Non Stop Disco Style : Dillinger

The title is a little deceiving on this album. This disc is not what us Americans would refer to as "disco style". It's actually some pretty hard core roots DJ work from one of the greats. The original release for this material is from 1978 and it was originally an LP release from the Canadian labels Clocktower & Abraham. 10 tracks total on this disc - I really don't have any true favorites on this disc. The alternating DJ tracks with the dub tracks to follow really kept me listening all the way through the album. The CD's released from the Abraham label are solid productions, but sometimes hard to find. A lot of great seventies roots, DJ, and dub have come through this label. The lack-lustre production of the liner notes and packaging leaves a little information and research for us to find, but the quality of the musical production makes up for it big time.

True Democracy : Steel Pulse

This is the fourth album by Steel Pulse and my personal favorite, originally released in 1982. It has a short 10 track set on the original, but an extra four 12" versions are now available on the re-released CD from Elektra. My favorites on this one are #1 (Chant A Psalm), #5 (Worth His Weight in Gold), #8 (Your House), and #10 (Dub Marcus Say) which is a dub version of #5. David Hinds in the outstanding front man and lead vocalist for Steel Pulse and he keeps the energy running hot with his determined and passionate delivery and conscious message. Steel Pulse has laid the foundation for European roots and culture music and continue to tour across the globe. If they come near your area - don't miss the chance to see one of the hardest touring bands in reggae. Their stage presence and sound quality in concert is excellent and I'm pretty sure you will not be disappointed.

Aquarius Dub : Herman Chin Loy

This is about as old school instrumental dub as you can get. The Aquarius dub is a legendary 10 track dub set presented to us by Herman Chin Loy. Recording date for this material is about 1973 and I think the release date for this original album is about 1975. The band credits go to The Now Generation and the tracks were dropped and finished up at Randy's and Aquarius studios; a full on Kingston production. My favorites on this one are #1 ( Jah rock) and #7 (Heavy Duty) . Some of the songs you might recognize from Pablo albums such as The Red Sea : Augustus Pablo. This classic dub selection for your collection - it was a groundbreaking piece of dub architecture and considered very progressive and way ahead of it's time.

Triston Palma Show Case in a Roots Radics Drum and Bass

This is the most impressive works I've encountered from Triston Palmer and I'm more than happy to give a quick review. This disc has 12 Tracks total - Alternating original vocal and then the dub track to follow. It was recorded and mixed at both Channel One and King Tubby's. Produced by Jah Thomas and engineered by King Tubby, Scientist, Professor, and Barnabas. Just a ton legendary talent on the production side of this disc. My favorites on this disc are #3 (Give me a chance) & dub ; the other is #9 (Time so Hard) & dub. These are both crucial sets of roots reggae with outstanding not overshadowing dub mixes. This disc was released by the Abraham label out of Ontario, Canada - but I'm not sure what year. This disc went in my permanent listening rotation soon after I heard it for the first time and I highly recommend at least checking it out.

Big Showdown : Scientist vs. Prince Jammy

If you like solid roots dub this is going to be a great album for your collection. Let's begin with a "ringside" introduction by Jah Thomas - Big Showdown at King Tubby's is a Greensleeves production with Junjo Lawes and is presented showdown style with alternating dub tracks, starting track #1 with Scientist and proceeding from there. All tracks were laid at Channel One by the Roots Radics band - a ton of original reggae talent including Flabba Holt, Chinna Smith and many other notable musicians. The dubbed-out set list includes many tracks from Barrington Levy ( Bounty Hunter 2-Disc ) and is solid from start to finish - No favorites here, it's all good. The cover art puts our champions is a fun comical atmosphere, but this is some serious business once you get in to it.