Derrick Harriott & The Crystalites - Psychedelic Train

Well this album really strikes a vivid sound through the speakers, envelops your conscience and tickles your ears for a terrific encapsulating experience that will incite the senses of your inner mind. The standout tracks of Psychedelic Train are most definitely the opener, ''Psychedelic Train (Pt. 1)''. ''No Man Is An Island'' is particularly is worthy of an investigation, as is ''Message From A Black Man''. They are well known for the track ''Riding For A Fall'', which hums along pleasantly. ''Born To Love You'' is another gem delivered in sonic form. ''Slave'' also sounds quite lovely. This album just defines the fusion of rocksteady as a style, fused with a pleasurable amount of psychedelic influence. Derrick Harriott would go on to make his name as a producer with some well-known names, being Big Youth and Keith & Tex.

The Pioneers - Battle Of The Giants

Along with the reissue of Long Shot, the label Doctor Bird combined the other follow up release from the early 70's by The Pioneers, Battle Of The Giants, onto the one CD. Battle Of The Giants is a more soulful endeavour, which would highlight their transition to a soul sound in the mid to late 70's. The band underwent numerous line-up changes for a period of 28 years, and actually reformed in 1999, to which they continue to perform. They actually re-located to the UK in 1970 where they received strong acclaim and praise from the skinhead sub culture. The title track is probably the track to check out here. British group The Beat actually covered their track ''Jackpot'' on their 1980 album I Just Can't Stop It.

The Pioneers - Long Shot

This is an absolutely gorgeous album, mostly known for its beautiful, captivating rude boy ska standard track ''Long Shot Kick De Bucket'', which melted hearts and delighted ears in the late 60s. Member of The Pioneers George Agard aka George Dekker, was actually half-brother to the highly successful ska musician Desmond Dekker. The founding members of The Pioneers, Sydney Crooks along with his brother Derrick Crooks also recorded under the name The Slickers with Winston Bailey, mostly known for their track ''Johnny Too Bad'', which features on the soundtrack to the famous movie, The Harder They Come. This is a highly talented group, the songs are fairly simple in their construction, with silk like vocals and grooves that rumble along like a freight train.

Katchafire - Legacy

First studio album from these roots rockers from Aotearoa in eight years, and it proves quite a remarkably enjoyable work, with the standout tracks ''100'', ''Ain't Gonna Give Up'' and ''Addicted''. ''Addicted'' is really lovely, with their trademark choir backing vocals, some of the lyrics are somewhat politically charged. They have a really big emphasis on vocals and basing a song around a groove. The overall sound is quite reminiscent of Herbs in their peak, with multiple singers, soaring bass lines, rhythmic guitar, horn sections, organ parts and some fine lead guitar work. Katchafire are actually touring Australia later this year, so be sure to venture along to one of their gigs if you find yourself in the vicinity.

Chronixx - Chronology

A decent album from a new school young upstart, particularly the tracks ''Spanish Town Rockin’”, “Selassie Children'', ''Legend'', ''Skankin' Sweet'', “Smile Jamaica” and ''I Can''. He is part of the ''reggae revival'' movement. His music sounds like it would be very engaging in a live setting either club or festival. It has a more organic sound to the modern dancehall, which is dominated by synthesizers. Chronixx performs with a live band, and this album may be cast aside as pretentious work paying homage to a bygone era from a youngster, but it has resulted from a newer interest in reggae thanks to the likes of Skip Marley and Hollie Cook. This album proves there is still some good quality reggae coming out of Jamaica.

Various Artists - Once Were Warriors Soundtrack

This is great soundtrack, and great snapshot into the New Zealand history and its cultural influences. Check out the track ''Rua Kenana'' which is based on the real story of Rua Kenana Hepetipa, who was a Maori prophet whose people resisted First World War conscription in New Zealand on his command, and then after an ensuing violent altercation with police, was arrested. The lyrics go along the lines ''He told his people not to go to war, let the white man fight the white man's war''. It's an intriguing story that lives long in the imaginations of the listeners. The style of the music is a more contemporary sound, probably the modern ragga style, the track ''What's The Time Mr. Wolf'' is also worth a listen. One can see that reggae and the influence of reggae has a profound impact on the styles of music that emerged from New Zealand/Aotearoa, intertwined with traditional Maori culture.

Herbs - 13 Years Of Herbs ''The Best Of''

This is a fantastic album, the heights of reggae in Oceania, which have not yet been surpassed from anyone in the region since Herbs radicalized the music scene after a Bob Marley tour that captivated the nation. I really life the track ''Dragons & Demons'' and ''Sensitive To A Smile'' both those tracks are perfect and they could not have been delivered better. They have a really distinct sound that is 70's reggae with a Pacific influence especially in the vocals. They must be 'cashing in' considerably from the royalties from ''Slice Of Heaven'', alas from all those plays on Max. Regardless of this novelty, this album is filled with glee from the pioneering reggae legends from New Zealand/Aotearoa.