Infectiously spirited do-over of Horace Andy’s Higher Range. In three parts — vocal, toast, melodica dub.
Quality US roots in extended mixes. More Relation started up in New York in 1977, backing the likes of Larry Marshall and Carlton Coffee.
One of the unsung movers and shakers of 1970s reggae, Ivan Smith worked as in-studio producer and record promoter for both Bunny Lee and Channel 1, whilst quietly producing and releasing his own catalogue of high-quality 45s.
Here is the first ever compilation, pure classics, all taken from master tapes, in a lovely silkscreened sleeve.
Ace.
A mystical roots gem by the vocal group More Relation, founded in New York in 1977. They were one short on the day of the recording, so they renamed themselves for this release only.
Stripped-back, ecstatic, and hypnotic, in the manner of bare-bones Upsetters, by way of Bullwackies. The singing is bathed in the light of Bob Marley and the I Threes. The dub is casually killer. We could listen to it for hours.
Linocut hand printing, so each sleeve is different. Highly limited.
The dubwise companion to the recent Roots From The Record Smith compilation, featuring the B-side dub versions from the original 45s, nearly all taken from master tapes, and culminating cataclysmically in Tubby’s out-of-this-world dub of Ronnie Davis’ Power Of Love.
Only our favourite UK reggae LP of all time.
Uneasy, twisted, mysterious, deep dub music; utterly enthralling. Commercially speaking, couldn’t-give-a-fuck.
It’s like London calling the Upsetter and the Dark Prince in 1975-76, encircled by the National Front.
The story goes that the group dished out free copies — fresh from the pressing plant — at the Notting Hill Carnival in 1976 (before the rioting kicked off).