vinylcd -reggae / dancehall / dub-date

Heavy, heavy sounds from reggae pioneer Lee Perry on triple colored vinyl! The Chapter One Dub Boxset presents 10 prime cuts from Perry spread across marbled purple, grey, & purple-grey 10"s . An incredible selection of tunes from The Upsetters, Susan Cadogan, Johnny Lover & Towerchanters, Val Bennet, Devon Irons, Bunny and Ricky, and more. Essential listening for the reggae connoisseur. Originally released in 1981 on Clocktower. Very recommended.

• music label: Clocktower 1981 / 2013

reviewed by Von Bee 05/2013

Watch out fi dis! Major Lazer is back to free the universe! For their sophomore full length, Diplo comes through as solo executive producer to drop heaters all over the place to shake up the sound system. The Major Lazer sound is constantly evolving, but here it's still rooted in heavy dancehall, fused with electro, trap, bounce, and all manner of EDM to mash up the place something proper. We've been jamming the deep vibes of "Get Free" with Amber from Dirty Projectors for a minute now, but check the heavy bumps of "Watch Out For This" with Busy Signal, "Keep Cool" with Shaggy, "Bubble Butt" with Bruno Mars & Tyga, "Jet Blue Jet" with Leftside, GTA, Razz & Biggy, and the jungle influenced "Jah No Partial" with Flux & Pavillion for a taste. You can trust this bangs from beginning to end with other guest spots from Laidback Luke, Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend, Elephant Man, The Partysquad and more. Pressed on limited edition red and yellow vinyl in gatefold sleeve with fold out mini poster and download card. Recommended.

• music label: Secretly Canadian / Mad Decent 2013

reviewed by Von Bee 05/2013

The Scientist got his start working as an engineer for King Tubby. From there he went on to become one of the pioneers of dub reggae along with Tubby. He quickly developed his own style, settling for tracks with an inherent groove while applying the drops and reverb tweaks in all the right places. Scientific Dub is like a journeyman's guide to dub. There's a heavy dose of soulful moments as the roots tracks are fed through the Scientist's mixer. The addition of reggae heavyweights like Sly & Robbie, and Agustus Pablo doesn't hurt either. One of the particular standouts is Scientist's dub of The Tamlins' "Baltimore." All of the tracks are worth turning your attention to, though. A must have release for any reggae fan. Includes the full length album plus two bonus tracks spread across three 10" pieces of vinyl in red, green and gold; housed in full color hinged box secured with a magnetic clasp. Limited to 2,000 copies.

• music label: Clocktower Records 2013

reviewed by Joey Coco 05/2013

Reissue of this popular Tony Allen remix single from 2007. Hard to come by in the states, this record features cult remixers Mortiz von Oswald and Wareika Hill Sounds respectively sprinkling their magic on Allen's originals. Von Oswald's version of "Ole" is dubbed-out bliss, filled with echoing horns and drums in space. Totally worth it for this track alone. Wareika's version of "Isle Nla" takes the darker approach with some soulful house drums driving the milieu. Recommended.

• music label: Honest Jon's 2007 / 2013

reviewed by the mgmnt 04/2013

Clarks and reggae… who knew? DJ / Collector, Al Fingers (who also put together the Stussy Greensleeves book), recently put out a book on Clarks shoes and their place in reggae culture. This Record Store Day title continues to explore the theme with an official Clarks collaboration. This pic disc, which depicts the iconic Desert Boot, features two 80s classics dedicated to the brand: "Clarks Booty" by Little John (over "Father Rock" by King Jammy) and "Put On Me Clarks" by Scorcher (produced by Junjo Lawes). Limited stock.

• music label: Greensleeves 2013

reviewed by the mgmnt 04/2013

DJ Smash was one of the more influential DJs when we started the Lab. One of the drivers of the nyc's late nineties Giant Step / Blue Note scene, Smash was the DJ's DJ, breaking countless 12"s and moving diverse crowds. He's re-emerged to make noise in the Lab world again (he won a category in our remix contest) and has released this on Brooklyn's Bastard Boots. The 4 track selection are DJ-friendly re-edits and remixes of latin, funk reggae favorites from Azymuth, Deodato, Area Code (212), and Linval Thompson (a great "I Love Marijuana" rework).

• music label: Bastard Boots 2013

reviewed by the mgmnt 03/2013

Classic early dancehall album from 1976 originally released on Klik (and later popularized by the 1978 Virgin Front Line Records pressing). Although Tapper Zukie (aka Tappa Zukie) become better known for his work behind the scenes (and his brief reggae-disco phase), this album represents the height of his DJ skills with production handled primarily by Bunny "Striker" Lee, recorded at King Tubby's. The title track pushed this album to prominence and still remains one of my all-time faves... enough reason to pick this up. Similarly, the rest of album maintains a low-slung vibe, driven by Zukie's 70 degree delivery. And as expected for the time period, there's a good amount of dub and repurposed roots riddims here. 10 tracks in all on clean official reissue.

• music label: Kingston 1976 / 2013

reviewed by the mgmnt 082/2013

If you've been following the other Studio One releases from Soul Jazz, you know what to expect here. Studio One Deejays presents a fine selection of the greatest deejays to record for Mr. Dodd over an even finer selection of his classic riddims. Obscureness, big hitness and never before releasedness- you simply cannot be disappointed with a compilation of this caliber. And for those wondering, it rarely overlaps with Studio One's own DJ compilation (also great). Check some of the tracks- Prince Far I's "Natty Farmland" over a heavily dubbed version of the immortal "Mean Girl" riddim, Lone Rangers "The Answer,' Prince Francis "Street Doctor" and it's middle breakdown, Big Joe "Rights Of Version," and much, much more. 16 tracks total and absolutely crucial- my only fault with it is no Michigan and Smiley?

• music label: Soul Jazz 2002

reviewed by the mgmnt 11/2006

Soul Jazz digs into the Studio One vaults once again for another wicked compilation of reggae gems. Unlike previous compilations that focus on specific styles or eras, Studio One Ironsides offers the wide scope of the legendary reggae label. Here you get both classics AND rarities in a variety of styles ranging from roots, dub, early dancehall, ska, and rocksteady from the finest artists in the Studio One roster. Check the expertly curated selection fo tracks from Freddie McGregor, Prince Jazzbo, Lone Ranger, Marcia Griffiths, Alton Ellis, Johnny Osbourne, Cornel Campbell, Don Drummond, and many more. You really can't miss with this one! Oh and for those wondering about the title... "Studio One Ironsides refers back to a time in the 1960s and 1970s when Clement Dodd was at the height of his powers, releasing so much amazing music that Studio One had to invent new label names to trick radio DJs, wary of playing too much music from the legendary studio, into playing records. These creatively titled new label names included Ironsides, Money Disc, ND Records, BongoMan, Forward and more." Heavyweight double vinyl pressing in deluxe gatefold sleeve with extensive liner notes.

• music label: Soul Jazz 2013

reviewed by Von Bee 02/2013

Kingston Sounds comes through with a wicked selection of dancehall cuts to mash up the place! Listen Up Dancehall Originals compiles the original dancehall sound of Jamaica from the early 80's (pre-digital) from reggae icons like Johnny Clarke, Don Carlos, Michael Palmer, Cornell Campbell, Dennis Brown, Linval Thompson, and many others. This is the O.G. sound that grew out of the dances in Jamaica and would eventually set the foundation for the dancehall styles to come. 14 tracks in all with 2 bonus cuts on the CD version.

• music label: Kingston Sounds 2012

reviewed by Natty Prof 01/2013

Wicked album of choice Johnny Clarke dubs. Dread A Dub finds Bunny Lee dubbing out the vocals of the legendary reggae vocalist. 12 tracks in all including "None Shall Escape The Dubment," "Dread A Dub," "Rasta Dub," "Wanty Wanty Can't Get Dub," "Dunza Dub," "Legalise Dub," and more. An excellent addition to the reggae/dub crate. Recommended.

• music label: Jamaican Recordings 2012

reviewed by Natty P 12/2012

Classic rockers from the Channel 1 Studio on seven 7"s! This limited edition boxset from VP features collectors quality represses of rare and classic 45s from Joseph Hoo Kim's legendary Channel 1 label. Included are golden era Channel 1 productions from the likes of Delroy Wilson, Leroy Smart, John Holt, Mighty Diamonds, Sammy Dread, Barrington Levy, Roots Radics, Sly & Robbie, and much more. Each 7" is beautifully reproduced, complete with dub versions on the flip, original label art, and housed in vintage style Channel 1 sleeves. Limited edition with liner note insert and free download card. Recommended.

• music label: VP Records 2012

reviewed by Joey Coco 11/2012

Smooth boogie vibes with a reggae touch from Jon Gorr on PPU. Gorr was a founding member of New England-based reggae band The I-Tones along with Tony Allen on drums, and vocalists RAM, and in 1983 they released this side project on Massmedia Records. "It's No Lie" has an super laid back groove topped with schmoove synth work and easyy going vocals for maximum chill. This sound is pure sunshine on a rainy day. Dub mix also included on the flip.

• music label: Peoples Potential Unlimited 2011

reviewed by snackmaster 12/2011

This VP anthology does a proper job compiling the very best of the self-described "yellow like cheese" walking jewlery store... King Yellow. You can tell a Yellowman fan (who isn't?) put this together, the track order is meticulous: the "Mad Over Me-Shorties" combo, ending with the epic "Morning Ride." (Would have like to see "Step It Out Of Babylon" though). One Yellowman question that always evaded me: does he really get all the tang he sings about... and who would win in a bravado battle... Yellow or Big Daddy Kane? 19 tracks spread over double vinyl, recommended.

• music label: VP Records 2001

reviewed by the mgmnt 10/2012

Late seventies album from the little genius. "Soul Fire" might be one of the baddest opening tracks in reggae history (can anything match its energy?). From there, the album moves in and out of trippy territories. As Reggae Monkey once put it: "Everything Lee Perry recorded at this time sounds like he pissed on the master tapes and stuck them in the oven before pressing- all warped out and wobbly underground instrumentation." I read a review that called it the "The Sgt. Pepper's of Ganja," which I think captures the album perfectly. How can you explain the track sequence of "Evil Tongues," "Curly Locks" (a cover of the Studio One hit), and "Ghetto Sidewalk"? They sound like they were recorded by 3 different producers. On the b-side, he travels further, cleaning up impeccably on "Free Up The Weed" (sounds a bit like Bob, no?), then chatting with the best of em on "Yu Squeez." Lastly, check the title track which the Monkey called "gypsy music on a broken phonograph." 10 tracks, worth the experience.

• music label: VP Records 1992

reviewed by the mgmnt

Lost Prince Jammy dubs pulled from the vaults! Crucial In Dub was released in 2011, but the album was actually recorded in the early 80's, just before the dancehall went digital. It was the digital revolution that caused this album to get lost in the shuffle, but thankfully it's been brought back to the surface by Greensleeves, complete with awesome pic sleeve. 12 tracks in all.

• music label: Greensleeve 2012

reviewed by Natty Professor 10/2012

This is one of the most respected dub albums of all time, featuring Augustus Pablo's finest instrumentals run through the King Tubby version machine. Many of the tracks are taken from Pablo's Jacob Miller sessions at the time, set off with the blistering double drum title track, listed here as "Braces Tower Dub." Tubby is really in the higher heights for these mixes, taking full control of each track, each moment. I have yet to hear any other dub LP which can match the unique sound achieved by them on this set. It gets no tougher than the wah guitar and bass intro on "Corner Crew Dub" The rhythms remain extremely rough throughout the album, highlighted by tunes like "555 Street Dub" and the strangely lovely Jacob Miller "Each One Dub." Fully remastered. Includes the full length album spread across three 10" pieces of vinyl, a 16 page book, and is housed in full color hinged box secured with a magnetic clasp.

• Music Label: Get On Down 2012

reviewed by the mgmnt 08/2005

Trombonist Rico Rodriguez is a pivotal figure in the reggae-ska-jazz scene. Taught by fellow reggae legend Don Drummond, Rodriguez recorded with many of the top reggae producers (including some crucial Coxsone and Prince Buster tracks); played a part in the 70s ska revival (that's him on The Specials' "A Message To You Rudy"); and even released Man From Warieka on Blue Note in 1977. In 1978 a dub version of Warieka was mysteriously released on white label. Once collectors got a whiff, it went on to became a holy grail of reggae-jazz records, fetching $400 plus. This is a reissue of the Japanese pressing of this elusive record, and it sounds damn nice. The dub is not overpowering. It hits that sweet spot, letting the instrumentation breathe and flow. 9 tracks in all, recommended.

• music label: Ghetto Rockers

reviewed by the mgmnt

Recorded in 1973, Blackboard Jungle Dub is considered the first full-length dub album. Produced by Lee Perry, the godfather of reggae music as we know it, with the legendary King Tubby reportedly at the controls. If you listen closely, this would appear to be a stereo mix, but its not. Its two different mono channels. Each channel is mixed down in mono and then married to the other. Blackboard Jungle Dub prefaces future Upsetters' masterpieces like Super Ape and Return Of The Super Ape, and highlights the power of the mythical producer and his musicians. Includes large fold out poster of album artwork.

• Music Label: Get On Down 2012

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 05/2012

Bastard Boots keeps the goodness coming with an entry from Greece's Mishkin (of GAMM / Raw Fusion's Palov and Mishkin). Light one up for the beats version of Linval Thompson's "Free Marijuana" backed with a "Livin Trouble," a party-breaks style track featuring snippets of various party igniters. No brainer really, recommended.

• Music Label BSTRD Boots 2010

reviewed by the mgmnt 06/2010

If you caught Honest Jon's repress of Steel An' Skin's 1979 steel pan disco jam "Afro Punk Reggae Dub(1)," then you already know the calibre of awesomeness we are dealing with here. The 12" is hard to come by now, but is still a favorite in DJ bags across the world. Here EM Records Japan gives you another chance to catch the track, plus a handful of other afro-carribean disco and dub joints from the 70's compiled for the first time on vinyl! Basque in the soul reggae disco goodness of tracks from Steel An' Skin's 1984 album Black Rain, which features ex-members of the legendary 20th Century Steel Band. Pressed on thick vinyl, with full pic sleeve and insert in English and Japanese. Recommended.

• music label: Em

reviewed by Extravagant Traveler 01/2012

Jiggaman acapellas over The Wailers! We've seen a few hip-hop/dub (Mos Dub, Dub Kweli, etc) mash ups in the past, and this record is on par with them in terms of quality. Classics like "Soul Rebel," "Put It On," "Small Axe," and "Dreamland" combine nicely with Jay-Z's smooth flow, and the lyrics float on top of laid back riddims in a very natural, unforced way. Check out "Small Problems," "Dreamland Crying Song," "Rebels Never Change," and "Put It Off Ya shoulder" to get a sense of what this whitelabel gem is about. 

reviewed by nakinboots 12/2010