New releases last two weeks: Reggae

Review: Beatconductor's Dub Spectrum EP takes listeners on a journey through Jamaica with seven tracks of dubbed-out pop covers. The EP features creative mash-ups such as The Wailers providing instrumental backing for Adele, Dua Lipa, Christina Aguilera, and Duran Duran, offering a fresh perspective on familiar tunes. Additionally, Amy Winehouse and The Pretenders unite to form a ska supergroup, showcasing Beatconductor's innovative approach to blending genres. Beatconductor's skillful reinterpretations breathe new life into classic tracks, infusing them with reggae and ska influences while maintaining their original essence.

Review: Steve O'Sullivan recently launched the Blue Channel project as a kind of sonic companion to his similarly minded dub techno work as Blue Train, in the process paying tribute to Berlin's masters of the extended dubbed-out groove, Basic Channel. This is the second EP in an ongoing series and begins with a fresh 'Bluetrain Special Edition Dub' of 'Complete With U', a track featured (in its original mix form) on the previous EP. This take is more percussively propulsive and addictive - thanks to a locked-in dub house style groove - with warmer synth sounds and echoing vocalisations. It's basically a hat-tip to classic Rhythm & Sound singles of old, albeit with drums that more neatly fit into a wider variety of DJ sets. Over on side B, 'Traveller' is a fine slab of pitched-down vocal digi-dub with added ambient dub sonics.

Review: The more time that goes on, the more every Dub Syndicate album becomes more appreciated. At the end of the 90s, dub music was at an all-time low popularity wise - the genre was going through changes and vinyl sales were dwindling. In 1997, Style Scott even started his own label Lion And Roots away from On-U Sound which had been the home of Dub Syndicate since they started almost 20 years prior. Mellow & Colly shows the group moving away from the more sample heavy earlier works to a mature dub sound that incorporated more electronics thanks to the Echo Beach label partnership that Style's label worked out. Sadly, Style passed away ten years ago this year but his music is still being felt thanks to reissues like this.

Review: The Techniques and The Zodiacs are two revered reggae groups renowned for their distinct sound and contributions to the genre's evolution. Both bands are synonymous with several classics and have left an indelible mark on music history. Now they are back on this new 45rpm with two coveted Jamaican rocksteady and ska gems as part of the celebratory launch of the new Treasure Isle Story series by Charly Records. First up is a masterful recording by The Techniques that epitomises Duke Reid's penchant for melody and tight harmony vocals. This rendition was originally penned by Curtis Mayfield for the Impressions. Next, 'Renegade' was recorded in 1967 by The Zodiacs. Initially released as the B-side to 'Duck Soup,' this track has since become one of the most coveted and sought-after Treasure Isle 45s.

Review: It isn't too often that you can get two rare and desirable releases on one CD but that's just what we have here. Dr.Bird gives us these rare 70s examples of lesser known releases that have a strong cult following but are still being discovered. Delroy Wilson's Sarge from 1977 and Ken Boothe's Unlimited from 1977. Both releases are lauded for each singers soulful voice and music diversity with early ska and rocksteady infused into their reggae sounds. Both releases are hard to get original copies for a reasonable price so having them together is an added treat.