Black Symbol Release on Reggae Archive Records

[Rootsman]

Probably most of you here already know about this one but if not I can highly recommend this new release.

Its the 8 tracks from the original LP plus numerous bonus tracks. imo it was more than worth the price just to finally have the song "How Long" which is almost 10 minutes of heavenly music

[flashman]

Just ordered! Looking forward to it. I went for the LP, which includes a CD and download code! Reggae reissue labels if you're listening, that's the way it's done these days.

Though...the fact that the CD that comes with the LP is just the LP on CD and not the CD release, which has more content, is a little annoying, as it makes me want to buy both. But, no...

[flashman]

This arrived and it is really good. Singer sounds like Burning Spear and the band is crisp with nice dub action on the extended versions. Great release!

[Rootsman]

Hi Flashman

Does your LP issue have the track "How Long" on it as imo that is by far the best song on the CD and is a track I have wanted a long time.

Also as you like this one check out there "Journey" release from last year on Sugar Shack Records as that too is a great release.

Regards

Dave

[Dubmart]

Glad people are enjoying the album, I compiled it, "How Long" is on the vinyl issue, as for sounding like Spear I think Fatman is from Saint Ann the same as Spear, he didn't come to the UK until his late teens, the very Jamaican sound they came up with isn't contrived in the slightest, it's just how their music turned out, there may also be a family connection to Spear as well.

Nice to see "Journey" getting a mention it is a fine album, now I just need to find the missing Black Symbol tape with the two unreleased tracks that are supposed to be the heaviest and best Roots tunes they recorded.

The CD issue of both volumes of "Handsworth Explosion" will be coming out in June on the same day as "The Midlands Roots Explosion Volume One" which features Steel Pulse, Musical Youth, Iganda, Carnastoan, Capital Letters, Groundation, Oneness, (a Black Symbol spinoff), Black Symbol and many others.

[flashman]

Yes, How Long is a great tune. Thanks for the info Dubmart, I'm looking forward to those releases. And I softened my comment about Burning Spear above.

[Rootsman]

Hi Dubmart

The Midlands Roots Explosion does look good. The Musical Youth track "Political" is superb. You would never believe its was the same kids that bought us "Pass the Dutchie".

Also do you know if the CD release of "Handsworth Explosion" will have both volumes on 1 CD or will there be 2 CDs that's mirror the vinyl release. Just curious, not that it really matters.

Just also like to mention Sceptre "Essence of Redemption" which I have also enjoyed playing this last few months. Another great band which only came onto my radar back end of last year.

[Dubmart]

The Handsworth Explosion CD will be a single CD with all the tracks from both LPs, if we repress the vinyl, and that's not a definite, there's a good chance we will do both LPs in a gatefold sleeve so if you already have Volume 1 or 2 and think you'd like the other one on vinyl I suggest you grab it sooner rather than later. I think we still have copies of Volume 1, but with Volume 2 whatever copies are in stock on Amazon, discogs etc., are all that's left, we have none and I don't think the distributor has any left.

The vocalist on "Political" is Freddie Waite Senior who was a member of The Techniques, I have to concede that although I've owned a lot of the Birmingham records for decades I'd never bought the Musical Youth, in my ignorance I didn't realise what a killer single it is, I guess I'm not the only person in that boat, I'm hoping to include the equally good B side on Volume Two, I bet the price for the original single will go up as well.

I was really pleased we got to do the Sceptre reissue, it's a great album, when I met Jean Mclean I think she was quite surprised I not only knew it, but had bought it new back in the mid-eighties, Jean also has a new CD out on Sugar Shack, mostly in a Lovers more mellow style, but it is very good for anyone looking for modern non Roots Reggae, there should be clips to check on Amazon, Ernie's etc.

I need to tie up a few tracks, but hopefully "The Midlands Roots Explosion Volume Two" might appear this year as well, I have a couple more nice unreleased tracks to include and know where to find some others, otherwise we are working on a few releases from London bands and labels, more news on those nearer the time.

[Rootsman]

Hi Dubmart

Thanks for the information. The releases that have appeared on Sugar Shack / Bristol Archives has got me into some great music that I had never heard previous.

Another great release that I picked up recently was Talisman "Insurrection" and "Insurrection Deconstruction". I had noticed them when they were released but never gave them a second look. It was only when I heard the CD of "Insurrection" round a friends house that I realised how good it was.

So yes, definitely looking forward to picking up the CD`s of those 2 Explosion sets.

[Dubmart]

Glad you like the Talisman Rootsman, we are doing a little film on them which we'll probably put online, it's shot, but I have no idea when it will be finished, for the vinyl fans there will also be a limited vinyl issue of Talisman's "Insurrection Oldwah Deconstruction", we just need to fit it into the schedule.

Bristol Archive Records is also getting closer to finally releasing an album from Bristol band Restriction, I'm hoping this year, but it's taken 30 years so far, so maybe next year. We are doing a 500 copy repress of the Restriction 12" for Record Store Day though and should have some copies available direct from us a couple of weeks after for those not close to a store.