Aka 2023

First ever reissue of 2 iconic Trojan albums. Numerous tracks new to CD. Includes some of the biggest reggae hits from the early 1970s. Originally released by Trojan Records in 1972, the ‘Reggae Reggae (Vol. Two)’ LP is perhaps best-known by record buyers for its iconic sleeve, depicting a group of young suedeheads set against the very un-tropical backdrop of Brixton railway arches. But the collection offered considerably more than simply a striking cover, for the music within the grooves of the record that lay within ranks alongside the finest reggae of the period. Comprising a dozen tracks produced by the increasingly influential Alvin ‘G.G.’ Ranglin, the album is a mixture of superior vocal, DJ, and instrumental tracks, performed by some of the most talented and popular Jamaican artists of the day, notably Dennis Brown, The Ethiopians, Dennis Alcapone and The Maytones.

Four of the finest roots albums ever to see issue.. Includes tracks new to CD. Performed and produced by one of British music’s greatest talents. By the mid-1970s, having made his name as one of Britain’s most gifted and versatile musical talents with leading UK reggae outfit Matumbi, Dennis ‘Blackbeard’ Bovell sought to expand his horizons further by creating new material away from the confines of the group. Arguably his most impressive works from this time were four albums released under the nom-de-plume of the 4th Street Orchestra. Released between 1976 and 1978, each set comprised a mixture of high-quality roots and dub, with their sound so authentic, reggae connoisseurs were convinced the music had to be of Jamaican origin. Today, these seminal – and now hugely collectable - LPs are widely regarded by music fans to be among the finest British produced reggae music ever to see issue during the roots era. Now, at long last, they are brought together for this essential set, with a further eight Dennis Bovell-produced bonus tracks from the period making this 2CD even more compelling.

The influence of Duke Reid upon the development of the Jamaican music industry can never be overstated. During the 1950s, he dominated the island’s sound system scene, initially specialising with rare R&B imports from the US before turning to local talent to create ‘exclusives’ for his powerful sound.

"The question of the quality of joy seems to me today to be increasingly vital — it is intrinsically linked to the way in which humour can find its full expression in a world that constantly limits access to lighter moods." Fabrizio Cassol The secret of Aka Moon's longevity lies in their unceasing explorations of both melody and rhythm, and in the expansion of their knowledge and horizons through their encounters with musical cultures from all over the world. At a time when travel and concerts were no longer possible, Fabrizio embarked on an inner exploration in search of the fragmented memories of all his past musical experiences. It was subtle work, focused on the emotions linked to these intonations and then on the paths and the melodic and harmonic doors that they opened. The instrumental line-up includes a permanent base of harmonic instruments in addition to the trio of accordion, guitars, cello) as well as guests (trumpet, voice, brass ensemble) on some tracks. The music is accessible, shareable, lyrical and melodic.

Four of the finest roots albums ever to see issue.. Includes tracks new to CD. Performed and produced by one of British music’s greatest talents. By the mid-1970s, having made his name as one of Britain’s most gifted and versatile musical talents with leading UK reggae outfit Matumbi, Dennis ‘Blackbeard’ Bovell sought to expand his horizons further by creating new material away from the confines of the group. Arguably his most impressive works from this time were four albums released under the nom-de-plume of the 4th Street Orchestra. Released between 1976 and 1978, each set comprised a mixture of high-quality roots and dub, with their sound so authentic, reggae connoisseurs were convinced the music had to be of Jamaican origin. Today, these seminal – and now hugely collectable - LPs are widely regarded by music fans to be among the finest British produced reggae music ever to see issue during the roots era. Now, at long last, they are brought together for this essential set, with a further eight Dennis Bovell-produced bonus tracks from the period making this 2CD even more compelling.

Three CD set. Although the lushly-arranged, harmony-based late 60s Sunshine Pop sound is most readily associated with America in general and the sun-kissed California region in particular, the reality is that it was always an international phenomenon. What A Groovy Day is a thrilling four-hour celebration of Britain's contribution to the genre, ranging from household names (The New Seekers, Cliff Richard, Petula Clark, The Hollies, Herman's Hermits) to terminally obscure acts like Infinity and The Mellow Yellow, who failed to release anything at the time. Naturally our compilation includes contributions from the two uncrowned kings of the 60s British harmony pop sound, vocalist Tony Rivers (who provides us with our title song) and studio all-rounder John Carter, represented as both performer and songwriter. Other highlights come from posthumously-acclaimed Sunshine Pop maestros Design, a trio of music library recordings by the largely overlooked but hugely talented backroom auteur Barbara Moore and, perhaps most intriguingly of all, the first-ever release of The Sweet's first demo recording, cut when they were still known as Sweetshop.

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life.

Among the new wave of record producers who commenced their careers at the tail end of the 1960s, Alvin ‘GG’ Ranglin. Alvin scored numerous Jamaican hits yet remains one of the most under-rated and over-looked Kingston-based music makers of the 20th Century. At the start of the 1970s, he cemented his reputation as one of the most popular reggae producers of his generation, expanding his roster to include some of the finest talents on the island, their number including The Ethiopians, Cynthia Richards, Charlie Ace, and The Slickers, as well as long-term stalwarts, The Maytones. This 2CD collection, the second in a series of sets showcasing the very best of Ranglin’s productions from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, demonstrates the high quality of his output during one of the most fascinating periods in the development of reggae music.