The Reggae Thread


Alpha Steppa - Raise The Ark.

The newest dub goodness from Alpha Steppa, with instrumental dub versions of the songs which make up the first half of the album.

As always, brilliant stuff from Steppas Records, who, now, more than ever, deserve our support in these weird days.

So, have a listen on Tidal, and then get some money spent. :+1:

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Nice one Steviebee, which Inna De Yard have you ordered theres 2 albums so far? Both great
Enjoy, its wonderful stuff

Btw the French Makasound label first started these Inna De Yard sessions quite a few years ago, their also worth seeking out but sometimes hard to find eye watering prices. Thankfully Chapter Two have taken up the baton left by Makasound


Sorry if I get carried away but I would also recommend checking the records Winston McAnuff made with French accordion player Fixi

https://www.discogs.com/search/?q=Winston+McAnuff+%26+Fixi&type=all

:heart:

Latest album, Dread.
Figured it wouldn’t hurt to have a mobile copy as well as the LP!

And I’ll have a look for Soul of Jamaica :smiley:

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Get Soul Of Jamaica as well I promise you wont be dissapointed.
I have the CD’s, will be interested to hear how you find the sound of the vinyl LP. Incidentally some of the tracks from Soul Of Jamaica have been issued on 12" 45rpm
:+1:

I’m stunned to have just stumbled on the news that producer Bobby Digital Dixon passed away aged 59.
Whilst I wasnt keen on much of the Dancehall output Bobby Digital was one of the key producers in the renaissance of more roots and culture artists like Sizzla, Morgan Heritage, Capelton, Cocoa T and the great Garnett Silk who’s life was cut tragically short when he died in a fire at his home, his body was reportedly found hugging his mother.

VP Records released two anthologies one of Dancehall one Roots
various-bobby-digital-serious-times-reggae-anthology-digital-b-vol.-2-vp-3xcd-82412-pekm320x320ekm

https://www.vprecords.com/double-reggae-anthology-series-by-legendary-jamaican-producer-bobby-digital-set-for-release-this-february/

I would highly recommend the single CD set Flag Flown High which has many of the essential contemporary roots tracks

RIP & Respect due
Bobby Digital
:heart:

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I have had this on VHS since it came out in 1981. To me it’s absolutely priceless and as far as I have been able to find never been made available since. My tape is still in good order and have often thought about digitising and uploading it but dont know how to go about it.
Anyway I just discovered someone has uploaded it to Youtube.
I haven’t watched it here just taken a quick glance from my phone so cant vouch for the quality.
Assuming it looks and sounds OK on larger screen and you have 90 mins to spare I would highly recommend tuning in before it gets taken down.
The documentary film is quite low budget and grainy anyway. However if you can see past this it is a fantastic film of Jimmy Cliff organising a free concert in his home community of Somerton whilst bloody political violence (the 1980 election) rages on the streets of Kingston.
We see Jimmy rehearsing in the Studio and follow him on his travels around the Island, along the way reasoning with a Rasta elder, highlighting woman’s liberation and journeying up into the Mountains and The Maroon community.
There is footage of Jimmy and his band on tour internationally including Switzerland, Germany & Soweto South Africa in front of 55,000 adoring fans The performances are phenomenal and still raise the hairs on my neck.
This film shows the real grass roots Jimmy Cliff and evidence of how criminally underrated he is/was in the shadow of Bob Marley.
Just to illustrate the point footage of Jimmy singing No Woman No Cry is intercut with footage of Bob Marley performing as though inviting comparison.

If you think Jimmy Cliff is just about The Harder They Come, You Can Get It If You Really Want, Many Rivers To Cross etc (His terrific back catalogue is always frustratingly out of print except for the annoyingly ubiquitous variants of “Best of” compilations) this is a must see.

:heart:

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CD playing. Beautiful. CD case is really nice too!



Signed by Jah9, Winston and (not sure) Ken Boothe perhaps

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Been years since I heard Misty IR…

I really must get a copy.

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