Rich Medina compiled this hour-long mix of unreleased remixes, b-sides and classics from the legendary originator of the Afro-beat sound, Tony Allen, as a special set to be given away with a t-shirt from 101 Apparel.
Rich Medina – Afro-beat Since 1969: Created by Tony Allen; 101 Apparel and Wax Poetics, 2010
101 Apparel presents Tony Allen “Afro Beat” mix by Rich Medina – 12 min sampler by 101 Apparel
DJ/Producer duo Dreadsquad, hailing from Poland, get 2012 started off inna massive fashion with the MT-41 riddim. Heard this one blarin’ out of a pub here on Koh Samui and immediately went to hunt it down. Been rulin’ di hi-fi ever since I got my hands on it. Murderous sounds!
The MT-41 riddim was made entirely from sounds of the famous Casio Casiotone MT-41 keyboard (whose brother, the MT-40, provided the sounds for the legendary “Sleng Teng” riddim from King Jammy in 1985). Featured on the cut are artists from around the world including El Fata (Nigeria/UK), Skarra Mucci (JA), Doubla J (Costa Rica/Germany), Prophet Z (USA), Ranking Diximal (France) and, my favorite, Dr. Ring Ding (Germany).
Dreadsquad – MT-41 Riddim; Superfly Studio, 2012
SF011 Dreadsquad & VA – MT-41 Riddim (IN STORES!!!) by Dreadsquad
Dial M For Murder was recorded at Channel One around 1979/1980 with Sly and Robbie as the rhythm section, Rad Brian on guitar, Bobby Kalphat & Ansel Collins on keyboards and piano, Tommy McCook & Herman Marquis on horns. It is a lean, but stellar cast of players and one that was used regularly by Phil Pratt. The result of which is a dynamic production and, if not exactly restrained, provides a closing statement in the more cultured, stately style of his collaborator Errol Thompson before the next generation of dub experimentation commenced. Pick up the massive sounds!
Phil Pratt – Dial M for Murder; Pressure Sounds, 2011
Be certain to pick up another Pressure Sounds release featuring the amazing production work of Phil Pratt. Pure niceness!
Various Artists – Phil Pratt Thing; Pressure Sounds, 1999
Dave Hendley is a Reggae photographer, journalist and compiler based in the south of England. He started writing for Blues And Soul magazine in late 1976. In 1979, he co-founded the Sufferers Heights label. Throughout the middle of the 70s, he visited Jamaica many times and took many iconic photographs of Reggae artists. View his portfolio here.
In the late 70s, he worked with Trojan Records and compiled a number of compilation LPs for them including six volumes of Creation Rockers and two volumes of Rebel Music. This compilation showcases many of the heaviest sounds of the era & includes more than its fair share of previously hard-to-find Dancehall classics spanning 1979-82.
Haul and Pull Up Selecta: Heavyweight Dancehall 1979-82; Trojan, 2003 Part 1; Part 2
In the ’70s, Augustus Pablo seemed to appear, like a vision from another world. His music was ethereal, evocative and unique. There has not really been anyone like him, before or since. He now stands recognized as Jamaican music’s best-known lead instrumentalist.
By the mid-1980s, Pablo had become a lot more visible, a lot less fashionable and a little of his mystique had rubbed off. In the 1970s, his own music sold in vast quantities for Reggae product and he became a mainstay as an instrumentalist session player on many Jamaican recordings. In tandem with this session work, he built a unique catalogue of music for a variety of his own labels such as Rockers, Rockers International, Message and Yard.
Message Music deals with Pablo’s instrumentals and dubs from around the mid-80s to the 90s; a slightly overlooked, yet equally impressive period of his musical output.
Enjoy the unmatched sounds of the one and only Augustus Pablo!
Augustus Pablo – Message Music; Pressure Sounds, 2011
This set showcases the stunning vocal prowess of the sibling duo of Alton and Hortense Ellis. Rather than being a collection of duets, this features each on their own with the exception of the “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” cut. If you’re a fan of Rocksteady, Soul and vocals that drip with emotion, then this platter is for you. Just one of the many classics in the Studio One vaults.
If you happen to have the reissue from 2006 titled I’m Still in Love With You which features extras tracks and extended versions, send it my way. It’d be much appreciated!
Alton and Hortense Ellis – At Studio One; Heartbeat, 1991
The album jackets of these records would have you thinking you found a gem tucked away in the back crates of some ol’ dusty record store, but, in fact, these albums were released in 2007 and 2011. Funk mastermind and all-around musical badass Mr. Lance Ferguson, bandleader of The Bamboos, Cookin’ on 3 Burners and a solo artist, devised the idea of interpreting obscure classics in the Funk, R&B and Soul genres under various pseudonyms such as Pacific Rhythm Combo, The Mighty Show-Stoppers, Queens Community Show Band, Prince Nafa & His Polynesians, Alvarado Rodriguez Trio, The Poly-tones, The Pasito Allstars, High St. Hustlers, Hiromasa Sato, Milton Jones Rhythm Syndicate, The Anders Hjelmstad Experience and many others. Dynamite sounds as I would say!
Various Artists – Black Feeling Volume One; Freestyle, 2007
Various Artists – Black Feeling Volume Two; Freestyle, 2011
It all started back in 1971 when music aficionado and future Patti Smith group guitarist Lenny Kaye lovingly compiled the now-classic (and long out-of-print) 2-LP collection called Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968 for Elektra Records.
During the ’80s, Rhino attempted to pick up the ball by releasing their own Nuggets volumes. Now both Rhino and Kaye combine forces to set the record straight, once and for all. The new Nuggets box set not only contains the original Kaye-compiled album in its entirety on one disc, but completes the picture with three more CDs’ worth of essential psychedelic tunes that were left off the first time around, many of them making their digital debut.
Painstakingly remastered from the (mostly mono) original single mixes for best-ever sound, the box also features an extensive booklet containing both the original and new Kaye-penned liner notes, rare photos, and track-by-track annotation. It’s guaranteed to give you a “psychotic reaction”!
Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era 1965-68; Rhino, 1998
Disc 1 – Pt.1, Pt.2; Disc 2; Disc 3; Disc 4 – Pt.1, Pt.2
In 1972, a repressive Brazilian military dictatorship frowned on artistic impression that might influence the youth of the country. However, producer, arranger and guitar player Arthur Verocai released a self-titled album on Brazilian based Continental Records that challenged the musical conventions of the day. His subtle protest experimented with new musical directions, and used figurative language to sneak under the censorship radar.
This unique recording has a touch of Folk, more than a hint of Funk, Jazz-style soloing, amazing 20-piece string arrangements, blending of electronics and keyboards with organic sounds, and superb soundtrack style music. Check the greatness!
Arthur Verocai – Self-Titled; Continental, 1972
High Explosion DJ Sounds from 1970 to 1976 is the ultimate introduction to vintage reggae DJ sounds. This collection highlights the development of toasting through the recordings of the pioneering stylists of the 60s & 70s. Included here are performances by men now regarded as the founding fathers of the DJ sound. Among them are U Roy, Dennis Alcapone, I Roy, Lizzy, Scotty, Big Youth, Prince Jazzbo, Dillinger, Jah Woosh and Prince Far I. While 50 tracks surely doesn’t cover all of the essential DJ platters out there, this set serves up a quality collection appealing to newcomers and those who have been collection DJ sides for years. All killer and no filler. Check the tracklist here.
High Explosion DJ Sounds from 1970 to 1976; Trojan, 2003
A collection of productions and remixes from the mighty Kruder & Dorfmeister. Wickedly smooth vibes that have steadily stayed in the rotation, along with their other releases and side projects, for years. If you’ve never heard this, you’ve been missing out for sure.
Kruder & Dorfmeister – The K & D Sessions; G-Stone, 1998 Pt.1, Pt.2
The incredible Charlie Hunter in a trio setting with legendary Jamaican guitarists Earl “Chinna” Smith and Ernest Ranglin. Forget the artwork, this one’s all about the six strings (or eight strings if you’re Mr. Hunter).
Charlie Hunter, Earl “Chinna” Smith and Ernest Ranglin – Earth Tones; Breadfruit Music, 2005
This Slightly Stoopid album is ridiculously good from start to finish and amazing to consider that this whole set was laid down in one take while live on the air at ROCK 105.3 KIOZ, San Diego. This one is constantly on the hi-fi and is perfect while chillin’ on the beach with my feet in the sand and looking out towards the Andaman Sea.
Slightly Stoopid – Live & Direct: Acoustic Roots; Jr. Varsity, 1999
This compilation – based on Ranking Joe’s 1980 vinyl LP Round The World and featuring tracks with producer Dennis Brown and Black Uhuru – captures the 20-year old deejay at the peak of his dancehall dominance. It illustrates perfectly the dictum “It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it”, featuring the deejay in full flow over some of Dennis Brown’s productions of the period. The Black Uhuru tracks, recorded with Sly and Robbie just before the group launched itself on its international career, have long been unavailable; these cuts – as with Dennis Brown’s vocal on ‘Bubbling Fountain’ – are making their first appearance with this album. Killer cuts contained within. Check it.
Ranking Joe – Zion High; Blood and Fire, 2003
