Reggae

Flying high for the tenth anniversary of the Blackbird album here is the brand new Blackbird Returns remix album descending on the breeze.

There’s a diverse mix of classic and new, with legendary figures like John Holt, The Tamlins and Cornell Campbell to laidback Texan groovers Khruangbin also offering an exclusive bass heavy-delight.

Studio One Roots 2 delves deep into the vaults of the legendary Jamaican Reggae label and features rare and classic roots as well as an unprecedented seven unreleased tracks that up till now had never seen the light of day.

Soul Jazz Records release a new 2017 edition of their classic album Dancehall: The Rise Of Jamaican Dancehall Culture.

Released in 1975 and produced by Lawrence Lindo aka Jack Ruby, Burning Spear's magnificent Marcus Garvey album set the benchmark for Roots Reggae and is still widely considered the greatest collection of its kind ever to see issue.

This Maori/Samoan/New Zealander band claims influences as diverse as highlife, Berlin techno, and bhangra, but what their music sounds like most consistently is a strangely modern and soulful version of jazzy reggae

After the success of 1974's Natty Dread and 1976's Rastaman Vibration, Bob Marley was not only the most successful reggae musician in the world, he was one of the most powerful men in Jamaica.

Fat Freddy’s Drop hit the ground running with new studio album SLO MO, a bass-heavy blast of redemption and resolution.

Overflowing with positive vibes, memorable melodies, and irresistible rhythms, this essential feel-good collection is guaranteed to get feet moving, fill dancefloors and spread joy any time of the year.

U-Roy was a true reggae pioneer, dubbed The Originator for good reason.

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.

1970s Jamaica suffered an unprecedented stretch of political turmoil and violence, and as the country’s economy and morale collapsed, reggae and its offshoots exploded worldwide.

Seminal dub album produced by Winston Edwards. In 1974 Edwards left Jamaica to reside in the UK and through his strong connections with such reggae luminaries as Joe Gibbs, Lee Perry and King Tubby began to travel back and forth between London and Kingston (JA) to bring back recordings to issue on his Fay Music label here in the UK. In 1974 he released this seminal dub set, which is now considered a classic early Tubby’s dub album. A musical, tuneful and seriously heavy dubwise set with Vin Gordon’s unique trombone lines well to the fore. Essential dub.

Soul Jazz Records’ 200% Dynamite! set the benchmark for reggae meets funk compilations that has never been bettered.

The legendary collaboration between master percussionist Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah and producer Adrian Sherwood return with their first new studio album in twelve years.

Horace Andy [a.k.a.Sleepy] must process one of the sweetest and most distinctive voices in reggae music.

Studio One Rocksteady is the fantastic new installment in Soul Jazz Records' journey through the mighty vaults of Studio One, reggae's number one record company and its legendary pioneering producer Clement Sir Coxsone Dodd.

Fat Freddy's Drop's legendary performance at London's Roundhouse from 2008 is finally available on vinyl for the first time ever to celebrate its 15th anniversary.

Jackie Mittoo is one of the defining figureheads of reggae music !

Special new 25th anniversary edition of this most popular and highly-acclaimed of all Soul Jazz Records' Dynamite! series - 300% Dynamite is jam-packed with reggae tunes that crossed-over to become dancefloor hits and are 100% guaranteed to rock any party!

Volume 4 of the Hot Sauce compilation LPs dedicated to the Trojan related UK labels between 1965 and 1975.

Brand new selection of rare and classic releases made at Studio One by reggae's leading women!

Jackie Mittoo is one of the most important artists in the history of Jamaican music. As founding member of the legendary Skatalites, as in-house arranger / producer at Studio One and as a solo artist in his own right leading groups such as The Soul Brothers, Sound Dimension and Soul Vendors.

Above all, he is celebrated for his prolific output in the genres of Dub, Lovers Rock, Reggae and more through his own Ariwa label and south London recording studio boasting an impressive catalog of over 300 releases, among other notable achievements.  A few years back, Melodies stumbled upon this outstanding Lovers Rock and Dub album which had a very unique raw sound and felt like a whole experience when listened to from start to finish. Alternate versions of the same tracks with different performers in varying styles, tape rewinds, it had us all wonder why it hadn’t gained wider recognition amongst Mad Professor's other releases.  When Melodies finally had the pleasure of meeting Neil at his recording studio, he revealed that this album was one of his earliest works. It was born out of a birthday gift from his wife—a four-track recorder that inspired him to venture into music-making after years of repairing and building electronics and audio equipment. When we asked him if he would be making music if not for that gift, he confessed that it was highly unlikely (!)  Mad Professor further explained that this album, originally released in 1984, is a compilation of tracks recorded between 1979 and 1981, representing the nascent stages of his recording and production career, when the idea of establishing a studio and the Ariwa label were just beginning to take shape. He set up all his gear, including his first homemade four-track mixing desk, in the front room of his house in South London. With no prior studio experience, he positioned microphones where he thought they should fit and invited local musicians to collaborate. Errol Sly, Ranking Ann, Sergeant Pepper, Deborah Glasgow, Victor Cross, Sister Audrey, his backing band the Sane Inmates and a host of other talented local artists, some of whom would go on to become stalwarts in their respective genres, all contributed to this album, capturing the raw essence of Mad Professor and Ariwa's early sound.

As one of the innovators of this genre who was given the informal title "Godfather of Rocksteady" he wrote some original reggae hits which contains a lot of soul.

Spanning tracks from 30 years of Studio One releases, Studio One Story is a roller coaster ride through many of the label’s finest moments and features many of the tracks that defined its history as well as Reggae itself.

Pick a Dub showcased the enduring strength and pivotal importance of the rhythm to the development of reggae music.

Rastafari: The Dreads Enter Babylon 1955-83 charts the many links between reggae music and the Rastafarian faith.

Fat Freddy's Drop release their fourth studio album 'Bays'. Following the worldwide success of 'Blackbird' in 2013, the New Zealand based seven-piece are back with 'Bays', a 9-track LP recorded at the band's Bays Studio in Kilbirnie, Wellington a former 1950s HMV vinyl pressing plant.

Natty Dread is Bob Marley's finest album, the ultimate reggae recording of all time. This was Marley's first album without former bandmates Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston, and the first released as Bob Marley & the Wailers.

VP Records are proud to present this slice of reggae history. Produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry at his Black Ark studio with a studio band including Boris Gardiner on bass and Ernest Ranglin on guitar.

Collectible original artwork re-issue for this acclaimed Roots Reggae harmony group classic from 1977.

Little Lion Sound's illustrious journey in the world of music reached a significant milestone with the release of their iconic album, Kingston Journey.

Studio One Space-Age Dub Special is a brand new Studio One release on Soul Jazz Records which draws on more rare and classic dubs taken from the mighty vaults of Studio One Records.

Dub music, as this heavily instrumental reggae became known, became very popular in the 1970s, when many of the 7” singles that came out of Jamaica had a ‘dub’ version of the A-side on the B-side.

Produced by Sly & Robbie, Brown Sugar was first released on the TAXI label in 1986, then reissued in 1988 on the RAS RECORDS label.

In the spirit of the classic jamaican recordings of the late 70s and early 80s, Pachyman brings us his sophomore record with ventures in dub and roots reggae.

This is a new half-speed master exclusively for RSD and part of the Two Tone Records 40th Anniversary celebrations.

The Specials began the British ska revival craze, combining the highly danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude.

‘Sock It To Me’ collects a dozen of the rarest and most collectable tracks from the Trojan catalogue, all of which have remained unavailable on CD and vinyl for half a century.

This is the first ever collection of the music of The Sound Dimension - a mixture of classic tracks alongside super-rare singles only ever released in Jamaica.

 Contains 12 Jamaican reggae chart hits from 1969-1972. 

Michael Campbell started out as an engineer with the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation and made reggae history presenting his Dread At The Controls radio program, after which he embarked on a successful career as an innovative performing artist, producer and bona fide dubmaster.

In 1969, Marley teamed up with producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry who introduced him to the Barrett brothers – Aston (Family Man) on bass and Carlton (drums) – who would become a vital component of the Wailers’ 70s success.

This is Africa Unite. Two worlds collide as a whole new generation of afro-beat artists reinterpret the classic songs of Bob Marley. As the name suggests, unity is at the heart of the album.

Limited Clear vinyl reissue! Vintage Collection! The Queens of Lover’s rock Louisa Mark, also known as "Markswoman" (and) the Creator of Lover’s Rock Clem Bushay as producer.

Not your typical DJ album by any means, the music equals the toasts and vice versa – an essential release for a dub fan or a Big Youth supporter. Re-mastered at Abbey Road Studios, London. Out of print for over 20 years!

Following hot on the heels of their Jamaican 1967 debut album 007 Shanty Town, Desmond Dekker and the Aces were ready for Action! the following year.

First in a brand-new series of all-time Studio One party bombs.

Studio One Soul 2 takes us further into Jamaican musics fascination with american soul and funk music.

Soul Jazz Records release this 20th anniversary edition of their classic Studio One Soul. Owned and founded by Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, Studio One's output serves as a comprehensive guide to the history of Reggae music.

Black Uhuru's first US tour took place in 1982. Back then, Reggae was in its infancy in the US and there were only 3 Reggae radio shows in California: Doug Wendt in San Francisco, Roger Steffens in LA and Lance Linares in Santa Cruz.

Soul Jazz Records’ Down Beat Special is a roller- coaster Greatest Hits ride through many of the all- time classic tunes hand-picked from across the mighty vaults of, without doubt, Jamaica’s finest ever record label and pioneering powerhouse of reggae music.

The fifth Soul Jazz Studio One release after Rockers, Roots, DJs and Studio One Soul is Studio One Instrumentals. Studio One instrumentals are the foundation of Reggae.

Nkrumah Jah Thomas is one of the great Deejay voices of Jamaican music.

Nine is the ninth official studio album from Dreadzone.

The fourth and final volume in the African Dub All-Mighty series was originally released in 1979.

Le Chant du Monde are proud to present the second production of their new ‘Snow’ collection, simply titled Secret Nuggets Of Wise Reggae. 

The Upsetter is a rocksteady, reggae compilation that was originally released in 1969 on the Trojan label.

The 12-track Skatalites album do make for a tidy sampler of some of the best sides the group cut for producer Duke Reid during the last days of Jamaican R&B and the early ska period.

1967’s Mr Soul of Jamaica was the first album by rocksteady star Anton Ellis. As one of the innovators of this genre who was given the informal title “Godfather of Rocksteady” he wrote some original reggae hits which contains a lot of soul.

Roast Fish Collie Weed and Corn Bread is a studio album by Jamaican reggae legend Lee “Scratch” Perry, released in 1978. 

The Pioneers became one of the first Jamaican acts to achieve international success with their UK hit, “Long Shot (Kick De Bucket)”.

The Melodians are a rocksteady band formed in Jamaica, which recorded several hits.

Classic Roots Reggae album from 1982 produced by Prince Jammy at Channel On and King Tubby's.

Bad Man Possee is a classic early Eighties dub reggae recording by Junior Murvin, who made his name working with Lee “Scratch” Perry on his 1976 debut album Police and Thieves.

The selection of subtle dub versions of the songs included serve to highlight the brilliance of the musicians playing in the classical 'rockers' style that dominated the latter half of the seventies.

One of the best reggae albums of the ‘80s and one of the real highlights in the Real Authentic Sound label catalogue finally gets an LP reissue! Lascelle "Wiss" Bulgin, Albert "Apple Gabriel" Craig, and Cecil "Skelly" Spence all contracted childhood polio, and met at a Jamaican rehab centre.

Deep Nyabinghi drumming and chanting on a version of the Ethiopian national anthem gets things underway on Slave Call, a majestic journey through the spiritual roots of reggae. Later songs add guitars, bass, keyboards, and horns to build a more standard reggae sound on that foundation, but there’s always a dignified restraint and the profundity of the nyabinghi beat. the entire album revolves around Leonard Dillon’s Rastafarian beliefs, with even the cover of the Beatles’ “Let It Be” rewritten to a religious end.

The immediate successor to ska, the soulful, melodic sound of rock steady first developed during the long hot Jamaican summer of 1966 and reigned supreme thereafter for two glorious years before finally being superseded by the more energetic style of reggae.

Culture's Joe Gibbs-produced sessions of 1976 not only resulted in Two Sevens Clash -- they also gave us the excellent Baldhead Bridge. 

The debut Creation Rebel album, originally released on pre-On-U Sound label Hitrun in 1978.

Released in 1986, Brutal has never been reissued on vinyl until now. 

Lee “Scratch” Perry's posthumous masterpiece Destiny, crafted alongside Bob Riddim, is a transcendent journey through reggae's legacy and future. 

One of the earliest and rarest compilation of Jamaican ska jazz, released in 1961 on the iconic Blue Beat Record.

Former Customs clerk Roy Reid thrilled the Jamaican music scene as a toaster, his effortless rhymes establishing a reputation on the Supreme Ruler of Sound in his native Spanish Town and later on various Kingston sets, including King Tubby’s.

Recorded in 1982 at Tuff Gong studio for vocals, mixed at Channel One by Scientist and Henry "Junjo" Lawes, this 1982 album was reissued only once on vinyl in the USA via RAS Records in 1991.

Now re-issued on 180 gram including comprehensive sleeve notes by Burning Sounds, Michael Palmer Meets Kelly Ranks At Channel One was originally released in 1985.

Merge Records release Happy Hour in Dub, a heavenly set of dub versions to pair with Hollie Cook’s critically acclaimed 2022 album Happy Hour.

The Jamaican reggae and dub musician Linval Thompson’s career began around the age of 20. He has done much work to shape the reggae music during the last centuries.

Aswad has proven to be one of Britain's most influential and enduring reggae acts.

Following The Maytals’ signing to Island Records in 1973 they recorded and released their fourth album From the Roots.

Founded in 1971, Matumbi was among the earliest and best British reggae bands.

During the latter half of the seventies very few came close to emulating the success of the productions of Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson.

The pioneer of toasting Ewart Beckford, better known by his stage name U-Roy, is a Jamaican vocalist.

First issued in Jamaica in 1974, Play Me Sweet and Nice became an instant best seller and reinforced Marcia Griffiths' standing as the island's leading lady of song.

Kaya was originally released in 1978 and consists of tracks recorded alongside those present on the Exodus album in 1977. The album has a very relaxed, laid back sound, lacking much of the militant quality of the Wailers lyrically and musically. 

Libyan Reggae at its peak grooves courtesy of Benghazi-born Ahmed Ben Ali. After working with Ahmed in 2020 on the 12" hit "Subhana", Habibi Funk is back with a full length release focusing on Ahmed's releases from the mid 2000's.

The Jamaican reggae group The Revolutionaries were set up in 1975 as the house band of the Channel One Studios. 

Daptone Records is proud to present ALWAYS - the raw, soulful new long player from The Frightnrs.

Top Italian musicians in love with vintage Jamaican ska and reggae and blessed by Ken Booth, during the last 25 years of their career they headlined festivals like Rototom Sunsplash and International Ska Fest in London.

Bush Doctor is the third studio album by Jamaican reggae musician Peter Tosh. Along with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer he was one of the core members of the band The Wailers (1963–1974).

It is nearly impossible to imagine a time when reggae was not part of the cultural currency. Though Bob Marley and the Wailers cannot be said to have invented the style, they certainly brought it to the world stage, and this album was the torch that lit the way.