One of the most important albums on the mighty 2 Tone label – and part of a huge ska revival on the British scene that would send ripples through modern music for years to come! And sure, the words "ska" and "revival" in the same sentence can often make most folks wince – but The Specials here work at a time long before the mode was reduced to cliche – and during a punk rock period when their contributions were especially vital – presented beautifully here on an album that's also produced by a young Elvis Costello! There's no overdone jams, no schlocky frat boy modes, just hard-edged London ska with a strong nod back to Kingston roots – on titles that include "A Message To You Rudy","Do The Dog", "It's Up To You", "Doesn't Make It Alright", "Concrete Jungle", "Monkey Man", "(Dawning Of A) New Era", "Too Much Too Young", and "Gangsters". (Rock, Reggae) CD

Produced by Tosh himself, band includes Keith Sterling, Santa Davison, Fully Fullwood, Sticky thompson, Skully Sims and others. 8 tracks in all, including "No Nuclear War", "Nah Goa Jail", "Fight Apartheid", "Vampire", "In My Song", "Lesson In My Life", "Testify" and "Come Together". LP, Vinyl record album

Like much of Tosh's work after leaving the Wailers, this album is a bit uneven, but still has a couple of nuggets of fiery roots rock. There's a crack band behind him on these self-produced tunes, with Sly & Robbie, Mikey Chung and Skully Sims. Includes "Nothing But Love", "The Poor Man Feel It", "Cold Blood", "Rastafari Is", "That's What They Will Do" and "Fools Die". CD

The debut album from the second lineup of Black Uhuru, with Duckie Simpson, Michael Rose and Errol Nelson. Produced by Prince Jammy, this is a tremendous slice of rootsy rockers, even if it doesn't quite top the later version of the group with Puma Jones and Sly & Robbie's production. This later Greensleeves edition was remixed by Jammy at Tubby's in 1981, and includes "Time To Unite", "Love Crisis", "Willow Tree", "African Love", "Eden Out Deh", "I Love King Selassie", "Hard Ground" and a great version of Marley's "Natural Mystic". LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

A seminal set from Linton Kwesi Johnson – the record that maybe pushed him over the top, and really marked him as one of the strongest new voices in reggae at the end of the 70s! Linton's a poet, not a singer – but his style is also more focused and clear in comparison to some of the dee jay material of the generation, which not only helped to get his messages across very strongly, but also open ears to his music that might not have otherwise been listening to material of this nature. Of course, it also helped that the set was issued by Island Records at a time when it seemed they could do no wrong – but the record is definitely Johnson's own, as he wrote both the words and music, and produced with some great help from Dennis Bovell on mixing. Titles include "It Noh Funny", "Sonny's Lettah", "Independent Intavenshan", "Fite Dem Back", "Reality Poem" and "Forces of Vicktry", plus "Want Fi Goh Rave", and "Time Come". This set features a bonus LP of dubs and mixes, and added artwork too! LP, Vinyl record album

(Hip Hop, Reggae) 12-inch, Vinyl record