current reviews: singles and albums

 last update: 2nd may 2001

 

"way out rockers"/"keep skanking on dub" - augustus pablo [jamacan recordings]  10" most definitely one for the roots reggae fans.  sadly augustus pablo has passed away but will be remembered as a pioneer within reggae music with his signature melodica based tracks. two tracks on this ten inch single, "way out rockers" - a typical heavy bass, a minimal strings with plenty of reverb!  "keep skanking on dub" keep the same vibe with the classic melodica echoing by pablo.  a master at work.

"down by the river"/"jah seed" - morgan heritage  7" interestingly this 7" comes with two tracks and no dub versions.  "down by the river" is the more commercially playable tune but still holding onto those conscious lyrics and excellent vocals.  "jah seed" has more of a down tempo rootsy feel to it.  top tunes.

 

	"studio one rockers" - various artists [soul jazz] i have been a fan of soul jazz for many years now and this in my opinion is honestly their best release to date.  as the title implies, the lp focuses on the work of clement 'sir coxsone' dodd, the owner and producer of studio one, the legendary jamaican studio.  the album includes the original version of 'no no no' by dawn penn alongside other reggae stars such as jackie mittoo, marcia griffiths and horace andy. clement dodd started the studio in the late fifties, the music was inspired by u.s. sounds which were filtering through to the island via farm workers who spent vast periods of time working as farmers in the usa.  these sounds combined with traditional jamaican music formed what we now know as reggae. this long player is the perfect introduction to jamaican funk with plenty of well known tracks as well as some truly rare gems.  these tunes may well be over thirty years old but they sound just as fresh today, as they did when they were first produced.  this album is a must for anyone wishing to trace the musical origins of reggae, funk, hip hop and drum & bass. (reviewed by james starling)
	"400% dynamite!" - various artists [soul jazz] the soul jazz 'dynamite' series goes from strength to strength with this, the fourth album. classic ska and reggae that blessed these shores from jamaica.  if you missed any of these or want to give your original copies a rest, then this lp comes heavily recommended - includes, tenor saw & buju banton "ring the alarm quick", barrington levy "under me sensi", toot and the maytals "54-46 was my number" plus many more.
	"jackie mittoo: the keyboard king at studio one" - jackie mittoo if you're not familiar with the "jackie mittoo sound", think rocksteady meets booker t & the mg's - funky reggae music!  having passed away in 1990 aged only 42, he will always be remembered as one of the pioneers of ska music - he was a founding member of the skatalites. an excellent album demonstrating his versatility with reggae music in his career.
	"300% dynamite!" - various artists the third installment from the "dynamite!" series on soul jazz records.  if you're not familiar with the series, it covers reggae, ska, soul, rocksteady, funk and dub from jamaica.  this album is a goldmine of old skool reggae and dub.  artists include: toots and the maytals, jackie mitto & randy's allstars, lee perry, johnny clarke and augustus pablo.  if that's not enough then maybe sister nancy "bam bam", wayne smith "under me sleng teng" and the classic althea & donna "uptown top ranking" is enough to tempt you?