Juno Recommends Reggae Classics Best of 2019

Review: Athens of the North have turned their attention to a very special series of roots and lovers tunes that have been put together with the help of several different people in the scene. This one is a reissue of Al Charles' take on the Gap Band's "Outstanding". It's a swaggering number with extra bass weight layered in beneath the soaring vocal and some lush future-retro chord work. The dub is a more playful affair filled with space and time bending effects and laden with echo. Brilliant work as ever from this Scottish label.

Review: From their base all the way up in Edinburgh, Athens Of The North have single handedly reintroduced a whole world of amazing soul, funk and disco sounds over the last few years. Some are well known classics that have been long out of print, some are gems that were missed first time round. Next up is a one sided ska 7" from Sonia that has been remastered and reissued for the first time since its original release. A firm favourite with roots lovers, this version of "Easier To Love" got a play by Floating Points on his NTS show and so immediately soared in popularity, and it's easy to see why.

Review: It's back to 1988 as Athens Of The North reissues the impossibly good "Back Together Again" from Jean & Trevor, a golden lovers rock classic that is actually a cover version of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway's original. It's a gorgeously hazy cut with some pretty advanced-at-the-time synths and effects on top of an organic rhythm section and sliding guitar work. IMF Players then offer up "Dub Again" on the flip which delves deeper into dub science with equally compelling results.

Review: Studio One have put out plenty of big tunes and this is the latest to get a big reissue on a super loud-cut 12" single for extra devastating impact. It's a well-known classic every self-respecting reggae fan should know and blows up any party, especially when tweaked like these two versions. They were originally produced by Studio One bossman Coxsone Dodd and have been covered by The Clash as well as sampled by The Fugees and hip hop MC KRS One. The snaking lead synth, the rumbling drums and classic ska trumpet are all straight up irresistible.

Review: "Fever" is one of Horace Andy's biggest hits. Amazingly, it has never been given its own release so Studio One has done the right thing and put it out on a super loud 12" for the first time. It first landed way back in 1973 before Andy rose to contemporary fame appearing with Massive Attack on five of their albums, but still hits hard. The lush vocals sit well in the swinging drums and bass, and makes it a sure fire dance floor destroyer that won't hang around. Comes accompanied with a Cedric "Im" Brooks instrumental version on the flip.

Review: Alton Ellis' "I'm Still In Love" is one of Jamaica's most famous songs. It has a rich history, too, that was the inspiration for Althea and Donna's 1997 smash "Uptown Top Ranking" and here it gets a loud-cut 12" pressing that allows it to soar. It's a track full of longing, with dusty keys and a natty bassline finished off with gorgeous vocals. The flipside houses the Soul Vendors' "Just A Bit Of Soul" featuring Jackie Mittoo. It's a more upbeat ditty with bumpier drums and jazz flecked keys to get you grooving.

Review: Renowned studio wizard Prince Fatty finally follows 2015's "The Clone Theory" album with a second studio long player jam packed with heavy dubs and top notch guests. "In The Viper's Shadow" is a real hotlist of dub kingpins with the likes of Tippa Irie, George Dekker, Earl 16 and Horseman all contributing to a melting pot of sounds that spans multiple eras and influences. Many of these tracks have been popular during Prince Fatty's live shows over the last couple of years, from the soul infused cover of the Temptations' "Get Ready" to the sun kissed and lumpy drums and endless reverb of "Everything Crash". Timeless stuff.

Review: Trojan have pulled together some of reggae's finest moments here, and importantly they come from some of the genre's most vital female talents, who can often be overlooked in favour of their more visible male counterparts. Across four sides of vinyl the likes of Millie Small, Althea & Donna, Marcia Griffiths, Phyllis Dillon, and Susan Cadogan all deservingly feature and personal sleeve notes from musician Rhoda Dakar also add real value. Big hits, unknown rarities and some brilliantly wonky numbers like Sandra Robinson's "Sensi For Sale" make this an instant NEED!

Review: An essential addition to any dub lover's racks, this new Pressure Sounds collection spans the career of venerated Jamaican Bunny "Striker" Lee from the late 70s to mid-eighties. Across two heavy slabs of wax it takes on rarities such as The Paragons' obscure "A Place Called Zion", as well as more notable classics (Don Carlos & Papa Tullo's "Lazer Beam (Nuff Stylee)) and some nicely extended 12" mixes featuring DJ verses by Devon Edwards, Simple Simon and others that showcase the excitement, experimentation and raw energy of this transformative period of Jamaican music. Well worth a pickup for new listeners and those already familiar with Mr. Lee's transformative rub a dub work.