AKASHA “Mother of Exiles” LP vinyl (bonus 7″ single) – Studio One style roots reggae! Charley Organaire and Keith & Tex recordings too!

Akasha is the premiere reggae band on the Chicago musical landscape, sounding like they stepped out of a 1972 session at Studio One, but also embroidering on the Jamaican canon with diverse modern influences. Powerfully authentic but also accessible to the contemporary ear, Akasha’s approach to reggae is both a refreshing and earnest tribute. Akasha’s new LP, Mother Of Exiles, is a concept album dealing with issues such as immigration, discrimination, and oppression. This recording is as on point a statement on our current tumultuous times as one can imagine, and is certain to resonate with any listener. Given Mother of Exile’s thematic material and Akasha’s continued musical evolution, this new album is certain to set a new standard for the reggae genre. Cosmos Ray’s lead vocals, Doug Bistrow’s bass, Scott Moss’ guitar, Shane Jonas’ horns and keys, and John Barbush’s drums along with their hallmark four-part harmony come together to forge Akasha’s signature sound, which has backed Jamaican legends including Dennis Alcapone, Charlie Organaire, Johnny Osbourne, Keith and Tex, Ranking Joe, Carlton Livingston, Ky-Mani Marley and most recently Niney The Observer. Akasha also hosts what has become Chicago’s best-loved monthly reggae night, Simmer Down Sound, which features both live performance and DJ sets from established and emerging national and international talent. Heavyweight vinyl with bonus DJ 7″ vinyl single is limited to 100 copies. Ships for December 7th street date! Special Deal – add the Specialized Marley Tribute 7″ EP  (features “One Cup of Coffee” with Charley Organaire) or the brand new BOSS Tribute 7″ EP (features”Stop That Train”  with Keith & Tex)  for only $5 each. What a bargain!

Jamaican SKA legend CHARLEY ORGANAIRE with THE PRIZEFIGHTERS – 7″ singles + Limited Edition Tour CD {OUT OF PRINT}

PRIZEFIGHTERSSPREADHave you been keeping up with our Jamaican Oldies shows in Chicago? If so you know that  Jamaican foundation ska legend CHARLEY ORGANAIRE is a regular fixture on the Chicago scene!  THE  harmonica sound on thousands of early ska sessions at Studio One, Treasure Isle, etc – he was also an accomplished singer / band leader / arranger / label owner who released singles in the 60s on his own ORGANAIRES imprint. The success of his Chicago appearances, dare  we call it a  “return to the scene”,  has lead to a tremendous relationship with Minneapolis’  THE PRIZEFIGHTERS resulting in six tracks being recorded together in the Spring of 2014. Continue reading Jamaican SKA legend CHARLEY ORGANAIRE with THE PRIZEFIGHTERS – 7″ singles + Limited Edition Tour CD {OUT OF PRINT}

MARLEY tribute 7″ singles featuring THE SKATALITES, CHARLEY ORGANAIRE w/AKASHA, THE CROMBIES, EQUATORS, and more {OUT OF PRINT}

The wait is over! The SPECIALIZED Teenage Cancer Trust folks in the UK just released their 4xCD tribute to BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS, and our vinyl has JUST arrived! We think these 4 song 7″ vinyl EPs are absolutely brilliant!! One single is on a Jamaican ska tip, while the other has more of a 2-TONE 80’s flair! Limited edition of 400 each. Sorry, the 2-TONE one is out of print.

JUMPTCT09 : Akasha w/ Charley Organaire “One Cup Of Coffee”  /  The Skatalites feat Doreen Shaffer “Nice Time”, Pressure Tenants “Judge Not” /  Calypso Joe “Stir It Up”
JUMPTCT10: The Crombies “Hooligans” / The Equators “Pimper’s Paradise”
 The Skapones (UK) “Midnight Ravers” / Annabella Lwin (of Bow Wow Wow) “Cheer Up”

SUSAN CADOGAN & KEN BOOTHE “Love Story” 7″ BROOKLYN ATTRACTORS Christmas Inna Babylon 7″ THE TOASTERS “Beat Up” 7″ reissue from 1984 (OUT OF PRINT)

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The BROOKYLN ATTRACTORS are an all star jazz ska/reggae band comprising of members of VOID UNION, WESTBOUND TRAIN, NEW YORK SKA JAZZ ENSEMBLE, STUBBORN ALLSTARS, DUB IS A WEAPON, THE ROCKSTEADY 7, THE TOASTERS plus original Jamaican percussion legend LARRY McDONALD! Their debut album “GOOD EVIL ALCHEMY” took the world by storm in 2014 receiving critical acclaim across the world. The crew are back spreading some holiday cheer – jazz reggae renditions of “JINGLE BELLS” and “GOD REST DEM IRIE GENTLEMEN” – pressed on hand stamped RED vinyl with a cool fold over sleeve. Limited to 250 copies!  REPRESS COMING DECEMBER 2016 – so please check back!

THE TOASTERS released their first record “BEAT UP” in 1984 – this record pre-dated the launch of MOON RECORDS! With “BRIXTON BEAT” on the a-side (a very early rendition of “EAST SIDE BEAT” and  “THE BEAT” on the flip, this was one of the earliest signs of ska life in a post 2-TONE world!  Earlier this year the band uncovered original sleeves from back in the day, so we decided to re-press the record once again and put them in these original sleeves.  Limited to 500 once these are gone…they are gone! Marble vinyl and white vinyl!

Did you get our limited edition 7″ single with SUSAN CADOGAN and KEN BOOTHE?   Back in February 2014, we brought lovers rock legend SUSAN CADOGAN to Chicago for one of our Jamaican Oldies shows…it was a MASSIVE success. A packed house that was brought to its knees by SUSAN’s sultry singing style, backed by Chicago’s DRASTICS.  During our time with SUSAN we learned about a recently recorded duet with another Jamaican living legend – the one and only KEN BOOTHE !  Upon hearing the tune we just needed to help get this on vinyl!  A track that is equal parts vintage 70s roots AND modern reggae, its dramatic vocals and breathtaking harmonies captivate the listener instantly. A reggae anthem for 2014!  Hear it!    Then get this 7″ single! Pressed on white vinyl with a heart shaped insert designed by CHEMA SKANDAL! CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT (sorry!)