Free Promo Pack!

To celebrate the official launch of Springline's Sub Sub label..

Click on Main Title above to obtain your 2 free promo singles..

front and back sleeve cover art and digi flyer.

and do remember the re issue of the classic Sista M album "A Kind Of Music" featuring previously unreleased bonus tracks will be available at all major download stores this coming August.

Full SP soon

Feel Good with The Bubblers

Still available in limited supply now is the only piece of vinyl connected to SpringlineJamaica..
Original North London soundman known these day's as uncle Fee and from time known as Sir Pinky of the Count Eric sound throughout the '70s into the '80s has informed us that stocks are now running low from this highly prized 10" 4 track release on Uncle Fee Dubplate Style UF001 issue.
Feedback from distribution states that this release has gone down a storm during the last year especially in Asia with the 10" being played out in fine style in Japan aswell as in Canada and Italy. Old friend of Springline 'Fee' has recently been mashing up the place with his sound in the UK playing strictly from vinyl as always and dropping some crucial and very rare floor fillers it must be said. He also frequently appears on radio shows and has his own blog site where you can catch up with all the latest Black Harmony sound playouts.
take 10 and visit http://unclefee-blackharmonysound.blogspot.com/
You can find this 10" treasure at ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WHITE-BIRD-LYMIE-MURRAY-UNCLE-FEE-DUBPLATE-STYLE-10%22_W0QQitemZ220379634728QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090318?IMSfp=TL090318114003r19637
Grab a copy now..once gone it's gone! only a few left..
Pure Jamaican vibes.

COMING SOON

Big Youth - A Profile

This month sees the 60th birthday of one of my favourite, and first reggae artists I got into the amazing....

BIG YOUTH

Born on April 19, 1949, in Kingston, Jamaica, Manley Augustus Buchanan would grow up to become better known as Big Youth. He would also be among the first reggae artists to profess his Rastafarian beliefs in music. He was one of five children and grew up in chaos and poverty raised by his mother, a Christian preacher, and his father, a police officer. He had a strong will and often clashed with his parents as he was determined to make it on his own. Indeed when he joined the Rastafarians it caused a lot of stress in his Christian family, and took a very long time for his mother to accept her son's decision. He left school at 14 and went straight to work as a driver and mechanic at the Skyline and Sheraton Hotels in Kingston. It was here where he was given the 'nickname' of "Big Youth" due to the fact he was both younger and taller than his co-workers. It was also while here that people overheard him singing to himself in the hotel's large empty rooms. Impressed with his style his friends told him he should try to deejay, and so He began to work at the local dancehalls by night, where he developed his talent, of talking and singing for an audience. By 1970 Big Youth was a regular deejay at Lord Tippertone's sound system, a popular club in Jamaica where duelling deejays vied for the stage. Big Youth, with his deep voice and Rastafarian style, quickly became a star.
Big Youth took a while to break into the Jamaican mainstream. His first recording, the Gregory Isaacs produced "Movie Man" didn't really do much, and after a few more rather disappointing releases with various producers it was Gussie Clark who finally got him the recognition he deserved. Clark turned Big Youth's single "The Killer" into his first big hit. With a follow-up collaboration on the single "Tippertone Rocking" the two enjoyed a back-to-back success that put Big Youth on the music map. "Representing the authentic sound of the ghetto, Big Youth set new standards for DJs to say something constructive on record...," so says the Encyclopaedia of Popular Music.
His first really big hit though was in 1972 with the motorcycle-inspired single "Ace Ninety Skank" (Also known as "S. 90 Skank"), produced by Keith Hudson, it gave his career another big boost. The song, named after a cult Japanese motorcycle, was about riding the bike safely. Producer Keith Hudson actually brought the motorcycle into the studio to record its characteristic sound. The melody of the tune and Big Youth's flowing vocal caused an immediate stir in Jamaica and tune soon went gold. His first full album followed in 1973, with "Screaming Target", which spawned a number of hits, including four that stayed in the Jamaican top 20 for a full year. Also he formed his own labels in this year, Negusa Negast and Augustus Buchanen, and these gave us some quality releases, but Big Youth still found time to work with other producers, such as Prince Buster, Joe Gibbs, Derrick Harriott and Winston Riley, and due to his phenomenal output at this time, he even at one stage had 5 of the top 10 singles in Jamaica.
His live performances were also becoming legendary. He would drive the audience wild with a quick flash of his incredible dreadlocks. He was, indeed, one of the first artists to don the style on album covers and on stage where it became a staple of the culture. He also had red, gold, and green gems set into his front teeth. Now firmly in the spotlight, he didn't let go. Bob Marley, already a growing international musician, called Big Youth his favourite artist. Though Big Youths influence would not spread so wide and he remained primarily in Jamaica. He did however tour England, with a young Dennis Brown, in 1977 and was a huge success. Johnny Rotten, flying high with the Sex Pistols, saw Big Youth's London Rainbow show and went backstage for photographs with the artist afterward.
Big Youth continued recording with releases during the 1980s and 1990s, though never reaching the heady highs of the 70's, and his work includes 'Chanting Dread Inna Fine Style', 1983; 'Live at Reggae Sunsplash', 1984; 'A Luta Continua' (The Struggle Continues), 1986; 'Manifestation', 1988;' Jamming in the House of Dread', 1990; and 'Higher Grounds', 1995. In 2000 Big Youth's biggest hits, from his golden era between 1973 -1979, were collected on 'Natty Universal Dread', a three-CD set. This set was hailed as
"Just bursting with Youth's incomparable toasting over many of the most crucial riddims of the era. Riddims that have remained foundational to this day."
Music critic Maurice Bottemley singled out the track "Riverton City" for praise:
"A tour through the poorest of the poor that is done with warmth, dignity, and love. This is urban poetry at its most sublime and over as fine a set of rhythms as anyone has ever heard."
Big Youth's great legacy is built on a number of moving hits and his casual demeanour, which makes his audiences feel like they know him. He continues to record and perform new material, such as 'Dreadlocks Dread' released in 2001, with a focus on preaching the ways of Rastafaria. Though his records and live appearances are now few and far between, Youth has remained at the top for longer than any other DJ apart from U-Roy. He is now considered an elder in the reggae and Rastafarian community, recording and performing music at his leisure, and is still very much respected and revered by the reggae world.

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Soul Jazz 100% Dynamite NYC - Review

Soul Jazz are back with another fine offering to their "Dynamite" collection (The perfect party album series imho) with this 2cd / double vinyl compilation of dancehall rap hybrids from New York during the early 90's (tracks do vary, 22track cd reviewed here). The LP gets under way with the stormin' Bobby Konders Mix of Super Cats 'Don Dada', with its funky, Hip Hop beat, which sets the tone for the majority this comp, although there is also a sprinkling of more traditional stylee dancehall tunes. the pick of these being 'Style and Fashion' by Jah Batta & Skitee with its head bobbin', laid back heavy bass smokers feel, Shineheads 'Rough and Rugged' and 'Informer' by Born Jamericans that rides majestically on the "Shank I Sheck" riddim.
Other notable tracks are the Fu-Schnickens take on 'Ring the Alarm' which sounds reminiscent of the Black Sheep. 'Zig Zag Stitch' by Nikey Fungus, which utilises Shaggy's 'Carolina' style to great effect. and Rankin' Dons 'Real McCoy' with its catchy Huey Piano Smith 'Don't You Just Know It' influenced chorus, while Super C blends 'The Funky Drummer' and 'Boops' on 'The Rat', but if you need just one more reason to buy this LP, then in these times of political correctness gone mad buy it just for Shaggy's 'Matress Jockey' alone and play it loud!!. I grant you that none of these songs will win any prizes for lyrical content, slackness and gangster style aplenty here, but if you just want infectious, bass bustin', party vibe beats......well you won't go far wrong.

Mungo's & More!

More news from those nice boys at Mungo's Hi Fi who have informed us of some live dates coming up in April plus just a reminder on some of their releases and a couple of new ones soon!

First up though the live dates:

SATURDAY 4TH APRIL - BRISTOL - MONSTER BASS

Brought to you by Ruffneck Diskotek and Fire another awesome line-up who will have the pleasure of playing on their full sound system.

STARKEY

2562

GRIEVOUS ANGEL

GEMMY

OCTA PUSH

MONKEY STEAK

THE HEATWAVEDUB BOY/STYLATRON/IRONSIDE

DUB INVASION

THE BLACK SWAN, STAPLETON ROAD, BRISTOL, BS5 6NR10pm-5amTickets £8.50 adv

www.myspace.com/ruffnekdiskotek

www.myspace.com/firebristol

SATURDAY 18TH APRIL - LONDON - OUTLOOK

The London launch party for the one of the biggest events ever to hit the Dubstep world............

O u t l o o k F e s t i v a l.

And they're taking the sound system!

Digital Mystikz - Mala

Loefah

Hatcha

N-Type and Crazy D

Plastician

Shy Fx + Mc Stamina

Remarc + Mc Eksman

Distance

Pinch

RSD

Quest & Silkie with G Double (big step small step)

Headhunter

Luke Envoy

Joker

Chef

Gentleman’s Dub Club

Cluekid

Ramadanman

Ben UFO

Exodus

Bar 9

Sukh Knight

Scandalous Untld

Ruckspin

Planas

Tomb Crew

Klose One

Rattus Rattus

Action Jackson

More artists to be announced...

THE CORONET THEATRE, ELEPHANT AND CASTLE, LONDON

10pm - 7amAll 100 £8 Tickets SOLD OUT

All 200 £10 Tickets SOLD OUT

£12 Tickets available herehttp://www.exoduscroatia.co

FRIDAY 24TH APRIL - GLASGOW - ARTSCHOOL

After two cracking shows with her in France we are delighted to welcome Marina P for the first time in Glasgow for a Ska, Rocksteady, Roots and Rubadub special. Scotty and Zeb will also be in attandance to nice up the dance.

11pm - 3am Glasgow School of Art, 167 Renfrew St, Glasgow, Scotland G3 6RQ

tickets - £5 in advance only available 'til 5pm on the night from http://www.scotchbonnet.net/

£8 on the door

DON'T FORGET RELEASES!!! oh yeah, currently available from decent record shops and http://www.scotchbonnet.net/

SCOBLP001 SOUND SYSTEM CHAMPIONS LP ON DOUBLE VINYL with 4 bonus dubs and d&m mastering for vinyl heaven

SCRUB001 SCRUB A DUB RECORDS IS LAUNCHED WITH A CRISPY 12" IN A DUBSTEP STYLEA - Babylon (new mix from the dubstep allstars) B - Dubplate fi dem COMING SOON!!

SCRUB002 Mungo's Hi Fi - Haffi Rock / Phokus, Mr Boogie, TKR - Big Up!

SCOB016/SCOB017 Mungo's Hi Fi - Under Arrest Riddim, 2 x 12" featuring MC Ishu, Ranking Joe, Lyricson, Junior Dread, Mandela, Soom T

http://www.scotchbonnet.net/ http://www.mungoshifi.net/ http://www.myspace.com/mungoshifi http://www.myspace.com/scotchbonnetrecords http://www.myspace.com/scrub000

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Bombskare - New LP & Tour Dates

Another great 2 Tone inspired band (the other being The Amphetameanies) coming out of Scotland are...BOMBSKARE

they've got a new album available 'A Fistful Of Dynamite' and kicked off a tour at the end of last month. There is still plenty of dates to catch them at, so check them out at one of these up and coming dates,

April 2009

03 The Greenside, Leslie, Fife

17 Knoydart’s 10th Anniversary Music Festival

24 The Windsor, Kirkcaldy

May 2009

08 Gosforth Civic Centre, Newcastle Upon Tyne

09 Club Academy, Manchester

24 The Greenside, Leslie, Fife

29 The Doghouse, Dundee

June 2009

05 Hootananny, Brixton, London

12 Café Drummonds, Aberdeen

14 West End Festival Glasgow

21 Kelburn Garden Party, Near Largs

http://www.myspace.com/bombskare

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Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - 100 Days 100 Nights

Having just reviewed Nicole Willis last month, somebody thought it would be good to point me in the direction of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings.

Now apparently the Kings used to back Amy Winehouse, but for what ever reason they parted company with that wayward soul and landed firmly on their feet in finding Sharon Jones, whose vocal talents I think are up there with Aretha and Mavis. Now I don't like to compare this with Nicole but if you buy this thinking it will be full the same bright airy dancing tunes as on that LP then you may be disappointed. This LP goes more for the mid tempo bluesy, funky, soul vibe with lyrics more concerned about how a women is gonna love her man and how he better return the favour, for she ain't sufferin' fools gladly.
The Dap Kings are more than competent in creating an authentic 60's inspired back drop of melodies and beats straight outta Stax or Atlantic with their subtle but effective funky guitar, big bass, and even bigger horns. This sound though never over powers Sharon's vocals, which are always at the forefront so there are none of these 'what did she just say' moments.
Stand out tracks for me has to be the Mowtown sounding "Tell Me", which is one of the more up-tempo tracks, must be the old Northern Soulie in me, and title track 100 days 100 nights, which starts of quite bubbly before changing to a more blues tempo, as Sharon gives it full emotion as she relates how it takes a women 100 days and nights "To know a man's heart" and just as long for him to know his own! So boys if you've been with your lady anything over that it must be true love!!
On the copy I have (might be on all, not sure) there is a bonus track entitled "The Collection Song" which breaks away from the rest of the LP and sounds like very early James Brown circa 'I Feel Good', with its short sharp guitar stabs, rising bass line and repetitive horn, which is once again performed to perfection.
Biggest surprise for me though is that all the songs are were written by the band, as the sound and style is so rooted in 60's Memphis it is hard not to believe you are listening to some obscure rare as hens teeth collectors piece that must cost a fortune. One last thing I will just add though is that it may sound old, but it is definitely a modern classic.

Levellers and Pama International offer FREE downloads

On The Fiddle recordings and Rocker’s Revolt have teamed up to release two exclusive tracks from Levellers and Pama International.

The Levellers track is a cracking live recording of "Before The End" from their show at the Royal Albert Hall last September

and the Pama International track is called "Happenstance" and the first single taken from their forthcoming new studio album, Pama Outernational.

The tracks will be released on March 30th from: ww.levellersdownload.com

People can vote for their favourite five Levellers songs to be played on the spring tour here:http://www.levellersdownload.com/setlistshakeup.html