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.

15th Afro Roots World Music Festival

For the 15th year in a row, Jose Elias and local non-profit organization, Community Arts and Culture will be putting on the annual Afro Roots World Music Festival in Miami, Florida on August 3rd.

The line-up is predominantly Latin flavoured but there will also be many African artists taking part such as Ibrahima Dioubate and Fatala an ensemble started by Ibrahima Dioubate a renowned balafonist from the country of Guinea whose family linage of balafonist goes back five hundred years when they were musicians for the Royal Court. Dioubate is currently working with guitarist and producer Jose Elias, on an album that fuses the traditions of Guinean Folk music with modern instrumental components.
Also there is an appearance from Venus Rising, a West African inspired, multi-ethnic, female drum and dance troupe dedicated to creating works that uplift and inspire, C.K Ladzekpo a performer, choreographer and composer who is the director of the African music program at the University of California and a member of a famous family of African musicians and dancers who traditionally serve as lead drummers and composers among the Anlo-Ewe people of south-eastern Ghana in West Africa and the distinguished Afro Polyphonic World Orchestra (APOW).

On the reggae front there will be performances from Itawe, a Colombian who has been living in the US since the age of 14 and is the front man of Latin Band Miami New Times but is now to release a reggae based solo debut filled with songs of revolution, freedom and love entitled “The Solution” plus local heroes DJ’s Lance-O and Kulcha Shok who have become synonymous with reggae music in South Beach over the past few years thanks to their club nights.

Galak Spiritual EP

Hundred years have released the debut EP from Parisian singjay Galak Spiritual. The release is the first on the new label and comprises five tracks, all combining the artists trademark blend of reggae, hip hop and dancehall.

With vocal turns and productions from many of the Unit 137 collective and onlyjoe band, whom Galak has worked with closely over his time in London. The release is an exciting insight in to the versatile artists body of work, and is a small taste of big things to come, as a debut album looms in the not too distant future.

The release will be launched in London on June 14th at the Bussey Buildings in Peckham, alongside Unit 137, Gorgon Sound and Lionpulse Sound, and then in Paris on June 15th at Le Bloc alongside Dirty Zoo.

This release is available digitally and on CD through Hundred Years and other outlets.

Mahala Rai Banda - BalkanReggae

Since the early-1960s Jamaican music has rocked the world: Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae, Dub, Dancehall having established internationally that beautiful, troubled island as a leader in musical innovation and good grooves. The fall of the Berlin Wall found Romania's Gypsy musicians making a similar impression on the West with their ancient string bands and furious brass bands creating a groove like no other.

The funkiest of all Romanian bands are Mahala Rai Banda. This Bucharest-based band have mixed Funk and Latin flavours into furious brass groove and torn up stages across the world. In 2009, on their acclaimed album "Ghetto Blasters", Mahala Rai Banda cut "Balkan Reggae", a lovely, swinging instrumental that showed how Eastern cymbaloms, violins, accordions and trumpets could embrace a very Caribbean flavour.

Reggae in Romania? Few imagined that the Jamaican sound could penetrate so far East or that a Gypsy band could play it with such feel. Yet everyone who heard Balkan Reggae loved it and Reggae DJs across Europe began dropping the tune in their sets. As 2012 signalled the 50th anniversary of Jamaica's independence Mahala Rai Banda reached out to their Jamaican brethren and requested Dub remixes on Balkan Reggae.

The response was strong. Leading the charge was Mad Professor - the legendary, London-based Jamaican producer who has gone toe-to-toe with Lee Perry and Massive Attack amongst many others - followed by Nick Manasseh (feat. dread DJ Gregory Fabulous), Jstar, G-Vibes (feat. acclaimed Brixton Blues man Errol Linton), Vibronics, Kanka and Asphalt Tango artists La Cherga and Koby Israelite.

"Balkan Reggae" - The Dub Mixes is the first ever album where Balkan Gypsy music meets the Dreads uptown! As they like to shout over a hot mix in Trenchtown: "Irie!"

Read the review at........

The Benevolence of Sister Mary Ignatius

Some 35 years ago sax player Lee Thompson helped introduced an entire generation to Ska music when as part of Madness they exploded on to the music scene on the crest of the 2-Tone wave. Now in the time between various Madness gigs and duties El Thommo has been filling that gap since 2011 by forming his own Ska Orchestra, with the aid of fellow Madness member and bassist Mark Bedford, to recreate and pay homage to those authentic Ska and Reggae rhythms that burst out of Jamaica in the mid to late 1960’s that influenced him and the band so much. 

Since then The Orchestra have been performing all over to rave reviews and the next logical step was to put that sound on record which has resulted in the release of debut album “The Benevolence of Sister Mary Ignatius”, with the title itself paying tribute to the lady who opened and ran the Alpha School for Boys. The album features their takes on many Ska classics like Baba Brookes’ ‘Gun Fever’, Jackie Mittoo’s ‘Napoleon Solo’, ‘EasternStandard Time’ by Don Drummond plus in amongst all these great instrumentals is the  single release, featuring Bitty Mclean on vocals, a take on Desmond  Dekker’s mighty, mystical 'Fu Man Chu'. The album has been co-produced by Mike Pelanconi aka Prince Fatty who has worked with the likes of reggae greats Dennis Alcapone, Little Roy and Winston Francis as well as helping introduce us to the delights of the talented Hollie Cook.

The Benevolence of Sister Mary Ignatius is available from all major and local outlets NOW!

Hylu & Jago - The Uplifting Riddim

Last year London based production duo Hylu & Jago broke onto the scene with the release of the very contemporary, assured roots reggae styled riddim 'Anansi'.
Now Unit 137 are to present their long awaited second release the ‘Uplifting Riddim’ which continues in a similar roots vein and has been written with the aid of onlyjoe member, guitarist and composer R. Kent.
There are four solid vocal cuts on the riddim from the likes of the Trinidadian Jah Defender, Jamaican singer Josie Mel plus more onlyjoe connections with vocalists Dandelion and Galak Spiritual.
Remix duties are performed by Sleepy Time Ghost and Reggae Roast's own Adam Prescott who both add their own inimitable style to proceedings.