Essential! The mighty debut album from African disciples Culture pairing up with the Mighty Two, Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson is one of the landmark sets of roots reggae, a defining moment of the genre dropped during the year when two sevens clashed. And though the apocalypse didn't rain down from the skies in '77, this album was certainly a world-changing event, one of the finest moments in Kingston's rich musical history! Gibbs provides the trio with a set of uplifting rhythms over which to harmonize, and Culture comes correct on every track, combining a tightly harmonized approach with a rawer, rootsier sound. 10 tracks in all, including "I'm Alone In The Wilderness", "Pirate Days", "Two Sevens Clash", "Caling Rastafari", "I'm Not Ashamed", 'Get Ready To Ride The Lion To Zion", "Black Starliner Must Come", "Jah Pretty Face", 'See Them A Come" and "Natty Dread Taking Over". CD

The first album from Culture, and still their most classic – a set that takes its title from a prediction by Marcus Garvey – who said that there would be trouble in the world when "two sevens clash" on July 7, 1977! Fortunately, we made it all through that date in one piece – and good thing too, as the record's gone on to even more legendary status as the years have gone on – with a righteous sort of energy that just seems to get more important over the decades. Joe Gibbs produced, and arranged with Errol Thompson – and the slow-stepping rhythms of the set, heavy on bottom-end sounds, are a perfect backdrop for the message-oriented lyrics in the music. Every cut's a classic – and titles include "I'm Alone In The Wilderness", "Pirate Days", "Two Sevens Clash", "Calling Rastafari", "I'm Not Ashamed", "Get Ready To Ride The Lion To Zion", "Black Starliner Must Come", "Jah Pretty Face", "See Them A Come", and "Natty Dread Taking Over". This 30th anniversary edition combines the 10 tracks of the original LP with 5 bonus numbers! CD

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Discomix versions of stellar late 70s and early 80s selections from Joe Gibbs & Errol Thompson– giving the extended mix treatment to some stellar singles by a number of great vocalists and augmented by the top notch players! The approach essentially pairs up jams for an extended mix – running 6 to 8 minutes each – and the musician ship is incredible! Players including Sly Dunbar, Lloyd Parks, Ossie Hibbert, Tommy McCook and others. Volume 2 includes "Tribal War/Jah Did It" by George Nooks & Prince Weedy, "Rope In/Love In A Jamdown" by Cornell Campbell & Lui Lepkie, "When I Think Of You" by Ruddy Thomas, "Naggo Morris" by Jah Guide, "Innocent Blood/Rock It Up" by Culture & U-Brown, "Good To Be There/Jah A The Magician" by Chalice & Puddy Roots and more. CD

Four classic roots albums, all produced by Niney The Observer – one of which appears here on CD for the first time ever! The set begins with Slave Call – a really great 70s album from The Ethiopians – done in a strong roots style that's given lots of great production touches from Niney The Observer! There's great use of percussion at the bottom of most cuts – and the set begins with a cut that's less reggae than most, which really sets the scene for the distinctive quality of the record – a vibe that only gets better as the well-trained vocals of the group spread around and help deliver the message-oriented lyrics! Titles include a remake of "Train To Skaville" – plus "Ethiopian National Anthem", "Slave Call", "Hurry On", "Culture", "Obeah Book", and "I Love Jah". Next is Reggae Mix Up – a collection of different tracks, mostly in 7" mixes, all produced by Niney The Observer – with work from Niney himself, plus The Heptones, Gregory Isaacs, The Morwells, Reggae George, Junior Delgado, and Johnny Clarke! Next is Mr McGregor – a tremendous set from Freddie McGregor, his first solo outing – though he'd been busy on the Kingston music scene for many years by the time the album came out. McGregor is working here under the production of Niney The Observer – and the set is a wonderful blend of easy Lover's cuts, smooth Jamaican soul, and earthy roots numbers. The whole thing was cut at Channel One over a great batch of Observer rhythms – and titles include "We Got Love", "Walls Of Jericho", "Jah Can Count On I", "Oh No Not My Baby", "Zion Chant", "Rastaman Camp", and "Rasta Have Faith". Last up is the never-reissued Showcase album – a really great collaboration – the soulful vocals and lyrics of the great Freddie McGregor, and the tripped-out production of the great Niney The Observer! Niney's bringing plenty of dubby elements to the music – drawing especially strongly on the basslines – which definitely helps move things away from mellower lovers rock modes, as promised on the cover – and pushes the whole thing into headier territory that makes Freddie's vocals sound even better as a result! Titles include "Lover's Rock JA Style/Lover's Version", "The Overseer/Overseer Version", "Chant It Down/Chant It Version", "Jay Will Bless You", "Love One Another", and "Sitting In The Park/In The Park Version". CD also features two Freddie McGregor bonus tracks – "Roman Soldiers Of Babylon" and "Follow This Ya Sound". CD

A very cool take on the sound of Studio One – a package of late 60s themes from James Bond films and other soundtrack sources! The mix is maybe not that surprising, given the use of Jamaican music early on in the series – as part of the Dr No soundtrack – and maybe that global moment of understanding helped the groups back home in Kingston to reach for the skies with material like this! The whole thing is a fascinating document of two strands of Brit culture in these post-colonial years – with titles that include "James Bond Danger Man" by The Soul Brothers, "Pussy Galore" by Lee Perry & The Wailers, "Mr Flint" by The Soul Brothers, "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" by The Soul Brothers, "Hang Em High" by Jackie Mittoo, "From Russia With Love" by Roland Alphonso & The Studio One Orchestra, "Ball Of Fire" by The Skatalites, and "James Bond Girl" by The Soul Brothers. CD

An incredible document of the Kingston scene in the 70s – and one that really opens up our understanding of reggae culture at the time! The set features portions of two radio shows hosted by Winston Williams – one from 1977, one from 1978 – both complete with announcer intros and a really great blend of music – reggae cuts from the time, including a number of exclusive disco mixes, served up at just the right vibe for the audiences in Jamaica at the time. The 1977 show has a surprising current of soul – right down to the intro theme song, which is a reworking of Johnny Lytle's "Village Caller" – and both programs really open up the music in a wonderful way, especially as Williams puts the sounds in local context with some of his spoken bits – done in this very cool English-accented voice! CD

Music from Owen Gray, Derrick & Patsy, the Wailers, Prince Buster, Delroy Wilson, Bob Andy, U Roy, Niney, the Heptones, Culture, Tenor Saw, Tiger, Shaggy & more. CD

Essential work from The Gladiators – exactly the kind of group that did so well in the early Studio One approach! The group are in a familiar mode – a Jamaican soul trio with a strong lead, and warm harmony backup – but there's also maybe a bit more of an edge going on here – partly from the deep, dark rhythms on the tunes – which often have a bottom end that really offsets the vocals – but also maybe just because of the overall badass vibe of the group, as you'd guess from their image on the cover! The Gladiators are to Jamaican music what the grittier New Jersey soul acts were to the mainstream soul market in the US at the same time – as you'll hear on titles that include "Hello Carol", "Rainy Night In Georgia", "Love And Meditation", "On The Other Side", "Jah Go Before Us", "Roots Natty Roots", "Peace Truce", "My Thoughts", and "Downtown Rebel". Reissue features bonus tracks – "Serious Thing", "Jah Jah (version)", "Serious (version)", "Culture", "Rearrange", "Peace Truce", and "Roots Natty/Natty Chalawa (disco mix)". CD

A stunning look at the early years of the Jamaican music scene – tracks from the years before ska, rocksteady, and reggae really took over – but which really helped set the scene for years to come! All the work here is from the hands of Duke Reid – soon to be known for his famous mid 60s productions on the Treasure Isle label – already here with his ear to the ground, capturing the unique shifts in the island's culture – some in mento and calypso, some in jazz, and others in modes that are very similar to the sounds to come! You'll recognize more than a few names here from important later work – and the huge 84 track package features dozens of titles that appear here on CD for the first time ever – countless great gems from artists who include Derrick Morgan, Roland Alphonso, Cosmo & Dennis, The Prodigals, Derrick & Patsy, Laurel Aitken, Chuck & Dobby, Basil Gabbidon, Hortense Ellis, The Moonlighters, Eric Morris, Frank Cosmo, Monty & Roy, Rico Rodriguez, Jiving Juniors, Alvin & Cecil, Lord Power, Laurel Aitken, and even Duke Reid himself. CD