Juno Recommends Roots / Lovers Rock September 2020

Review: Al Campbell and Trinity's "Respect" is now available on 12" for the first time thanks Greensleeves. Campbell provides the vocal work, which is aloof and detached on "respect", with dreamy trumpets somewhere off in the distance as the rhythm section rolls on with real warmth. Trinity's production is fully on point throughout. The flip is more direct, with heavier beats and more reverb underlining the crisp Al Campbell, and it also features an exclusive dub mix of the same tune that is scorching hot and carries serious weight.

Review: Room in the Key hits cat number 150 with Earl Sixteen & The Inn House Crew coming together on this big new rhythm. Earl "Sixteen" Daley has been doing his do since way back when, and has worked with masters like Lee Scratch Perry. Here he serves up a tale of lockdown and cries to be free, with digital effects and clean, pristine synths lifting spirits next to an upbeat groove. Of course, a dub is include don the flip with extra guitar riffs and natty chords all helping to colour the airwaves.

Review: Roll up, roll up, because here comes a fantastic new roots steppers from The Inn House Crew. The acclaimed instrumentalists and dub connoisseurs here link up with Japanese saxophonist Megumi Mesaku, as well as MC Was Ranger. "Message In The Music" is a happy dub with neon chords and a bright, sunny disposition that is accompanied by Ranger's complex delivery. On the flip, some prog guitars are layered into "The Uproar Riddim" dub. Both tunes are classy bits of lovers rock with a nice futuristic edge that makes them all the more fresh.

Review: Toots & The Maytals have long been known as reggae pioneers with a fine discography that dates back to the 60s and the band's first incarnation. But now, founding member Frederick "Toots" Hibbert proves he still very much has it with a new album filled with their first original material in a decade. Having broadened the horizons of reggae over the years, that mission continues here with rock-licked tunes like "Three Little Birds" (feat Ziggy Marley) and more big band tackle such as "Having A Party". The vocals touch on a wide range of subjects and the rhythms are just as compelling as ever, making this a fine return.

Review: Youthsayers is a collective of talented artist from South London - and here they step up to the plate with what is a superb rework of Sam Cooke's classic protest song, "A Change Is Gonna Come." Plenty has been done to all aspects of the track, from the great horn section to the bubbling rhythm section. The vocal is reggae to its core, but with all the soul needed to really connect. This tune suggest they will be big stars of the future and are certainly an outfit to watch. Amazingly, the whole thing was recorded individually at home during lockdown.

Review: 
Hardcore steppers crew unite: King Alpha and Fikir Amlak come together for a big one here that features the rib-rattling "Lalibela" on the A-side. It's got steel plated drums and deadly bass, as well as plenty of swagger and brightly lit synths. The vocal toasts add further weight and a touch of exotica, while two dub versions pare things back to the core and crucial elements. "Addis Ababa" is a more freaky cut with modern effects and twisted synths adding elements of industrialism. Two more dubs take the tune in more summery, airy directions, and both are utterly essential.