Solid Roots

McCook Tommy & Bobby Ellis: Blazing Horns [Vinyl LP]

Among one of the most sought after english dub albums, Black Jade Contempo is still somewhat of a mystery. Definitely ahead of its time, their deeper dub style was very sophisticated indeed. The material was originally recorded between 1975-76 and then collected in their self-produced debut. The vinyl first appearance was at the Notting Hill Carnival in the summer of 1976, where the band - apparently - was freely distributing it on the streets !

Gardiner Boris: Every Nigger is a Star [Vinyl LP]

With recordings dating back to the 1974-1978 period, Universal Dub collects a series of takes at the influential Randy's and Channel One studios in Jamaice, then later mixed at King Tubby's studio. The tapes at in the closet for more than a decade, when Morris White made a deal Zola & Zola Records for a mid-1990s release. The project is credited to dub masters King Tubby, Scientist, Bunny Tom Tom and Barnabas. The album is a showcase of late-1970s Jamaican dub production: deep basslines, stripped-down rhythms, heavy echo and spring reverb, with the mixing desk treated as an instrument. Much of the material features elite session musicians including Robbie Shakespeare, Lloyd Parks, Sly Dunbar, Carlton Barrett, Augustus Pablo, Ansel Collins, and Earl "Chinna" Smith. The compilation is quite interesting because it captures several generations of King Tubby mixing tradition all together.

Mittoo Jackie: Stepping Tiger [Vinyl LP]

Mittoo Jackie: The Money Makers [Vinyl LP]

Definitely ahead of its time, Black Jade approach was very sophisticated, creating more than a serious cult in downtown London. While their debut 'Contempo' was a 'religious' dub affair, their sophomore album showcased a more rootsy direction. Published as a mere private press in the second half of the seventies, the album is finally available in a long overdue re-issue.