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By the spring of 1981 Nightdoctor had built their reputation as a brilliant live band and tried their hand at releasing singles without much success at capturing their live sound. It was during a gig in London's 100 Club, that manager Martin Poole was approached by leading reggae journalist Penny Reel, discussing capturing the band's live vibes. Penny suggested they should work with Chris Lane who had recently started Fashion Records and offered to make the introductions.

The meeting with Chris went well and it was decided that the band should record a lovers rock tune as that style was doing particularly well at the time. The band set about writing what was to become original A side “Romancin'” and Chris suggested a militant instrumental would be a good choice for the B side and that's how “Menelik” came to be chosen.

With some financial backing from The Specials drummer John “Brad” Bradbury and help from The Specials manager Rick Rogers, the band set up a brand-new label Race Records to handle this and similar releases. Chris booked the recording session at Vineyard Studios in Highbury with the band laying the two tracks down in one day, “Menelik” being recorded live in five takes. Chris then spent another day mixing the songs. The musicians for the recording session were: George Young on drums, Roger Haires on bass, Charlie Wood on guitar, Freddie Cruickshank on guitar and vocals, Caroline Williams on keyboards and vocals, Vin Gordon on Trombone, Al Deval on Tenor Sax, Dick Maun on alto sax, Robbie Coombes on vocals and Lynford Joshua on percussion and toasting.

On release, A side “Romancin'” did well for an independent reggae release receiving plenty of airplay especially from David Rodigan and Kid Jensen on Capital Radio and Tony Williams on Radio London. Meanwhile the B side started to find its own following in dancehalls being taken up by Jah Shaka and becoming a sound system staple. Nearly forty years after its release copies of the original 12” are highly sought after and can fetch over £100. This four-track release not only makes the original version of “Menelik” available at a reasonable price, but also includes two sound system friendly unreleased mixes and as an extra bonus Nick Manasseh's 1989 update “Return of Menelik” featuring Danny Red and Lidj Ishu.

Horns laden steppers classic “Menelik” is released by Reggae Archive Records 29TH June 2018, on limited edition 12” vinyl and digital download, distributed by Shellshock Distribution and available from leading retailers and on leading digital platforms.

ARTIST: Nightdoctor
TITLE: “Menelik”
RELEASE DATE: 29th June 2018
LABEL: Reggae Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock / Discovery
CAT NO: RARC022V
BARCODE: 5052571076866

Musical Youth burst into the public consciousness in 1982 with “Pass the Dutchie”. It became a well deserved stepping stone to huge success as the major label pop friendly marketing tool kicked into full effect. The band's first single, featuring former Techniques member Frederick Waite Senior on lead vocals, didn't fit the picture and became an all but forgotten part of their story.

That single, “Political” / “Generals” was a fund raising effort for a community music facility and was released on Birmingham's independent 021 label in the early years of Thatcherism and at a time of high unemployment. “Political” was a scathing attack on the inability of the government to provide millions of people with employment. A cry for both work and a better future where the children will be given a chance to have jobs and security; it ably reflects the desperation and despair that so many felt at that time.

Almost as much a part of the 1981 political landscape was The Cold War and fear of nuclear Armageddon. “Generals” touches on its anti-war call for pacifism, naming and shaming the officers rather than the ordinary soldiers who ultimately pay the price for wars.

Both sides have an unmistakeably British roots reggae sound, a sound that for many years was underappreciated by both critics and fans alike who saw anything non Jamaican as second class. Finally the gems of non Jamaican reggae are being objectively heard and given the status they deserve, so what better time to re-release a great double header and make it available beyond those who buy only CDs and LPs.

A limited edition of 500 copies of the double A sided 7” single “Political” / “Generals” is released by Reggae Archive Records on 10th November 2017 and available from all good record shops or direct from reggaearchiverecords.com.

ARTIST: Musical Youth
TITLE: “Political / Generals”
RELEASE DATE: 10th November 2017
LABEL: Reggae Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock / SRD
CAT NO: RARC021V
BARCODE: 5052571073278

Owen exposes the issues faced by the black, predominately African-Caribbean, community and the daily racism they faced in school, on the streets and in the workplace. He then takes us through his seminal years of growing up, from the physical fights with white racists to the battle of wills with teachers and sports coaches. But the book really comes into its own when Owen writes about his three constant companions and passions: sport, music and his family.

Owen excelled at a number of sports and could have been a professional basketball player if fate (and a rehearsal) hadn’t interfered. Instead he turned to music, which came naturally to him, and for a few fleeting years was part of an extraordinary movement in Birmingham’s and indeed the UK reggae scene.

He vividly brings to life some of the musicians, characters and hustlers of Handsworth and the venues where they plied their trade, giving a voice to these lost and hidden bands, encouraging the reader to discover them. As an added bonus, the discographies at the end of each chapter are incredibly deep and will offer even the most knowledgable reggae lover something to discover.

The books central theme is of Owen’s spiritual journey and of the love he shares for his mom Gladys, a formidable but loving presence through his life, Dad Hartnel, and brother Lewis as well as a dizzying cast of relatives.

‘I Ain’t Mad at Ya’ offers a rare insight into Birmingham’s black community and shines a light on the incredible amount of black music culture produced in the vibrant suburb of Handsworth and the role its musicians and entrepreneurs have played in shaping and influencing popular music in the UK.

ARTIST: Owen Broomfield aka Hulk
TITLE: “I Ain’t Mad at Ya”
RELEASE DATE: 1st August 2017
LABEL: Reggae Archive Records / Tangent Books
GENRE: Reggae
FORMAT: Book
CAT NO: BRARC001
BARCODE: 9781910089590

It's fair to say that the inclusion of Iganda's sole 7” single “Mark of Slavery” / “Slow Down” spread across the first two volumes of our “Midlands Roots Explosion” series, has not only greatly raised the profile of the band, but also sent the price of the original release through the roof. At its heart, reggae is a singles based music and although we've made the two tracks available on vinyl, CD and digital download, there are many reggae lovers who would like “Mark of Slavery” and “Slow Down” available again on the original format.

The good news is that where possible, we at Reggae Archive Records like to respond in a positive way to our loyal customers and requests for reissues, so we are doing a limited run of 500 7” copies of “Mark Of Slavery” / “Slow Down” in their original mixes. For the first time in more than three decades, this obscure double sided roots gem from the golden age of the Midlands reggae scene will be available brand new and at an affordable price.

Released on 26TH July 2024 by Reggae Archive Records and available from good retailers worldwide as well as direct from reggaearchiverecords.com, these 500 copies are sure to sell out so don't delay your purchase for too long.

2016 sees the release of the most eagerly awaited sequel since “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, when Reggae Archive Records release “The Midlands Roots Explosion Volume Two” showcasing some genuine rebels in the guise of musicians, playing the finest in English reggae. Last year's release of “The Midlands Roots Explosion Volume One”, saw the culmination of many years work spent tracking down artists and tapes to shine a light on one of England's greatest, yet most overlooked musical scenes; the home grown take on reggae that briefly flourished from the mid-seventies and had almost disappeared little more than a decade later.

Mixing themes of struggle, resistance, justice, equality, identity and Rastafari played and sung from the heart with both conviction and skill, our first volume received a rapturous reception from critics and purchasers alike. Now we return with more of the same, but if anything we've surpassed Volume One with an even stronger selection.

With so many great bands and so much great music coming out of the Midlands, it was always our intent to release enough volumes to properly document the stories of the bands, singers, musicians and labels as well as adding historical context with sleeve notes by people who were there.

The success of Volume One has certainly helped raise the profile of our mission, opened doors and brought even more bands on board meaning Volume Two not only carries over plenty of familiar names, but five of the fifteen tracks are from bands making their debut in the series.

Volume Two starts off in exactly the same way as its predecessor with Handsworth's biggest musical exports, the legendary Steel Pulse and “Bun Dem”, originally released in 1977 on the Tempus label and produced by the legendary Dennis Bovell; it's a track that deserves wider exposure. Our first act new to the series are Natural Mystique with their 1982 single “Generals” whilst tracks 3, 4 and 5 round off the missing A and B sides from some of the most popular artists we included last time with Iganda's “Mark Of Slavery”, Carnastoan's “Sweet Melody” and yet another Generals, this one from Musical Youth featuring the same line up that caused so much surprise and positive feedback with their inclusion on Volume One.

“Africans” from Bass Dance featuring a second appearance from former Steel Pulse guitarist/vocalist Basil Gabbidon, is the first of four previously unreleased tracks. The other three that we've managed to track down on long forgotten tapes, are Leicester's Groundation with “Rebel” recorded a few years before “Fa Ward” which we included last time, “Cannot Take It Away”; another lost gem from Handsworth's Mystic Foundation and “Equalisation” another lost slice of early eighties roots from Wolverhampton's Capital Letters.

The late Linton Haughton is another new name with his scarce Shield label 12” cut “Hustling Man”. Also making their first appearances, are Afrikan Star with “Run And Hide” originally issued in 1980 on Black Vinyl Records and from the Crucial Music stable, Sledge Hammer with “Ruled By The Stone” released as a 7” single on the Crucial Music Inc. label. The remaining three tracks are provided by label favourites and key players in the Birmingham scene, Black Symbol, Sceptre and Eclipse and showcase songs from the individual albums we've previously released by each band.

This album is British roots reggae at its finest, steering its own course and not looking over its shoulder at what was happening in Jamaica. It's the perfect complement to Volume One adding another chapter to the story of British reggae and how it developed in its Midlands heartland, a story we will be continuing to explore and expand with future volumes.

“The Midlands Roots Explosion Volume Two” is released by Reggae Archive Records on high quality double vinyl in a luxurious gatefold sleeve, CD and digital download on May 20th 2016 available from all good retailers worldwide.

1. Steel Pulse - Bun Dem
2. Natural Mystique - Generals
3. Iganda - Mark of Slavery
4. Musical Youth - Generals
5. Carnastoan - Sweet Melody
6. Bass Dance - Africans
7. Linton Haughton - Hustling Man
8. Groundation - Rebel
9. Sledge Hammer - Ruled By the Stone
10. Mystic Foundation - Cannot Take It Away
11. Sceptre - Right Time Coming
12. Capital Letters - Equalisation
13. Eclipse - Immigration
14. Black Symbol - None a Jah Jah Children
15. Afrikan Star - Run And Hide

It's hard to overestimate the importance of what Black Symbol did for their local community, in Birmingham's Handsworth neighbourhood, by providing bands with studio time at the well equipped Outlaw Studio and then releasing many of the finished results on the two original vinyl LPs. They have left us with a unique snapshot of the Handsworth scene in the early eighties; a scene that was at its creative peak but would very soon almost entirely disappear.

Black Symbol member Blobbo stated their aims on the rear sleeve of “Handsworth Explosion Volume II”:….. “Handsworth Explosion is a brand new revolutionary idea originated by 'FATMAN' the producer, lead vocalist and founder member of BLACK SYMBOL. The intention of this album is to provide a much needed link between Symbol and other Ghetto bands, to reveal, an as yet undiscovered talent suppressed by the music machine.

The Handsworth Explosion shall open up the eyes and hearts of many, yet it shall explode in the minds of many; this combination of music can only be played in the Ghetto by musicians who live in and bear the weight of their society. Handsworth Explosion sets out not only to satisfy musically, but be an inspiration and revelation.”

It's never too late to discover talent and hopefully this CD release will indeed open the eyes and hearts of many to the great bands and singers featured: Sceptre, Zephaniah, Truths And Rights, Gerald Love, Mystic Foundation, Benjamin Zephaniah, Black Knight, Man From the Hills and last, but by no means least, Black Symbol themselves. The music is mostly roots reggae, but the tracks also provide a great deal of variety whilst maintaining a high quality threshold.

Back in the early 1980s, Black Symbol faced an uphill struggle to get their albums distributed and few people who lived outside Birmingham or near a specialist reggae shop ever got the chance to buy a copy and hear this wonderful music. Today with the World Wide Web, “Black Symbol presents The Complete Handsworth Explosion” is finally available for everyone to enjoy.

“Black Symbol presents The Complete Handsworth Explosion” is released by Reggae Archive Records on 20 track CD and digital download on the 29th June and is available from all the usual outlets.

1. Sceptre – Ancestors Calling
2. Truths & Rights – New Language
3. Black Symbol – Travelling
4. Gerald Love – Jah Children
5. Zephaniah – Music Business
6. Truths & Rights – Saddest Moment
7. Black Symbol – Spiritual Reggae
8. Gerald Love – Scandal Man
9. Sceptre – Living On Strong
10. Zephaniah – Free Man
11. Benjamin Zephaniah – Stop The War
12. Man From The Hills – Redemption Day
13. Mystic Foundation – Life In The Ghetto
14. Black Symbol – Feeling Is Irie
15. Black Knight – Lets Make Up
16. Black Symbol – Trouble Trouble
17. Benjamin Zephaniah – Unite Handsworth
18. Man From The Hills – How Long
19. Mystic Foundation – Handsworth
20. Black Knight - Feeling

Birmingham may be England's second city but when it comes to reggae music, there are plenty of reasons for it to claim first place. Perhaps no band has done more for British reggae than Steel Pulse whilst Musical Youth, not only found chart success but took reggae to the nation's children in a way no other band could, not forgetting UB40 who also experienced huge international success. These bands didn't exist in isolation, Birmingham and the other towns and cities that make up the Midlands were a powerhouse of British reggae. Finally, it's time to shine the spotlight on some of the lesser known acts that spent years performing and recording without achieving those levels of success.

“The Midlands Roots Explosion Volume One” from Reggae Archive Records, is the first in a series of compilations that hope to showcase some of the unreleased, forgotten and barely known musical gems from what was such a vibrant scene. It's only appropriate that the first volume leads off with the band that put both Handsworth and Birmingham on the musical map, Steel Pulse. We've included the band's first release from 1976, the very scarce “Kibudu – Mansatta - Abuku,” a track that strongly hinted at the heights they would soon reach. As a bonus, we've also included the instrumental version from the original B side; both tracks are making their debut on LP and CD.

For those familiar with Musical Youth's later chart hits, “Political” may come as a surprise, with grown up lead vocals by former member of Jamaican hit makers The Techniques, Frederick Waite Snr., and a hard roots edge to the lyrics. This was the band's first release issued on a small Birmingham label and another track worthy of far wider exposure.

Steel Pulse and Musical Youth found fame beyond reggae and reached the national charts. Wolverhampton's Capital Letters may have only topped the reggae charts but they were a hugely successful live act in Europe introducing tens of thousands to live reggae. For this release we've been digging in the tape vaults and discovered “I Will Never”. Previously unreleased, this recording has a harder roots edge than their Greensleeves releases and is all the better for it as they slow the tempo down with a celebration of their faith in Jah.

Contemporaries of Steel Pulse and one of Birmingham's leading bands Eclipse, surely deserved more success. Here we've included “Blood Fi Dem” released as a single in 1981 more; great songs from Eclipse can be found on our previous CD release “Corrupted Society”.

The formation of Black Symbol was inspired by fellow Handsworth residents Steel Pulse; here we feature “In The Name of Jah” featuring the band at their spiritual best. We also have a track from Black Symbol spin-off group Oneness, with “Rome,” previously only available on a very hard to find 12”. Black Symbol provided the opportunity for many other Handsworth artists to record their music and this compilation features several: Man From The Hills “Redemption Day”, Sceptre “Ancestors Calling”, Benjamin Zephaniah “Unite Handsworth”, Zephaniah “Free Man” and the fantastic and previously unreleased “Instruments” from Mystic Foundation. Why “Instruments” had laid forgotten on the master tape for thirty years, is unknown but it more than earns it's place on this album as a stand out track. More tracks from Black Symbol and the Handsworth bands can be found on our previous releases; “Black Symbol”, Sceptre's “Essence Of Redemption Ina Dif'rent Styley” and the two volumes of “Black Symbol Present Handsworth Explosion”. Handsworth's last but by no means least contribution is from Carnastoan with “Mr. Workhard,” the B side of the band's classic 12” single.

Birmingham's contribution is rounded up by Iganda, a band whose long career sadly only produced one 7” single released in 1979; fortunately it was a classic and here we have the A side “Slow Down” The Midlands are further represented by Leicester's Groundation and the nearly 8 minute long monster of a track that is “Fa-Ward”. We've previously reissued this on 12” and hopefully, there are more recordings to come from the Groundation tape vaults.

“The Midlands Roots Explosion Volume One” is just a snapshot of the abundance of musical talent in the region during the 1970s and 1980s. It barely scratches the surface but even so, it's one of the strongest reggae compilations available and shows that the English Midlands were second to none when it came to roots reggae.

With sleeve notes from Jim Weir who was a musician involved in the Birmingham reggae scene, the album will be released on 29TH June 2015 available on high quality double vinyl in a deluxe gatefold sleeve, on CD and as a digital download.

1. Steel Pulse - Kibudu-Mansatta-Abuku
2. Steel Pulse - Mansatta (Instrumental)
3. Man from The Hills - Redemption Day
4. Eclipse - Blood Fi Dem
5. Musical Youth - Political
6. Sceptre - Ancestors Calling
7. Benjamin Zephaniah - Unite Handsworth
8. Oneness - Rome
9. Black Symbol - In The Name Of Jah
10. Groundation - Fa-Ward
11. Mystic Foundation – Instruments
12. Iganda - Slow Down
13. Capital letters - I Will Never
14. Carnastoan - Mr. Workhard
15. Zephaniah - Free Man

Black Symbol are among the unsung heroes of British Reggae. During their heyday in the early 1980s, they not only released a handful of their own songs as singles, now highly sought after, but financed and released the two volumes of “Handsworth Explosion”, records that documented and showcased so many talented local acts. They played countless shows, funded numerous recording sessions for local bands and singers and did everything possible to promote the music they and their fellow artists were creating.

Although their reputation within Birmingham was and still is second to none, their self-released records lacked the promotional muscle of major label backing and enjoyed modest sales, not escaping beyond the specialist reggae market.

There can be few British bands whose back catalogue is so unknown by the masses and so deserving of an album release. Better late than never, three decades and more since they were recorded, Reggae Archive Records have gone through the singles, the Black Symbol tracks included on the two volumes of “Handsworth Explosion” and unreleased songs, to compile an album that will do Black Symbol's music justice and rightfully secure their place as one of Britain's most important and original reggae bands of the 1980s.

When it came to naming this album “Black Symbol” was all the title it needed, a name resonant with meaning that truly fits the music within. The CD version contains 16 tracks of which 4 are versions, whilst the high quality double vinyl contains 12 tracks including versions and is cut for maximum dynamic range. Where they exist on the master tapes we have taken the opportunity to use slightly different mixes on the vinyl and CD and whilst the CD contains tracks from the two volumes of “Handsworth Explosion,” these are omitted from the vinyl as they can be readily found on our vinyl reissues of those LPs.

The music itself is roots reggae at its best, clearly British, but firmly anchored to the childhood home of the band's core members in St Ann's on Jamaica's North coast; like Birmingham another hotbed of Reggae creativity and talent. Although all tracks were recorded at Outlaw Studios in the heart of Birmingham, this music is among the most Jamaican sounding of any British recordings. There is not a conscious attempt to mimic a Jamaican sound, it's in the group's DNA and just naturally permeates their sound. Unlike so many other British reggae groups, they didn't take The Wailers as a template and instead created something new and entirely unique.

Two thirds of the vocals have overtly religious themes, spiritual, uplifting, joyful, a timeless celebration of belief; these songs are inclusive rather than exclusive and lift your spirits whatever your faith or none at all. The rest of the vocals have political themes, equally heartfelt and everything is delivered with total conviction. The versions are no mere afterthoughts, but perfectly realised companion pieces with all the weight and vibes anyone could wish for.

The double vinyl LP comes in a deluxe gatefold sleeve and both it and the CD version contain sleeve notes based on interviews with original band members; Fatman, Blobbo and Rhino plus archive photos provided by bandleader Fatman. The album will be released on all formats by Reggae Archive Records on 16th March 2015 and is sure to be one of the highlights of the year for all fans of roots reggae and British reggae.

The music of Black Symbol can also be found on Reggae Archive's previous releases, “Handsworth Explosion Volume One” and “Handsworth Explosion Volume Two” as well as featuring on our forthcoming release “The Midlands Roots Reggae Explosion Volume One”. Fatman has also released a new album under the Black Symbol name, “Journey” which is available on our sister label Sugar Shack Records.

Double Vinyl Track Listing:

Side A
1. Loving Jah (6.28)
2. Everything Has It's Time (12" Mix) (9.35)

Side B
1. None A Jah Jah Children (4.06)
2. Jah Children Version (3.50)
3. In The Name Of Jah (4.07)
4. In The Name Of Jah Version (4.04)
5. In The Name Of Jah (Drum & Bass Reprise) (1.53)

Side C
1.Travelling (7.41)
2. How Long (9.48)

Side D
1. Solidarity (7.13)
2. Tension (7.01)
3. My Heart Reveals Danger (3.30)

CD Tracklisting:

1. Everything Has It's Time (4.49)
2. Everything Has It's Time (Version) (4,46)
3. None A Jah Jah Children (4.21)
4. None A Jah Jah Children (Version) (3.50)
5. Travel (7.38)
6. How Long (9.48)
7. Loving Jah (6.28)
8. In The Name Of Jah (4.04)
9. In The Name Of Jah (Dub) (4.04)
10. Trouble Trouble (5.03)
11. Spiritual Reggae (3.06)
12. Travelling (3.06)
13. My Heart Reveals Danger (3.30)
14. Dub Piano (3.30)
15. Solidarity (5.25)
16. Tension (4.11)

Founded in 1981 in Britain's second city Birmingham, the band Sceptre were part of a thriving local music scene, a scene that for the most part revolved around live shows in the region's community centres, university campuses, pubs and nightclubs. Neglected by major labels, many bands went unrecorded and of those that did get documented most managed to release just one or two singles. Fortunately, Sceptre recorded and released an entire album, 1984's “Essence of Redemption Ina Dif'rent Styley”.

Poorly pressed, in very small numbers and with limited distribution, the album didn't sell well and barely made an impact on its release. However, whatever its problems the music itself was first class and over the last three decades, has acquired numerous fans and an ever growing reputation as a classic of the British reggae genre. Whilst still remaining underground and unknown to the vast majority of reggae fans, demand amongst those in the know has been such that used copies have fetched as much as £180.As part of our mission to document and reissue Britain's lost, forgotten and unreleased reggae heritage, Sceptre were high on our list of projects. Through the good offices of Black Symbol who had released Sceptre's previous two recordings on “Black Symbol Presents Handsworth Explosion Volume One”, (also reissued on Reggae Archive Records), we were introduced to Jean McLean and able to get the band members approval and cooperation with this project.

Musically this is one of the strongest UK albums there is, with not a single weak track and many stand outs. Six of the ten songs are roots, varying between a classic roots sound based on a 1970s Jamaican blue print on “Essence of Redemption”, “Nuclear Disaster”, “Soul Searching” and “Pestilence and Bombing” to a more contemporary UK feel on “Right Time Coming,” whilst “Get Up And Go” incorporates a funk feel into the mix. Three of the tunes, “Play the Music”, “Me on My Own” and “Goodbye” are Lovers Rock with Jean McLean taking over lead vocal duties from the men, whilst Jean's sister Beverley aka Rankin Bev demonstrates her MC skills on the dancehall orientated “Ina Dif'rent Styley”.

The album is brim full of great tracks and not only showcases the band's versatility, but also what talented songwriters and musicians they were. The fact that it didn't enjoy greater success and get heard by the reggae audience at large is a travesty we can finally put right. Sceptre's “Essence of Redemption Ina Dif'rent Styley” is reissued by Reggae Archive Records on 20th October 2014 and will be available on premium quality vinyl, CD and digital download from all leading outlets. To coincide with this release our sister label Sugar Shack Records is releasing former Sceptre guitarist, horn player, keyboard player and vocalist Jean McLean's new album “Everlasting” on the same date.

For this year's Record Store Day, Reggae Archive Records released a limited edition vinyl version of “Black Symbol present Handsworth Explosion Volume Vol. Two.” Now ahead of the release of a CD combining both volumes of this unique musical project, we are pleased to make “Black Symbol present Handsworth Explosion Vol. One” once more available on its original format, vinyl.

As with the second volume, the original of this release suffered from limited distribution and despite the valiant efforts of band members to promote the album, literally travelling around the UK's record shops with boxes of LPs, the original release sold in very limited numbers. It has justifiably become one of the most sought after and expensive British reggae LPs and one where the music more than lives up to expectations.

Black Symbol provided other local Handsworth based bands with the opportunity to record their songs properly in the well equipped Outlaw Studio and then gave them the platform of this album with each band getting two tracks to showcase their talent.

This volume leads off with Sceptre whose equally rare and indeed excellent album “Essence of Redemption Ina Different Styley,” is also seeing a long overdue reissue via Reggae Archive Records. Their contributions here are the superb “Ancestors Calling” with its refreshing female lead and maintaining the quality, “Living on Strong”, and both tracks firmly in the roots reggae camp.

The band Zephaniah maintain the roots vibe with the classic sounding “Freeman” before switching style with “Music Business” which is exactly as it sounds, a comment on the music business, a business that has never looked kindly on reggae. Fortunately the altruism of Black Symbol means we can all get to enjoy the band's commentary.

Truths And Rights add some variety to proceedings, diverging from the roots band template used by most of the others and delivering their tracks in what was the latest DJ style at the time with “New Language” and a tale of a lost family with “Saddest Moment.” Both vocals are underpinned by great heavyweight backing tracks and neither sound at all dated, even though very obviously of their era.

Singer Gerald Love produces himself on two of his own compositions “Jah Children” with its mellower edge to the roots message and on “Scandal Man.” His music offers a more polished approach and perhaps has a slightly more commercial feel, but none the less doesn't feel out of place in this company.

Last and by no means least are Black Symbol themselves; one of the finest reggae bands the UK has produced. Here we have a hint of the Burning Spear sound on “Travelling” which is joined by “Spiritual Reggae”, a brace of classic roots tunes ably demonstrating the quality of one of Birmingham's best kept musical secrets.

The tracks on this on album have a consistency of quality rarely found on compilations. This album lifts the lid on a scene that was overflowing with talent and yet rarely documented. We can be grateful that thanks to Black Symbol, we have this small window into that scene. “Black Symbol present Handsworth Explosion Vol. One” is released on vinyl LP in a reproduction of the original sleeve by Reggae Archive Records on 20th October 2014.

With a revived Capital Letters once more performing sell out shows across Europe and the enthusiastic reception afforded to their “Reality” album released by Reggae Archive Records at the start of the year, we decided to give their fans old and new something special with the release of a brand new 12” EP.

The recordings are from the same 1985 session that gave us the “Reality” album and feature remixes of two songs that will be familiar to anyone who has that album, “Smoking My Ganja” and “Reality”. When we went back to the session tapes, we discovered an additional track that wasn't available for the album and that track ‘Housebreaker’ makes its debut here.

Who better to take charge of remix duties than Reggae Archive's regular collaborator, Rootikal's David Hill with engineering and studio space provided by UK reggae legend Nick Manasseh. They took the original multi tracks and welded them into sound system anthems. You could imagine these new mixes would have been cut on a hundred dub plates if the tracks had been finished and mixed this way back in '85.

We kick proceedings off with “Smoking My Ganja”, a track transformed from the familiar commercial anthem we all know and stripped of its pop sensibilities, the bass driven gritty roots monster that always lurked beneath is finally unleashed. Propelled by a foreboding bass line the vocal is darker and rootsier. It conjures up the claustrophobia of those dark, smoke filled sound sessions of a past age, hundreds of people each locked into their own individual bass cocoon. The dub plate mix with its urgent, heavy oppressive bass really does reinvent the anthem, it's now hypnotic and relentless, and a lost Shaka special that never was. For the drum and bass mix it's back to basics with the song pared down to the essentials and yet remaining totally riveting. The whole side is addictive and plays like one long disco mix, Rootikal has achieved the rare feet of improving upon a well loved classic.

“Housebreaker” is as heavy as its name suggests with these heavy, heavy mixes, forget breaking into a house you could literally demolish it. Pounding away with jackhammer bass and wrecking ball drums, this pair conjure up proper early eighties dub vibes. The dark arts of proper dub mixing haven't been lost in the digital age, they've just been waiting for the right moment and here, spread across the two mixes are nine minutes of right moments.

“Reality” was a highlight of the album that bears it's name and a tune well deserving of two more cuts from the skilful hands of David Hill and Nick Manasseh. The vocal is proper old school British Roots Reggae at its finest, another lost art that is finally making a most welcome comeback with the reformed Capital Letters in the vanguard. The record is perfectly rounded off with an excellent dub counterpart that maintains the consistent high standard of the earlier tracks; this EP is strictly killer with absolutely no filler.

Capital Letters “Smoking My Ganja” (The Rootikal Remix EP) is released on Reggae Archive Records on the 7th of July 2014 on high quality vinyl and digital download, available from all leading stockists.

Black Symbol were always more than a reggae band and although they released their own music on their Black Symbol label, they wanted to support other talented artists in their community and so without any outside help, they used their own money to record, release and distribute two compilations of music from Birmingham's Handsworth area.

The aim of these compilation albums was summed up on the back of “Handsworth Explosion Volume II”: “Handsworth Explosion is a brand new revolutionary idea originated by 'FATMAN' the producer, lead vocalist and founder member of BLACK SYMBOL. The intention of this album is to provide a much needed link between Symbol and other Ghetto bands, to reveal, an as yet, undiscovered talent suppressed by the music machine. The Handsworth Explosion shall open up the eyes and hearts of many, yet it shall explode in the minds of many; this combination of music can only be played in the Ghetto by musicians who live in and bear the weight of their society. Handsworth Explosion sets out not only to satisfy musically, but be an inspiration and revelation.”

This was indeed underground music and it was pretty much ignored by the mainstream when it was released in very small numbers, but for those lucky enough to have found the records, their hearts were indeed opened up to the music within.

Now, more than thirty years after the music was recorded, Reggae Archive Records are delighted to have teamed up with Fatman and have licensed the entire Black Symbol back catalogue as well as releasing the new Black Symbol album “Journey” on our sister label Sugar Shack Records. We plan a comprehensive reissue campaign throughout the coming year, including a combined CD release for both volumes of “Handsworth Explosion”, but to kick things off we are doing a very limited vinyl edition of “Handsworth Explosion II” for Record Store Day 2014.
Musically, this is a straight reissue with the same 10 tracks from Black Symbol, Benjamin Zephaniah, Mystic Foundation, Man from the Hills and Black Knight, a musical time capsule of talent from inner city Birmingham at the start of the 1980s, a very different time but one that still resonates today.

One thing we have changed is the sleeve design, with Fatman's blessing and in keeping with the original; we have commissioned a new illustration from Nick Darby and hopefully rectified the one weakness of the original release.

This slice of Handsworth reggae, Birmingham reggae, and British reggae has always deserved wider exposure and it's a real privilege for Reggae Archive Records to team up with Fatman and ensure the music reaches a new worldwide audience, an audience that it always deserved.

With original copies rarely appearing and fetching three figures, this is a great opportunity to grab an affordable new copy of one of the rarest UK reggae albums and something that will appeal to all fans of roots reggae. “Handsworth Explosion Volume II” will be available from participating retailers on Record Store Day 2014, April 19th in a strictly limited edition, it won't be repressed again on green vinyl.

Limited Edition Double A Side 12” Vinyl and Digital Download. Released 17th February 2014.

Leicester in the English Midlands may not be known as a hotbed of Reggae but from 1977-1983 it was home to Groundation, an excellent band in the best tradition of UK roots reggae, who built their reputation and honed their skills playing live on the Uni circuit alongside the best of their peers. Unfortunately although they recorded several tracks, did a session for John Peel and appeared on television, they only released one record, a two track 12” single in 1981 on their own Shield Records label, (not to be confused with the Birmingham label of the same name).

The two tracks “Juggernaut” and “Fa Ward” have gone on to be underground classics, highly prized and highly priced collector’s items with the band's name and story becoming lost over time and only known by those old enough to remember their shows or lucky enough to have a precious original copy of that record.

“Juggernaut” is a heavy spiritual instrumental of the sort guaranteed to get sound system play and beloved of Jah Shaka fans. At just short of 8 minutes long, “Fa Ward” is an uplifting and inspiring vocal that leads into a heavy dub cut. This record is a double A sided release in the proper sense, two classic slices of the UK scene at its peak. Quite simply, this is one of the best Reggae singles ever recorded in the UK, a genuine classic and a record more than worthy of a second chance at success.

The quality of the music is such that in 2013, Basque Dub Foundation were inspired to cut their own version of “Juggernaut” and release four dub cuts on 12” a release perfectly complimented by the original and best piece.

How many of the original 1,000 copies survive is hard to say but those that do are highly prized and rarely sold, regularly reaching three figure sums when they do appear. Sharing lost classics is what Reggae Archive Records are all about and so we tracked Tanni down and licensed “Juggernaut” and “Fa Ward” for a lovingly restored vinyl reissue that puts this great music within reach of everyone.

Following the breakup of the band in 1983, vocalist Tanni, (pronounced the same as the British loudspeaker company) became a solo artist, signing a deal with Greensleeves Records and releasing singles on their UK Bubblers offshoot as Tannoi. Now back as Tanni Browne, he is writing and recording new material and working on an album.

The limited edition vinyl reissue of “Juggernaut” and “Fa Ward” will be released by Reggae archive Records on 17th February 2014 and available at a regular retail price from all good retailers, as the song says, let's take the music fa ward!

For Reggae Archive Records latest lovingly compiled and annotated testament to the nascent UK roots/dub scene of the 1990s, we've gone straight for one of the best with “Rise Up – The Riz Records Story”. With an output that spanned most of the decade and a catalogue that stretched beyond the usual handful of singles to include some very strong albums, Riz was a powerhouse for the revival of UK reggae and the growth in it's popularity that continues to this day.

After much difficulty in deciding which of the many first rate tracks we'd have to leave off due to time constraints, we've achieved a fantastic selection of 15 of the best the label has to offer. If that wasn't enough, six of the tracks feature exclusive discomixes from Rootikal's David Hill whilst tracks from Willie Williams and Earl 16 are previously unreleased. How and why these excellent tracks slipped through the net is now forgotten; it definitely wasn't down to lack of quality.

One of the labels strengths was the ability to attract and record leading Jamaican artists as well as those from the UK. In addition to Willie Williams and Earl 16, we've included tracks from Johhny Osbourne, Admiral Tibet, Danny Red, Bob Skeng, Orville Smith, Mikey Mystic, Indica All Stars and of course the ever present Riz All Stars, the sort of line-up that most of the UK's independent reggae labels could only have dreamed of recording. All the tracks were taken from the original master tapes with everyone involved in the project aiming to achieve the best possible sound. We think we've achieved it and this really is a treat for those who value sound quality; these tracks have never sounded better.

In addition to the music, the package also contains extensive sleeve notes recounting the label's story with contributions from key players Nick Manasseh and Gil Cang as well as archive images, with the vinyl version coming in hand screen printed sleeves. Whether a long time fan looking to fill in some gaps or upgrade worn out singles or just a reggae fan looking for a great compilation with nothing but strong tracks you may not be familiar with, then this album is for you.

“Rise Up – The Riz Records Story” is released by Reggae Archive Records on 27th January 2013 on CD, digital download and as an extremely limited vinyl pressing, spread across two separate LPs, complete with screen printed sleeves and sleeve note insert. Between them the two records contain all 15 tracks, available from all good retailers and direct from Reggae Archive Records.

Limited Edition of 100 copies on Green Vinyl

100 copies of Part One the Riz Records Story on Green Vinyl. Hand numbered with Insert and sensational Screen Printed jacket designed by Sam Giles.

Track Listing:

Side A
1 Johnny Osbourne 'Rise Up' discomix 08:00
2 Orville Smith 'Fight Fight' discomix 06:25
3. Earl 16 'Always on the Run' 03:59

Total time 18'24"

Side B
1 Admirel Tibet 'Permission' 06:01
2 Indica All Stars 'Open Our Eyes' (Phoebes Cut) 03:49
3 Danny Red 'Dance Get Overload' discomix 04:42
4 Bob Skeng 'Education' discomix 05:03

Total time 19"35"

For Reggae Archive Records latest lovingly compiled and annotated testament to the nascent UK roots/dub scene of the 1990s, we've gone straight for one of the best with “Rise Up – The Riz Records Story”. With an output that spanned most of the decade and a catalogue that stretched beyond the usual handful of singles to include some very strong albums, Riz was a powerhouse for the revival of UK reggae and the growth in it's popularity that continues to this day.

After much difficulty in deciding which of the many first rate tracks we'd have to leave off due to time constraints, we've achieved a fantastic selection of 15 of the best the label has to offer. If that wasn't enough, six of the tracks feature exclusive discomixes from Rootikal's David Hill whilst tracks from Willie Williams and Earl 16 are previously unreleased. How and why these excellent tracks slipped through the net is now forgotten; it definitely wasn't down to lack of quality.

One of the labels strengths was the ability to attract and record leading Jamaican artists as well as those from the UK. In addition to Willie Williams and Earl 16, we've included tracks from Johhny Osbourne, Admiral Tibet, Danny Red, Bob Skeng, Orville Smith, Mikey Mystic, Indica All Stars and of course the ever present Riz All Stars, the sort of line-up that most of the UK's independent reggae labels could only have dreamed of recording. All the tracks were taken from the original master tapes with everyone involved in the project aiming to achieve the best possible sound. We think we've achieved it and this really is a treat for those who value sound quality; these tracks have never sounded better.

In addition to the music, the package also contains extensive sleeve notes recounting the label's story with contributions from key players Nick Manasseh and Gil Cang as well as archive images, with the vinyl version coming in hand screen printed sleeves. Whether a long time fan looking to fill in some gaps or upgrade worn out singles or just a reggae fan looking for a great compilation with nothing but strong tracks you may not be familiar with, then this album is for you.

“Rise Up – The Riz Records Story” is released by Reggae Archive Records on 27th January 2013 on CD, digital download and as an extremely limited vinyl pressing, spread across two separate LPs, complete with screen printed sleeves and sleeve note insert. Between them the two records contain all 15 tracks, available from all good retailers and direct from Reggae Archive Records.

Limited Edition of 100 copies on Blue Vinyl 100 copies of Part Two The Riz Records Story on Blue Vinyl. Hand numbered with Insert and sensational Screen Printed jacket designed by Sam Giles..

Track Listing:

Side A2
1 Willie Williams 'Saints' discomix 07:30
2 Orville Smith ‘Builder’s Temple’ 04:01
3 Mikey Mystic 'South Africa' 04:21
4 RAS 'The Garden' 03:59

Total time 19'49"

Side B2
1 RAS feat. Earl Sixteen 'Natural Roots' 03:43
2 Manasseh meets The Equalizer 'Absentee Dub' 03:57
3 Orville Smith 'Financial Circumstance' discomix 06:25
4 Manasseh meets The Equalizer 'Souljah’ 05:33
Total time 19"40"

Fantastic booklet with sleeve notes compiled by Dub Mart (Martin Langford) from an interview conducted by David Hill.

Track Listing:

1 Johnny Osbourne 'Rise Up' discomix 08:00
2 Admirel Tibet 'Permission' 06:01
3 RAS 'The Garden' 03:59
4 Orville Smith 'Fight Fight' discomix 06:25
5 Indica All Stars 'Open Our Eyes' (Phoebes Cut) 03:49
6 Danny Red 'Dance Get Overload' discomix 04:42
7 Bob Skeng 'Education' discomix 05:03
8 RAS feat. Earl Sixteen 'Natural Roots' 03:43
9 Orville Smith 'Financial Circumstance' discomix 06:04
10 Willie Williams 'Saints' discomix 07:30
11 Orville Smith ‘Builder’s Temple’ 04:01
12 Manasseh meets The Equalizer 'Absentee Dub' 03:57
13 Earl 16 'Always on the Run' 03:59
14 Mikey Mystic 'South Africa' 04:21
15 Manasseh meets The Equalizer 'Souljah’ 05:33

Reggae Archive Records launched with an album from Birmingham band Eclipse and we've always planned to return to British Reggae Midlands’s heartland, home to so many great bands and source of so many great records. We got our chance to return to the Black Country when we were contacted by Wolverhampton’s Capital Letters and so the Reggae Archive team embarked on the journey north, up the M5 where we enjoyed the hospitality of the band's JB and his wife Rose. We returned to Bristol bearing treasure, several reels of tape and a fantastic scrapbook full of photos and press clippings that Rose had lovingly compiled and kept safe.

Unfortunately, for various reasons, several of the recordings were unusable whilst other tapes contained the unmixed multi-track masters. We really wanted to tell the story of Capital Letters in their own words and so we gave the unmixed multi-tracks to Dave 'Oldwah' Sandford who did such a good job mixing vintage tracks on the album “Reminisce” by Bristol band Vibes. The results of our efforts are a brand new, yet vintage, 14 track Capital Letters album from 1985, the year everything was recorded. Five of the tracks are the band's original 1985 mixes, one track is a live recording and the other eight are newly mixed from the original session tapes.

The music itself has something of a roots edge with title track “Reality” and “No Jobs” both having strong messages. There is also an entirely new mix of the bands breakthrough hit “Smoking My Ganja” which is completed with its dub version whilst “Reality” comes with both original and 'Oldwah' vocals and dubs. The other tracks take a different direction and emphasise how versatile the band were.

Having originally formed in 1971 just for the fun of playing, Wolverhampton’s Capital Letters were one of the UK's first Reggae bands. They enjoyed huge popularity and success during the late seventies and early eighties both within the UK, becoming firm favourites of BBC Radio 1's John Peel, and further afield in Europe where they undertook pioneering tours and built up a strong Continental fan base. The tracks on this album represent the last recordings from that classic line-up.

In addition to the previously unreleased music, the package contains extensive sleeve notes telling the story of the band based on interviews with original members and fully illustrated with archive photos, posters and other ephemera thanks to Rose Brown and her precious scrapbook that she kept safe for so many years. This release helps to document another piece in the often untold story of British Reggae.

Released on 10th February 2014 Capital Letters “Reality” is available on CD, limited edition vinyl, (featuring an exclusive track), and digital download, available from all good retailers and direct from Reggae Archive Records.

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Errol Bellot meets Jah Bunny & Ras Elroy Ina 80’s style

Errol Bellot is one of the best kept secrets in British reggae with a career spanning more than thirty years, he has released dozens of high quality records and become a singer of choice for reggae connoisseurs worldwide. The fact that his name is barely known beyond the hardcore reggae audience, is symptomatic of a career focused on one off singles for small independent reggae labels unable to give Errol's talent the support and exposure it so deserves.

Reggae Archive Records is all about showcasing the wealth of talent that the UK scene has in abundance; working with Errol was high on our wish list. We originally hoped to compile a best of package, an idea we hope to return to, but when we discovered that there was an entire unreleased album he had recorded in collaboration with the legendary Jah Bunny and Ras Elroy, our plans changed.

We were given full access to the session tapes recorded between 1983 and 1985 and selected a standout mixture of 16 vocals, dubs and extended disco mixes to which we've added Errol's first self-production, the excellent, expensive and very sought after “The Wicked Them” which is sequenced together with its previously unreleased dub version discovered on the original master tape. The only other track on the album to have previously surfaced is “Rootsman” which saw a belated and limited issue on 10” in 2006.

The bulk of the tracks were recorded to four track and have the raw feel of dubplate mixes with an emphasis on the bass line and sound system play. Rather than try and tame them we've embraced that authentic sound. The tracks were transferred at the famous Conscious Sounds studio and where necessary, were then edited together by Rootikal's David Hill giving us four extended disco mixes that only add to the genuine eighties vibes. Five of the vocals are paired with full dub counterparts with Jah Bunny showing his mastery of the dub version and giving speakers a real workout with tracks like “Do What You Have To Do Dub” pushing your woofers to their limits. This entire album is definitely sound system friendly.

The emphasis is heavily towards roots with the majority of tracks having a heavy roots theme, whilst even those songs that aren't ostensibly roots have a seriousness in their delivery that belays their more mundane themes. Even the soul song dealing with relationships, “Reason and Chat”, is about as far removed from lovers rock as one could imagine.

Although recorded thirty years ago using contemporary rhythms and sounds, these tracks sound totally fresh and are a revelation. Perhaps we should have called this album a best of after all as the calibre of the music is that high. It is the fact that the majority of tracks are previously unreleased that denies them that accolade.

The package is completed by full sleeve notes telling the story of Errol and Jah Bunny and how they came to collaborate, in their own words, as well as a selection of rare archive photographs. This really is an essential slice of British reggae history featuring many of the key players from the scene.

Released on 22ND July 2013 on limited edition vinyl, CD and digital download via Reggae Archive Records.

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Janet Lee Davis

Often cited as one of the best lovers rock albums ever, Janet Lee Davis' “Missing You” was originally recorded and released by Fashion Records in late 1994. Long out of print, Reggae Archive Records couldn't think of a better candidate to mark their first venture into the often neglected field of lovers rock and their second release in conjunction with Fashion.

The original album stands as a classic, but there's always room for improvement and so this edition is a deluxe version and not only includes the full original album, but also an additional five tracks previously only to be found on a limited and very rare Japanese only CD issue.

Having moved back to the UK from Jamaica in the 1980s Janet was soon recording, but it was during the 1990s that she became a leading force on the reggae scene with hit singles and numerous awards including best female singer, best album and best single her talent being noticed beyond the reggae world. Her collaboration with the Fashion label found both parties at the top of their game with “Missing You” being rightly acclaimed as one of the decade's highlights.

This new deluxe version of “Missing You” contains 20 tracks including one remix of the finest lovers rock, the one style of reggae that can claim British origins. In addition to showcasing Janet's soulful voice and versatility, she is joined and ably supported on two tracks by Peter Hunnigale and Tippa Irie.

The rhythms and production are everything you could wish for, Fashion at their finest, some familiar rhythms, some not so, but all perfectly framing Janet's wonderful voice. Don't be fooled into dismissing this album because it's lovers rock. It's appeal is far greater and it deserves to be heard by reggae fans, soul fans and anybody who appreciates great and beautiful music, a very welcome and long overdue reissue.

Released on CD by Reggae Archive Records on 17th June 2013 and also available as a digital download from Fashion.

Track listing

1. Baby, I’ve Been Missing You
2. Girl On The Side
3. Your Sweet
4. She’s Got Papers
5. Do You Remember
6. We Can Work it Out
7. Ooh Baby Baby
8. Big Mistake
9. Who’s That Girl
10. Love Me Boy
11. Baby I’ve Been Missing You (Groove Remix featuring Tippa Irie)
12. Walk On By
13. Ready To Learn (Yes, I’m Ready)
14. Two Timing Lover
15. Love
16.I Don’t Want To Say Goodbye
17.This World
18. Take Time
19.Show Me Some Love
20. I’ll Come Running

 

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Following the success of “Significant Hits Volume One”, Reggae Archive Records once again team up with Fashion for the CD release of “Significant Hits Volume Two”. If anything, this latest compilation betters its predecessor and in common with Volume One, it trawls through every corner of the label's deep catalogue to bring fans a great selection of 20 tracks from the Fashion vaults. As with Volume One, this latest compilation reflects the diversity of artists and styles that found a home with Fashion.

When it comes to veteran Jamaican singers, this compilation includes three of the best. Johnnie Clarke is present with “Rocking To the A-Class Champion” and as befits one of the label's earliest releases it kicks things off setting the bar high. More than rising to the challenge is Horace Andy with his sizeable 1985 hit “Hypocrites”, an essential update of the perennially popular Wailers tune. It's aptly placed back to back, just as they were as vinyl 12”s, with the late Junior Delgado's superb and understated “Two To Tango”.

Another legendary figure in seventies reggae is producer and sometime melodica player Glen Brown, represented here with the wild, album only track “Detrimental Music” a tune that feels like it's about to escape the confines of the studio at any moment.

One of Fashion's cornerstones was lovers rock and as with Volume One, the genre is well represented with tracks from Michael Gordon, Barry Boom, Winsome and Nerious Joseph, Neville Morrison and Janet Lee Davis with an alternate cut of “Do You Remember”. As well as straight lovers rock, there are lovers rock dancehall crossovers from Philip Leo and C. J. Lewis, Michie One and Louie Lou and General Levy. Nerious Joseph has the distinction of making a second appearance with his huge 1985 hit “Sensi Crisis” whilst the UK MC style for which the label was justly famed can be heard with Pato's “The Boss”.

The straight dancehall sound can be heard in Papa San's “DJ Business” and Top Cat's “Gallist”, while dancehall pioneer Frankie Paul makes the bold claim to be “The Greatest”. Fashion was never a label that could be pigeon-holed, always willing to spread their wings beyond the core reggae market. The disc is rounded off with dancehall influenced jungle from Tenor Fly and Poison Chang whilst Cutty Ranks is represented by a hip hop mix.

With Volume Two the series goes from strength to strength bettering its predecessor and being exactly as described, all hits and all significant in the story of reggae in the UK. “Significant Hits Volume Two” is released by Reggae Archive Records and Fashion on CD on 17th June 2013 it is also available on digital download from leading sites.

1. Johnnie Clarke - Rocking To The A-Class Champion
2. Michael Gordon – Magic Feeling
3. Barry Boom - Making Love
4. Winsome & Nereus – Rock With Me Baby
5. Janet Lee Davis - Do You Remember (alternate TV cut)
6. Neville Morrison – True Friends
7. Frankie Paul – The Greatest
8. Papa San – D J Business
9. Pato – The Boss
10. Nereus Joseph - Sensi Crisis
11. Horace Andy - Hypocrites
12. Junior Delgado - Two To Tango
13. Glen Brown - Detrimental Music
14. Top Cat – Gallist
15. General Levy - Breeze
16. Phillip Leo & CJ Lewis - Why Do Fools...
17. Michie One & Louchie Lou - Shout
18. Tenor Fly – Don’t Dis The Jungle
19. Poison Chang – Love The Woman (Jungle Mix)
20. Cutty Ranks – Limb By Limb (Hip Hop Mix)

 

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Inspired by the first wave of UK produced Digi Roots and Dub he was hearing at Nick Manasseh's Roots Rock Reggae sessions at London's Dingwalls and Jah Shaka dances, reggae lover and club promoter Anthony Cummins got together with friends Adam Holden (Fish), Mark Evans (Suffurah) and Hamish Brown (All Nation Rockers), to see about getting some studio time and trying their hand at creating their own music.
A visit to Youth Sound record shop to get feedback for an early version of “Warm The Nation” gained them a positive response from Tenastelin, Danny Red and MC Ishen. The feedback was such that Mark decided they had to release the tune. Joined by local singer Kenrick Griffith (Versatile Creations), they finished the track and the following Spring, the Sound 'n' Pressure label launched with the release of “Warm the Nation” on 12”.
The record was a hit on the underground UK reggae scene and over the next couple of years, the label put out another three equally well received twelve inch singles and had their fifth release recorded and being played on dubplate by Aba Shanti. Unfortunately for reggae fans, in 1995 Anthony decided to put his time and energy into creating and opening his own studio and the label was put on hold with no further releases.
In the intervening years, a whole new generation of fans in the UK and worldwide have discovered those original Sound 'n' Pressure records, often paying high prices to secure copies. Finally the music will be readily available again when Reggae Archive Records release their Sound 'n' Pressure compilation, ‘Sound ‘n’ Pressure Story, on 11th March 2013.
Remastered from the original master tapes, the music has never sounded better and in addition to the four twelve inches, the album includes both tracks from what would have been the fifth single, (previously an exclusive Aba Shanti dub plate), and an unreleased track Anthony created for a short film..
The album comes with sleeve notes filling in the background to the label and is available on CD, limited edition vinyl and as a digital download from all good outlets.

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Fashion In Fine Style Significant Hits Volume One

Released 10th September 2012 as a Digitally Remastered CD
through Reggae Archive Records /Fashion.

There is no other label that defines UK reggae in the eighties and nineties as well as Fashion Records. For two decades they captured the sound of the UK as it was happening. Their constant stream of singles and LPs effectively defined the UK MC style, dominated the UK lovers rock charts, pioneered the UK ragga sound, released roots and dub and provided huge inspiration for the jungle and garage scenes.

After a long hiatus, Fashion has been relaunched in the digital domain but, with a strong demand for physical releases of their back catalogue from fans old and new, John and Chris have chosen Reggae Archive Records as their partner to meet that demand with a comprehensive programme of vinyl and CD releases and giving the new label access to all of the Fashion catalogue, including unreleased tracks.
To launch the new partnership, Reggae Archive Records have decided to start with the same compilation that launched Fashion's arrival on the digital platform and will be releasing the various artists compilation “Fashion In Fine Style – Significant Hits Volume One” as a digitally remastered CD on 10th September 2012.

Personally selected by John and Chris, the compilation starts with the first release on the label and indeed its first hit Dee Sharp's “Let's Dub It Up”. The next five tracks continue in a similar lovers vein with Peter Hunnigale, Winsome and Janet Lee-Davis joined by Jamaican legend Alton Ellis.

The album keeps up a mellow vibe, but heads in a roots direction with tracks from Nereus Joseph and Jah Mali before Frankie Paul ushers in the dancehall sounds the label was famous for. We are given nine variations on the dancehall style ranging from roots themes to sound clash tunes and the early digital style to raga. There's even a jungle remix amongst them with the remix of Top Cat's “Request this Style” though it rather conflicts with the message of Starkey Banton's “Jungle Bungle”

Last, but by no means least, is a track from the label's twilight. Chris Lane in his Dub Organiser alter ego with the excellent “Herbal Dub”, a great slice of dub and a final reminder of just how versatile the label was.

This is a great opportunity for fans old and new to pick up some of Fashion's biggest hits on CD.

Track listing

1. Dee Sharp - Let’s Dub It Up
2. Alton Ellis - Play It Cool
3. Winsome – Am I The Same Girl
4. Janet Lee-Davis – Two Timing Lover
5. Janet Lee-Davis & Tippa Irie – Baby, I’ve Been Missing You
6. Nereus Joseph – Guidance
7. Jah Mali – Mercy Street
8. Frankie Paul – A No Nutten
9. Me & You – Rock This Rub A Dub
10. Andrew Paul – Who’s Gonna Make The Dance Ram
11. Daddy Freddy – Yes We A Blood
12. Starkey Banton – Jungle Bungle
13. Peter Hunnigale – Perfect Lady
14. Papa San & Lt. Stitchie – One More Request
15. Top Cat – Request The Style
16. Joseph Cotton – No Touch The Style
17. General Levy – Heat
18. Cutty Ranks – The Stopper
19. Bunny General – Full Up A Class
20. Dub Organiser – Herbal Dub

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The Tribe / Finsbury Park

Tribesman

Released 3rd September 2012 as a 12" Vinyl Single (Limited Edition) & Digital Download,
through Reggae Archive Records / Shellshock and all digital platforms.

Following Bristol Archive Record's great success with reissuing classic lost reggae from Bristol we have expanded our sights to the whole UK with the launch of our new label Reggae Archive Records. Our aim is exactly the same, to issue obscure and previously unreleased reggae music of merit that has largely been forgotten and neglected and give it a second chance.

To kick things off, we have chosen a classic and highly sought after twelve inch single from London band Tribesman released with the full cooperation of original producer Paget King.

Originally issued in 1979 the record has gone on to become something of a classic fetching good money in collectors circles. We've taken the liberty of reversing the sides meaning the more rootsy and sought after “The Tribe” is now the A side whilst “Finsbury Park” is now the AA.

Both sides are extended disco mixes with the vocal leading straight into the dub and to complement the package, the record will be housed in a high quality Reggae Archive Records 12” disco sleeve recalling those lost days of the late seventies when colourfully designed sleeves jostled each other for space in the racks and helping this classic tune really stand out.

Not only is this just the first of many exciting projects we have planned for the new label, but it is also the start of our relationship with Paget King and Tribesman as we plan a full CD release of the band's back catalogue in 2013.

The record will be released on 3rd September as a strictly limited edition and will be available from all good retailers worldwide.

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CORRUPTED SOCIETY

ECLIPSE

Released 15th October 2012 as a CD & Digital Download,
through Reggae Archive Records / Shellshock and all digital platforms.

Having already successfully turned the spotlight on Bristol's lost reggae heritage, Bristol Archive Record's new sister label Reggae Archive Records launches with similar ambitions for other UK towns and cities. We begin that mission with some long lost music from legendary Birmingham band Eclipse.

Friends and contemporaries of fellow Handsworth band Steel Pulse, Eclipse never achieved the same level of commercial success. Back in the seventies the two bands vied with each other to be acclaimed as Handsworth's best, as the area bubbled with musical creativity. Eclipse were together for ten years, from 1975 until 1985. In that time they managed to release just one album and three 7” singles, a small, but powerful legacy and one that deserves to be recognised by a wider audience.

The bulk of this CD features Eclipse's lone album release, known as “Eclipsed.” The British pressing is now very scarce and was repressed as “Inner Reggae Rhythm for a Canadian release. The album includes these eight tracks plus both sides of the bands final single and a brace of previously unreleased tracks. Unlike previous reissues this project has been completed with the full cooperation of the original band members. They have provided their recollections of the band's history for the sleeve notes as well as supplying precious archive photographs.

Although written and recorded over thirty years ago we couldn't believe how relevant many of the songs still are today. We therefore felt that the best title for this collection would be “Corrupted Society”, a song of protest that starts the CD off in a classic UK roots vein. Things carry on in similar fashion with songs dealing with repatriation, “Immigration” and “Come Me Brethren”. Then political violence, “Six Dead”, the triumph of the righteous, “Blood Fi Dem” and “Visions”, as well as faith with “Jah Can't Fail I”.

The last few tracks take a lighter direction, dealing with love and having a good time. The album ends with the rather beautiful “Eclipse”, a track that's just as strong as any of the band's more rootsy compositions and ends things on a suitably high point. The album is available on CD and as a digital download from all good retail outlets from 15th October 2012.

Track listing

1. Corrupted Society
2. Immigration
3. Six Dead
4. Blood Fi Dem
5. Jah Can't Fail I
6. Come Me Brethren
7. Visions
8. Let Jah Be The One
9. Enjoy Yourself / Have A Good Time (Live)
10. After The Rain
11. City Loving (Live)
12. Eclipse

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