Various - Dancehall - The Rise Of Jamaican Dancehall Culture
(2xCD) Soul Jazz Records SJRCD196, 2008-11-10

Tracklisting CD1 :
01. Bam Bam - Yellowman
02. Pumpkin Belly - Tenor Saw
03. Co Onnh - Reggie Stepper
04. Murder She Wrote - Chaka Demus & Pliers
05. Agony - Pinchers
06. Diseases - Michigan & Smiley
07. World A Music - Ini Kamoze
08. Cool Out Son - Junior Murvin
09. Entertainment - Triston Palma
10. Arleen - General Echo
11. Here I Come - Barrington Levy
12. Chop Chop - Cutty Ranks
13. M16 - Lone Ranger
14. Trash And Ready - Super Cat
15. Jamaican Dollar - Trinity
16. Boxing - Cornell Campbell
17. Soon Forward - Gregory Isaacs

Tracklisting CD2 :
01. Dangerous - Conroy Smith
02. I'm Just A Dread/One Shut - Jacob Miller & Trinity
03. Informer - Lady Ann
04. Fred Locks A Dreadlocks - Brigadier Jerry
05. aMouse Wa Do Dem - Eek-A-Mouse
06. Only Woman DJ With Degree - Sister Nancy
07. Deaf Ears - Early B
08. Uptown Girl - Trinity
09. Spar With Me - Toyan
10. Sensi Addict - Horace Ferguson
11. Jump & Pawn - Clint Eastwood
12. Greetings - Half Pint
13. Under Mi Sin Ting - Reggie Stepper
14. Call The Brigade - Frankie Paul
15. Track Shoes - General Echo
16. Mash You Down - Cornell Campbell

Note : the promo CDs have a different tracklisting, and include "Madoo - Coming From Town" which is not on the final version.

Links :
souljazzrecords.co.uk


Beth Lesser - Dancehall - The Rise Of Jamaican Dancehall Culture
a New Book of Photographs and Text
(Book) Soul Jazz Records, 2008-11-10

Info :
Beth Lesser's definitive new study of the 1980s Jamaican Dancehall scene features hundreds of exclusive photographs and accompanying text that captures a vibrant, globally influential and yet rarely documented culture that has been mixing music, fashion and lifestyle with aplomb since its inception. With unprecedented access to the incredibly vibrant music scene during this period, Beth Lesser’s photographs and text are a unique way in to a previously hidden culture.

Dancehall is at the centre of Jamaican musical and cultural life. From its roots in Kingston in the 1950s to its heyday in the 1980s, Dancehall has conquered the globe, spreading to the USA, UK, Canada, Japan, Europe and beyond.

Dancehall is a culture that encompasses music, fashion, drugs, guns, art, community, technology and more. Many of today’s global music and fashion styles can be traced back to Dancehall culture and indeed continue to be influenced by it today.

Born in the 1950s out of the neighbourhood jams of Kingston, Dancehall grew to its height in the 1980s before a massive influx of drugs and guns made the scene too dangerous for many.

This jam-packed visual history and text tells the story from its roots to its heights from that rarest vantage of the true, respected insider. In the early 1980s as Jamaica was in the throws of political and gang violence Beth Lesser ventured where few others dared and this book is a never before seen record of the exciting, dangerous and vibrant world of Dancehall.

Links :
souljazzrecords.co.uk/releases/?id=13466

Various - Jamaica Funk - Original Jamaican Funk & Soul 45's
(CD/2xLP) Soul Jazz Records, 2007-11-26

Tracklisting :
01. Earl Brown - Get Together
02. Derrick Harriott - Brown Baby
03. Jah Lloyd - Lama
04. The Chosen Few - I Love The Way You Love
05. Cedric Im Brooks - Silent Force
06. Glen Adams - You Can't Hide Love
07. Herman And The Aquarians - Dunce Cap
08. The Heptones - Do Good To Each Other and Everyone
09. The Studio Sound - Give Me Some More
10. Winston Wright and The Upsetters - Jam 1
11. The Now Generation - People Make The World Go Round
12. Jackie Paris - Make Me Smile
13. Sidney, George and Jackie - Papa Was A Rolling Stone
14. The Rebels - Rhodesia
15. Big Youth - Ride On
16. Augustus Pablo - Lightning Chap
17. Augustus Pablo - Lightning Chap Version
18. Ansel and the Meditations - Tricked

Links :
souljazzrecords.co.uk/releases/?id=10295
myspace.com/souljazzrecords

Various - Studio One Groups
(CD/2xLP) Soul Jazz Records SJR151, 2006-11-07

Review :
I never receive any Soul Jazz Records promo stuff. Before knowing there's a new release to come through supposed-to-be informative medias, it's already available out there for share on all decent p2p networks.

This time I've taken on my own schedule to visit their french distributor Discograph, grab a few news and promo CDs, and try to review, play and support some of their best labels and artists. All I got was one Soul Jazz CD-R from last November!!! No artwork, no liner notes, and the CD isn't even recognized on the Compact Disc Database (CDDB).

After ten minutes of web searching, it's easy to find the "free mp3s" version of the album, and oh! surprise, the mp3s from Russian servers and such are correctly tagged... Think: it's already illegal, yet it's the only practical way to listen to music. No wonder record companies aren't managing to sell their CDs no more!

Soul Jazz Records have been nonetheless issuing incredible thematic compilations of Studio One's catalog for years now. This one's focusing on harmony singing in reggae groups, and is a new marvel of jamaican coolness to listen to. I'd advise to download it right away...
Djouls

Tracklisting :
01. The Wailing Souls - Mr Fire Coal Man
02. Righteous Flames - Solid Foundation
03. The Gaylads - Give A Helping Hand
04. The Bassies - Things A Come Up To Bump
05. The Mad Lads - You Will Never Know
06. The Clarendonians - You Can't Be Happy
07. The Consumates - What Is It
08. Carlton and His Shoes - Happy Land
09. The Viceroys - The Struggle
10. The Maytals - I'll Never Grow Old
11. The Heptones - Get in The Groove
12. The Royals - Pick Up the Pieces
13. The Gladiators - Jah Jah Go Before Us
14. Bob Marley and The Wailers - Love & Affection
15. The Stingers - Down Presser International
16. The Cables - Baby Why
17. The Ethiopians - Owe Me No Pay Me
18. The Purpleites - The Pressure Is On
19. The Silvertones - Cheating and Lying

Links :
souljazzrecords.co.uk

Various - Studio One DJ's 2
(CD/2xLP) Soul Jazz Records SJR137, 2006-06-05

Tracklisting :
01. Dennis Alcapone - Fever Teaser [2:12]
02. Prince Jazzbo - Pepper Rock [2:52]
03. Carey Johnson - Correction Train [3:45]
04. Bobby Jackie & Soul Defenders - Reggae Wiggle [2:45]
05. Prince Francis - Ethiopia [3:50]
06. Brigadier Jerry - Ram Dance Master [3:13]
07. King Stitt - No Man Version [3:11]
08. Little Joe - Gun Court [2:20]
09. Prince Jazzbo - Crab Walking (discomix) [8:04]
10. Lone Ranger - Tribute To Bob Marley [3:16]
11. Soul Vendors - Whip Time [3:04]
12. Prince Francis - Rocking Machine [3:09]
13. King Cry Cry - I Had A Talk [2:57]
14. Jim Brown - Clippin [3:06]
15. Jah Jesco - West Gone Black [2:53]
16. Big Joe - Get Out Bald Head [3:42]
17. Dennis Alcapone - Home Version [2:57]
18. Lone Ranger - Keep On Coming A The Dance [6:17]

Various - Tropicália : A Brasilian Revolution In Sound
(CD/2xLP) Soul Jazz Records, 2006-02-13

Tracklisting :
01. Gilberto Gil - Bat Macumba
02. Os Mutantes - A Minha Menina
03. Gal Costa - Tuareg
04. Gilberto Gil & Os Mutantes - Domingo No Parque
05. Caetano Veloso - Alfomega
06. Gal Costa - Sebatiana
07. Gilberto Gil - Procissao
08. Caetano Veloso - Irene
09. Os Mutantes - Ave Genghis Khan
10. Jorge Ben - Take It Easy My Brother Charlie
11. Tom Ze - Jimmy Renda-se
12. Os Mutantes - Ando Meio Desligado
13. Caetano Veloso - Tropicalia
14. Tom Ze - Quero Sambal Meu Bem
15. Gal Costa - Vou Recomecar
16. Os Mutantes - Panis Et Circenses
17. Tom Ze - Gloria
18. Os Mutantes - Quem Tem Medo De Brincar De Amor
19. Caetano Veloso - Lost In The Paradise
20. Os Mutantes - Bat Macumba

Sound Dimension - Jamaica Soul Shake Vol 1
(CD/2xLP) Soul Jazz Records SJR127, 2006-02-06

Tracklisting :
01. Heavy Beat
02. Federated Backdrop
03. Baby Face
04. Rathid
05. Bitter Blood
06. Love Land
07. Full Up
08. Upsetters Dream
09. Soul Shake
10. The Thing
11. My Heart In Rhythm
12. Man Pon Spot
13. Holy Moses
14. Doctor Sappa Too
15. Hail Don D
16. Solas

Various - Studio One Soul 2
(CD/2xLP) Soul Jazz Records SJR128, 2006-01-30

Tracklisting :
01. Jacob Miller - Westbound Train
02. Hortense Ellis - People Make The World Go Round
03. Horace Andy - Ain't No Sunshine
04. The Soul Vendors - Swing Easy (Swing Easy)
05. The Heptones - Choice Of Colours
06. Jackie Mittoo & The Brentford Disco Set - Choice Of Music (part 2)
07. Prince Jazzbo - Fool For Love
08. Cornell Campbell - Ten To One (Ten To One)
09. Winston Francis - Don't Change
10. Jackie Mittoo - Jumping Jehosophat
11. Tony Gregory - Get Our Of My Life Woman
12. Dub Specialist - Darker Block
13. Little Joe - Red Robe
14. Devon Russell - Make Me Believe In You
15. Jerry Jones - Compared To What
16. Ken Boothe - Thinking
17. Anthony Creary - Land Call Africa
18. Jackie Mittoo - Fancy Pants

Various - Studio One Roots 2
(CD/2xLP) Soul Jazz, 2005-09-05

Tracklisting :
01. Willie Williams - Jah Righteous Plan
02. Al Campbell - Take A Ride
03. Cedric Im Brooks - Satta Massagana
04. Joe Higgs & Ken Boothe - A Message Of Old
05. Jackie Bernard - Jah Jah Walk
06. Devon Russell - Jah Hold The Key
07. Zoot Sims - Small Garden
08. The Saints - Sleeping Trees
09. Larry Marshall - Run Babylon
10. Vin Gordon - Babylon Rock
11. The Gladiators - Talawah
12. Prince Francis - African Skank
13. Cedric Im Brooks - Full Time
14. Prince Lincoln - True Experience
15. Joseph Hill - Behold The Land
16. Winston Mathews - Sun Is Shining
17. Karl Bryan - 2k Strut
18. Zion All Stars - Holy Mount Zion
19. Tommy Mccook - Tenor On Call

Studio One Classics / Studio One Disco Mix / Studio One Ska / Studio One Funk / Studio One Dub
(Soul Jazz 2004)

Sir Coxsone Dodd, boss du label Studio One, est décédé en mai 2004 dernier, quelques jours après que Brentford road fut rebaptisée Studio One road en l'honneur du studio mythique qui a vu grandir Bob Marley, Ken Boothe, Jackie Mittoo et tant d'autres, à Kingston, en Jamaïque. Il avait 72 ans et il a laissé un patrimoine de 45t, maxis, albums inégalable, sans oublier les cassettes et autres bandes jamais sorties. Peu avant sa mort, il avait signé un nouveau deal avec Soul Jazz Records, estimant probablement que leur travail de réédition excellent. Après la série des éclectiques "100% Dynamite", "200% Dynamite", etc., ils s'étaient tournés vers le catalogue Studio One avec l'aval de Coxsone, et avait sortis de formidables "Jackie Mittoo The Keyboard King At Studio One" et "Jackie Mittoo Last Train to Skaville" ainsi que les indispensables "Studio One Rockers", "Studio One Soul", "Studio One Roots", "Studio One Djs" et "Studio One Scorchers", et le DVD "Studio One Story". Des compilations au son et au packaging superbes. 2004 ne fut pas en reste avec quatre nouveaux volumes, "Studio One Classics", une sélection des plus grands hits du label; "Studio One Ska", panaché de classiques et dinédits ska; "Studio One Funk", une sélection d'inédits sous forte influence funk U.S.; "Studio One Disco Mix", une sélection de versions "extended" super-rares; "Studio One Dub", une sélection de dubs classiques et d'autres très rares, tout cela sans parler du Burning Spear...
S'il ne fallait en choisir qu'un parmi les 5, j'opterais immédiatement pour le "Studio One Classics", imparable et indémodable. D'ailleurs ça fait trois jours que je l'écoute en boucle.
À noter la présence immuable de Lone Ranger avec "Automatic" (on le retrouvait déjà sur "Studio One DJ's", avec "The Answer" et "The Big Match", sur "Studio One Rockers" avec "Badder Dan Dem" et sur "Studio One Story" avec "Love Bump"), un des deejays phare du label, dont le nouvel album sera disponible intégralement sous "Creative Commons Music Sharing Licence" en ces pages très très prochainement sous la forme de mp3s diffusés par l'intermédiaire du p2p...

Tracklisting "Studio One Classics":
01. The Skatalites - El Pussy Ska
02. Carlton And The Shoes - Love Me Forever
03. Sound Dimension - Rockfort Rock
04. Johnny Osbourne - Sing Jah Stylee
05. The Heptones - Pretty Looks Isn't All
06. Slim Smith - Rougher Yet
07. Lone Ranger - Automatic
08. Horace Andy - Fever
09. Prince Jazzbo - School
10. The Wailers - Simmer Down
11. Burning Spear - Rocking Time
12. Alton Ellis - I'm Just A Guy
13. Sugar Minott - Oh Mr DC
14. Jennifer Lara - Consider Me
15. Don Drummond - Confucious
16. Michigan & Smiley - Rub A Dub Style
17. Sound Dimension - Full Up
18. Dennis Brown - No Man Is An Island

links :
• Le site du label Soul Jazz, tout neuf, inclut un jukebox en Flash. Espèrons que quelques tracks seront disponibles prochainement... sinon direction p2p, comme d'hab.