New releases last eight weeks: Roots/Lovers Rock

Review: Federal and Dubstore Japan reissue highly sought after gem, Willie Lindo's cover of Love Unlimited Orchestra's 'Midnight And You'. 'Midnight' is a louche, smooth-as-sin nocturne punctuated by hammond wobbles, whispered nothings and surely one of the most in-the-pocket basslines in reggae history and the legendary Lloyd Charmers gives it a sparse, small hours dubbing on the B-side, removing all fat and showcasing the unparalleled rhythm section. Absolutely essential stuff.

Review: As well as navigating the realms of dub and reggae, infusing each track with his signature vintage sound and infectious grooves, Prince Fatty is well known for taking famous songs and flipping them into reggae territory, a wonderful mix of the familiar and the unepxected that usually works wonders on the dancefloor. With the fantastic 'Black Rabbit,' dub don Prince Fatty masterfully tackles Jefferson Airplane's 60s anthem 'White Rabbit', which took its inspiration from Lewis Carroll's surreal story Alice In Wonderland but hooked those references up to the drug experiences of those countercultural rtimes. The A-side is graced by with the vocals of regular Fatty collaborator Shniece, whose performance does more than simply ape Grace Slick's, adding lines and heaps of her own personality, while rich basslines, swirling echoes and soulful melodies all showcase some exceptional production skills. Naturally, there's a dub version on the B-side, and all in all this a testament to Prince Fatty's enduring influence in the contemporary reggae scene.