Seeed - Next! (Downbeat/Warner)
German band Seeed is preparing to conquer the world.
Scientist - Dub 911 (Nature Sounds)
This album must have one of the most amateurishly done album covers we've seen in months and on top of that the 911-theme makes 'Dub 911', an album by dub-grandmaster Scientist, seem somewhat dated.
Lutan Fyah - Phantom War (Greensleeves)
Lutan Fyah is one of the more promising singjays of the moment and 'Phantom War' confirms his talent.
The Scrucialists - All The Way (Rootdown Records/Sonic Rendezvous)
The Scrucialists is the story of four friends who built a studio in the Swiss city of Basel (which quickly became the place to be in the Swiss reggae scene) and 'All The Way' is the realization of their dream to go to Jamaica and record an album with their idols.
Third World - Black, Gold, Green (Nocturne/I Sound)
Last year Jamaican super group Third World celebrated its thirtieth anniversary with 'Black, Gold, Green', an album that is a tribute to all the beauty that the Caribbean island has to offer.
Leroy Smart - Dread Hot In Africa (Makasound)
The catalogue of the French Makasound label seems to gain prestige with each new release.
The Mighty Diamonds - Thugs In The Street (Médiacom)
If you know that 'Thugs In The Street' contains no less than four cover versions, you will not be surprised to hear that after 30 years, Mighty Diamonds are somewhat lacking in inspiration.
Ijahman Levi - Versatile Life (Médiacom/Tree Roots Music)
In recent years Ijahman Levi has divided his time between waging a legal battle for the rights of his songs on the one hand, and the building of a private studio in Christiana (Jamaica), on the other.
Earl Sixteen - Wake Up (Ariwa)
It looks as if the title of this new album by Earl Sixteen (also known as the voice behind Dreadzone and Leftfield) is meant as a cynical inside joke as it had indeed been a while since his last album release.
Transdub Massive - Negril To Kingston City (Nocturne)
Transdub Massive is a trio of which at least one member has roots in good old Texas.
Anthony Que - Recharge & Reload (Jet Star/Charm)
Anthony Que's voice holds the middle between Luciano and Freddie McGregor; very promising references to say the least, so be sure to keep an eye out for this young Jamaican!
Jah Meek - Touched By An Angel (Heartbeat Europe/Rounder)
Jah Meek anyone? No? Let's consult his bio then: "Jah Meek was born and grew up in Robin's Bay on Jamaica's northeast coast in 1971. He has been recording and performing in Germany now for some years."
Jah Mason - Rise (Nocturne/On The Corner)
Jah Mason still delivers far too few really compelling songs and his new album 'Rise' on the French Nocturne/On The Corner label doesn't really stand out either.
Anthony Cruz - Mama's Blessing (Jet Star/Charm)
Everyone was expecting this new Anthony Cruz (born Rohan Smith and a cousin of the much too early departed Garnet Silk) album to be released on the 5th Element label, but it is ultimately Jet Star/Charm that takes the cup.
Cedric Myton - Inna De Yard (Makasound)
The reasonings in Earl 'Chinna' Smith's courtyard are getting more and more lively. After Linval Thompson it is now Cedric Myton's (the legendary falsetto of The Congos) turn to go in search of the roots of his music.
Dennis Brown - Super Reggae & Soul Hits (Trojan/Sanctuary)
Re-release of the first album of a then still very young Dennis Brown.
Michael Rose - African Dub + Various Artists - Twilight Circus presents Deeper Roots (M Records)
True to Jamaican tradition M Records follows Michael Rose's 'African Roots' release with a dub version of the album.
Leroy Brown - Color Barrier (Makasound)
It's getting ever rarer, but occasionally a forgotten gem from reggae history still turns up and with Leroy Brown's 'Color Barrier', Makasound stumbled on pure gold!
Fantan Mojah - Hail The King (Greensleeves)
Stop the presses! Just in time for the holidays Greensleeves presents Fantan Mojah's debut album 'Hail The King'.
Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley - Welcome To Jamrock (Tuff Gong/Universal)
With 'Welcome To Jamrock' Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley already delivered this year's strongest single and the rest of the album is also of the same quality.