The debut LP from the second lineup of Black Uhuru, with Duckie Simpson, Michael Rose and Errol Nelson. Produced by Prince Jammy, this first LP is a tremendous slice of roots rock, even if it doesn't measure up quite so well against the later version of the group with Puma Jones and Sly & Robbie producing. This later Greensleeves edition was remixed by Jammy at Tubby's in 1981, and includes "Eden Out Deh", "I Love King Selassie", "Hard Ground" and a great version of Marley's "Natural Mystic". LP, Vinyl record album

Afro reggae Great Alpha Blondy fulfills his dream of performing with The Wailers! The best of the tracks, especially the title track, is quite wonderful – with great vocals throughout by Alpha Blondy. A few tunes have a drum machine, grounding the atmosphere of those numbers squarely in the mid 80s, but the other tracks are timeless. A worthy effort overall, and titles include "Jerusalem", "Polituqui", "Bloodshed In Africa", "I Love Paris", "Kalachnikov Love", "Travailler C'est Trop Dur", "Miwa" and "DJI". LP, Vinyl record album

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A really great combination of talents – the songs of Bill Withers and the vocals of Anthony David – a singer whose acoustic undercurrents make him a perfect partner for Bill's music! If anything, the presentation here might be even more spare and stripped-down than Withers' originals – as the music was recorded on the Atlanta scene, with backing from some of David's key associates – all in a laidback groove that's jazzy and electric one minute, spare and acoustic the other. The songs give David a majesty we've never heard before – and titles include "I Can't Write Left Handed", "Use Me", "Hope She'll Be Happier", "Lovely Day", "Kissing My Love", "Spend The Night", "Hello Like Before", "I Don't Know", "Grandma's Hands", and "You Can't Just Smile It Away". CD

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The best album so far from UK vocalist Hil St Soul – the kind of record that could blow her into the American mainstream, and easily rival the best work on these shores! There's an unabashedly catchy feel to most of the tunes here – a hook-heavy approach that really sends each tune home nicely, and seems to focus Hil's vocals even more than before – but not in a way that's too commercial or "easy", just right on the money from the very first note, at a level that's far beyond even her earlier albums! Dwele makes a guest appearance here on one track, but honestly we're happy enough with Hil on her own – because the lady can sing, and sing with confidence – a fully blown soul diva ready to take on the rest of her contemporaries! Titles include "Hey Boy", "Sweet On You", "Better Days", "It's OK", "Can We Spend Some Time Together", "Baby Come Over", and "One Of A Kind". CD

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Great work from this key member of the Swan Silvertones – reunited with Paul Owens of the group on some new tracks, and also featuring a few early rare recordings too! LP, Vinyl record album

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An incredible departure for Meshell Ndegeocello – a jazz-based project with a sound that's different than any of her other work! The album shows a depth that we never expected – a richly instrumental mode that's only touched by vocals on a few songs – and which is mostly territory explored by Meshell on bass, along with other jazz players that include Michael Cain on keyboards, Jack De Johnette on drums, and sax work from Kenny Garrett, Don Byron, Oliver Lake, and Oran Coltrane! 3 of the album's 8 tracks feature vocals – by Sabina, Cassandra Wilson, and Lalah Hathaway – and the tunes are all long, languid, and laidback – drifting along through some really moody territory. Titles include "Mu-Min", "Al Falaq 113", "Dance Of The Infidel", "The Chosen", "Luqman", and "Heaven". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album