Wackie's US 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Here's a precious reissue of a 12" single by Abbashantie (not to be confused with UK sound system giant Aba Shanti) and Neville & Jerry. Both were Jamaican reggae vocal duos who recorded for Wackie's, a still-going-strong US label and studio founded by Lloyd Barnes aka Wackie's or Bullwackie. The single was originally released in 1980 and features two utter groundshakers: 'Break Down The Walls' by Abbashantie and 'Abbashantie Rock' (with Wackie's Rhythm Force).

Review: Milton Henry was a key figure at Wackie's in the early 80s and he left behind a legacy anchored by his acclaimed album Who Do You Think I Am?. Now, a long-overdue single release celebrates his work anew for both those who have always known and fresher ears keen to get a taste of his early authenticity. The A-side features a standout track from the album in its previously unreleased single mix and it is paired with a never-before-heard dub version. On the B-side, a fresh 2024 remix of Henry's mid-80s tune 'Make It Right' makes its mark, having originally featured on the Digital Dawn compilation. Wackie's producer Lloyd Barnes revisited the track and added a powerful horn line from Jerry Johnson, who also shines in the instrumental dub that follows.

Review: Veteran Wackie's artist and reggae don Coozie Mellers returns with a fresh ten-track long player that bridges the label's deep roots heritage with modern reggae sensibilities. It blends crisp digital rhythms with heartfelt lovers' rock and roots textures and features the standout track 'You Move', which was previously released as a 10" single in 2015. Mellers' vocals are beautifully soulful and glide over the smart dubwise arrangements and bring a mix of both warmth and grit, with jams like 'Special Friend' unfurling slowly and seductively and 'Your Love Is Dangerous' being sentimental heart swellers.

Review: This cracking Leroy Smart tune was recorded at Wackie's and has never been on its own 45rpm before. It was cut to the killer Love Joys' 'Studio Man' rhythm and is a mid-tempo jam with tumbling sou bass and natty chords hanging in the air above the rhythm. The vocals muse on the power of reggae music while some nice tinkles on the keys bring a bit of light to the dusty drums. Flip it over for a more paired-back dub version, 'Reggae Man.' Two timeless sounds for sure.

Review: Wackie is back with what they call a 'modern gem from the Wackie's vaults' and it comes from one of their most revered 12 Tribes-related artists, the late great Judah Eskender Tafari. He offers up a 'Rocky Road' which is a super hard and digital stepper that comes with uplifting synth work and plenty of authentic Bronx vibes. After that pearler comes a flips side version that strips things out and is a more ghostly version from Bullwackie for headier moments. Both sides of this one offer plenty of dub delights on a well-pressed 45rpm.

Review: Wackies impress upon us their latest compilation; this time, it's another (sixth) edition added to their Jah Children Invasion series, which charts the critical juncture at which dub reggae shifted from live-drummed beats and into drum-machine led, steppers' embraces. The result was a welcoming of 8-bit themes and pixelations, leading to the infamous coinage, digidub. Jah Children Invasion harks back to this not-so-small step for mankind, compiling scene contributions from such legends as Horace Andy ('Drop Off'), Jackie Mittoo ('Majority Rule'), Milton Henry ('Now You See The Scene'), and Chris Wayne ('Streets Of Africa'). The resulting sound is not one of total fascination with the 'digi' aspect of the sound, but a prototypical, melting-pot point at which the leap into increasingly sequenced progressions lent dub a cruder, but more driven development of the sound. A sonic Faustian bargain with a machinic devil, if you will.

Review: Jah Upton joins Lloyd Barnes and Prince Douglas at the desk for another must-have Bullwackies dub set, originally released in 1977. The music is drawn from tapes recorded at King Tubby's with the Soul Syndicate band, in 1974-75 (before Wackies' move to New York). Certain tracks were also voiced in JA - like Don Carlos' deadly Prepare Jah Man, available here and nowhere else, over a hallmark rhythm re-run on Wayne Jarrett's Bubble Up album. Other highlights include dubs of Wackies' deep Black Harmony rhythm, Joe Morgan's Basement Session, the Love Joys' I Belong To You (a Barry White homage issued on Versatile 7"), a Chosen Brothers and two great John Clarkes (including a version of In Search Of The Human Race which eclipses the Tafari single); also a dedication to the Chinese restaurant next door in White Plains Road.