Along with Sleng Teng and Tempo, Stalag is without the doubt the biggest dancehall rhythm of the 80's. Bam Bam especially needs no introduction been sampled countless times on various genres and appearing on films etc.

Another unreleased material from Tubby’s studio. Although dancehall was the thing back then this tune is going to another direction by drawing a great roots vibes.

Arguably one of the best King Tubby’s digital known to mankind. Going through his tapes this was one of the earlier digital sessions took place at Tubby’s dated 19th November 1985. Inner Vibes a.k.a. Dilly Dally lyrically unleashing his strong observation towards one woman. Tracks laid by King Asha and engineered by Peego & Fatman.

Tonto Irie left some impressive titles within Jammys catalogue. 'General A General' was recorded on 'African Beat' rhythm, which was versioned many times with regardless of musical generations. This newly build digital rhythm kept its original form and Tonto Irie showcased his old school lyrical flow in a Raggamuffin way.

Authentic 80’s roots capturing the 70’s vibes in solid manner. Female vocal on “Declaration of Rights” rhythm calling for repatriation although on the other hand a slick dancehall cut by Super Black on the very same rhythm.

Tubbys, as well as Jammys tunes after the digital revolution, you can find many that sounds great but not all of them will stick to your heart forever. However this Michael Prophet digi killer comes with absolute presence and confidence reflecting his true soul.

One of Vena's classic rhythms, Tonight. “Raggamuffin Mi Soup” is a joyful reissue by Thriller U singing mistily and emotionally inna real dancehall fashion! Alog with Little John and Tony Tuff cuts, this one marks the most popular amongst all the rest.

Still topping charts to date, this is one of Sanchez’ early hits recorded for Vena in the 80’s. Dub Store also presenting Nitty Gritty and Delroy Katt’s reissue on the same rhythm as well. Skilful and smooth flow backed with an alternative take that was only available on his LP previously.

It is impossible not to mention Admiral Tibet when talking about Jammy’s golden digital era in the 80’s. With hits like “Running From Reality” and “Reality Time”, this is indeed another killer piece he recorded for Jammy. Working in combination with a jaunty rhythm with rough and tough bassline, the vocal instantly becomes prominent with its unforgettable chorus bringing even more drive to the music. When listening to the version on the flip, there is a great appreciation for utter simplicity in how Jammy builds his rhythms.

atural Vibes tune is a holy grail, plain and simple. In several years of watching the internet and digging records in New York, Canada and Jamaica, we know of only two copies. No small feat in this day and age! But more importantly, this rare beast is a hell of a tune, a wicked sparse and heavy variation on the 'tempo' rhythm, with a stark message of reality to match and killer synth/keyboard sounds.

Long time coming, here are the final two of the three killer tunes by the HAX, cut for Leggo Sounds back in the mid '80s. We previously issued the awesome "Duppy" (still available!) as DKR-011 a few years back, and now the other two tunes from the same session are finally available again. C

Straight from Maxfield Avenue, 1989, Castro Brown's New Name Muzik outfit produced some of the best of the first wave of digital roots. Here are a couple of their finest outings. Andrew Bees has two of his finest tunes in "Struggle & Strive" and "Life in the Ghetto", both re-released here for the first time ever. These stand right beside his classic "Militant" on Music Lion as early classics of the emerging style.

"Dancehall Rock" is on a killer one-away riddim that sounds tempo influenced, and no surprise then that Don popularly sung over the tune for Star Trail in the 1990s on their killer lick of tempo.

A few titles has been released on Suguar Minott’s ‘Conscious Lover’ rhythm but ‘Sugar Me’ by Conroy Smith is one of the most wanted records on the rhythm among collectors. On this smooth drifting rhythm, he sings mournfully but also with his sweet lyrics.

Anthony Selassie's "Busy Body", voiced on one of the best-ever digital cuts of the 'green bay' riddim.

Garnett Silk's "Every Knee Shall Bow"…over ten years from his start, Garnett was back working right where he began, with Rythem Track. Originally released posthumously in 1996 on Callo's offshoot 2-Hyped label, this is one of Silk's best ever, a high-water mark for both him and the producer, a shining example of the indelible legacies of both.

In the late 80's, not only Jammys but also many labels tried to score some hits by remake of a foundation rhythm 'Heavenless'. Among Jammys catalogue on this rhythm, 'We Gonna Rock It Tonight (Dub Plate Playing)' by Johnny Osbourne is known as the most popular number. Often hear sound systems playing this dub plates.