By the end of the 1970s Linval Thompson had cut out a successful dual career for himself as both singer and producer. Naturally he moved in the dub field as well, getting further use out of rhythms he used in his other works. Dub had begun strictly as an album format with limited pressing runs for scene insiders, but it had swiftly gained the interest of the rank and file reggae buffs. ‘Negrea Love Dub’, originally released in 1978, is a cornerstone in the reggae dub scene. The sound of the ten dubs featured here is hypnotic and its effects are euphoric to say the least.
Mystic Jungle is back with a new album of free-spirited forays into solar-sonic fantasy. Dario di Pace’s third LP, ‘Sunset Breaker’, has been in gestation for a long while and reflects an arduous journey through studio closures and multiple recording locations. It also shows the stylistic variety that results when a set of songs develops over several years. Despite this difficult journey, Mystic Jungle has produced a rich and multi-colored display of sounds and styles, resulting in his most diverse and adventurous musical narrative thus far. Standout dance tracks like “Secrets” and “Some Lovin’” feature disco beats and body-moving grooves, with searing guitars, sultry saxophones, and layers of loved-up lyrics and call-and-response vocals that add to the magical motion. Meanwhile, “Innervision” and “Twilight” draw inspiration from lovers rock and neon new-wave dub pop, where yearning vocals, ecstatic pixie hooks, and liquid fuzz leads intertwine with fantasy synths and exotic string instruments from faraway lands. On sunbaked, stoner tracks like “The Road” and “Get Me Higher,” Mystic Jungle blends harmonizing passages of 60s psychedelia, radiant summer soul, and low-down zoner jamming.
Island style electronic dub from the Mad Professor. Originally released in 1985 on the same Ariwa imprint. True D.I.Y. business from this UK dub pioneer.
Reissue of this super rare 12inch from the legendary Tapper Zukie. ‘Visions Of Love’ is a vocal lead groove fest, with bumping bass lines and throwback house beats, whilst the B-side lays out a dubbier version of the original. Proper floor filler material here.
Black Rox is back with 2 more sneaky Soft Rocks specials that have somehow been liberated from locked CD wallets and released into the wild for general consumption. The A side Sabu Dance combines Horns, Flutes & Percussion on this killer slice of midtempo funk from Africa via Berlin. This has been thoroughly road tested by Soft Rocks at their Kinfolk night & never fails to get a great response from the dancefloor. Side B. Don’t worry it’s not the tantric one’s ode to voyeurism but a rare as hens teeth slice of UK. Reggae at is’s finest. Adjustments have been made sensitively and sounds have been chosen to carefully match those from the appropriate era.
Beautiful and heartfelt cover of the soul classic. High quality Japanese reissue of a Glen Brown soul reggae tune, with a bad horns instrumental by Tommy McCook on the flip.
Inspired by reggae, sound system culture and the myriad of musical styles influenced by Jamaican music old and new, The Lions’ sound is firmly placed in soul music. The band draws together a dozen or so of LA’s elite reggae and soul forerunners who loosely coalesced as The Lions in 2007. Members of the legendary ska band Hepcat, Deston Berry and Alex Désert, form half of the vocal team, and the latter also has a successful career on screen, including roles in the films Swingers and High Fidelity. The other half is the sweet falsetto of Malik Moore and DJ stylings of Black Shakespeare, the charismatic cousin of Robbie Shakespeare (of Sly & Robbie fame) and co-runner of the i&i Sound System, a customized ice cream van bringing bass to the streets of the west coast. ‘This Generation’ is being released on vinyl in the form of a 45 box set containing the 12 tracks from the album plus non-album dub versions.
Third edition of Sex Tags Amfibia’s annual 7inch split features digi-dubbed, ultra heavy and solid bass prods outta Moss Norway. Kambo Super Sound with serious steppa dub action on the A. On B a dance-hall-dubbed track from Don Papa’s archive suitable for toasting as well as heavy car stereos.
The Hipodrome Of Music 