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viewing 1 To 25 of 121 items
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LP
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RR 397LP
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$24.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 1/26/2024
Dynamic dancehall singer Anthony Johnson began his career in the mid-1970s, cutting a few sides for Channel One before he joined the group Mystic I who cut some great work for Lee Perry and Linval Thompson before disbanding, leading to the hit material Johnson cut for Jah Thomas as a solo singer. Togetherness dates from 1993, when Johnson was long based in London, but his singing kills remained on par as in his heyday, the album a mix of ballads, pop adaptations and songs of dancehall appeal, the soave production values and one-off vocal style making it popular in Brazil and other territories. A lost gem, ripe for rediscovery!
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RR 396LP
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$24.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 1/26/2024
John Holt began his career in ska, came to prominence in the Paragons in rock steady and achieved international breakthroughs as a solo roots crooner, remaining versatile in terms of approach and subject matter. Peace Maker is an intriguing album of the mid-1990s, this time recorded between Jamaica and the UK with top-class musicians such as Sly and Robbie, Lindel Lewis and Steely of Steely and Clevie fame. With his voice entirely undiminished and a mixture of romance ballads and songs of social commentary, this is another fine collection that will delight all John Holt fans, as well as reggae heads who favor the sentimental.
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RR 394LP
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$24.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 1/26/2024
A bona fide legend from the ghettos of western Kingston, Gregory Isaacs was a true reggae original whose voice is one of the greatest of the idiom. His ballads made him a favorite with the ladies, but Gregory addressed social issues with equal conviction, and tales of rude boy life were sung firsthand. Maximum Respect is a digital killer from the early 1990s, cut for the pioneering sound system owner Count Shelley, the durable rhythms provided by Steelie and Clevie and the Firehouse Crew. With love ballads, reality tunes and songs praising the dancehall, Gregory covers all the bases and more. This is a must for all true Gregory fans!
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LP
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RR 3901LP
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$24.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 12/8/2023
Jamaica's supreme rhythm builders during the 1980s and '90s, Steely and Clevie joined forces at King Jammy's in the aftermath of Sleng Teng, with Clevie on drum machines and Steely on synths, to fashion countless hit rhythms for the rising stars of the dancehall movement. Dubbist was the first Steely and Clevie dub album, an irresistible collection of tough digital dub workouts that strips bare the computerized wizardry at the duo's core. Collecting dubs cut at various studios, including King Jammy's and Tuff Gong, these killer dubs will delight all digital dancehall fans.
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RR 383LP
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Classic Wailers recordings done with Lee Perry early '70s. Tuff roots rhythms with early stripped-down versions to later well-known tracks such as "Sun Is Shining," "African Herbsman," "Keep On Moving" and many more.
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RR 388LP
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During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Barry Brown was one of the handful of upcoming artists that came to define the emerging dancehall style as a singer with a distinctive high tenor that was instantly recognizable, and one which inevitably made a lasting impression on the listener. His lyrics were witty, gritty, and full of gusto, typically addressing the trials and tribulations facing the underprivileged, but also celebrating the positive aspects of ghetto life, including the irresistible lure of the local sound systems, the need to enjoy a loving relationship with a woman, and the various other joys one may encounter along the way. Most of the work on Love And Protection, an intriguing compilation that surfaced in the mid-1990s, brings us back to Barry Brown's peak period as heard on the Cool Pon Your Corner and Far East LPs, along with the original unembellished mixes of two EPs released by Black Roots, as well as some harder to trace material, such as the vibrant digital title track. Running the gauntlet from "reality" tunes to dance numbers to songs of loving romance and everything in between, it ultimately emphasizes Barry Brown's impressive versatility, highlighting the important role he played in the shift from roots to dancehall.
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RR 389LP
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One of the most popular and high profile of Jamaican reggae vocalists, Gregory Isaacs was a rough diamond who clawed his way out of the harsh western Kingston ghetto with an instantly recognizable voice that was wonderfully emotive, expressing both his toughness and determination for betterment, as well as the bleeding heart of a vulnerable lover. New Dance is one of the excellent mid-1990s dancehall albums expertly produced by Anthony Dehaney, alias Bunny Gemini, working as usual with the Firehouse Crew, this time with Fatman Thompson of King Tubby's studio at the mixing desk and guitarist Lascelles Beckford of the Gifted Roots band as special guest. As usual, Gregory rides the rhythms with considerable aplomb, feeling completely natural atop the hard-edged rhythms and tackling a range of topics along the way. Much of the album deals with love lost, love gained, and love deferred; "Say A Special Prayer" revamps the evergreen "Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On" and "New Dance" salutes the allure of dancehall music in the open air. This is one of Mr. Isaacs' better offerings from the mid-1990s, worth getting to know if you're not already familiar with it, and a must-have if you've worn out your original copy.
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RR 398LP
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Deejay Jah Thomas was one of the creative figures making a dramatic impact on the Kingston sound system scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the rhythms he laid at Channel One studio with the Roots Radics helping to steer reggae towards the emerging dancehall style. Voicing and mixing his work at King Tubby's studio, typically with the young upstart engineer known as Scientist, Thomas got his start as a quick-witted deejay in the vibrant sound system scene of western Kingston, making his recording debut in 1976 with Midnight Rock, a hit that became the name of his record label, once he shifted to producing his own work. Dance Hall Connection, which first surfaced in 1983, is easily one of his best LPs, Thomas ably riding the rough Radics rhythms with style. The title track is a variant of the "Boneman Connection" theme that references dancehall's grounding in sound system culture, "Friday Night Jamboree" salutes the music's potent allure on a top cut of the "Entertainment" rhythm, and "Let Him In" implores the gateman to allow an impoverished dreadlocks into the dance; "Ni**er Skank" warns against wrongdoers, "Joker Smoker" pokes fun at those who can't handle their herb, and "Living In Jamaica" describes various aspects of lifestyle on the island. Elsewhere, Thomas enters boasting territory on "Cool Profile," disses combative women on "Jealous," recounts his girlfriend's dubious antics on "Gal A Laugh" and implores another not to forget him once she emigrates. Flash it, Jah Thomas! This is musical murder!
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RR 385LP
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One of the greatest reggae singers of all time, Dennis Brown made an incredible impact during a career that spanned four decades, his reign cut short by his tragically early death from a collapsed lung in 1999, aged just 42. First released in 1995 under the title Take A Stand and also known as Temperature Is Rising, the album Love Is So True was expertly produced by Anthony Dehaney, alias Bunny Gemini, at the Record Factory studios in Kingston, then home to some of the better dancehall being cut in Jamaica. Along with saxophonist/arranger Dean Fraser and the Fire House Crew and "Rhythm Twins" Sly and Robbie, the featured musicians include the stalwart keyboardist Ansel Collins of "Double Barrel" and "Stalag" fame, guitarist Lascelles Beckford and bassist Danny "Axe Man" Thompson of the Gifted Roots band, trumpeter David Madden of Zap Pow, and keyboardist Dennis "Jah D" Fearon. The keen musicianship brought forth by these players helped coax the best out of Brown on songs such as "Never Let Your Heart Be Troubled," which rides a tough re-cut of the "Full Up" rhythm, and "Temperature Is Rising," on a durable re-cut of the "Far East"/"Jah Shakey" rhythm; "A Little Respect" makes use of a bouncing update of "Pressure And Slide," the meditative "Sea Shore" is on a great dancehall cut of "Real Rock" and the anti-rude boy "Gangster" is voiced on a beautiful dancehall interpretation of "Freedom Blues." There's even a dancehall take of the Beatles' "You Won't See Me," delivered as only Dennis Brown can, as well as a likeable re-make of Dennis' own "Have You Ever."
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RR 379LP
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The compilation you hold in your hands features the best of U Brown's 1983 release Jam It Tonight, cut at Channel One with the Roots Radics, coupled with enthralling earlier singles laid at Channel with the Revolutionaries. The high points are many in this thoroughly agreeable set that showcases the best of peak-period U Brown; beginning with the devotional "Jah Is My Father Still" and "Walk With Jah Love" from Jam It Tonight, the title track speaks of reggae music's unstoppable nature and "Reggae Gone International" is a celebratory take of the "Pick A Dub" rhythm, here totally reconfigured. "Rub A Dub All The Time" (aka "Tu Sheng Peng") is a killer take of the Dennis Brown song of the same name, while "Blow Mr Hornsman Blow" is an awesome reworking of the "Take Five" rhythm, and "Come Along" a beautiful deejay counterpart to Sugar Minott's "Steal Away Girl." U Brown has since gone on to enjoy all kinds of musical adventures in the UK, USA, and Europe, where he settled in the 1990s; listen to the artistry on No Stoppin' This Music and marvel at his enduring talents.
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RR 360LP
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Reissue. Compilation originally released in 2006. Deejay Jah Thomas was one of the creative figures making a dramatic impact on the Kingston sound system scene of the late 1970s and early '80s, the rhythms he laid at Channel One studio with the Roots Radics helping to steer reggae towards the emerging dancehall style. Voicing and mixing his work at King Tubby's studio, typically with the young upstart engineer known as Scientist, Thomas was another champion in the realm of dub, his re-makes of vintage Studio One and Treasure Isle rhythms part of the process. In A Dub Explosion is a thrilling comp of tough dubs, mixed by Scientist and the King.
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RR 377LP
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Recorded in the 1982. Roots Radics backing in a dancehall style with the drums and bass of style Scott and Errol Flabba Holt on extended 12" mixes. Produced by Jah Thomas at Channel One Studio.
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RR 382LP
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Reissue. Legendary Jamaican songsmith Gregory Isaacs's 1995 album Private Lesson on Radiation Roots. The set includes laidback cuts "Preacher Boy," "Feeling Sad Tonight," "Diplomatic Fool," "She Doesn't Want Me," "Slave Master," and many more.
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RR 378LP
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Reissue of this 1982 release. Recorded and mixed at Channel One and King Tubby's studios. Includes killer songs such as "Reggae Dance," "Unwilling Baby Mother," "Sweet Reggae Music," and "This Kind Of Way." A dancehall classic!
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RR 380LP
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Reissue. Crucial set of dubs from Scientist. Barry Brown Meets The Scientist features twelve extra-heavy Scientist mixes of Barry Brown tracks originally cut and played at King Tubby's by the legendary Roots Radics. Six vocal mixes and a further six dubs, where the peerless Scientist really cuts loose on the mixing board, nudging the EQs and royally dubbing Brown outta sight.
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RR 373LP
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Reissue, originally released in 1984. Founded in 1981 in Britain's second city Birmingham, the band Sceptre were part of a thriving local music scene, a scene that for the most part revolved around live shows in the region's community centers, university campuses, pubs, and nightclubs. Neglected by major labels, many bands went unrecorded and of those that did get documented most managed to release just one or two singles. Fortunately, Sceptre recorded and released an entire album, 1984's Essence of Redemption Ina Dif'rent Styley.
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RR 374LP
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Reissue. A heavy old school sound reverberates from the Midlands reggae scene, one which remains unrivalled across the UK and is perfectly summed up by Capital Letters, whose mixing from 1985 is of an impeccable quality, here rereleased for reggae fans everywhere. Reality by Capital Letters should be a collectors' favorite and a new generations introduction, it is a brilliant revival of classic authentic material and overall vibrant piece of work.
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RR 369LP
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Reissue, originally released in 1976. Former Customs clerk Roy Reid thrilled the Jamaican music scene as a toaster, his effortless rhymes establishing a reputation on the Supreme Ruler of Sound in his native Spanish Town and later on various Kingston sets, including King Tubby's. Following a successful phase in London, he returned to Jamaica to record for various producers, having a special connection with chief hit-maker, Bunny Lee; Dread Bald Head is a rare set from 1976 with Roy toasting at Tubby's studio over some of Bunny's hardest Aggrovators rhythms as laid by Tommy McCook and team, originally for Johnny Clarke and Derrick Morgan. Essential listening.
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RR 347LP
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Reissue, originally released in 1978. Second album reissue for Big Joe (born Joseph Spalding in 1955), Jamaican reggae deejay and record producer, who recorded extensively in the 1970s and early 1980s. This is the follow-up to Keep Rocking And Swinging (1977), released on Live & Love in 1978 and produced by Bunny Lee. A must for all the reggae and dub fanatics out on Radiation Roots.
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RR 349LP
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Radiation Roots present a reissue of Delroy Wilson's Captivity, originally released in 1973. Delroy Wilson was one of Jamaica's most soulful vocalists, and over a 40-year career the singer unleashed a flood of hits and a multitude of masterpieces. Born on October 5, 1948, in the Kingston neighborhood of Trenchtown, Wilson's phenomenal talent would be his ticket out of the ghetto, and his discovery by producer Coxsone Dodd in 1962 would change the path of Jamaican music. Released on Big Shot in 1973 and produced by Bunny Lee, Captivity is one of the true classics from Delroy's discography, back on vinyl for the first time since its original release.
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2LP
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RR 345LP
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One of the best-loved reggae singers of all time, Slim Smith. Responsible for many perennial hits that have remained popular with fans since their recording in the late 1960s and early '70s, Slim Smith achieved a lasting influence that trumps the brevity of his vocation and the terribly tragic death that cut everything short. This retrospective includes tracks from Slim Smith & The Uniques period such as "Let Me Go Girl", "My Conversation", and "Girl Of My Dreams". These immortal gems and more are collected on the first record of this double-disc set, giving clear indication of the group's tightness and Smith's exceptional ability in the lead. The second disc collects plenty of examples of his solo career, beginning with a tasteful version of "Keep The Light", "Love Power", and "This Feeling". The rhythms of many of Slim's best-loved records have been recycled countless times over in subsequent decades, keeping his spirit very much within our contemporary musical landscape.
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RR 358LP
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Radiation Roots present a reissue of Ranking Toyan's Ghetto Man Skank, originally released in 1983. By the time Ghetto Man Skank appeared on Jah Thomas's Midnight Rock imprint in 1983, Ranking Toyan was already a seasoned veteran of Kingston's soundclash scene, having apprenticed with a number of smaller outfits before becoming earning a slot with Henry "Junjo" Lawes's Volcano Sound and winning widespread acclaim for his effortless, patois-laden delivery and his gruff putdowns of rival DJs. Though Toyan had already cut a number of outstanding sides for producer Don Mais, his collaborations with Lawes are undoubtedly his definitive recordings. Ghetto Man Skank stands as the very best of these. It boasts a set of simple, punishingly hard rhythms from the ace studio band The Roots Radics, which Toyan dominates with ease. His ability to spill forth unending streams of wordplay, streetcorner boasts, and infectious slogans is truly remarkable, enlivening every song on this set. Though Toyan didn't receive the same acclaim as fellow Volcano Sound DJs like Yellowman and Eek-A-Mouse, his outstanding performances on Ghetto Man Skank prove he was their equal in every respect.
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RR 363LP
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When dubwise music really started to come into its own in the early to mid-70s, it made overnight stars of backroom boys who had hitherto worked behind a mixing desk to serve those who were beginning to hoist reggae to an international stardom that it had long deserved, but that it had only achieved on short and non-sustained bursts until Chris Blackwell decided to throw a lot of promotion and money at the work of Bob Marley and his fellow Wailers in 1972. Of those men, there was no bigger star than the late Osbourne Ruddock, the great King Tubby's and the man who, from a tiny home-made studio in the Waterhouse district of Kingston, Jamaica, did more than most to reposition the boundaries that production and mixing of Jamaican recordings.
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RR 361LP
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It's impossible to think about "dub" without thinking about the late Osbourne Ruddock, the great King Tubby. The singular most creative human being of the great many who've plied their trade behind a mixing desk in the name of reggae since the early 1970s. Dub may well have existed before Tubbs raised its profile to almost unimaginable heights, and it has continued to exist in the 21 years since he was senselessly slain in 1989.
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RR 362LP
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The early days of the man affectionately known to his peers as Tubbs's are chronicled in some detail in the notes to this LP's predecessor and companion volume, not unreasonably titled King Tubby Classics Chapter 1 (RR 361LP). It's unlikely that anyone who buys Chapter 2 will not already have Chapter 1, but for the few who don't it's only fair that you start the note with a short précis of the early life and career of the boy born to be king.
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