Roots & Culture 20 Items

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.

Zed Bias has been a bass, dub and garage king since forever, but his star shows no signs of diminishing any time soon. For this one he has worked with Shumba Youth on a new single that finds him dipping into a world of dancehall and ragga. 'London Town' is heavy, with real bass weight, churning drums and fizzing digital synths under the superb bars from Shumba who muses on the state of London right now. Next to that are slithering leads and sci-fi pads to make for a fine future vibe. The acappella is served up on the flip for DJs who want to play.

For the next 12inch in the Lion’s Choice series we teamed up with Zulu Vibes from France for a rootikal treat prepared at their Alternative Corner Studio. It’s the manifestation of a unique musical meeting with the singer Prince Chamba and musician friends Macca Dread and Crucial Rob. First the uptempo ‘Judgement Time’ in a rockers fashion, followed by a more laid-back, melodious roots excursion, ‘Conscious Way’, on the flip. Of course each with a dub version. All transferred to 1/2inch tape and mastered with care by Star Delta.

Classic Wailers recordings done with Lee Perry early 70s. Tuff roots rhythms with early stripped down versions to later well known tracks such as "Sun Is Shining" "African Herbsman" "Keep On Moving" and many more.

Stick Figure's third full-length album, ''Smoke Stack.'' Written, recorded and self-produced by Scott Woodruff, this album truly showcases the musical growth of Stick Figure.

- ''Smoke Stack'' possesses all the elements that we have fallen for in previous albums, but this time around Stick Figure has amplified the sound to give us 14 new smoking tracks to keep our mind in motion and the positive energy flowing.

- One of the top five selling and streaming reggae artists in America.

Known by reggae fans worldwide as an original sound system toaster, Micah Williams professionally known as Mr Williamz is a Reggae/Dancehall artist born in London before being moved to Jamaica by his father aged six. By age ten, he was already MC’ing and winning local competitions – such was the culture in Jamaica. At 15, he returned ‘home’ to London ready to take on the world. With single releases on both Necessary Mayhem and Greensleeves Records, Williamz authentic sound is heavily inspired by the Dancehall style of the 80s/90s and truly channels the sound of Jamaica through a familiar London lens. In demand as an artist, he appears features on tracks from Major Lazer, Shy FX, Mungos Hi-Fi, and Green Lion Crew to name but a few. He has also recorded and performed globally with the lines of Chronixx, Damian Marley, Hollow Point, Gappy Ranks and more. Despite all the features, Williamz has kept fans waiting for his debut album… but they need wait more as ‘2021’ brings about the release of ‘Soundkiller Mindset’ and ahead of that a super ltd double A-side.

Wonderful album. Previously released on CD within the Paris DJs Reggae Boxset, this album is now re-mixed and re-mastered by Grant Phabao. Gem!

Four years ago, Liam Bailey visited NYC from his hometown of Nottingham, England to write and record songs with Truth & Soul (Jeff Silverman & Leon Michels), that could help secure him the ever elusive major label deal. Shortly after the group met, an instant chemistry led to a series of reggae and soul songs that have been long-time favorites at T&S headquarters. Soon after his visit, Liam Bailey signed to Polydor Records. This is the first 45 from an upcoming series of Liam Bailey singles on Truth & Soul.

Rhythm = 'Jacob Miller - False Rasta Aka Matches Lane'

Your opportunity to get this at HHV now. If you want it, order it. We will only stock this if you pre-order it. After your order it will be in stock within 2 weeks.

Recorded in the 1982. Roots Radics backing in a dancehall style with the drums and bass of style scott and errol flabba holt on extended 12" mixes. Produced by Jah Thomas at Channel One Studio.

The ‘3000 Volts of Holt’ album was the third in a series of records that launched John Holt into the UK charts in the 1970’s. To say that every home had a copy of a 1000 Volts and many 2000 Volts of Holt might be an overstatement but it certainly felt that way, as all good radio stations and parties seemed to have these tracks on permanent rotation.’3000 Volts of Holt’ was the more roots sounding of the three albums but still carried that sweetened string sound that set these recordings together.

Anyone with a passing interest in music will have heard Bob Marley but anyone with a little more than a passing interest will be familiar with Lee Perry also known as ‘Scratch’ or ‘The Upsetter’. Now better known as a ’performance artist’ his antics and acrobatics on the international festival circuit have gained him a committed following eager to see what Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, now in his eighties, will dare to get up to next. However, throughout the sixties and seventies Scratch was the production genius behind some of the greatest, most complex, and seriously experimental music to ever come out of Jamaica… or anywhere else for that matter. He has made an indelible, incredible contribution to the development of reggae music as a producer, arranger, writer and (occasionally) singer and has been the inspiration behind innumerable developments in the genre In 1968 Scratch’s production of ‘Tighten Up’ with The Untouchables gave the name to Trojan Records’ hugely popular series of albums which were instrumental in crossing over the sound of real reggae to the mainstream audience. The following year the scintillating Upsetters instrumental Return Of Django reached Number Five in the UK National Charts.
His work with Bob Marley & The Wailers in the early seventies, rated by many cognoscenti as the trio’s strongest recordings, emphasised the deeper roots elements in their music and, paradoxically, paved the way for Bob Marley’s commercial crossover success later in the decade. His collaborations with King Tubby in 1973 culminated in ‘Upsetters 14 Dub Black Board Jungle’, one of the very first and perhaps the best ever dub album. Scratch’s production of Susan Cadogan’s interpretation of Millie Jackson’s version of Katie Love’s It Hurts So Good reached Number Four in the UK National Charts in 1975… the list goes on. ‘Genius’ is a much abused term too often used to describe the most mediocre of talents but Lee Perry is, beyond question, a genuine genius.
A renewed deal with Island Records in 1976 to release his productions internationally gave worldwide, high profile exposure to a number of albums emanating from Scratch’s legendary Black Ark studio. These included one of the most important and influential recordings in the complicated and convoluted history of Jamaican music, ranked by many as the greatest set Perry cut with a solo vocalist, George Faith’s ‘To Be A Lover’.

Get On Down presents an often overlooked crucial reggae release from the 1970s with Johnny Clarke’s “Rockers Time Now.” The record is a mix of covers and originals, including ethereal versions of the The Abyssinians “Satta Massagana” and “Declaration of Rights,” smash hits on the island just the year before. “Rockers Time Now” was first issued in 1976, Clarke had just been named artist of the year in Jamaica for the second year in a row. This is just one of three full lengths he released that year as this was a very prolific period for Clarke, in particular from 1974 onward when his output was directed by legendary producer Bunny Lee. The pairing resulted in a creative energy that resonates to this day. The release was recorded at Channel 1 with Bunny Lee producing, which of course means the band backing the popular Jamaican vocalist was The Aggrovators, which at the time included Robbie Shakespeare, Earl ""Chinna"" Smith, Augustus Pablo, and Aston “Family Man” Barrett. The release was mixed at King Tubby’s by Osbourne Ruddock…aka King Tubby. Crucial all the way around. Now is the time to rediscover a classic of the genre, “Rockers Time Now”.