Classics/Ska Juno Download

FEATURED RELEASES

What a fantastic project we have here as French heavyweight soundsystem killers OBF deliver an outstanding 22 track album. There is no better way of describing this project as it encapsulates the full spectrum of modern reggae music, welcoming the likes of Charlie P, Irah, Killa P, Tippa Irie, Jah Mason, Biga Ranx and more to a fantastic track listing. Daddy Freddy & Junior Roy's marching masterpiece in 'My Sound' is an initial highlight, alongside the incredible vocal lines of Belen Natali & Sr. Wilson on 'Musica' and the rootsy orchestration of 'Rebell Daawtaz' alongside Aza Lineage. It's a project we have to recommend taking in on a long play session, just to soak up just how solid a project it is!

Lee "scratch" Perry

Lee "Scratch" Perry & Friends: Back To The Ark Upsetter

Eighty-four years strong, the original Upsetter Lee 'Scratch' Perry recuts some sleeping dubs, classics and obscure late-70s rhythms direct from his Black Ark Studio in Washington Gardens, Kingston, Jamaica. Featuring the likes of Dennis Bovell and Studio One's Vin Gordon amongst vocalists like Ashanti Roy, Sylford Walker, Highie Izachaar and Danny Red, you'll find original Lee Perry vocals in numbers like "Having A Party Tonight" to unheard dub versions of tracks like "Ruffer", "Cookie" and "Gwan This". Original dubs coming straight at ya for your summer 2020, like a mighty fine red wine.

Escape Roots

Pack Up And Run Nice Up!

There are quite a few reggae labels doing fantastic things at the moment, but the high quality levels of Nice Up! are near enough unrivalled at the moment, with this latest album release from the wonderful Escape Roots being a perfect example of that. The project as a whole is a perfect fusion of the old and new, the traditional and experimental, welcoming in a ridiculously strong list of collaborators including Tenor Youthman, Galak Spiritual, Parly B, Cian Fnin, George Palmer, Tom Spirals and more. The full track listing sees so many styles of reggae and dub music fused into one fabulous selection, with our favourites being the sneaky horn structures and colourful harmonies of 'Feel Good' alongside Skari, with the other being 'One Step At A Time', a masterclass in new school digi-dancehall featuring a top quality vocal assist from Black Warrior.

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Frenk Dublin

Cascade One EP Dub Communication

We have come to expect wonders from Frenk Dublic, a producer who continues to set the bar higher with every single release. This latest three track collection is a fabulous gift from the Dub Communication crew, seeing Frenk deploy a set of high energy dub-style weapons, kicking off with the jumpy chord designs and marching drum structures of 'Soundcraft', a tune we literally cannot wait to hear on a full blown system. Next, the title track 'Cascade One' arrives in style, again pulling ideas from Frenk's clear dub influences to create a sizzling piece of system mastery, driven by yet more creative percussive expression and distant melodica lines. Finally, 'Bluesky Dub' sees us really switch up the flavours with a much slower jig, allowing much more room for expansive basslines and floating delays to run riot. Yet another expertly crafted selection from the man of the moment!

Soul Clap & Sha-lor

Jussa Come (Explicit) Soul Clap US

Those who know their house history will remember Sha-Lor's Jump Street garage classic 'I'm In Love' from back in 1988, but now vocalist Lori Lava returns with daughter Ashanti Maynard in tow and teams up with the Soul Clap boys on a dancefloor workout that pays homage to her Caribbean roots. The House Mix brings MAW's 'Work' to mind and is accompanied by a Lil' T & Eli Soul Clap Dub, while Lonely C takes the track into straight-up soca territory, delivering vocal and instrumental passes with the drums front and centre. A track built for carnival season if ever we heard one!

Red Eye Hifi

Overproof Nice Up!

Following on from a very enjoyable run of releases, we are back inside the Nice Up! basecamp for their latest offering, welcoming the wonderful Red Eye Hifi in for a very special project indeed. The 'Overproof' album is an exceptional showcase of Red Eye's versatility within the system sound, fluctuating between high energy bashment bangers such as 'Serious' alongside Berry Blacc and 'Balance It' alongside XL Mad, to the more conscious sounds of 'I'm Good', again featuring Berry Black and this time of Chunky. It's a perfect album to take you from the pre-party, to the dance, to the afters, with a particular favourite being the rawcus designs of 'Kung Fu' alongside the highly energetic flows of Lady Ice.