Review: CASQUIAT's ability to balance heavy, floor-filling beats with thoughtful, experimental layers is on full show in this new 7" from DATUM. The two cuts push the boundaries of hip-hop and bring in a raw electronic edge. 'The Stopper' is a high-energy cut that collides skittering percussion and intricate rhythms to make for an intense yet hypnotic club vibe. In contrast, OG Ranks takes a deeper, more introspective route with moody undertones, spacious production, and a sharp focus on atmospheric tension. They make for a fine yin and yang and cannot fail to make their mark in the club.
Soundboy Killa (feat Natty Campbell - The Allergies remix)
Jump On It (feat Top Cat - Guadi & Don Letts dub remix)
Review: The proverbial 'Soundboy Killa' is an enduring trope in soundsystem culture at large, referring to the apparently inherent enmity and villainy of the turntablist. Said to have originated in the days of system clashes, the assassin in question presumably refers to the opposing MC, whose barraging verbiage may pack enough semiotic punch to K.O. the opposition through mere utterances alone. Here Natty Campbell and the Freestylers pay tribute to the theme as progeny of the 90s big beat scene; having come up in the age of Fatboy Slim and Chemical Brothers, the supergroup first faced off in a whirl of tricky dub and armour-plated cold cuttage, dispatching two honorary tracks in the style of each artists' respective greatest scene-hitters: Dub Pistols' 'Cyclone' and Freestylers' 'Roughneck'. Now 'Soundboy Killa' and 'Jump On It' in turn hear a remix from Allergies and Guadi & Don Letts, the latter of which is especially experimental in its use of a peaky, 2-step shuffle.
Review: Prince Fatty makes a triumphant return with the Artikal Intelligence LP, recorded alongside The Supersized Band in South London. The album boasts 10 tracks spread across two sides, featuring an impressive lineup of vocalists including Cornell Campbell, Big Youth, Marcia Griffiths, Earl 16, Winston Francis, Omar, Shniece, Nina Miranda, Horseman, and Fatlip. With a stellar cast, heavy low ends you would expect and plenty of infectious energy, this album demands to be played loud and promises to captivate with its blend of reggae, soul, and inventive rhythms.
Review: After racking up millions of streams for hits like 'Jump Up Pon It' and 'Heal Them', Brother Culture is now a reggae and dub icon having been a key figure in the UK scene for decades. His powerful voice and conscious lyrics have earned him a deserving global recognition and now he teams up with Swiss reggae masters The 18th Parallel for 'Ghetto Man,' a hard-hitting anthem of resilience and justice. Their deep roots sound, combined with Brother Culture's commanding delivery, makes for an electrifying track and on the flip, Paolo Baldini DubFiles adds his signature dub touch, making this a sound system anthem that speaks to struggles and strength worldwide.
Review: South London reggae mainstay Keith Lawrence dropped duties one back in the early 2020s and it soon became a mini classic on the circuit, which is why it now reappears on a nice coloured 45rpm. 'Dem Too Bad Mind' features vocals from Tippa Irie and rides on a classically-inclined reggae low end with natty chords bringing the colour. On the flip is 'Lion From Brixton Riddim' which rolls a little more smooth but has plenty of vinyl crackle and lo-fi aesthetics adding and aged an authentic feel to the dub.
Review: Mastermind Computer Style is a collection of ten unreleased digi riddims from Copenhagen's Maffi crew, reimagined in 3D by Disrupt for 2024. Named after a key Firehouse mixtape series, this album features raw, minimalist tracks created in Propellerhead Reason between 2006 and 2009. Many of these beats were staples of early Jahtari live shows but have never appeared on vinyl before. Highlights include the synth-driven 'Morkt Igen' and 'Another Lara,' a Disco Dub version of Evelyn King's 'I'm in Love,' along with unique tracks like 'Skudduel' and 'Jon Jovi,' a twist on Solo Banton's 'Talk To Me.' This album offers a nostalgic yet futuristic cyber dancehall experience.
Review: The iconic Late Night Tales series scored a real doozy when they managed to lock in Don Letts for for his instalment. The British film director, DJ and musician is a vital part of the UK's musical fabric from his days making videos for The Clash and Elvis Costello to his work with the Big Audio Dynamite band he co-founded. All that history is distilled into this sublime selection of sounds across four vital sounds fo wax. There's reggae, dub, ska, a cover of Joy Division, head twisting goodness from Gentleman's Dub Club and plenty of exclusives. It's an essential listen, basically.
Review: Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist Kabaka Pyramid combines conscious lyrics with a versatility that has more than justified his de facto membership of the nascent reggae revival movement, also including artists like Protoje, Chronixx and Jesse Royal. Here comes The Kalling, his second album, charting collabs with some of the best names in his chosen field - such as Damian Marley, Stephen Marley, Buju Banton, Protoje and Jesse Royal. The album is a mixture of inspirational and hard-hitting experiences, and equally socially conscious tracks, namely the title track and 'The Kalling' and 'Kontraband Pt. 2'.
I Like It (feat Jasmine Kara - 2022 Remaster) (4:33)
I Like It (dub version) (4:32)
Review: First released back in 2019, Slowly's 'I Like It' has long been one of the Japanese crew's most sought-after singles, in part because it offers a near perfect blend of colourful synth-boogie and sumptuous lovers rock. Helpfully, Flower Records has decided to reissue it, once again presenting it on a lovely pink vinyl 45. The A-side vocal version, featuring the sweet, late '70s Michael Jackson style vocals of Jasmine Kara, is simply terrific: soulful, jaunty, toe-tapping, vibrant and underpinned by a punchy, weighty digital-reggae 'riddim'. Turn to the flip for the killer 'Dub' mix, a more skeletal, sub-heavy affair that adds echoing vocal snippets and delay-laden instrumental elements to a toughened-up rhythm track. In a word: essential.
Review: The still-aptly entitled 'Money Run Tings' is a sought-after classic from East London's King General and Bush Chemists that was originally released in 1996. The original Conscious Sounds 7" has been out of print for nearly 30 years but is now getting a much-anticipated reissue. This version comes with a previously unreleased dub version that offers a fresh take on the standout London dancehall track. Produced by The Bush Chemists in the mid-'90s, it remains a top-tier example of the genre with its stepping beats and stylised vocals still sounding futuristic 30 years on.
Review: As the name of the label well represents, Rasta Vibez out of Holland brings, well, rasta vibes to jungle sounds. The eponymous production outfit steps up here with more highly potent bangers designed surely for the beefiest sound systems to turn up loud and proud this summer. 'Greetings' is both energetic but fun, with wild ragga vocals unfolding at hyper-speed over the tough metal breaks. Flip over this rather nice transparent green 10" and you'll find 'Bam Bam The Alarm' complete with rinsing drum loops, naughty synth explosions and more ragga vocals that will blow up any spot.
Dean Fraser & Robert "Dubwise" Browne - "Mister Magic" (4:28)
Review: Here's a proper genre fusion for the dancehall heads. On his latest reissue, Robert 'Dubwise' Browne testifies to over 20 years of hitmaking with a standalone 7" edition of his remix of Ramsey Lewis' 'Sun Goddess', first released on Vortex in 2023. Whereas Lewis' original 70s funk version is a sweet and sunkissed headboard-licker with a simple backbeat, Browne prefers to cant things dubwise, swapping the aforementioned out for a phat dotted stomp. Clock the new pairing with Browne's version of Grover Washington's jazz-funk classic 'Mister Magic'.
Review: Polish dub home-brewers Moonshine Recordings have commissioned an exceptional new release here from Bukkha, Dubbing Sun and Burro Banton; 'A1 Sound' really is more than worthy of its pronounced place at the top of the list, thanks to its unique fusion of heavyweight steppers dub production and a hardcore, doubletime beat worthy of any warehouse rave. The track bares an unusual push-pull, and it seamlessly introduces the A3 jungle mix too, whose tempo and pace matches the first two versions' dragged weightiness. But here it's all three artists' productive synergies that shine, the original mix flaunting a restlessly fickle fencing between hardcore techno, brusque rap-jaying and nu system dub, never totally settling on either sound.
Review: Irie Ites is a French label that is back with two more reggae heavyweights and frequent musical sparring partners in the form of Eek-A-Mouse and King Kong. They tackle a relic of the 'Murderer/Hot Milk' rhythm, a production that will take you back to the 80s reggae sound in an instant. 'Musical Ambassador' comes first and is a happy-go-lucky sound with some slow, dubby drums and lazy hits as well as stylised vocals, while the flip from King Kong, 'Money Could A Buy' fleshes it out with more reverb and natty guitar riffs that hang in the air above the cavernous low end.
Review: French label Irie Ites has been busy of late and has put together a great bunch of new versions of classic reggae rhythms and pressed them all up to 45 rpm. This one takes the form of a brand new roots vocal cut over the classic 'Murderer/Hot Milk' rhythm with an instrumental version on the flip from the legendary backing band The Roots Radics. Their take is a more heady and carefully reduced one that allows the rich drums and bass to roll endlessly and hypnotise as they go.
Yeyo Perez - "King Inna Di Ring" (riddim version) (2:44)
Yeyo Perez & Coronel Brown - "Burning In Flames" (3:55)
Yeyo Perez & Coronel Brown - "King Inna Di Ring" (Sax Versiion) (3:32)
Yeyo Perez & Coronel Brown - "King Inna Di Ring" (riddim version) (3:55)
Review: Cool Up Records's latest 12" maxi single features Spanish vocalist Yeyo Perez on two dynamic tracks, each presented in dual versions. 'King inna di Ring' and 'Burning in Flames' is fresh digital reggae that pays homage to traditional Jamaican MCs while infusing authentic new school style. The A-side showcases Perez's commanding vocals over a bass-driven groove, which is reminiscent of classic reggae clashes. Powered by the Casio MT-40 keyboard, it embodies the signature digital-dub sound and on the B-side, 'Burning in Flames' introduces Coronel Brown's smooth chorus, blending lovers' rock with Perez's rugged delivery. Crafted with dub and riddim variations, alongside rich instrumentation, this release exemplifies Cool Up's production prowess.
Review: This all-time classic mid-80s dancehall delight from Tenor Saw is now available on a loud and crisp 12" vinyl. The A-side features the iconic track 'Golden Hen' with its bright synth work and driving rhythms, while the B-side boasts a wicked dub version from Goran Played. In their hands the bassline's truly powerful and deadly impact is turned up to 11 and demands to be played nice and loud on a proper system. This certified banger is a must-have for any dancehall lover and it very much captures the essence of the era.
Review: Jahlin was not only a talented singer and songwriter but was also someone who made music with a strong message. He got his education in Canada after moving there in 1975 following his younger days in amid and after booming a welder - which seems a popular first career choice for eventual reggae stars as Bob Marley took a similar path - he pursued his musical career. His 'Roots Reality' is as the title suggests a roots reggae song from the Roots Reality label in 1983. It has a positive vibe and the rather rare addition of a violin which is not so often heard in reggae tunes.
Review: The newly formed Dreadlionsmusic label out of Austria debuts here with a fresh EP featuring the eponymous producer Dreadlionsmusic. They take charge of two tunes - the first features the mic work of Fitta Warri on 'Full Control' which has fleshy drums wobbling backwards and forwards and natty dub vocals with some fresh and futuristic synth work next to classic chords. Dreadlionsmusic then offers up a dub take, as they also do of the second tune 'Heart & Soul'. The original is another bit of well-made dub steeped in tradition but with fresh production bringing it right up to date.
Review: Japanese reggae/dancehall artist Boogie Man embarked on a career in the early 90s, inspired by the prospect of filling an unfilled niche: adding humorous and bombastic lyrics to an internationally renowned genre he loved. The track 'Pachinco Man' is a tribute to pachinko, a popular arcade game in Japan that involves shooting metal balls into a machine. Much like the ballistics of such an unforgettable arcade fixture, the track flaunts Boogie Man's energetic vocals over an upbeat dancehall riddim, emphasising positivity and humour. Specialist Japanese dancehall like this is a great boon for the label Rhythm Discs!, who are now embarking on a full scouring and reissuing of the scene's best contributions.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.