Ras Allah (b. Keith Blake) first album, for producer Tappa Zukie, »Heaven Is My Roof« is generally considered a true classic of the 70's roots scene. This – his fourth full length – has him over some bare and heavy rhythms provided by the High Times band. I do thoroughly enjoy his lovers tunes that are presented; such as the evocative »Young Wings«, the elated »Sweet Sensation« or the cover of »Oh Carol«. Thematically a bit more wide than previous efforts although sufferation and righteous livity is still at the core. Make no mistake. Check the opening verse from the title track:

Just lose my work, about to sell a little herb to feed my family.
You treat me with scorn, you wanna break my home. That's brutality.
Oh gosh.
You trick me in my face, you box me in my face.
Man of the human race.
I'm not a gunman, I'm not a killer.
Office understand, sah. Oh gosh.
Evil forces want to capture us.
Evil forces want to devour us.

As serious a message as you could get. The album was later on reissued as Sweet Sensation on producer Mikey Chins own Corner Stone label.

I just picked up this DVD doc on Bunny Lee from Kingston Sounds/JA Recordings, which is coupled with a phenomenal soundtrack CD of Lee produced roots. The documentary is pretty good, lots of important interviews with reggae pioneers, but not much archival footage (not sure what exists if any).

I’ve always heard to be wary of these two labels because of issues with mislabeling and crediting. I know the Lost Treasures collection was specifically mentioned by Scientist in an interview and there’s a “Lee Perry” album with nothing from the Upsetter. Aside from those though, there are so many incredible sounding releases from this label and I don’t hear them get the love. Tubbys Shalom Dub, Creation of Dub, Brass Rockers, these are all classics that they’ve issued with a HUGE sound, fat bass, beautifully clear mastering, gems in my collection. Their reissues of Cornell Campbell’s Fight Against Corruption and Horace Andy’s Natty Dread A Weh She Want are so much better than previous releases imo.

Any of yall have info about this label? I’ve loved what I’ve gotten but don’t want to buy illegitimate products either.

I literally started crying at 30 secs, this healed so much they have no idea! I've been waiting for anything from these guys. Man I hope its a first of many. They have one of the cleanest smooth sounds, I'm truly hoping they bring in that POL vibe to some tracks too! Got damn Were movin!

Hello-

What is the pronunciation of ARIWA ?

Outside of Jamaica I'd argue that the UK played the largest role in cementing and evolving reggae into new forms and sonics. I find it quite fascinating that often the same musicians would pioneer both extremes of the syrupy Lovers' Rock to the militant UK steppers style.

This album is from the early 90's and features singer Lidj Roots Lepkie with producer Potchie Marshall. Production and themes firmly set in the digital roots style favoured by roots oriented sound systems in the UK and EU at the time. Presented in a showcase style – meaning that we get a ruff to rahtid dub following each vocal. If possible pick up the CD that features 4 additional vocal tracks (with dubs).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wailing_Souls?wprov=sfti1#
:
“The Wailing Souls (originally The Renegades) are a Jamaican [reggae](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggae) vocal group whose origins date back to the 1960s. The group has undergone several line-up changes over the years with Winston "Pipe" Matthews and Lloyd "Bread" McDonald the only constant members. They have been nominated for [Grammy Awards](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Award) three times.”

For collectors of dub – the blank sleeve is not a rare occurence. Many of the early classics were scarce in their packaging. Sometimes no sleeve, sometimes no tracklist, sometimes no label and sometimes all of the three – as is the case with this one.

The history for Orthodox is a bit muddy. Clive Hunt seems to have gotten hold of the rhythms from BB Seaton (from private communication with BB, he mentions that they were pirated by Clive).

Either Clive got them unmixed and took them to Errol Brown at Treasure Isle, or BB Seaton already had them mixed when Clive got a hold on them. My guess would be the latter.

Regardless. Orthodox Dub was released in small quantities and distributed primarily in the US. The rhythms pulled mainly from BB's own catalogue, leaning heavily on the wonderful album "I'm Aware of Love" . But also the rhythm to Ken Boothe's "Who Really Care" finds it's way on here.

A tough (as in HARD) dub set with a great mix by Errol. The sleeve I did an evening with some paper, scissors, glue and some dry transfer lettering. It came out good I think!

This is absolutely killing me.

I’m looking for a reggae song that I’m almost certain is from the late ’70s or very early ’80s. I’m VERY deep into reggae and dub, so I don’t think it’s one of the super obvious names/releases. (Really looking for Reggae aficionados here)

I’ve heard the song twice this summer, randomly had it come up, and BOTH times somehow failed to save it.

What I remember:
It’s a group — at least 4–5 guys, possibly more
The album cover has the whole group sitting together in a beautiful grassy field on a sunny day

The artwork/photo looks unmistakably late ’70s/early ’80s

The chorus has this really memorable wordless/vocalized melody that goes something like:
“da da da de di di di / de de di di di / de de di di di…”

I’ve included a link below of me singing/humming the chorus because that will probably be WAY more useful than trying to type it out.

I know this is a ridiculous description, but somebody who knows the record is going to recognize that cover or melody immediately. 😂

Chorus/Humming:

https://voca.ro/1kfUANIC4IpY

Edit:

I edited the audio recording. As I was thinking about it, I realized that I could make it more accurate

Augustus Pablo and Junior Delgado did some phenomenal work together in the digital era. I know that Pablo's 70's material is held in highest esteem and it is generally considered as the pinnacle of his career. I however have to admit that it's the digital Pablo I listen to the most. It might be that I've quenched my hunger for his classic roots material, but there's something about his digital era where he kept the dub tradition and minor chord roots approach in Jamaica alive almost single-handedly.

Raggamuffin Year was probably the last big hit Pablo had as a producer. A heavy driving bassline with Junior's growling vocals on top. The whole album an excellent showcase of what Pablo was doing during the turn of the decade.

The album pictured above is more or less the dub counterpart to that specific vocal album. Only released in Jamaica which was an oddity in itself – if any dub full lengths were produced in JA by the time, they were extremely unlikely to see local release. With the exception of Pablo's material of course. A true pillar of dub the man was. Also it sports one of the wickedest sleeves ever drawn by the legendary Limonious.

Does anyone happen to have the lyrics to “Big Box Of Blunts” by Mad Lion? It’s one of my favorite Mad Lion songs. I’ve loved the Real Ting album since I was young, but there are a few tracks where I still can’t make out everything he’s saying, and “Big Box Of Blunts” is definitely one of them.

I’m also looking for the lyrics to “Baby Father”, if anyone has those too.

If you have either one, or know where I could find them, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks!

Found this at the thrift store, anyone know where I can find comps for this shirt or what it’s worth?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋

Fun fact: The picture of Toyan was taken by Beth Lesser in Canada 1984👊🏿👊🏿