Roots & Culture Vinyl 7 Inch Sale 145 Items

2021 press

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One from three killer top shelf pieces of late '80s singjay style, reissued for the first time ever in the original '87 mixes, from master tapes.

"One of a pair of absolute killer late '80s singjay reality tunes, originally released back to back on one notoriously rare 12 inch. Despite being from '87 these tunes have a wicked mid 80s style "live digital" sound with a band on the rhythm. These tunes were produced in Jamaica by Delroy Francis for his Claypot imprint. Delroy is better known as the producer behind the Park Heights label and record shop, one of Brooklyn's foundational players in the record biz. This batch of releases kicks off a long planned program of Park Heights productions, featuring as always rarities and previously unreleased tunes. These Nuthead tracks are recut from the mixdown master tape, the original '87 mixes for maximum pressure; a previous reissue of these tunes from a decade ago featured new mixes done at that time."

A cover of Heatwave's moist mellow soul with a euphoric arrangement. Cassandra's slightly mature and languid voice is also irresistible. The flip side is a cover of "Why", a well-known masterpiece from the early days of Beres Hammond. Harold Butler's soulful reggae is sublimated into a wonderful lovers' rock.

This killer double sider is the first release of the stunning “Bookie Man - What’s Wrong With You”. It was previously released as a blank label only in 1968 and was wrongly credited to The Bleechers. On the B side, “Bookie Man” is a completely different song,and it is a rare and brilliant track in its own right. It is also the first time the two “Bookie Man” songs are featured together on a 7inch.

This is the first re-release on 7inch vinyl single of the super rare killer single by The Pioneers released in 1968 on Amalgamated Records in Jamaica and on Doctor Bird in the U.K. that same year.

Attention: This is a special limited edition - strictly limited to 500 copies - one release only.

About THE Bleechers

The Bleechers (Leo Graham, Wesley Martin, and a third singer known only as Sammy) were a Jamaican harmony trio who formed around 1968, when they performed some studio work for producer J.J. Johnson. The Bleechers are better known though, for a series of outstanding singles they recorded with famed producer Lee "Scratch" Perry a year later, including the ultra-rare smash hit "Come Into My Parlour" and the brilliant "Check Him Out", both featured on this EP. Sadly no album was ever completed. Surprisingly, the Bleechers are also famous for tracks they did not do but got credited for… The 1968 incredible “What’s Wrong With You”, their first track on an Upsetter blank is actually not performed by them at all but by the Race Fans!!! And the 1969 “Pound Get A blow” also on an Upsetter blank is in fact a song by The Soul Twins. A well-known and explicit track by The Bleechers is the shocking “Ram You Hard” released on the Pama ‘s Punch sublabel in 1969 under the incredible name John Lennon & The Bleechers, where they explicitly describe what's about to happen to a poor young lady: "I ram you hard/To make you feel alright," says the main line repeatedly… Risqué indeed! Even with these few standout tracks, the band lacked any proper recognition at the time. After disbanding, Leo Graham carried on recording for Lee Scratch Perry as a singer and he wrote a handful of great songs such as the lovely “Want A Wine” in 1972 and the amazing “Black Candle” in 1973. Finally, another track Graham recorded for Perry "Voodooism” gave its name to an anthology of Perry-produced Black Ark rarities some 30 years later…

About This Exceptional Release

These two outstanding tracks were released separately on the Upsetter label in 1969: first “Come Into My Parlour” on TMX 202, followed by “Check Him Out on TMX 330. Lee Scratch Perry wrote and produced both songs. “Come Into My Parlour” was also featured on the Trojan’s Tighten Up volume 2 LP that year also!

“Come Into My Parlour” has never been repressed since. It is impossible to find in good conditions and is in great demand.

One of Rudy Thomas’ few roots tunes. The Kingston born singer was better acquainted with softer lovers material than this lament for Paul Bogle, the Jamaican nationalist and leader of the Morant Bay rebellion. A lovely tune, with a flute nagging away, giving the song an unusual feel. Rudy Thomas worked at Joe Gibbs’ studio as an engineer and percussionist, before moving on to a successful career as a lover’s rock artist. Produced by Lloyd Parks and comes in a hand stamped bag.

Originally released in 1976

A cover of Ollie Baba's song, which appeared only on Sonia Ferguson's only album, "Magic Lady" (1980). It is a pure and healthy love song. The flip side is a Smokey Robinson classic that everyone knows, backed by the iron-clad rhythm section of Sly & Robbie, and is one of the biggest hits of the UK Lovers Rock era.

A mellow stepper lovers cover of T.I.M.E's soulful reggae classic. The album version is a different take from the one released as a single at the time. The reverse side is a great lovers rock song with a heavy one-drop backed by One Blood!!

This is a gem of a Chicago soul masterpiece by Barbara Acklin, faithful to the original, but sublimated into a superb lovers' rock with tough drum & bass. On the flip side is a refreshing number by Charisma. The ear-catching phrase, reminiscent of Young-Holt Unlimited's "Soulful Strut," is impressive.

Mallory Williams (son of Jamaican pianist and band leader, Luther Williams), a celebrated musician, singer, arranger, and producer, launched his musical journey in 1976 as a keyboard player in various bands within Jamaica's vibrant tourism industry. Along his path, he performed and toured with prestigious groups like Jimmy Cliff's Oneness Band and also We The People Band, providing backing for countless Jamaican artists.

In 1985, during the reggae's digital revolution, Mallory Williams collaborated with Tony DaCosta (from Skatalites fame) and his group the Tony DaCosta Affair (tda), to craft the remarkable single "Yu Saaf." This release not only showcases DaCosta's impressive vocal range but also highlights Mallory's instrumental talent, which incorporates a pioneering proto-digital rhythm. We are thrilled to announce that the 7" reissue of this single will be released back again on Mallory's original 'now' imprint. "Yu Saaf," which translates to "You're Soft" is a pure sound business! It not only serves as a testament to Mallory's production skills but also possesses the power to silence any selectors.

Finally here, the first release in our long planned Parish label reissue program. Students of late '80s digital reggae know that Edgar Whyte's Parish label is one of the finest labels of the period, issuing many singles and albums, with a unique selection of artists and a bunch of killer original rhythms. We've been working on this program a long time and are very pleased it's finally here. There will be a killer selection of reissue and previously unreleased tunes coming in 2024, all from master tapes. We figured it's only fitting to start off with what is likely the most in demand Parish single for '80s digital collectors, and from one of the label's signature artists. Everton Chambers' "This Love of Mine" came out in 1988 and is extremely tough to find, a ruff piece of stepping digital, even favored for play by the late great Jah Shaka.

Picturedisc, ltd. 500 copies

Part of a new series of reissues produced by the great Lloyd "Bullwackie" Barnes!'No equal..' awesome tune backed by an incredible dub featuring what sounds like infinite echo.

Check out this disco Reggae material Carlos Morgan from around 1981!

Hippy Boys member Jackson Jones recorded this in Toronto, the singer was 12-year old Little Carlos (aka Carlos Morgan). Funky Reggae do over of the Jackson’s disco classic.

Record Store Day 2020 Release.

Earth Feel It is a reggae 45 collector’s dream, a deluxe 7 x 7-inch vinyl box set of deep cuts, rarities, and previously unreleased recordings from (Producer) Fatis Burrell’s iconic reggae and dancehall label Xterminator. Xterminator is the label that launched the careers of Luciano, Sizzla, and Turbulence, among others. The collection, which spans 1993-2009, was drawn in part from XTM. Nation’s two-volume digital releases, Fatis Tapes In The Oven Vols. 1 and 2; from unissued recordings in the VP Records archives; and also includes several deep cuts not previously available on the 7-inch format. This set is compiled by vinyl specialist DJ Carter Van Pelt, curator of VP’s acclaimed Down In Jamaica 40-year retrospective box set. The deluxe album package was hand illustrated by Costantinos Pissourious and includes a 14-inch by 14-inch poster of the original cover art and liner notes.