Lee ''Scratch'' Perry With Mad Professor - Mystic Warrior Dub

Listening to this album is a pristine experience one will never doubt, it is essentially dub treatments of the original album Mystic Warrior, and it is a team endeavour of both Perry and Mad Professor. The tracks to look out for are ''Dub Them Crazy'' which itself is a reworking of track by The Wailers, ''Crazy Baldheads''. The other track to look out for is ''Dub Reggae Soca'', which has a clear and obvious calypso influence and sounds very Caribbean. Mad Professor actually hails from Guyana, his son goes by the alias Joe Ariwa, who he himself will perform next week with General Levy in Hobart. Mystic Warrior Dub would sound perfect on headphones; it essentially is a very experimental work.

Lee ''Scratch'' Perry & Subatomic Sound System - Super Ape Returns To Conquer

    

This is a sensational reworking of some of the classic tracks by The Upsetters that were produced by Lee Perry in the 70's era. The album is a whole album is not dub remixes but whole reworking starting from scratch. The music is basically electronic keyboards, with additional saxophone and of course plenty of percussion. The tracks to look out for are ''Zion's Blood'', a terrific version of ''Chase The Devil'' and ''War Ina Babylon'' and also ''Dread Lion''. This album basically works to please the avid fan of Perry's work, and it is remarkable that he is still actively engaged making the music he is making. He is a producer with no equal, pioneering a sound that is entirely his own and a great addition to the genre.

Clinton Fearon - Heart And Soul

This is an absolute stellar outing from Fearon, which has demonstrated his talent as a songwriter and musician. He writes all but one song on this release and most of the album is very raw and basic, with just acoustic instrumentation. The tracks to look out for are ''One Love'', ''Let Jah Be Praised'', ''Chatty Chatty Mouth'', ''Follow The Rainbow'' and ''Richman Poorman''. Fearon proves on Heart and Soul, that you do not need an abundance of instruments to create a pleasing atmosphere and sound to create music that can be enjoyed and recognised as good art that has a philosophical message that can influence people in a way that they take something away with them when they listen to this music.

Various Artists - What Am I To Do?

This is a blissful selection of opals of reggae made from the highest order. The real highlight is the title track ''What Am I To Do?'' by Tony Scott. This song is basically a carbon copy of the track by The Harry J All Stars, ''The Liquidator'', it is in fact exactly the same groove and music, but nevertheless it is a fantastic groove. Harry Johnson actually personally wrote 6 of the songs that appear here, and produced all of them. Producers in this reggae period had unrivalled power as somewhat head overseers to the music, with tasks such as song writing, production and sometimes musician. Trojan was also blessed for having such a high quality of artists during their reign as Jamaican music kings.

Various Artists - No More Heartaches

A perfect collection of boss reggae hits on this one, from the producer Harry Johnson who produced from the 60's to the late 80's in Jamaica Sadly, he passed away in 2013, but was responsible for some classics included on this compilation. "No More Heartaches'' is definitely a highlight, which was later covered by a number of artists, but the original band was The Beltones. Another highlight is Lloyd Robinson with ''Cuss Cuss'', which is hugely recognisable because it has one chord played throughout the entire track, and it is a minor chord. The name The Harry J All Stars is actually not a distinct group but really whoever was around in the studio when Harry Johnson was around.

Spearhead - Home

The famous group Spearhead is not strictly just reggae, but a reggae fusion. Regardless of this, they have a very strong reggae influence, basically because one could identify them as hip-hop, but alas they do not rely on a DJ or backing track, they essentially play instruments and definitely look a lot like a conventional reggae band. The origins of hip-hop and rap could probably be found in a number of places, Gil Scott-Heron's spoken-word music throughout the latter half of the 20th century, but the work of King Tubby with the remix and the ''toasters'' or ''deejays'' like U-Roy and Big Youth who had a massive influence on singing in general in contemporary music, basically they just spoke over existing tracks, which is the same process hip-hop and rap artists do to this day. The standout track here is ''Crime To Be Broke In America'', which offers some deep and philosophical truths. Home is Spearhead's lasting testament.

Various Artists - Coxsone's Music 2: The Sound Of Young Jamaica: More Cuts From The Vaults Of Studio One 1959-63

This is a vast and sheer collection of early recordings of Coxsone Dodd, dating around 1959-63 which incorporates some well-known names, and contains 41 tracks in all. It opens with a Roland Alphonso track, who was the saxophonist in the highly successful group who famously were the backing band to many early ska music and house musicians, The Skatalites. There is some Delroy Wilson (I'm pretty sure that is Delroy on the front cover) and he was born in 1948, so basically getting into music as a child and subsequently becoming a child star. Don Drummond features who was the trombonist of The Skatalites. Bit of Clancy Eccles and some of The Maytals, Coxsone Dodd was a pioneer of ska and what would become reggae. Every reggae artist pays homage to these early Skatalites recordings.

The Black Seeds - Fabric

This is a really enjoyable experience in undertaking listening to this band, who prove there is some seriously impressive reggae coming out of Aotearoa/New Zealand, and with the lasting influence of Herbs who they themselves are an immensely talented group, capable of some terrific moments, both musically and lyrically, so there has been a breeding ground of talent from the Islands. I really rate ''Better Days'' and ''Everybody Knows''. But, the real standout is the incredibly funky and rhythmic track ''The Weaver'', which has amazing lyrics. They really stand out from the more organic sounding Katchafire, The Black Seeds themselves incorporate more electronics and have a really cool ragga style of music, laden with affects on the vocals and instruments, and plenty of keyboards, oh those synths.

Various Artists - Dancing Down Orange Street

This is an absolutely riveting compilation of the ''boss reggae'' era. The real standout track is by The Melodians with ''Heartaches''. This track is sublime and will get the most disjointed individual relaxed and mellow. The other real standout is probably ''Somewhere'' by Ken Boothe. The Melodians are well known for their self-penned composition ''Rivers Of Babylon'', which was subsequently covered by a number of artists including famously by Boney M. Ken Boothe, is also known for his slick velvet like voice. This album is retro, vintage and made for dancing too, it would sound superb on a big mighty pair of speakers. It also contains 13 more additional tracks on the Doctor Bird release including some Delroy Wilson.

Keith Hudson - Torch Of Freedom

Seminal classic album by the dub pioneer and ''The Dark Prince of Reggae'', here Hudson lays down the arguably his most well-known work after living in the UK for five years in a moment of re-evaluation and reflection. The song to check out is his classic track ''Turn The Heater On'', which was later covered by the popular group from Manchester and remnants of Joy Division, New Order on one of their John Peel sessions. This album incorporates a very expressionist feel of dub not in the known form of dub, being a treatment of an existing song, but incorporating long instrumentals. Hudson was known for a variety of peculiarities, such as an off-key singer, lyrics exploring morbid themes and the fact that a lot of his music is increasingly difficult to obtain.

Black Uhuru - Live At Rockpalast - Essen 1981

This is a full live performance from the successful reggae act Black Uhuru in Germany in the 80's. They are graced with the presence of Sly & Robbie on drums and bass guitar. The sound is rather electric guitar orientated, and I would consider this live album the best example of Sly & Robbie's musical influence, with motoring drums and sensational bass. It basically gives the affect that it should never stop, you want the set to go on further, and thankfully they give an encore. Tracks to check out are ''King Selassie'', ''Youth Of Eglington'', ''General Penitentiary'', ''Sinsemilla'' and ''Guess Who Is Coming For Dinner''. The CD version comes with a DVD of the same performance. This is unbelievable if you are into live reggae with a punk rock influence, flourished with Rastafarian based lyrics.

Johnny Clarke - Dreader Dread (1976-1978)

This is a beautiful album by Johnny Clarke, who is known for his association with producer Bunny Lee and the band The Aggrovators. Here Clarke sets down a delightful selection of fine tunes lavished with some great lyrics and sounds. The tracks to check out are ''Fire And Brimstone A Go Burn The Wicked'', but the really impressive and magical track is the cover of The Wailers, ''Time Will Tell'' from the Kaya album. Clarke here really masters the sunny vibes akin to the Frontline Records sound, coupled with Bunny Lee's flirtation with dub after working a lot with King Tubby. A real merging of Rastafarianism and essentially dub is Johnny Clarke's sound. This is proved as being lyrically associated with Rastafarian themes, but having extended sections with experimentation.

Delroy Wilson - Go Away Dream

The grown up child star Delroy Wilson delivers a stylish endeavour on Go Away Dream. The track to really check out that I find superior vocally and musically is the classic ''No More Heartaches''. He was part of a well-publicised spat with ska musician Prince Buster, as both these musicians were of rival producers. This was a serious business with cutthroat producers in the game of the Jamaican music business, as recording studios were hard to come by in technically a third world country. Coxsone Dodd would deliver his messages to his foes by way of music, and if it was a hit then he would profit sufficiently. Whatever the games that were being played, Delroy Wilson stands up as truly a classic singer.

King Tubby's And The Agrovators - Dubbing In The Back Yard

Formidable alliance here, the standout track being ''Relaxing Mood'', but the really quality piece is the track ''Summers Eve''. ''Natural Glow'' is another highly impressive track. The Aggrovators are strictly instrumental, blazoned with King Tubby's magic touch. He just knows naturally how to make music strictly for headphones. The man who has spawned many replica producers and his sound treatments have reached far and wide over the mere dub sub-genre. Basically we would not have the remix without him. He mastered the art of using existing music as an instrument. His treatments of existing music were due to a profound fascination of sound electronically, and how to deliver that in audio format for the listener to immerse themselves in. 

Various Artists - Studio One Rocksteady: Volume 2: Rocksteady, Soul And Early Reggae At Studio One

This is another compilation of selected recordings from Studio One. The opener has a rather pristine groove, and it is called ''Sitting In The Park'' by Hortense Ellis. The track has a beautiful array of atmospheric vocals and in its delivery is itself a casket of gold. The other stunning track is ''Change Your Style'' by The Paragons. The lyrics of this track include the very spiritually veracious words of ''Hooligans, hooligans stop a while. Change your hooligan style. Don't fight your brothers you must use your head. Give a helping hand instead.'' It is filled with the stirring vocals of John Holt. The other stunner is from The Heptones with ''I Shall Be Released''. Of course though, how could one go past the classic by Delroy Wilson, ''Riding For A Fall''.

Various Artists - Studio One Rocksteady: Rocksteady, Soul And Early Reggae At Studio One

This is a collection of Studio One recordings from famous record producer Coxsone Dodd. Rocksteady was a style prevalent in Jamaica from 1966 to 1968, that incorporated slower beats than ska, basically no (or very little horns) and situated around the bass guitar. A notable rocksteady group is probably The Paragons, who were fronted by John Holt. John Holt was all set to become the biggest reggae sensation to ever live, but Trojan Records went bankrupt. He is known as the reggae crooner with his later music decorated with strings and horns. The tracks to check out on here is The Heptones’ track, there is also a bit of Ken Boothe and Marcia Griffiths. The other real standouts are ''Joy In The Morning'' by The Gaylads and ''Row Fisherman Row'' by The Wailing Souls.

Sly & Robbie - African Culture

Gigantic mammoths of reggae music, Sly & Robbie join forces to deliver shards of style. The album is predominately instrumental, and the standout tracks ''Reggae Stylee'' and 'Crisis Dub''. This album would suit the needs and desires of the most adamant of dub collectors. ''African Culture'' is another sonic delight. Sly & Robbie seriously know how to craft a groove, and the dub treatments of their tracks simply offer to improve on the canvas that is the masterpiece that Sly & Robbie certainly have the potential to create. They actually recorded with Grace Jones, and that opened the doors to more collaborations with artists such Bob Dylan on the album from 1983, Infidels. Honestly though I think Sly & Robbie's best music was their work with Black Uhuru.

Niney The Observer - Sledge Hammer Dub In The Street Of Jamaica

The legendary 1977 dub album Sledge Hammer Dub In The Street Of Jamaica, with King Tubby's velvet mittens all over it. Listen to the entire thing with headphones, all the tracks are standouts. It's mostly an instrumental piece. The original pressing was only between 300-400 copies, with no indication of it being officially released. It basically was lost in time and this work has become a holy grail and collector's item for the seriously committed dub fan. Reissued on Secret Records, which is like uncovering lost Inca gold. The work really showcases King Tubby's long-lasting influence, which his legacy has been responsible for the invention of the remix, or what we understand as the remix today. King Tubby brought sound engineering to lofty heights, as his role of head overseer gave his work the finishing touch.

Justin Hinds & The Dominoes - From Jamaica With Reggae

Massive collection of diatonic delight, as the Doctor Bird release contains a mighty 26 tracks in all. The track that stands out really impressively is ''Hey Mama''. The other track that really stands out is ''Drink Milk''. Justin Hinds actually recorded seventy singles in two years between 1964 and 1966. His sound is a fusion of ska, reggae and rocksteady. Hinds' young cousin was actually Horace Andy. Sonia Pottinger produces 5 tracks and the rest are produced by Arthur ''Duke'' Reid who as well as being a producer and label owner, was a DJ and working from as early as 1953. Reid was known to his contemporaries as being quite the perfectionist. This album is a good insight into Reid's legacy as a legend of ska music production from the 60's.

The Strides - Reclamation

Time for some golden and joyous Australian reggae vibes brought to you by The Strides. The track that just blows me away every time is ''Storm Clouds Dub''. Listen to this with headphones, it is just magical. I picked this CD up for a pittance at Northside Records in Fitzroy when I was in Melbourne a while back. I will be heading there next weekend, so hopefully pick up some good purchases. I was hoping to catch Katchafire play, but alas there is a logistical issue, as my flight gets in too late. Reggae in Australia is certainly simmering along nicely under the mainstream, which as one can see suits me well. These guys have three albums under their belt, would love to see them traverse the Bass Strait for some Tasmanian love and attention.

Barry Brown - Step It Up Youthman

This LP features Sly & Robbie, the unfailing and dynamic drum and bass duo, whose name grace a lot of music to come out of Jamaica for many years. The tracks to look out for on here are "Trying Youthman'' and ''Give Thanks & Praise''. There are some serious grooves going on Step It Up Youthman. It actually resembles Big Youth and Horace Andy. The Agrovators are actually credited, who came to prominence working with King Tubby. The overall vibe is quite pleasant, derived from hot steamy days in Kingston, and to think that Barry Brown wrote and sang 6 of these tracks, the other song writing credits go to Delroy Wilson and Dennis Brown. Barry Brown died in 2004 after falling and hitting his head.

The Ethiopians - Woman Capture Man

The album Woman Capture Man by The Ethiopians oddly does not include the title track, but here is another fact, Leonard Dillon the lead singer actually helped physically build Lee ''Scratch'' Perry's Black Ark Studios, as he was a stonemason by trade. This is a rocksteady connoisseurs dream, as The Ethiopians tracks to listen to here are ''(She's) My Girl'' which has this driving beat and a carnage of organ shards. The album is collected alongside Reggae Power on the Doctor Bird release in a double album. If one was interested in listening to any rock steady I would recommend listening to The Ethiopians. They are more edgy than the usual Derrick Harriott, and The Kingstonians. The Ethiopians have an edgy punk rock approach to their music, which was lacking in the rocksteady era.

The Ethiopians - Reggae Power

The Ethiopians are a real enigma of the reggae scene during the late 60's and 70's. The songs to look out for are ''Woman Capture Man'', ''Everything Crash'' and ''Feel The Spirit'' off this LP.  The Ethiopians are a blend of rocksteady, ska and fiercely Rastafarian as the name of the group suggests. They existed as a musical group from the mid 60's all the way up until 2011, when one of their founding members Leonard Dillon passed away. This album really captures the spirit of Trojan Records, brilliant vast vocals with echo and harmony, a very specific late 60's sound of music with repetitive rhythms and extraordinary horn sections. The lyrics of the Marley track ''I Shot The Sheriff'' actually reference the lyrics of ''Everything Crash'', this could be a simple acknowledgement as Dillon was actually friends with The Wailers.

Desmond Dekker - Compass Point

Another Stiff recording, the tracks to look out for are ''Come Back To Me'' and ''Allamanna'', both are exquisite. Desmond Dekker to me reminds me of my grandparent's home in the Scottish Highlands, it is where I first really explored his music in 2017, I had only listened to the songs from The Harder They Come, so when I explored his best of for the first time I was struck to how perfect his voice truly is and its captured beautifully in these few recordings later on in his career. He was a very talented singer and some of his classics like ''It Pays'' are truly graced with an unflinching harmony that will honestly never be replicated. Some of the Trojan recordings will never be matched, simple as that.

Desmond Dekker - Black And Dekker

This is an album by Desmond Dekker from 1980, it's got a more slick production than his older stuff, but the quality is still evident. The tracks to look out for on Black and Dekker are the classics with a new reworking, ''Israelites'', ''Lickin' Stick'' and ''It Mek''. Another track on the album which is magnificent is ''Please Don't Bend'', he also does a ravishing rendition of the Jimmy Cliff classic ''Many Rivers To Cross''. Towards the end of the album there are some more classics ''007'', ''Problems'', ''Rude Boy Train'' and there is another stunner which has some very deep and thoughtful lyrics, the song ''Why Fight?''. The Stiff Records recordings from 1980 and 1981 reflect Dekker in a time of maturity and wisdom.

Various Artists - Dancehall: The Rise Of Jamaican Dancehall Culture: Soul Jazz Records

This is quite a scintillating collection of the style of music to impact Jamaica from the late 70's, with the introduction of the synthesizer. The songs to check out are Yellowman's ''Bam Bam'' and the track by Eek A Mouse ''Wa Do Dem''. The compilation is an accompaniment to the book of the same title by Beth Lesser. Dancehall was prevalent throughout Jamaica during the 80's as music changed, and underwent technological advancement, incorporating digital instrumentation like the synthesizer and drum machine. Another strong association with dancehall is in fact its form of dancing, which has a very identifiable technique. Throughout dancehall's maturation, it is arguable whether it has become too westernised, with many current day artists reflecting western trends and values.

Gregory Isaacs - Night Nurse: The Best Of Gregory Isaacs

Absolutely searing hot release and bubbling on the boil beats from the king of cool. He released a whopping 72 albums, and more than 500 compilations of previously released material. I hold his 1982 album Night Nurse in very high regard, all the tracks of that on this best of are great, the title track and ''Cool Down The Pace''. What is not included on this best of is his song with Lee 'Scratch' Perry, "Mr. Cop'' which is arguably some of 'Scratch's finest work. It remains a mystery, but another highlight is the track ''My Only Lover''. His trademark is the slow pace of his music similar to rock steady, later coined lovers rock, because of this pace and also the theme of the lyrics usually about love interests and with a romantic thematic, coupled with some groovy early synthesizer sounds gracing it all.

Culture - Harder Than The Rest

I just got my hands on this exemplary landmark release on CD by the very gracious Culture. Just scanning through the sleeve notes and noticed Sly & Robbie are involved and there is Ansel Collins on piano and organ. Basically this is a monumental achievement. The label The Front Line has a very revolutionary and militant aesthetic to the music, which in turn creates this affect with the lyrics that this is like a soundtrack to an imagined Rastafarian utopia. Culture really base their music around a bright vocally driven approach (the original group all sing and play nothing else) with punchy organ parts. The tracks to lookout for are ''Behold'', "Stop Fussing And Fighting'' and ''Tell Me Where You Get It''. ''Iron Sharpening Iron'' is also a bit of a highlight.

The Bug - London Zoo

So this is a menacing and sinister listen, composing of some dark experimental dancehall beats, confronting vocals and edgy music. It is veering away from the traditional approach to dancehall, which is filled with happy, pleasant vibes from Jamaica, basking in sunshine and relishing in the good life. London Zoo is a trip down the dark side of dancehall. The track that Kevin Martin aka The Bug delivers the finest is ''Poison Dart'' which is hard hitting and uncompromising. The Bug is a project by British musician Kevin Martin who has been active in the music scene for two decades. He cites the DIY aesthetic of artists like dub musician King Tubby as being an enduring influence on his work, which definitely has a very original end result.

Chaka Deemus & Pliers - Tease Me

This is the classic album from the dancehall outfit that enlivened airwaves during the 90's. The obvious tracks to mention are the singles ''She Don't Let Nobody'' and "Twist And Shout''. The album features the notable and indefatigable Jamaican rhythm section duo Sly & Robbie on drums and bass; they also produce and arrange the album. Another track to acknowledge is ''Murder She Wrote'' which is a bit of a dancehall classic. I picked this CD up for $2 and it actually peaked at number 1 in the UK albums chart in 1994. It may be dismissed as a one hit wonder, but they did back up their success with 8 albums after Tease Me. It is also to note that they released 3 albums in 1992.

The Abyssinians - Arise

This album is a meritable achievement from a talented group filled galore with 18 tracks including bonus tracks on the reissue. The tracks to look out for are the opener ''Oh Lord'', which is grand. ''This Land Is For Everyone'' and ''Mightiest Of All'' are both pearls. ''Meditation'' is also terrific. The real standout on Arise is the massively underrated track ''South African Enlistment'', which is a classic and the accompanying dub version is just as tremendous. ''Hey You'' is well worth an investigation also. Basically if you like the sunny, raw and vocally orientated sounds on Front Line released albums like what Culture and Gregory Isaacs have released, then you will definitely like this one. This album is perfect for a sunny day.

Keith Hudson - Tuff Gong Encounter

This is a seriously exciting purchase, from the ''Dark Prince of Reggae'', Keith Hudson who is an incredibly talented producer who had a profound impact on the dub movement. What he has achieved successfully here is assembled a cast that would bring the most inflexible person reduced to a sweltering state of dance. He has picked members of The Wailers as his backing band, and his lyrics spill tales of darkness and oppression into the sound system, with a dash of eccentricity. The track to look out for on Tuff Gong Encounter is ''White Africa''. This is a seriously incredible track, which wouldn't sound out of place on an album like Exodus, and incorporates a fluid and elastic groove which will melt your rigidity for eternity.