Dub 98 Items

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!

All killer no filler 10 track compilation of peak late 80s digital tunes from Park Heights' most productive period. Pure fire produced between Jamaica and New York City. Featuring two previously unreleased tunes and the rest reissued for the first time.

Ten great tracks from Park Height's productive late '80s period, where Mr. Francis produced a lot of great early digital reggae both in Jamaica and right here in NYC. We've selected eight great never before reissued tracks from the catalog, plus two previously unreleased gems. As always, housed in a fresh jacket with the vibes of the time.

New compilation and long overdue next entry in the long running 'Jah Children Invasion' compilation series! This volume focuses on Wackies' foray into digital reggae, with a killer selection of tracks from the late '80s and early '90s. There are three previously unreleased tunes alongside seven others culled from prior rare and long out of print releases. In DKR style this comes in a 2 sided hand silkscreened jacket.

Dub like it used to be from the High Note and Gay Feet labels.
A selection of rocking rhythms from The Revolutionaries masterminded by Jamaica's finest female record producer, Mrs Sonia Pottinger, and mixed by Duke Reid's nephew, Errol Brown, chief engineer at the legendary Treasure Isle studio.

A giant of the UK reggae scene since the late 70s and founder member of Matumbi. Bovell went on to produce a trail of classics by a genre-defying roster of artists, from Fela Kuti, dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson, to The Slits and The Pop Group, while also recording as Blackbeard for EMI. As if that wasn't enough, he also recorded the early Lovers chart hit, Janet Kay's Silly Games, and later a slew of Lovers Rock.

An essential collection of late 70s dubs by this living legend.

A heavenly set of dub versions to pair with Hollie Cook's critically acclaimed 2022 album Happy Hour. Hollie’s first full dub record since 2012, Happy Hour in Dub was coaxed into being by close listening of the original album’s modern lover’s rock.

Hollie and Happy Hour producer Ben Mckone explain:

The reason and inspiration for wanting to make the dub record is because Happy Hour, in its original form, has so many intricate musical details running throughout the songs—from the backing vocal and string arrangements to some far more subtle details. And during the mixing process, hearing some of these parts on their own over the drum and bass foundation, we felt there was so much left to explore and expose in the songs and take them to outer space.

At the controls rejoining Hollie in exploring the space, Mckone takes her soulful creations and stretches them to their sonic limits, with new vocal features by Josh Skints and Kiko Bun.

African Head Charge return to On-U Sound with their first new album in twelve years. Titled A Trip To Bolgatanga, the recordings are led by founder member Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah, with close friend and co-conspirator Adrian Sherwood once again at the controls. A Trip to Bolgatanga is a stunning return, bringing together the talents of two masters who, after a hiatus, have created a rich album brimming with ideas and executed with finesse.

Commenting on the gap between records, Bonjo says: “In the twelve years that have passed, I have been spending time with my family in Ghana, but I was still creating things. I still have a lot of things to let off, you know what I mean? At this time in my life I want to work, but I want to enjoy time with my family as well. When I’m enjoying myself, I’m also creating, because when you’re happy it helps you to be more creative, and the greatest happiness is to be with your family.”

Although there are sounds on this album which recall previous African Head Charge classics such as My Life In A Hole In The Ground and Songs Of Praise, it would be wrong to assume that their music is not still evolving. The master percussionist adds: “All the drumming and the chanting, it took a while to do. I’m always meeting drummers, all over Ghana. The Fante, the Akim, the Ga, the Bolgatanga, all the tribes, and they all have their different drums. I try to learn as much as I can, and put it all together. It’s like cooking, when you’re blending all of the elements, like yam, banana, pumpkin, and the end taste, that’s where it matters. That’s how I look at music. Throw a lot of things together, and then you taste it and say, “Yeah man, that tastes good. Yeah man, that sounds good.” That’s what African Head Charge is all about, those different combinations, and then bringing it to Adrian, who helps to make it another thing again.”

Producer Adrian Sherwood concurs: “It’s always a case of getting all the right ingredients sorted for Head Charge, and then having some fun with overdubs and mixing and getting it completely perfect. We always work well together, but I think on this one we have the greatest result."

The group have been active for over four decades, and this album sees other members of the musical entity’s extended family come back to the fray. Multi-instrumentalist Skip McDonald and fellow Tackhead co-conspirator Doug Wimbish contribute to a variety of tracks. Drummer Perry Melius, whose involvement in the project dates back to the early `90s, adds a righteous rhythmic heft to a trio of tunes. In addition there are a number of notable fresh recruits. The horns and reeds of Paul Booth, Richard Roswell, and David Fullwood; Ras Manlenzi and Samuel Bergliter on keys; Vince Black on guitar. There’s additional percussion from Shadu Rock Adu, Mensa Aka, Akanuoe Angela, and Emmanuel Okine, strings from Ivan “Celloman” Hussey, plus the voice of the mighty Ghetto Priest. Very special guest, and one of Ghana’s foremost kologo players, King Ayisoba also provides vocals, and demonstrates his dexterity on the traditional two-stringed lute.

Where previous albums have been a melting pot of global influences, on their new LP African Head Charge have but one place in mind. A Trip To Bolgatanga is a musical journey to Bonjo’s current hometown in north Ghana. A psychedelic travelogue across the landscape featuring their trademark hand percussion and group chanting augmented with rumbling bass, mutated horns, dubbed out effects, wild wah-wah, haunted voodoo dancehall, synthetic swells, disco congas, tumbling layers of electronic effects, blues-inflected woodwind, and funky organ. As with every On-U Sound production, each repeated listen reveals fresh detail, and its power won’t be really understood until heard on a big system, when it’ll reduce all competition to rubble.

- Specs Glow In The Dark 12" Vinyl in polylined inner sleeve in 3mm spine sleeve with 12” poster insert and download code

Released on CD and digital on the 21st May 2021, this eagerly anticipated LP from I Grade Records immediately soared to the number one position in the iTunes reggae charts. The LP is now being released on 12" vinyl and cassette tape courtesy of Before Zero Records.
Polarities is the 13th and final full album of new material from Vaughn Benjamin and I Grade Records, the culmination of a 20 year working relationship that began with 2001's Nemozian Rasta album, which was Midnite's 4th album released to date at that time.
Polarities was produced jointly by the Zion I Kings production team, with Tippy I of I Grade at the production helm, alongside Vaughn Benjamin himself.
The album also includes two notable guest features: Tiken Jah Fakoly of Ivory Coast on "Everything Bless" and Chronixx of Jamaica on "Black Carbon", which were both released in 2020 as the first singles off of Polarities.

Features contributions from Bruce Smith (The Pop
Group), Style Scott (Roots Radics) and Deadly
Headley (The Wailers).

Re-cut at Dubplates & Mastering in Berlin for
maximum bass pressure. Includes printed inner
with sleevenotes by Steve Barker (‘On The Wire’),
plus download card for full album.

“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.

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,

Chapter 4 als Limitierte Green LP!

Record Store Day 2020 Release.
Limitation: 1000 copies.

First time on vinyl. This killer album was originally released only on CD format in 1998, and now, over 20 years later gets a vinyl release including two bonus tracks! This album includes the killer ‘Prowling Lion’ known by everyone across the Dub and sound system scene! Played heavily by all top sound systems!

Lee Perry first came to prominence working with
Coxsone Dodd’s fabled Studio One. This is where
Scratch earned the nickname with the wildly
popular Jamaican hit record and dance craze
“Chicken Scratch.” After a fall out with Dodd, Perry
moved on to a stint with Joe Gibb’s Amalgamated.
Again in a dispute over compensation Perry moved
on to form his own label, Upsetter and established
his house band, the Upsetters.
By 1973 Perry had also established Black Ark, a
recording studio of his own that functioned as an
effective fertilizer throughout what was Jamaica's
most innovative period for sounds and recording
techniques. In that year, as Perry and Black Ark
entered a period of heavy dub output, Scratch
recorded Cloak And Dagger. This early dub outing
is a testament to Perry’s lo-fi mastery as
he utilized his TEAC four-track, Soundcraft board,
tape delays, phasers, reverb and any other
ambient sounds he could get this hands on as an
instrument rather than just to record instruments.
Get On Down celebrates a piece of reggae history
and one of Lee Perry’s crowning achievements with
this reissue of Cloak And Dagger, presented here
as originally issued in Jamaica in 1973.

Get ready to embark on a sonic journey as Jah Schulz takes you on a mesmerizing dub odyssey with his much-anticipated second chapter of Dub Over Science. Following the success of chapter one, this album is set to redefine the boundaries of dub music and elevate your auditory senses to new heights.

Step into a realm where Jah Schulz fuses deep basslines, hypnotic drums and outerworldy dub extractions, creating a captivating and immersive listening experience that will leave you craving for more.

This is forward thinking bass music in a dubwise style, you nah wanna miss!

Soundway Records completes the Lord Echo album collection, finally reissuing the second album in the trilogy from the in-demand New Zealand multi-instrumentalist and producer. Originally released in 2013, ‘Curiosities’ is now available as a DJ friendly double LP for the first time.
The entirely self-produced album blends jazz with disco-tinged neo-soul, reggae and classic afro-beat in effortless manner - and joins the dots between the more downtempo first album ‘Melodies’ and the disco, electronic, club-ready of his third album ‘Harmonies’.
The album also features a dub-funk cover of Pharoah Sanders’ “The Creator Has A Master Plan”, with vocals from Lisa Tomlins.

Echoltd006: 12" LP 180g black / slightly silver vinyl. 2 stickers included.

Pablo Gad joins King Earthquake for this 2012 LP of firing UK steppers.

Back in print. The Clash songs dubified. Limited to 555 copies.

An obscure late 80s double sided killer brought to light! Originally released as a 12 inch, this was dug out of a white label box by Planets head honcho on a North London digging mission. 1989 fusion of Lovers, Street Soul & Soundsystem music from T-Dynamix & Lisa Ellis. Originally based up North near Manchester!

This is a Lovers version of an absolute classic! Licensed from the catalogue of the legendary Harry J Studio, in a signature late 80s Digital keyboard & drum-machine style. Originally written by Toto, and made famous by Michael Jackson! As well as being sampled in SWV’s big 90s anthem & by Hip Hop legend NAS.

Crucial set of dubs from Scientist! 'Barry Brown Meets The Scientist' features twelve extra-heavy Scientist mixes of Barry Brown tracks originally cut and played at King Tubby's by the legendary Roots Radics. Six vocal mixes and a further six dubs, where the peerless Scientist really cuts loose on the mixing board, nudging the EQ's and royally dubbing Brown outta sight!

Noted reggae vocalist Barry Biggs comes under the Emotional Rescue microscope here with celebrated LA digger Patrick Billard aka DJ Duckcomb remixing one of his cuts. First up is the original version of 'Illusion' which has big pianos over the clean digital dub. The soaring vocal is obscured by plenty of lush effects and melodies. After a version twists and contorts the original, the DJ Duckcomb Discomix slows things down and ups the dazzling disco vibes but keeps the dub dubby bottom end to ensure plenty of dance floor impact. This is a classy one as ever from this label.

‘Nam Ton Tad’ is a sun-soaked amalgamation of groove-trenched reggae & traditional Thai molam essence. Rooted with Laotian origins from the Isan region of northern Thailand, this contemporary interpretation of ancient folk melody is both lush and intriguing" - Mixmag Asia Nam Ton Tad is the new EP by Thai-Dutch electro-molam-band Apichat Pakwan, and the 9th release on Animist Records. This single is a follow-up to their international critical-acclaimed debut album Esantronics, which was released in October 2019. The album was named Best Asian Album of 2019 by World Music Central. Apichat Pakwan is a Dutch-Thai band based in Amsterdam. Their music is a mix of morlam, electronic music, dub and hiphop. They perform with their own compositions, as well as with new interpretations of classic Thai and Lao folkmusic repertory. The music collective was founded in 2015 by Dutch musician Olivier Schreuder (electronics, compositions, traditional Thai instruments) and Thai musician Angkanang Pimwankum (percussion). They compose and perform with an alternating group of musicians from the Northeast region of Thailand, also known as Isan. The group was called "most innovative molam hybrid" by The Bangkok Post.

An extended 12” ‘Club Mix’ of the 1980’s classic covered in true lovers rock style by the late Melody Beecher. Produced by husband Paul and remastered from the original two track session tape. Jura Soundsystem delivers a ‘Lovers Version’ combining snippets of vocal from the original with the Dub mix, going heavy on the reverb to create a more dubbed out excursion.

The 12” is housed in a black and yellow IOJ Island Disco sleeve with sticker designed by Bradley Pinkerton.

Igziabeher Yi mas gan (Let Jah be Praised!) - as we follow up with the next release forwarding from Ashanti Selah Music; we are proud to present a fresh combination to the label with Iqulah Rastafari who is a true ambassador and master of his faith as well as being a high-caliber artist in his own right; this release delivers the whole roots and nothing but the roots in its full entirety. Hailing from Jamaica and toured the 4 corners of the world with his band 'Giddeon Family' as well as performing many shows in Africa with the 'Azania Band' - Iqulah always brings the spiritual power and most honourable Rasta energy in connection with the music; making it a such an engaging experience when being among the vibration.

The Maxi-single offers two original vocals and two dub mixes per side with strong lyrics and heavy riddims to accompany!

New life for a tune that hold a special place in the discography of one of the greatest rub-a-dub and fast-chat specialists in the history of the UK sound system movement, here comes a fresh version of Tippa Irie's powerful “I’m An African” ! First making an appearance as the highlight of O.B.Fs album “signz” in 2020, this fresh reworked version of “I’m An African” features on Tippa’s brand-new album of the same name. To celebrate this, the track was pressed onto 7” vinyl alongside its dub version “African Dub” ! Rufffff

Joseph White aka Joe White is a foundation of Jamaican music. He started singing in the late 50's and did his first recordings for Duke Reid in the early 60's. He moved to Sonia Pottinger's label later and get a first success in 1965 with the song « Every Night ». He also recorded for Prince Buster, Coxsone Dodd and Rupie Edwards. In the 70's, Joe White was one of the only melodica player in Jamaica with Augustus Pablo, Peter Tosh and Bobby Kalphat. He released beautiful melodica instrumentals like « Kenyata », « Call Me Trinity » for Derrick Harriott and « Cheer Up » for Glen Brown. Joe White was also a member of the famous BB Seaton's backing/studio band « The Conscious Minds ». In the mid seventies, he moved to London and released his classic album « Love For Every Family ».
Joe White formed the group Roots, Trunks & Branches to release several tracks on the label Splendour Heights. “Forward To Zion” was released in 1979 and became a truly reggae roots stepper banger for sound system across the globe. Probably electronic music fans will appreciate the futuristic dubwise. “Forward To Zion” is a song of peace, love, freedom and emancipation of people. Uplift your selection, listen to the words of the prophet, it's time for us to get together; we are going forward to Zion. Jah don't care whether you are a natty dread or you're a baldhead, just as long as we unite and stop the fight, we are going forward to Zion!

Sol Power Sound is back in a big way with a reissue and remix EP from the legendary Nigerian Ju-Ju king, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey. The double A-side EP features 'Eyi Yato' a tune from 1981 that captures Chief Commander and his band at their absolute funkiest, with a driving drum and bass groove, wah-wah guitar, and signature call-and-response vocals. Remixers include the legendary dub producer Mad Professor, the disco don Eddie C, and the Sol Power All-Stars themselves.

The Sol Power All-Stars keep things organic with chugging drums, heavy analog synth bass and sequences, as well as Daniel Meinecke’s additional keys and solos. The Canadian disco don Eddie C goes a little electro and a little acid with his analog bass-heavy flip. Like a good dub should, Mad Professor’s version accentuates the drum and bass groove and drenches everything in vintage sounding Mad Professor delay, reverb, and filtered dub-sauce, live and direct from his classic mixing desk. Alongside an extended edit of the original, the Eyi Yato EP is sure to find a permanent spot in DJ record bags around the world.

Left of leftfield dub and techno excursions. Remix by Rainstick of Blazer Sound System.

This 12” features a unique meeting between Black Legacy and Black Redemption. It holds an uplifting riddim by UK dub veteran Keety Roots, and includes two vocal cuts, a horns piece and a dub version. On one side it’s Wellette Seyon speaking out against all ‘Vampire’, on the other Johnny Clarke giving a warning to the ‘Young Juvenile’. Both tunes cut for sound system play.

Leisure DubandArmaniousreturn to follow up their debut release ‘Weekend Waiting’ (one of Gilles Peterson’s records of the year in 2021). It’s electronic late night soul on the A side with a heavy baseline mix made for sound systems on the B side. Pressed on a dinked 7 inch.

All Nations Records comes back again with a 12" composed and mixed by established sound system and rising producer Agobun out of Lille, France. It features the sweet voice of Jacko, well known by the french sound system followers, here singing in his unique style, about the constant efforts and works that man and woman shall do all their life to be a better person. In a pure sound tradition, this record comes with two dub cuts and a mesmerizing guitar cut that comes in as the cherry over the cake

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

Music Mania and Indica Dubs is proud to present the next release in their Mania Dub series. Following the classic ‘Almighty Dub’ (MD001),comes another of the UK Dub scene’s most renowned producers; Alpha & Omega, with one of their most popular ‘Shaka killer’ classics from 1996: Rastafari.

Peak 1987 all time, top tier digital reggae. Killer one-away rhythm and awesome militant vocal from Hopeton Lindo. One of our all time favorite politically conscious reggae tunes, still relevant today. Better still, this release is taken straight from the original master tape and is nearly a full minute longer than the original release, wherein Hopeton drops a bit of our favorite dancehall vernacular. Real hardcore DKR heads will know when they hear it.

Hard piece of stepping digital from 1989 with the masters of the era on the rhythm track, Steely & Clevie. Likewise, Conroy is one of the iconic artists of the late '80s digital era with numerous classics to his name.

Killer combination roots tune from these two legends. Released in 1986, but the music sounds more in a 1980-81 Roots Radics style. Backed with hard dub version.

Here's the inaugural release in a new series from the archives of the late great engineer & producer Philip Smart. Philip's resume is impeccable - early friend and collaborator of Augustus Pablo, radio host and dj, first apprentice of King Tubby, and founder, producer and engineer at one of the major reggae studios of New York City history, Hc&f. Many years back our brother label Goldshop did a series of 45 reissues of the dancehall classics from Philip's Eclipse label. We always wanted to go deeper, but time moves fast, and unfortunately, Philip left us in 2014. But everything in due course, and now with his estate we've gone thru the archives to assemble a fantastic series of releases. This first release is a must - produced by Philip during his time as engineer at Tubby's studio, this is an awesome rockers style take on the moody Paragons classic. The flip features a classic blueprint mid 70s Tubby's style dub, HPF in effect with the first Prince, Philip Smart at the helm. Originally released thru Brooklyn's legendary Keith's record shop back around the time it was recorded.

We've been overdue to let off a modern gem from the Wackie's vaults, so here we go. Another of our favorite 12 Tribes related artists, the late great Judah Eskender Tafari, on a hard and moody but uplifting digital stepper straight from the Bronx. B-side features a great ghostly raw rhythm version from Bullwackie.

Tribase is a heavyweight Dub trio from Valencia with the Jamaican Kung Fu Ras as lead singer. This EP produced by La Panchita Records is the first business card for this band will already confirmed for some big festival in this summer as the International Dub Gathering

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)

Hot on the heels of the first new album from The Last Poets in over 20 years, the title track "Understand What Black Is" gets the remix treatment from Digital Mystikz, DMZ and Deep Medi legend "Mala" and UK Dance music innovators and legends "Dego and Kaidi Tatham". The Last Poets new album "Understand What Black Is" is out now.

Everyone loves "Why Can't We Live Together" by Timmy Thomas: how could one resist such a strong music vibe coming with a message more relevant today than ever! It has been covered by the most creative artists more than a few times…
Recorded in Paris and Kingston, the Soul Sugar crew & Leonardo Carmichael make it their own with a sultry reggae groove. Jahno on drums and syndrums, Thomas Naim on guitar, and Guillaume "Gee" Metenier on keyboards and production duties, are delivering the classic hit in all its majesty, in the superior categories of both extended Discomix, and Dub version under the spell of Dubmaster extraordinaire Dennis Bovell!
What to say about the breathtaking interpretation of Leonardo Carmichael? Growing up in Jamaica, Leonardo learnt many a song from his father Glendon Joseph McFarlane, who would sing to his mother Geraldine, who sang in a choir. Leonardo grew up as a drummer and a singer in churches. Through a mutual friend, he met Nastassja Hammond, daughter of Beres Hammond, with whom he started writing and releasing music for various artists including Courtney John and Kreesha Turner. Leonardo has a wide appreciation for diverse genres but keep an International Reggae and Dancehall feel at the core of his music. It can be said Leonardo has faith & soul to the bone...

Recorded early in 1976, apparently ‘Born Free’ was never released in Jamaica, but went straight to the UK market as a 7’’ on the obscure ‘Boss’ label, and reissued as an Attack 12’’ few years later. While production details are somehow puzzling, with British sound operator Fatman sometimes credited among the producers and the riddim re-surfacing within Yabby You’s catalogue, what remains undisputed is the King Tubby’s studio stamp on the mix, emphasised by the raw cymbals on the B side. Michael Rose’s incredibly inspired voice floats over a stripped down roots rhythm singing timeless lyrics of freedom that will inspire Black Uhuru’s hits Willow Tree and Peace and Love in the Ghetto.

Stamped White Label