Tapper Zukie - Tapper Roots (Kingston Sounds)
As their last release for 2014, the Kingston Sounds label opted for a reissue of 'Tapper Roots', the second and last album Tapper Zukie recorded for Richard Branson's Virgin Records label in 1978 ('Peace In The Ghetto', Tapper's first album for Virgin was already rereleased by Kingston Sounds earlier this year).
Lady Lex - Is This Love (Peckings Records)
Lady Lex's is a great story (born Karen Moon and a niece of The Who drummer Keith Moon): in 2004, she entered the brothers Peckings' record store in Shepherd's Bush, London, asked Chris to the Lonely Street riddim and then proceeded to blow everyone present away with a live rendition of what would become her first single on the Peckings label: 'I'm In The Mood' (a reworking of the evergreen by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields, covered countless times already, but first performed by Frances Langford in 'Every Night At Eight', a musical comedy from 1935).
Various Artists - Special Blend: Ladies First EP (Self-published)
'Ladies First' is the first release in the Special Blend series conceived by French producer duo Bost & Bim.
Nakany Kante - Saramaya (Slow Walk Music)
Slow Walk Music, the Spanish label that introduced us to Alma Afrobeat Ensemble just recently, now also releases Nakany Kante's.
Nesbeth - Victory EP (Entertainment Soul Records)
Nesbeth is one of those Jamaican artists who've been trying to force an international breakthrough for years, but for some reason still haven't succeeded.
Kalio Gayo - Drango 13 (Self-published)
Yours truly got to know Kalio Gayo with the release of their 2011 'Parti Y Prije' album.
Che Sudaka - Hoy (Cavernicola Records)
With their sixth album the members of Che Sudaka firmly put the emphasis back on their Colombian roots.
Jahcoustix - Acoustic Frequency (Irievibrations Records/Grooveattack/VPal)
In 2013 Jahcoustix released 'Frequency', an excellent album the German reggae recorded in collaboration with Austrian Irievibrations Records.
Tydal - Mission Incomplete (Master One Entertainment/VPal)
'Mission Incomplete' is the long player debut of singjay Tydal, born Navardo Graham in Saint Mary, Jamaica.
DJ Dolores - Banda Sonora, Musica Para Filmes (Far Out Recordings)
Helder Aragao aka DJ Dolores was one of the creators of the Brazilian mangue bit movement and today is one of the most important Brazilian exponents in electronic music.
Tmar - Pursuit Of Happiness (MacLes Music Factory Productions)
After the great Puff Puff riddim and Timmi Burrell's debut effort, MacLes Music Factory Productions is now also presenting Tmar Millington's album debut.
Flo - D'Amore E Di Altre Cose Irreversibili (Warner Chappell Music Italiana/Agualoca Records/V2)
Flo (born Floriana Cangiano), is a singer-songwriter from Naples and with 'D'Amore E Di Altre Cose Irreversibili' ("about love and other irreversible business") presents her album debut.
OqueStrada - AtlanticBeat Mad'in Portugal (JARO Medien)
OqueStrada (the name is a contraction of the Portuguese "orquestra", orchestra, and "estrada" or street) represents a new generation of Portuguese artists (see also Deolinda), a generation with one foot still firmly rooted in fado-tradition, but by no means restricted by the limitations of the genre.
Kevin Isaacs - If You Leave EP (Self-published)
Kevin Isaacs is the son of the late reggae crooner Gregory Isaacs.
Malaka Youth - Te Doy Mi Fuego (Self-published)
The expression "strike while the iron is hot" in mind, just a few months after the release of their debut EP 'Olas De Cambio', Malaka Youth now presents this long player.
Melike - Inn Of Love (Homerecords.be)
'Inn Of Love' sprouted from the meeting of Melike Tarhan, a Belgian singer of Turkish origin and jazz saxophonist John Snauwaert, who in the past had also already experimented with Turkish music.
Razia - Akory (Cumbancha)
With 'Akory' ("Now what?"), Razia presents a logical sequel to 2010's 'Zebu Nation'.
Shockproof - Petaca EP (Self-published)
In January and February of this year, Mechelen based rapper Shockproof (born Wietse Van Daele) travelled to Colombia to broaden his musical horizons.
Various Artists - Sound System: Dub Plate Specials 1975-1979 (Jamaican Recordings)
Writing a review about a compilation like 'Sound System: Dub Plate Specials 1975-1979' without disposing of any additional information, isn't easy.
Various Artists - Solid Foundation (Irievibrations Records)
Austrian label Irievibrations Records is celebrating its ten year anniversary with the compilation 'Solid Foundation', a mixture of the best and most successful tunes that appeared on the label over the years (Luciano's 'Rub-A-Dub Market', Anthony B's 'Freedom Fighter' or 'Controller' by Jahcoustix and Apple Gabriel) and some previously unreleased songs.