RELEASES

Released on 23rd April 2012 via Sugar Shack Records / Bristol Archive Records

For our first venture into reggae, Sugar Shack have teamed up with a new group, AMJ Dub Collective. The group’s name may be new to people, but their part in Bristol’s musical heritage goes back more than thirty years. Mark Spence and Andy Clarke, the band’s rhythm section are graduates of Zion Band from which they progressed to legendary Bristol band Restriction, (music from both bands can be found on our sister label Bristol Archive Records). The third member of the trio is producer John Hollis, another Restriction graduate and for their first release they’ve called on two other former band mates Eric ‘The General’ McCarthy on MC duties and Bristol legend Rob Smith for a brace of mixes.

The trio’s aim was to recreate the classic reggae sound that they grew up with, yet they aren’t afraid to bring things up to date where appropriate as well as bringing in some guest musicians for an added Latin twist that harks back to Jamaican music’s origins and close links with Cuba and the wider Caribbean.

The idea for these tracks came from Mark Spence who felt it was long overdue to document in song the City’s rich heritage of sound systems, their selectors, MCs and the posses who supported them, a tribute to the reggae scene that nurtured and inspired the members of AMJ Dub Collective as well as countless others over the decades.

The choice of Eric ‘The General’ on microphone duties was obvious as not only had he taken that role in Restriction, but was also an MC on legendary Bristol sound system Enterprise. His delivery has lost nothing in the last thirty years and it’s great to be able to hear him again.
Rob Smith needs no introduction and although his career has covered the “Bristol Sound”, drum and bass and dub step, he has never drifted far from his reggae roots, having been a founder member of both Zion Band and Restriction, it’s only natural that his mixing talents were called upon and he certainly delivers.

This is reggae for the twenty first century, yet reggae built on years of practice and skill, music played on real instruments by real musicians and not something programmed on a PC using the same tired digital effects, “Sound History” will be released as a limited edition 4 track 12” EP complete with picture sleeve, if only all new reggae was made with such care and attention.

Tracks:

Side 1
SOUND HISTORY 1
SOUND HISTORY 1 (version)

Side 2
SOUND HISTORY 2
SOUND HISTORY 2 (version)

Release ‘Sound History Volume One’
Artist AMJ Dub Collective
Format 12” Vinyl (Limited Edition)
Cat Nos FOD090V
Label Sugar Shack Records / Bristol Archive Records
Barcode: 5052571026717
Release Date 23rd April 2012
Genre Roots Reggae

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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.
www.bristolarchiverecords.com

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

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JOSHUA MOSES
JOSHUA TO JASHWHA – 30 YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS

Released 9th April 2012
as Limited Edition Vinyl with Insert, 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, Jaswha 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.

www.bristolarchiverecords.com

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

Track listing:

CD:
1.    Africa (Is Our Land)
2.    House Of Dread
3.    Stick It Up
4.    Jah Time Has Come
5.    Suffering In The Past
6.    The Suffering (Dub)
7.    Rise Up
8.    Rise Up (Dub)
9.    Steel
10.   Bobby Wrong
11.   Children Of The Light
12.   Nothing To Lose
13.   Protection
14.   Distant Guns
15.   Home (Version)

Vinyl:

Side A

1.  Africa (Is Our Land)
2.  Home (Version)
3.  House Of Dread
4.  Stick It Up

Side B

1.  Jah Time Has Come
2.  Rise Up
3.  Rise Up Dub
4.  Steel
5.  Protection
6.  Distant Guns

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COOL RUNNINGS
‘COOL RUNNINGS’
Released on 9th April 2012 on CD and Digital Download

With a career that spanned twelve years including the entire 1980s, Cool Runnings were one of Bristol’s longest lasting bands, yet their failure to gig beyond the West Country or release anything more than their lone twelve inch single means that they are also one of the City’s best kept musical secrets. Originally formed in Weston-Super-Mare by Keyboardist Mark Tuck and Guitarist George Condover, they immediately relocated to Bristol and recruited various local musicians including an experienced and talented singer, Winston Minott.
Although “Robin Hoods Of The Ghetto” was their solitary release, the band regularly recorded material throughout their career and fortunately thanks to the foresight of George and Mark in holding onto various master tapes, Bristol Archive Records are able to release the band’s self titled debut album “Cool Runnings”.
We’ve selected a dozen tracks recorded between 1983 and 1985 at various local studios, and a couple of live tracks, to give an idea of why the band were so popular in person. Although their music leans towards the more mellow end of the market, (Lovers Rock), music ideally suited to Winston’s soulful voice, the band were more than capable of writing good roots tunes, five of which are featured including the excellent “We Must Go Home”, “Children Of Zion” and the previously released “Robin Hoods Of The Ghetto”. Winston Minott had spent many years touring all over Europe with soul band The Invaders and many songs showcase his vocal talent, but a particular highlight has to be “Playhouse” an alternative recording of which can be found on “The Bristol Reggae Explosion Volume 3”.
Perhaps proper management would have seen Cool Runnings achieve the success and wider exposure that their combined talents and unique take on reggae undoubtedly deserved. Now twenty years after the members went their separate ways, Bristol Archive Records are pleased to fill in another missing piece of the City’s musical heritage with a band whose music fits perfectly with their name, Cool Runnings.

Tracklisting:

1. We Must Go Home
2. Playhouse
3. Children Of Zion
4. Give Me Some Interest
5. Robin Hoods Of The Ghetto
6. Lawman
7. You Can’t Pay Me
8. Is This For Real?
9. Permanent Diet
10. There You Go
11. Sunshine – Weep Willow Weep
12. Last Train

ARTIST: Cool Runnings
TITLE: ‘Cool Runnings’
FORMAT: Format : CD and Digital Download
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock
CAT NO: ARC248CD
RELEASE DATE: 9th April 2012

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THE BRISTOL REGGAE EXPLOSION 3 – THE 80’s PART 2

VARIOUS ARTISTS

15 Track CD, 8 Track LP AND Digital Download

Released 19th March 2012

The Bristol Reggae Explosion is back with a third volume. Whilst still happily exploring what was happening in the city during the 1980s, we’ve bent the rules and included a lone track from 1979. If anything, this third volume is our strongest so far, an amazing achievement when you consider that 11 of the 15 tracks are previously unreleased.

By popular demand, “Bristol Reggae Explosion Volume 3 – The 1980s Part II” has a strong leaning towards the roots side of reggae. The album opens with Revelation Rockers “Jah Praises”, recorded in 1979 and taken from the album of the same name that sees its first release on Bristol Archive Records in March 2012 exclusively on vinyl, so it’s inclusion on Volume 3 will be it’s only CD issue. Revelation Rockers soon changed their name to Talisman and as such they feature twice more with the unreleased (Cave mix) of “Takin’ The Strain” and “Lick & Run” taken from their debut album “Takin’ The Strain”, re-released on CD as a deluxe edition in March 2012.

We included Bunny Marrett’s only vinyl outing on Volume 2. He returns for Volume 3 with an incredibly soulful and atmospheric performance of “I’m Free.” An alternative version will be included on Bunny’s first album which Bristol Archive Records plan to release later in 2012, something we are really excited about.

Another act from whom we intend to release a long overdue album is Joshua Moses. ‘Stick It Up’ is a live recording that gives you some idea just how good his shows were and is a taster from the album ‘Joshua to Jashwha- 30 Years In The Wilderness’.  Maintaining the roots vibe are Zion Band, most of whom would go on to form Restriction but not before putting out a six track EP and we’ve included “Babylon Fire/Babylon Dub” from that scarce vinyl release.

Two more previously featured acts from Volume 2 are Alfred McIntosh, whose dubs were so well received last time, and Cool Runnings, with unreleased alternative versions of two songs taken from their forthcoming self-titled album on Bristol Archive Records.

Although very well known locally, Popsy Curious gets his introduction to the worldwide reggae community with his “Chant  Down Bobby Rome”. He makes a second contribution showing his lovers rock side, as one of the vocalists on Vibes’ “My Love”. The remaining artists Ron Green, Zapp Stereo, The Radicals and Dan Ratchet will be familiar to those who have our previous volumes. It is worth noting that Dan Ratchet is backed by members of Aswad for his take on the classic mid-eighties U.K. reggae sound. Bristol Archive Records are currently working on releasing Dan’s first album from which “Sweet Rosie” is taken as well as an album from the multi-talented Ron Green.

All in all, these 15 tracks provide a great overview of the diversity of ideas and styles that were bubbling away in 1980s Bristol. We have had a great response to our first two volumes and hopefully volume three will receive an equally positive welcome.

www.bristolarchiverecords.com

ARTIST: Various Artists
TITLE: The Bristol Reggae Explosion 3 – The 80’s Part 2
RELEASE DATE: 19th March 2012
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock
FORMAT:  CD, Limited Edition Vinyl LP and Digital Download
CAT NO: ARC249CD and ARC249V
BARCODE: 5052571025215 / 5052571025222
DOWNLOAD LINK (For review purposes only): to follow 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

Track listing:

CD Tracks

1. Revelation Rockers Jah Praises   (Taylor 1979) (p) Archive Publishing 1979
2. Bunny Marrett   I’m Free (Bunny Marrett 1983) (P) Copyright Control 1983
3. Talisman   Takin’ The Strain (Cave Mix 1983) (p) Hue & Cry/Warner Bros Music 1983
4. Joshua Moses Stick It Up   (Joshua Moses/Mikey Taylor 1983) (p) Archive Publishing 1983
5. Alfred McIntosh   Pain (Dub) (McIntosh/Talisman 1983) (p) Archive Publishing 1983
6. Babylon Fire / Babylon Dub Zion Band  (Reynold Duncan 1982) (p) Copyright Control 1982
7. Talisman   Lick & Run (Taylor 1983) (p) Hue & Cry/Warner Publishing 1983
8. Cool Runnings   You Can’t Pay Me   (Condover/Minott 1983) (p) Archive Publishing 1983
9. Ron Green featuring Glen Quake Then Came You (Dub) (Ron Green 1983) (p) Third Kind Music 1983
10. Popsy Curious   Chant Down Bobby Rome   (Barrett 1989) (p) Archive Publishing 1989
11. Zapp Stereo   The Mission   (Snow/Palaste 1984 ) (p) Copyright  Control 1984
12. Cool Runnings Playhouse   (Condover/Minott 1983) (p) Archive Publishing 1983
13. The Radicals   Soul Eternal   (John Carley 1980) (p) Archive Publishing 1980
14. Vibes My Love (Barrett/Minott/Morrison 1988 ) (p) Copyright Control 1988
15. Dan Ratchet   Sweet Rosie (Neil Williams 1985) (p) Archive Publishing 1985

Vinyl

Side A

1. “Jah Praises” – Revelation Rockers
2. “I’m Free” – “Bunny Marrett
3. “Takin’ The Strain” (Cave Mix) – Talisman
4. “Stick It Up” – Joshua Moses

Side B

1. Babylon Fire/Babylon Dub” – Zion Band
2. “Chant Down Bobby Rome” – Popsy Curious
3. “Pain (Dub)” – Alfred McIntosh
4. “Playhouse” – “Cool Runnings

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TALISMAN – ‘Takin’the Strain’

Originally issued as a vinyl LP in 1984, “Takin’ The Strain” was Talisman’s first album. The culmination of a long musical journey as the band had existed in various guises since 1976. At the time of the album’s release Talisman were a three piece. This core 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.

Although they’d been through personnel changes, this line-up were consummate performers and delivered a musical statement for the time. The nine tracks showcasing some variety and even including a soul tune. Having been launched to great fanfare with a live show at The Bristol Studio, then the city’s premier live music venue, the album achieved some success. It also suffered from being released on a small independent label without the muscle to break through to a wider audience.

Having already released Talisman’s earlier recorded output on “Dole Age – The 1981 Reggae Collection” (ARC199), it’s only fitting that Bristol Archive Records should turn their attention to the band’s first studio album. Not only is this the first digital issue, available on both CD and download, but this release is enhanced by the addition of five live cuts recorded at London’s Lyceum in 1985. As well as live performances of “Takin’ The Strain”, “Calamity”, “Ah Wah You Seh” and “Lick & Run” we’ve also included a live version of “Slow Poison”, a track that didn’t make it onto the original issue, but was a key part of the band’s live sets for many years.

In addition to the extra tracks Bristol Archive’s usual attention to detail is evident and the CD comes with a booklet full of archive images and extensive sleeve notes based on the recollections of Lead Vocalist and Guitarist Dehvan Othieno Sengor. Coinciding with a renewed appreciation for their work Talisman have reformed and are now playing gigs throughout the UK, rebuilding the loyal following they once had and winning over a whole new generation of new fans, many of whom weren’t born when “Takin’ the Strain” was first released.

1. Takin The Strain
2. Crime Of Passion
3. Lick & Run
4. Ah Wah You Seh
5. Lord Of The Dance
6. Stride On
7. I’m Sorry
8. Calamity
9. Burn The Bread

Bonus tracks recorded live at The Lyceum supporting Eek-A-Mouse in 1985 Slow Poison

1. Slow Poison
2. Takin The Strain
3. Calamity
4. Ah Wah You Seh
5. Lick & Run

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REVELATION ROCKERS – ‘JAH PRAISES’

Released 5th March 2012 as Limited Edition Vinyl LP and Digital Download

1979 was a good year for reggae and British reggae in particular. Lover’s rock went mainstream  with Janet Kay on Top Of the Pops and Aswad, Steel Pulse and Linton Kwesi Johnson all building on their debuts with strong second albums. Meanwhile the healthy live circuit gave bands an opportunity to make a living from music. One of those bands was Bristol’s Revelation Rockers who although founded in 1976, would not find real success until slight line-up changes and a change of name to Talisman which would see them become established as one of the UK’s finest live acts.

Until recently Bristol Archive Records had believed that no recordings of Revelation Rockers existed, so when we were handed a master tape we couldn’t wait to get it transferred and as the first people to listen to these tracks in nearly a third of a century we knew we’d discovered something rather special. The five songs on this album aren’t some rough demo tracks best forgotten, but a fully realised UK roots album worthy of standing alongside anything released at the time.

The reason why these tracks weren’t released in ’79 is long forgotten – perhaps it was the change of name or personnel, possibly the lack of funds or interest from record labels or maybe it was just that the music and Talisman took a slightly different direction. Whatever the reason, Bristol Archive Records is belatedly putting things right with the 5th March 2012 release of “Jah Praises” Revelation Rockers entire recorded legacy as a vinyl only LP, just as it would have been in ’79.

This record is a time capsule, dealing with the reality of life in late seventies Britain, racism, mass unemployment, industrial unrest and poverty. The title track is a song of praise to Jah driven by a relentless bass line backed up by horns, the sort of song that was almost compulsory for any seventies roots album. From praising Jah, the music tackles the loss of cultural identity caused by the legacy of slavery, “Give me back my culture, give me back my roots”, the track “Culture” makes its message clear. Perhaps borrowing a lyrical idea from the Wailers “Who Feels It Knows It” makes it clear you can’t truly relate to how others live their lives until you’ve actually experienced a similar situation yourself, a lesson still very much relevant today. “Wicked Dem” is a song that would go on to become one of the signature tunes of Talisman. Here we have its earliest recorded incarnation, very different from the version we all know, rawer, sparser, slower and heavier, but just as hard hitting and able to hold its own with the later Talisman cuts. The album ends with a change of mood, a love song, yet there’s nothing soft about “When You’re Away” as it’s driven along by a heavy contemporary backing with the added benefit of horns.

It’s a rare event to have the opportunity to hear an entire “lost” reggae album, even rarer when the music is this good. This record is essential for all fans of UK roots reggae and beyond, rewriting the story of what was happening on the Bristol and UK reggae scenes in 1979. Long overdue it may be, but Revelation Rockers finally get to secure their place in the music’s history.

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