‘Probably the best known Dub Syndicate album, this 1991 set was recorded between Jamaica and London, with the rock solid rhythms of band leader Style Scott augmented by a number of additional players, including guitar from Skip McDonald, vocals by Lee Perry and Akabu, samples of the late, great Prince Far I, and keyboards from Keith Levene.’

‘Another great set, with vocal contributions from mainstay Bim Sherman on a cover of Lloyd & Devon’s Cuss Cuss, and Shara Nelson (just prior to Blue Lines) on a version of Serge Gainsbourg’s Je T’aime. Originally released in 1989 and coinciding with the beginnings of Dub Syndicate as a touring unit.’

Roland Al tearing up Louis Jordan in 1962; plus a tasty, doowop-derived ska shuffle.
Both sides previously unreleased.

Rudie gone soft. Irresistible love songs — with simmering brass, splashing cymbals on the A; classy sax on the flip.

Gripping, up-in-your-face account of the story of Judas. Full-on Keith Hudson roots.
And an unmissable nugget of flute-led JA funk, by the Soul Syndicate, on the flip.

Hymning the power of reggae, over a re-licked, surging Conquering Lion, with worrisome Tubbys bass. The dub is here.

Double helpings of riotous, classic dancehall recorded for Jah Thomas’s Midnight Rock label, but previously only issued as a promotional white label. The rhythms are by the Roots Radics, at Channel One. One side each for the deejays, brandishing lyrical cutlasses fit to kill. Early days for Super Cat, but his irresistible rise is already up in your face, plain as day.

Vocal duo Albert Bailey and Clifton Howell emerged from the trio The Officials. The Studio One 7” Ten Years Ago is them; also the stone-killer Babylonians, with Niney. Lee Perry re-named them The Ark. Here they are with Ossie Hibbert at Channel One… wicked, propulsive, vocal-harmony roots, with dazzling drumming, and a Shaka-missile of a dub, featuring Dean Fraser. Crucial bunny.

From the Black Ark; a local hit in 1975. Clarke’s tale has the hapless, resilient innocence of Buster Keaton. Nice, basic melodica. The production is credited to Mike Johnson — who also stumped up for I-Roy sessions at the Ark around this time — but the rhythm and dub are Upsetters through and through.

Ace 1978 set voiced at King Tubby’s and mixed by Prince Jammy, with Trinity’s younger brother Clint deejaying over tough Aggrovators rhythms like African Roots and Stars, including an excursion on Black Uhuru’s Eden Out There.

‘Yes we nice, yes we nice… Hold them, music, hold them, yes, we control them… no we nah go let them stray.’ Dancehall manners — on the rhythm Delgado used for Rasta People — as clinically murderous as all-time EJ hits for Jammys like Rock Them One By One and Turn Up The Heat.

Rugged 1974 dub LP replete with Upsetters and Tubby vibes, including the killer Macca Bee, and a nice vocal-with-deejay Love Me With All Your Heart, and featuring fine fleet flute froughout.