Omar feat. Caron Wheeler - Treat You plus Opolopo Remix!

Omar continues his magnificent re-emergence back to the forefront of contemporary soul on this new single 'Treat You' as he generously features another legend of similar pedigree: Soul II Souls' Caron Wheeler.

This story of a somewhat troubled love affair, the infectious groove rolls on whilst Omar and Caron take turns to air their issues, the bitter sweet subject matter is reflected in minor key and mellow synthesiser sounds. How these two legendary voices blend into something quite amazing isn't something that can easily be described in words - but it can be said that this duet between such fine and unique talents is a rare and beautiful thing.

'Ordinary Day' is where the sound heads south of the equator as Omar stamps his trademark voice and production all over this happening salsa rhythm. The up-tempo, sun drenched feel is augmented by huge sounding horns, a storm of blistering, Latin percussion and one of Omar's best vocal performances ever.

Opolopo, renowned remixer and producer is the man who put his stamp on the recent big club version of Gregory Porter's 1960 'What?', and his exclusive remix of 'Treat You' for this single is utter class, putting the emphasis on the contemporary dance floor tip without losing any of the originals soul or integrity. One of Omar's favourite remixes of his new material, Opolopo shows us why he is the man of the moment when it comes to bringing a fresh perspective to the great voices of modern soul and jazz.

Finally - long time Omar collaborator/co-producer Scratch Professer puts his totally individual and quirky touch on 'Treat You', rounding off this essential 12-inch single and digital download package.

"Absolutely loving this package! Treat You is a future classic. The Opolopo remix will also be doing damage on my radio show & dancefloor!" DJ AIS-T, Basso Radio, www.basso.fi


"I love my Omar! All the mixes work for me and I shall play with love." Ashley Beedle

"My goodness, Caron can sing anything and I'll melt!" Djtabone, WRFG 89.3 FM

ADAM PRESCOTT with CHARLIE P - LAZY MAN / STAND FIRM

Now on their seventeenth release the forward thinking UK Reggae & Dub music label, Reggae Roast are going from strength to strength with many underground hits under their belt already in 2013. This release definitely follows suit, having already done the rounds on dubplate for many months and set alight dances all over the world. They’ve signed up one of the top up and coming UK producers, Adam Prescott, and one of the top mic men on the scene, Charlie P. On remix duty they’ve drawn on the vanguard of dub, Iration Steppas, and digikal stalwart, Tradesman.

With this double A-side release Reggae Roast have lined up two heavy hitting bubblers built to test any soundsystem. ‘Lazy Man’ is a contemporary steppas reimagining of the stone cold classic ‘My Conversation’ by the late, great Slim Smith which is accentuated by Charlie P’s take on the advantages of being Lazy in modern day Britain. ‘Stand Firm’ on the flipside is a slice of ruff & tuff Rootstep with conscious lyrics from Charlie P alongside weighty bass assault and a hard rhythm section from Adam Prescott it’s a stark contrast to ‘Lazy Man’.

Straight outta Nottingham, Adam Prescott has been mashing up dances for many years now combining a crucial selection of dubplates and his own varied productions, which are always steeped in Roots music and Soundsystem culture. Having remixed some of the biggest names in Reggae & Dub such as Mungo’s Hi-Fi, Iration Steppas, Part2Style, Alpha Steppa, Radikal Guru, Vibration Lab and many, many more over the course of his career he has been finally let loose on a Reggae Roast extended player.

Charlie P hardly needs any introduction, however if you have been living under a rock for the past few years he has worked with pretty much everyone worth their salt within the modern day Dub circuit, such as Mungo’s Hi-Fi, Dubateers, Solo Banton, Part2Style to name but a few. Constantly touring the world and smashing Dancehalls on a regular basis Charlie shows no sign of slowing down, add to that he has just finished his second LP produced by none other than Scotland’s finest, Mungo’s Hi-Fi

In the Soundsystem game for over 20 years Mark Millington, one half of Iration Steppas (with Dennis Rootical), has been instrumental in the massive resurgence of Dub music over the past few years. Having set up the legendary Subdub sessions (alongside Outlook Festival’s Simon Scott) to showcase the mighty Iration Steppas Soundsystem, Mark is one of the most in-demand selectors on the scene. As a supporter of Adam’s work Mark has been playing his ‘Year 3000 Dub’ of ‘Lazy Man’ at nuff sessions across the world to sell out audiences. With another busy year planned hot off the back of their new LP ‘Iration Steppas Meets Tena Stelin in the Dub Arena’ Mark and the rest of the crew deserve their place at the top of the Soundsystem league.

Hailing from Leeds, Tradesman has been exposed to a hot bed of musical activity, more importantly Soundsystem culture, for a number of years. He is a resident at one of Subdub’s more underground offshoots, Dancehall Science, and regularly supports some of the most exciting artists in Dub music today playing sets where the majority of the tunes are his own productions. This has, in turn, led to Scotch Bonnet (Mungo’s Hi-Fi imprint) snapping up his debut release with Parly B, ‘Inna Competition’ which gained support from some of the scene’s top players and took Tradesman’s ruffneck digital sound international.

Reggae Roast is building a formidable catalogue featuring some of the most exciting artists in the UK and beyond. Key players in the resurgence of the UK Roots scene over the past 5 years, they are a leading light in the new generation of dub music. Setting them apart from the crowd is their ruff n tuff remixes giving the label a unique cross over appeal. Look out for plenty more releases in the coming months from the likes of Dubmatix, Vibration Lab, Ed West, Parly B and many more.

Roots Queen - Powerful Energy

German Reggae/Dancehall artist Roots Queen is making an impact with her first studio album, “Powerful Energy”  and its  début single “Feeling Free” which has spent nine weeks at number one on the Reggae chart in the UK, seven weeks at number one on another Reggae chart in the United States and was number four on New York’s top 30 Reggae Chart. While the latest single, “Fly With Me”, is currently number two in the UK and getting rotation on Reggae shows all over.

Manager Steve Stephens said about the new album. "I will never forget the night I sat in Roots Queen studio in Germany and heard the album for the first time. I just could not believe my ears and by the time we got to the last track I knew not only that Roots Queen was a special talent but that we had an album full of potential hit singles!!”

Recently Roots Queen spoke with Sir Daddy D on Reggae4Us about the album, her career and a slew of other things which you can hear HERE

To read an extensive review of this album visit....

Kalbata & Mixmonster - Congo Beat The Drum

Freestyle Records are celebrating their 10th anniversary year and have just announced the signing of Kalbata & Mixmonster to the label with their stunning new album: “Congo Beat The Drum”.

Kalbata & Mixmonster are two renowned producers, Ariel Tagar (Kalbata), a techno & 2-step producer who previously has released on labels such as Soul Jazz, Brownswood and Greenmoney as well doing a string of high profile remixes for artists such as Fat Freddy's Drop, Spank Rock, The Count & Sinden and Roll Deep as well as being the man behind reissue labels Fortuna and Spring Hill Records.

Mixmonster (Uri Wertheim) is the man behind the world-renowned funk, brass & breaks band The Apples, as well as a member of cut-n-paste duo Radiotrip. He is also a producer and sound engineer specialising in analogue tape recordings.

Two years ago, Ariel and Uri went into their Tel Aviv studio with the purpose of recording a 100% analogue reggae/dub album, combining the spirit of the late King Tubby and the early dancehall era of the late 70's and early 80's. They insisted on not using any computers in the process, whilst blending in elements of techno, psychedelic funk, and African tribal music.
They then travelled to Kingston, Jamaica and began tracking down their favourite singers and deejays, such legends as Jah Thomas, Little John, Trinity, Echo Minott, Mutabaruka, Major Mackerel, Puddy Roots and the sadly, recently departed Prince Jazzbo.
The resulting long player, “Congo Beat The Drum” is on the one hand truly loyal to the origins of Jamaican music and on the other, a well produced forward thinking album, sounding totally fresh in today's music aesthetics. It will also rattle your speakers in ways not heard since the heyday of Jamaican reggae & dub!
About signing with Freestyle, Ariel said “We're super excited to be releasing Congo Beat The Drum' with the Freestyle crew. After two years in the making the time has come to let it out!”

Freestyle A&R man Greg Boraman added "Securing this amazing reggae album ends a 2-year search for just the right project: “Much of the contemporary roots reggae based material I had been checking out lacked that certain authentic feel, but this project has all the right analogue vibes and the line up of classic Jamaican legends featured made it a must have for Freestyle”.

Debut single ‘Prisoner In Love’ featuring Little John will soon be released on a suitably Kingston style 45 vinyl single, with an instrumental version excursion on the flip.

Richie Campbell - Focused

Portugal's #1 reggae artist Richie Campbell makes his US début with the album "Focused" which will be released through Tommy Boy Entertainment on October 29th, 2013. The album was released earlier this year in his native Portugal and quickly climbed to the #1 position on iTunes on week of release. The success was repeated last week upon its release in Germany where the album is sitting at #6 on the Top Reggae albums chart.

Richie Campbell has been tearing up the reggae music scene all over the world since the ripe age of 16. Having already collaborated and toured with some of the best names in the business, including SOJA, Kymani Marley, Anthony B, and Gentleman. Richie’s reputation far outweighs his years. “Focused” contains features and contributions from many of these artists, as well as current noteworthy Jamaican artists and producers Ikaya, Turbulence, Don Corleon, Big Finga, and Specialist and includes his most recent singles, "Blame It On Me" and "That's How We Roll" which have both contributed to his success, not only in his native Portugal, but in Europe and the Americas as well. 

Campbell continues to spread his message of love and responsibility throughout all of his songs with a smooth voice that speaks of ills whilst lifting up the soul.

Onlyjoe Play With Fire

Having appeared to rave reviews at various summer festivals London outfit onlyjoe are following up on the success of ‘Wicked Land’ and ‘Revolution’ to release their fourth single ‘Play With Fire’ which sees the band truly become the roots outfit that they claim to be. 

The single is backed by a mighty effect filled dub version from Dubkasm that veers away from their usual steppas style, a trademark dancefloor killer remix by DJ Madd as well as a sparse and atmospheric mix from Unit 137’s respected producers Sleepy Time Ghost and Hylu.

'Play With Fire' is released on October 14th on 12" vinyl, CD and digital formats

STUDIO ONE - SKA FEVER!

Out now is a blistering collection of ska tunes from Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd's legendary Studio One Records, Jamaica's foundation label of reggae music. Featuring  classic cuts from the originators of Ska - The Skatalites, The Wailers, Lee Perry -  alongside a heavy dose of superb rarities from the might vaults of 13 Brentford Road - pure Ska Fever !

Soul Jazz Records new Studio One Ska Fever returns back to the early 1960s - when Ska was the soundtrack to Jamaica's Independence and Sir Coxsone ruled the land and The Skatalites and Studio One were creating history on a daily basis with an endless stream of blistering, scorching classic tunes.

This album includes an incredible line-up of only the finest artists in reggae music, including Roland Alphonso, The Gaylads, The Ethiopians, Don Drummond, Jackie Opel and many more. An all-star cast from Studio One, as Chris Blackwell famously noted, the 'University of Reggae'.

The accompanying booklet contains extensive sleeve-notes from Studio One historian Rob Chapman (author of Never Grow Old and Downbeat Special), with information on musicians, tracks, label scans and more.

Soul Jazz Records' Studio One Ska Fever is released in CD- jewel case, 24-page booklet with card slipcase, as well as a heavyweight double-vinyl edition in deluxe strong gatefold sleeve (with full sleeve notes) and also as a digital download.

Tracklisting:

1. Hugh Godfrey - Mad World           

2. Johnny Moore - Skauling Johnny           

3. Bongo Man   - Where's Garvey           

4. The Clarendonians - Rudie Bam Bam           

5. Jackie Opel: Old Rocking Chair          

6. The Wailers - Climb The Ladder            

7. Jackie Mittoo - Jump For Joy           

8. Lee Perry - Gumma           

9. Soul Brothers  - Freedom Sounds           

10. The Clarendonians - You Won't See Me           

11. Roland Alphonso  - Cleopatra           

12. The Gaylads - Don't Try To Reach Me           

13. The Skatalites - Ska Parisienne           

14. Joe Higgs & Roy Wilson - There's A Reward           

15. The Skatalites - Timothy           

16. Ethiopians   - Live Good            

17. Don Drummond - Green Island            

18. The Wailers - Mr Talkative   

Buy here.

Listen here.

Frootful - The Road / Benedicts Boogaloo

In 2011, Frootful released their début album Colours on Freestyle Records to great acclaim, with everyone from Osunlade, Craig Charles and Diesler praising its modern-yet-retro blend of 60s soul, rocksteady, dance floor friendly jazz and R&B, whilst Jazz FM made it an Album Of The Week. The début single taken from it, 'Fish In The Sea' became a club hit, and also featured in Steven Soderbergh's hit movie Magic Mike.

Now Frootful return with a fantastic two track 45 taken from Heavyweight - the forthcoming long player.

The Road features UK soul vocalist Mazen Bedwei, who first featured on a Freestyle release when singing on Nick Van Gelder's 'Something's Gotta Give' on the compilation 'Sounds From The Soul Underground'.

The Road is a bright, breezy and uplifting soul groove, that has something of a late 60s feel, where shimmering horns underpin Mazen's Curtis Mayfield inspired vocals and Frootful main man Nick Radford's tasteful guitar picking locks down this sweet summer sound.

On the flip, the mood is altogether more greasy; Benedicts Boogaloo is a gritty soul-jazz work out that's been double dipped in the funk. Nick gets the chance to display his guitar chops wonderfully, the bubbling bass line is unrelenting whilst a dirty, distorted organ grooves out to a stunning climax!

Available from
Freestyle        
Amazon           
Junodownload     
iTunes          

Dubplate Fashion - Tradesman & Parly B

Following on from a storming start to the year with a number of high quality underground hits, Reggae Roast are going from strength to strength and have built up a very loyal following, both for their label and events. This release is set to be no different, having already done the rounds on dubplate for a number of months and has mashed many a dance. They’ve gone for everyone’s favourite up and coming producer outta Leeds, Tradesman and Reggae Roast mic man extraordinaire, Parly B inna wicked combination.

Drawing inspiration from the ‘golden age’ of digital Reggae production, Dubplate Fashion, is sure to get people skanking out each and every time. Referencing classic production styles from producers such as King Jammy & Gussie P, Tradesman has created his own unmistakable sound with his remake of the classic Rumours Riddim originally voiced by Gregory Isaacs in the 80’s. Top that off with Parly B flinging out bar after bar of lyrical heat and you have a toppa top tune!

Wrecking dancefloors wherever he goes, Parly B has made incredible in roads in the UK dub scene in the last 12. He came to light with his stand out release “Competition” on Mungo’s Hi Fi’s Scotch Bonnet imprint and since then has been one of the most sought after MCs in the UK. Parly has gone on to collaborate with a whole heap of diverse and sonically interesting producers such as Riddim Tuffa, 7FT Soundsystem, The Skints, Lionfire & Mungo’s Hi-Fi showcasing his imitable style and riding any riddim how only he can.

Hailing from Leeds, Tradesman has been exposed to a hot bed of musical activity, more importantly Soundsystem culture, for a number of years. Birthplace of Iration Steppas & the renowned Subdub dances it was only a matter of time before Tradesman caught the bug. He is a resident at one of Subdub’s more underground offshoots, Dancehall Science, and regularly supports some of the most exciting artists in Dub music today playing sets where the majority of  the tunes are his own productions. This has, in turn, led to Scotch Bonnet (Mungo’s Hi-Fi imprint) snapping up his debut release with Parly B, ‘Inna Competition’ which gained support from some of the scene’s top players and took Tradesman’s ruffneck digital sound international.

Adam Prescott combines a crucial selection of rough and tough Roots music with a modern injection of Dubstep & Steppas. With support and guidance from some of the biggest names in the scene, Adam has been making moves in the world of Dub & Dubstep for a while now working on original tunes with well-known and established artists.

Reggae Roast is building a formidable catalogue featuring some of the most exciting artists in the UK and beyond. Key players in the resurgence of the UK Roots scene over the past 5 years, they are a leading light in the new generation of dub music. Setting them apart from the crowd is their ruff n tuff remixes giving the label a unique cross over appeal. Look out for plenty more releases in the coming months from the likes of Adam Prescott, Charlie P, Dubmatix, Vibration Lab and many more.

On The Springline - Free Triple Album Review

Read it here

Pablo Moses – A Revolutionaries Dream

Pablo Moses turns 60 this year and is one of Jamaica’s greatest roots reggae artists whose Rastafarian ideology combined with unprecedented political frankness is delivered in a high pitched, horn-like voice. Pablo is one of the only, if not the only, reggae artists as far as I'm aware to have only ever released his own material by never having covered anyone else's song.

Originally born Pablo Henry in 1953, Jamaica he has released a number of records over the years, but is probably best known for his phenomenal 1975 début “Revolutionary Dream”, produced by Geoffrey Chung and engineered at The Black Ark by Lee "Scratch" Perry and included the hit single ‘I Man A Grasshopper’.

His 1980 follow up, “A Song”, was well received by his fans and music critics alike and was a subtle answer to the fire his début effort. The following year saw the release of his third album, “Pave The Way” which only helped swell the ranks of his fans across the world as his  Rastafarian themes and the crusade against injustice, inequality, greed, racism, war, the pillage of nature struck a chord and were universal in their scope.

In 1983, Moses signed with Alligator Records to release “In The Future” which continued with the same political and social message but saw a musical change from pure roots reggae as rock stylistics and the use of electronic instrumentation like the synthesizer and vocader. Moses expanded and deepened his sound and rhetoric with 1985's “Tension” and 1987's “Live To Love”.

1990 saw a switch to Profile records and the release of “We Refuse”, a lyrical response to the political climate of the eighty's seen as good times by those who've closed their eyes to the underlying realities of poverty and racism, now unravelling in the '90s. Moses, at the time said of the album '' I say what I've said all along, only in a modified mood, more straightforward. I refuse the Babylonian ways of society, the bully-istic attitudes. Jah made everyone with different cultures and colours just as he made different types of birds and plants for beautification." It was also an attempt to reach out to the "now generation" of younger reggae fans who’d grown up listening to the dancehall style and slackness with Moses adding “I try to adapt to changing styles of music. I'm trying to reach the dancehall crowd not just with the beat, but with a message that is cultural and sociologically connected, with songs like "Bad Boy" and "Charlie". The album also featured “Love Is A Thing”, a duet with his young daughter Tashe, and the songs “Under Your Spell” and “In South Africa”.

The album was produced by Pablo Moses and premier reggae keyboardist Robbie Lyn, and mixed by Steven Stanley and Geoffrey Chung.

Then in 1993 there was another label change to Musicdisc of France with the release of “The Confession Of A Rastaman”, an album that followed in the same vein as Revolutionary Dream, A Song and Pave The Way in one. Then three years later emerged the album “Mission” which was cited as one of his best works since Revolutionary Dream. During his association with Musicdisc , he released a compilation “The  Best of Pablo Moses” with songs taken from the LP’s Live To Love, Tension, In The Future and We Refuse plus a re-release of Revolutionary Dream in Europe and North America simultaneously on Shanachie Records. In 1997 Pablo re-released “In The Future plus Dubs”, through Tabou I and Nite an Day, in Europe, then all went quiet for some 13 years before he triumphantly returned with “The Rebirth” in 2010. The album saw him work with a golden reggae team that included drum and bass masters Sly and Robbie, saxophonist Dean Fraser, percussionists Skully and Sticky Thompson, keyboardists Robert Lyn and Franklin ‘Bubbler’ Waul as well as guitarist Dwight Pinkney, with all delivering 13 rootsy tracks including several serious tunes such as ‘So Much’, ‘Jah Will Make a Way’, ‘More Than You Can Chew’ and ‘They Can't Undo’ that recalled Pablo's great work from the late 70's.

There is unfortunately no news of another album from Pablo Moses on the horizon but never the less he still remains one of the most original and out-spoken roots reggae artist in Jamaica after more than 30 years, who is still capable of throwing out lyrics that are Sociologically, Political and Culturally Connected. He however does tour and has appeared extensively in Canada, U.S.A. South America, Central America, Europe and Scandinavia and some Caribbean Countries as well as making various festival appearances.
So all that’s left to say is many happy returns and thanks for all the great and inspiring music throughout the years and may one day your dream become a reality.

Dreadsquad ft Everton Chambers - Better World

This limited edition 7" is born out of Dreadsquad's massive remix of the Damian Marley and
Skrillex combo 'Bun Dem' and is his first release on Scotch Bonnet.
It has collector's item written all over it featuring 80s cult hero Everton Chambers and is the only track on this riddim to get pressed on vinyl!  The  b-side features an exclusive dub mix.

Available now from ScotchBonnet.net

Mungo's HiFi ft Soom T - Bong Bong EP

The "Bong Bong" EP is a foray into the world of digital reggae. The much requested title

track takes Sister Nancy's 'Bam Bam' bang up to date in a smoky fashion. Soom's singing abilities
shine through in the ultra modern '31st Century Song'. 'I Need Weed' and 'Boom Shiva' are familiar
tales about the good ole chronic which appeared on Jahtari's "Ode to a Carrot" . These versions are
from a much earlier recording session and have a different edge.

Available now from ScotchBonnet.net

Mungo's Hi Fi ft Soom T - Listening Bug EP

"The Listening Bug" EP showcases the Mungo's Hi Fi sound that does not fit straight into the reggae mold.
It's electronic with a LFO bass driven flurry and minimal meandering melodies. Track 'Jump up' quickly is
full of eastern mystique before cutting to a hard hitting rap style mixed in with Eek-a-Mouse. 'Run
Fool' is dark, jittery and hard, while 'War Song' has a sound that would not be out of place as the next
James bond theme tune.

Available now from ScotchBonnet.net

Ramon Judah - Only Wicked People

Just like London buses, you wait ages for one then two turn up together, Reggae Roasts charismatic front man and lead vocalist Ramon Judah after taking 5 years to release his first single with the label has just released his second in as many months.  Production is again by Conscious Sound (AKA Bush Chemist) as they take a unique twist on Yami Bolo’s ‘Jah Made Them All’ whilst riding on a take of the classic ‘Every Tongue Shall Tell’ riddim.

Completing the single are a straight riddim cut, a 80’s digital style re-lick from Scotland based Riddim Tuffa Sound plus regular Reggae Roast contributor Adam Prescott injecting a touch of dubstep.