African Head Charge – Songs of Praise (1991)

I’m a pretty big fan of just about everything I've heard off of Adrian Sherwood’s On-U Sound record label, and this is probably my favourite so far. African Head Charge usually gets classified as a dub or reggae band, but there's a lot more to them than that. Bandleader Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah was supposedly inspired by the cultural cut-and-paste of Brian Eno’s My Life in the Bush of Ghosts album, and by his vision of a psychedelic Africa. On this record he tried to reconcile the traditional with the modern; setting African, Jamaican and occasionally Western Asian religious chanting to multilayered and heavily effected rhythms that are informed by dub music.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?wwihizojmzd

The Upsetters – Upsetters 14 Dub Blackboard Jungle (1973)

One of the very first dub records. A tremendous album, full of deep, hypnotic grooves. And what a cast of characters…Lee Perry is the ringmaster here, but King Tubby acts as co-engineer. Then you’ve got, among others, the Barrett brothers’ rhythm section, and even Augustus Pablo drops in to contribute some haunting melodica lines.
There are a bunch of different versions of this record floating around, and this one probably has the best track selection. The only problem is the way that it’s mixed. It sounds great coming out of speakers, but the way they’ve panned the bass and drums to one side and everything else to the other makes it hard to listen to with headphones. But whatever, that’s a small gripe.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UWDS9CEM

Linval Thompson – Ghetto Living (2008)

A phenomenal reggae album by an underappreciated master of the genre. Linval Thompson cut his teeth working in Lee Perry’s Black Ark studio before moving on to a successful career both as a singer and producer. This album, his first in over 10 years, sounds sleek and modern without being overproduced or overly digitized (a common criticism when it comes to contemporary reggae). Thompson’s voice, though sounding a little weatherworn, is still an evocative instrument, and the songs are all top-notch. Check it out.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3SM3ERNM

Lee Perry & Friends – The Singles Collection: Anthology 1968 to 1979

Pt 1: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?yjdmy2z2n2w

Pt 2: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ny3xgoyfmed

The Abyssinians – Satta Massagana (1976)

Another great little roots reggae album. The Abyssinians were an intensely spiritual group that sang moody minor key odes to Jah in lovely three-part harmony.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?wj1vtu2mou4
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?yd5nldzdfij

Max Romeo – War Ina Babylon (1976)

War Ina Babylon is simply one of reggae's finest moments. Along with The Heptones' Party Time and Junior Murvin's Police And Thieves, this album can be seen as part of a Black Ark "holy trinity". This album is perhaps the strongest of the three, with passionate vocals, powerful songwriting, and Scratch's expert hand at the mixing board. Max and Scratch shared a common vision when it came to music, and you can certainly hear that in every groove of this album. Highlights include the moving "Uptown Babies Don't Cry", the militant "Chase The Devil", and the film noir reggae of "Norman". Essential listening. http://www.upsetter.net/scratch/disco/albums/war_ina_babylon.htm

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?nwld0fm1zmf

Eek-a-Mouse – Wa-Do-Dem (1982)

This one’s for a friend who had a bit of a rough day. Hope it cheers you up a little bro.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?mugzjqmdgm4

Scientist – Dub In The Roots Tradition (1976)

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?myjcxymmyzd

King Tubby & Soul Syndicate – Freedom Sounds In Dub (1996)

This is about as good as it gets.

Part 1:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?jnjmmwzne2n
Part 2:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?gwyonmgmmnt

Augustus Pablo – East of the River Nile (1977)

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?2ogndyz4nzm

Jacob Miller – Jacob “Killer” Miller (1977)

Essential Reggae record. Amazing singing.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?nxmtaztomj4

Lee Perry & The Upsetters – Ape-ology (2007)

Three of Lee Perry’s best albums in one nifty little package. Crank up the bass and enjoy.

Disc 1:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?yketnzfojvt
Disc 2:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?d02qmj1di2n

Inaugural Post (Part One)

Just a few things I've been digging recently:


Tropicalia: ou Panis et Circenses (1968)
This compilation is considered the musical manifesto of the influential Tropicalia movement in Brazil. Some really nice tunes with plenty of wonky orchestration





http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?mwxzjy3owzt



The Congos – Heart of the Congos (1977)
Amazing roots reggae album produced by Lee Perry. Long, hypnotic tracks with lots of layered rhythms and clattering sounds fading in and out. Good singing too, though the falsetto guy might get annoying after a while.



http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?4cww1tzgtyv (pt 1)
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?jwyotmwmaki (pt 2)



Prince – Dirty Mind (1980)
A lovely little collection of skeletal disco-funk tracks. Songs about oral sex, incest and race relations. The production is stark and minimal – as devoid of colour as the album cover.





http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?jz4xmwvntwr




David Crosby – If Only I Could Remember My Name (1971)
A journey into the fractured mind of David Crosby. A messy, murky beast of an album. But quite good. Crosby’s singing is incredible, and he manages to create a mood that is at once soothing and unsettling.



http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?tmzonmznwj




Shugo Tokumaru – Exit (2007)
A collection of happy, mildly trippy pop songs from Japan. Very nice.








http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?m2tottjmhkk