The second cut of 'Guiding Light', and third cut on the rhythm. This time with a different mix and percussion overdubs by Bongo Herman, again done at Channel 1. This cut mixed in a more spare early '80s style, hard stuff. The Mighty Abidjans for this one were Jaiq Sterling, Leonard Billings and Glenford McLeggan. This is the final Mighty Abidjans single to feature vocalist & song writer Jaiq Sterling.

Awesome second cut on the "Guiding Light" rhythm from the Fashioneers, in this incarnation, just Leonard Billings & Glenford McLeggan, from after Jaiq Sterling had departed. Recorded and mixed at Channel 1, late '70s.

Three awesome Wackie's roots cuts from Joe Axumite, all previously available on compilation LP's, now together on one killer 10" EP. "Troubled Land" and "Simple Little Woman" were originally released on the "Black World" LP, while "Home to Africa" was originally on "Wackie's Selective Showcase Vol. 1" LP. Joe Axumite supposedly recorded an LP worth of material around this time, but an album never materialized due to some of the tapes being lost. What a shame!

A milestone release, the first contemporary productions to be released by DKR! Bullwackie is still keeping the faith, recording and producing artists from his Bronx homebase studio. When we heard these awesome new roots productions in 2013, they blew us away. Calling to mind the best modern roots produced by Exterminator in the 1990's, we had to give these cuts a release. Recorded, voiced and mixed at Bullwackie's studio on White Plains Road. The A-side is a vocal cut by Lutan Fyah, followed by a deejay cut by Wackie's stable stalwart Jah Batta. The b-side is two different style dubs (one with horns!) from Bullwackie, still a virtuoso behind the mixing board.

Tomorrow's Children were probably favored by uptown youths rather than downtown Rudies because of their funky, hard hitting sounds and lyrics. With those elements, they successfully created own killer style, which can be undoubtedly heard with ‘Bang Bang Rock Steady'. The group also versioned the Beatles' 'Rain' in fine Rocksteady style. The original record was released in 1967.

A perfect, yet low-keyed, Studio One Rocksteady double A-sided masterpiece!! Recorded in 1967 while Clement Dodd and Soul Vendors were on tour in the UK. The former Jamaican popular singer Owen Gray, who had already been living there then, voiced these unique pieces. It sounds very different from the ones recorded at Brentford Road, although both tunes certainly have the “Coxsone Sound” – A masterpiece that is refined, and maximize the talent of this one-time star. Only ‘The Raver’ was recorded from the original master-tape.

First time on 45 for the other early Don Carlos thriller killer from the Wackie's/Joe Morgan/Soul Syndicate axis. Previously only released on the "Reckless Roots Rockers" compilation LP.

The main DJ of Harriott's production, Scotty, skillfully handles Keith & Tex' Rocksteady classic 'Stop That Train'. This is one of the most popular piece of music in Harriott's production. The flip side is available for the first time on vinyl that features Scotty's DJ cut to Derrick Harriott's moving ‘Do I Worry' track.

Killer instrumental 45 on Rawse, spread over two sides. The Wackie's house band under the 'Azul' moniker, with a fantastic piano sound. One of the rarest Wackie's produced singles.

‘Freedom Sounds’ is the glorious introduction to the iconic Ska LP “Ska Authentic from Studio One”, and also known as the opening theme for the band’s live performances. What’s more exciting is the early take unearthed for the very first time! Although it nearly got released with the 64-65’ masterpiece ‘From Russia With Love’, then eventually got cancelled due to the release of “Ska Authentic” LP. Compare to the ordinary recording that we’re familiar with, the unreleased take comes rougher but that is also brilliant and it will sound miraculously to all the Ska fans. There have been occasions that the band played this version at number of gigs, though it depends on who was leading the performance.

Deep mystical Wackie's production from Jah Joe (aka Joe Axumite) in chanting deejay mode, one of the best 45's on Aires.

"Worries in the Dance", in our estimation the best rhythm of the early '80s and perhaps the entire decade, nothing short of a masterpiece. This rhythm and this tune really represent the refinement and zenith of heaviness in reggae as achieved by Channel 1, also in our opinion still unequaled then or now. This is a reissue of the rare JA 45 pressing of this tune, which features vocal & dub mixes different to any of the more common LP cuts. As if the rhythm wasn't enough, this is one of FP's best vocal outings, and the lyrics provide a brilliant and vivid snapshot of the climate in the area of 29 Maxfield Avenue at the time.

Totally killer previously unreleased dub companion LP to Flick Wilson's "School Days" LP. Jah Life was no slacker when it came to mixing dubs, and sat in with Scientist at King Tubby's for the mixing of many of the classic Junjo/Radics/Scientist albums. But more importantly, they also mixed a ton load of dubs for Jah Life himself, many of which, like this album, remain unreleased…until now! Nine out of ten tracks from the Flick Wilson album are dubbed here, and one track from the Wayne Jarrett "What's Wrong…" album. Classic Scientist 1980 style mixing, nothing else like it, hard stuff. Cover features a fantastic previously unseen photo from Beth Lesser.

The leading pianist of Jamaican dance music since the 1930s, this is the only jazz album he recorded in the 60s. George Moxey has made an effort in the making of Jamaican dance music since the 1930s, teaching local musicians and has been praised as “Uncle George”. Born in Nassau, the capital of Bahama, Moxey moved to Jamaica in the 1930s where he formed and led an 8-piece band since 1939. His band took a big part in developing the local ballrooms and radio stations, therefore by the 1950s, he was a vital musician in Kingston music scene. This is a lounge style Caribbean jazz by himself and the Ernest Ranglin trio. By the young Ranglin at the time, Moxey must have appeared like a giant although the trio’s performances beautifully support Moxey at all times. It would be hard not to pay attention to the combination of this piano and guitar geniuses, the whole album is mainly constructed with the traditional calypso and jazz standards, though it also contains solo piano and organ ballads as well. As Moxey used to play organs for churches, it’s interesting how you can hear bits and pieces of those influences in his music, however it may be difficult to separate the Churches and Bibles by the background of Jamaican music. After leaving Jamaica, he became an ambassador of the Caribbean music and by the 50s he already become a legend there. This sound is the zest of good ole’ days, daddy Ken Khouri's Federal Records and having it as a real background, Jamaican music develops into Ska, Reggae to modern Ragga. Everything has its own roots, so as the Jamaican music.

Because of his superior talent and intense personality, one of the most ingenious pianists Leslie Butler had a lack of releases, however he was given an exceptional chance by the Federal Records to record this one of the most peculiar albums in the history of Jamaican music. This beautifully finished Jamaican Jazz Funk/Rare Groove album is mostly constructed with the traditional covers that all Jamaicans will know although with the wonderful arrangement, and very Jamaican, ensemble stripping aesthetics give the album a whole new character that can’t be heard elsewhere.This masterpiece should make it to the shelves of not only reggae fans but soul and jazz fans as well. Leslie always committed on making a serious piece of music - never liked to make either of Jamaican popular music or business-like commercial music. He had a strong belief of not letting others to control his talent. Therefore there were often conflicts between him and producers or he was not even given a chance to record anything at all. It’s a really sad story, but this unfortunate musician’s lifestyle can be heard on the recordings such as “Guitar In Ernest – Ernest Ranglin (DSR-LP / CD-501)” and “Reggae Rhapsody – Leslie Butler (DSR-FEDS12-001).” Perhaps with this album in addition, it might be all enough.

Miraculously recorded in 1965 when Ska was at its best, this is one of the rarest and killer LP to date. Llands Plays It All is constructed with a Caribbean coast vibe such as Ska, Jazz, Afto, R&B, Soul, Jump Up, Cha Cha Cha to name a few. However this killer Montegonian band is surprisingly tight, presenting second to none great performances. LP starts with “Jive Samba” by Cannonball Adderley, brilliantly arranged in the Afro-Caribbean Jazz style. Then moving on to some Jamaican R&B, to the featured track of the album “Mughead Ska”, a slightly longer version than the 7” cut (DSR-RN7-01), furthermore there is“Golden Horns”, this is an ultimate selection for all DJ’s and Selectors. This is definitely a must-have for shelves of the Jamaican music lovers.

First ever re-issue of 1965 Jamaican Latin-Calypso-Jazz album by the piano genius Cecil Lloyd, who led a 20-piece hotel band from the age of seventeen. In 1959, the maestro was asked to record an album for 20th Century Fox and he later released three albums on Studio One. Featuring a solid rhythm section with conga and percussion, A Night in Jamaica was produced by Ken Khouri for Federal's Kentone label. This enduring masterpiece still echoes across the beautiful Caribbean Sea.