Back catalogue: Roots/Lovers Rock

Review: It's clear dub dynasties are a thing; you either have the magic Midas touch, or you don't. For some, talent runs in green, yellow and red blood. Addis Pablo is the son of legendary dub reggae pioneer Augustus Pablo, and here he releases his second solo LP, dedicated to the mythical House Of Levi, a fictional setting for one of Christ's many banquets. On the LP, pablo pens an ode to the poor, needy and devoted in dub, spewing forth some of the cleanest and bounciest melodica-bound dub we've heard all year so far.

Review: This is a new collection of gems from the one and only Augustus Pablo that has been put together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his Rockers label, which was named after his popular sound system. The visionary artist is one of the most crucial in the reggae game over the years and is the man who is most often credited with having popularised the use of the melodica in reggae. His most fertile and influential period was the 1970s and tunes made them helped to take the sound global. This vinyl collection mixes up rare dubs and out-of-print tracks with tunes from all across his long and successful career.

Review: Pachy Garcia is an LA-based dub and reggae artist who first cropped up in 2019 with his Pachyman In Dub LP, and has since fostered his own corner within the modern dub landscape. Now signed to ATO, Pachyman delivers his fourth album as a perfect fusion of Garcia's Latin roots and his deep affinity for Jamaican riddims. He wrote, played, sang, recorded and mixed every bit of the album, making this his most personal release to date. It's infectious and timeless, written with a sharp focus and capturing the sun kissed warmth of his hometown in true laid-back Californian style.

Review: Meets Kelly Ranks At Channel One is one of those classic dub albums that is very much deserving of this reissue on nice heavyweight wax. Michael Palmer is the man who did the meeting per the title and he is a leading Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist who has helped shaped the culture no end. This record fuses togther elements of both of those foundations sounds with nice lead horns and swaggering rhythms topped with carefree vocals full of soul but also carrying great messages.

Review: Lee "Scratch" Perry, a Jamaican record producer, singer, and songwriter, is largely acclaimed for his innovative and experimental production techniques. His Black Ark Studio, established in the mid-1970s, became a renowned hub for reggae music production, fostering the talents of numerous artists. Perry's Black Ark studio was not merely a recording space but an alchemic laboratory where he conjured sonic masterpieces. With his use of tape loops, heavy reverb, and other unorthodox techniques, Perry created a distinct and hypnotic sound that transcended conventional reggae boundaries. Artists such as Bob Marley, the Wailers, and Max Romeo flocked to Black Ark to collaborate with Perry. In his studio, Perry's intuitive approach to music making blurred the lines between producer and artist. He considered himself a "musical doctor" whose role was to guide and inspire the musicians. The Black Ark became a sanctuary for musical experimentation, where artists were encouraged to explore their creativity freely. This vinyl has been out of print and completely unavailable until now.

Review: Being the prolific maverick he was known and loved for, we're still catching up with the output of the mighty Lee Scratch Perry long after his passing. Amongst the posthumous releases coming to light of late is this album on Tricky's False Idols label, in which Perry linked up with UK producer Daniel Boyle for a follow-up to their double hits of Back At The Controls and Black Album. It's a wide-ranging affair taking the dub approach to many different genres, with some noticeable contributions from artists like Greentea Peng, Shaun Ryder and Tricky himself. It's another fine reminder of what a gift of inspiration Perry was to the world of music, restlessly creative well into his later years.

Review: The final Lee 'Scratch' Perry album is bittersweet but here for us to enjoy and pay our respect. The highly influential icon who passed away in 2021 was a groundbreaking artist to many. One of his last steps may have been to bridge the dub and hip-hop community better like only he could try. Step in Bob Riddim (Coincidentally a great name!) who performed many of the instruments here has the experience background to equal Perry's desire. Destiny is the result of this unique collaboration. Expect an album that catapults both of the artists to a higher level of expression. There is some irony that Destiny is the tribute to Lee 'Scratch' Perry.

Review: 'Open The Gate' is a 1989 box set of Lee 'Scratch' Perry's most enduring productions, involvements and features until that date - most of which were laid down at his legendary yet ramshackle recording studio Black Ark. These were the tunes that cemented Perry's name as an oddball, prodigal, outsider producer; classics including 'Words', plus The Upsetters' versions of their contemporaries The Heptones' tracks Babylon Falling and Mistry Babylon, all appear.

Review: Following on from the CD version of this reissue, 17 North Prada now follow it up with a welcome vinyl edition. Prince Far I worked with Joe Gibbs's house band The Professionals on Under Heavy Manners, his 1976 full-length recorded at Gibbs's studio in Kingston, Jamaica. His messages throughout his career were always focussed on social and political issues and lend this album its extra lyrical edge on top of the killer rhythms. Gibbs composed all of the tracks bar one from Errol Thompson and it is generally considered one of his finer works. Snap this one up now because it will soon disappear again.

Review: Prince Jammy's In Lion Dub Style showcases the dub master's unparalleled skill and innovation in the reggae world. Released under the Jammy$ Jamaica label back in the mid-70s, this album is a testament to his prowess as a producer and mixer with its pulsating rhythms, killer hardcore roots, deep basslines, and intricate dub effects. Each track immerses you in his signature sound and from start to finish, Jammy expertly blends traditional roots reggae and futuristic dub experimentation. In Lion Dub Style is one of many essential albums from this particular sound world and as such solidifies Prince Jammy's status as a true pioneer of dub music.