Is that a
little sunshine in the sky? Of course it
is! Which can only mean one thing – more
reggae releases dropping. Here’s our
pick of the best:
Gardna Feat
Tiffani Juno – See The Vibe (Boom Sound)
Vinyl / DL
7.5/10
Out Now
‘Bristol
lyricist on a dubwise tip’, or so the PR goes.
Gardna releases a four track EP with the help of Tiffani Juno on
vocals. The standard mix sees a good
bubbling Soca bass with a great horn section.
A pretty commercial affair and a nice piece of toasting too. Nothing earth shattering but a good catchy
track.
The EP comes
alive with the Le Samson Dub which is packed with more reverbs than you can
imagine. Voices, bass and keys all zip
in and out of the mix to great effect and make a brilliant mix which retains
the hook of the original but stands proud and tall as a version in its own
right.
Followed by
the Dead Belly Remix and Ed Solo Remix which turns the track into drum and bass
version. The former slows down the pace
whilst the later speeds the track up with the occasional reggae reference.
Black Symbol Presents
The Complete Handsworth Explosion (Reggae Archive Records)
CD / DL
8.5/10
Out Now
Last year’s
vinyl reissues of Black Symbol Presents Handsworth Explosion Volumes 1 and 2 have
now been collated and issued as a brilliant double album. Twenty roots tunes from the likes of Sceptre,
Mystic Foundation and of course Black Symbol are combined to make a compendium
of the massive influence Handsworth had on the reggae scene.
Several
tracks have already appeared on this year’s release The Midlands Roots
Explosion which, had they not been great tracks would have been slightly
disappointing. The quality of the stuff
contained on the album is high, and is a true snapshot of the incredible works
that Black Symbol did in trying to bring their local bands to the fore of everyone’s
attention.
Four tracks
from Black Symbol sit comfortably and the odd lover’s rock styled track, like
Jah Children by Gerald Love provides another spin on the styles that were made
unique by each band. The thinking man’s
Poet Laureate, Benjamin Zephaniah has two tracks Stop The War and Unite Handsworth
both of which take your breath away with their sheer class, and Truth &
Rights contribute a brilliant dub tinged version in New Language with almost robotic
sounding vocals.
Redemption
Day from Man In The Hills again slows the pace, but is one of those tracks
which always sounds familiar – lazy, relaxed and dazzling and Black Knights
Let’s Make Up follows suit.
In short, a
collection of essential reggae tracks from the 80s.
The Meow Meows –
Friends On Benefits (Jump Up! Records)
CD / DL
7.5/10
Out Now
Not strictly
reggae, but some skilful ska tunes full of life. The Meow Meows come from Brighton and have been
produced here by the legendary Prince Fatty.
As you’d
expect with ska, it’s fast paced and full of horns and grooves that make you
want to get up and shout. Full of humour
and lifestyle observations, the title track is as catchy as it gets even though
the subject matter may soon become a thing of the past thanks to the people
currently running our Country. It’s
short at just under two and a half minutes but memorable and fun.
London Road
is a bouncy affair maybe with slightly more reggae tendencies again with a
great brass riff. Reminiscent of the
finer moments of The Beat in its pace and presentation.
Closer, Tits
& Hatred maybe borders on ska/punk and its lyrical couplets wouldn’t have
gone amiss in the repertoire of the genius that was Ian Dury, a little
instrumental break again not dissimilar to the Blockheads fills the calculated
chaos.
Links
Jump Up! Records
The Meow Meows website
The Meow Meows on Twitter
The Meow Meows on Facebook
Ian Dury album review
Published on Louder Than War 26/07/15 - here
Jump Up! Records
The Meow Meows website
The Meow Meows on Twitter
The Meow Meows on Facebook
Ian Dury album review
Published on Louder Than War 26/07/15 - here
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