The latest reggae and dub releases are a combination of reissues and new recordings. One of the essential reissues is the special edition of Bob Marley‘s Exodus, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the recording. The album, originally released on Friday 3rd June, 1977, contains some of Marley‘s best known hits: "Jamming," "Exodus," and "One Love." The special edition CD, Exodus – 30th Anniversary, and DVD/ CD coincides with the release of a new hardback book and a theatrical tour of cinema screenings of Live at The Rainbow.
Continuing with Bob Marley & The Wailers, Heartbeat Records has re-released a collection of rare Wailers songs under the title Another Dance: Rare Sides from Studio One. The compilation includes rare tracks, alternate takes and original single mixes, all recorded between 1964 and 1966 for late producer Clement Dodd at his Studio One recording studio at 13 Brentford Road in Kingston, Jamaica. All the songs, takes, and mixes were released as singles in Jamaica on Dodd-owned labels like Coxsone, Studio One, Supreme, Tabernacle, and Wincox. Over the years, Dodd supplied tapes with post production overdubs to companies leasing his material for foreign issue. Although Heartbeat always sought die original mix of each song, Dodd sometimes provided the overdubbed tape when he could not locate die original mix. This album restores the original single mixes of seven Wailers classics including signature Bob Marley songs like "One Love," "I’m Still Waiting," and "Lonesome Feeling." They demonstrate the potential of the young band that later became the biggest reggae act in the world.Ras Jammie has two recordings on the ROV label. O Dub Meets Ras Jammie in a Lion’s Den presents exciting dub versions of Jammie’s music. The other album, Thin Line, presents Ras Jammie with his Man Alive Band, showcasing an engaging collection of upbeat reggae songs.
Heartbeat Records has additional reissues. Gladiators Studio One Singles focuses on the pioneering band formed by Albert Griffiths, Clinton Fearon and Gallimore Sutherland. They were one of the first “roots” reggae groups that achieved international success. This Gladiators recording, Studio One Singles, first appeared as a French bootleg, and in the tradition of albums like Mojo Rock Steady and Pirates Choice, is now reissued in an authorized edition featuring improved sound quality sourced from the original masters and rare singles.
Satta Massagana by The Abyssinians, reissued by Heartbeat Record,s is one of reggae’s greatest albums. The Abyssinians are considered one of the most inspired of Jamaica’s vocal groups. Satta Massagana includes two of reggae’s most legendary songs, “Declaration of Rights” and “Satta Massagana.”This release of Satta Massagana contains four bonus songs.
Lee “Scratch” Perry’s Chicken Scratch Deluxe Edition focuses on early recordings he made in the ska years at Studio One during the early to mid 1960s. "We are particularly pleased to now present Chicken Scratch Deluxe Edition with a number of bonus tracks from the same era," said a Heartbeat Records press release. "Furthermore, for the first time on CD, we present the original single mixes of 13 of these ska scorchers." The re-release is scheduled for January 2008.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
