More Rockers agree a deal today for Bristol Archive to rerelease their entire catalogue in physical and digital formats in 2016.
The three albums:
1. Dub Plate Selection Volume One (1995)
2. Selection Two (1998)
3. Selection Three ‘Tried and Tested’ (Previously only available in Japan) (2004)
There will also be a singles and dubplate album with previously unreleased material.
Bass Culture Bristol Style – BOOM!
More news soon
We are chuffed to get this release on the catalogue coupled with the fact that Rhythmites have reformed and back playing Festivals this summer. More news soon:
‘INTEGRATION’
RHYTHMITES
Released on CD and Digital Download 18th September 2015
Originally formed in the mid-eighties, Bath based reggae outfit Rhythmites spent more than a decade gigging throughout the UK and Europe, building up a loyal fan base and a strong reputation as the West Country’s leading proponents of live roots reggae. Although their catalogue wasn’t excessively large, they did manage to record and release a couple of cassettes, a 12” single and most memorably in 1989, a very well received vinyl only album, “Integration”.
Rhythmites split up in the year 2000 but in 2007, they picked up where they’d left off and once more began spreading the roots reggae message at live shows as well as recording new material. With all the renewed activity, many fans both old and new have been asking about “Integration”, an album released only on vinyl more than twenty five years ago, long deleted and not readily available on the used market.
As chance would have it, Rhythmites and their music were already on the Bristol Archive Records radar so; when they mentioned the possibility of reissuing “Integration” we were very happy to be of assistance. We discovered that the band had never been entirely happy with the original mix and wanted to remix the album with the benefit of twenty first century facilities. Remixes can be a bad thing but as someone who saw the band perform many times and bought “Integration” on release, I was blown away by the new mix. Not only have they remained totally faithful to the original with no badly judged attempts to update the sound, but engineer Ben Findley has totally nailed it with the new mix; it takes the original to another level, improving it whilst maintaining the spirit of the vinyl pressing.
For those that aren’t familiar with the band this is a roots album, the songs deal with living one’s life in a better way. The sound is authentic and not in any way contrived, in no small part due to Angus’ excellent and distinctive vocals which really fit both the music and the lyrics. Anyone who has seen them perform live will know about Stuart’s didgeridoo and that makes an appearance right from the start in “No Guns”, a song that suggests it doesn’t take weapons and violence to be a freedom fighter.
Other stand out tracks includes “Nation Integration” with its call for unity, and “Pain and Suffering” which shines a light on some of the ills of the world. The rest of the tracks all deal with serious issues although, “A True” and “Hold On” drift into what was, when recorded, a more contemporary almost dancehall style. As a bonus we’ve included brand new exclusive dub versions for “Heed No Dream” and “A True”.
It’s great that one of the best live reggae bands of the late eighties and nineties are back on the road, as is the fact that their first album is getting a long overdue reissue, the fact that it’s sounding better than ever is the real bonus. “Integration” by Rhythmites is released on CD and digital download by Bristol Archive Records on the 18th September 2015, available from all usual outlets.
Tracklisting:
1. Nation Integration
2. No Stopping We
3. Pain and Suffering
4. No Guns
5. Heed No Dream
6. A True
7. Give and Take
8. Hold On
Bonus tracks:
9. Heed No Dream Dub
10. A True Dub
ARTIST: Rhythmites
TITLE: “Integration”
RELEASE DATE: 18th September 2015
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock / SRD
FORMAT: CD and Digital Download
CAT NO: ARC274CD
BARCODE: 5052571062029
GENRE: Reggae, Dub
Bristol Boys Make More Noise
Here’s an 8 page feature in the September edition of The Wire Magazine where the Yout’ do the talking…..
‘THE BRISTOL REGGAE EXPLOSION
LIVE’ – VARIOUS ARTISTS
17 Track CD / 11 Track DVD & Digital Download. Released 3rdJune 2013.
For the past three years, Bristol Archive Records have shone the spotlight on the City’s musical legacy, particularly reggae. Last year we decided we’d turn the spotlight on the artists themselves and so in August, a who’s who of Bristol reggae artists gathered together for The Bristol Reggae Explosion Live. It was a unique chance to enjoy more than ten of the city’s finest veterans sharing the same stage, in some cases for the first time in two decades.
The show was a huge success with the whole crowd and all the artists going home with large grins on their faces, having enjoyed one of the best shows and some of the nicest vibes in years. By chance, young film makers from 8th Sense Media and the “Dubplate To Dubstep” Ujima Radio film project were in attendance to document the evening and although we hadn’t planned a commercial release, the show was such a great success we decided that perhaps we should share the footage.
With many of the artists coming from St. Paul’s and with most of them having been involved in past carnivals, it seemed obvious to turn this celebration of Bristol and St. Paul’s musical legacy performed by the elders and filmed by the youths into something that could benefit the community and the next generation of performers.
Knowing of the yearly struggle to raise funds for St. Paul’s Carnival, Bristol Archive Records will be releasing “The Bristol Reggae Explosion Live 2012” as a CD/DVD package on 3rd June 2013 with profits donated to The St. Paul’s Carnival.
Although technical issues mean that not every artist is represented, the DVD contains eleven performances from Lord John Hutchinson, Bunny Marrett, Dennis McCalla aka Dallas, Popsy Curious, Glen Crookes, Dan Ratchet, Jashwha Moses and the mighty Talisman, who also provide backing for the other acts.
The accompanying CD contains 17 studio recordings from the acts involved and as well as those featured on the DVD, we get to enjoy the talents of Winston Minott, Veronica Morrison aka Veereal, Vibes and Cool Runnings with several tracks previously unreleased.
A special mention must go to Michael Jenkins and Steve Street whose hard work on the video and soundtrack respectively, made this release possible and of course the young film makers who captured the evening.
Whether you were fortunate enough to be present on that August night, are a fan of the acts or the label, want to support St. Paul’s Carnival or are just curious, you are sure to enjoy this package.
St. Pauls Carnival takes place in Bristol on 6th July 2013.
ARTIST: Various Artists
TITLE: The Bristol Reggae Explosion Live
RELEASE DATE: 3rd June 2013
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock
FORMAT: CD/DVD and Digital Download
CAT NO: ARC267CD
BARCODE: 5052571045923
Track listing:
1. My Love
2. My Love (Dub)
3. Jah Hold Up The Rain
4. Jah Hold Up The Rain (Dub)
5. Reminisce
6. We Must Go Home (Jah Jah Children)
7. Judgement On Creation
8. Judgement On Creation (Dub)
9. Hurting So Bad
10. Sell Out
11. Sell Out (Dub)
12. Tribulation
Bonus Tracks:
13. We Must Go Home (Steve Street Mix)
14. Jah Hold Up The Rain (Steve Street Mix)
15. My Love (Steve Street Mix)
The album has been mixed by Dave Sandford who has previously completed some remixes for Black Roots with the exception of the three bonus tracks which are mixes completed by Steve Street aka Doug The Dub
More news soon a CD and Digital release coming your way via www.bristolarchiverecords.com – MORE CLASSIC BRISTOL VIBES
Aba Shanti-I at Notting Hill Carnival 2012 showcasing the forthcoming album ‘Brixton Rec’ by Dubkasm
Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtsbXZT4SzI&feature=share&list=UUnNrXzIDET7U2S1rJ2xpMGA
October 15th sees the release of “Pompous Way” on Sugar Shack Records in conjunction with Nubian Records, the first new Black Roots single in over twenty years. “Pompous Way” is taken from the band’s new critically acclaimed album “On The Ground” also released by Sugar Shack/Nubian Records.
The double A side twelve inch vinyl release features an exclusive extended mix of the album version of “Pompous Way”, clocking in at nearly seven minutes the vocal is seamlessly followed by the dub in classic discomix fashion. Although recorded this year and dealing with the economic and political mess we are currently facing, the song doesn’t attempt to cater to any current fads. Instead it’s a slice of roots reggae the way it used to be, real musicians playing real instruments and singing about real problems.
For the AA side we have teamed up with Rootikal Productions, which is David Hill and Ashley Beedle – both men are long-time reggae lovers who bring a wealth of musical experience to the project. David is one of the people behind Rootikal, one of London’s most successful reggae nights, which has hosted some legendary guests including Cornell Campbell, Linval Thompson and Al Campbell – plus A-list selectors such as David Rodigan, Channel One and Aba Shanti I. He’s recently overseen the Rootikal Selection series of 45s, reworking versions of hard to find or unreleased Jah Thomas productions and re-editing dubs or adding trombone overdubs with Matic Horns. Prior to that, he worked with David Katz reissuing rare reggae on the Auralux label. Ashley is perhaps best known for his role in X-Press 2, The Black Science Orchestra and the Ballistic Brothers (also with David). In 2010 he recorded an album with reggae great Horace Andy, which led to a European tour. Ashley and David recently had the privilege of remixing several Bob Marley and The Wailers tracks after Island Records gave them access to the original Tuff Gong multi-track masters. They also present the Rootikal radio show together.
Rootikal were given free reign on the mix and their “Rootikal Humble Yourself Version” takes the track in a whole new direction. Shifting the emphasis onto the rhythm, the drum, the bass, the guitar, the horns and adding just a little melodica, the track is reinvented for the twentieth century. It becomes a lost classic from the late seventies and an entirely different listening experience.
In addition to the 12” limited vinyl, there is also a digital download available which adds a further two exclusive mixes from Oldwah, although this is his first official commission, Oldwah has been making his own unique reggae mixes for years and has built a large and loyal following on YouTube.
For further information on Rootikal please see www.rootikal.net
More Information very soon on where you can pre-order from!
Just to give you an idea of what’s coming up in 2012 :
Feb:
Joshua Moses ‘Africa is Our Land/Home (Dub)’ 12″ Limited edition Single ROOTS/DUB 1978
Joshua Moses ‘ Rise Up/Rise Up(Dub)’ 12″ Limited Edition Single ROOTS/DUB 1983
March:
Talisman ‘Takin The Strain – Deluxe Edition’ CD ( British Reggae Lost Classics Series) ROOTS/REGGAE 1984
Revelation Rockers ‘Jah Praises’ Vinyl LP ( British Reggae Unreleased Classics Series) ROOTS 1979
The Bristol Reggae Explosion 3 The 80′s Part 11 CD and Vinyl LP ROOTS/REGGAE/DUB THE 80′S
April:
Cool Runnings ‘Cool Runnings’ CD (British Reggae Unreleased Classics Series) ROOTS/LOVERS ROCK 1983-1985 (POSSIBLE VINYL LP DEPENDING ON DEMAND)
Joshua Moses ‘Joshua to Jashwha – 30 Years In The Wilderness’ (British Reggae Unreleased Classics Series) ROOTS ANTHOLOGY 1978-2003
LATER IN THE YEAR:
Dan Ratchet album
Handsome and The Vibes album
Vibes Album
Black Roots ‘All Day All Night’ reissue album (subject to confirmation)
Following the critical and commercial success of “The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978 – 1983” Bristol Archive records have dug even deeper into the city’s reggae heritage for the follow-up, “Bristol Reggae Explosion Volume 2 – The 1980s”. This time we continue our quest not only with a selection of rarities, but with several tracks that have never been previously released, by popular demand Volume 2 also comes with greater dub content.
Bristol’s top roots exponents Black Roots feature once more, “Tribal War” is a prime example of their early roots style. Whilst “Pin In The Ocean” shows the later more commercial sound they adopted in collaboration with the Mad Professor, both tracks can also be found on the label’s “Black Roots The Reggae Singles Anthology”, a career spanning overview.
Bunny Marrett wrote Black Roots’ “Bristol Rock”, the opening track on Volume 1 so it’s only appropriate and with great pleasure that we include his sole vinyl outing, the very scarce “Times Are Getting Harder”, a great slice of UK roots. When it comes to scarcity there were reputedly just 200 copies pressed of “Robin Hoods Of The Ghetto” by Cool Running, we believe it deserves a much wider audience.
The Radicals, 3-D Production and Joshua Moses will be familiar to those who have Volume 1 and return with more of the same. The Joshua Moses track is previously unreleased and appears here thanks to the detective work of Mike Darby. Another unreleased track we’ve managed to uncover is Alfred McIntosh’s “Wicked Dub” a 7 minute workout that helps give this release a greater dub flavour.
The mid part of the decade is represented by Zapp Stereo’s appropriately titled “Way Out West” and Lord John Hutchinson’s “Little Eyes”. Both tracks are previously unreleased. The albums closing track is Dan Ratchett’s “Raggamuffin Girl”. Recorded in 1989 it perfectly sums up the way Reggae music started to change direction. Dan was an ever present part of the Bristol scene in the late eighties and nineties and hopefully this will be the first of many tracks we get to license for future releases.
Rather than discuss all the tracks in detail we’ve left a few surprises for the listener to discover for themselves, but you can be sure that this release builds on the strengths of Volume 1 and explores the Bristol scene in far more depth. Hopefully it shows how the live, band based scene at the start of the decade evolved to be more solo artist based a few years later. This sowed the seeds for the explosion in studio based production companies that were just around the corner, the two volumes compliment each other perfectly, roll on Volume 3!
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