"Love the Way You Love" and "Lover's Vow" by Claude Fontaine

 

We are fast falling in love with the unique blend of reggae and vintage French Pop crafted by American Claude Fontaine. She has just released two more tracks from her upcoming LP La Mer. It appears that love is in the air, and in our ears. Enjoy "Love the Way You Love" and "Lover's Vow" below, and look for the album on September 6 via Innovative Leisure.

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"Vaqueiro" by Claude Fountaine

 

American musical chef Claude Fountaine has cooked a tropical stew of French pop, cool Brazilian tones and reggae for her new album La Mer. Of course we want to hear it, and so should you. Patience is required because the album isn't out until September 6. However, you can take it for a test drive via first single "Vaqueiro". We think this will be one of the coolest left-field wonders of the year.

La Mer will be released via Innovative Leisure Records.

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“Rise and Shine” by Jubba White, Frassman Brilliant and Arturas

Very happy to be able to share with you a good reggae track from the trio of Jubba White, Frassman Brilliant and Arturas. Their new single and accompanying video, “Rise and Shine”, is a taste from an upcoming album, Solar Riddim, from SimmerDown Sounds and White Stone Productions, and Tuff Gong, which includes a number of artists in addition to these three. Hopefully it’s all of this quality, because this stuff is well-played - it really swings - and the three vocalists play off one another well. Jubba White takes the lead and he's got a great flow to his vocals, setting a good musical groove for Brilliant and Arturas to play off of.

The single is out now, the album will be out June 18. Stream or download this track at the site below, or just hit repeat on this video.

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Red Bum Ball: Rare and Unreleased Rocksteady 1966 - 1968

We are starting out the week with some old music.  Some very old music, packaged for new and old ears alike.  The genre is rocksteady, the Jamaican musical form that provided the brief bridge between ska and reggae in the later half of the '60s.  Taking rhythms of ska, slowing them down, adding elements of American R&B, and emphasizing the bass guitar and vocal harmonies, the rocksteady period produced numerous beautiful songs.  Labels have released numerous rocksteady compilations in the digital era, but we are always happy to listen to a new one, especially from a respected label such as London's Pressure Sounds.

Which brings us to Red Bum Ball: Rare And Unreleased Rocksteady 1966 - 1968.  For this compilation, Pressure Sounds has assembled 20 rocksteady  tunes produced by Derrick Morgan, and recorded with Lyn Taitt & The Jets as the backing band.  The vocals were provided by various artists, including several by Derrick Morgan himself.  The aspect of this compilation which elevates it above a number of other rocksteady compilations and into the 'recommended' status, other than the quality of the tracks themselves, is its uniqueness.  While the material on many compilations overlap, Pressure Sounds took the harder road of selecting songs that were rare, and even unreleased, while still having the quality to justify inclusion on a record 50 years after recording.  The result will please any casual fan of Jamaican musical styles, and likely will be essential for any serious collector.












Bandcamp for album
Pressure Sounds Records
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Pressure Sounds on Soundcloud

First Class Rock Steady (Box Set)

As one can discern from the nickname I chose when I started writing about music, I am a fan of the Jamaican form of music known as rocksteady.  Rocksteady was the musical bridge between the ska movement of the '50s and first half of the '60s and the classic reggae of the very late '60s and '70s.  Characterized by a slower tempo than ska (and usually dropping the horns), with a greater emphasis on backbeat and bass, and a focus on vocals.  And what vocals they were -- rivaling the best soul music being recorded in North America at the same time.  The rocksteady period was brief -- 1966-1968, but incredibly productive.  One estimate suggests that 5700 rocksteady singles were pressed in Jamaica and the UK during the period, which is over 6 singles released per day.  Moreover, many of the songs had a life beyond rocksteady, as many served as the base track for the DJ period of Jamaican music spearheaded by worthies such as U Roy, Big Youth and I Roy in the latter half of the '70s.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of rocksteady, and to celebrate VP Records and its 17 North Parade imprint for vintage releases have offered two wonderful collections.  The first was a Record Store Day special in April: A box set of of 7" vinyl singles showcasing 14 universally recognized rocksteady classics.  The second is the more recently available 2-CD Box Set and digital edition consisting of 40 rocksteady hits (including the 14 which comprised the Record Store Day release).  Carefully selected and remastered, the songs in the collection represent good taste and consummate knowledge of the classics of rocksteady.  The set also includes a well executed booklet.

I own four other rocksteady collections, as well as various rocksteady tracks on other reggae compilations and albums for individual artists or groups, but this collection still represents an essential part of my collection.  Rocksteady is beautiful and vibrant music, and this collection is a great way to own it.












VP Records page for release

Various Artists - The Midland Roots Explosion Volume 2

Reggae Archive Records is determined to not let the world forget that some of the toughest roots reggae gifted to the world was created by Jamaican immigrants in the English midlands in the '70s and '80s.  Their latest effort is the directly titled The Midland Roots Explosion, Volume Two.  As was the case with last year's Volume One, it is a compilation of choice tracks from better known acts, such as the legendary Steel Pulse, Capital Letters, Black Symbol, Groundation, and Sceptre, and lesser known artists whose fame never reached the heights merited by their talent.  Consisting of 16 tracks previously recorded and released, it is available on double vinyl, CD, and digital formats (see the Bandcamp link below).  The production values are excellent, with bass that will rattle your ribcage and vocals with sharp edged commentary on injustice, struggle and religion.  Unlike many serial compilations, this Volume Two represents not drop off in quality as compared to Volume One.  In fact, this selection may be meatier and more varied than the first.

I've included a few highlights below, including my current favorite, Sledge Hammer's "Ruled By The Stone".  But my strong recommendation is to listen to these streams, and then go to the Bandcamp page, put on your headphones, and become immersed in wonderful music.











Bandcamp for album
Reggae Archive Records

Capital Letters - Wolverhampton

Capital Letters were a popular UK roots reggae bands, founded in the early '70s in Wolverhampton, in England's West Midlands.  But by the early '80s, they were a functioning band no longer, leaving fans with just a memory of their deep rhythms and bubbling melodies.  Happily, they reformed in the current decade, and still sound wonderful.  In 2011, they released the digital-only Planet Earth LP for VP Records.  While that release was welcome, Bristol's Sugar Shack found a way to improve on it with their new release for the band, Wolverhampton.  Remixing (and perhaps re-recording) the eight tracks from the 2011 record and adding six new songs, we have 14 tracks of roots reggae -- with a dash of lovers rock -- in a choice of CD or digital.  There also is a vinyl version which includes the first five tracks, plus the dub version of each.

Offering serious social and political commentary interspersed with lighter themes, the album draws on all of the elements that make reggae such a beloved genre.  The vocals are warm and expressive, and the rock solid rhythms and memorable melodies are adorned with brass and keyboards.  Perhaps an ancillary benefit of the maturity of the players, there is a palpable sense of playfulness to the  music.  Moreover, The production is superb, and this may be one of the most consistently high quality reggae recordings you have heard in a while.  If for some reason you only are going to buy one classic reggae album this year, here it is and it is only March.

I've included a few of my favorites here, but if you are a 'try before you buy' music fan, hit the Bandcamp link below and stream the entire album.







And as a special treat, here is a video of a rehearsal of the lead track, "Jah Music" --



The songs on Wolverhampton were written by G. Brown Jnr. and Lukas Daley, who also are the lead vocalists.  Daley also played guitar, and Brown played bass.  Joseph Sullivan played lead guitar, Vincent Pryce and Matthew Graham played keys.  Drums were hit by Dennis Watson.  Additional percussion was provided by Colin Palmer and James Archer.  Kadeem played the horns.  Backing vocals were contributed by Tasheka Coe, Steve Ital, and Yvonne James.

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Bunny Lion - Red

Late at night after an especially tough week in and out of work, I need pampering.  Pampering calls for good music, preferably good rare music so I can feel special.  And with ten tracks of reggae deejay Bunny Lion toasting over tough rhythms crunched out by top backing band The Revolutionaries, Red fits my needs perfectly.  Bunny Lion isn't a name you will often find on the bountiful reggae discs cut in the '70s and early '80s.  And that is partly because he more often performed subsequently as Puddy Roots for Noel "Papa Jaro" Harper's Killamnjaro Soundsytem (also known for dancehall work by Super Cat, Jim Kelly, Burro Banton and Ninjaman).  His earliest recorded work, Red was recorded and produced in the late '70s by one of the great figures of the era, songwriter, singer, producer, and mentor Linval Thompson, and released in 1979 by London's Starlight Records.  He used the name Bunny Lion for the sessions, although he refers to himself as Puddy Lion several times on the disc.  Despite toasting that rivaled many of the touring stars of the day, excellent rhythms from Thompson (at least some seem to be borrowed from his Marijuana and Love Is The Question albums) and one of the better backing bands in the genre, it failed to attract a big audience and eventually was forgotten.

Fortunately, the album has been unearthed and is now available on CD, vinyl and cassette from Captured Tracks.  The vinyl includes photos and interviews with Puddy/Bunny and Linval Thompson.  For reggae deejay fans such as this writer, Red is a treasured addition to my collection. But it also is a great starter album for music fans interested in dipping a toe, or ear, into the world of deejays toasting over reggae and rocksteady rhythms.  If one is familiar with the genre, one appreciates the master work of Thompson.  His tracks display admirable discipline -- no excessive production frills, and a concise running time.  The deejay and the band are the stars, as they should be.

Captured Tracks order page for Red

For readers interested in a little more information about reggae deejays, here is a post I published a few years ago.  And if you are interested in one of Linval Thompson's finest (in my opinion) songs, check out the last video on this post -- his collaboration with deejay U Brown.

Black Symbol Presents Handsworth Reggae Explosion Vol 1

Bristol, UK's Reggae Archive  Records, and its sister label Sugar Shack Records are committed to resurrecting great British reggae recordings of the past, as well as supporting current reggae artists.  And as we've written before, it would be an error to dismiss this material because it isn't from Jamaica.  Jamaican immigrants to the UK spawned a thriving reggae scene, and many Jamaican reggae artists performed and resided in the UK.  And the crucible of minority status and the cross pollination with rock and roll resulted in tough, tight rhythms and hard-hitting messages.

Today's featured release is Black Symbol Presents Handsworth Reggae Explosion Vol 1.  Consisting of two contributions each from five artists -- Sceptre, Black Symbol, Truth & Rights, Gerald Love, and Zephaniah -- this reissue of a rare UK classic record originally was released  only in vinyl format by Reggae Archive Records.  A second volume was released for UK's record store day, also in vinyl.  The label is preparing to release a CD containing both volumes, but also is making volume 1 available as a digital download as well as vinyl.  For reggae collectors, this is a 'must have', but anyone who appreciates the pulsing bass, dub effects and chanting vocals of roots reggae will find this a compelling listen.

Sceptre --

Black Symbol --

  

Truth & Rights' "Saddest Moment" --


Zephaniah --



Bandcamp for album
Reggae Archive Records

R.I.P. reggae legend John Holt

John Holt, one of the giants of Reggae's golden years, died yesterday in a London hospital at age 67.  A famed vocalist and successful songwriter, his career spanned his entry in talent shows when he was in the mid-'50s to his last album release in 2003.  As a vocalist, he enjoyed success as a solo artist, in duets, and in the group The Paragons.  Some may recall that The Paragons recorded the original version of "The Tide Is High", which later was a hit for Blondie.  While he recorded socially conscious and Rastafarian related material, he probably was best known for his romantic, "lovers rock" recordings.  To remind you of his talent, I've included clips of his Rocksteady hit for the Treasure Isle label, "Ali Baba", his lovers rock hit for Studio One "I Want A Love I Can Feel", and the original version of "The Tide Is High".

Daleth Karl - People/People Dub

Daleth Karl is a talented "new school" roots reggae artist.  He has resided and performed in the UK and France, both solo and with the now defunct group Idrenites.  His first release for Bristol's Sugar Shack Records is the People 7".  The CD version is a two-track recording, and is a limited run of 100 numbered copies.  The tracks are "People", featuring Joe Peng, and "People Dub (RSD Mix)".  A purchase of the CD comes with a download of those tracks and three other mixes.  You can stream the title track and one of the mixes below.  If you like them I encourage you to hit the Bandcamp link and stream all of the tracks.  I was impressed with each of the dubs/remixes.  The base tune is uplifting, and each mix adds its own individualistic twist.

The People 7" was released yesterday by Sugar Shack Records, which in conjunction with its sister labels in Bristol remains one of the finest sources of reggae on the planet.




The dub -

Bandcamp for record
Sugar Shack Records

credits

R.I.P. Junior Murvin

Jamaican reggae vocalist Junior Murvin was not among the more prolific artists of reggae's golden years, but his Curtis Mayfield-like falsetto was a unique and memorable instrument.  And if he is known for no other reason, he will be remembered for the song he wrote and recorded for producer Lee "Scratch" Perry - "Police and Thieves".  You may have heard the original release at some point.  On the radio?  At a party? Perhaps on the Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels soundtrack.  You may also have heard the cover by The Clash. Below is a video Junior performing the song live for the UK show Top of the Pops in 1976.  In any case, the combination of rude boy themes, Murvin's sweet vocals and the tight rhythm laid down by Perry's house band made for a classic reggae anthem.



Here is another Murvin hit, "Cool Out Son" -

REVIEW: Dub Club - Foundation Come Again

We started seeing tracks from Tom Chasteen and Tippa Lee (operating as Dub Club) several months ago, as we shared the two dub version albums, Signs And Wonders in Dub (WYMA post here) and Bubble Dub (WYMA post here) with you. Well, the mother lode is finally here: Foundation Come Again is a wonderful collection of new tracks from some of the best Jamaican sound system vocalists that Chasteen and Lee have worked with. Chasteen started bringing these artists to LA to perform at his club, and the idea of creating an album featuring their still-strong vocals over the super-bottom-heavy tracks of the Dub Club All-Stars was born. Since not all were available to travel to LA, Lee went to Jamaica and captured vocals from many of them at Mixing Lab in Jamaica. There are 20 tracks on the album, each with a different vocalist or combination of them - including such giants of reggae as Prince Jazzbo, who contributes the foreboding "Black Shadow", and Big Youth, who sounds nearly as strong as ever on "Healing of the Nation" - just to name two.

Here's sound system legend Josey Wales with "Hard Time":



Artists like Wales, who has a direct line back to U Roy's sound system, bring a level of credibility to this record that is almost unbelievable. However, while authenticity and gravitas are good, the sound is the thing. And this all sounds tremendous.

Here's Tippa Lee's own "Mr. Big Man":



Sadly, three of the vocalists on here: Ranking Trevor, King Stitt, and Errol Scorcher all passed on after recording their tracks for this album. But they are captured in fine style. Perhaps the best track on the album is Trevor's opener, "Paper and Pen". Note the dedication on the back cover:

If you're a fan of 70's-80's Jamaican dancehall and dub music, you will be amazed at the quality and quantity of music on Foundation Come Again. This album works as a time capsule or historical document - truly, just to have one track by each of these Jamaican legends, it would be worth much more than the cost of the album. But it's also (and perhaps more importantly) a great reggae album - a test for your sound system's bottom end and an invitation to the neighbors to come over for a good time, if you live too far from Los Angeles to catch one of the weekly shows at the Dub Club.

1.    Ranking Trevor – Paper & Pen
2.    Josey Wales – Hard Time
3.    Little Harry – Revolution
4.    Ranking Joe & Tristan – Bring The Sensi Come
5.    Lone Ranger ­– Wicked Dem Come
6.    Danny Dread – Every Herbsman Is A Star
7.    Dillinger – Around The World
8.    Tippa Lee ­– Hey Mr. Big Man
9.    Trinity ­– Rolling Stone
10.  Tullo T – Can’t Stop The Ras
11.  Natty King & King Stitt – Gimmie Gimmie
12.  Jim Brown – Sensimilla
13.  Welton Irie – Chant Down Babylon
14.  Errol Schorcher ­– Ride Riddim
15.  Kojak – Hear Me Now Star
16.  Brigadier Jerry & Ranking Joe – Meditation Chant
17.  Prince Jazzbo ­– Black Shadow
18.  Pompidoo – Selassie I Rule
19.  Big Youth ­– Healing Of The Nation
20.  Robert Mystic ­– Satta

Foundation Come Again was released last week (July 16) on Stones Throw. Buy the album, individual tracks, or learn more at Stones Throw. Learn about the shows on Dub Club's Facebook page - both below.

Dub Club website on Stones Throw
Dub Club Facebook

REVIEW: Cornell Campbell Meets Soothsayers - Nothing Can Stop Us

Strut Records is on a bit of a winning streak. In the last few months, we've been sent two tremendous reissue projects, but this time they have a brand new recording by the original Gorgon, Cornell Campbell, one of the greatest vocalists in the world, paired with one of the hottest Afro and reggae soul outfits in Europe, Soothsayers, led by Robin Hopcraft and Idris Rahman. The pairing is the result of a chance meeting between Bunny Lee and Soothsayers' Robin Hopcraft in Kingston, Jamaica early in 2011. Cornell Campbell Meets Soothsayers is the name of the combined entity, and the album is Nothing Can Stop Us.

After Campbell and Hopcraft met, they set up a session at Bunny Lee’s studio in West Kingston, at which was produced “I’ll Never Leave,” a beautiful track that's an homage to Campbell’s island home country in Parish of St Elizabeth. I'd say this is my favorite track on the album, but it's hard to pick a single favorite as the overall quality is excellent. Here's "With You My Heart Belongs" - it's got a nice, smooth dub track and an even smoother Campbell vocal:



Here they are discussing their meeting, and the project:



In addition to some truly great reggae vocals and dub rhythms, the album contains some fairly creative touches, from a sort of afro-pop approach on the title track (as well as a few others) to some sizzling guitar on several tracks and terrific horns throughout. As well, it's just about a perfect balance between uptempo reggae numbers and sweet ballads that are perfect for Campbell's voice, including the outstanding lovers' rock track "There's A Fire".

For anyone who is familiar with Campbell from his older work and may be concerned as to whether he still sounds great, have no fear. His voice is in excellent form and he's found some truly kindred spirits in Soothsayers, who are known for their work with Johnny Clarke, Maxi Jazz (Faithless), Keziah Jones and more, as well as their work on the London leg of the ‘Fela!’ musical during 2011.

Here's their dub version of the album track "Ode to Joy (Babylon Can't Control I)", titled "Babylon Can't Dub I":



The album is part of the Inspiration Information series on Strut Records, and is out this week (July 9).

Strut Records Website
Soothsayers Website
Soothsayers Facebook

REVIEW: Jashwha Moses - No War On Earth

Jashwha Moses is no newcomer to roots reggae -- his first single was released over three decades ago.  But the UK artist is on a prolific run.  A year after releasing a full length retrospective of his work from 1978-2003 on Bristol Archive Records, he is back with No War On Earth.  Released on Sugar Shack Records, No War On Earth features nine vocal tracks and six dubs, produced under the direction of Mikey Taylor-Hall.  The set contains delights both expected and unexpected.  In the former category, the album features excellent vocals and strong, conscious lyrics.  And the dubs are magnificent -- spacey and atmospheric.  In the latter category, the album contains examples of vocal manipulation, layering and effects that go beyond the traditional dub reggae arts.  The result is a roots reggae album for modern times.

The album mostly consists of new material, although former releases "Jah Time Has Come" and "Steel" have been included in slightly reworked form.  In addition, Bob Marley's "War" is transformed into "Good Over Evil" on this album.  What impresses me most about Jashwha Moses is that three decades into the game, he sounds as focused, driven and, yes, hungry as he did in the early '80s.  No War On Earth would be a good album if a man of Moses' vocal abilities just put in a decent effort on nine vocal tracks.  But this album is so much more -- a vibrant package of music that affirms that conscious reggae lives on.  We don't give numerical rankings to albums here, but in my view this album is "essential" for the modern roots reggae collector.




The quality of the dubs on this album are well demonstrated by this dub of the title track--



Jashwha and his band also put on a great live show.  Here is a performance of "Good Over Evil" --



No War On Earth is out now on Bristol's Sugar Shack Records.  It is available on CD and via digital download.  Sugar Shack and its sister labels are simultaneously giving life to the historically strong Bristol reggae scene of past decades, and rejuvenating the current reggae scene.  As fans, we are grateful.

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Sugar Shack Records

REVIEW: Various Artists - Fashion In Fine Style Significant Hits Volume 2

Time for all of you to consider your fashion for the summer.  Do you have the right clothes?  The right shoes?  The current swimwear?  Well, that's all fine, but don't ignore the right tunes.  Scholarly research shows that people with the wrong music are 38.65 percent lonelier that people with the right music.  Does this little talk make you insecure?  Don't worry -- When You Motor Away is here to help.  What you need for the summer is a collection of reggae party hits.  You need fashionable, stylish tunes.  You need Fashion in Fine Style Significant Hits Volume 2.

Fashion Records was one of the best UK reggae labels in the '80s and '90s, releasing high quality songs by top talent.  Now, Fashion Records and Reggae Archive Records have teamed up to package 20 of the best gems from Fashion's vaults in Fashion in Fine Style Significant Hits Volume 2.  In addition to the quality on display, the collection is notable for its range of reggae styles, covering lovers rock, dancehall and DJ, and remastered for this album.  The great reggae vocalists are represented by Horace Andy, Johnnie Clarke, and Junior Delgado.  Lover's rock stars include Janet Lee Davis and Michael Gordon.  Of course, a reggae compilation covering the period in which Fashion Records was active includes dancehall selections, and Top Cat and Papa San are among the contributors.  And Cutty Ranks offer the jungle/dancehall classic "Limb by Limb".

Johnnie Clarke's sweet sounds --


And the tougher rhythms of Cutty Ranks --


And because this is my column, I get to choose the songs, and I love "Breeze" by General Levy --


We'll close with the best ever remake of "Shout", from Louchie Lou & Michie One --

Fashion in Fine Style Significant Hits Volume 2 was released on June 17.

Reggae Archive Records
Bandcamp link for album

New Reggae: Tippa Lee - "Mr. Big Man" from Foundation Come Again, out July 16 via Dub Club/Stones Throw

Via their recording studio and reggae showcase Dub Club, Tippa Lee and Tom Chasteen have been working on a series of stellar dub and reggae albums for release on Stones Throw. I can't recommend this stuff highly enough. We previously reviewed the two dub albums (Signs And Wonders In Dub - review here and Bubble Dub - review here), and we are eagerly looking forward to the full album Foundation Come Again, due out July 16. In advance, here's Lee on vocals, in a video filmed in Kingston, Jamaica for the album track "Mr. Big Man":



Read more at the Stones Throw Website.

New Jamaican Singles from Stones Throw: Duppy Gun - "What Would You Say About Me?"

Stones Throw has a new out - Duppy Gun: "What Would You Say About Me?" It is unlike anything else you are listening to right now. The music is not exactly reggae and not exactly hip-hop but contains elements of both. There are actually four songs - "versions" of both tracks are also included.

Duppy Gun 12-inch #3 includes "What Would You Say About Me," a tune by Fyah Flames with a beat by DJ High Waistline (aka Matthewdavid). The flip side is "Own Pattern" by I Jahbar, with a beat by Big Flite & Velkro (aka the Duppy producers). Both tracks were recorded in Spanish Town, Jamaica. These records come with an oversized poster — half of the records with Fyah Flames, half with I Jahbar.





Read and learn more at Stones Throw.

REVIEW: Janet Lee Davis - Missing You

After a long period in which it was out of print, Janet Lee Davis' Missing You is again becoming available courtesy of Reggae Archive Records (CD and digital download) and Fashion Records (digital download).  Janet was a highly lauded reggae artist in the UK in the '80s and '90s, and her 1994 release for Fashion Records, Missing You, was widely considered one of the best "lover's rock" albums of the decade.  This reissue is a deluxe edition, containing 20 tracks in all: The original album, plus five bonus tracks.

The material on Missing You hits on all cylinders.  The rhythms and arrangements are first class, the production quality and supporting players are worthy of a classic album, and most of all, Davis' voice. Possessed of power and control, when Janet sings that she's missing you, you feel her pain and a twinge of guilt.  And when she complains about the girl you have on the side, you consider apologizing even though you've never met the lady.


For a fan of the lovers rock style of reggae, this album ranks as a "must have", and even a casual fan of reggae is likely to find Missing You one of the most played reggae albums in his or her collection.  But I'll take a further step and suggest that this album so accessible and and of high quality that any fan of pop music should consider it.



And this track, "Do You Remember", on 'too late to turn back now' rhythm, is one of my favorites --



Janet Lee Davis deserves the re-issue treatment, and she is getting it in fine style.  The album is available from the links below from June 17.

Reggae Archive Records
Fashion Records

More From Dub Club - Vol. 2, Bubble Dub

Our friends at Stones Throw and the Dub Club have done it again. We recently featured the excellent Vol. 1, Signs And Wonders in Dub from LA's Dub Club (WYMA post here). It was the first of three planned summer 2013 releases featuring Tom Chasteen, Tippa Lee and a host of Jamaica's finest singers, musicians and toasters. This week, the followup dub album Bubble Dub was released - a limited edition on vinyl and downloads.

These are dub versions of the tracks from the forthcoming Foundation Come Again (due out in July on Stones Throw), and they are plenty hot and heavy on their own. Really, this is an unbelievable treasure. It's true dub - Chasteen and Lee really know what they're doing and show a real love for this type of music. Opening track "Gimmie Dub" is a traditional-sounding dub version, and features the super-heavy bass with reverb-laden keyboards and DJ toasting. Several other cuts, including "Bring the Dub Again", "Hard Time Dub" and "Ain't Too Proud To Dub" (yes, it's a version of a cover of that one), feature some really tasty guitar licks.

Here's "Bring The Dub Again":



Read more, see the cover and buy at Stones Throw Records.

Stones Throw Website