Roots Archives Forum

Ah, too bad about that 2008 Junior album, but, yeah, thanks for info Max. I have the Heading for the Wrong Direction 12" coming in the mail right now actually. I didn't know the Crashed version is different than the Naturally High one. I have a similar complaint regarding his Stop Using Love 12": the mix on the Lovers Key LP is much nicer to my ears (and I believe the 12" also doesn't have a dub).

Of all the LPs on my shelf, Lovers Key probably takes the cake for greatest discrepancy between quality of music and quality of artwork. My friend said he was mildly embarrassed to bring it up to the store clerk when he spotted it in a bargain bin recently.

Hahaha! That's a classic sleeve right there. I must admit I didn't check English for years strictly due to that cover. It looked so tacky that it just had to contain soppy and pointless lovers. And then I heard »Love & Key« (Burning Sounds 12") which was a deep piece of lovers so I figured I'd give him a new chance (also I had let down my guard on the softer side of reggae such as lovers rock). Never expected to hear what it really was -- beautiful lovers compositions paired with brutal stomping roots.

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By the way, just in case you didn't know (but you probably do) I can really recommend Burning Dub that is strictly Junior English dubs to songs such as »Heading For The Wrong Direction« and »High Society« and some other big songs of his. I think it's the only dub LP he released.

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Recently picked up "Musical Dub Attack" from DKR...good LP.

I've been on a deejay tip as of late, can't get enough of the late '70s/early '80s chatting style over the drum and bass-- a precursor to hip-hop no doubt.

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And "Two Sides of Charlie Chaplin" on RAS label (not listed on RA).

Interesting how there seem to be so many releases from this era that are not really regarded as "classic" or "crucial" but are nonetheless great, great albums. I think most if not all of these purchases are in that category (excluding the obvious classic "Three Piece Suit". The Toyan album "Ghetto Man Skank" in particular is so tough (Jah Thomas productions usually are), I think it's now one of my favorites from this period.

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I used to love deejays more than anything else. There are so many brilliant albums out there. For some reason I've cooled out however and listen to mostly dub albums nowadays (if I put on an LP that is).

Was happy to see that old stock of the Militant Barry LP turn up lately. Great productions and nice chatting. Underrated album. Was very happy when I bought it and generally I would think I prefer it to his Keith Hudson produced set. But both are nice.

Went to the Brighton record fair last weekend. For the last 30 years (maybe more) there was always a really good reggae stall manned by the one and only Barry Issac .... but for the last few fairs he's not been there. Don't know why - hope he's ok. Always gave me a good deal.

Anyway - I picked up these 5 (vinyl) reggae albums for £25

various - Studio One Classics - Roots (weird bootleg pressing, side 2 is off-centre)

Mad Professor - Schizophrenic Dub
Mad Professor - Experiments Of The Aural Kind ‎

Trinity - Three Piece Suit

various - Ride Your Donkey (Trojan - always tricky finding these in good nick).
The Astronauts track 'Syncopate' is great - weird psychedelic, surf instrumental. Sounds like it could be the work of Joe Meek.

I've only been to Brighton once but it was a wonderful city. When checking for records (can't remember the name of the store) I met both Marcus from King Tafari Love Muzik and John Masouri. Bought Morwells - Crab Race and some 12" (cant remember which now). They had some nice vegetarian restaurant as well – every'ting criss!

Would love to visit the city again.

^ yes, Brighton is a good place. Not so good as it was 'in the old days'.... due to many factors (cost of living, house prices.... all the cool people moved out in the early 90s and then only rich ppl moved in [bit of a generalisation but sort of true])

We have had a few specialist reggae shops over the years... but none atm... although if you came to Brighton I could take still you to over 12 record shops/ and all will stock at least some reggae.

At the last but one record fair (October)... I saw John Masouri. He came over to say hello. I used to work with his son (in a 2nd hand record shop funnily enough). This is going back to 1996. As you know - John is extremely knowledgeable on all areas of reggae. He despairs over the current state... he was telling me he rates the 90s as the best era of all. Don't know if i agree - but it made for a lively conversation!

Still lot of veggie restaurants an' t'ing as well.

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Roots Reggae Party Vol. 2
Black Uhuru - Dub Factor

Both for very cheap at a record fair over the weekend and in perfect condition! Especially happy about Roots Reggae Party Vol. 2, a fantastic LP with a couple murthering rhythms found on Mike Brooks' One Love LP, as I've been looking for a cheap copy for several years. The artwork is terrible (what happened here, Rod Vass?) but no matter.

Dub Factor is just incredible. Next EB order will have to include the new "Groucho" mixed S&R LP. Wicked engineer.