Now ain't this summat spesh.... A re-vamped selection of Dennis Brown songs recorded and produced at Jammy's and now remixed and remastered with a selection of new vocalists, deejays and toasters adding ad-libed lines and improvisations to the original compositions!

The A-list selection of vocalists includes Protoje, Dre Island, Alborosie, Romain Virgo, Agent Sasco and more (no Chronix though?! - ed). Some of Dennis Brown’s finest performances for King Jammys, remixed and refreshed with 21st century flavor, the album also includes a newly remastered solo feature for Dennis Brown, “You Satisfy My Soul” (a King Jammy personal favorite). The vinyl LP includes the special bonus addition of the Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley feature "Can’t Keep (A Good Man Down)" backed with "Can’t Keep Version".

King Jammy is one of reggae’s most prolific and innovative producers, with "Tracks Of Life" he shows himself strong once again. Part tribute and part greatest hits, this album will win new listeners and inspire fans to dig into the original songs. The album is a blend of raw and vibrant vocal performances revisiting vintage Dennis Brown from the King Jammy catalogue.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: One of my favourite reggae producers of the 80's, maybe ever, shines a light on the incredible vocal talent currently spearheading Jamaica's roots n culture renaissance.

TRACK LISTING

1. High Grade Morning Feat. Protoje
2. Gun Town Feat. Dre Island
3. Wash Dem Away Feat. Agent Sasco
4. Love And Live Feat. Alborosie
5. Back To Africa Feat. DYCR & Tristan Palma
6. Give Love A Try Feat. Projexx
7. Real Love Feat. Aza Lineage
8. Run The Track Feat. Romain Virgo
9. The Magic Touch Feat. Jesse Royal
10. You Satisfy My Soul
11. Can't Keep Feat. Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
12. Can't Keep (Jammys Version)

Bobby Digital is a disciple of King Jammy who went on to produce some of the biggest reggae songs in the 90s and 00s. This collection celebrates the high water marks of this unique talent who helped shape the future of Reggae music. Fans of Jammy will instantly recognize Bobby's palette (included Yamaha's DX-100, Casio's CS01 & CZ1000 keyboards and the iconic Oberheim DX drum machine). Featuring a who's who of guest vocalists; old legends like Johnny Osbourne, Jimmy Riley and Sugar Minott are joined by new schoolers, Shabby Ranks, Beenie Man and Capleton as they move through the new collection of riddims and digital sounds in fine style. A great comp which aptly shows the development of dancehall and reggae as we get crossed the millennium.

TRACK LISTING

A
1. Inaculator - Daddy Lizard
2. Little Sound Boy - Johnny Osbourne
3. Dem Bow - Shabba Ranks
4. Wicked In Bed - Shabba Ranks
5. Tek Him - Mad Cobra
6. Sweet Jamaica - Tony Rebel

B
1. Sitting In The Back Seat - Glen Ricks
2. Play Play Girl - Johnny Osbourne
3. Substitute Lover - Half Pint
4. Missing You Now - Sanchez
5. Hold On To Your Love - Garnett Silk & Jimmy Riley
6. Are You Gonna Say It - Singing Melody

C
1. Set Me Free - Gregory Isaacs & Ninjaman
2. Bless Me - Garnett Silk
3. Original Full Up - Leroy Sibbles & Beenie Man
4. Carpenter - Pinchers
5. No Threat - Cocoa Tea
6. Gun Jezebel - Terror Fabulous

D
1. How Them Flex - Cocoa Tea & President Brown
2. Everything Is Everything - Carlton Coffie
3. Bawl Fire - Capleton
4. Never Gonna Give Jah Up - Sugar Minott
5. Country Roads - Morgan Heritage
6. Solid As A Rock - Sizzla

Ten tough disco mixes - vocal and dub - with Horace at the peak of his late 70’s form. Originally complied for Blood and Fire, “Good Vibes’ is remastered with new artwork and updated sleeve notes from original complier Steve Barrow. Definitive versions of "Skylarking", "Reggae Rhythm" and brilliantly infectious discomix takes of"Mr. Bassie" and "Pure Ranking". 'longside nuff dubs! Nicely remastered through the Abbey Road suite, these cuts are sounding as loud, dynamic and intoxicating as ever. A great set.

TRACK LISTING

Reggae Rhythm / It's Gone International
Serious Thing / A Serious Version
Skylarking / A Better Version
Youths Of Today / Jah Youths
Don't Let Problems Get You Down / No Problem

Mr. Bassie (Discomix)
Pure Ranking (Discomix)
Good Vibes / Dub Vibes
Control Yourself / Version Under Control
Ital Vital / Ital Ites Dubwise

40th anniversary edition of the classic ‘Two Sevens Clash’ album now expanded with a second disc of 12” disco mixes, DJ cuts and dubs. "Two Sevens Clash" from Culture was the must-have reggae accessory for any self-respecting music fan back in that long hot summer of ‘77. Loaded up with hit anthems like “See Them A Come”, “I Am Not Ashamed”, “Natty Dread Taking Over” and the prophetic title track. "Two Sevens Clash" remains the defining album statement of the year that reggae crossed over.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Calling Rasta For I
A2. I'm Alone In The Wilderness
A3. Pirate Days
A4. Two Sevens Clash
A5. I'm Not Ashamed
B1. Get Ready To Ride The Lion To Zion
B2. Black Starliner Must Come
B3. Jah Pretty Face
B4. See Them A Come
B5. Natty Dread Taking Over
C1. Two Sevens Clash / Prophecy Revealed (feat. Mr Bojangles)
C2. Fulfillment - The Mighty Two
D1. I'm Not Ashamed / Under Tight Wraps (feat. I Roy)
D2. I Am Not Ashamed (Version) - The Mighty Two
E1. See Them A Come / Mask Mi Mask (feat. Prince Weedy)
E2. Informer
E3. Informer (Version) - The Mighty Two
E4. State Of Emergncy - Joe Gibbs & The Professionals
E5. Natty Pass His GCE - Shorty The President
F1. Natty Dread Taking Over / Invasion (feat. I Roy)
F2. Natty Gone Clear - Joe Gibbs & The Professionals

Right now, you have in your hand (or browser) a total classic. Not a reggae classic, or roots classic (though either statement would be true), but a classic record amongst all the other records that ever there were. Recorded at Black Ark in 1977 and mixed by Lee Scratch Perry and Scientist, "Heart Of The Congos" finds Cedric Myton and Roy Johnson treating us to ten superlative, spiritual reggae cuts. All over the tracklisting you'll find infectious grooves, soulful vocals and yearning lyrics, all wrapped in those strangely psychedelic audio effects Perry and Scientist made their own. In "Fisherman" and "Congoman" you have two of the finest tracks ever to leave Jamaica and the religious riddim of "Can't Come In" on the flip could make any heathen into a true believer. 20 years after the release of Blood & Fire’s outstanding but now deleted ‘Heart Of The Congos’ reissue, VP Records /17 North Parade release a definitive, 2017 remastered 3CD & 3LP edition, put together with both respect and gratitude to that illustrious antecedent. This new deluxe 3CD & 3LP editions are the first to feature the now almost impossible to find original mix of the album, unavailable since producer Lee Perry withdrew the set in 1977. Also includes the more well-known re-mix, dubs, disco mix, seven and twelve inch versions and ‘Don’t Blame It On I’ an overlooked previously unreleased track unearthed, too late to include on the Blood & Fire release, by Steve Barrow and David Katz in 1997. Buy a copy, put it on your turntable and thank me later. 

TRACK LISTING

LP 1
A1 Fisherman
A2 Congoman
A3 Open Up The Gate
A4 Children Crying
B1 La La Bam-Bam
B2 Can't Come In
B3 Sodom & Gomorrow
B4 The Wrong Thing
LP 2
C1 Ark Of The Covenant
C2 Solid Foundation
C3 Don't Blame It On I
C4 At The Feast
D1 Neckodeemus
D2 Solid Foundation (Disco Cork Mix)
D3 Foundation Dub
LP 3
E1 Congoman (12" Mix)
E2 Congoman Chant
F1 Bring The Mackaback
F2 Fisherman Dub
F3 Noah Sugar Pan

"Pick A Dub" showcased the enduring strength and pivotal importance of the rhythm to the development of reggae music. Keith Hudson’s complete mastery of the genre and the unqualified praise that followed its release was fully justified. The album’s “œaustere sonic qualities” are awe inspiring, the superb rhythms are given full rein, unencumbered by extra effects and studio trickery. The overall effect is as mesmerising now as it was over forty years ago. Both CD & double LP set contain bonus tracks featuring eight vocal cuts of the featured dub including two previously unreleased tracks.

STAFF COMMENTS

Martin says: One of the greatest dub albums ever released, certainly in the top 5, and imperative listening for any appreciator of the form. Carlton and Aston Barrett and Augustus Pablo contributed music, while vocal fragments include Hudson, Horace Andy and Big Youth. Hudson's sparse handling of production and lack of studio ornamentation allow the heavyweight rhythms and echoing, dreamlike vocal melodies space to shine.

VP dig deep into their extensive vault of Jamiacan sounds to pay tribute to the superb songwriting skills of the one and only Robert Nesta Marley with the superb "Trench Town Rock" compilation. Including massive hits from Dennis Brown, Delroy Wilson, Leroy Smart, Beenie Man and many more, this set offers a fascinating glimpse of how these internationally recognised songs were adapted back home and made hits again for a core Jamaica audience. So sit back and soak up some authentic island vibes as the platter spins into the dusk.