REPRESSED: THE SKATALITES “Platinum Ska” LP vinyl includes 3 bonus dubs!

Jamaican ska legends’ latest album “Platinum Ska” finally repressed on vinyl with three bonus dubs. The group has been at the forefront of ska music since the mid-’60s, and this studio album is their first recordings to follow the band’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2014. The Skatalites built the foundation for Jamaican music, and was part of it’s evolution as it morphed from ska to rock steady then reggae, helping give birth to household names like Toots and The Maytals, Lee Perry, and of course Bob Marley & The Wailers. Since re-forming in the ’80s, The Skatalites have been through their share of transformation and have sadly seen most of the band’s original members pass on. Each of today’s existing members were hand-picked by the band’s original members to play, and they continue to hold down the tradition by performing at some of the most prestigious festivals around the world. Two of the tracks included on “Platinum Ska” feature original 60’s era drummer Lloyd Knibb (who passed away in 2011), plus it captures alto sax player Lester Sterling and vocalist Doreen Shaffer, the last two living original Skatalites members. The album was mixed in Mali and also includes guest appearances by legendary Malian musicians Assaba Dramé and Madou Sidiki Diabaté. Simply put, “Platinum Ska” is a testament to some of the greatest Jamaican musicians the world has ever seen, and Jump Up is proud to preserve this legacy once again with a limited vinyl edition. Limited repress on metallic marble and classic black vinyl.

CANANA 45s from Mexico! MOSKITO BITE / ROBERTO & THE MOODS / A CONTRATIEMPO SKA-JAZZ

We’ve got restocks of the latest three new 45s from CANANA RECORDS in Mexico! Spain’s MOSKITO BITE deliver two vocal uptempo early skinhead reggae tracks including an instrumental cover of THE BEATLES “Eight Days A Week”. Mexico’s A CONTRATIEMPO SKA JAZZ are one of the world’s top outfits playing scorching traditional ska and breezy guitar reggae, and not to be outdone is France’s ROBERTO & THE MOODS with catchy soulful trad ska 60s style gems. All big hole black vinyl 45s for DJ play. Limited edition don’t delay! (FYI the Roberto & The Moods will be part of the 7 inch club!) – each import $10

 

BLACK FRIDAY Imports: SEVEN LETTERS (Symarip) “Singles Collection” LP / LLOYD CHARMERS & THE HIPPY BOYS LP

TWO INCREDIBLE REISSUES from AGGROBEAT RECORDS in the Netherlands! Before SYMARIP there was THE PYRAMIDS, but in between there was SEVEN LETTERS! In 1969 the band recorded eight singles for the UK Trojan imprint Doctor Bird Records, all collected here on “THE SINGLES COLLECTION”. Of course once the band recorded their mega hit ‘Skinhead Moonstomp’ as SYMARIP the rest was history! LLOYD CHARMERS AND THE HIPPY BOYS ?”THE SOUL AT LARGE SESSIONS” is an official reissue of the rare ‘House In Session’ LP issued on Pama’s Economy imprint in 1969. Because of copyright restrictions this reissue comes with a different album title and artwork. Both albums are are remastered for vinyl and pressed on 180 grams recycled eco vinyl, packed in a heavyweight jacket and includes an insert with liner notes. $25 import vinyl. See complete tracklising below.

MENOTTI HI FI “Yksi” LP – incredible dub assault for fans of Beastie Boys and On-U Sound! Includes a FUGAZI cover!!!

This is not your typical dub album. NOWHERE close. Sure, MENOTTI HI FI is firmly based in Jamaican studio wizardry like the original greats – LEE PERRY, KING TUBBY, SCIENTIST, etc. That’s a given in the world of dub. But you’ll immediately hear more complexity – hard-hitting boombastic percussion and eerie keyboards, sounding like a lost BEASTIE BOYS session from “Ill Communication” or “Check Your Head” – with MONEY MARK letting loose. Discordant distorted vocals and big bass lead the charge on songs, giving an almost industrial Tackhead or Renegade Soundwave vibe. Or dare we say trip-hop like Massive Attack or Tricky? If this had been released in the 90’s, a bidding war between Wax Trax, Grand Royal, and On-U Sound would have ensued. “Yksi” seems to have few boundaries – on the heavier side they cover “Casevettes” from FUGAZI’s “In On The Killtaker”, plus sampling a BILLY BRAGG speech on “Wouldn’t You”.  Continue reading MENOTTI HI FI “Yksi” LP – incredible dub assault for fans of Beastie Boys and On-U Sound! Includes a FUGAZI cover!!!

Aggrobeat Singles! JUDGE DREAD MEMORIAL & WINSTON GROOVY 7 inches

First new single in decades by Pama and Trojan Records legend WINSTON GROOVY! Remake of The Pioneers song ‘Reggae Fever’ produced by Sidney Crooks from The Pioneers. The song ‘Reggae Fever’ was originally recorded in 1974 by the members of The Pioneers and gained a cult status over the years because of its references to the skinhead subculture.  His beautiful and distinctive soulful voice still sounds incredible to this day! Includes extensive historical liner notes, big hole DJ 45 single.  Not to be outdone is this debut double a-side single from “The Prince Of Rudeness” featuring The Upessions (aka The Judge Dread Memorial) on side A and The Rocksteady Conspiracy featuring Boss Capone at the other side! Continue reading Aggrobeat Singles! JUDGE DREAD MEMORIAL & WINSTON GROOVY 7 inches

MANGO WOOD “In The Beginning: A Sides & B Sides” LP vinyl – top Spanish band’s singles collected

Grover Records issues a must-have collection of early 7 inch singles (on the band’s Respect Records imprint)  from top-shelf Spanish Rocksteady/Early-Reggae/Ska band with members from Upsttemians, Einstein, Ready Getters, Rude Pride, The Crepitans, Free Mode. You’ve loved their 2020 debut on Liquidator, and the band is so good in concert that 2023 saw a Live album too! We have limited edition red vinyl (250 copies) and classic black vinyl for the audiofile heads! Continue reading MANGO WOOD “In The Beginning: A Sides & B Sides” LP vinyl – top Spanish band’s singles collected

THE DOWNSETTERS “Chainsaw Lullabies” LP vinyl – Modern British 2-Tone with an edge!

One of today’s most beloved British ska bands finally gets their latest album on vinyl – limited edition yellow from Grover Records! THE DOWNSETTERS are top shelf modern 2-TONE, and “CHAINSAW LULLABIES” is arguably their best release to date. Capturing the feel of THE SPECIALS but without ripping the sound off – trombone and keys lead the way with good ol’ RODDY RADIATION influenced guitar riffs. THE DOWNSETTERS take a piece from today’s ska-punk pie, with modern chant heavy vocal breaks, occasional distortion and visits to ska-punk Hellcat related rhythms, along with “fake” radio intermissions. Continue reading THE DOWNSETTERS “Chainsaw Lullabies” LP vinyl – Modern British 2-Tone with an edge!

BAD MANNERS = BUSTERS ALL STARS “Skinhead Luv Affair” LP vinyl

Ultra rare album from Buster Bloodvessel and Bad Manners spin off group, in recent years this has become one of the most sought after modern Ska releases. On the collectors market the original vinyl album is valued at over $300 and even the re-issued House Of Ska Records CD fetches $100+. This Mad Butcher German import re-release is a limited edition of 500 copies, and includes many songs that BAD MANNERS still perform live today – and you’ll hear at the Supernova Ska Festival! In a post 2-Tone mood? Add recent “2-Tone & Beyond” 7 inches for only $5 each – pick up RODDY RADIATION (THE SPECIALS) “Sea Cruise” Continue reading BAD MANNERS = BUSTERS ALL STARS “Skinhead Luv Affair” LP vinyl