2023 Dubbing

Hollie Cook and producer Ben Mckone decided to make a dub version of the British reggae star's 2022 album Happy Hour while going through the mixing process of the record and finding more room to explore within the lush, detailed arrangements. Happy Hour in Dub sequences the versions in reverse order of the original album's track listing, as if Hollie and her co-producers are retracing their steps. Lyrically, Happy Hour focused on themes of loneliness and self-care, creating a bittersweet dynamic when paired with music that otherwise seems fun and celebratory.

On August 11, 2023, Merge Records will release Happy Hour in Dub, a heavenly set of dub versions to pair with Hollie Cook’s critically acclaimed 2022 album Happy Hour.

30 tracks new to CD. Essential Joe Gibbs dub from 1975 to 1978. Includes dub versions of numerous Jamaican hits. By the mid-70s, Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson had formed a formidable partnership, which had spawned a multitude of major reggae best-sellers featuring the cream of Jamaica’s musical talents. But while the Mighty Two’s vocal productions have rightly earned widespread praise, the high standard of their dub mixes from the era have received considerably less attention. This 2CD collection addresses this oversight by bringing together 48 of their finest dub works from the reggae sub-genre‘s heyday: 1975 to 1978.

Two CD set. First CD release of breakthrough debut album outside Japan. Includes numerous major Jamaican hits from 1973/4. After making his recording debut in the late 60s, Gregory Isaacs recorded for a number of leading Jamaican record producers without ever achieving significant sustained success. His fortunes changed dramatically early in 1974, however, after he began collaborating with Alvin 'G. G. ' Ranglin, who over the previous six years had established a reputation as one of the island's most respected hit-makers. The partnership immediately paid dividends with the release of the singer's smash hit, 'Love Is Overdue', the popularity of which spurred Ranglin to record have the singer record his hugely popular debut long player. The LP provides the focus of this 2CD set, which also includes the remainder of Isaacs's recordings with Ranglin from the period, along with the very best of the producer's output from 1973, featured on disc 2. With 14 tracks unavailable on any format since their original release, this is a crucial collection for fans of the Cool Ruler and classic early 70s reggae sounds. A crucial collection for fans of the Cool Ruler and classic early 70s reggae sounds

After discreetly having pre-release album cuts played on the UK’s pirate jazz-funk and soul stations, IMAGINATION, with their charismatic lead singer, LEEE JOHN, burst onto the scene in May 1981, when their debut single ‘Body Talk’ entered the UK Charts at #68, with it peaking at #4 on 18th July 1981, having gained momentum after their momentous and unforgettable debut performance on BBC One’s Top Of The Pops on 4th June. In the period 1981-1983, IMAGINATION had hits in almost 30 countries around the world, with very high popularity across Europe, especially in France, Italy, Benelux and Germany, whilst also appearing in the Billboard US Dance and R&B Charts on a regular basis in the throughout the ‘80s. They really were a internationally successful British group, earning numerousPlatinum, Gold and Silver discs, for hit singles ‘Flashback’, In And Out Of Love’, the much-sampled ‘Just An Illusion’ and ‘Music And Lights’, ‘New Dimension’, ‘State Of Love’, ‘Looking At Midnight’ and ‘Thank You My Love’ and albums BODY TALK, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, SCANDALOUS, NIGHT DUBBING, CLOSER and LIKE IT IS.

Swing Journal magazine Popular vote In the female vocal category for 13 consecutive years (total 15 times) No. 1, both popularity and ability shine.

Electronic Music from 1972-2022 seeks to frame fifty years of Carl Stone's compositional activity, starting with Stone's earliest professionally presented compositions from 1972 ("Three Confusongs" and "Ryound Thygyzunz", featuring the voice and poetry of Stefan Weiser – later known as Z'EV) up to the present.

Amidst the whirlwind that came in the wake of her 2021 Mercury Prize-winning debut Collapsed in Sunbeams, Arlo Parks took time off—from performing, social media and generally being in the public eye—for her mental health.

NTS DJ, label boss and fabled collector Howard Williams lands on DDS with an etheric communique under his Japan Blues moniker, inspired by early C.20th Min'yō folk and avant-dub, richly spirited with field recordings and ghostly ephemera.