Reggae & Dancehall 824 Items

The Abyssinians debut album from 1975 is available as limited edtion LP in red vinyl! - The sleeve artwork is the special one with the misspelled artistname on the sleeve artwork of the initial 1977 release for Clive Hunt's US-based Azul label, which has a double B instead of the double S. This classic longplayer was recorded at Joe Gibbs amd Harry J Studios and produced by Clive Hunt and The Abyssinians, the renown vocal-trio consisting of Bernard Collins, Donald Manning, Linford Manning!

Loose echoes of traditional African percussion
music, field recordings and roots reggae inform
the mix, whilst some parts conjure up the
stripped-back post-rock of Can or Tortoise.

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.

During the mid-1970s, the Aggrovators could do no wrong. This ace team of session musicians that was forged as an off-shoot of the Soul Syndicate were responsible for some of the biggest hits of the decade, recorded with Bunny Lee’s rising stars, such as Johnnie Clarke and his rival, Cornell Campbell. Following on from the great Shalom Dub set of 1975, Rasta Dub ’76 is another truly magnificent dub set culled from Aggrovators hits (by Johnny Clarke, Cornell Campbell and others); this time, the entire album was given a scintillating mix-down at King Tubby’s studio by the great Prince Jammy, and the sonic excellence has stood the test of time. Another must-have for all connoisseurs of dub.

The Aggrovators were one of Jamaica’s finest session bands put together by the hit make from J amaica Bunny Striker Lee.
The group would produce some of the hardest rhythms cut at the legendary Channel 1 studio.
These tracks would provide the backbone to songs that were usually voiced over at King Tubby’s own studio.These cuts here represent a selection of some of those fine rhythms selected together for the first time.
The Aggrovators were a group of Reggae musicians that usually featured Carlton’Santa’Davis on drums playing alongside Robbie Shakespeare on bass with other musicians addedlike Earl’Chinna’Smith on guitar and Tommy Mc Cook and Vin Gordon and Lennox Brown added for horn arrangements,Keyboards and organ duties normally fell to Ansel Collins and Bernard’Touter’Harvey.
We have compiled some great tracks recorded by this fantastic group of musicians and focused on those cut on Channel 1 studios to give you a feel of what those times were like.
Hope you enjoy the set…..

Fresh off their collaboration with CHARLEY ORGANAIRE for the Specialized ONE HEART series, Chicago's roots reggae maestros release their debut 7" single on JUMP UP. "EYE FOR AN EYE" is a conscious reggae tune with homage to THE ABBYSSINIANS, flip is a WAILERS style summery vocal ska tune.

Latest masterpiece from Chicago's premier roots reggae act, its a concept album dealing with issues such as immigration, discrimination & oppression. Sounding like they stepped out of a 1972 session at STUDIO ONE, but also embroidering on the Jamaican cannon w/ diverse modern influences,

Al Brown was inspired to write the single ‘Proverb’ after spending hours hunched over his bible in Spanish Town as a youth. He had become known for his more commercial covers of singer Al Green material, but ‘Proverb’ was one of the few tunes that he recorded that were roots inspired and has become highly sought after.

Recorded at Channel One with Ernest Hookim engineering, who did an excellent job of squeezing out a thumping horns led tune. The inspired version on the flip has Lloyd Parks on bass and the singer Derek Lara on drums. The Seventh Extension Band was the house band of the Zodiac label. Not a tight knit band as such, but built built around singers Bunny Lara and Derek Lara. ‘Words spoke in haste will all go to waste so be cool’. True thing Al. Comes in hand stamped bag.

3rd album by italo-jamaican Alborosie ... original Albo-Stylee

The dub version to Alborosie's longplayer 'Sound The System'. Warning - this is a vinyl only release!

The tracks feature a big range of veteran Reggae artists guesting, like Black Uhuru, The Tamlins or Mykal Rose. The 90ties & current generation is represented by stars like Jah Cure, Luciano, Kymani Marley, and Gentleman for sure, who is featured in the 2014 documentary film 'Journey To Jah' alongside Alborosie.

Dub is a unique discipline. A strange and sometimes unpredictable music practice. It was just after the release of Ennenne that we decided to take back the multi track recordings and start to rework the music through the mixer. In order to give a new shape to the project, we thought it was a good idea to invite some of the best producers and musicians on the Dub Scene. Following a very natural process, our vision began to take the shape of an International All Star event, including contributions from historical Dub artists such as Adrian Sherwood, Lee Perry, Dennis Bovell, and actual celebrities of today such as Gaudi, Vibronics, Manasseh, Khalab & Messmorize, and Mario Conte one the most interesting producers on the Italian experimental scene. A bunch of old and new friends with whom we share the same vision.

A download code is included. Alpha & Omega's "Dubplate Selection Volume 1", which first appeared on A&O Records in 1997 and is now back on a limited, black-vinyl run.

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.

Steppas Records presents Alpha Steppa's '3rd Kingdom' in dub! Currently championed by a range of soundsystems and DJs from across the bass music spectrum; from Roots veterans Channel One Soundsystem and the legendary Jah Shaka Soundsystem to UK Steppers pioneers Iration Steppas and Dubstep household names such as V.I.V.E.K, Caspa & Rusko.

One of the most eagerly anticipated albums of the year, Alpha Steppa Meets Nai-Jah “The Great Elephant”. TGE is the product of a year-long collaboration between renowned UK Dub Reggae producer Alpha Steppa and French-Nigerian singer / songwriter Nai-Jah. TGE tells the story of Nai-Jah’s reality growing up in Nigeria, the album paints a picture of corruption, greed, and suffering, a narrative each and everyone accross the globe can relate to. Nai-Jah points to strength through unity and provides great inspiration and hope through his thoughtful lyrics and sincere delivery. Steppas Records is overjoyed to present all 10 original vocal tracks plus the full dub album as one. A truly unique and powerful protest album sure to provoke, inspire and uplift.

Limited Edition LP of vintage Jamaican GOLD. Compiled by the ever trustworthy Japanese reggae resource, Rock-A-Shacka, Soul Train Is Coming collects the late Alton Ellis' lesser-known and even lost recordings, giving fans of the "Godfather of Rocksteady" a wealth of hard-to-find material in one desirable package. Tip!

After the famous Andre Tanker’s “Back Home”, Jamwax is very proud to reissue River Come Down in its 12'' version.
Originally released on the Contraband label in 1979 and recorded at famous Semp studio in Trinidad, “River Come Down” is a blend of islands funk, soul, disco, soca with also a touch of gospel: “River, the river come down, the river come down, the river down...wind blow like a hurricane...the river come down, washing the right, washing the wrong, washing the weak, washing the strong, the river come down...”
On the other side you will find an obscure synth instrumental released on an impossible to find 7'' in 1986. “Movin Round” was produced by Andre Tanker for Horace Wilson's Turn of The Tide. This song was absolutely under the radar and remains a strong banger for any dances.

The music has come into my life when I was about 9 years old, thanks to one of my sisters’ tape with songs by Bob Marley and The Wailers. So I switched from reggae to dub, from dub to jazz, from jazz to radical improvisation in a moment.Now I’m 33, and after producing pretty much any kind of music, I want to put together what I still like of dub music with that of the south of Europe, which is the place where I grew up, melting everything together with vintage equipments and working with modern machines at the same time. Playing and producing this music has been therapeutic for my head. Making all this known is for me like seeding again the love for music without any distinction.

Killer conscious lyrics in soulful harmony, backed by a solid drum machine tune, recorded
at Earthman Studios, originally released in 1988

This is an import title from Japan! Finally these great recordings are available again on vinyl.

Rafi’s Revenge originally peaked at number 20 on the UK Albums Chart and was shortlisted for the 1998 Mercury Music Prize, with Bobby Gillespie hailing them at the time as ‘the best live act in Britain’. This 21 year anniversary reissue includes a limited edition, coloured 2xLP. To celebrate the release the band are playing at Rich Mix, London on 28th March. By the time they recorded Rafi’s Revenge in 1998, Asian Dub Foundation were primed to explode.

A reissue of classic '70s roots and dub reggae tracks.

1973-1979 Essential Pick! Heavy dub, rare dub, and heavy, rare dub! In other words, this is all HEAVY RARE DUB!!! Some of his very best cuts here, and it would be impossible to track down a lot fo these B-sides. They found Ras Menilik Congo Harp? That tune is impossible to find except for a super noisy 12" repress. Amazing collection, Pressure Sounds does it again!

Eleven tracks courtesy the Rockers Production team, recorded & mixed by Sylvan Morris and arranged & produced by the mastermind Augustus Pablo aka Horace Swaby (born : June 21, 1954 in St. Andrew, Jamaica / died : May 18, 1999 in Kingston, Jamaica). The 1984 compilation album "King David's Melody" was longtime not available. Here's the re-issue for the 21st century state-of-the-art remastered with the original catalogue number GREL170.

Greatest dub album ever. Combination between the "Far East" style of Augustus Pablo playing Melodica, Clavinet & Organ and Dub's master Osbourne Ruddock aka "King Tubby's". Featuring the finest Jamaican musicians, Aston & Carlton Barret, China Smith, Vin Gordon, Bobby Ellis...Mixed at King Tubby's Studio in 1976. Produced by Augustus Pablo. A must have !

First time out for this wildly raw dubplate, sister-recording to the Pablo master-rhythm, shot through with other-worldly, illusively allusive incantation.
Surely that's Family Man stalking a sunken cavern, and his bro battering all seven shades out of his drum-kit, like Meters on fire; and Chinna on guitar, glazed and violent. The mixing rears up right in your face.
Producer Gussie Clarke says Theophilus 'Easy Snappin' Beckford is playing piano, with the front removed so he can strum the strings (like he finally snapped) — but he credits the work overall to Augustus Pablo.
Transferred from acetate — fuss-pots don't grumble, just be humble — though the flip brings a clutch of criss, unmissable alternates, direct from Gussie's tape-room (where the files are entitled ‘Classical Illusion / The Sun’).
Heavy, heavy funk. Simplicity People dug in. Stunning.

Finest Harmonica Dub: Pablo's first Album - amazing!

All time killer in-demand Barrington Levy roots anthem from 1983. Produced by George Phang, backed with lethal Sly & Robbie propelleddub version!"One of the great success stories of the '80s, Barrington Levy, arrived on the dancehall scene and swiftly remodeled it in his own image. Although numerous DJs and vocalists would rise and fall during this decade, Levy was one of the few with staying power, and he continued releasing massive hits well into the '90s. Born in 1964 in Clarendon, Jamaica, as a youngster, Barrington Levy formed the Mighty Multitude with his cousin Everton Dacres. They started off playing the sound systems and cut their first single,"My Black Girl," in 1977. All of 14, Levy broke out on his own the next year and recorded his debut solo single..."Excerpt from AllMusic Biography (Jo-Ann Greene)

All time killer in-demand Barrington Levy roots anthem from 1983. Produced by George Phang, backed with lethal Sly & Robbie propelled dub treatment.

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.

In an unparalleled age of crate digging and reissue campaigns, Basement 5 continues to be one of the few remaining untold stories of its time. Their arrival at the musical and creative peak in the immediate aftermath of punk and the prevailing sense that business was not as usual and that you could adhere to your own rules, creating your own peripheries and non-generic musical path.

Basement 5 melded their own experiences with punk rage and dub-wise rhythms that came together to explore themes of alienation, 70’s inner-city existence and what it was like to be a second-generation immigrant. The outfit’s early line-up featured Don Letts on vocals but it was once Dennis Morris had taken the reins that Basement 5 found their creative spark. Morris had come to the fore earlier in the decade as a photographer, particularly in light of his early work that had chronicled Bob Marley’s rise to prominence, later being intrinsically linked with the Sex Pistols whilst documenting their life on-the-road as well as the nascent Public Image Ltd which also saw Morris design the band’s now-iconic logo.

As Morris says; “I never wanted to be a rock star, for me it was a progression of my art, a natural move; I had created images, band logos and I wanted to create a new sound, a new look – the band wore long johns, ski masks, cycling gloves, whilst lyrically it was based on my youth growing up in inner city London.”

The album takes its title from the year Morris arrived from Jamaica to its recording in 1980 and having secured the services of Factory Records renowned in-house producer, Martin Hannett (Joy Division) things looked good. However, the original drummer walked out on the first day of recording and was immediately replaced by the Blockheads Charlie Charles who went to finish the sessions. In the spirit of the day things didn't last, underlying tension saw the band implode whilst touring through Europe. The final incarnation of the band lasted a mere eighteen months though they left an indelible legacy on the musical landscape

The sessions also yielded dub versions of several of the main tracks, released on 31 October as In Dub. "Last White Christmas" was released in time for Christmas (1 December), as a 12" and 7" (the latter in Christmas wrapping paper with a silver sticker of the band logo). The band broke up shortly thereafter, with several members forming Urban Shakedown.

Long established as one of New Zealand’s finest acts, South Pacific reggae-soul legends The Black Seeds return with their long awaited 6th studio album ‘Fabric’.

While firmly based in the island grooves that inspired the birth of the band nearly two decades ago, The Black Seeds’ sound casts a wide net, layering funk, soul, Afrobeat, and other eclectic elements over their dub/reggae foundations. It’s “contemporary groove music with influences from soul and funk and reggae rhythms – and even rock...” explains guitarist/vocalist Barnaby Weir.

Lead track “Better Days” is a Black Seeds classic and an exciting taster of what is to come from the new record. Rich with chugging guitars and soothing vocals, the track is warm with a positive message: “Better Days are calling, lonely nights are leaving. I see better Days, are just around the corner. No it wont be long till something good happens for ya.”

Described by Clash Magazine as “one of the best live reggae acts on the planet,” The Black Seeds legendary eight-piece live show infuses raw en¬ergy and good vibes wherever they go, fueling multi-platinum sales and a growing worldwide following. With countless sold out tours behind them and performances at many of the world’s leading festivals, The Black Seeds will be bringing touring the new record around the world this summer.

Blind Prophet returns to Dub-Stuy with the Clash EP, showcasing his versatility and increasing maturity as a producer. Following two previous 12” singles for the label, the Portland producer takes full flight with a 5-track EP exploring various tempos and styles of bass music, old and new. To take us along the journey, he is accompanied by various friends from the global sound system scene including Rider Shafique, Redders, Titus 12, and Tailored Sound from Bristol, Tenor Youthman from Russia, and GREAZUS from Vancouver.

1978 saw the release of Bob Andy’s album Lots of Love
and I, which includes the classics “Ghetto Stays in the
Mind” and “Feel the Feeling.” As one of reggae’s most
influential songwriters he wrote 10 new songs for this
fantastic LP. Bob Andy’s incredible voice is hearable all
over this record. It has often been noted that the mark of
a great artist is the continued production of notable works
throughout his lifetime. A veritable explosion of cover
versions of Bob Andy’s songs and rhythms has already
introduced a new generation of fans across the globe
to his music. Besides his solo career he was one of the
founding members of The Paragons.
Lots of Love and I is available as a limited edition of 750
individually numbered copies on orange coloured vinyl.

Legendary radiobroadcast from the Quiet Night in Chicago. A raw and grimy, yet very clear Marley's performance from his extensive US tour from 1975.

New Full-Album Mix By Stephen Marley Is Paired With Original 1978 Mix In A Stunning Anniversary Edition.

Recorded in London concurrently with the material that ultimately comprised 1977’s Exodus — a record proclaimed by Time Magazine in 1999 to be the Best Album of the 20th Century — Kaya is the perfect sonic-sibling bookend that shares all the joy, spirit, and literal DNA of some of Marley’s most groundbreaking material. Kaya contains a number of the most enduring, heartfelt songs in the entire Marley canon, including “Is This Love,” “Easy Skanking,” and “Sun Is Shining.”

Kaya was initially released just one month ahead of Bob Marley & The Wailers headlining the legendary One Love Peace Concert at The National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica on April 22, 1978, an event that featured 16 of reggae’s biggest acts. One Love Peace was heralded as Marley’s triumphant return to his native soil, following his long exile in London after having fled the country as a result of a December 1976 assassination attempt at his Kingston homestead.

The album was recorded with the then-new configuration of The Wailers that comprised brothers Carlton and Aston “Family Man” Barrett on drums and bass, Tyrone Downie on keyboards, Alvin “Seeco” Patterson on percussion, and the I Threes — Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths, and Judy Mowatt — on backing vocals, along with newest member Julian (Junior) Marvin on guitar. Two of Kaya’s songs had previously appeared in different arrangements on 1971’s Soul Revolution — the title track, and “Sun Is Shining.”

Stephen's goal in mixing Kaya 40 was to create a balance that drew heavily from the original versions. Using Bob’s vocals from demos from original Kaya sessions that were recorded at different tempos, Stephen synched the vocals with alternate takes and layered it over different instrumental arrangements. Stephen tried to keep the flavor as authentic as possible. To mix the album, he used a similar minimal approach, basing his version heavily off the classic analog concepts they used in the 1970s.