Matumbi - Dub Planet Orbit 1 (Dub Store Records)
For their latest re-release, Japanese Dub Store Records turned their attention to 'Dub Planet Orbit 1', a lesser known album by British band Matumbi that was released in 1980 on their own Extinguish Records label.
Ital Foundation - Ital Foundation Vol. 1 (Jamwax)
The reggae scene is filled with so-called connoisseurs, who when you tell them about the most obscure reggae record ever made, will still claim that they've known it for years and even got the original version in their collection somewhere. Yours truly doesn't fit that category, but gladly so, as discovering "new" tunes and artists is still half the fun for a real music fanatic.
Gregor Terror & The Calypso Gigolos - Le Chant De Gregor Terror & The Calypso Gigolos (Kaiso Records)
'Le Chant De Gregor Terror & The Calypso Gigolos' is the long player debut of Gregor Terror & The Calypso Gigolos.
Estelle - Lovers Rock (Established 1980 Records/VP Records)
To be honest, the name Estelle didn't ring any bells with yours truly, but in the r&b scene, the British singer of Senegalese-Grenadian descent has been a familiar face since 2008's 'Shine' was released on John Legend's Homeschool label and she then went on to win a Grammy for world hit 'American Boy', a duet with Kanye West.
Stella Chiweshe - Kasahwa: Early Recordings (Glitterbeat Records)
The fact Stella Chiweshe would become the grande dame of Zimbabwean mbira music was certainly not written in the stars.
The Drop - Last Stand (Shoal Records)
After a few years of hard work and extensive touring, The Drop, the band around vocalist Daniel 'Dandelion' Collier (Hempolics) and guitarist Leon King, finally releases 'Last Stand', their more than convincing debut effort.
Various Artists - Open Arms Project: Reggae Can Help!!! (Self-published)
Since the right-wing government of Matteo Salvini took office in Italy, the constant stream of crowded rickety boats full of African migrants has partly shifted from the Italian coasts to the southern Spanish Costas; a fact not escaping Madrid based jack-of-all-trades and founder of Spanish reggae band Cañaman, Ras Kuko.
Afro-Cuban All Stars - A Todo Cuba Le Gusta (World Circuit)
The vinyl re-release of 'Cachaito' hasn't cooled down yet, but World Circuit isn't relenting and already returns with a deluxe vinyl release of 'A Todo Cuba Le Gusta', back in 1996 the debut album by Afro-Cuban All Stars.
FoOlish - Table For Four (Where's The One Records)
In recent years we've seen an almost continuous stream of reggae releases from the United States, but in Canada things remained rather quiet. However, with 'Table For Four', Montreal based band FoOlish, is intent on changing this.
The Dubwegians - South Of The River Clyde EP (Dub-O-Phonic)
With The Dubwegians' 'South Of The River Clyde', Dub-O-Phonic is re-releasing an EP by the Scottish duo Gary Lamont and Richy Clark, which originally saw the light back in 2011, but unjustly suffered from a lack of attention.
Skarbone 14 - On Partage Un Temps (Self-published)
Tournai based band Skarbone 14 has been around since 2001 and with their solid mix of ska and punk with influences from klezmer, funk, hip-hop and more, in recent years have set many a festival stage ablaze.
George Nooks - For You (Tad's Record)
He's definitely left his years as Prince Mohammed behind him, and in the past decades George Nooks may have shown himself to be a gifted gospel singer, but until further notice the man also remains one of the best lovers rock crooners in Jamaica, as he proves yet again with 'For You'.
Ann O'aro - Ann O'aro (Cobalt/Buda Musique)
Ann O'aro, hailing from Saint-Paul in Réunion, states she loves everything to do with physical exercise, rhythm and the voice.
Victoria Hanna - Victoria Hanna (Greedy For Best Music)
If you were a fan of the debut effort by Israeli trio A-WA, you should definitely check out this untitled album by Victoria Hanna.
Various Artists - Reggae Sunjam Vol. 2 (Dub-O-Phonic)
On August 4th of this year the Cypriot village of Pomos hosted the Reggae Sunjam festival for the third time, and just like last year, the organization provided a downloadable accompanying soundtrack that can serve as a souvenir, but also holds its grounds as a regular compilation.
Kings And Comrades - On My Way (Roots Musician Records)
At first glance Kings And Comrades may sound like yet another Rebelution clone, but musically the band sounds a lot less poppy and more rootsy than the aforementioned icons of Californian surf-reggae.
Mighty Casey - Return Of The Rudebwoy EP (DubShot Records/Rebel Sound Records)
Boston-based Mighty Casey is active as a rapper, author and journalist, and gained fame as the man behind 'White Girls', a 2003 cult classic in the hip-hop genre, which became a worldwide hit when it ended up on the soundtrack of 'White Chicks', a 2004 comedy starring Marlon and Shawn Wayans.
Emilio Santiago - Emilio Santiago (Far Out Recordings)
The constant stream of Brazilian reissues on the Far Out Recordings label seems endless. This time the label turned its attention to the 1975 untitled debut of crooner and bossa nova balladeer Emilio Santiago.
I-mitri + Rainbow Coalition - Upright And Splendid (CounterAction Soundz)
'Upright And Splendid' seals the partnership between UK based Greek Jack of all trades I-mitri and the Dutch Rainbow Coalition.
Natural Black - Eyes Ah Look (Vizion Sounds/VPal)
We'd honestly lost sight of Guyanese reggae artist Natural Black, but with 'Eyes Ah Look', recorded for Walter 'Wally' Fraser's Vizion Sounds label in Guyana, Mortimer Softley proves he's still standing strong.