A song writing rarely surfacing in our days. B-side of this 7" is a DJ Sotofett Mix where only the vocals, choir and horns are used for full effect choral version. Ekowmania aka Ekow Alabi Savage from Ghana is the drummer and percussion player in KabuKabu who plays with Jimi Tenor since almost 20 years. Also he is one of the founding members of one the first Afro-Reggae bands in Germany back in 1982. Album released by Ronet Records later in 2024.

Reissued for the first time on vinyl, here's Jamaican reggae singer George Faith second album, originally released on Hollywood Records in 1979. Amazing soulful reggae melodies backed by the likes of Sly & Robbie, Aston "Family Man" Barrett, Tommy McCook, Earl "Chinna" Smith and more. Produced by the one and only Bunny Lee at Harry J Studios, and mixed by Scientist at King's Tubby's Studios!

Singer-songwriter Haruno is releasing the long-awaited 7-inch version of "Spring Has Come," a collaboration song for the Technics Eah-az80 Wireless Earphones! The theme of the album is spring, and was produced in collaboration with Taku Inoue, who has written songs for Ado, ano, and Hoshimachi Suisei, among others. The B-side features a remix by "pas TASTA," a six-member Jpop project that uses the Internet as a medium to transcend national borders.

“Skinhead Revolt” by Joe The boss aka Joe Mansano was first released in 1970 on the Trojan sublabel Joe as a B side to the track “Tony B’s Theme” by Joey’s All Stars. “The Thief” was released in 1969 on the Joe Label with the track “Gun The Man Down” by Dice The Boss on the flip. “Gun The Man Down” is also being repressed by us on a separate single. Both titles are British Boss Reggae classics that are very much demand.

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!

Kazufumi Kodama is a Japanese trumpet player and producer for some of Japan's earliest and most influential dub groups. His claim to fame is the work he did with the group Mute Beat in the late 80s, many articles citing this group as the very first dub group to exist in Japan. Even if this isn't true, he certainly pushed the genre to its most popular in the country. His current band "Kodama And The Dub Station Band" released their first cover album "Tomoshibi" in 2023 from P-vine, and now some finest songs are released on 7inch ep! This 7" ep includes a cover of Bob Marley's classic 'Is This Love' which inspired Kodama to make a covers album. Bob Marley's positive vibrations are arranged as an instrumental song and made into a dynamic and excellent cover.

Kazufumi Kodama is a Japanese trumpet player and producer for some of Japan's earliest and most influential dub groups. His claim to fame is the work he did with the group Mute Beat in the late 80s, many articles citing this group as the very first dub group to exist in Japan. Even if this isn't true, he certainly pushed the genre to its most popular in the country. His current band "Kodama And The Dub Station Band" released their first cover album "Tomoshibi" in 2023 from P-vine, and now some finest songs are released on 7inch ep! "You’ve Got A Friend" was written by Carole King for her album "Tapestry" in 1971, and Kodama & Dub Station band arranged the masterpiece as a dub song.

“Born to Skank” is the title of the second album by Mister Leu & the Nyabinghers which follows“Born to Reggae”.10 original titles of which Mister Leu & the Nyabinghers are the authors, composers and performers.An album dedicated to ska that could be listened to at Jamaican dances in the 60s.It was recorded in several transfers in the Pyrénées Orientales during the year 2023 inRecord It studios, Les Fauteuils Rouge and La Casa Musicale by Chromatic Records.Twelve artists were brought together on this album influenced by The Skatalites, New York Ska Jazz, JazzJamaica, Toots & the Maytals, Laurel Aitken.The 1st Title “We are the Nyabinghers” played to the Nyabinghi/Burru rhythm. A tribute toLloyd Knibb, legendary drummer for the Skatalites.Secondly, “Good Thing” was commissioned by the American label Stubborn Records, requestingto the Nyabinghers to reinterpret one of their productions for the compilation Still Stubborn Volume5.Coming third is “Rooster Company”, a ska jazz instrumental, with organ colors.Hammond.Follows in fourth “Give Me Fire” already present on the 1st album. A rocksteady that the band hadwant to re-record electric version.Coming in fifth, “C’est comme ça”, a committed Blue Beat in French.Here we are in the middle of the album with “If I were a rich man”, a calypso inspired by Mento“Rich man” by Stanley Beckford, to make you jump.We continue in seventh, with S.K.A. A song in French, with melodica to makeskanking rude boys and rude girls on the beach while enjoying a cocktail.Very heavy for this 8th title, entitled “Hornet ska”. Recorded in a big band in the colors of JazzJamaica. Tribute to trombonist Rico Rodriguez.We embark for South America with, in 9th grade, “Dieguito”. A Latin Ska that speaks of afootball legend. Duber by Eole Dub as guest.And finally, in 10th, “Skolumbo”. A ska with a brass section and big band choirs andan ultra grooving rhythm, homage to Prince Buster. Ska has always been influenced bytelevision series, gangster films or westerns. There, it's Columbo.

Two killers dj tools for 45 Djs ! Twice disco tracks, A side is a Disco Rap for 80, B side is a big classic Disco punched with phat drums and la little pitched up. As usual its a sure shot on 7inch.

City Pop / Reggae singer "Natsu Summer" releases new album in 2024! Produced by Cunimondo Takiguchi from Ryusenkei. Natsu Summer's latest release is a blend of danceable lovers' rock and soothing city pop, with ama-piano rhythms and steppers. Produced by Cunimondo Takiguchi of Ryusenkei, the album is not just reggae or city pop, but also throws out some new ideas. The cover of a hidden Japanese Lovers Rock song from the 90's, which is not easily released on record due to rights issues, is sure to attract attention!

300 copies

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.

Kultural Grooves is thrilled to unveil Shakedown Unlimited’s inaugural album, a masterpiece crafted amidst the vibrant cultural backdrops of Italy and Spain. This album is a testament to the eclectic talents that are part of the contemporary European Reggae, Funk, Soul, and Jazz scenes. Steering this sonic expedition are the adept Michal “Michu” Krygiel, also known as Baodub, and the inventive Davide “Deez” Di Sauro. Michu, a stalwart in the dub sound system and electronic scene, not only anchors the album with his foundational drum beats but also takes the helm in mixing and recording. Davide, with his creative spark, orchestrates the album’s arrangement and composition, weaving in his unique bass rhythms that echo his past work with The Officinalis and Napoli Rockers Syndicate, alongside the pulsating beats of Afrodesia’s ‘Episode One’. Their artistry is amplified by the spirited strumming of guitarists Andrea Farias and Alessandro “Sugar / Papa” Rizla, and the percussive precision of Giosuè Perna, whose collaborations with Periodica Records and Aloe Vera have refined their collective harmony, enriching the musical journey with a diverse palette of auditory hues. The album’s vocal prowess is delivered by Payoh Soul Rebel, whose voice stands unrivaled in the European reggae and soul landscape. The icing on the cake is undoubtedly the presence of Andres Balbucea, the singer, composer, and pianist of the breakout Disco/Afrobeat band, Parlbleu. A fellow member of the Napoli Rockers Syndicate, like the pianist Giulio Neri, Andres is entrusted with the entire composition of the organ sound for this album—an indispensable element of offbeat music—imbued with his unmatched touch. The brass arrangements, a soul-stirring element of the album, are the brainchild of jazz maestro Enrico Fumo, with the alto saxophone melodies woven by the esteemed Jah Wind, a name synonymous with reggae aficionados. The fusion of these musicians and their diverse styles, rooted in a strong reggae foundation yet infused with Soul, Funk, Latin, and Jazz, is visually encapsulated by Riccardo Corda. Corda, a visionary designer whose work has graced albums like ‘The Mauskovic Dance Band’ by Soundway Records and ‘Bar Mediterraneo’ by Nu Genea, lends his artistic signature to this album, further solidifying its place as a modern classic. The trumpet and trombone are in the capable hands of the Valencian duo, Jonas Sanchez and Manuel Pardo, masters of brass who bring a vibrant soul to every note. Shakedown Unlimited’s debut is more than an album; it’s a musical journey enriched by the essence of the Mediterranean, a reggae anthology that resonates with the soulful rhythms and vibrant influences of its heritage. We are beyond delighted to present this auditory treasure, a testament to the enduring spirit of reggae and its universal appeal.

Gecko Tone, Youthie's 3rd album, is now available on vinyl LP! Roots, World & Groovy Reggae with an organic vibe, tinged with Jazz, Latin & Afrobeat accents."Gecko Tones is a colourful reggae/dub album with a positive vibe!

Jonathan Holness popular known as Zion Head is a Jamaican born independent reggae music recording artist that is base in France. Zion Head is starting to be a house hold name in Europe, and around the world as a genuine reggae music artist. His first Ep Jah Watching, as showing that he has the voice, the sound and lyrics to be come one of reggae music standout artist. His song Show Love, from that album Jah Watching, as been featured on the Jamaican Central Express Ronmuschette 10 ten music count down cart. Zion Head is extremely happy to announce is now first album (Mount Zion) which consists twelve tracks including four collaboration with the light's of some of reggae music icons such as Macka B, Anthony B, Yasus Afari, and Stranger Miller & Cento P.Zion Head is heading for greatness with his lyrical content and his unique style gives you a types of feeling that you just want to dance and listen to some good positive motivation. Conscious irie reggae music, in this album you will definitely fine 3 or more songs that you will fall in love with, in fact may be all the songs. Zion Head sing about Education, he sing about the struggle people go through in life, he sing about going back to Israel to fine the truth, he sing about smoking weed and alot more. You just have to go check this album out,