Tough NYC digi excursion on the E20 rhythm.

Ace soundclash deejaying over a banging digital excursion on Rockfort Rock.
Trumps the Fatis piece.

Trenchant political reasoning over his own giddyingly brilliant production.
From 1978; in the same vein as Bafflin’ Smoke Signal.
Inimitable Upsetters genius.

Routinely passed over, King Edwards ska is for the gods, so a phase of Dub Store reissues is a mouth-watering prospect.
This opening salvo is low-slung, moody, trombone-led fire.

The leader usually goes by the diminutive Ron, reserving Ran and Rad for his Pantomine sides. He was an Alpha Boys alumnus, a Soul Brother after Don D’s departure, and an Upsetter for Blackboard Jungle.

Wayne and Larry Douglas’ flip is the A-side of the original Rio 45, from 1965: a stomper illumined with sweet lyrics about suffering, gratitude, and fidelity.

This time coupled with an unedited version of his crossover modern dancer It’s No Mistake.

Sublime. With Augustus Pablo.

Clifton Gibbs was in the Selected Few, who cut the all-time-classic Selection Train for the Studio One imprint Money Disc. Under his own name, he recorded Brimstone & Fire, another deadly 45 for Coxsone, originally out on Bongo Man. (Chase down the old Heartbeat CD entitled Soul Defenders At Studio One for more of the Clifton Gibbs story.)
From the precious handful of his complete recordings, here’s another scorcher. Emergency roots reasoning, over a chunky rhythm, with expressive backing vocals in Selected Few style. Sounds like Soul Defenders in the house, with some tasty trombone interjections by Vin Morgan, maybe. Vivid shades of Tubby in the expert, stern dub.
Crucial bunny.

Don’t miss the rocking steady Bacharach & David on the flip.

A sultry version of the Gershwin / Heyward aria, more body-rocking than spiritual, led by an identified singer. and swinging horns; and a rollicking Take The A Train, with solos by Roland Alphonso, Lester Sterling and Don Drummond.
Class.

Characteristically bootin’, irresistible version of Huey Smith’s millions-selling New Orleans R&B smash. (What a monster 45 that was, double-headed with Don’t You Just Know It. Huey and his Clowns, fronted by drag queen Bobby Marchan.)
With a spirited Derrick & Patsy duet on the flip, enlivened by handclap percussion.

Funky mid-tempo sister soul, recorded at Dave Hamilton’s studio in Detroit. (Plus Little Ann’s tribute to the producer, on the flip.)