Over to Digikiller…
‘Howard ‘Sir Tommy’ Mapp is one of the original guard of New York sound men, playing sound system since 1974. Around a decade after that, he began producing for his newly formed label of the same name. Later in the 1990s he established his own studio, which became a hub of the city’s dancehall scene. In true independent fashion, Tommy covered nearly every aspect of the reggae business himself, like Wackie’s, Jah Life and Philip Smart. We’re proud to finally present the first reissue of the early gems in Tommy’s catalogue and make some more classic New York reggae accessible again. So what better to start with than a new compilation, 100% heaters, culled from long unavailable singles and albums. We cannot recommend this record enough, as Tommy’s early production output mainly falls in two of our most beloved categories — the mid ‘80s sound of Channel 1 as played by the Gifted Roots Band, and the late ‘80s early digital sound. This LP is packed with prime cuts of just such music. Absolutely essential stuff for 1980s reggae heads.’
DKR NYC on the heart; ORTHODOX BURY THE DEVIL on the back.
Gildan shirts.
‘Our long overdue return to the Chopper label, which we first reissued way back in 2010. This twelve song LP corrals all our favourites we haven’t previously revived. A mix of early ‘80s style live rhythms laid at Channel 1 and some great classical late ‘80s digital style. Lionel Barrett was the original and perhaps the core artist of the Chopper stable, and is featured heavily here. A few of his tracks as well as a couple of others here are now issued on vinyl for the first time. The remaining are retrieved from long out of press albums and singles. A great overview of a prolific JA-NYC label from dancehall’s best era.’
Tasha and Channel One productions, newly corralled, with three stone exclusives. The highlights are an FJ duet with Michael Palmer retrieved from dubplate duties, and from the Riders a next version of Youthman Invasion and a trigger-happy Illegal Gun. Wonderful photos by Beth Lesser and Syphilia Morgenstierne.
Cool and deadly 80s digi out of I-Plee’s E&F Studios in the Bronx. Excellent singing, tough rhythm.
A beautiful, close-harmony warning — loose, mystical and heavy.
The Radics at Channel One with Scientist at the desk.
Fifteen sides produced by Carl ‘Stereo’ Fletcher for his Uprising and Stereo Beat labels. Quality, mellow, seventies roots, in vocals, toasts and instrumentals. Five previously unreleased recordings in amongst hard-to-finds, and classics like Little Roy’s Christopher Columbus.
Glorious artwork by the one-and-only Limonious, originally drawn for a compilation of sides on Edgar Whyte’s excellent Parish label.
Gildan Hammer tees.
Last chance saloon.