Various Artists - Roots Rock Rebel: When Punk Met Reggae 1975-1982 (Cherry Red Records) 3 CD Box Set (2024)

 I was excited when I heard about this box set. The interaction of reggae and punk in the UK was a real thing. Given my age, I actually lived through this era and I am familiar with a lot of the music on this 3CD collection from the good folks at Cherry Red Records. All (most) of the punk bands you would expect to be represented are included. For example The Clash and Stiff Little Fingers are represented, as are the 2-tone roster bands (e.g., Specials, English Beat, Madness, Selector, Madness). 

Unfortunately, the end result is a little underwhelming. While I applaud the effort, some of the songs included in here seem a bit forced. What I mean is that some of the songs included in the box set fit the bill of being reggae influenced but are not at all interesting or noteworthy (e.g., The Pop Group's contribution or Public Image Limited's contribution).  Maybe this should have been a killer 2 CD set(?) Anyway, collectors will want to pick this this but you may not get play it that often. May be best to find a used copy.

Highpoint? This box set includes Aswad's Warrior Charge.

The Chosen Few - I Love the Way You Love Me (Rock A Shaka) Japanese Import CD (2020)

 

Yet another label putting out quality reggae music reissues is Rock A Shaka from Japan. This album is a reissue of a 1975 album released in the UK as Everybody Plays the Fool on Trojan Records. I was not too familiar with The Chosen Few prior to hearing this release. I am pretty sure I have heard the occasional single here and there but I have never had a full release from them. Why? Well, The Chosen Few (at least on this release) concentrate on reggae versions of popular soul, disco, and funk songs. So, this is not roots music. Nobody is singing about Selassie or Rastafari on this album. However, I am enjoying this album for what it is worth. I recognize some of the songs covered here and it is nice to hear a good reggae version of them. There is one song that really caught my ear which is La La At The End. I had never heard it before and it is pretty good and a good indication of how this album sounds. By the way, for the hardcore reggae listeners, there is a good version of the classic Queen Majesty! Try it you will like it.

This reissue has an extra track on it. Children of the Night. 

Rockers All Stars - Chanting Dub With the Help of the Father (2022) (Onlyroots Records) LP

 

Onlyroots Records from France is another great label that puts out quality reissues of Jamaican roots reggae music. As an example, consider this reissue of an LP that came out in 1978(?) with the original title, Dub With the Help of His Majesty. This album was produced by Augustus Pablo and Everton Da Silva for Pablo's Rockers label. The great musicians playing on these tracks are simply credited as the Rockers All Stars. Rest easy, if they are playing with or for Pablo, they are top-of-the-line! The dub music on here is solid, thunderous, and hypnotic. 70s reggae music is the best era for roots reggae and the dubs from that era are hard to beat.

 This is a solid release for advanced reggae listeners but even the novice reggae fans will enjoy real authentic dub music from one of the masters. By the way, the tracks for this album were mixed at King Tubby's and Harry J's. Just that last sentence will send the hard core reggae fan to the store to buy this album. You should as well. 

Various - Roots from the Record Smith in Dub (2023) LP (Digikiller Records)

 

Another outstanding release of great period reggae music from those fine folks at Digikiller! This is the Dub release of the vocal various artists album featuring tracks produced by Ivan "Lloydie Slim" Smith between 1973-1976. There is not much in the way of liner notes but based on the listing, Lloydie was producing records that featured The Upsetters, and The Aggrovators as backing bands. Some of the tracks just lists King Tubby so I am assuming that King Tubby was at the controls for those. What can I one say? If you like reggae music, then you need this album. Nuff' said. The 70's was my favorite era of reggae music. This dub only release is very good. I need to get the vocal album! 

Thee Sinseers - Sinceerly Yours (2024) Colemine Records (CLMN 12030LP) CD digi-pack

 

Over the last few years I have been trying to catch up with the 'new soul' or 'retro-soul' music that has been emerging in the U.S.  Colemine Records has been one of the strongest labels releasing this type of music. Daptone Records and Penrose Records pretty much dedicate themselves to releasing new soul music that really sounds "old". As a perfect example, consider this release by Thee Sinseers. When you play this you are going to think that it came right from the '60s. Actually, when you play this album you are going to be transported to East LA, cruisin' in a low-rider, holding hands with your girl, doing a one-hand lean on the steering wheel, and blastin' sweet soul music out of your car speakers as you ride down Hawthorne Ave. The songs on this album could easily fit on any of the early East Side Story comps you enjoyed all those years ago. 

The production is flawless. The horn charts are sharp. The melodies are to die for, and the feelings expressed by the songs are real. Vocals are shared by many but the songs sung by Adriana Flores are especially beautiful. Check out It's Such A Shame.  

  If you like soul music of any era but especially the sweet soul music of the 60s and 70s, this is a must purchase. Go get it!

Stonecake - in the middle of nowhere (1995) (MVG Records MVG118) (Swedish Pop Collection #9)

 

Stonecake...part of a Swedish pop collection that I bought from a collector. I had a found a copy for myself a while ago so this is my second copy. However, I do not mind having two copies because listening to this CD again brings back great memories. In addition, re-listening to this CD reminds what great music it contained. The genre is definitely pop so those looking for pretty melodies in a rock group setting are going to love this. My favorite from this album was Dancing on Velvet. This song ended up on a lot of mix cassettes that I made back in the late 90s. Listen to that chorus. You can't help but sing along. There are other great gems on this album. If you find it, buy it, and keep it. Here is another great song The Border 930519

Various Artists - 1978 The Year The UK Turned Day-Glo (Cherry Red) 3 CD Box Set (2020)

 

1976 saw the Sex Pistols emerge in the UK. Those same Sex Pistols did their last concert in San Francisco in January of 1978. So what happened to the UK punk scene after the Sex Pistols imploded? Well, according to this solid 3 CD box set from Cherry Records - punk rock fragmented into different pieces. Those different pieces turned into the beginnings of new wave, power-pop, the mod revival, ska-punk, industrial music, synth-oriented electronica, and post-punk. Yet, even as these new sounds were born, there were still some bands flying the flag of the scorched earth, one chord punk rock that had emerged back in 1976. 

The beauty of this box set is that they have managed to capture some of the bands and sounds that emerged in 1978. While some of the bands will be familiar to many of you (take a look at the cover), there are always songs and bands that are new to me. Take a listen to some of those bands and sounds below. 

Menace - I'm Civilized

999 - Emergency

This is a fun box set. Aside from being a good historical record, some of the music on here still rocks today. Worth the purchase and all three CDs make it to the ipod!