Heartically hymning male companionship over the same tough digi rhythm as Nathan Skyers’ Tribute To The Heroes… plus the dub. Previously unreleased.

From 1969, the complete works of this collaboration between members of the mythical Babs Robert Quartet (Belgian spiritual jazz pioneers) and the jazz/rock/funk unit COS, closely affiliated with Marc Moulin, Kiosk and Placebo during the 1970s.
A holy grail of a jazz 45, musically bifocalising another two masterpieces in this format: Krzysztof Komeda’s Cul-De-Sac soundtrack and François Tusques’ Le Corbusier souvenir, with Don Cherry.

Ace Brazilian funk from 1977, with a flagrant dose of the Herbies.

Superb rock steady, from the dark end of the street. Recorded for Sonia Pottinger, on the eve of Delano Stewart’s leaving the group to join Lee Perry. So nice The Heptones did it twice.

Lloyd Charmers, Alva Lewis, Glen Adams and the Barrett brothers, holding a candle for ska at the close of the 1960s. With a precious, uptempo, alternate take, on the flip.

Tough, lovelorn rock steady, with tasty organ asides. The flip is a lovely revive of the signature tune of the great JA calypsonian Lord Flea, bossed here by Lennie Hibbert.

Perfect uptempo rock steady from the Gaylad (copping a little British Invasion, a bit late in the day). The flip carries the swing, though: a magnificent horns cut to Delano’s Tell Me Baby, by The Gaysters.

Jackie Bernard leading a thumping, yearning overture; backed with The Valentines’ classic Blam Blam Fever. Top-notch rock steady.

Superb, previously unreleased ska group-vocal, with Baba Brooks and co in fine form.

A scorcher from the golden age of gospel, via its cardinal label.
From 1960, during the family’s second decade with Savoy, featuring Gertrude Ward, Christine Jackson, Mildred Means and Vermettya Royster — and Clara, totally riveting and in-your-face with evangelistic fervour and raw soul.
Plus a rambunctious, floor-filling Wade In The Water, by Jessy Dixon and his Singers.
Handsomely sleeved (showing a contemporary but slightly different Wards lineup).

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

The great singer addressing false authority, apartheid and the squandering of black lives. The rhythm is Tubby’s ace, ominous, digi re-working of Yabby You’s Conquering Lion.
Dubplate business from Dub Store in Tokyo.

Two goes, both brilliant, featuring ace trombone. The first take carries the swing, with its wailing, soul-jazz organ more to the fore.

A rollicking organ-and-drums grounation workout.
Plus Ken Boothe taking liberties with Nat King Cole’s Hazy Lazy Crazy Days Of Summer.

The first Premature is by Thomas Boutwood, from South London. Veolia is hazy, nervously minimalist synth hypnosis; Droid is a knees-up, industrial-techno frightener.