Roots/Lovers Rock charts

Review: Du men don't come much more legendary or iconic than King Tubby and Horace Andy, so having them together on one album was always going to result in straight fire. And so it proves on The King Tubby Tapes, a double album of deeply affecting roots and lovers rock first issued on Jet Star Records' 'Charm' imprint. It showcases Dubby's audio skills and Andy's distinctive vocal style while including selections from his 1979 album Pure Ranking and a second album of dub remixes. Session men Robbie Shakespeare, Carlton "Santa" Davis, Tony Chin and Bernard "Touter" Harvey all feature this one.

Review: On its release last spring, reviewers hailed Horace Andy's Midnight Rockers as the honey-voiced reggae legend's best album in decades. It was certainly special, with the mighty Adrian Sherwood's production helping elevate the set to future classic levels. It was followed by the alternative, dub style 'Midnight Scorchers' album, which naturally featured Sherwood pushing the envelope far further than he did on the original set. This double-disc set brings together both sets, adds a couple of previously unreleased cuts, and allows us to once again wallow in the magnificence of such highlights as 'Safe From Harm' (a genuinely brilliant, surprisingly dark Massive Attack cover), the Ital Horns-heavy 'Material', Daddy Freddy hook-up 'Midnight Scorchers' and the Melodica-heavy dub workout 'Sleepy's Night Cap'.

Review: Adrian Sherwood serves up a companion album to Horace Andy's acclaimed album Midnight Rocker. Primed for a steppers' soundsystem, as opposed to the the lo-fi acoustics of the original album, this version contains several reworkings and new tracks in contrast to the original, containing both dub and dancehall MCing detours from the likes of Daddy Freddy and Lone Ranger.

Review: Horace Andy dropped one of his most well-known cuts back in 1987. It's a lovely rootsy dancehall skank in the form of 'What A Problem' that he produced himself alongside Michael Taylo and Andy Bassford. His mic work is exceptional as he twists and turns his vocals to ride on top of the drums and deliver his message with style and grace in his textbook smooth vocal tone. The version on the flip drills down into darker and more gritty dancehall vibes with the fat bassline front and centre next to plenty of echo and reverb.