March 8th - Leamington Spa Assembly Rooms - Supporting Selecter
March 29th - Exeter Phoenix - Supporting Selecter
March 31st - WAMA High Wycombe - Headliner
May 27th - Veg Fest, Bristol - Headliner
Aug 18th - Wowfest Isle Of Wight
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| CD Reviews |
| Written by Nev Brooks |
| Saturday, 21 January 2012 04:45 |
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This trio of Desmond Taylor (Dehvan Othieno Sengor), Dennison Joseph and Donald de Cordova were supplemented for the recordings by a host of local musicians as well as the engineering and co-production talents of Richard Lewis (UK Scientist), a mainstay of the British reggae scene. The earlier release through Bristol Archive Records ‘Dole Age’ (reviewed here) showed a band coming to the top of their game in 1981, it contained their first two seven inch singles but also seven live tracks from classic shows at both Glastonbury and Bath University. ‘Taking The Strain’ then builds on this showing a band full of confidence, not afraid to experiment and more to the point highlights some superb musicianship. So what does it sound like? I have to say this is roots reggae at its very best, on a par with the best to come from Steel Pulse, Aswad and the like, I’d go so far as to say that it pushes one of my personal faves Black Uhuru hard. What instantly comes to mind are the little touches by UK Scientist, the slightly slowed dub bass on some tracks, the crystal clear sound, the guitar wrapping around the vocals and the not so obvious use of keyboards!!!!! And do you know what? This album gets even better with the addition of a bonus live performance from the London Lyceum from a support slot with Eek-A-Mouse back in 1985. Stand out tracks for me then are ‘Lick And Run’, Stride On’ and ‘Crimes Of Passion” but in all honesty there’s not really a weak track here. From the bonus tracks ‘Slow Poison’ is absolutely burnin’ in the words of a certain Mr. Marley, listen to that brass section!!! Overall then a very worthy addition to any music collection. http://www.bristolarchiverecords.com/bands/Talisman.html http://www.bristolarchiverecords.com/vinyl.html http://www.uberrock.co.uk/cd-reviews/17-january-cd/3739-talisman-taking-the-strain-bristol-archive-records.html |
JOSHUA MOSES
’JOSHUA TO JASHWHA - 30 YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS’
Released 9th April 2012 on LP, CD and Digital Download
From the beginning of Bristol Archive Records involvement in documenting Bristol’s neglected reggae heritage we’ve wanted to release an album that showcases the great talent of one of the local reggae scene’s mainstays, Joshua Moses.
Unfortunately, Joshua has no copies of the many recording sessions he has done in the years since his first session in 1978, and so it has taken more than eighteen months of painstaking research and the pursuit of numerous leads to gather together the fifteen tracks on “Joshua To Jashwha – 30 Years In The Wilderness”. The result is more than worth any effort involved on our part and is as strong a debut album as anyone could wish for, guaranteed to create a buzz among reggae fans worldwide.
The tracks on this album were recorded between 1978 and 2003 yet prior to Bristol Archive’s involvement the only tracks to have been previously released were the very scarce “Africa (Is Our Land) and it’s dub counterpart “Home”. The former, included on the “Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978-1983” and both tracks will be reissued on a very limited 12” in February 2012. The only other track to have previously seen the light of day is “Rise Up”, first heard on “The Bristol Reggae Explosion Volume 2”. Again we have included it’s dub counterpart and again we are releasing a very limited edition 12” alongside “Africa (Is Our Land)” in February 2012.
The other 11 tracks were recorded over a period of twenty years and include a trio of live recordings, but all the tracks have one thing in common, they are all roots tunes of the highest order and Joshua being a multi talented musician has created the music with as much skill as the lyrics. Having dealt with repatriation with “Africa (Is Our Land)”, we move on to “House of Dread”. One of the highlights of Joshua’s live shows in the early eighties, it welcomes all of humanity to embrace Rastafari in universal unity, although there is the caveat that the rich may not be welcome.
Evildoers come under attack in “Stick It Up” which attacks the hypocrites and parasites, (vampires and old pirates), who have caused so much suffering throughout history. We then move onto “Jah Time Has Come” that skilfully adapts Aswad’s “Promised Land” rhythm as Joshua looks forward to the coming of Jah and universal justice. Another candidate for the twelve inch treatment is “Suffering Is In the Past” and it’s dub counterpart, a tale of life’s struggles and overcoming suffering. This is followed by “Rise Up”, Joshua’s call to fight oppression and injustice wherever it is found. “Steel” calls for love to triumph over evil. Joshua then proclaims his Rastafarian, Jamaican and African identity in “Bobby Wrong”. “Children Of the Light” and “Nothing To Lose” show Joshua’s vocal versatility as he uses a falsetto voice, whilst “Protection” says that if you embrace Jah he will guide and protect you and show you the way. The final track “Distant Guns” introduces a bluesy guitar giving the song a unique and extremely catchy feel as Joshua sings how love will triumph over adversity come judgement day. All the tracks are sung with the utmost conviction, by an artist who truly believes what he sings.
It’s likely that if Joshua had been recording in Kingston rather than Bristol he would have become an international star, his music avidly collected and lauded with praise. It may be rather belated, but this release should go a long way towards establishing Joshua’s reputation internationally.
The other purpose of this release is to draw a line under Joshua Moses and see him reborn as Jashwha Moses, Jashwha has had many trials and tribulations over the decades and his lonely struggle for musical success has often been an uphill battle. Now with this career retrospective and a new name to tie in with his new, but equally spiritual material, he can hopefully look forward to the success and wider recognition his talents have always deserved.
ARTIST: Joshua Moses
TITLE: ‘Joshua to Jashwha – 30 Years In The Wilderness’
RELEASE DATE: 9th April 2012
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock
FORMAT: Format: CD, Vinyl and Digital Download
CAT NO: ARC250CD and ARC250V
DOWNLOAD LINK (For review purposes only; ):
WEBSITE: www.bristolarchiverecords.com
CONTACT: Mike Darby, E: mike@bristolarchivercords.com T: 07885 498 402
PRESS CONTACT: Garry Hutchinson, E : garry.hutchinson@s-a-n.co.uk T: 01429280582
BLACK ROOTS
‘ ALL DAY ALL NIGHT ’ (Deluxe edition)
Released 23rd April 2012 on CD via Bristol Archive Records
Having previously teamed up with Nubian Records to release the critically acclaimed “Black Roots – The Reggae Singles Anthology”, Bristol Archive Records have once more been allowed into the Black Roots/Nubian tape vaults. This time we bring out a 25th anniversary deluxe CD edition of “All Day All Night”, the album that saw them teaming up with the Mad Professor and moving away from their original sound for a more polished version. Whilst the music may have been brought up to date, the band’s lyrics rarely strayed away from the same themes of social and historical justice that define the roots genre.
As well the original dozen vocal tracks, we’ve added several dub versions and the extended 12” mix of “Pin in the Ocean”. The music itself saw the band embracing new technology and production techniques to give themselves a more contemporary UK sound, expertly helmed by the UK’s leading reggae producer Neil Fraser. The dub mixes give another dimension to the music, the Mad Professor’s signature mixing style meaning these mixes wouldn’t seem out of place in his own “Dub Me Crazy” series.
A quarter of a century after its first release, “All Day All Night” is worthy of reissue and hopefully will find a new audience amongst fans who were too young for its original release as well as appealing to those who want to supplement their vinyl issues and enjoy the many extra tracks included on this CD. Bristol Archive Records have paid their usual attention to detail and to complement the newly re mastered music, the booklet will include many previously unpublished photos of the band.
Back together after many years, Black Roots are working on a new album to be released in late 2012 as well as performing around the UK. The fact that several of these songs have found a firm place in their live set, emphasises the quality of the writing and the need for this long overdue reappraisal. Bristol Archive Records have once again fulfilled their mission and rescued another deserving and high quality album from obscurity for a new generation of fans.
Tracks CD:
1. Realize
2. Pin In The Ocean
3. Release the Food
4. Freedom
5. Poor Children
6. Spare The Rod
7. Conman
8. Seeing Your Face
9. All Day All Night
10. Mighty Lion
11. Suffer Me Not
12. Childless Mother
Additional tracks:
13. Pin In The Ocean (Extended Mix)
14. Reality Dub
15. Folitrickshun Dub
16. Dub Free
17. Face Dub
18. Fertility Dub
Release All Day All Night (Deluxe Edition)
Artist Black Roots
Format CD
Cat No ARC252CD
Label Bristol Archive Records
Barcode 5052571026526
Release Date 23rd April 2012
Genre Roots Reggae
Website: www.bristolarchiverecords.com
Contact: Mike Darby, E: mike@bristolarchivercords.com T: 07885 498 402
Black Roots - The Reggae Singles Anthology achieves a Top Ten position in Record Collector Reggae Albums of 2011
Revelation Rockers achieve a 5 out of 5 Album review for ‘Jah Praises’ to be released March 2012 in Record Collector
Good start to 2012
UK roots reggae band TALISMAN performed live at the Fleece in Bristol last night. Fan-filmed video of the show, including tracks “Nitty Gritty” and “Stride On”, can be viewed below.
The homecoming gig, with support from PAPA ROOTS SOUND SYSTEM, concludes a successful year for the Bristol group, after the release of Dole Age - The 1981 Reggae Collection, followed by the group’s first Bristol show for 20 years back in May.
The track “Stride On” features on the Dole Age… LP; here it is live:
“Stride On”
The vinyl format of the Dole Age LP also features the previously unreleased track “Nitty Gritty”. Here’s the band playing the track at the Fleece:
http://reggaechapter.com/node/233“Nitty Gritty”
http://reggaechapter.com/node/233
Originally formed in 1977, the 2011 line-up of the band includes the following founding members:
After nearly 30 years Bristol Archive Records put together Dole Age… showcasing the band at their peak in 1981. The CD contains the band’s two original 7” singles and eight live cuts from Glastonbury Festival and a Bath University show.
The Bristol label is also set to release on 5 March 2012 a new ‘lost’ album from REVELATION ROCKERS - the band that went on to form TALISMAN. A deluxe edition of TALISMAN’s first album (from 1984) Takin The Strain is due out on the same day.
The Bristol Reggae Explosion Vol 3 - The 80’s part 2, which features a TALISMAN track, is also due out not long after, on 19 March 2012.
TALISMAN has one upcoming show so far in 2012:
Talisman
Dole Age
Bristol Archives
ARC199CD
2011
***1/2
Originally formed in 1977 as Revelation Rockers, Talisman was one of the iconic players in Bristol, England’s little-known but very rich reggae scene. Although they achieved significant success in the UK and snagged opening-act slots for such important acts as the Clash, the Rolling Stones, and Burning Spear, Talisman never managed to get a contract with a major record label and their recorded output between 1977 and 1984 amounted to only two singles. Dole Age compiles the A and B sides from both of those singles (the deluxe LP version boasts extended 12″ mixes of those tracks) and adds seven live tracks from the period. While the quality of this material is consistently high and the release should be snapped up by fans of UK reggae, it’s fairly easy to see why Talisman had trouble keeping the interest of major labels: their sound is accomplished but at times a bit featureless, occupying a fuzzy area somewhere between the dry severity of early Steel Pulse and the smooth roots-pop of middle-period Aswad. That said, there are some great songs here: the swinging “Wicked Dem” recalls the sound of UB40 at around the same time, while “Free Speech” bustles along nicely in a Two Tone mode and the live “Calamity” boasts both sharp hooks and an elephantine rockers groove.
Talisman were clearly at their best in a live setting, and were particularly good at incorporating dubwise effects onstage, as is nicely demonstrated by the excellent “Nothing Change.” This is very good stuff, but probably mainly of interest to specialist listeners.
Various Artists
Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978-1983
Bristol Archive
ARC191CD
2011
****
By the late 1970s, multiple waves of Jamaican immigrants had come to England and congregated in such industrial centers as London and Birmingham, bringing their music with them and helping to create vibrant reggae scenes in those cities that are amply documented. Less so is the smaller but equally vital scene that grew up in the small town of Bristol, and which is now being given its due by the Bristol Reggae Archives label.
Apart from reissuing albums and compilation by such locally iconic bands as Talisman and Black Roots, the label has also put out a two-part compilation of recordings by lesser-known acts like Joshua Moses, the Radicals, Buggs Durrant, and Restriction. This first volume thoroughly establishes the importance and startling quality of Bristol’s reggae scene during this period: not only are the featured tracks of consistently high quality, but they also vary substantially in style. Although the darker, more serious “roots” school predominates (and is exemplified beautifully by excellent tracks like Joshua Moses’s “Africa Is Our Land” and Black Roots’ “Tribal War”), there are also smoother and more modern entries by the Radicals (”Nights of Passion”) and Buggs Durrant (”Baby Come Back Home”). And with “Mr. Guy,” the sweet-voiced Sharon Bengamin anticipates the lovers rock style that would take London reggae by storm in the 1980s‹her take on the sound is a bit scrappier and more rough-edged (and the sound quality on this vinyl transfer is marginal), but all the elements are in place. Iffy sound quality is a sporadic problem, but it’s not serious enough to diminish the significant pleasures of this excellent collection.
Various Artists
Bristol Reggae Explosion Vol. 2: The 80s Bristol Archive ARC228CD
2011
***1/2
Following the positive critical and commercial reception of Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978-1983, the Bristol Archive label followed up with a second volume, this one focusing on the early- to mid-1980s and including more extended mixes and dub versions. This volume is the result of pretty serious crate-digging and musical detective work on the part of label
staff: Cool Runnings’ “Robin Hoods of the Ghetto” was apparently originally released in a pressing of only 200 copies, for example, and Bunny Marrett’s “Times Are Getting Harder” was hardly less scarce; Alfred McIntosh’s spare and spacey “Wicked Dub” was never issued commercially at all. While there is nothing on this album that could fairly be categorized as filler, compared to the first volume there is more that will appeal primarily to specialist listeners than to the casual reggae fan. “Times Are Getting Harder,” for example, is quite frankly not that great a song‹those with a serious interest in the history of UK reggae will definitely want to hear it, but few will be likely to put it on a playlist of favorite tracks from the period; and McIntosh’s other dub contribution, “Ah It (Dub)” is also rather lackluster. On the other hand, there are brilliant tracks by Black Roots (”The Father”), Joshua Moses (the minor-key “Rise Up”), and Zion Band (the very Steel Pulse-y “Twelve Tribes”). Anyone with a serious interest in learning more about UK reggae will want to own both this collection and its predecessor.
Black Roots
Reggae Singles Anthology
Bristol Archive/Nubian
ARC219CD
2011
**** (pick)
Granted, there was a lot of competition in England during the early 1980s, and granted also that Bristol, the band’s turf, was pretty far removed from the central reggae scenes in London and Birmingham. But still, on the strength of this outstanding compilation, it’s hard to understand why Black Roots didn’t become a major international reggae act. They hit the peak of their powers at the same time that Steel Pulse and Aswad were making a big splash, but despite some high-profile opening slots with major touring bands, Black Roots’ impact was primarily regional. The Bristol Archive label continues its project of bringing classic recordings of the period back to light with this excellent collection of the band’s singles, EP tracks and remixes, including some later songs recorded in collaboration with England’s preeminent modern-roots producer, the Mad Professor. Highlights are hard to identify here, because the quality of playing, singing, and writing are all consistently quite high, but a few tracks do stand out: “The Father” brilliantly combines an earworm melody with a gorgeous descending bassline, to lovely effect; “Chanting for Freedom” is filled with rich harmonies that will make your hair stand on end (and is offered in an excellent showcase version, with the dub version appended); and they do a very nice version of the old Jacob Miller hit “Susie Wong.” The only disappointments are minor: an underwhelming two-chord vamp titled “Juvenile Delinquent,” and a rather tired update of a vintage roots-era rhythm titled “The Frontline.” Otherwise, this is a brilliant compilation from a criminally underappreciated band.
The Bristol Archive team went to see this great new film last night to a packed house at The Watershed in Bristol
Its the story of the UK’s history of Lovers Rock
The DVD pre-order process for THE STORY OF LOVERS ROCK is now ready.
Please follow the link:
http://www.vivaverve.com/product.php/169/2/the_story_of_lovers_rock
Greetings!
Thank you for your kind messages and support over the years.
We wanted to let you know that the re-mastered and expanded edition CD of the JoBOXERS classic debut album ‘Like Gangbusters’, will be released on January 30th. This includes all the original studio versions of the singles, many not previous available on CD plus all the B sides and 12″ mixes from this era.
The album can be pre-booked here: http://www.cherryred.co.uk/bigbreak-exd.asp?id=3474
Feel free to forward this to anyone that might be interested.
Have a great Christmas and New Year,
Best wishes,
The JoBOXERS
Spent an hour on the telephone last night talking with the great man Mr Bovell about the two Joshua Moses 12″ singles to be released in Feb 2012. The Anthology album for Joshua scheduled for release in April 2012 and Joshua’s new album planned for September 2012. Exciting times for Bristol Archive but equally exciting will be our new label www.reggaearchiverecords.com launched in 2012 and our first release from AMJ DUB COLLECTIVE via our rebranded imprint www.sugarshackrecords.co.uk in April 2012.
You can find out more about AMJ here www,amjcollective.info
It was a thrill to be able to explain our plans to Mr Bovell lets hope we can get him involved with www.reggaearchiverecords.com in some capacity.
Merry Christmas
Mike, Martin, Steve, Sam and the team
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For those with an interest in reggae this is a bit of a landmark recording. It was originally issued on vinyl way back in 1984, and was in fact Talisman’s first studio LP. The band themselves having been mainstays of the Bristol scene since around ‘76, albeit with differing personnel through that time. And it’s also perhaps worth pointing out that on the original release of ‘Taking The Strain’ Talisman were in fact a three piece. 
info@bristolarchiverecords.com