MUSIC

Mandatory re-issue for this 1979 roots reggae smash

One of the Hidden Gems out of the Rockers Int Label released in 1995 this LP features so many classic Far East melodies from Pablo mixing the digital and analog formats to perfection with vocals by Pablo on the title track as well as Majestic Niyabinghi Drums and the finest musicians

Ken Boothe and Lloyd Charmers come together on a landmark release that bridges soulful vocals with the stripped-down power of drum and bass. Each song is followed by a raw version, offering a bold, unfiltered statement that points directly to the future of reggae. No filler here—just foundation music at its purest.

1981 album, produced by Henry 'Junjo' Lawes, recorded at Channel One, backed by the Roots Radics.

Released by French reissue specialists Only Roots and Deep Roots, the Augustus Pablo vinyl LP, titled King Tubbys Meets Rockers At 5 Cardiff Crescent Washington Garden Kingston, compiles a treasure trove of mostly previously unreleased material licensed from the vaults of Augustus Pablo’s Rockers International. Recorded at Lee “Scratch” Perry’s Black Ark studio, mixed at King Tubby’s, and anchored by the Rockers All Stars’ timeless riddims, the album delivers dub versions of gems like The Immortals’ Why Keep A Good Man Down and A House Is Not A Home, Pablo’s own New Lots Express, Roman Stewart & Barrington Spence’s No Peace In The City, Ricky Grant’s Far Far Away, and Hugh Mundell’s defiant Run Revolution A Come. Of particular interest are two alternate cuts of Pablo’s Unfinished Melody, along with a rare partial vocal of Jacob Miller’s Stop Them Jah, voiced on the same classic riddim that underpins the iconic Who Say Jah No Dread. These tracks first appeared decades ago on a scarce 10-inch release and now makes a welcome return.

The cultured dub and tech label Sushitech marks its 20th anniversary by branching out with a new imprint, Wood White Sessions, which has been designed as an outlet for more intimate, home-focused listening sounds that don't stray too far from the parent label's original ethos. Dedicated to albums from long-time collaborators and core artists, the new venture expands the Sushitech sound with a softer, more reflective edge, and seasoned dub craftsman Another Channel is up first. Across eight cuts rich in texture and atmosphere, he hooks up with Prince Morella, Masis, and Yassin Omidi to immerse you in the most shady and pristine dub.

The Heptones are without doubt one of Jamaica’s finest vocal groups. Emerging in the 60s at Studio One, they became a landmark for reggae harmonies. This 1978 album, produced by Winston ‘Niney the Observer’ Holness, features top musicians including George Fullwood, Sly Dunbar, Ansel Collins, Tony Chin, and Eric ‘Bingy Bunny’ Lamont. Recorded at Channel One and mixed at Harry J Studios by Sylvan Morris, it remains a stone-cold classic, true to its roots.

Fully licensed, all tracks remastered ! Earth Running, originally released in 1979 on the Tappa's Stars label, can be considered the Jamaican's toaster's maturity album. Lyrics here are rooted in the "ghetto life" as always. A work with an international flavour: On Side B, two convincing dance tracks, the anthemic funkfest "Freak" and "One More Chance", often championed by DJs in the following years. A work that explored new territories, a mandatory re-issue for all authentic reggae lovers.

Scientist's name can be found all over any dub record collection; he was a protégé of King Tubby, and many would say that when dub fell on quieter times it was Scientist who breathed new life into it. His pared-down mixing style suited the dancehall reggae sound that arrived as the '70s rolled into the '80s. This 1982 album includes the priceless dub of Johnny Osbourne's classic "Give a Little Love," as well as further cuts of the likes of Hugh Mundell and Wayne Jarrett. Scientist is always in control.

Adrian Sherwood delivers a brand new full-length work for 2025, The Collapse Of Everything. A meticulously constructed album from the master mixologist, pushing his ever adventurous sound into new frontiers.

Although underpinned by a natural dub sensibility, the music presented on The Collapse of Everything fluidly crosses genre borders and seamlessly fuses a wide range of influences from a lifetime of listening and producing.

Featuring Brian Eno, Doug Wimbish, Keith Le Blanc, Cyrus Richards, and more. Mastered and cut by Frank Merritt at The Carvery. Artwork by Peter Harris.

unification of techno and dub reggae. At their chilliest, most magnificent and dreadful. Brilliantly remastered, one-sided.

unification of techno and dub reggae. The long-awaited 2023 repress of the Rhythm & Sound catalog number 3, which was originally announced in 1998! A one-of-a-kind solitary acoustic space by Mark Ernestus & Moritz von Oswald's Basic Channel.

Scientist was only 20 years old when, working with fellow producer "Junjo" Lawes, he came up with this 1980 stunner, a sinuous groove party with cartoonlike special effects (a lot of bongs and boings like pans hitting one another, blips and squeals that sound like a Pac-Man game). All the "song" titles are references to boxing (a motif that Scientist was obviously mining for all it was worth), and all are great individual bits of dub sound that cohere into a meaningful whole. As it says on the jacket, "This ya a youthful sound fe come mash y'down."

The groundbreaking debut album from 1981 that plays on both the title and concept of David Byrne and Brian Eno's My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. Built upon sparse backing tracks constructed by Adrian Sherwood, the producer invited Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah (who had studied under Count Ossie in the rasta drumming camp at Wareika Hill in Jamaica) to lay down hand percussion patterns and breaks on top, augmented by stereo-strafed effects and the occasional burst of Sun Ra-style horns. The result is a unique mixture of traditional African rhythms, dub and free jazz. Features DJ favourite “Stebeni’s Theme” and “Far Away Chant”, used to famously gruesome effect by David Lynch in the film Wild At Heart.。

This is a critically important work in dub history by Prince Far I & The Arabs, originally released in 1978. The recording features performances centered on the Roots Radics rhythm section, recorded in Jamaica and subsequently overdubbed in the UK. The mixing was handled by key figures in UK dub, including Adrian Sherwood, Dennis Bovell, and Mark Lusardi. The result is a clean yet profound dub album that successfully merges Prince Far I's signature sound with the innovative UK aesthetic.

Limited Japanese edition. Years before Scientist and Jammy battled the space invaders, Tradition dreamt up a sci-fi jazz/dub odyssey in north London.

Captain Ganja and the Space Patrol is one of the most singular dub albums that barely saw the light of day. A conscious effort to create a new breed of dub centred around the cosmic synths and keys of Paul Thompson. Making use of an early Roland sampler, Tradition broke away from the standard drum / bass workouts that ruled the day. With the Captain, dub becomes an atmosphere, a feeling, not a formula - littered with baby’s cries, tribal chants, radiophonic noodlings and library soundtracks for space-age bachelor pads.

80年代レゲエ界に革命を起こした最強のリディム"Sleng Teng”に乗せた沖縄民謡、ウチナースレンテンプロジェクトがついに始動。待望の7インチリリースが決定！

 

Churashima NavigatorのNu-dohとISLAND HERLEMのSHINGO (MC)のDJユニット島's (シマーズ) による、80年代レゲエ界に革命を起こしたリディム "Sleng Teng"に乗せた沖縄民謡のわらべうた「赤田首里殿内」を7インチでリリース。カップリングには「てぃんさぐぬ花」を比嘉いつみ(唄、三線)そして、宮古島出身のBlack Wax、浜田真理子のサポート等で活躍するMARINO（Sax）をフィーチャー。録音、編集は沖縄を代表するアーティストHARIKUYAMAKUが担当。

 

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1980年代、ジャマイカのダンスホール・シーンにコンピューターライズド革命を起こしたモンスター・リディム"Sleng Teng（スレンテン）”。沖縄で、詠み人知らずの唄として古くから歌い継がれてきた民謡「赤田首里殿内（あかたすんどぅんち）」、「てぃんさぐぬ花」。島’sのDJ Nu-dohが25年もの間、構想をあたため続けてきた「Sleng Teng×沖縄民謡」のチャンプルー・プロジェクトがついに実現した。そもそもは「"Sleng Teng”を聞いて、これは音階的に沖縄民謡が絶対合うとピンときた」のが始まりだと言う。かつて名曲「バイバイ沖縄」が生まれたように、レゲエと沖縄民謡は惹かれ合う。それを直感できるのは、まさにうちなーんちゅの血というべきか。「赤田首里殿内」は、もとは琉球王朝時代に首里殿内にて弥勒（みるく）様を迎える祭礼で歌われていた唄。今では“シーヤープー シーヤープー”などの囃子に合わせて、子どもたちが体を使って遊ぶ童歌としても親しまれている。「てぃんさぐぬ花」は、親の教えを心に染めなさいと歌う教訓歌。両曲とも沖縄では幼い頃から耳にすることの多い代表的な民謡だが、たとえうちなーぐちがわからない人でも、ふとメロディーを口ずさんでしまえるキャッチーさがある。その選曲の意図には「気軽に親しめる曲で世界中に沖縄の唄が広がってほしい」というDJ Nu-dohの切な願いがある。「必ず会って話をして音楽を作る」をモットーに、参加アーティストと友小（どぅしぐゎー）の絆を育み、音遊び、唄遊びを共にして完成した入魂作。25年越しに実った“ウチナースレンテン”が、2024年、世界に羽ばたく。

 

文／岡部徳枝

Scientist's 1981 Dub Classic! Invader-themed "SPACE INVADERS" is back on vinyl! Co-produced by Mikey'Roots' Scott and Linval Thompson, backed by Roots Radics, one-drop meditation DUBWISE!

One of two fine LPs Scientist cut from Linval Thompson rhythms -- the other is the even more impressive Scientist Meets the Space Invaders -- Scientist Encounters Pac Man finds the onetime King Tubby protege forging his patented minimal sound, a landscape resplendent with steely piano, depth-charge drums, and futuristic dub effects. Scientist also delivers one of his most progressive mixes here, deconstructing the originals down to their skeletal base and adding just the right amount of mixing board-generated Echoplex and reverb. And helping out considerably with the heady proceedings, the early dancehall period's greatest band, the Roots Radics, lay down the brutal rhythms and subtle keyboard and guitar interjections. Plus, one gets another of artist Tony McDermott's spectacular comic-book covers, this time depicting all of the studio Svengali's horror-movie nemeses from album jackets past (vampires, zombies, Frankenstein, those space invaders, and now the computer game's star of the day, Pac Man). A mind-warping yet eminently enjoyable way to check into dub central. ~ Stephen Cook

Gaudi’s Jazz Gone Dub is a masterclass in genre fusion, seamlessly blending the improvisational essence of jazz with the heavy atmospheric grooves of dub. Known for his eclectic approach to music production, Gaudi pushes the boundaries yet again, creating a sonic landscape that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly innovative.

Four years in the making, from the opening track it’s clear that Jazz Gone Dub is more than just a mashup of styles, it's a thoughtful exploration of the intersections between two rich musical traditions.

Gaudi’s multi-instrumental talents are on full display, and the presence of reggae royalty is palpable, courtesy of rootsy melodies from David Hinds (Steel Pulse), Jah Wobble’s iconic bass grooves, Ernest Ranglin’s intricate guitar lines and Sly & Robbie’s rhythmic genius.

Add Colin Edwin of Porcupine Tree, Sardinia’s Train to Roots band, Manu Chao collaborator Roy Paci, veteran guitarist Marcus Upbeat, Mr Woodnote and Tim Hutton’s brass work, Gavin Tate-Lovery’s sultry sax and flute, Horseman’s percussive flair plus Vlastur’s serious basslines, and the result is a rhythmic foundation that’s both solid and fluid, allowing the jazz elements to float freely above the dub undercurrents.

Despite this star-studded line-up, Gaudi remains the glue that holds this gem together: his production is meticulous yet organic, allowing each track to breathe and evolve naturally. The use of space, delays and reverb—a hallmark of dub music—is expertly handled, giving the album a dreamy, immersive quality. Tracks like Susceptible and Alabaster Moon showcase Gaudi’s ability to create mood and atmosphere without sacrificing melodic and rhythmic complexity.

In Jazz Gone Dub Gaudi has crafted an album that feels both timeless and forward-thinking, a celebration of musical synergy where the free-spirit of jazz meets the deep resonance of dub. Whether you’re a fan of either genre or simply appreciate masterful musicianship and innovative production, this album is a must-listen.

Om Unit surprises us with a second volume of his 'Acid Dub Studies' project, once again fusing his love for the 303 with studio techniques given to us by musical heroes such as King Tubby, Adrian Sherwood, Jammys and Basic Channel

This second volume further solidifies the convincing narrative created by its best-selling predecessor, heading in a more groove-based direction in places whilst being underpinned by the same sonic narrative that has been enjoyed by many music fans from a variety of different spheres for the past 18 months or so

Support so far for the Acid Dub Studies project has come from many corners including some of the most highly respected names in UK Radio such as Don Letts and Steve Barker, Benji B and Tom Ravenscroft as well as a whole host of truly global worldwide underground support both via radio and in the dance

Om Unit says of this record: 'I felt encouraged by the sheer love for the original selection of works to go back in again and continue to experiment with this approach to writing whilst refining some of the process. Being able to combine processes and influence has been the mainstay of my creative life and I hope this next volume of Acid Dub will be enjoyed by everyone who was a fan of the first'

The beloved 303 bassline continues to inspire every new generation and Acid Dub Studies II is another storybook of sound in that vast continuum that shows no sign of slowing down

Dennis Bovell’s prolific and eclectic career encompasses a huge range of music: from dub poetry to lovers rock to post-punk to disco to pop and beyond. His production work encompasses such diverse figures as The Slits, I Roy, Maximum Joy, Fela Kuti, The Pop Group, Janet Kay, Saada Bonaire, Orange Juice, Golden Teacher, Steel Pulse and more.

This compilation focuses on the period during and immediately after Bovell’s involvement with the Jah Sufferer Sound System, digging deep to find deep cuts and lesser known versions, mainly from 1976 - 1980, plus a killer and lesser heard dub of the iconic “Silly Games”. Painstakingly restored and remastered at Dubplates & Mastering in Berlin so that these decades old tracks sound pristine and dynamic, and sequenced to take the listener on a journey through Bovell’s production and arrangement genius.

The accompanying sleevenotes are a result of a long conversation with Dennis about this period of his life, with track-by-track recollections and fascinating biographical asides. The vinyl and CD versions feature variant artwork, each format utilising a unique photo by Syd Shelton.

unification of techno and dub reggae. The long-awaited 2023 repress of the Rhythm & Sound catalog number 5, which was originally announced in 2001! A one-of-a-kind solitary acoustic space by Mark Ernestus & Moritz von Oswald's Basic Channel.

Originally issued in 1973, Blackboard Jungle Dub is considered a milestone in the history of dub. Tracks include "African Skank" -- based on Junior Byles' "A Place Called Africa" -- and "Dreamland Skank", "Moving Skank" and "Kaya Skank" which are dub versions of Wailers" "Dreamland", "Keep On Moving" and "Kaya".