Only Roots 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Start your year off in perfectly horizontal fashion with this welcome reissue of Augustus Pablo's classic "East Of The River Nile" from 1977. The purely instrumental album spotlights Pablo's famous ability on the melodica, as well as various other retro keyboards that dazzle and shine over the earthy reggae rhythms. The Jamaican called in high profile guests like Bob Marley's backing band The Wailers to help lay down these grooves, and both King Tubby and Lee "Scratch" Perry were involved in the mixing. As such, it's a truly heavyweight offering that should be part of any self-respecting reggae lover's collection.

Review: Only Roots Records continues to delve into the bulging vaults of Randy's Records, an imprint set up by producer Vincent Chin. He's naturally at the controls on this two-tracker by long-serving Jamaican vocal group the Gaylads. Both cuts date from 1970, though for one reason or another they were never given a commercial release. A-side 'Wha Sha Do Now' is a sweet rocksteady number in which the group's harmonic, rhythm & blues-influenced vocals rise above a fine rhythm rich in Hammond organ and deep bass. Arguably even better is flipside 'I Love The Reggae', a fuzzier and more up-tempo celebration of reggae culture that has all the makings of a future scene anthem.

Review: This laid-back dub 45 offers a seamless blend of positive vibes and deep rhythms. Side-1 features a classic reggae track with a powerful, uplifting message of unity. Mundell's smooth vocals are complemented by a steady, groovy rhythm that captures the essence of roots reggae. Side-2 takes the message to a more instrumental and dub-infused space, with the track being heavily dubbed out, showcasing intricate rhythms, echo effects and atmospheric layers. The dub version allows the music to breathe, emphasizing its meditative and expansive qualities. A perfect pairing for dub and reggae enthusiasts.

Review: Melodica maestro Augustus Pablo released a number of influential albums during a golden period in the 1970s, though little quite as ground-breaking and far-sighted as 1976's "King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown". Mixed by King Tubby, it was one of the first great dub albums and is still one of the finest examples of the stripped-back, rhythm-heavy style around. If you don't already own a copy, we'd heartily recommend picking up this reissue. Musically, the tracks sound as warm, weighty and spacious as ever - all heavy Robbie Shakespear/Family Man Barrett bass, idiosyncratic drumming and killer melodica/Clavinet/organ action from Pablo - while the screen-printed artwork is a delight.

Review: Melodica maestro Augustus Pablo released a number of influential albums during a golden period in the 1970s, though little quite as ground-breaking and far-sighted as 1976's "King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown". Mixed by King Tubby, it was one of the first great dub albums and is still one of the finest examples of the stripped-back, rhythm-heavy style around. If you don't already own a copy, we'd heartily recommend picking up this reissue. Musically, the tracks sound as warm, weighty and spacious as ever - all heavy Robbie Shakespear/Family Man Barrett bass, idiosyncratic drumming and killer melodica/Clavinet/organ action from Pablo.

Review: This little 45 is a brilliant dub release that showcases his mastery of the genre. Side-1 features 'Thunder Clapp', a smooth and atmospheric dub version of Bill Withers' 'Ain't No Sunshine'. The track oozes laid-back, reggae-inspired vibes, with Pablo's signature melodica adding depth to the mix. On Side-2, 'Lightning Clapp' takes things up a notch, delivering a tripped-out, raw dub version of the first track. It's a true dub lover's dream, with intricate echo effects, spacey atmospheres and experimental rhythms that push the boundaries of the genre. If you appreciate classic dub experimentation or unique cover versions, check this out.

Review: Any real reggae fans will be familiar with the work of Delroy Williams. He was very active throughout the 1970s, 1980s and on into the 90s and this month has a few reissues dropping. This one comes on Only Roots and features his loving and loving 'Hear Say' on the a-side. It's got a languid and loose low end and is pure sunshine music. On the flip is Revolutionaries with 'Hear Say' (dub) which dials back the vocal and adds plenty of studio effects.