Creole and Chinafrica - Journey from Creation 1975-1985 (Deeper Knowledge Records)(2023)

DKR Records with another great addition to reggae collections worldwide. Most serious reggae music fans are familiar with Creole through their various 45s in the 70s. In this collection, DKR gathers singles from the 1970s and 80s in one place and also adds a second LP of the dubs/versions. What is new to me is that Creole was also known as China-frica. The China-frica sound was a bit more of a fusion reggae sound and much of it was recorded in New York with the master Philip Smart engineering. Don't be scared away. The 'reggae/rock" fusion works well. 

This is a crucial collection. Tip of the hat to DKR. Check out Creole's version of Moving Away.

Various - Jah Children Invasion Vol. 6: Digital Dawn (Wackies)(2024)(LP)

 

From the good folks at Deeper Knowledge (or aka "Digikiller"), we have a new selection of Wackies music but this time in a purely digital style. Solid set of digital releases from some legendary reggae performers including Horace Andy, Milton Henry, Jackie Mittoo, and Chris Wayne. I do not think this is available in CD format so you need to buy the LP.

This LP includes an interesting version of the Bobby Caldwell classic, "What You Won't Do For Love", by Wayne Chin. It works in a digital reggae style. The stand-out track for me is from Milton Henry with "Make it Right". Milton has such a smooth voice.  I would recommend this LP for advanced reggae music listeners only.

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!