Deolinda - Dois Selos E Um Carimbo (World Connection)
'Dois Selos E Um Carimbo' (loosely translated: "two stamps and a postmark") is both formally (once again featuring great illustrations by João Fazenda) and musically the perfect successor to 'Cançao Ao Lado', Deolinda's 2009 album debut.
The Uniques - Absolutely Rocksteady (Pressure Sounds)
After 'Watch This Sound' (Pressure Sounds 21) the Pressure Sounds label again brings tribute to the work of The Uniques, this time putting lead vocalist Slim Smith in the spotlight.
Cop On Fire & Combat Wombat - Your Next Flatscreen Could Be Your Last… (Mass Productions/Kapotte Radio Records)
Cop On Fire was formed in 2004 in the Leuven squatters scene.
Pablo Moses - Revolutionary Dream + A Song (Grounded Music/House Of Moses/Acoustic Music/Socadisc)
Pablo Moses is one of those Jamaican artists who in recent years have fought hard to gain back control of their catalogue (see also Burning Spear or Ijahman Levi) and it's only logical he's now trying to reap some of the benefits from getting back what was his to begin with.
Lobi Traore - Rainy Season Blues (Glitterhouse Records)
'Rainy Season Blues', the new album by Lobi Traore, has sadly also turned out to be his musical testament as the Malian guitarist/vocalist died unexpectedly in June of this year.
The Jolly Boys - Great Expectation (Geejam Recordings/Pias)
Before ska, rocksteady and reggae there was mento; simply put, Jamaica's answer to the calypso from Trinidad (where for calypso music the steel drum, a modified oil barrel, is used, mento bands used the rumba box, a big version of the African thumb piano, and the banjo).
The Regulators - In A Dancing Mood, The Gully Bank Sessions (Self-published)
Although The Regulators have been going at it for about twenty years now, 'In A Dancing Mood' is only their second album.
Midnite - Ark A Law & What Makes A King (Afrikan Roots Lab/Higher Bound)
Midnite's output, until further notice still the most important exponent of so-called Virgin Islands roots (see also Dezarie, Iba or Bambu Station), is so vast that a new album will probably be ready by the time yours truly has finished writing this review.
Offshore - Offshore (Self-published)
Offshore from The Hague is the Dutch answer to American bands like Soldiers Of Jah Army and Rebelution and their reggae rock is certainly not inferior to that of aforementioned bands.
Indifrica - Indifrica (Self-published)
'Indifrica' is the 7 track debut of Rotterdam based Guyanese singjay Indifrica.
I-Cient-Cy Mau & The Mau Mau Warriors - When Words Come To Life (Self-published)
Even though the name I-Cient-Cy Mau & The Mau Mau Warriors might not ring a bell with most European reggae lovers yet, front man I-Cient-Cy Mau (born Junior Desmond Williams) already enjoyed popularity as half of duo Papa Finnigan & Junior Ranking.
Rango - Bride Of The Zar (30IPS)
For most, yours truly included, 'Bride Of The Zar' by Egyptian band Rango, will be the first introduction to the Sudanese Zar voodoo mysticism and the related music genre rango, something the 30IPS label draws attention on with a number of ridiculous warning messages on the album cover: "No chickens were harmed and no malevolent spirits manifested during the making of this album.
Tito Puente - Salsa, Salsa, Salsa + Various Artists - Indigenous Matter (In The Woods Records/Wrasse Records)
In these harsh musical times we're only too happy when we can introduce a new label.
Afro Celt Sound System - Capture 1995 - 2010 (Real World Records)
Yours truly has been a fan of the universe of Afro Celt Sound System, an island within the world music genre where Celtic vocal lines (Iarla O'Lionard) effortlessly flow together with West African kora lines (N'faly Kouyate) and Indian dhol rhythms (Johnny Kalsi), from the very beginning.
Gappy Ranks - Put The Stereo On (Greensleeves/Peckings)
Gappy Ranks' (you might know him from the smash 'Heaven In Her Eyes' on the Soul Rebel riddim) album debut 'Put The Stereo On', is somewhat reminiscent of Bitty McLean's 'On Bond Street'; like Bitty, Gappy also got the brothers Price (Peckings) permission to go rummaging in their impressive riddim archives and the result is an almost brilliant tribute to Studio One (see title track 'Put The Stereo On'), Treasure Isle and even vinyl itself (see the album art).
Tippa Irie & The Far East Band - Stick To My Roots (Lockdown Productions)
Tippa Irie, the originator of so-called "speed rapping" or "fast talking" and still one of the best DJs from the UK, describes 'Stick To My Roots' as his best album to date and who are we to contradict him? Fact is that his cooperation with the German Far East Band (the ex-backing band of Gentleman) has produced an extremely enjoyable album with Tippa doing his thing, verbally inimitable, humorous and never vulgar or slack.
Lee Perry - Sound System Scratch (Pressure Sounds)
Yes, this is yet another Lee Perry compilation, but it's one that deserves your attention.
Cornadoor - Without Restrictions (Sound Quake)
In these desperate times for reggae music Germany's hope is set on Bielefelder Cornadoor (born Philip Knoop).
Pura Vida - Struggle In The City (Kinky Star)
"Brilliant self-penned songs, great arrangements and a colorful palette of vocal and musical talent!", "One of the most accomplished reggae artists in this country!", these are just some of the superlatives with which Pura Vida, brainchild of Bregt De Boever, is described and the release of their first album created high expectations.
Bottle Of Moonshine - Never Trust The Suits EP (Moonshine Recording/Self-published)
The sandy soil of the Campine is becoming the ideal breeding ground for Belgian ska bands.