THE CAROLOREGIANS - FAT IS BACK NEW ALBUM & UK TOUR

The Caroloregians will be making a super-rare return to the UK in March'12 to promote their brand new album 'Fat Is Back'.  

If you want to sample their almighty soundclash of pounding rhythm & soul vs finger-licking funkified reggae, a bit like "The Meters vs The Upsetters" and see why they are considered Europe's no1 band and the choice backing band for: Ken Boothe, Alton Ellis, The Pioneers, Rico and Dave & Ansel Collins and more you can catch ‘em at the following

March 2012:  

02 Oxford Skylarkin @ The Cellar  01865 244761

03 Newcastle Cluny  0191 230 4474

04 High Wycombe Nags Head Blues Loft 07572 452 221

06 London The Workshop  (under Roadtrip Bar/Diner), 243 Old St, London album release party

05 Cardiff The Globe  07590 471 888

07 Harlow The Square 01279 305 000

08 Blaneau Fsteninog Cellb 01766832001

09 Leeds Wardrobe 0113 383 8800

10 Manchester Band On The Wall 01618341786

CD:  out on 5 March'12 - Available now on Do The Dog Music from www.londoninternationalskafestival.co.uk/shop

Digital:  out now on Phoenix City/Cherry Red - available at all good outlet including itunes & Amazon

Listen to the track 'Donna Donna' at YOUTUBE

Mungo's Hi Fi - Dutty Diseases Riddim

This ones duuuuutty! Mungo's are launching into the new year with a set of 7 inches featuring their cut of the classic riddim diseases. It is a certified soundsystem party starter and a staple of Mungo's Hi Fi sets for the last year.

The release features choice cuts from YT, Mr. Williamz, Daddy Freddy, Daddy Scotty and Sister Carol accompanied by the clean riddim.

All the tracks fuse a conscious reality message with a serious dance vibe.

If you’re into your vinyl then visit Scotch Bonnet Records quick as there are only a limited number available.

Speedometer featuring Martha High 'The Shakedown'

Speedometer are one of the groups to have spearheaded the resurgence in deep, gritty funk and soul over the last decade with their strong, original material, as well as working with legends Eddie Bo, Sharon Jones, Billy Wooten, and Sir Joe Quartermain.

One of the recorded highlights of their many collaborations are the two juicy nuggets of sweet soul music sitting on either side of this fantastic single, featuring as it does the mainstay of the James Brown live shows for over 30 years, and Maceo Parkers current vocalist, Martha High.

Freestyle Records are to release these sides not only to celebrate the February 2012 UK tour Speedometer are embarking on, with Martha High leading from the front as only she can!

They are also immensely proud to announce that Martha will be releasing a new album with them this year, produced by Speedometer main man Leigh Gracie. The Shakedown (Say Yeah) is an almost criminally infectious groove with massive blasts of brass, growling organ, crisp drumming, snappy guitar and the bonus of added vocals from UK soul man Myles Sanko, providing the answer to Marthas' call to action!.

Flipside, Dragging Me Down evokes the spirit of Motown, long sweaty nights at Northern Soul venues like The Wigan Casino and The Twisted Wheel!

If you are looking for a quality download of this cracking new single they heartily recommend you grab it from Juno Download RIGHT HERE!

You can also catch the band and Martha LIVE at the following shows in

February 2012 including a headline show at the legendary Ronnie Scotts Club, London:

NEWCASTLE -  HOOCHIE COOCHIE - FEB 23RD.

LEEDS - THE WARDROBE - FEB 24TH.

MANCHESTER - BAND ON THE WALL - FEB 25TH.

LONDON - RONNIE SCOTTS - FEB 26TH

Meet By The Rivers

By The Rivers were formed in Leicester in the Spring of 2010 by Nile Barrow and Jordan Birtles, who have been friends since birth. The band quickly became a 6 piece, inspired by all genres of music.

This outfit of talented youngsters write and perform catchy songs in a reggae style. A music they have an obvious passion for. They sing songs full with social comment and positive messages that affect the youth of today. This band speaks truth about modern living through their brand of Roots Reggae for a new generation!


Read more about them in an interview at.........

Visit their web site at:  www.bytherivers.co.uk/

and join them at: www.facebook.com/bytherivers  &  twitter.com/#!/bytherivers

Sly & Robbie Present TAXI

This album fantastic album serves as something of a gateway in to the changes that were about to happen in reggae with electronic touches here and there plus Sly’s use of syndrums. The songs, with the exception of instrumental ‘Hot You're Hot’, have lasted well against the test of time and its great to see it get released on CD as part of Spectrum's 'Originals' range.

read more and hear sound bites at...........

Early Worm - Natty Droid Free Download

Dubmatix is back again giving away free albums. This time though it is not one of his but one from his own Renegade Media label signings Early Worm (Earlyw~rm), the Toronto-based dub artist with whom he has been friends with for many years.

The album, his debut and titled ‘Natty Droid’, is described as Future Dub and of being “Dub that has travelled across the Galaxy and landed on Earlyworm’s Terra Firma laptop”.

There is no doubt he has his own individual style so visit Soundcloud.com to join him on his cosmic journey. 

Phoenix City Records To Release Ska Tributes

Phoenix City Records the Ska and Rocksteady imprint of Cherry Red Records have announced that they are to release two tribute albums to the ska and rocksteady periods.

First up is an album from one of UK's most loved ska bands the Dualers who will present their tribute to king of Ska Prince Buster in their own highly stylised mix of ska and reggae. The album will include versions of Chinaman Ska, King of Kings, Orange Street and Enjoy Yourself amongst others.

The Dualers have previously entered the UK charts on three occasions with ‘Truly Madly Deeply’, ‘Don’t Go’ and ‘Kiss On My Lips’, shifted over 35,000 albums and sold out London's O2 Indigo four times.

The second album will be from the Phoenix City All-Stars and will be titled ‘2 Tone: Ska & Rocksteady Special’. This band of as yet unnamed musicians will feature the vocals of stars old and new including Dave 'Double Barrel' Barker and Michie One who has performed with the likes of Pama International, will be presenting unique twist as they repatriate some of 2 Tone's greatest hits to the 'Sounds of Young Jamaica' in a what is reported as being “a blazing 60's Ska - Skatalites style and the sweetest sounding rocksteady & reggae”. Songs included for a re-working include The Specials ‘Too Much Too Young’, which was originally based around Lloydie & The Lowbites ‘Birth Control’, ‘Stereotype’ and the iconic ‘Ghost Town’, then there is The Selecter’s self-titled theme song, originally the B-side to The Specials ‘Gangsters’ and a version of Elvis Costello’s ‘I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down’, a 2-Tone rarity as it was given away free a gigs after publishing issues, featuring the afore mentioned Mr Barker.

Both albums will be launched at The London Intl Ska Festival in May and CD versions can be pre-ordered now (Phoenix All Stars Friday, Dualers Saturday) with tickets from www.londoninternationalskafestival.co.uk/tickets and picked up at the festival, or alternatively if you can’t make this both will be available on CD and download formats from itunes, Amazon and other usual outlets after the event.

Club Reggae Re-released

Out again one of Trojan’s best selling reggae collections. If you owned this album the first time around then it’s a no brainer way to update one of your prized assets and if you didn’t it still makes for a solid compilation that captures a thriving time in UK reggae history when just about every teenager in the UK had at least one of reggae record in their musical collection.

find out more at......

King Stitt - A Boss DJ

Legendary deejay Winston Sparkes AKA King Stitt has passed away on the 31st January, after having been ill for sometime with both prostate cancer and diabetes which led to him being admitted to hospital late last month.

King Stitt was often referred to as the Ugly One, due to facial disfiguration from birth, but he did not let this hold him back and in fact turned it into something of an asset. Born in 1940, his musical career began at the age of 17 when he came to the attention of Coxsone Dodd and his Downbeat Sound. Here he honed his style appearing behind the likes of Count Machuki and Red Hopeton to rave reviews. When Machuki retired Stitt‘s popularity had grown to such an extent that he ended up being the star turn with U Roy following behind.

Despite spending such a long time with Coxsone it wasn’t until 1969 that he put his talent on vinyl, recording such classics as ‘Lee Van Cleef’, ‘Herbman Shuffle’, ‘Vigorton 2’ and ‘Dance Beat’ for producer Clancy Eccles, with The Dynamites supplying the backing. His greatest hit though is probably ‘Fire Corner’, for although many people outside of reggae circles may not be familiar with his name many will have heard his prophetic words “No matter what the people say, these sounds leads the way”, the opening gambit to the song that has been sampled by many over the years.

Stitt, although not prolific on the recording front, continued to work and appeared at last years Garance Reggae Festival plus was with  producer Chester Synmoie in Brazil in October on a series of engagements when the producer sadly passed away in the airport on the way home. King Stitt will be greatly missed and was a leading light who showed the way too many.