Cocoa Tea - Reggae Anthology: The Sweet Sound Of Cocoa Tea (VP Records)
As we have come to expect of VP Records, this 'Reggae Anthology' is yet again a solid overview of the career of the artist in question, Cocoa Tea, from his first songs for Junjo Lawes to recent tracks on his own Roaring Lion label.
Joe Ariwa - Dub Tech Dub + Joe Ariwa & Young Warrior - Joe Ariwa Meets Young Warrior (Ariwa)
The two newest releases on the Ariwa label are not created by the Mad Professor himself as this time he left the helm to his son Joe Ariwa.
No More Babylon - Roots Meeting (A La Folie Music)
For 'Roots Meeting', French band No More Babylon from Toulon invited a whole host of "friends" such as Earl Sixteen, U Brown, Ken Boothe and Josie Mel.
Triston Palma - Joker Smoker (Greensleeves)
Re-release of the legendary Jah Thomas produced album that put Triston Palma/Palmer on the reggae map.
Little Harry, Billy Boyo & Nicodemus - DJ Clash, 3 The Hard Way (Greensleeves)
"Now here comes a musical shark attack...", only original eighties DJ vibes on this '3 The Hard Way'!
Various Artists - Songs For Reggae Lovers (Greensleeves)
Cunning as they are, the Greensleeves label dropped his double compilation album full of lovers rock in stores just in time for Valentine's Day.
Jacob Miller - Jacob Miller Lives On (VP Records)
When writing a review, it's best to get right to the point: this Joe Gibbs production from 1980 is simply the re-release of the month.
Cedric 'Im' Brooks - From Mento To Reggae To Third World Music (VP Records)
Cedric 'Im' Brooks, saxophonist schooled at the now famous Jamaican Alpha Boys School, has always had a broad musical taste and 'From Mento To Reggae To Third World Music', an album he recorded with backing band The Divine Light in 1973, is a clear testimony of that fact.
The Mighty Diamonds - Inna De Yard (Makasound)
As an avid fan of The Mighty Diamonds, especially lead vocalist Tabby's voice, yours truly was looking forward to hear the result of their sessions in Earl 'Chinna' Smith's yard.
The Meditations - No More Friend (Greensleeves)
'No More Friend', in 1983 already the fourth album by The Meditations was originally described by the trio as being their first dance album.
Luciano - Jah Is My Navigator (VP Records)
The Messenger was quiet for a while but returns with 'Jah Is My Navigator'. Recorded under the direction of bosom friend and bandleader Dean Fraser, this album exudes the class that we've come to expect from a Luciano release.
Neco Novellas - New Dawn/Ku Khata (World Connection)
Neco Novellas, born Anselmo João Johanhane, is a descendant from a musical family from Mozambique.
Various Artists - Umalali, The Garifuna Women's Project (Cumbancha/Stonetree Records)
After the sudden demise of Andy Palacio, figurehead of Belizean Garifuna music, 'Umalali, The Garifuna Women's Project', which was still recorded under his direction, should be considered a posthumous tribute.
Aurelio Martinez - Garifuna Soul (Cumbancha/Stonetree Records)
It might seem we're obsessed with Garifuna music, but releases are following each other at high tempo; just call it a small hype. As a possible successor to Andy Palacio we would like to put forward Aurelio Martinez.
United Flavour - Unity (Self-published)
Salsa-muffin from Prague! To us the name of this this six-piece collective from the Czech Republic might not mean much yet, but in their own country United Flavour have already earned themselves quite a reputation.
Taraf de Haïdouks - Maškaradă (Crammed Discs)
More than five years after their last studio release, the worldwide acclaimed 'Band Of Gypsies', the Romanian gang of bandits (translation of Taraf de Haïdouks) returns with 'Maškaradă'.
Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara - Soul Science (Independent Records Ltd)
Blues guitarist meets African virtuoso... Where have we heard that before?
Chucho Valdez - Tumi Sessions (Tumi Music)
Cuban piano virtuoso and living music legend Chucho Valdez has already been working for the Tumi label since 1996; high time to collect his best productions on one disc!
Pilar De La Hoz - Jazz Con Sabor Peruano (Tumi Music)
The accompanying press release of 'Jazz Con Sabor Peruano' states that this is: "a fusion of Brazilian Latin-jazz with Afro-Peruvian flavours". Personally, we heard mainly influences from bossa nova, and that's exactly what Pilar De La Hoz cites as one of her main influences.
Telek - Amette (Wantok Music/Singing Frog)
Pop from Papua New Guinea... What on earth to expect here?